Pinchings

In the pantry hanging by a cotton string, a bunch of dried oregano garnered in the peak of June's herbal bounty; mid morning snippings, while the bees danced and drank of the pinkish purple flower's nectar, these are the memories that are aroused during my search of culinary flavor.

Tonight my spaghetti sauce was in need of just a pinch.

Knitting Hats

In passing these days it never ceases to come up in conversation, "I'll be glad when this cold spell is over and warmer weather returns." I listen and remain silent for the most part. Because frankly, I am enjoying this cold spell immensely. Rather strange for me to admit , but it certainly is the truth. Soon, very soon, these cold temperatures will dissolve into breezes blowing gentle winds and we will awake to a world of colorful crocuses and sunshiny daffodils. I will enjoy those things to the uttermost too.Yet now it pleases me to knit woolen hats that keep my children toasty on these winter days.

Here are some of the hats worn from this past week's chilling afternoon walks.

I knitted this hat last year during when I was sick in bed with the flu of sorts. It is Charlotte's favorite winter hat.

Upon cleaning Charlotte's closet last week, which was spilling over into every inch of her room, I found this felted hat on the top shelf. It was made for Rose when she was six years old and she hated it because it was too itchy! Knitted from the wool of my sheep, felted and dyed this beautiful shade of charcoal, I think it is the cat's meow.

Embellished with two golden bows on its front rim, to add extra attraction.

In those days prior to Christmas when everything is a bustling and there is hardly any time to even think straight, I find sitting down for a spell to knit to be the most calming of pursuits to undertake. I visited my local yarn shop and knitted up several toboggans from this yarn of merino wool, silk and cashmere. One of the hats, different pattern, same yarn, different color,was given as a gift so I do not have a photo of it.


But this one, Rose wants to claim. I am not convinced yet that it shall be hers. The pattern for this hat is found here.

Simmering Smells

Aromatherapy was created for people like me in mind.

Being highly sensitive in the olfactory sense seems to be either a blessing or a detriment depending on how you look at it. So many images are conjured up with smells wafting by and, oh the places I may go are simply amazing with just a whiff of certain pleasant smells.

Therefore, good natural aromas are the ideal when I set out to make my home smell marvelous. One of my favorite at this time of year, especially since orange peels are abundant and throwing them in the garbage pail seems such a waste, is a pot of water filled with:
orange peels or slices of orange,
cinnamon sticks,
whole allspice,
and whole cloves

placed on the stove top over low heat. Apple peels may also be added to the pot.

You must remember to continue adding liquid throughout the day. Another advantage to this simmering pot is the humidifying affects to your winter home. I am being doubly blessed as I enjoy my simmering pot of fruit and spices today.

Taste of Warmer Days

Strawberry freezer jam is an all-time winner and just happens to be the most requested of jams at my house at any given time, when jam is a must. I am thinking scratch biscuits here or maybe a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

It reminds one of the warm delightful days of May and eating fresh strawberries in the strawberry fields while juice rolls down your chin and stains the old clothes you know you must wear in the course of berry picking. But I won't go there quite yet, I am satisfied to be in winter's gusty weather, wearing wool fingerless mitts around my house to keep my hands warm, and donning hand knitted socks while sipping hot tea with a bit of juice added.

But I can appreciate and immensely enjoy a taste of springtime on these January days. So good, if I may say so myself!

on to the daily living routine

Back to the school lessons this morning, but on this afternoon there emerged several delights of another matter altogether. For me, the sewing machine was settled on the end of my dining room table once again so I could sew on a silk dress for Rose, while Charlotte took a position on the other side to try her hands at something new, cross stitch.


This book was a wonderful bargain, picked up from the book bins of Tuesday Morning. There are so many fun and simple ideas for even the youngest of embroiderers in the family to create.

Charlotte is learning how to cross stitch on gingham fabric. She dreams of what the end project will be, a pillow is the present plan.

