Happy Holidays!

I hope you are enjoying your holidays, I certainly am. I adore this time of year and although this one is busier than those of the past, I have kept it right in the middle of my heart, as usual, spending the little free time I have browsing through my collection of Christmas books, drinking tea, working on small projects, cooking, baking - the usual.

Mr. K and I spent a quiet Christmas Eve with a platter of cheeses, spinach dip, and crackers watching Christmas movies and chatting. On Christmas day, I took my pan of lasagna to the home of very dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. R, after picking up another friend to join us. We ate and ate and had a very good time indeed. There is no better way to spend the holiday than with those who you love.

I am excited about some new looms I purchased from Carol Leigh's Hillcreek Fiber Studio. I took a continuous strand weaving class from Carol Leigh a few years ago in Asheville, NC at the Southeast Animal Fiber Festival. I have a triangle loom, the 2 foot travel size, which I purchased from Carol at the festival and now have purchased a few smaller models. These looms are the perfect size for those of us who live in little homes and have no room for a large loom, although I was have a table-top heddle loom which is also great for small spaces. Anywho, one of these new minis is called a "washcloth" square loom. This loom makes a square of woven fabric the approximate size of a washcloth. I'm thinking lots of gifts for the future, as well as a patchwork blanket... and a shawl, of course... amulet bags too! Since Carol was having a sale to celebrate her 32nd year in business, I also purchased two mini looms - a six inch square, as well as another triangle mini-loom with an eight inch hypotenuse. I also bought Carol's WONDERFUL book which explains everything you could want to know about continuous strand weaving and is packed with projects and patterns. Right now I am just finishing a project on the little square as a gift for my friend, Mrs. R.

And this project has been a bit of an adventure. Wanting to match Mrs. R's decor, I chose an overdyed yarn in shades of burnt oranges and softs browns, a bit of a knobby yarn. Well... that knobbiness has been a real challenge as my locker hook, which helps pull the weft thread through the warp threads, just kept getting tangled and caught on those little hairs! It certainly slowed me down, but I am about to put in the last two rows and Mrs. R will have a little wine glass rug! A unique gift, LOL.

The mini looms

The "washcloth" loom - about 12 inches

Of course weaving is not all that is on the fiber agenda, no. I belong to a group on Facebook called "Our Scarlet Letter Years Sampler Group" dedicated to samplers designed by.... The Scarlet Letter, Reproduction Samplers. They chose four samplers for an SAL (stitch-along) but I already have one I am working on, EK 1653, which really needs to be finished, seriously, I have been working on this one for years! I also have another I have just been itching to work on, The Boscobel Oak. Both are 17th century reproductions. I love 17th century samplers because of all the blackwork! So... those are my stitching projects for 2015, but there will be a few smaller project tossed in just because!

http://www.scarlet-letter.com/samplers/boscobel.php

http://www.scarlet-letter.com/samplers/ek.php

There will be weaving projects thrown in too, but my plan is to work these two samplers and get them finished! So... we shall see how that goes... but I am strongly determined, yes I am!!!

I hope you have plenty of projects planned that you love and will make your heart sing!

Tangled in threads,

Mrs. K

 (photographer unknown, photo from Facebook)

Thanksgiving & What It Means To Me

I have noticed, in the communities I frequent, that there seems to be this backlash against Thanksgiving, similar to that of Columbus Day. Many people have become overly sensitive and beyond politically correct. I can't agree with them and I will enjoy my Thanksgiving. So... what does Thanksgiving mean to me? Well, many things, as i found when I really thought about it. From now until Thanksgiving I will share some of those things - memories, nostalgia, just good stuff.

I celebrate Thanksgiving with gratitude for all the year has given me... and that's the name of that tune! Others may feel differently and get angry and negative about things that happened hundreds of years ago, well, that's their right I suppose, but I'm not interested in hearing about it. As I said, I am all about giving thanks and being with people I love.

This year we will be doing something a little different than in years past. Instead of joining Mr. K's cousin, we are going to my very good friend, Diana's. We met over a year go and found we have SO much in common we couldn't help but become close friends. We are both the same age, we love all  things Victorian, we love the same books, we love needlework, antiques, and drinking tea! So... naturally when she invited us to join her family for Thanksgiving, we said yes, indeed! One can never go to Thanksgiving empty-handed, so I suggested I bring my squash carrot casserole and the suggestion was enthusiastically accepted.

