"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ... a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream." - Barbara Winkler
There is something about the word . . . February . . . that stirs the heart with an irrepressible joy, however irrational that may be.
Arrows of rain may fall . . . sharp and cold from a wintery sky.
The doors of the North are not yet barred to the possibility of snow.
But . . . once the month of January slips off our calendar . . . nothing can ever be quite the same again. Little ghostly snowdrops flutter in the grass.
This year . . . the sharp spikes of daffodils can already be seen poking up through the ground, and the camelia bush by the front door is covered with pink tinged buds of blossom . . . just waiting to burst into a riot of colour. It seems that they do not know what month it is, and the mild air that was January has fooled them somewhat . . .
There is a blue light which lingers on the edge of the lengthening days, and the voice of the February's thrush comes trickling down the wind . . . the promise of sweeter, warmer days to come.
Soon . . . it seems to say . . . soon . . . but not . . . just . . . yet.
With the threat of snow across most of the country yesterday, I was in a very wintery mood and so I painted this little girl with her offering of a cute little snowman. That's the most snow we get over here for the most part . . . just enough to make a little snowman, and only ever very rarely enough for a biggun! We still don't have any snow here in Chester, but we did have a spot of freezing rain yesterday.
I'm all ready for my lesson that I have to teach this morning. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't sleep last night because of nerves, but I did manage to sleep, even if I did have quite a few crazy dreams. That will teach me to watch crazy stuff on the telly before I go to bed!
My left knee is still very sore after the shot I had in it on Friday, but I am hopeful that will soon pass and it will be a bit better. My right hip is popping now . . . I have never had any injections in my hips yet. Not sure that I want to. Todd has decided he is going to come with me to Canada to go to my Daughter's wedding in July as we are not sure I could manage everything by myself. I am relieved to say the least. We can't really afford it, but we'll just have to do what we can. I cannot miss the wedding, and I cannot go alone.
Having said all that I must dash off as I just remembered a few little things I need to do before we go to church. I will leave you with a tasty recipe from my Marie's Muses archives . . . some delicious Vanilla Glazed Apple Bars! Moist and scrummilicious!
Moist and delicious apple bars topped with a sweet vanilla glaze.
2 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped (about 1 3/4 cups) 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large free range egg, beaten 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp soda 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 14 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup chopped nuts
For the Vanilla Glaze: 1 1/2 cups of icing sugar, sifted 3 TBS butter, softened 1/2 tsp vanilla 1 to 2 TBS milk
Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Butter a 13 by 9 by 2 inch baking pan. Set aside.
Stir together the apples and sugar in a bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Stir in the remaining ingredients until smooth. Fold in the raisins and nuts.. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 20 10 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Spread with the vanilla glaze while warm. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows.
To make the glaze, mix all the ingredients together until smooth and spreadable.
Laying in bed last night as I was waiting to fall asleep my mind went back to a particular memory that I have of a special time spent with my children. For a few minutes I was back there with them and it was just lovely.
We had recently moved to a small town in the Northern part of Southern Ontario and my husband had gone on a golfing trip to Myrtle Beach with his buddies. It was in the early Spring and we were having some really bad weather. Rain, rain and even more rain, accompanied by high winds. It was early in the evening and all of a sudden the power went off. I quickly gathered up all the candles in the house while we decided what to do.
We waited for a few minutes, thinking that the power would be coming back on shortly, but alas . . . it did not, and so we settled in for an evening without electricity. My eldest daughter was particularly upset as it meant she would not be able to watch her favourite show that night, and that was really important to her . . . but after a while even she settled in. We decided to play Monopoly.
Monopoly by candlelight. It was a lot of fun and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. We sat around the table in the flickering light and without the distraction of television or telephone we had a really great time together as a family. I can't remember who won, if anyone . . . only that we were happy.
After the game, we decided we were going to camp out together in the living room that night instead of going off into our various rooms to sleep. We dragged a few mattresses into the living room and made up some beds for everyone. I think I slept on the couch. We spent another few hours chatting and singing and telling stories until one by one we all fell asleep. The wind was raging outside, the thunder was clapping loudly . . . but we were together and that somehow quelled any fears that any of us might have had.
