My kind of magic . . .

I was reading an article written by Joyce Grenfell the other day entitled, "My Kind Of Magic." In it she very eloquently wrote about what she meant by her kind of magic . . . not the abracadabra kind, but the heightened quality of certain, often quite small experiences lit by . . . "Unexpected excitement, powerful with innocence." It really made me think about what I might have written had I thought of it first!

Holding a brand new baby, fresh from the arms of our Heavenly Father and sent down here to earth . . . A tiny fragment of new life, so exquisite and beautiful. Oh . . . the way they tuck into you and make those little noises . . . tugging at your heart strings and bringing a smile to your face and heart. That's my kind of magic.



The sight of a puppy laying on it's back, belly up . . . just begging to be scratched. That's my kind of magic.

Climbing to the crest of a hill and then catching the sight of a panoramic vista, spread out before my eyes in all of it's glory. That's my kind of magic.

Peering into a bird's nest and seeing lots of tiny, wide-opened little beaks, chirping and begging to be fed. That's my kind of magic.



Hearing the first cuckoo in the spring and knowing that the warmer temperatures, budding leaves and primroses can't be too far behind. That's my kind of magic.

A soft snow falling about my shoulders on a dark Christmas Eve . . . when I think of the beauty of the holiday and the love of family and friends, and . . . the Saviour. That's my kind of magic.

Sitting in my favourite chair and putting on my favourite cd of piano instrumentals. That's my kind of magic.



Waking up in the morning and seeing the sun shining through the window and knowing that I have nothing at all to do all day except to just be . . . that's my kind of magic.

Walking down the lane towards our cottage and seeing Jess in the drive, her tail wagging like mad. That's my kind of magic.

Answering the telephone and hearing one of my children's voices say . . . "Hi mom!" That's my kind of magic.



The smell of homemade bread baking, bacon frying, popcorn popping, roses blooming, one of my Todd's shirts . . . that's my kind of magic.

A letter in the post from a much loved friend, or my mom. That's my kind of magic.

Lowering my head in prayer and knowing that He is there . . . and that He's listening. That's my kind of magic.

I guess my life is just filled with magic! My cup doth truly runneth over! What about you? What are your kinds of magic??

Ohh . . . hmm . . . I just thought of another one. The smell of Gingerbread baking! I think it's one of my Todd's magic moments too, judging by the way he snuffled this up!!! I got a bit high handed with my skewer when I was marbling it, so it doesn't really show up well, but trust me . . . this is delicious!




*Marbled Gingerbread and Almond Loaf*
Makes 1 9 by 5 inch loaf cake
Printable Recipe

A deliciously moist loaf cake with a spicy gingerbread batter swirled into a tasty almond batter. Mmm . . . mmm . . . good!

1 1/4 cups cake flour
3/4 cup almond meal
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup soft light brown sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/4 cup molasses
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Butter and flour a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan. Set aside.

Whisk together the flour, almond meal, baking powder and salt. Place the butter into a mixing bowl and beat on medium high speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, alternately with the milk, stopping to scrape the bowl several times.

Remove half of the batter to another bowl. Stir the almond extract into this. To the remaining batter stir in the molasses and spices.

Drop large dollops of each batter into the loaf pan, haphazardly. Using a wooden skewer, swirl the batters together to produce a marbled effect. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until well risen, and a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing from the pan to finish cooling on a wire rack.

Serve cut into half inch slices. Delicious!



Over in The English Kitchen today is a tasty Parsnip and Leek soup! Just perfect for this horrible weather we're having this weekend!