In an attempt to get the blood flowing through our veins and make healthy activity for us all, we bundled up in scarves, gloves, and woolen coats and took a walk through the woods. We forded streams and walked on ice patches. The bright sunshine mustn't fool you, this wintry blast of cold weather has us all shivering more these days

But we knew tea time was waiting back home. A loaf of strawberry bread made back in late summer was rescued from the freezer to be enjoyed by the glow of a wee candle.

The horse creamer took his place on the afternoon tea table to add a bit of whimsical fun.

Wives and Daughters

Replacing

I reluctantly put away all the Christmas cheer throughout the day. I am not ready to stop hearing and singing Christmas songs and saying Merry Christmas. I am not ready to stop finding Christmas cards in my mailbox, and I am definitely not ready to get back to the routine of school. Yet, today the Christmas tree was stripped of its lights and ornaments and tossed away, just as the boxes of Christmas decorations and wreaths were packed and rendered to the lonely attic. And lastly, the Christmas music was sadly stored in the Christmas box in the stereo cabinet until next year.

A walk around the block where the sound of Mr. Putter's nails on the pavement reminded me of the typewriters of my youth. The children were riding their bikes and we were walking a rapid pace to keep up.

Home to jigsaw puzzles and coffee, the making of yeast rolls and the putting a pot of black-eyed peas to boil.

Alan set the table tonight. I can always tell, his glass of iced tea is placed where it should be for him, on the left side.

However, I was insistent that the lights in my kitchen window will remain through these days of January, a beacon of welcome to shine in the dark of winter's night.


Happy New Year!

December Collage

During this month, concentration in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord was our entire focus. After all He became flesh and dwelt among us(John 1:14), it is in Him we live and move and have our being( Acts 17:28), and to Him we owe everything(Romans 11:36).


First row from right:

* Perfect picture girls

*New snow-white fuzzy slippers and holiday corgi

*A gift of foggy gray fingerless mitts for a friend

*Christmas breakfast table

* Fireside romance

Second row:

* Last minute knitting projects

*Girls in the kitchen

*Creating gift tags

* Cookie cutouts

*Christmas morning delight

Third row:

*A Monday morning ladies brunch

* Christmas morning traditional foods

* Carol singalong

*Rolling in cinnamon

* Guitar worship

Fourth row:

* Ham biscuits, cheese grits and sweet breads

* Shiny icing Christmas cookies

*Precision decorating

*Krispy Kreme doughnut hats

*Corgi reindeer

Fifth row:

*All aglow

*Betrothed love

*Grandmother's vintage tablecloth

* Marriage

*Snickerdoodle balls in a row

A glimpse of this past month. Happy, busy, merry...are the days of December.

May your enjoy this last day of 2009!

A Delectable Pairing

Certain foods make a game of deciding what might be the tastiest choice to pair with it as a topping or as a side.

A pan of gingerbread may open several possibilities.

But for me there is no contest...homemade lemon curd; made tart, then warmed and plopped on top to drizzle down all four sides of the slice of gingerbread as it sets upon the dessert plate.


Other noteworthy choices one might consider:

whipped cream,

chocolate sauce or

vanilla ice cream.

a morning breakfast

Vacation mornings,

lazy mornings,

enjoying good things such as eating breakfast in the dining room where the Christmas roses still sit on the white tablecloth, showy and companionable.

A breakfast of chipped beef gravy served over fresh buttermilk biscuits steaming hot from the oven.

A pajama clad affair.

Ornament Exchange

Four years ago I was invited to be a part of a ladies' ornament exchange. The other evening we got together and with a little hoopla, exchanged the ornaments we had made for one another in true Christmas spirit. What stories were shared of the seventeen years some of them have been getting together. Precious, godly ladies sharing ornaments, Christmas, laughter and even sorrow this year, as a mother and daughter had very recently lost a husband/ father.

D_ is eighty years old and her painted creations are some of the most favored. She paints them on brown paper grocery bags. Last year she delighted us with Raggedy Ann. Andy completed the pair this year.

C_ knits little things on tiny needles.

M_ forms holly leaves with wire.

Of course, my favorite ornaments do not come from the exchange at all, but from the hands of my children.
Charlotte made this and hung it on the tree. I loved finding it there,
hanging amidst the green boughs.