It was only in the light of the next day that we learned that a tornado had passed by very closely to where we were living. Thankfully we had not been directly affected, other than having lost our power. We took a drive out into the countryside to see the damage done and I remember it looking as if a big giant hand had just reached down snapping off trees like they were twigs etc. One elderly man had actually been plucked from his yard and set down in another place, and lived to tell the tale. We saw a house with no roof . . . but thankfully most of the damage had been done only to trees and such.
I was very thankful that we had not known what was really going on . . . had we done so, I think we have spent a very different night together . . . but as they say . . . "Ignorance is Bliss," and in our bliss we instead built a lovely memory together. A memory that I treasure. I lay there thinking about it last night and I smiled into the dark with the warmth of my thoughts and I wondered if they remembered that evening with as much fondness as I do . . .
Far too often we allow the distractions of modern life take us away from the things that are truly important. We spend our evenings watching the television or on the computer . . . instead of communicating with each other or building family memories together. I think sometimes it is a good thing to turn it all off and to just be together. In the olden days people had to entertain themselves . . . and would often spend evenings together singing songs, telling stories, etc.
In our church we have a practice of having a Family Home Evening on one night each week. The normal night designated for this is Monday evenings, although it does vary from family to family as a result of working schedules etc. This is a night where we are encouraged to do something as a family, something that will help to bring us closer together, and to strengthen family ties and love for each other. It may have a spiritual theme at times and be an opportunity to learn something new, or to draw closer to our Heavenly Father . . . at others it may simply be an evening where we do something fun together.
All families . . . from the large to the very small, and everything in between, we are encouraged to set this special time aside. In my Ward there is a group of single adults who get together to do something as a group with each other, as they have no family at home to share it with. Todd and I are just two . . . but we are a family, and even we do something special together on Monday evenings. More often than not we will read the scriptures together or watch an uplifting film from our church. We talk and we pray and we just enjoy a few hours together without the distractions of the world. It's a pretty special time.
Family togetherness . . . it's a good thing.
This is an old favourite from my Big Blue Binder. I expect that it was copied out of a magazine once upon a time, although I can't remember which one anymore. It is delicious! The pear centre makes it quite unsual. Everyone loves it!
*Walnut-Pear Sour Cream Coffee Cake* Makes 12 servings Printable Recipe
A beautifully moist coffee cake with a tasty layer of pear running through it's centre.
1 cup chopped walnuts 1/3 cup soft light brown sugar, packed 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 cup butter 1/3 cup plain flour 2 medium pears, peeled, cored and sliced (approx. 2 cups) 2 tsp lemon juice 1 3/4 cup of plain flour 3/4 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla 2 large free range eggs 1 (8-oz) carton sour cream
Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Grease a 9-inch spring form pan or a 9-inch square baking pan. Set aside.
Combine the walnuts, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. In another small bowl, rub the butter into the 1/3 cup of flour until crumbly. Stir in 3/4 cup of the nut mixture. Set this aside. (This will be the topping.) Reserve the remainder of the nut mixture.
Toss the pear slices with lemon juice and set aside.
Combine the 1 3/4 cup of flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
Beat the 1/2 cup softened butter in a large bowl for about 30 seconds. Beat in the sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour mixture, alternately, with the sour cream, beating on low after each addition until combined.
Spread 2/3 of the batter in the prepared pan. Lay the pear slices on top and then sprinkle them with the reserved nut mixture. Spread the remainder of the batter over top to cover pears. Sprinkle with the topping mixture over all.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing the sides. Allow to cool for half an hour before serving. Serve warm.
Over in The English Kitchen today I am cooking a Chicken Taco Salad, (low fat).
“We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.” ― Dieter F. Uchtdorf
We have had heavy frosts the past three mornings . . . all the garden covered as if by a magic brush, each leaf and errant petal, fooled into blooming far too soon by an overly mild winter thus far . . . tinged with tiny crystals, so very pretty.
The garden sleeps now. No splash of colour stains the fallow mould. The trees are stark, the hedges bare . . . the air all damp and cold. It is as if nature, on the quiet, has spread a quilt of crystal ice over all . . . as if to cover and protect the life that hides below . . .