Ah, squash carrot casserole, I just love this! I first found it in a book I mail-ordered in the early 1980s from Better Homes & Gardens - Better Homes and Gardens  American Christmas, Crafts and Foods. What a treasure of a book! So may wonderful country-style craft projects and recipes. It is a great pleasure to just browse through, which I do often at this time of year... and others when I need a little nostalgic boost.

The book is just brimming with projects, some which look a little dated, but so what! 

Some sections of pages have separated, but I keep it all together. 

You can see how well used this page used, not just the casserole, but

the creamed onions recipe was the first I used.

So this book is worn to bits, but I love it. There is a lovely Christmas sampler I would love to stitch, as well as one that says, East West, Home is Best! The book has many photos showing the crafts and craftspeople who made lovely things that were included, lots of projects and good instructions as well as wonderful art quilts.

Here is the recipe as I make it, a bit tweaked from the original, but not much.

Squash Carrot Casserole

7 cups yellow crookneck squash

A large sweet onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots

1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup (10.5 oz)

1 cup of regular sour cream

½ to ¾ quarters bag of herb-seasoned stuffing mix

(I use Pepperidge Farm and like plenty of crumbs on top)

½ cup real butter, melted

(or as much as you need for your crumbs)

Cook the carrots in a pot of salted, gently boiling water for 5 minutes then add the crookneck squash for another 5 minutes. Drain very well and set aside in a bowl lined with a cotton cloth. Sauté the onion in a little butter until translucent and just starting to brown. Toss in the chopped garlic for just a couple of minutes and remove from heat. You want that garlic barely cooked so it doesn't taste bitter.

Stir the cream of chicken soup and sour cream together, add all veggies and gently stir so the veggies are coated well with the soup/sour cream mix. Butter a baking dish - 12 x 7 x 2, then add the veggie mix and spread evenly in the dish. You can prepare the casserole to this point the day before and set it in the fridge to keep until ready. 

Preheat the oven to 350.  Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or so, just as it gets bubbly around the edges. While it bakes, melt the half cup of butter over medium low heat in a pot that will hold the crumbs and you will be able to mix easily. When the butter is completely melted, add crumbs, mix with a fork until those crumbs are well coated and softening up. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle evenly with the crumbs, return to the oven for another 10 - 15 minutes, but keep an eye on it so the crumbs don't over-toast. The casserole should be boiling up a bit here and there when heated through.

Let the dish sit for 10 minutes, then serve and enjoy!

A very forgiving recipe, double or triple, it is very easy and really yummy.

(adapted from Better Homes and Gardens American Christmas, 1984) 

Deliciously yours,

Mrs. K

A Stitch For Christmas

Majestic Bird

Design by Sandra Sullivan, Homespun Elegance

Just CrossStitch 2013 Christmas Ornament issue

Working on a little stitch from Homespun Elegance. Will I keep it or give it away as a gift? Such is my dilemma. 

While Sandra's suggested linen is 30 count espresso from R & R Reproductions, I decided to use what I have on hand; it is either 28 or 32 count linen in sand, not sure about the count, but I love this linen, the color is very vintage-looking. I also decided to use DMC floss instead of over-dyed: DMC 500 for the green, and DMC 355 for the old red. Sandra suggested DMC 356, but it looked washed out on my linen and I love 355 for an old red. I am leaving off the word "Noel" under the linen in case the recipient, whomever that may be, wants to keep it out all year.

I found a very nice advent calendar this year at the local Fresh Market. Utterly Victorian and each little window opens to reveal a delicious little chocolate coin which Mr. K. and I share. Beneath the coin is a tiny image. I took this photo on December 1st. I have to have an advent calendar every year, but this is the first year in many that I obtained one with the chocolates. I take a bite and Mr. K. gets the other half. Yes, chocolate before breakfast!

The decorating is almost done, but the gift-making is in full swing. Time to put down my needle and head off into the arms of Morpheus! There is so much to do tomorrow.

Oh, by the way, the stone sitting pretty on my linen is called spiderweb jasper. Isn't it beautiful? And so appropriate for a stitcher.

Tangled in threads and stitching madly,

Mrs. K.

