stitching autumn

All it took was a notice in the morning's newspaper that a certain little needlework shop was going out of business. I expectantly hopped into my car that Friday morning bright and early, and the inspiration to begin cross stitching once again was born. Prime on the list was this sash which will be the embellishment on a dress for Charlotte this fall. I was delighted to find the variegated floss that made me think I was stitching autumn.

This was wonderful take- along handiwork when visiting with my mother. She, like her mother before her, is a Southern lady with knowledge and experience in sewing and handwork. She sewed me some of the prettiest things when I was growing up. I sense a certain satisfaction in her when I sit by her and stitch.

Today is liquid gold, oozing with the definition of Indian summer. The sash is completed and the cream colored dress it will adorn is in the works.

I'm off to do a little afternoon sewing!

a scrapbook

The morning broke and because of the cool temperatures, we bundled up in jackets and beach towels to watch its glorious announcement.

The first day gave us the hottest temperatures.

Back in late July, we experienced another loss. This time it was my husband's father.  This particular trip was planned with my mother-in-law in mind.

The temperatures were variable, depending on the time of day. We awakened to mornings in the 40's, but my children spent some part of every day in the water, usually wearing only swimsuits.

snacks on the porch

There were times that it seemed I was like looking at a mural of icebergs on the horizon. 

All suntan products, swimsuits and beach towels have been stored away until next year. We are on to other ventures now.

a good novel in my hand

"Jean was visited by one of her rare moments of happiness, one of those moments when the goodness of God was so real to her that it was like taste and scent; the rough strong taste of honey in the comb and the scent of water."

Elizabeth Goudge

The Scent of Water

 All of Elizabeth Goudge's books are treasures to be hunted in library book sales and old bookstores. Last month I was searching amongst the books at my local library's sale, I never fail to check out the G's for her books. I was not disappointed. I started to read it this past weekend while my toes were burrowed in the warm sand. But for an interlude of time I was in the English countryside enjoying the most delightful characters.

returning

The mini break to the coast was full of:

plenty of sun, with its sometimes playful mood of hide-and-seek behind clouds that reminded me of sky icebergs, 

walks on sandy shores with warm water surfing across bare feet,

 colorful beach chair sittings surrounded by beautiful vistas and coastal sounds, 

 a good novel in the hand,

 several rounds of rummikub played at the kitchen table overlooking the sea, 

 and

of course, food, dining out at restaurants situated on the waterways, or grabbing a simple sandwich at the yellow cottage.

But upon my return trip I had a day of:

photo credit

 Minus the wooden wash tub, thankfully, I had Kenmores that swished and tumbled throughout the day. I would have loved to have worn the blue jumper, instead a pair of blue jeans and a sweater sufficed. But the sun was shining happy outside my windows and I am positive I had that look that seemed to say, "I wish I was still at the beach."

babysitter?

Zany. No other word for it. But it seemed like such a good idea at the time! The lure of sourdough loaves baking in my kitchen as we fall into autumn made me do it. You get the idea, gather supplies, mash something, stir in a few additional things, tweak it in between all the daily extras on Monday morning. After all, it was on the long list of one of the those things I wanted to do in my lifetime.

Alas, I did not think about this week's momentum and what it entailed to keep a sourdough starter alive and well. Did I truly realize what I was doing or where my week was taking me? Making the starter was a simple enough process, but the other requirement involves a special form of babying.

And did I mention we are leaving for the coast tomorrow morning?

WANTED:
 Reliable babysitter. Helpful if you live in a warm environment and enjoy stirring in warm water and flour.

chocolatey chips muffins

 I have been experimenting in baking with whole wheat pastry flour...just because. The one thing that is obvious to me when I eat these baked goods is the crumbly texture of whatever I have baked.  But the taste is not altered in the least.

Chocolatey Chip Muffins


1 2/3 c flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
3/4 c buttermilk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/3 c sugar
12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffing tins or line with papers. Melt butter and 6 ounces of chocolate chips in small saucepan. Let cool. In mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add chocolate mixture with the buttermilk, egg, sugar and vanilla. Pour this mixture into a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Stir just until incorporated. Fold in 3 ounces of chocolate chips. Fill muffin two thirds full and place remaining 3 ounces of chips on top of each of the twelve muffins. Bake for 20-23 minutes.