How very still it is. No sound, save that of the odd car or bus which passes, disturbs the silence of the day. No sign or hint revealing what lays beneath the frozen clay . . . oh bulbs and roots and seeds from which will come at Winter's close a flurry of bloom . . . flames of gold and crimson . . . dreams of ivory and rose . . . the lavender and pinks and blues.
It seems like a miracle at the moment and doesn't seem possible . . . yet the Camellia is covered with buds, just waiting for the warmth of the April sun to burst out in colour . . . and here and there a snowdrop nods it's tiny white head . . . a tiny promise of what's to come.
"Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows, and white as they But hardier far, once more I see thee bend Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend, Like an unbidden guest." ~Wordsworth
Sleep garden . . . sleep. Rest in repose. These are the days of healing peace for all of us. For though the cold is bitter and the wild wind blows . . . there are joys to compensate for fog and frost and sleet. The world of firelight and books is cosy and comforting. Sleep garden . . . sleep.
Now that she has received it, I can show you the Baptism piece that I did for a little girl who was recently Baptised. She has the original piece, but this is the scan that I used to make her cards. There was a full sized picture, the original, with her full name, birth date and Baptism Date on it and then a bundle of cards which were exactly as above for her to use as thank you cards, etc. That is the nearest temple to where they live in the picture and that is the Baptism Dress that she wore on the day. I love doing these Baptism Commission pieces. They are really special to me and a wonderful keepsake for the recipient of their special day.
We are off into town today to pay a bill. I dare say we will have a frosted journey! It is very cold and wintery, although they do say it will become milder as the week goes on and with that will come . . . what else but rain! Whatever you are going to get up to this day, stay safe and warm. Go with God . . .
This has to be my all time favourite cake recipe. It's a lovely version of a Victorian Sponge filled with raspberries and baked, then filled with clotted cream and more raspberries to serve, covered in a sweet drizzle and garnished with sugar frosted rose petals(optional). It is a cake that you bake when you want to pull out all the stops for sure!!
This delicious Victorian sponge type of cake was developed in the Queen’s Jubilee year. It’s lovely and moist with a delicious clotted cream and raspberry filling. The perfect “tea party” cake.
6 ounces golden castor sugar (3/4 cup) (Can use regular caster sugar with no problems) (Caster sugar is fine granulated sugar, I think it is called fruit sugar in North America) 6 ounces butter, softened (3/4 cup) 4 large free range eggs, separated 4 ounces self rising flour (1 cup) 1 tsp baking powder 4 ounces ground almonds (1 1/3 cup) 3 to 5 drops almond essence 1 cup fresh raspberries
FOR THE FILLING: 1-227g container of clotted cream (about 1 cup) 1 cup fresh raspberries
FOR THE TOPPING: 2 - 3 ounces golden castor sugar (1/4 to 1/2 cup approx.) 1 egg white, lightly beaten to a froth 4 ounces icing sugar (scant cup) pesticide free rose petals
Make the frosted rose petals the day before. Separate the petals and spread the castor sugar over a plate. Holding one petal at a time, lightly paint both sides with egg white. (I used tweezers to hold the petals) Spoon sugar over it, then using tweezers, shake off the excess. Dry on parchment paper for a day. (Use only pesticide free roses)
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Butter two 8-inch round cake tins and line their bases with parchment paper. Tip the sugar into a mixing bowl and add the softened butter. Beat for a minute or so until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg yolks. Sift together the flour and baking powder, then sift over the cake mixture. Fold in as lightly as you can using a large metal spoon, then fold in the almonds and extract. Stop folding as soon as the flour traces have gone.
Whisk the egg whites until they just hold their shape. Gently fold in a third of the egg white into the cake mix, using a whisk. Repeat with another third, then the final third. Take care not to over mix and lose the lightness of the egg whites.
Lightly fold in the raspberries. Divide between the prepared tins and level the mixture using a round bladed knife. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then turn out, peel off the lining paper and leave to cool completely.
Set one cake on a serving plate. Spoon the clotted cream on top. Scatter the raspberries over the cream and put the other cake on top.
Blend the icing sugar with 1 to 1 1/2 Tbsp cold water until it is smooth and coats the back of a spoon thinly. Drizzle the icing over the cake.
