Ella and Tea

Fighting a really weird virus has put me behind in so many areas of my life. I have been struggling to get the energy to keep up with my son's schooling.

 Pulling out the books we need to finish by spring has made me panic a little. When I haven't been learning about Greek gods, art in the Middle Ages, Woodrow Wilson, and WWI ( seriously, I am always amazed at who is really getting the education), I've been listening to my created station on Pandora Radio. I love, love this invention. A little Ella and a cup of tea has been my healing balm.

Frank and Ella- 

I started a new crochet project.  I justify it by not needing to buy anything new.

Here it is.

 It will alternate between granny squares and a daisy square. The challenge is the daisy square. The directions are so ridiculous. They ramble on and on. I'm thinking the only way I am going to get it right is to map out a diagram. Most of the European crochet is done that way and it makes perfect sense.

I am bound and determined to finish the many quilting projects I've started over the years. Good quality cotton has gone through the roof. I am paying about 2 to 3 dollars more a yard over last year's prices! This is the motivation to keep the unfinished project engine going. I can create a lot with the yardage I already own. My quilting friends and I are also thinking about working on  projects together so we can share each others stash. Not only is this a good way to save money it is reminiscent of what quilting used to represent -- community!
In tribute to Ella:
"No more blue songs only whoop-dee-doo songs"

"For shame, for shame." In tribute to one of my favorite TV series, The Andy Griffith Show, and a very appropriate admonition from Sheriff Andy Taylor seeing as I have been neglecting this blog for the last few weeks.  And yes, I am ashamed.

I have been busy sewing.

Eating mincemeat.

Knitting a Harry Potter hat. Finishing a throw for a Virginia Tech friend.

Thank you to Lucy at Attic24 for the instuctions on ripple crochet!

Making big messes in the kitchen.

Baking cookies to give to friends...eating some for myself.

Thanks to all the many blogging friends I follow for you are a huge source of inspiration to me. I am looking forward to a new year and all the goodness God has for us. 

Holly

Settling into Christmas

It has been wonderful to finally have a little time to settle into the Christmas season. Friday was my quilting circle's Christmas luncheon. It was hosted by the president of the group at her lovely home in Powhatan. I took a picture of the beautiful view from her family room window. It over looks a lake. But once again I was duped by my camera so the picture can't be downloaded.  I'll have to try again next time.

Are these just the cutest?  These dolls are from knit designer Jean Greenhowe. Here is her website:www.jeangreenhowe.com
I have been working on a project "first" by this designer and have to say the instructions are very clear and well written. I will have to post my progress. So far the hardest part has been finding the right kind of yarn.


Today I watched one of my Christmas favorites, The Bishop's Wife. It has to be the original for me, staring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. I make no apologies for not even entertaining the idea of watching the remake. I totally admit to being very narrow minded about older being better. Yes, I will admit to a few exceptions but in my opinion the classics are the BEST!
Who even comes close to Cary Grant?  Brad Pitt? Please. I don't think so. And why oh why aren't women feminine today like Loretta Young? The fashion from that period is exceptional. I love the morals in the old movies. Why is morality considered old fashioned and out-of-date? OK, enough with the rant.
I have to be allowed a good rant every now and then.
Here is a clip from the movie:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swNVzH_2IRQ
Enjoy!

A Plea for Intercession

Please pray for Virginia Tech students, police and their families.

SIGHTS AND SMELLS OF CHRISTMAS

My life has been crazy this past week. My visit with family was wonderful. We enjoyed the local historical sites of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and Historic Williamsburg. I survived (barely); hosting my husband's office party, my birthday, and last but not least my wedding anniversery. Next week our youngest will be turning 13! No longer a little boy.
Too much to take in. I have been trying to keep my head above water and not get too sentimental and then a bit depressed. Life goes by way too fast. December is always a good check for me to remember what is really important in life. Not to get carried away with making everything perfect.
It is so easy for me to get caught up in making Christmas so big it becomes so little and then it is gone. One of the ways we celebrate this advent season in our home is with the reading of scripture and the lighting of the advent candle. Many nights we have to catch up for missing previous readings. We try to find balance by laughing at ourselves and calling it a family tradition to be behind.

Above are one of my favorite Christmas cookies. They are called Thumbprint Cookies in our home. Sometimes they are called Jewel Cookies.
Here is the recipe:
1 Cup plus 3 Tablespoons unbleached flour
1/3 Cup Succanat or regular sugar
1/2 Cup butter(softened)
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Mix sugar and softened butter, add yolk and vanilla. Mix in flour.
Dough will be a bit crumbly but gather in a ball working in the crumbs and wrap in saran wrap or foil and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
When cold roll in 1 inch balls and make a shallow thumb print. Put raspberry preserves in the hole.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
They are yummy, buttery, goodness. The raspberry jam breaks up the sweet with it's tartness. These cookies will be a major contribution to weight I will be gaining. Seriously, I had a couple for breakfast this morning instead of the healthy smoothie I told myself I would make.

