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Easter weekend

April 22, 2014

We had a lovely Easter holiday full of tradition, family and friends.
The weather was glorious this weekend allowing us to grill dinner for the first time this season on Saturday night and eat by an Easter eve bonfire.
Our bunny hutch has been empty for too long so on Easter morning we surprised the girls with Norwegian dwarf rabbits.Harry has two new friends, Tilly and Lucy.
There was an egg hunt and our annual cascarones
After breakfast we went for a hike in the woods to find trout lilies in bloom everywhere! They only bloom every seven years so it was a beautiful site.
We ended the night with a lamb dinner at Aunt Patty’s.

We have hard boiled eggs coming out of our ears and lots of chocolate and jelly beans to nibble on.
Our cherry trees are about to burst and soon we will have pink snow!

P.s. A new season has begun over at Tend! I write on Fridays.

Cookie Cutters

April 14, 2014

Ever since I can remember I have always loved to bake.
My mother was ever so patient with me in the kitchen whenever I would help make cookies, scones and pies alongside her.
I still have the glued together pie plate I broke when I was about five years old due to my over zealousness and excitement to assist her.

As I got older I loved to sift through my mother’s Martha Stewart collection of magazines and dogear all sorts of cookie recipes. Even though I still lived at home I began to collect my very own baking accoutrements in my teens. One of the first things I acquired was a set of vintage cookie cutters and began to master the art of a rolled out sugar cookie. Soon I was collecting cookie cutters of all shapes and sizes for every holiday and special event. I made cookies for Christmas, Valentines day, Easter, Halloween, birthday parties, showers and weddings. I even made heart shaped cookies sandwiched together with strawberry jam for my own wedding.

When Hannah was born I couldn’t wait until she was old enough to help roll out dough and cut out cookies alongside me. By that time I had quite the collection of cutters for her to choose from. She loved to see how many shapes she could fit onto one piece of rolled out dough.

I recently culled through my cookie cutter collection which had grown into two huge baskets. I passed some along and kept my absolute favorites. As I sifted through them I thought about what each one was used for. A saw and hammer I had bought to make for my Pop’s birthday one year. An umbrella and stork for all of the baby showers. A guitar and musical note for Chris when he first started playing and an antique chicken cutter when we first got our hens.

Although I may not make as many cut out cookies throughout the year as I did in my younger days, not a Christmas or Easter goes by without them. This weekend I saw my Aunt Patty, who hosts Easter dinner every year. She asked “you’ll bring the cookies right?”
Of course I will!

The Beauty of a Basket

March 24, 2014

Can you tell I have a bit of a basket addiction?

I can’t help but bringing just one more home from the thrift.
They are the pockets of my home, bringing order and beauty to the piles of stuff. Messes of toys, laundry and paper look so much prettier in a basket.

I love their texture, their handmade natural, organic feel and that they are both beautiful and useful.

Baskets can be the “jack of all trades” in your home. Think outside of the box and get creative. Give them a job and they will be sure to give a stellar performance.

::Baskets are very inexpensive at the thrift. Collect a variety. Look for different shapes, heights, color and design.
::Hang your baskets. Hang one in the bathroom to hold a hand towel, by your kitchen sink to hold dish brushes or by your desk for pens and pencils.
::Use baskets as artwork. Hang basket lids or trays for texture. Sometimes they can cast beautiful shadows.
::Plants and baskets make a beautiful couple. Hide an ugly plastic pot inside a basket and give your flora a whole new feel.
::Baskets can soften a space. A basket of blankets or books can warm up an empty corner.
::Baskets are beautiful on their own even without a use. Use baskets in your vignettes to become part of a scene.
::Turn a basket into a vase by tucking a glass or ball jar of flowers inside. A basket bouquet!
::Keep a stockpile of baskets stored away. They make the perfect gift full of goodies.

In Honor of St. Patrick

March 17, 2014

We love tradition in my family.
I appreciate our rituals that revolve around the seasons and holidays. But I mostly enjoy how they bring us all together.
On Saturday, my mother had us over for her annual St Patty’s day/Spring Equinox celebration.
It was a chilly, sunny day. We walked in to a warm and cozy house with Irish ballads playing and signs of spring tucked here and there.
There was salmon, brown bread, deviled eggs, potatoes and soda bread.
My grandmother told stories of her days living in Donegal, Ireland and my mother pulled out her tea cozies for us all to wear in honor of St. Patrick.