Scatter the rose petals over and around the cake, dust with icing sugar and serve to some very lucky people.
Cooking in The English Kitchen today delicious Pappardelle with Roasted Winter Squash, Rocket and Pistachios.
“Patience is a godly attribute that can heal souls, unlock treasures of knowledge and understanding, and transform ordinary men and women into saints and angels. Patience is truly a fruit of the Spirit. Patience means staying with something until the end. It means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings.” ― Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Hands up if you've climbed any mountains recently!! Hmmm . . . that many of you eh? I didn't think there would be very many of you who put your hands up . . . in fact I would have been quite surprised and amazed had any of you put them up! But what if I told you I wasn't talking about rocky peaks . . . but metaphorical mountains . . . the challenges we sometimes encounter which can seem very daunting and much like mountains in our lives??? Ahhh . . . thought so. Everyone's hand is up now!
We are all mountain climbers, are we not??? I am reminded immediately of a friend of mine who never lets anything stand in her way of accomplishing anything. When the children in her village recently were in need of a playground, she totally ignored all the scoffers and set about organizing fund raisers and the like . . . rallying friends and cajoling local businesses into supporting the scheme. Amazingly within a year she had raised enough and the playground went from being a dream into a reality.
There is an old adage that says . . . "Those who say something can't be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it." I say . . . "Never say never." If you stand still in life . . . you will go nowhere, accomplish nothing, and mountains will never be moved, climbed or conquered. One foot in front of the other is the way to go. You can take baby steps or you can take giant steps, but the end result will be the same. Mission accomplished.
I like to think that I am a mountain climber. If you never climb . . . you never progress, or grow. It's all a part of the refinement process!
Can you believe it? I am getting another cold! This is so annoying! I have never totally shaken the one I got in the autumn . . . it's coming back again with the tickle in my throat and cough. It just doesn't seem to want to let go. Hopefully it won't be as bad this time around!
We took ourselves off to a film at the cinema last night with some friends. We saw "The Iron Lady", starring Meryl Streep. Wow! If she doesn't win an academy award for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher I will be amazed. She did a fabulous job and was most believable as Margaret Thatcher. She had the accent/voice down pat and I felt was very convincing as the character. Not having lived over here when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, I found it all very interesting. I know the film has quite mixed reviews with some saying that it ignores things that it shouldn't have and glosses over others, but if you are looking to see some brilliant acting and be entertained for a few hours, I say go for it. The four of us all really enjoyed this film. There was no swearing (that I heard in any case), no gratuitous sex or violence, except for news footage of some of the rioting/bombings/ etc. which occured during her time as PM of this great country. I came away with the opinion that she was probably one of the greatest Prime Ministers the UK has ever had, putting her right up there with Churchill . . . but that is only my opinion, you must go see it and form your own! The next movie we want to see is War Horse. That looks fabulous as well.
I have a real treat for you here this morning. You know those boxes of After Eight Mints that you get every Christmas??? This is the perfect way to use them up, just so they don’t go stale-like, you know, sitting on the counter there all alone and not being eaten or anything . . .
*Chocolate Mint Snacking Cake* Makes 1 8-inch square cake Printable Recipe
Over in North America you can buy these lovely little cake mixes called Snacking Cakes. They come in all sorts of flavours and are just the right size for an after school snack or a drink and gab with your neighbours on a coffee morning. This is a little snacking cake of my own. Deliciously chocolately with wonderfully melting chocolate mints on top. This one is a keeper. It comes from my old blue binder, where the page is well spattered. You just know it is good coz it’s so well loved!
¾ cup caster sugar ½ cup flour ½ cup butter, softened 1/3 cup cocoa powder (not drinking cocoa) ½ tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 3 large eggs 16 squares of thin chocolate after dinner mints Icing Sugar for dusting over the top after baking
Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Lightly butter and flour an 8 inch square baking tin and set aside.
Put all the cake ingredients, except for the mints and icing sugar into a bowl and beat well together on medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. Spoon into the prepared pan and smooth over.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until it tests done. (a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, or when the top springs back when lightly touched) Remove from the oven and immediately, while it is still hot, place the mints on the top in rows, overlapping the points. Set aside to cool
When cool dust the top lightly with icing sugar. Cut into squares to serve.
