A cold-ish snap and all that yarn entails

The past few days have hit us with a cold snap.  To be fair, it hasn't been THAT cold.  I don't say that in a superior snobbish Canadian-like way.  It's just that when one hears of temperatures in the -40s elsewhere in one's country, -20 starts to feel a lot warmer.  It has contributed to a nice cozy fire in the woodstove heater and more indoor activities.

In other news, I found a yarn shop nearby the house with a collection of beautiful yarn.  I normally used to buy my yarn from Walmart or Zellers.  They don't have a lot of variety, and the quality is ok.  This shop is a crafters dream.  A cozy little nook tucked away on main street between several shops. All the yarn - wool, cotton and everything between - you could desire in every colour and shade.  To top it off, there is a round wooden table at the back between two shelves where two ladies sat and knit while I shopped.  I felt like I stepped into a storybook, or at least a 19th century English country shoppe.  :o)  I bought some skeins of yarn for the mice I am trying out.  I plan on returning once I'm done to scope out some lovely wool for a tea cosy I have planned.  My project list has grown in case you were wondering...

Thankfully, I am managing to whittle away at projects in queue from before our trip.  My zigzag blanket is now finished and ready for babies!  (Which baby is another question altogether.)  I am starting on another one using this pattern in oatmeal cotton.  Is it just me, or does yarn make the world a happier place?

A pop of colour!

The other day I was outside with my son playing.  More accurately he was shoveling snow and I was running laps around our cul-de-sac (I love the sound of that!) to test my ankle.  Let me tell you, there's something about the combination of exercise and fresh air that really stimulates ones cerebral lobes!  I came inside feeling the need to do something I haven't done in ages: draw.

So I drew.  

Actually, I sketched and then I coloured.  Because that tree sparrow needed a little pop of colour to warm him up on that wintry day.  

That's how I feel sometimes - in need of a proverbial pop of colour during drab times.  Drawing is like that pop for me.  And I am so happy to rediscover it each time.  I sincerely hope that as time passes I will be even more drawn into the world of creating, no matter what form it takes.  

Especially when it involves whipped cream and strawberries!  :o)

This is a simple recipe, similar to a previous one posted, which I modified from here.  It paints my world with vibrant colour.  There's something about scones too.  Homey, yet dignified with a touch of unaffected glamour.  ("Would you like scones with your tea?")  Let me wax a little poetic about why I like scones so much.  First off, they're easy to make vs formal pastry.  This is a definite must in a mom's arsenal.  Secondly, you can doll them up fancy like with cream and berries for company, or you can smear them with a little jam and butter and enjoy them solo.  Thirdly, they look great once set up no matter how bumpy, lumpy or uneven they come out of the oven.  

So yes, these darlings were simple enough to make.  Whip up the scones and while they're in the oven, wash and cut fresh strawberries and whip up the cream with a touch of sugar.  Putting them together at the end is the most fun of the whole process.  Enjoy!  

RUSTIC STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE SCONES

2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup salted butter
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup cream

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Sift flour, sugar and baking powder together in a large bowl.  Cut up butter in small pieces and add to flour mixture.  Cut with a pastry cutter or two knives until mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs.  Whisk egg, vanilla and cream together in small bowl.  Add to flour mixture and mix just until dough starts to come together.

Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead about 4 times.  Roll into a seven inch round.  Cut 3 inch rounds with a round cookie cutter, or a glass cup.  Brush the tops with cream, place rounds on baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden.  Let cool.

Serve with sandwiched with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

A short tribute to papa

D has taken to bathing the kiddies these days.  It's hilarious watching how ecstatic the little ones get when they learn it's bath time!  Papa dons a bathing suit and gets right in with them to ensure no accidents.  (I know, he's a gem!)  Staying with my parents means we get to utilize a Jacuzzi-style bathtub.  It's pretty large and luxurious for them, especially coming from Lebanon where we used a portable kiddie tub to bathe them.  (For obvious reasons of water-conservation.)  Unlimited water is a blessing in Canada that I will never again take for granted.

That also reminds me how thankful I am for our family's love and acceptance.  It's not easy opening your home, even to your own children and grandchildren.  In our transitional period of looking for our own place and sorting out the chaos, we are grateful to have such a wonderful support system.  

Anyhow, as you can imagine, all this quality time with D means the kids have grown pretty attached to him.  I will always look back to these times with a full heart watching my babies plod determinedly after their daddy.  Whether it be taking a walk or shoveling snow together, he always has the time and patience to be with them and swing them up into his arms for some special Papa snuggles.  He has this way of making them laugh even when they're grumpy - trust me, it's a gift!

My biggest blessing in this life aside from the kids, is D.  My husband, my best friend, my soul-mate, I thank God for you every day.  You are my laughter, my encouragement and quite often my sanity in this crazy world.  There's no way I could do this without you.  I love you!

Welcome 2013!

I was sitting here just now reading a few blogs (and waiting for some dough to rise so I can make these amazing bite-sized spiced meat pies!) and something clicked.  I suddenly felt as if someone had, at that exact moment, brought back all the joy of making things that I had lost at some point along the way.  Perhaps  I lost it when I got pregnant and had no more energy to think much less move.  Or maybe when I broke my foot.  Or maybe it was during a long bout of illness with the little ones.  I don't know.  Every now and then life throws me a curveball and I don't even realize how hard until after the fact.  

Anyhow, it was a heart-healing, joyful and soul-nourishing feeling.  And although I may not turn into the Martha Stewart from years past (and somehow I am at peace with that too), I feel a delightful twitch towards projects long ago put in queue.  :o)

As for New Years, we had a quiet celebration, which is how I prefer it these days.  (Exhausting being pregnant isn't it!?)  The kids went to sleep early, and D and I sat and "chilled" peaceably together with a glass of wine and some munchies to fortify us.  I think we called it a night before the fateful hour, but the next day found us rested and ready to visit with family and friends.  All in all, a very nice way to welcome 2013!

And so, as I wrap up a short but thoughtful post, the snowflakes are falling thick and fuzzy, my babies are napping, my dough is rising, and I am going to curl up for a snooze of my own.  After all, we have Lego to build and hills to sled when the babies arise... and that tires me out to write let alone do!

I wish you a healthy, happy New Year, full of your own joys and projects!