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.

Christmas Readings and Ovaltine Power

"Something was stirring in him; something strong and deep and definite. Suffice it to say he was beginning to know that Christmas was coming-not just on the calendar but in his very soul."

Shepherds Abiding

Jan Karon

I have a list of Christmas books and stories that are pulled out as dear friends to be read over and over every year. The children have their favorites too and we enjoy snuggling up to read them, in the evenings especially.

It never ceases to amaze me how parts of the Christmas story can be found throughout the entire Bible. For example, the girls and I have been studying the Israelite's journey as they have now finally reached the Promised Land, the first battle to be fought is that strong-walled city of Jericho. I am keeping the girls on edge by telling them there is something really wonderful about Rahab. And this week as we get more detailed in our Bible reading of the Christmas story, I will unfold the beautiful lineage of Jesus. Hers is truly a story of grace and truth.

And as I find myself rather discombobulated in finding time to eat as I run from one event to another with everything in between, sometimes I find a drink of Ovaltine with 2% organic milk does the job. Especially if there is yet another food gathering to attend. Thank you Deborah for sharing...it rather reminds me of Instant Breakfast, and has a very good energy boost. Today it served as my late lunch, because tonight I will head out the door at 5:45 bearing my fifteen ornaments to the annual ornament exchange of which I am a part.

"CHEERS!"

Layering

I've always loved the layering of things. Whether it be the everyday clothes I am wearing, dressing for snow play outside, making lasagna or salads, whatever, layering makes complete sense to me and is a process I find gratifying.

I also have a weakness for tiramisu. Therefore, when a dessert was needed to carry to Claire's Christmas party I decided a tiramisu trifle would be just the thing.

This recipe is a combination of many other recipes, I made it my own by incorporating what I think was the best of them all.

Homemade custard with mascarpone cheese,

Ladyfingers dipped in coffee and kahlua, and a topping of whipped cream dusted with a layer of powdered cocoa.

Carried in my arms along the highways and byways in order to arrive safe and sound.

Heavenly Songs

A big red bow adorned her hair, and Rose wore her new spectacles, their very first time to experience the annual performance of Handel's "Messiah" by the Oratorio and Symphony. We stood with the audience as the beginnings of the Halleluiah Chorus started; the sound of the seats, as the people stood, reverberated throughout the auditorium. I love it. Every year I love it the same, but yet even more. And I assured them they would too.

I must say the promised doughnuts added extra sweetness as we continued to enjoy our late night out.

And afterward we rode to see the Christmas lights decorated along the residential streets. There were times I felt as if I was in a canopy of colorful stars all dazzling and bright,

suspended in the heavens.

And He shall reign forever and ever...

Halleluiah