Quick Knits

March 13, 2014

I love a finished project don’t you?
Freshly painted walls. A hand built rock wall. A whole new room!
It is such a satisfying feeling to complete something.
But sometimes my projects can feel overwhelming. The prep, the materials, the money!

I have my fair share of complicated projects that sit unfinished. And I have a long list of projects I would like to start one day soon. I know I’ll eventually get around to them.
But in the mean time it’s always nice to have a few simple, affordable and attainable ones that can easily be picked up on a whim. That’s why I love to knit.

Both of these patterns are from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts, a Christmas gift from my sister. I love the photographs in this book and the simple yet beautiful projects.

The Spiral Seat Cushion was made for Hannah’s desk chair. It was so fun to make as it’s knit in one piece without having to sew anything together. I used a super soft, bulky merino wool which made for a comfy seat. I love how the yarn pops against the wood.

I had a bit of the white yarn left over so I decided to make the Little Pointy Elf Hat for a special friend who is due soon. It was a quick knit made in just a few hours at craft circle last night.

Now, back to scraping and spackling my kitchen walls.

Make your Bed

March 12, 2014

I remember making my bed as a child. I would find pleasure in pulling my quilt up and tucking it neatly under the bottom of my pillow, then placing my stuffed animals and dolls on top just so.
I also remember sitting for hours pouring over my Eloise Wilkin books, many of which involved domestic work. One of my favorites being We Help Mommy . I still have the book and now Norah likes me to read it to her. I loved the drawings of the daily chores and especially remember the making the bed page.

Funny enough, the love of making my bed sort of vanished when I moved out and on my own.
I admit that just in the last year did I start to consistently make my bed.
Maybe with tight morning schedules, small kids and just rushing out the door it never became high on my priority list.
And why would I want to take the time to make a bed when before I knew it I would be pulling it apart to sleep in?

Well I am here to tell you that I have turned a new leaf!
I now look forward to making my bed each morning and sometimes I kick Chris out earlier than he would like because I truly am excited to make our bed.

I don’t know what the turning point was but I have found that the daily routine of it brings me joy.
Also, my bedroom feels neat, orderly, clean and clutter-free when my bed is made. Even if there may be a pile of dirty clothes on the floor.

Not to mention, at the end of a day when I am tired and done, there is nothing like slipping in to a crisply made bed.

You would be surprised on how many tutorials there are out there on how to make a bed. But don’t get overwhelmed. No need to make a bed you can bounce a quarter off of. The simple act of pulling up your covers and smoothing out a few wrinkles is all you need.

A few bed making tips

::Try to make your bed as soon as you get up (or after everyone is out of it). It starts the day off on the right foot and feels good to check something off your to-do list right away. Believe it or not, leaving the house knowing my bed is made has helped me to be more productive with the rest of my day.
::Just because you didn’t get to make your bed in the morning doesn’t mean you can’t make it in the afternoon. It only takes a few minutes and you’ll be glad you took the time to do it when you are crawling in that night.
::Treat yourself to a new set of sheets, pretty ones that you love and maybe a few new throw pillows to brighten things up. They will make your bed-making experience that much more enjoyable.
::While making your bed, think of a few intentions for your day ahead. Making your bed can be a meditative experience that you will soon look forward to.
::Think of your bedroom as a place to retreat to. Walking in to a comfy, neat space mid day for a nap, to read a book or at the end of a long day can aid in relaxation and sleep.
::Lavender is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime. Sprinkle a few drops of the essential oil in your hands and rub on your pillow. Sweet dreams!

So make your bed. I promise, you’ll thank me in the morning (and at night!)

Inviting Spring Indoors

March 10, 2014

This has been such a fun winter full of snow, sledding, skiing, ice skating and snowmen.
But I won’t lie, I’ve got Spring fever!

Yesterday I was so tempted to put the snow boots and gear away up in the attic but then reminded myself that it’s not quite Spring yet.

Rather than let myself get in to a funk, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to get me through the
end- of- winter blues.

A few weeks ago I bought a few Oxalis plants to brighten things up a bit and began to force some branches.

Forcing is an easy way to invite Spring indoors. A gentle nudge to a blooming tree or shrub can perform quite an amazing display and act as a reminder that soon the warmer weather will arrive. Even before they leaf out and bloom, branches are beautiful on their own, like a sculpture giving height, texture and definition to any room.

