don't look ellen

I finished up ellen's Christmas hat yesterday and today, complete with ear flaps and i-cord ties. Here is Samuel modeling it!

This hat is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts (Kim's hats), slightly modified to 5 stitches/inch (cast on 96 stitches, in the round), #7 needles, knit with lovely Classic Elite Inca Alpaca yarn and a couple of modified pom poms with this and that from my stash. Now I really have no reason not to get to sewing up those darn dinosaurs, except that every time I cloister myself in the utility room, Eva comes-a-knockin'...

Another knit fairy? Or Lisa asked for a baby hat. Lisa do you like that yarn or is it too dark? That could easily keep me busy enough to stay away from dinosaur sewing!

solstice

Lots of snow and ice last night! This is a real treat making it a winter wonderland. Each season brings what it will. Find beauty wherever it lies.

sleigh bells ring

I admit to keeping things quiet with regards to winter festivities this year. To be honest, the intensity gets to me and by the time the holidays are here I am all worn out. This year I scaled back even more and have basically waited until just a few days before Christmas to get the kids involved in holiday fixings- cookie baking, cake baking, bread baking, bird seed-on-pine-cones, wrapping a few gifts, if quietly, not flurrying. And I really appreciate all of the snow and its help in giving Samuel something else to think about and enjoy. It has actually been a lovely December, peaceful, with some wondering about Christmas, advent calendars, lists to Santa, tree decorating, candy canes, checking out holiday lights, without all of the wall-bouncing and intensity of previous years (I mean there is always some wall-bouncing). I don't know if this is due to the kids being a little older or my letting things flow even more and peaceful wishes or the snow or a combination (I suspect the combination) but I am actually really looking forward to Christmas and the other winter holidays this year, even looking forward to preparing for them! I am eagerly awaiting the grocery delivery this afternoon with thoughts of cookie sprinkles and peanut butter for the birds.

Eva has been checking out gifts hidden here and there and found the Christmas chocolate that Santa usually brings. I guess this year I will leave the chocolate for Santa. She found some gifts in the garage from Grandpa and of course one of her gifts was left in its original box out front when it was delivered, so I guess that will be from us as well. It is a pink big wheel and it was going to be a super surprise! I guess it still was a super surprise, just not what I had um expected (here goes some flowing...). Now she lets out little hints that she is thinking about it like, "You know momma, I think I would really like a little tricycle that is all pink...maybe even more than some other things..." So, you see, she got a pretty good look at it!

I expect to start cookie-ing tomorrow or the next day. As tomorrow is Winter Solstice, I will want to do some festive thing, probably for the birds, definitely something with candles and possibly a cake, although Eva may want the cake on Christmas. It is to be a love cake with hearts, etc but perhaps we can have it both days. Not sure how I will make pullah and cake on Christmas Eve. I assume by that point there will be wall-bouncing...

Ai yai yai the groceries are going to be late due to the weather. At least we weren't cancelled!

Yesterday


I am loving my new socks and slippers!

Today


Snow silenting...

I remember watching this for the first time one Christmas and love the song Feliz Navidad. I have had it in my head ever since!

This special has 7 parts to it, each about 10 minutes long...


Samuel and I watched a couple of the segments together tonight.

Snow people today, one princess and one knight. The knight has battled and stands no more but the princess stands on...

Kombucha update-
I see bubbles! It is definitely effervescing!

cabbage

What to do with all of that cabbage. Don't feel like any more cabbage soup? I don't blame you. Neither do I. How about Savoy Cabbage with Potatoes and Brown Butter from Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison.

8 oz boiling or fingerling potatoes
1 1/2 lbs Savoy cabbage, cut into large squares or strips
3 Tbsp brown butter
1/2 cup diced taleggio or teleme
2 Tbsp Parmesan
2 Tbsp chopped sage
salt and pepper

Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2 inch chunks or or slice diagonally into 3/8 inch chunks. Steam until tender, about 15 minutes, then remove them to bowl and cover to keep warm. Steam the cabbage until tender, 5-10 minutes. Combine vegetables in a bowl, toss with brown butter, cheeses and sage and season with salt and pepper.

What I am actually going to do is steam the potatoes, braise the cabbage, mix with potatoes, add Parmesan (maybe some cheddar as well but not taleggio or teleme as I have none) and perhaps some marjoram which I prefer to sage, although I have ample of both. The question is whether the marjoram survived the chill outside. I am also going to add a shallot and some garlic and make it moister rather than cheesier. And I just realized I am out of olive oil and will be using more butter than I initially thought!

and now tuesday

fun limerick to ponder-

There was a young lady named Bright
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day,
In a relative way,
And returned home the previous night.

Boba Fett attacking Han in/ with his carnivorous tree; Luke nearly being eaten by same carnivorous tree. Yikes!