Stitching Ornaments

To be honest, by this time of my life, after years of collecting and stitching, I have enough ornaments and more! However... that doesn't stop me from stitching new ones or, at least one new one every year. I have a stash of ornament designs to choose from and now.... The Stitcher's Village, click here, will have a free ornament each day until December 1st. This began yesterday, so there are two ornaments so far.

Yesterday's ornament, Colorful Christmas Trees is from Rosewood Manor, a designer who's work I really like. It is very pretty and looks like a quick stitch. Today's design is by Moonflower Designs, Linked Hearts. She stitched it on silver perforated paper and the colors do not appeal to me at all, but stitched on linen in either one color, or some others, it has potential. I prefer more primitive and traditional designs, so other's milage may vary.

If you sign up for the newsletter, you will have access to the designs. Who can't use free designs? Many thanks to the designers for donating their design freebies and Stitcher's Village for hosting this ornament design give-away!!!!

Now... back to my holiday cleaning marathon, tearing apart our little condo and scrubbing it down within an inch of its life!!!

Tangles in threads and dustballs,
Mrs. K.

After Thanksgiving!

Well, I certainly hope your Thanksgiving was as lovely as mine. That nasty stomach virus I had been dealing with finally let up and I was able to enjoy my dinner. I made sure not to over-indulge. Although the wine didn't sit well, otherwise I am back in fighting form! Yay! I don't do sick well.

Our Thanksgiving was spent at my husband's cousin's club (what a mouthful!) which included very moist and delicious turkey, naturally, but also excellent ham, apple cider glazed salmon, and prime rib that didn't require a knife to cut. Along with these, there were traditional fixings, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, a wonderful salad table that included a sauteed mushroom and Brussels  sprouts salad with bits of bacon that was out of this world. I will be figuring out that recipe, for sure. There was plenty of breads; cornbread, rolls, sliced breads of all types, butter and honey butter. Then there was dessert... two rooms worth, traditional pies and everything in between and around, including a sugar free table that I don't think anyone touched, hehe. The chef even made his own truffles and white chocolate covered almonds. OH...... delightful. However, with my tender tummy, I did not over indulge, enjoying a few little bites of this and that along with a lovely cup of tea. Best of all, Mike's cousin and his wife, Aunt Harriet and her friend, Arlene, were there to share the day. We sat a good long time, chatting, laughing, and remembering. My own mother was home with my nephew and a few friends. She said she cooked up a feast that she hasn't done in years when we talked on the phone. Thanksgiving, a wonderful day!

How appropriate that Common Sense Homesteading had this post today - all about natural remedies for.... you guessed it, upset tummy! See the post here. Good information to add to one's housekeeping book or file.

Do you remember those old Victorian housekeeping books? I have a number of them, including Mrs. Beeton's, of course. My edition is probably early 1900s, but there were many editions. I also have a copy of A Jane Austen Household Book, which includes Martha Lloyd's receipts; not an antique, but most interesting. I do have many actual antique books which I love to peruse and even attempt the recipes - adjusting measures and ingredients as needed. There is a lot of advice about remedies too, which Laurie's post at Common Sense Homesteading reminded me of.

Folks are  so quick to take a pill when, most of the time, a cup of chamomile tea with a just a pinch of mint will do the trick for the upset tummy. A tea of crushed fennel seeds also relieves the, pardon the expression, burps. Herbal tinctures are also very good - melissa, passionflower, chamomile, all relaxing when stress is about to overwhelm or you can't sleep. Of course, there are good medicines today, so I like to utilize the best of both worlds; the ultimate tummy soother: Pepto Bismol! Works for me, LOL!

Moving along, it is now officially THAT time of year, the countdown to the holidays! On the agenda for me, finishing handmade gifts, candy and cookie making, cakes, homemade eggnog, and, of course, decorating. I like to have my tree up on December 1st so I can enjoy it all month. Last year, I was way behind getting my decorating done and that definitely will not be happening this year. I am ready to go!

We, in this household, celebrate Chanukah as well as Christmas, Mr. K being Jewish. I love it!!! Getting a little Chanukah gift takes the edge off waiting for Christmas, LOL! (oh, I have to stop with the exclamation points! Argh, there I go again.) After all these years being married, we curb the gift giving to just little goodies, but still, it is the excitement of a sweet little something wrapped in pretty paper. So, in addition to the Christmas food making, there will be LATKES!!!! And no latke incident as happened a few years ago - I will post that another day, a funny story, just before Chanukah which begins the evening of December 8th. Out with the menorah and blue paper!!! Onward potatoes, onions, applesauce and sour cream!!! The smell of frying will permeate my home for a few days, but it IS worth it. Nothing like homemade potato pancakes!!!