Baking over in The English Kitchen today some delicious Chocolate Filled Peanut Butter Cookies!
Oh how easy it is to be completely spell bound by a winter's snow when you are out walking and it begins to fall . . . first those fluffy fat flakes like goosedown . . . melting almost as soon as they land on the ground. But then . . . they begin to fall faster and faster . . . and one after another begins to add up and soon . . . the ground is covered, but . . . still it falls.
And you stand there as it accumulates on your shoulders and hair and eyelashes . . . and perhaps you stick your tongue out for just a taste . . . and it tastes like magic. It has you in it's spell, the magic woven around you and over you . . . and under you. You cannot help but stand still and take it all in. That is a winter's day . . . in the snow . . . in the wood . . . on your own. Can anyhting on earth possibly be more beautiful, or serene?
Snowy thoughts for today . . . The wind is blowing again. I can hear it howling down the chimney. We had the fab offer last night of a week in Spain. All we have to pay for is our airfare. It is very tempting. We shall give it some thought for sure . . . but with two weddings coming up and a very strict budget, I'm not sure we dare chance it. Best pray about it I think!!
Have some apples in your fruit basket that need using up? This is a very delicious way to do just that. One of our favourite cakes, this is one from my archives. The picture's not that great, but I can still remember how very wonderful it tasted. I just may have to break down and bake one today. Sigh . . . I am so weak.
Tart apples combined with a delicious caramel glaze are a classic combination. This pleases everyone who eats it. Serve it sliced with some vanilla ice cream, for a simple dessert that will, at once, both impress and tantalize your guests. This one will have them coming back for more!
3 cups flour 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup castor sugar ¾ cup vegetable oil 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla essence 4 cups chopped Granny Smith apples (3 to 4 large apples)
GLAZE: ½ cup butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar ¼ cup milk
Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl; set aside. Beat the brown sugar, castor sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and beat until well blended; mixture will be very thick. Fold in the apples. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan (bundt). Bake in a pre-heated 180*C/350*F oven for 1 hour, or until a wooden pick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack, then invert onto a serving plate.
For the glaze combine the butter, brown sugar and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Pour the hot glaze over the cooled cake. You may also bake this cake in a 9 X 13 inch rectangular cake pan, in which case the cooking time will only be about 45 minutes.
Outside My Window... It is cold, dark and damp. That is winter in the UK. Only rarely do we have snow . . . but we always have wet. ☺
I am thinking... I have decided to attend my children's weddings irregardless of what a certain person may wish. I know that it is really "them" who don't want me to go, but I am just going to have to put on my thick skin and go. My mom talked to my daughter and she really wants me there and so I will not disappoint her, no matter how uncomfortable or unwanted certain other people may try to make me feel. My daughter's feelings are the most important feelings. I am her mother and nobody can change that no matter how much they may want to do so.
I am thankful for... The love and support of my oldest son. He has always been there for me, even when he may have thought I was making poor choices or he didn't agree with my actions. He has never judged me or found me wanting. He has always only ever loved me and always will. That means the world to me.
From the kitchen... ohhhh . . . there's those three little elves . . . naughty, Naughty and Naughtier!
I am wearing... Pink nightie (M&S), Pink jim jam bottoms, pink slippers, aqua robe. Layering for warmth and comfort . . . again! Hmmm . . . I seem to always be wearing those on Wednesday's . . . perhaps next week I will surprise you and be wearing something different!! I am creating... I might as well show you this. The person it was intended for is obviously not interested now.
I had done this for someone by request, but they have not answered any of my e-mails so I offer it up to you now. I thought it turned out quite nice. What do you think?
I am going... Not a lot on this week, thank goodness! I have one more sister to Visit Teach. She has children so I want to make some cookies to bring to her. I will get Todd to go with me if I can. My regular partner has had a fall and hurt her arm so she cannot drive. I might try to get into town one more time before Christmas and bring my camera this time because I want to show you the Christmas Village outside the town hall and the Chester Wheel is back again this year, but in a much nicer place.
I am reading...
Cross Stitch, by Diane Gabaldon (first in the Outlander series)
It has been a very long time since I have read anything deemed to be historical romance, although at one time I read a lot of them. I was particularly drawn to stories with either vikings or scotsmen wearing kilts in them.
