On Hold 02/07/2010
 We're off to a sledding party this afternoon. Our neighbors assure us that they have enough snow for it! We really don't at the moment...ever since the 'big melt' we got a couple of weeks ago...just after I took these photos of perfect snow conditions. So we're on hold. The snow shoes are parked...and the XC skis are resting on the rail....waiting...   waiting...for more of this...this white stuff! Those skis in their repose are way more patient than we are. We know our winter wonderland is only for a time. And now is the time!  Scrappy Love 02/05/2010
 I love...LOVE...the scrappiest of scrapbooking ideas....the scrappier, the better! How about this one...a Valentine coupon of LOVE that comes in its own little drawstring bag! For more scrappy inspiration check out this Designer Garden on 2 Peas In a Bucket. Then let's go raid the scrap baskets...with new eyes, new treasures! : D  Rustc Fence 02/03/2010
 Babycakes says, "Hay....Neigh! Check out my new fence! I'm actually staying in this one!" So far, so good. It's a bit rustic...but that's how we like it! Andrew made this fence with cedar posts...he managed to get into the ground before it froze! And the rails are made from saplings pulled from our woods. Eventually he'll get the second railing up all the way around, but for now with 2 strands of electric wire strung along the railing, it's all working very well. Now we just need a little more snow on this frozen tundra!  Dolls and Dollhouses 02/01/2010
 Who honestly doesn't have a fascination with dollhouses?? Well, come have some fun! I've created a new Dolls and Dollhouses page with a photo gallery (a link is also provided in this blog sidebar....just scroll down). Weebly, my website host, has a new feature that acts as a slideshow when you click on the pic. So go indulge your dollhouse fancies! I've also begun a new Dolls & Dollhouses Blog that I'll be updating with all of our dollhouse fun! It includes links to several blogs and sites on all sorts of unique and inspirational ideas and products for miniatures, dolls, and dollhouses...as well as some how-to's for any DIY's out there.  Our dollhouse focus is more on handmade items and on the types of dollhouse dolls and toys that are sturdier and can withstand lots and LOTS of play...as opposed to those fragile 'collectors' type dollhouses....although it's great to drool over those, too! Go take a peek...and if you've got dollhouse photos or ideas, we'd LOVE to peruse and share your link! : D  Cluck It Out 01/27/2010
 There are some recent updates on our Green Pioneer site that you might be interested in checking out. One of which is a video of my husband with 'Falco'...a Chicken Tale...er Tail... see more Snow Girl 01/24/2010
 We've finally gotten some sunshine on all this new snow. And I got out yesterday to do my first XC skiing this winter. I've been snow shoeing...but I LOVE the skis! The kiddos have great ski tracks all over our yard and into the pasture....packed down and really slick...even a jump or 2! Ya know, I could do this for hours...although I am feeling it in the way-too-sedate muscles today! Gotta work off all that eggnog!  And meet Sally the snow-girl. The girls decided to do their own version of a snow 'person'...OK snowman. How do we not offend anyone here...most especially our snow-girl??  More snow in the forecast...by tomorrow they say. Fine with me. This may just become my favorite time of the year. But don't tell any Mainers that! They might disown me! : D  Out For a Hop 01/23/2010
 Our bunnies are faring the winter weather quite well. Here's Gracie out for a walk...or a hop! We keep our 3 sister bunnies together in a large cage with mounds of earth and hay. They LOVE to dig and burrow...and this keeps them content and active and very warm. Not to mention all the wonderful compost they create! Nothing like the win-win with the bun-buns! : D  Bread Pudding 01/20/2010
 Blustery winter seems to blend scrumptiously beside Bread Pudding as if the two were irrevocably meant for each other. Then topped with white tufts of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar, how could this not be reminiscent of a snowy wonderland? And this particular recipe is so easy...all done in a crockpot. Bread Pudding happens to be my children's favorite dessert...and my favorite breakfast. Yes, I did say breakfast!....think gorgeous gooey french toast. Better watch out...you'll get hooked! Just like me!  We had friends over for dessert a couple of weeks ago...none of whom had ever experienced bread pudding before...and were somewhat hesitant about it...although they would never admit to such. Undaunted, I mercilessly 'inflicted' my version of Bread Pudding upon them...and now they're begging me for the recipe...which, of course, I knew they would. So here it is: English Bread Pudding: 16 slices day-old, firm-textured white bread (1 small loaf) [note: combination of homemade bread as well as whole wheat bread is delicious] 1 1/3 cups milk 1 pkg. (8 oz.) mixed dried fruit, cut into small pieces [note: I use dried cranberries] 1 med. apple [I always add more apple], cored and chopped 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 egg, slightly beaten 1 t. ground cinnamon [I add more] 1/4 t. ground nutmeg 1/4 t. ground cloves Tear bread, with crusts, into 1- to 2-inch pieces. Place in slow cooker. Pour milk over bread; let soak 30 minutes. Stir in dried fruit, apple and nuts. Combine remaining ingredients in small bowl. Pour over bread mixture. Stir well to blend. Cover and cook on Low 3 1/2 to 4 hrs. or until skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Makes 6-8 servings Now that's what the recipe says to do. I substitute eggnog and/or pumpkin eggnog for the milk when eggnog is in season. The bread will usually sink down after about an hour. If you think you might need more, add bread until it fills the top. Mix together more milk, egg, brown sugar, and spices and pour it over the bread. I also don't let the bread sit for 30 min. before adding the fruit. I just dump it all in together.... it's in a crockpot after all. I stir the whole mixture periodically to make sure all the bread is soaking evenly (and sneak a taste...or 2!) and not sticking to the bottom. Serve it warm from the crockpot with homemade whipped cream or sprinkled with confectioner's powdered sugar. It's even better the next day! Enjoy! : D  Winter Birthday 01/16/2010
 Today is our little...not so little anymore!!...Caitlyn Grace's Birthday! She's our 'Winter Season' birthday in the family. But we call her our sunshine girl...her smile alone warms up our winter days!   I'll let Caitlyn herself tell you about her big day...  And the Swedish Cake is yet to come! YUM!!  Happy Birthday Caitlyn! We LOVE You! All in the Wrist 01/10/2010
 This is my first attempt at knitting a bracelet. I made it for the lovely Astrid, shop proprietor of the adorable shop Folly 101 down in the Old Port of Portland. She's such a dear to us...and her whimsical shop...an answer to anyone's Folly!... reflects her Swedish roots.  The buttons are from a stash that belonged to my Grandma Cady, whose parents... my great-grandparents Walgren... were both from Sweden. So you can see...I was thinking of Astrid!  The bracelet is super simple...just cast on 5 stitches (I used Bernat Baby Sport 300g / 10.5 oz. in Pale Blue) with size 13 needles. Knit to length desired. The loose knit doesn't require button holes. See what I mean?? Simple!  I hand stitched a strip of ribbon at one end to give the buttons more reinforcement. Then just sew on the 2 buttons. You're done!  Two matching bracelets would make wonderful cuff warmers...or mitten extenders! And if you extend the length, it could make a lovely choker...do they still use that word?? I hope you know what I'm referring to! Hmmm...and as my husband's a watchmaker...I'm thinking this could also be made into a ladies watchband. The possibilities are endless! Have fun! : D  |  A Winter Journal
|
RSS Feed
