Happy December!

So... it's December! Happy December and this month is filled with the joy of holiday celebrations. Mr. K and I will open the first window of our advent calendar. Like last year's, this one is filled with little chocolates and little pictures. I get so much pleasure from this little ritual.

Our Advent calendar from Heidel.

And the back.

Major cleaning and rearranging today followed by decorating which I have down to a science and doesn't take that long anymore. A pleasurable way to spend the first day of December!

Oh, and a few little goodies recently acquired from eBay, one of which is a covered casserole to add to my Currier & Ives collection. I must have place settings for at least 25 or thirty, various platters, serving dishes, pie plates, and even glasses, but I did not have this. Why you may ask? I saw one in a little shop in Georgia, but the woman wanted $110.00 for it. That particular casserole wasn't even in very nice condition. I passed on it as it was out of my budget. However, this one is beautiful, clean, and was WAY lower in price. I am very pleased!

Currier & Ives covered casserole in mint condition.

And for my button collection, sweet little strawberries and flowers, all on their original cards. I like

collecting the buttons on the cards if I can, but won't pass up one that delights me.

So those are the goodies. Now... cleaning, decorating, and deciding which cookies will make the gift list for this year. I'm limiting it to three or four kinds, one of which will be my shortbread, and another will be Ricotta cookies. Decisions, decision. 

Also on the agenda, a nice flank steak for tonight's dinner and a pot of Pasta Fagioli (Pasta Fazool, as I knew it growing up) for tomorrow and the next night, and perhaps the next. No hardship, eating that!

Deliciously yours,

Mrs. K 

Loving September!

It's that time again, September! I love autumn even though I live in a place without much seasonal change; it is in my home that I make sure everything shouts autumn. I decorate with that theme in mind and I am cooking up our favorite fall recipes, like Fresh Apple Cake from my old Fanny Farmer Baking book, and Apple Cider Beef Stew.

Once again, it is time to make apple butter, so that's what I will be up to in the upcoming two weeks. My home will smell luscious. I also need to make more pomanders, another item on my agenda that will scent my home. I am heaping my fall pot pourri into my large pottery bowl, as well as some smaller bowls to scatter about the house. Fun, fun!!!

I found what looks like a luscious cookie recipe at this blog, Fill The Cookie Jar. Frosted Apple Oatmeal Cookies sounds yummy and very autumn; I'll be whipping up a batch later today. I also found a recipe for a quick pumpkin cake on Facebook. I don't generally use boxed cake mixes, but this sounds so quick and easy, and yummy too, I think I'll try it. Sounds like it could be whipped up while dinner is in the oven and baked while eating. You can find the recipe here, at Big Red Kitchen. There are plenty of comments with suggestions for variations on this recipe. I guess this goes on my agenda too.

Of course I'm stitching away on some Halloween designs, as well as a Goode Huswife design. I have a few more small Halloween designs I hope to get done in time for the holiday; if not, well there's next year!

I hope you're enjoying September where ever you are.

Deliciously tangled in threads and apple parings,
Mrs. K.

Leaf Bowl

I thought this was really nice when I saw the photo on Facebook. There is a great tutorial and the bowl is easy to make. Thought I'd share, so take a look!

http://www.hellolucky.com/wordpress/2012/10/25/diy-autumn-leaf-bowls/

Tangled in threads, at the moment!

Mrs. K.

Catching Up & Brussels Sprouts

Good grief, I haven't even said Happy October, so first... Happy October!!! This is a favorite month as I love autumn and Halloween. I have been busy finishing up my fruit butters, making pomanders, giving my home a good cleaning, and decorating for the season. Busy, busy.

We are not visiting North Carolina this month and I am so disappointed! It just can't be done, so onward and forward. I look forward to getting away into some real autumn weather every year and I feel rather sad, sort of a deep ache and longing. Oh well, I'll survive. Surely no one ever died from not being able to make their autumn pilgrimage.

I have been consoling myself with plenty of tea, stitching gifts for the holidays - I am even weaving a little bookmark for a friend - and browsing through favorite books. One favorite is Sara Midda's "In And Out of the Garden." No matter how many times I look through this beautiful book, I never tire of Sara's charming and whimsical illustrations. It is filled with old garden lore, recipes, quotes, and other wonderful things, including poetry.