The novel is not easily classified by a single genre. On one level, the work is a romance novel with a focus on the romantic relationship between the two main characters. The book could be described as a work of historical fiction with a detailed account of 18th century Scottish clan life. The novel could also be considered fantasy with a plot propelled by magical time travel as the main character, a woman named Claire, journeys from 1945 to the 18th century.
So far, whilst it isn't what I would consider to be "great" literature, I am finding it to be somewhat of a page turner and quite entertaining. I think we all need to read something light once in a while. I just skim over the mushy parts . . . where they would have held my interest when I was younger, I just find them boring now. Funny how that goes . . .
I am hoping... That Todd feels completely better by Christmas. He hasn't been very well for about a week now. I've had him on a strict diet of applesauce, poached chicken, rice and flat gingerale. He felt better yesterday finally and I am hoping that continues. It has been such a worry for me. We found each other so late in life I don't want to lose him now!
I am hearing... Early morning sounds as the worldwakes up around me. Every day sounds. Peaceable and comforting. The oddsound of a car as it passes . . . the clock ticking . . . Mitzie chewing on her bone . . . the keys tap-tapping. HomeSweet Home.I also have Michael Buble's Christmas album playing in the background. Did any of you watch his Christmas special?? I really enjoyed it. He is quite a character!
I just think this is soooooo cute!! I couldn't do it on my stairs of course, as they are carpeted, but what a fabulously unique idea! Not that I want real mice in my house . . . or course!!! Little paper ones would be ok though. I've always wanted a mice hole though, in one wall. A little door that you can open and then when you peer inside you see a perfect little mouse house, with furniture and everything. I think it would be quite wonderful. Yes . . . I love little doors in garden hedges or on tree stumps too. They make my imagination tick!
I am looking forward to... The Carol Service at our church on Christmas Eve. It is one of my favourite services of the year. I love the special feeling that is present, the music, the excitement of the children . . . tis one of the things that helps to make Christmas spiritual and precious.
If I could change one thing it would be ... Everyone would follow the Saviour. I mean really follow the Saviour and truly exemplify his teachings, love the word of God, love their neighbour . . . try always to do as Jesus would do. If that was the case, there wouldn't be too much in the world that was unpleasant would there? One of my favourite things... Is writing this daybook. I look forward to it every week. I hope that you look forward to reading it as much as I look forward to writing it!
A few plans for the rest of the week... A bit of work . . . a bit of play . . . and everything in between!! Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This is our little fur baby before her grooming session last week. She looked like a little furry Yeti! I must say she isn't all that impressed with my picture taking is she?
This is her after the grooming session. She always looks like a different dog! The white in her coat is always more noticeable, especially the white on top of her head. I like having her all bathed and sweetly groomed for Christmas. I had wanted to get her some reindeer antlers for Christmas but was not able to find any and so . . . she is antlerless. I don't think she minds, do you???
As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this: "When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.
There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.
Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others." ~President Thomas S Monson, (First Presidency Christmas Devotional 2011, Because He Came)
And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Womanto check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!
Here's a delightfully delicious cake that originates in Nova Scotia. I believe the recipe came from a Community Cookbook at one time. It's been in my Big Blue Binder for years. It would be great for Christmas sprinkled with Christmas Sprinkles I think!
This is an old recipe which hails from the southern shores of Nova Scotia where I am from. Dense and moist is falls somewhere between a pound cake and an ordinary layer cake. The Lemon glaze is it's crowning glory.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened 3 cups caster sugar 6 large eggs 3 cups plain flour, sifted 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda pinch of salt 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 cup dairy sour cream GLAZE: 1 1/2 cups icing sugar the juice of 2 lemons
Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Butter a 10 inch tube pan and lightly dust with flour, shaking out any excess.
Put the butter into a large bowl and cream it with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Continue to beat it as you gradually add the sugar, beating it all in well. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and a pinch of salt. Stir together the sour cream and the vanilla.
Add the flour to the creamed mixture in thirds, alternating with the sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Do not over beat, or the cake will be tough.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Do not open the oven door while it is baking. The cake is done when it is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. If the cake is not done at the end of the hour and a half, bake for an additional 15 minutes before testing again.