Here are Mr and Mrs Claus helping in my kitchen. How many times I have looked at them and wished I could make them come to life and help with the holiday baking and knitting.

But it is a silly fantasy for the reality is that I am way behind on my Christmas knitting.
Here is a scarf that as you can see I am not even close to finishing. It is a pattern featured on the cover of the Debbie Bliss winter magazine. It is in a basket weave pattern and I love it. The above picture doesn't do it justice. It has a wonderful texture and density that will make it perfect for cold weather which, by the way, has escaped us here in the south.

A personal ritual for this season is to spend time reading the  gospels. I head downstairs before everyone wakes up, plug in the tree lights and read. Reminding myself that God's goodness is in Jesus. "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to men." God chose His Son, Jesus, to bring us peace-God's peace. Because of God's love manifest in Jesus I can come to God with my sins forgiven and have reconciliation with the God of the universe. God's goodwill never ends all because of the babe in the manger. The paradox of that never ceases to amaze me.
My prayer for all of you is for God's love to so envelop you as you enjoy the gift of this Christmas season.
GRACE BE UNTO YOU, AND PEACE, FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. PHIL. 1:2

Christmas Cake

I am gearing up for Christmas baking so my blogs will probably be a bit monotonous. We have my husband's office party to host, family visiting from out of state and as I mention in a previous post lots and lots of college kids on break. I am really praying in ernest for good sleep at night. I have been dealing with lack of sleep for several YEARS and am now taking magnesium to see if I can get some consistent shut-eye. Following cheeseslave's recent discussion on sleep issues and lack of magnesium has been very informative. I am looking toward natural alternatives since the traditional doctor's answer is sleeping pills.
The soaking of dried fruit in rum and port for the last two weeks is filling the kitchen with the aroma I associate with the kick-off of holiday baking. Every day I stir the big bowl of soaked fruit and fancy myself a character in a Dickens book. I know, we Americans over romanticize everything about Christmas. I will be putting the actual cake together next week in preparation for the holiday season. Who thought of lumping Thanksgiving so close to Christmas anyway? Somehow everything gets done but  I don't even want to think about the pounds I'll be gaining. I have made a deal with myself to be more diligent about taking our lazy beagle out for walks and me hitting the Nordic Track during this season. We shall see.

Here are the pumpkin and pecan pies I baked for Thanksgiving-speaking of loosing weight. I did make the pecan with less sugar and didn't use corn syrup. I used maple syrup instead.  It turned out really well. I plan on using this recipe again.

HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU? BE STRONG, VIGOROUS, AND VERY COURAGEOUS. BE NOT AFRAID, NEITHER BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. JOSHUA 1:9 (AMPLIFIED)

Fall Preparations

I stayed up late to finish some sewing and cleaning in anticipation of my quilting circle which is meeting here at my home Thursday. Yes, the fact that I am starting a couple days ahead of time should give you an indication of the condition of my home. Between helping my husband with some home improvement projects and projects of my own, housekeeping has really slid downhill.
My husband worked so hard on sanding the floor of our front porch I decided to make his favorite cookies, Molasses Crinkles.

Here is the recipe:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cups unbleached white flour
1 to 2 tablespoons additional sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
Melt butter over low heat. Transfer to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Beat in molasses and 1 cup sugar. Beat the egg by itself in a small bowl first, then beat this into the molasses mixture.
Sift together the dry ingredients (except the additional sugar). Actually I never sift. Then add them to the wet mixture, stirring until well combined.
Use your hands to form 1 1/2 inch balls of dough. Place the additional 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar on a small plate, and roll each ball in the sugar before arranging on the cookie sheet. (This coating provides the crinkle factor).
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until firm to the touch but still gives a little. Cool on a rack.


In the spirit of fall  I planted a fig tree, camillia bush and transplanted a wisteria. I have many plans for the fig when it starts to yield. If it only knew. I need to get my raised beds winterized but am really needing to gear up for lots and lots of cooking and baking. I get so excited this time of year. My big girl will visit from college. My younger daughter will have many of her friends over who have also been away at college. I always want to keep everyone here with lots of food. Especially the boys. As long as I have food they will come.
HAVE NOT I COMMANDED YOU? BE STRONG, VIGOROUS, AND VERY COURAGEOUS. BE NOT AFRAID, NEITHER BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. JOSHUA 1:9 (AMPLIFIED)