Thursday 20 January 2011

Amidst the skein . . .



Have you ever watched a flock of wild geese move overhead, as they fly on their remarkable journey to the Far North to nest amidst the lonely tundra of the Arctic circle??? It's an wonderfully amazing sight to behold!!

They form a great V formation that seems to constantly change shape . . . as if some are straggling. The reason the skein is always changing like that is because, as one leader tires . . . another steps forward to take it's place, and the old leader falls back into the slipstream of the new one. So it goes, right on down the line, with stronger birds instinctively stepping forward and helping the weaker.



This is the only way these fascinating skeins of geese can battle their way through the storms that threaten even our most powerful ships, and fly the journey of a thousand miles to their nesting place.

I cannot help but think that here lies a powerful parable for all mankind. The only way we are ever going to be able to return to our own nesting ground . . . and into our Heavenly Father's presence . . . is if the strong constantly step forward to help lead the weak in our battle against the storms of life that would assail us along the way.



Isn't nature wonderful in all that it teaches us . . . about who we are, and the things we need to do? I think so, at any rate!!



I went out yesterday and purchased some wallpapers for my doll's house. I am thinking that the smart thing to do would be to decorate the walls, floors and ceilings before I actually put it together. Any ideas on that? Has anyone else done one that has any advice to give? While at Hobby Craft, there was a huge bin of stuff they are trying to get rid of to make way for new I suppose. I picked up some little packages of red and green wooden beads that will make perfect apples somewhere down the road and my mind is filled with ideas of how I could make miniature this and miniature that! I'm already thinking lilliputian everything! It's wonderful!

Here's some tasty muffins that will help to get any day off to a good start. Chock full of sweet/tart blueberries and crunchy toasted walnut pieces they are incredibly yummy! I like to use fresh berries as they don't bleed into the batter, but you can use frozen as well, if that's all you have.



*Walnut and Blueberry Muffins*
Makes 12
Printable Recipe

Delicious Blueberry muffins made even better with the deliciously added crunch of toasted walnuts!

2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup of milk
1/4 cup of melted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 large free range egg
1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Heat your oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 5. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or place paper liners into cups. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon) and whisk together. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients. Whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla, and butter, then pour it in to the well. Stir the wet and dry ingredients together. This will only take 10 to 15 strokes. Just make sure everything is moistened and there are no dry clumps. Fold in the berries and walnuts. Divide equally amongst the prepared muffin cups.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Muffins should be well risen and lightly golden brown. A tooth pick inserted in the centre of one should come out clean. Remove to a wire rack to cool and serve warm or at room temperature.



Cooking in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Chicken Casserole!


10 comments:

  1. Marie, you can try do some patchwork with the decoration..
    have a nice day dear..

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  2. I think papering before you put it together is a great idea Marie. I am so looking forward to wathcing this creation grow...The only dolls house I ever had was when I was wee and if I remeber rightly one of my Uncles made it for me..In these days dolls houses were not the marvelous creations that they can be today....well at least not in our circle....
    Take care.
    Love Sybil x

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  3. Hi, Marie! Wonderful thoughts to take into the day... Your doll house project sounds like so much fun! Can't wait to see as you get on with it. I've not experience with doll houses of that kind. But papering & decorating the wall first before putting it all together makes a great deal of sense. Your blueberry muffins look a treat...YUM! Happy Day, dear friend--LOVE YOU LOTS ((BIG HUGS)) P.S. Stop by my place tomorrow or the weekend, if you get a chance--I'll be having a little Valentine gift giveaway :o)

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  4. By all means paper before you put it all together Marie! We bought a large dolls house for our granddaughter and before Bryan put it together he did all the painting and decorating. Enjoy putting yours together. You will have many many hours of fun and contentment. It certainly will be unique! Just like you.
    Hugs
    Jeanie xxxx

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  5. What a wonderful time you are having with you plans for the doll house. It will be such fun to decorate and will be good to do something for each season with it too. I hope your Thursday is a great one!

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  6. I know you can get all sorts of things for dolls' houses - miniature candesticks even! What kind of 'look' are you going for?

    xxxx

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  7. Your doll house project sounds like so much fun! Can't wait to see what your creative mind comes up with!

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  8. I wouldn't recommend papering and flooring the dollhouse before you put it together, although it sounds good in theory. I have made quite a large one and I can tell you my experience. For one thing, you may get the wallpaper messed with glue and clamps during assembly. Also if you plan on electrifying it, which I highly recommend, (nothing looks nicer than a lamp or wall sconce lit up at night!) you need to hide the wiring with the paper and flooring. By all means do some of it ahead but keep this in mind. The materials are not cheap and you do not want to have to replace them.
    Have fun with it, Marie! It's so much fun to make and find things to decorate in small scale.

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  9. I am with you, Nature teaches us many great lessons if we will take the time to think and observe. I know that when I began growing my own vegetables and tending a garden, I would often think of the Savior's parables, like the Parable of the Seeds, while I scratch in the soil.

    I didn't know that about geese. I always see them flying in V's, but I didn't know that they all share leadership. That's very interesting.

    Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts today. They have given me much to think about.

    Have a wonderful day!
    Elizabeth

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