Remove from the oven to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing from the pan onto the wire rack. Let cool completely before glazing.
To glaze combine the icing sugar and the lemon juice until smooth. Spoon over the cake and allow it to drizzle down the sides.
If you are like me and like a bit of magic, sprinkle fairy dust and magic over the top before the glaze sets.
In The English Kitchen today, some delicious Porkie Pies . . . delightfully tasty littel butter cream topped date tartlettes!
I’m not really a person that puts much value on things, preferring instead to place my value in things that are not of this world, things seen and touched with the heart. Nevertheless there are also some things that I have that I get a great deal of pleasure out of and enjoy having around . . . like raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens . . . these are a few of my favourite things . . .
The feel of the sunlight on my face on a warm summer’s day. I love to sit out in the garden for a short, mostly in the shade, but occasionally I do get great pleasure of sitting out at the picnic table, face upturned, eyes closed, while the warmth of the sun cloaks me face in it’s passion. Have you ever noticed that it has a smell . . . I have. It’s not easy to describe though, and I don’t think I’ll try . . . try it someday for yourself and you will see what I mean.
Holding a baby up on my shoulder so that it is snuggled in under my chin and close to the small of my neck . . . that has to be heaven on earth. I could sit there for hours gently rubbing the contours of its tiny back and feeling it’s warmth tucked up into me . . . until it starts to cry that is . . . when that happens it goes back to it's mum.
The feel of our Mitzie's soft furry tummy as she rolls on to her back to let me have a scratch or a rub. Along with that goes the way she lovingly glances up at me while I do it . . . all trusting and so full of pleasure and gratitude it just oozes out of her liquid brown eyes and melts my heart . . . (She is feeling ever so much better. She wasn't sick at all yesterday. Crisis averted! She is on scrambled egg or rice and chicken for a couple of days though.)
Stepping out of a shower on a cool winter’s morning and into a huge fluffy bath towel that I have popped onto the radiator just before stepping into the shower . . . warm and cosy and enveloping . . . it is just like a welcome hug . . . (We are getting ever closer to having our shower here at our home. We have gone through all the interviews now for the Council grant and are just waiting now for final approval. Construction companies have put in their proposals, and everything is a go thus far. It will be nice to have a shower and not have to struggle in and out of the tub with my arthritis.)
Crawling into bed with my socks on, and only after I am settled, taking the socks off . . . I just love the way my feet feel. It’s a pleasure that’s really hard to describe . . . you'll just have to take my word for it.
While I’m thinking about bed . . . crawling into a freshly made bed with crisp clean sheets that have been hung out to blow in the wind all day. I snuggle right into my pillow and breathe in the freshness of the outdoors and the smell of sunshine . . .
Walking into the house and smelling freshly baked cookies or bread. Actually I just like to smell food cooking period. It’s funny . . . when you are cooking it yourself…you rarely smell it in the same way, unless you go out of the room and come back into it. I always love the smell of other’s people’s dinners cooking as I walk down the street or sit out in the garden . . . somehow it always manages to smell delicious and inviting . . . and it almost always makes me hungry . . . just like the smell of frying onions does. Oh my . . .
My good morning hug from Todd . . . I am usually up several hours before him, but when he does wake up and come down stairs, that’s always the first thing we do, give each other a big hug and cuddle and kiss. On the rare occasion we have forgotten ie. because the telephone has rung or something else has interrupted our routine, the day just seems to get off on the wrong foot for some reason . . . but, here’s the good part . . . sooner or later one of us realizes what’s been missing and we always get the hug in then . . .
Sitting in my chair, quietly listening to my favourite music, with my eyes closed. I love gospel and Christian music and I could sit and listen to it for hours. When I do, I feel closer to God and in communion with him . . . kind of in a way similar to when I am praying, and yet different . . . it’s always a good feeling . . .
Watching kittens and puppies waddle around . . . indeed watching baby anything . I think God made baby animals and birds and people cute on purpose . . . that way he knew someone would take care of them and love them. I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone can be deliberately cruel or mean to any of them . . .