Within this book I found a very sweet little poem about brussels sprouts that I just adore; I am known for reciting it whenever the urge strikes! For many years I didn't like these little cabbage-like vegetables, in fact I didn't like cabbage much, nor onions. Now however, I love all three. Brussels sprouts still require special treatment in order for me to enjoy them though and, over the years, I have found the perfect way to cook them so they are just right for me.

First, I choose baby sprouts if they are available. Second, I toss them with plenty of butter, Celtic salt, and maple syrup. Yep... maple syrup. Brown sugar or honey works well too; that bit of added sweetness just does something to enhance the flavor, but the maple syrup, that makes them extra special. Most important, I roast them at about 350 degrees until they are tender. I don't like my veggies barely cooked, I prefer them well cooked and, according to Bee at Healing Naturally By Bee, it is best for one's digestion. All I know is that MY digestion is happiest with well-cooked vegetables.

Back to sprouts... I make sure I keep an eye on the sprouts, stirring them often, and watching so they don't get charred. I don't like charred veggies. Sometimes, I toss in a couple of apples or pears, which is quite delicious, or even a sliced Vidalia onion. If I use apples, I might even add a splash of Calvados or apple cider, very good indeed! One thing is for sure, after roasting, more butter is added, seasoning adjusted, and none are left! Mr. K. is quite fond of brussels spouts.

Do you like brussels sprouts? How do you cook them? Love to hear how you prefer yours... or not. I shall leave you with the brussels sprouts poem from Sara's book.

Sprouts for dinner, 

Sprouts for tea,

Sprouts for you

and sprouts for me.

Sprouts at Christmas,

Sprouts at Fall.

Whether large

- or whether small,

Sprouts enough to fill us all!

I say, hurray for brussels sprouts!

Deliciously yours,

Mrs. K.

Do you like

Busy, Busy!!!

Well, the tree did not get decorated - but will be by Friday!! Absolutely, without any more interference. Ah, well, no stress, it will be what it is. Some things, like tearing apart book cases and such, proved to be a bigger job than I anticipated. For some reason, beyond my comprehension, I decided to reorganize my little studio as well. I know - let's not go there.

Decisions, decisions!!! I'm trying to narrow down the cookie list. Of course my shortbread must be first on the list - there could be a riot at my door otherwise. Oh, and those ricotta cookies - must have those too. However, I have come across some other recipes I would like to try, such as Italian Almond Cookies, Maple Chocolate Chip Shortbread and a basic sugar cookie. I always make fudge as well and  can't leave that out. I came across a recipe for Pumpkin Spiced Fudge which sounds yummy so I may make a pan of that to go along with the traditional fudge. Oh... and the eggnog! Last year I made real, honest to goodness, homemade eggnog - from scratch. There is NO going back. It was not only delicious beyond anything I have ever had, but it is nutritious with all that organic whole milk and eggs, lovely spices and just enough honey to give it a touch of sweetness. You won't believe this, but I didn't share it; no, I kept it all for myself - and no, I'm not ashamed to say it! ; ) This year I will make a bigger batch so I can share, but it does take a great many eggs, milk and some heavy cream.

There are also some aromatherapy blends and linen mists - all completely pure and natural - to be blended and bottled. What else? Oh... I have some goodies from the beauty supply which I can't mention here because of certain individuals that read this blog! Hehehe - just think about that!

I just found this in the bottom of my stitching basket! Stitched last year and never put together! I can't believe I didn't finish it. The design is from Cherished Stitches and was in the 2010 Just CrossStitch ornament issue. Another task on the list - albeit a quick one. This is for my tree.

So there I am, busy doing thinks I love to do for a season I so enjoy. Hope you are enjoying this time as well and letting the stress just flow away. Breathe in the scent of pine, bayberry and cedar - that will make you feel good!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K

Favorite Ornaments

Some favorite Christmas tree ornaments!

I made these the second year of our marriage. I have always loved all things Victorian so when I saw a magazine article about early Victorian Christmas cards, I cut out the illustrations and Mike carved balsa wood for me. I then decoupaged the illustrations and they still hang on the tree every year. They are favorites because we made them together.

A few of the stitched ornaments I've made over the years, some vintage and you can see one of the chandelier crystals I use. I found an old chandelier in the garbage room of our building and took off all the crystals, thinking craft supplies! At Christmas time I remembered them and just added a hook; voila! Christmas tree ornaments that sparkle beautifully.

Another vintage and one of our decoupage ornaments in the background.

 Clara, from the Nutcracker, another chandelier crystal and a treat box with a vintage Santa.

