The Sound of Christmas

While in the *Dollar Store* the other day, these Christmas CD's were discovered in a corrugated box display in the aisle. Instrumental music of piano, harp, and viola ready to be purchased for a dollar each. So three dollars poorer I emerged from the store with new listening music in the bag. (I figured for three dollars even if they were mediocre it was not too much of a loss.)

These CD's are superb! I have them so that whenever I walk into the kitchen all I must do is push a button and harmonious instrumental music trails throughout the room with the joyful sound of Christmas.

And that is exactly what I want these days, Christmas music flowing in the rooms of my house.

Birthday cake at its best

Every year I would drop subtle hints of what I truly wanted above all other gifts. Years would come and years would go; I was obviously not getting my wishes across even though I was the recipient of very nice gifts indeed. Finally, I determined a better plan of action so I point blank asked for a birthday cake. It worked for a couple of years. If it was remembered ahead of time, a special cake was ordered from a nice bakery. Other times a hurried stop by the grocery store would suffice. And once it was even after supper and my husband grabbed his coat and headed out the door only to return 30 minutes later with a cake.

These days if I desire a birthday cake, I happily make it myself.

I love it when the cookbook makes it so decisive for you.


I was serenaded with "Forever Young" this evening. They know who bakes the cake!

Covered Buttons

Remember this sweater?





After completing it some while back I had in my mind to find the perfect buttons. I was thinking covered buttons would add a pretty touch But alas, I started hunting for store bought ones, but without success whatsoever. So began my venture in seeking for the perfect fabric ( must stick with the original plan). In the attic I discovered an old piece of fabric inherited from my parents before their moving days. Might just be the perfect fabric for the perfect buttons.

It was. I love my sweater which reminds me of the sea.

A Baby Gift

Advent in my heart as I prepare for celebrating a baby being born over two thousand years ago.....my Saviour.



Crocheting a baby afghan of the creamiest shade of blue with a touch as soft as kitten's fur. I have entered a new realm with my friends' children now having children. This dear friend is expecting her first grandson in three weeks. Therefore, I crochet by the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.

Prayer in every stitch in preparation for a Christmas baby.

Making pie crusts

For some reason or other my husband bought some frozen pie crusts back when they were on sale and as I was preparing to make my pie crusts for our Thanksgiving pies, he wanted to know why I was not using those frozen pie crusts stored in the extra freezer in the garage. Considering how I have been making my own pie crusts for some time now all I could do was look at him. Some things will always remain a mystery to me.The pumpkin pie recipe along with the coconut custard were lying on the counter and it was time to teach the girls the art of pie crust making.

Simple as pie!

Unto the least of these.....

"Jesus loves me this I know..." These precious words were song by a few gathered to bring His love and grace to a few disabled adults in a care home.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew25:40

A Saturday in November

Cold temperatures have set in around here for the time being. The colorful array of leaves have disappeared from the tree's branches leaving them bare, but far from empty. As Charlotte observed last week, " I can see so many bird nests in the trees!" The blaring sound of leaf blowers can be heard at all times throughout the day. I drink in the flavor of November. Even the name of the month, NO-VEM-BER, has a musical lilt to it. The distinct smells in the air and the manner in which the light creatively filters through on all objects, still or stationary, makes me sigh.

Today was a day for cold weather things. A trip to the yarn shop with my sweet husband. Who I might add patiently waited while I had a skein of this yarn hand rolled into a ball by the shop owner's mother no less. She was visiting her daughter from the state of New York and since I was the designated yarn holder, we were able to carry on a delightful conversation.

Chili was made and set in the crock pot before venturing out; so comforting for supper with added condiments of cheese and sour cream. Another favorite soup was also made this afternoon, Corn Chowder. I will give the recipe because it is fresh on my mind now. It is one of the soups, like chili, with a recipe which seems to be just thrown together without need of specific recipe
requirements.