Any woody, deciduous shrub or tree that flowers in the early spring is perfect for forcing. Forsythia, flowering quince, cherry, plum, pear, crabapple, dogwood, spirea, witch hazel, magnolia and pussy willow are successful indoor bloomers. Wait until after the flower buds swell in late winter to begin the process.

I bet there are many candidates right in your own backyard. If not ask a friend or neighbor for a clipping. The forsythia pictured above is from my mother’s garden and the fallen dogwood branch I found on my morning walk.

Forcing branches

::Pick a day to cut branches when the temperature is above freezing. A rule of thumb for cutting is mid-January for forsythia, pussy willow and witch hazel. Mid-March for trees like crabapple, cherry, pear and dogwood.

::With pruning shears cut branches that have numerous flower buds.

::After you bring the branches inside, split open the bottom of stems with sharp scissors about 1 inch or if it is too woody of a stem, gently mash the ends with a hammer.
This will help the branches absorb water.

::Make a simple preservative of 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of plain household bleach and 2 teaspoons of lemon or lime juice and a quart of warm water.

::Fill vase with solution and add branches.

::Place in a cool location away from direct sunlight. Remember they need springtime (not summer) conditions to bloom.

::Change water and preservative once a week.

::Forsythia and pussy willow generally take only one to three weeks to force.
Flowering fruits like crabapple and cherry can take up to four weeks.

::Be patient. Sometimes buds can be stubborn and take longer to open and occasionally some buds may not bloom at all. But you can almost be certain you’ll be rewarded with bright green foliage.

::If timed right you can have different blooms adorning your home for many weeks.

::Add store bought spring blooms like tulips and ranunculus for an extra punch.

::Experiment and have fun!

a Dance Party

February 22, 2014

Hannah is now officially 12 year years old. It’s hard to believe that this is her last year before entering teen-hood. It has been such a joy watching her grow into the wise, strong, confident individual that she is. And it makes this mama happy that she still asks for parties at home.

Last night she had a bunch of friends over for a dance party.
This was one of the easiest and most simple parties we have thrown. Some pizza, root beer floats, mustache straws, silver balloons, and a good dance mix was all that was required. At this age they fill in the gaps and keep themselves engaged.

A few times during the night I couldn’t help but to reminisce about past parties, ones with themes and games. I would peek in and get a little emotional about how fast time is moving and that next year I will have a teenager. I tried to think back to my own 12th birthday party. I think it was a sleepover where we watched horror films and played “Light as a feather, stiff as a board” and broke out the Ouiga board.

There are still a few stragglers here from last night. Breakfast dishes have been cleaned up and I have some left over pizza heating up. I hear a game of monopoly in the other room. The balloons are still hovering above and all is calm.

Earl the Squirrel

February 18, 2014

Remember Earl?
Our little squirrel friend?
He’s a grown man now but he still visits.
He’s been knocking on our window for nuts on these cold snowy days.

It will be a year this spring when Chris found baby Earl abandoned and brought him home.
He is still living out back in the big Silver Maple tree right outside Hannah’s window.
Chris can spot Earl a mile away and he even has a little “swish-swish-swish” call that he answers to.
Earl will still take a nut straight from Chris’s hand.

Sometimes I giggle when I am checking out at the grocery store with a basket full of almonds and walnuts. The cashier will say “You must be baking something good today!”
I just nod and smile.

Let’s start with cake…

February 17, 2014

We usually drag birthdays out as long as possible around here. The day you were born is an important day to celebrate so why not do it over several days or even a week!

Although Hannah doesn’t turn 12 until Tuesday, we began the festivities with a birthday cake with friends last night. I made this cake and it was to die for!
I am usually a chocolate cake with buttercream or cream cheese icing kind of gal but this cake spoke to me when I read the icing was made with sour cream and bittersweet chocolate.
The tangy to sweet ratio was perfect! Warning: make enough icing to ice your cake and eat it too. It was hard to stop tasting!

When I came home from the store to unpack the cake ingredients I was disappointed to find that I had overlooked the bittersweet chocolate I had bought contained almonds. Chris was nice enough to run back out for me. He couldn’t find plain bittersweet but did come home with both dark chocolate and milk chocolate. He thought combined it would do the job. And he was right. It was perfect.

And there is still cake left over. Cake counts as breakfast right?

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