 Must have a pumpkin! The Santa is a vintage light bulb. Of course, my tree must have pine cones, I scatter them on the branches.

An acorn because I love those as much as pumpkins.

Under the tree, a doll I made, wearing my Christening gown, sits beside a glass nutcracker, a vintage-looking Santa and other goodies.

I have lots more ornaments, our tree is always just covered with them. I'll be decorating my tree tomorrow, so more photos to come.

Deliciously yours,

Mrs. K

Holidays

Christmas tree with my needlework light close by!

I'm sure everyone is gearing up for their holidays. I'm a little behind in the decoration department because I decided to tear things apart and really have at the cleaning. In any event, in this house we celebrate multiple holiday as my husband is Jewish. I myself love to celebrate anything and everything so we have an open house on Christmas Eve, light bayberry candles on the Winter Solstice and celebrate Chanukah. In general, we celebrate the arrival of winter - despite the fact we are in Florida.

We both were born and raised in New York - once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker, and honestly, I'd probably go back if I knew I wouldn't have to drive in the snow - it terrifies me. Anyone who has lived in Florida for a good length of time dresses appropriately for our winter - anything below 70 degrees and out come the sweaters, boots, coats - seriously!!!! And we all complain about the how cold it is. Meanwhile, relatives and friends who live where it really is cold just have no sympathy or patience. We live where it is really hot most of the year, I guess it thins the blood and we freeze when the mercury heads below seventy, what can I say? I won't even go into how we react to fifties - and yes, it drops down that low sometimes.

I'm always hoping it will be chilly around Christmas and especially Christmas Eve. Our little condo is the standard brand - and almost forty years old, but quite cozy and nice. The one thing that was missing and I desperately wanted was a fireplace. Well, there's just no adding a real fire place to a condo. Being me, I went on a quest to find a way. I didn't want an electric fireplace because they actually give off heat. In my search, a few years ago, I found something called a ventless fireplace at Plow and Hearth - see this link -http://www.plowhearth.com/Petite%2DVisionary%2DJelled%2DFuel%2DFireplace_p8278.html
This is almost exactly what mine looks like. Those "logs" are ceramic and you place these little cans of natural alcohol gel behind them. This stuff actually crackles and pops just like a real fireplace, but... no heat to speak of, all natural, no toxins. It looks like they are using two cans of gel in this photo, and you can use up to three. I have only ever used one.  I remember when we first got it, friends came over and I lit the fire. All of a sudden I noticed no one was talking, we were all staring at the fire, listening to the crackling - we were all delighted. So I use it quite a bit and it makes me feel like I've got the real deal. And yes, we hang our stockings there too! Even in the summer time one can use this since there isn't any heat - yay!!!

My husband never celebrated Christmas growing up, of course. He came from a very conservative Jewish home. There was quite a to-do when we married, I can tell you and not from my side. However, it all worked out and I was extremely close to my in-laws. They would come to our place for Christmas. My hubby tends to get really excited about Christmas despite the fact that we rarely exchange more than one gift. We've been married for over 31 years, there just isn't anything we need. Still, he wakes me early, asking, "Is it Christmas yet?' and drags me out of bed. I usually find that he's been up, the tree is lit and the music is playing. He's very sweet.

When I was a little girl, one of my aunts lived in Germany as her husband was in the army. She sent us advent calendars and since then I have just loved them. I always buy one for myself and this year is no different. I purchased mine from The Victorian Trading Company, http://www.victoriantradingco.com/, along with my holiday cards. I love all things Victorian and this is a great place. Ah... I just realized I haven't opened the little window for today... better do that!

I bet you're wondering about the pork! Yes, hubby eats pork, we do not keep Kosher. There are many things he strongly adheres to: never drives or even leaves the house on the high holidays, etc. but the man loves a pork roast! What can I say?

For Chanukah, I make latkes (potato pancakes), the delight of my husband's life, and we light candles. DH would eat those pancakes every night if I made them. Where he puts them, I don't know, he eats a truckload. You would think I was feeding a family of ten. I prefer Chanukah early in December because it takes the edge off waiting for a gift, LOL, but many is the time that we are lighting the menorah and the Christmas tree is decorated nearby, and the Solstice candles are burning merrily too. It's all good, don't you think?

Perhaps if the rest of the world thought this way there really would be peace on earth. And now... off to open today's window on the advent calendar and brew a cup of tea!

last year's celebration

Deliciously yours,

Mrs. K