 Extra Bonus:

Made with Charlotte this afternoon,

 stirred up in an antique bowl that once belonged to my mother.

...it's elementary my dear

My brain strains to net aura moments. I am thinking I may be a tad bit more tired of late with the new schedules and all the extras that beckon me every day. Be informed, when I speak of such moments I am not talking rocket science. So it was today as I was preparing a lunch, requested by Charlotte, of boxed macaroni and cheese. I know this goes beyond simple, please know I give no endorsements here...just the fact of the matter is...it works sometimes. Anyway, as the water in the pot began to boil I threw in a solitary noodle, it danced, ooh..cool... then another noodle, a definite two-step...how about the addition of a third noodle? I am now observing a grand dance right before my eyes!  Elementary, my dear. A fascinating lunch began with boiling water, single noodles...and a dance observed!

And there is the healthy blooming hibiscus that glows outside on the back patio with its display of multifarious blooms due to the cooler September evenings. It is the closest thing I might ever own to the resemblance of a lemon tree.

Latin declensions are kindling my mind lately. I was a student of Latin for three years, eighth, ninth and tenth grades. There is no reason to remind you this was a long time ago.  Since the study of Latin is one of Rose's school subjects this year, I am taking on the challenge of studying Latin along with her. These days I find myself grabbing Latin words and declining them while sitting at stop lights or waiting in grocery store lines. This site helps when online practice is needed.

The windows are opened wide letting in evening sounds that fascinate and aid in creating a wonderfully soothing sleeping environment. We dine outside every evening we can and with our new later schedule due to ballet lessons and and visits with Mother, we find ourselves dining by candlelight as darkness  tiptoes into our spaces. 

 It was a quick stop by the market to pick up some sushi for dinner, which we ate with the chopsticks given to us by some friends who were former missionaries to Taiwan. I have always loved how material items can bring special people to mind.

 A before bedtime game of Rummikub with Charlotte.  As we were finishing the last match even my husband had joined in to the game's fascinating pull.

Have you played this game yet?  

incredible edible egg salad

I am resolved to admit that sandwiches are a part of my life, especially at lunchtime. Sometimes they are a means in themselves; let's just get something in our hungry bellies. Other times they can be as pleasant a treat as kites in a blue cloudless sky, wide open, soaring and carrying you as far as your imagination would like to venture out.

To make this incredibly finger-licking good egg salad,

Boil 4 large eggs, peel and coarsely chop.
Add:
 2 Tablespoons plain whole milk yogurt
2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives
a small pinch of fresh thyme
salt and pepper to taste

 Serve open faced, by lavishly spreading on Artisan bread slices or crackers rather than between two slices of bread, if that is your pleasure. Then sit back and dream. Picnics by the seaside, breezes blowing your hair in a hot air balloon, or reading a good book in a scented bath...

the fact of the matter is

Man does not live by bread alone...some of us also need sewing projects in our lives to survive.

This time it is embroidery stitches on silk...in neutral colors...to cover a journal.

O, for the love of basil

Some of you already know how much I love basil, considering it the gem of any summer garden. This year my basil has done exceptionally well, some of the leaves have been truly as gigantic as a tomato.

I have been seeing the words basil syrup in recipes scattered from here and there. And since herb syrups of any sort are right up my alley, I wasted little time in making one with basil this week.

I have been a fan of Susan Branch and her cookbooks for years. Her quotes and original drawings dispersed throughout her cookbooks are fun.  This recipe was recently given on her fairly new blog. It has a unique taste, not at all like basil though. Maybe it is the lime juice and condensed milk that makes it interesting. However, I do like it especially when poured over crushed ice. It will cool you down quickly... but one may need to watch out for what my children call "brain freeze" with those first few swallows.

(The fish straw has no extra significance whatsoever)

make pesto while the sun shines...

Ah, summer. Flourishing herb gardens and basil abundant, the trophies of summer's heat. I whizzed up a batch of pesto this morning in the food processor. But for the very first time ever I did something to the basil that I have never tried before in all my years of making pesto. I blanched the basil for 30 seconds in boiling water. This will make the color of the pesto stay the most lovely shade of green I am told.

Immediately after blanching run cold water over the basil leaves, and with gentle handling press out the excess water before putting the leaves into the processor.