What about all of you? Ready to decorate? Recovered from the wonderful gastronomic indulgences of Thanksgiving and plotting those for Christmas? My Christmas pudding fixings await me!

Did I say Christmas pudding???? I certainly did. Today is Stir-up Sunday, the Sunday before Advent or the Sunday after Thanksgiving, according to some. In any event, mine is not a traditional plum pudding, but a dried apricot pudding. Each and every Sunday after making it, I unwrap it and douse it in rum, wrap it back up and leave it in the fridge to do its thing. By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, that baby is potent! And quite delicious with a lovely, buttery rum sauce drizzled over it. Lights up like a torch too, hehe! Yes, we set it alight in the traditional manner. Fun, fun.

So, off I go, because in addition to the pudding and some ham steaks for supper, there is stitching to be done.

Tangled in threads and deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

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

Apple Butter!

Every year, for the past 25 or so years, I have made apple butter to give as holiday gifts - oh, and of course, for the DH and myself. Most all of the gifts we give are homemade - fruit butters, shortbread and other cookies, some kind of candy and needlework ornaments or trifles. I really enjoy making these goodies despite the work involved. If I'm honest, it's much better than fighting the mobs in the stores!

But apple butter - oh, it is truly a labor of love! My little condo cottage is filled with the scent of apples and spices, and it lingers for days. Even the canning process is delightful, especially when I remove the jars from processing; after a minute or two I hear that little ping as each jar seals. The apple butter fairies are at work!

Of course, other jams and fruit butters are prettier - the apricot butter I make is like sunshine in a jar, golden yellow and the taste!!!! Apple butter is this brown stuff - from all the spices - but lift the lid of the jar and the scent of those spices dance with the fragrance of the fruit. One can't help but believe it is the ambrosia of the gods.

Peeled, cored and chopped! Into the pot, where cider has boiled away to half its measure, concentrating the flavor; the apples cook until very tender. Ah... the sweet smell of honeycrisp apples! Then more work - all of the cooked apples are put through a food mill - manual labor! I'm not kidding, hand cranking that food mill, I have to keep switching arms!

The apples, saucy consistency are placed back into the pot with sugar and spices. I am lucky enough to have a neighbor who brings me real cinnamon bark right from his trees on one of the islands near South America. Amazing stuff. This year he brought me nutmegs as well which will season my homemade eggnog.

Cooked and cooked more; a bit onto a chilled plate from the freezer to check consistency - all was just as it should be. Then, onto ladling the apple butter into jars. I had to process two batches, but ended with...

nine half pints and two quarter pints - I do love those little jars! One half pint went directly into the fridge unprocessed and we have been enjoying it on toast. It is quite good on shortbread too - real shortbread. My family's shortbread recipe was given to us by a very elderly Scottish lady. My mother was, for some time, a lay minister of the Holy Communion in the parish to which she belonged. She took communion to this elderly lady every Sunday and spent time chatting and drinking tea with her. The woman gave my mother her recipe for shortbread - the real deal - butter, flour and sugar, that's all. We've been making it for years. I am famous for that shortbread and the apple butter too, LOL!

To be honest, the shortbread is, if you will pardon the pun, a piece of cake to make! Very easy and the aroma while it bakes... ooh, delish! Oh, one other thing I use that apple butter for: pork tenderloin! I coat the pork with the apple butter and roast - yummy!

Fruit butters are really the easiest of jams to make. You measure your fruit after putting it through the mill and use a half cup of sugar for each cup of milled fruit. I always leave out the last half cup of sugar, only adding it if needed. Depending on the sweetness of the fruit or lack there of, sometimes you may need more. Taste and add as you like. As for the spices... it's all up to you - how much you prefer. Very easy!

In any event, the apple butter is prepared, mellowing in the pantry, one holiday chore complete.

Inside me live a skinny woman crying to get out,

but I can usually shut her up with shortbread and apple butter.

author unknown, but that little end bit was adapted by yours truly!

Deliciously yours,

Mrs. K.

P.S. Excuse the abundance of exclamation points in my writing. I can't help myself, something or other always inspires such enthusiasm, they are the only way to express all that emotion! (There I go again!)