silent saturday

"But after I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee." Mark 14:28

three hours of darkness

"And when the sixth was come, there was darkness* over the whole land until the  ninth hour..."

                                                                                                 Mark 15:33

*obscurity, literal darkness

Today, the day the Church calls Good Friday, the sun hides between clouds for the most part, a silvery shady sense of questioning is in the sky. I am trying to imagine what it would be like to be enveloped in darkness as the Scripture states- obscure, black, no shadows, groping in the dark- perhaps lighting an oil lamp, hands trembling.

 Once more  my moments prioritize being a Martha with a Mary's heart...my role is etched on this day.


Whoever is present at my house on Good Friday at 3:00 p.m. will be served tea and hot cross buns. We gather, we remember, we read the Word, and we pray.

Maundy Thursday

Reading the excellent Lent devotional, Reliving the Passion, by Walter Wangerin, Jr.

But here true to home I am pondering foot washings. Sometimes it looks like it involves serving childen and grandchildren that abound; visiting, creating joy, life colliding, messes being made.
Yet through it all I learn the humble act of foot washing...and it is glorious.

"If you know these things, happy are you if you do them." John 13:17

coffee shop waiting

Another Wednesday, another coffee shop...and this one is a keeper for sure.

And attaching the collar to same sweater, then on to the sleeves!

 

march...

... a month of wind,  soft snow falls, monogram embroidering, and knitting, of course, always knitting.

 One morning while Charlotte had her violin lesson, I sat in a coffee house while the snow swirled outside.

Outside one balmy afternoon, the wind was playing the most lovely tunes on my wind chimes, and I was embroidering boutis (another guild project). 

Louie, Charlotte was downstairs practicing her violin and he hates it!

My smocking(sewing) guild started a project several months ago that I have found extremely enjoyable, hand- monogramming onto pillowcases using the satin stitch. The satin stitch takes some practice, but I can say my stitches became more even by the time I had completed the second pillowcase. A good tutorial can be found on NeedlenThread.

tea relish

Funny how little things scurry into my mind these days. Things "au nouveau" that prick interest, the voice in the back of my mind until I absolutely must do something about it. So here I am this first week of spring, with chai tea of the brain. 
Yes, it helped that I had an wonderful day with a long-time friend this past Saturday and as we hopped into a little shop of tea on State Street, there on the wooden shelves was what my brain had been voicing...masala chai tea. At $13.00( 2.7 oz. bag) I knew my next assignment was to gather all my needed ingredients to make my own masal chai tea mix in the future. 

I am presently searching what I need. I will let do a future post on chai tea making 101. 

For now, I am happy to turn on my tea kettle, heat up my milk, and scoop my purchased loose masala chai tea into a cup to steep for 3-4 minutes. 

days of clouds

upon which we do sensible things such as turn on lights and make chicken stock.

Many days of clouds and amazing rainy skies give opportunity for Charlotte to accomplish her science experiment in predicting the weather. We have witnessed such a variety of fantastic cloud formations lately. But inside we find ourselves drooping unless we find ways to create a sense of cosiness.

Upon talking to several younger women this past weekend, I discovered many do not know the art of stock making.  I know I have spoken of how to make soup stock several years back, but it is noteworthy and timely to revisit because I know from experience that making your own stock can become as second nature, and after tasting the difference, it is worth the extra 1/2 mile you  go to make it happen.

    I always make chicken stock on home days. I take the bones I have been saving and break them up as much as possible...and I know some chicken bones can be hardy, do the best you can... and then I add  the vegetables: onions, carrots, celery, herbs.  Bring all this to a boil on the stove, then reduce the heat to simmer.
 After your simmering time is complete, and honestly I never time this process, I just go about my day at home, watching and adding more liquid (water) if necessary. The longer it simmers the richer  and thicker the broth as the marrow from the bones has time to cook into the liquid.
 Allow to cool and place the pan into the refrigerator until all the fat rises to the top, skim as much fat as you can off the top, do this while it is still cold.

See the thick congealed broth? That is exactly what you want. Heat the mixture once again, then strain off all the bones and vegetables which I toss. When  the juice cools  you have a jar of this thick, rich broth. If I plan to make soup soon I keep it in the refrigerator, but if not I freeze it.