The Promise of Good Things to Come

As the snow has been melting, I've been checking out the growing things. I've been surprised to find daffodils peeking out of the ground. The lilac buds are fattening up, and the hellebores are putting forth new growth. The resiliency of nature inspires me.

Last night, Joseph read to me our 2011 horoscopes, both of which are full of promise of good things to come. We are putting forth positive thoughts and well wishes for a world of peace, and prosperity for all. Happy New Years, friends! Let's create the joyful world we desire in this year of 2011.

Uncertain Girls

J and I have been enjoying some slower days, winding down from the holiday rush. The snow gave us another excuse to relax indoors, venturing outside for a brief time here and there. We've watched a movie, done some small chores, and spent entirely too much time on the computer. I did fix some roasted root vegi's tonight, mostly following this recipe. Though I've opened the door of the chicken pen both yesterday and today, the girls couldn't bring themselves to venture out, and put their little feet into the icy cold. Can't say I blame them.

Snowy Sunday

The birds have been jostling for position at the feeders, as the snowflakes have been falling. J & I just got back from a walkabout in the snow. The world always looks so different, with everything covered by a blanket of snow. Thanks to June's post, I made my first ever popovers this morning. They reminded me of a cross between biscuits and the baked pancakes I make. I would suggest you have everything else on your menu ready as you pop them out of the oven. I wasn't that organized, so by the time we sat down to eat, they had cooled and were beginning to toughen just a bit. They were very good, but I can imagine what they'd be like just out of the oven.

I'm glad J had the foresight to suggest stopping by to see my Mom & Frank, after we left my Dad and extended family last evening. My siblings families and I were to have met up at my Mom's today, but the slippery roads are keeping us all at home. The lights have flickered and gone out briefly once already. Other than hot running water, we're pretty well off here without power. We've had our showers, so let it snow! The picture of the shed was taken first thing this morning, when I went out to tend the chickens. It's snowed another couple of inches since then.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Men

Happy Holidays, to you and yours!

Merry Winter Solstice

The kefir grains have worked like a charm. Every day, there's a new cup of kefir, and the grains are already growing. So far, I've mixed it with strawberries I had canned, and strawberry/ banana. Both were quite good. Tomorrow, I want to try pumpkin spice, which is the last storebought flavor I tried. Sage kitty's favorite new place to hang out is under the Christmas tree. Thanks to Leslie, I've picked up several books from the library to read. Wishing you a Winter Solstice that's as cozy as can be!

Kefir Has Arrived

For years, I have made my own yogurt. I enjoy it in smoothies or with fruit, and often use it as the dairy portion of bread or other recipes. I fed Hickory a homemade diet (following Dr. Pitcairn's recommendations), and he went through quite a lot of yogurt, being the big dog he was. The kitties Sage and Callie beg for it daily, so making my own can save a bit of cash.

For some time, I've wanted to make my own kefir. It's not something you can start from a storebought batch, like yogurt. Kefir can be pretty pricey, and there's also the fact that the closest kefir is 30 minutes away. I recently purchased milk kefir grains, to give it a try. They arrived today, and I've already gotten the first batch underway, which was easy-peasy. I bought these from the etsy site, Yemoos. It arrived lovingly packaged, with an adoption certificate! Pretty clever! It's a bit dreary and icy today, so a cozy indoor day was in order.

Holidays Past and Present

We've been getting into the holiday spirit here on the homestead. The stockings are hung, the wreath is on the door, the presents are awaiting wrapping. We even had snow while we were decorating the tree on Sunday. In fact, we had some flurries & sleet while we were on our tree shopping expedition on Saturday. There's something about snow, that just feels like Christmas. I remember how odd it felt, living in L.A. at Christmas. I distinctly remember thinking it just didn't seem right to be Christmas shopping, walking from my car when it was in the 70's. The wind whipping, some snowflakes falling.... yea, that's more like it. I suppose that harkens back to my childhood on Long Island. OK, enough about the weather already :o)

My first batch of holiday cookies are in the oven, and the smell is making my mouth water! I figured my sales were pretty much over, with the holidays so near. But, I guess there are plenty of last minute shoppers. Works for me! It's always interesting to see which soap is the best-seller each year. This holiday season, Patchouli wins hands down. Someone bought my last 4 bars today, so there is a new batch of Patchouli, snug in the mold tonight. There's a good chance we'll awaken to more snow. Yay!

A Holly Day

Today's the day when it will begin to look a lot like Christmas around here. We're soon heading to get the tree. The folks I've been buying my tree from for years give their repeat customers a wreath, so that will soon be gracing our door. Wishing you a lovely weekend!

New Earth is Up and Running

We did celebrate with that bottle of Prosecco, and New Earth Fabrication is working on their first job. The job is actually a tweaking that's being done on the Piedmont campus, but the shop is open for business. Congratulations, guys!

Something Meredith said a while back has been rolling around in my brain. She referred to me as a retired nurse, and at the time, I thought that might be a bit premature. But, as things seem to be working out, that just may be pretty accurate. There has been enough business in my soap shop to keep me mildly encouraged, and additional massage work coming my way. Though it is certainly a bit scary, I'm excited to see where things go from here.

Let It Snow

It's looking promising around here. My shop has got new listings. The Prosecco is chilling. J said he wanted to enjoy it when they were ready to open the fab shop, and it's looking as though it's shaping up to be this weekend! Everything won't be finished, but there's a client that wants an order done this weekend, so it looks like they'll be in business. Yay! Shhh... don't tell Meredith, but there's a slight chance of snow this weekend.

Wordless Wednesday: Chicken Scratch