hibernum

Winter is the time for comfort,

for good food and warmth,

for the touch of a friendly hand 

and for a talk beside the fire:

it is the time for home.

~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Marble Faun

It seems like I have been encased in a state of hibernation, as it might possibly relate to communicating anything on this blog of late anyway. It was never intended to be that way, just spells of activity and priorities immeasurable overcame any extra computer time. 

But isn't winter stoked with good things? We are drinking oodles of steaming pots of herb teas or hot freshly-brewed coffee with cream, reading wonderful pieces of literature, and eating comfort foods with family and

 friends.

Smothered in the essence of winter, rather reminding me of a hot biscuit smothered in chipped beef gravy. 

Cozy and dappled,

Welcoming places to gather,

Rosemary peach jam spread on an English muffin, I call this preserved summer in a jar.

"Methinks it is a token of healthy and gentle characteristics, when women of high thoughts and accomplishments love to sew;
especially as they are never more at home with their own hearts than while so occupied."

~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Marble Faun

Although this post has quoted a particular piece of Hawthorne's work twice, frankly, I have not read the novel, The Marble Faun. But I do love the quotes.

 As far as the sewing goes, on winter afternoons and evenings I stitch. Lately, I have been keeping my hands busy smocking on a blue batiste nightgown or my "piece-de-resistance", a table runner created as a crazy quilt type arrangement. It lends itself to such creative needlework, and to me astounds with its distinct siren call.