Cooking . . . just cooking. I love to cook and I get a great deal of pleasure from it. It’s not so much in the eating . . . (trust me I get plenty of pleasure out of that as well…) but I don’t really even have to be the one who’s going to eat it, I just really enjoy the cooking aspect of it. To me it’s like solving a puzzle or putting together a jigsaw . . . the more complicated the better. I get a real sense of satisfaction when I have accomplished what I have set out to do, and people are happily eating it and enjoying it . . . that’s where the satisfaction comes . . . the satisfaction of a job well done . . . a feeling that can’t be beat, well almost anyways . . .
Listening to the laughter of a child. It always swells my heart and brings a smile to my own face. Is there anything on earth more contagious or infectious? I think not! I once found this laughing baby somewhere on the internet . . . it was attached to an elastic . . . as you twirled it around with your mouse the baby laughed and laughed. You just could not sit down and do it without coming away with a smile on your own face . . . children’s laughter . . . soul medicine . . .
Sitting down at my computer every morning and putting down my thoughts and fancies for you all to read . . . and then, later on, hearing that little ping when someone leaves their comments. That’s one of my guilty pleasures, and an intrinsic part of my day . . . it’s a selfish thing really . . . but a writer has to write and the words must be read . . . I like to think it’s a win/win situation . . .
I could go on and on . . . there’s just so much I get joy and pleasure from in this life. I guess I’m really lucky . . . I love the smell of the pavement after a heavy rain, and the smell of the soil after digging in the garden, warm soft freshly baked white bread with butter melting into it’s fragrantly yeasty goodness . . . I’m just a person that loves and enjoys the small things in life, and thankfully I’ve been really blessed . . . with tons of small and simple things. Life is good.
Here is my latest offering. I created her yesterday afternoon whilst Todd and our landlord were fixing an electrical plug downstairs. (I like to stay out of the way when that kind of stuff is going on.) At any rate I think she turned out quite cute. What do you think?
Here's something else which always brings a smile to my face, but isn't something I get to eat very often. Chocolate cake!! Todd hates chocolate cake (I know he's completely bonkers!) so I only ever bake one when I know I will have the opportunity to give most of it away. Enjoy! I know I did!
*Double Chocolate Layer Cake* makes 12 servings Printable Recipe
Can you say "To Die For"? Repeat after me.....to die for...to die for....to die for...deliciously moist chocolate cake with a gorgeously rich and delicious chocolate ganache coating....
FOR CAKE: 3 ounces fine quality semi sweet chocolate 1 1/2 cups hot brewed coffee 3 cups sugar 2 1/2 cups plain flour 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp baking powder 1 1/4 tsp salt 3 large eggs 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (well shaken) 3/4 tsp vanilla FOR GANACHE FROSTING: 16 ounces good quality semi sweet chocolate 1 cup heavy cream 2 TBS caster sugar 2 TBS golden syrup (or corn syrup) 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Pre-heat the oven to 150*C/300*F. Lightly grease two nine inch layer pans. Line bottomms with parchment paper and grease the paper. Set aside.
Finely chop the chocolate and put in a bowl along with the hot coffee. Let stand, stirring occasionally until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Sift together the dry ingredients, stir in the sugar and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs until they are thick and lemon coloured, about 5 minutes with a hand held electric mixer. Slowly beat in the oil, buttermilk, vanilla and melted chocolate mixture. Mix well. Add dry ingredients, mixing only until they are combined. Divide batter between the two prepared baking pans and bake in the centre of the oven for one hour up to one hour and ten minutes or until a tester inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Cool layers completely in pans on racks. When cold, run a knife carefully around the edges of the pans and invert onto the racks. Carefully remove the paper.
For the frosting chop the chocolate finely. Bring the cream to a boil along with the syrup and sugar, whisking until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate pieces and whisk until melted. Cut the butter into pieces and whisk in a bit at a time, until melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is of spreading consistency.
Sandwich the layers together on a plate with some of the ganache and then spread the remaining frosting over the top and around the sides of the cake. This cake keeps well, covered and chilled for 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving. Wonderful!
Over in The English Kitchen today, I am baking My Big Fat Chewy Chocolate Chunk, Raisin & Macadamia Nut cookies!
“God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.” ~ Dieter F Uchtdorf