Corn Chowder

Saute 1 cup onions in 2 teaspoons of butter until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
Add 3 cups of corn. ( I use fresh corn I have frozen and thawed beforehand)
2 cups of potatoes, cut into cubes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup milk. This is where you may adjust for personal taste depending on whether you like it thick or thin.
If you like you might think about adding a little shredded cheddar cheese before serving.

Served in a pottery bowl steaming with corn bread muffins make a wonderful meal for a cold evening at home.

Maid Service

Cleaning. I really do like to clean house. It is not just the end result that I love so much, but the process as well. For me it is a part of homemaking that I readily embrace. However, there have been times in my life for various reasons that I have hired someone to clean my house for me.

Oh..... on those days I would glide into a spotlessly clean house and I must confess it would give me a fantastic high....no dust bunnies, no grime, mopped floors, shiny services, everything in its place. Yet by the next morning I realized that I had spent quite a bit of money for something that was already beginning to look rather shabby. So it turned out to be an extremely expensive and short-lived "high".

And wasn't that a part of my job description anyway? My husband worked hard enabling me to stay home and not be concerned about working outside the home to contribute to the family's income. My portion was vital and consequently important.

But lately I must find the time needed to invest in a job well done. A "lick and a promise" only goes so far. I have barely been able to manage a lick, much less a promise. New direction was the call of the day.

I started with my bedroom and bathroom. The day's agenda was to concentrate totally on cleaning these two rooms, but clean them thoroughly. I started in the bathroom and by late afternoon I had completed my goals and finished the bedroom, which even included washing the ceiling fan. In between I managed schooling and laundry, straightened other rooms of the house, and among other things.. delved out more winter clothes as well as putting up those last remaining warm weather clothes....I stopped to observe Charlottes' tent, took a wintry walk around the block,and instructed Rose in cutting out a skirt pattern. I was then motivated to continue on with the vacuuming of other rooms.

Tonight I am tired, but satisfied. I shall glide into my squeaky clean bathroom and rest peacefully in my spotless bedroom. After all,the maid sleeps here!

Seeing is believing

Upon acquiring Mr. Putter, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Tasha Tudor books took on an entirely new meaning. We began truly seeing the many corgis in the pages of her books. Laughter and pure delight escaped us as we realized how well she depicted a favorite resting pose of this breed. Here is living proof. Corgis do indeed sleep in this position!



So cold and windy today. There is a call of frost tonight, therefore I expect all my remaining flowers to meet their end by dawn's early light tomorrow. I bundled up and took Mr. Putter for his daily walk. As I came up the driveway I could not resist picking the last spray of mums to bring inside and pluck into a vase. I shall remember the fading beauty of autumn as the winter's chill begins.

Riding Aside

Following along with November Saturdays and horses, today was the sidesaddle demo and tea. I am very satisfied that Rose is taking an interest in riding aside. It is classically graceful, ladylike, and elegant. Today's demo showed various forms of riding, the clothing, and the saddle types.

Now remember this was also a "tea"; a far cry from the one we attended at the fancy hotel, as this one was in a barn. Styrofoam cups with hot water and tea bag, black currant, worked for me.

A table was set with cucumbers sandwiches, that were excellent I might inject, sweet breads of carrot and zucchini, along a crisp ginger snap cookie.

The author of this book spoke about the history of sidesaddle riding and relayed a wealth of information on the basics of riding aside. And lucky Rose was the door prize winner of her book which will be moved to the top of our reading pile.I am hooked!

Yuletide Yo-Yos

Several years ago I was invited to join fifteen ladies in an annual ornament exchange. Since there happen to be some very creative women in the group, I have been a beneficiary to some absolutely outstanding ornaments that are treasures to be pulled out each year and hung on my tree.
Every year when the activity level in my family picks up speed, I find myself wondering how I will ever get my ornaments done. Fifteen ornaments seem disturbingly daunting. But thanks to an old age art and this tutorial I was able to whip up some lovely ornaments in no time at all. The fabrics came from here and the buttons were gathered from the trusty button box inherited from my maternal grandmother.

The girls and I enjoyed them so much we are planning to get some Christmas fabric and make them to grace our packages.