Sketchbookery & other projects

It's been quite cool these past few days.  It went from 40 degrees (Celsius) to 12 degrees.  In a few days.  Crazy weather.  I guess I'm used to (or at least was hoping for) a more gradual transition.  Oh well.  

We went apple picking yesterday.  First time of the season.  We bagged up a nice 24 lbs of honeygolds and golden crisps (and a few Bartlett pears).  We were there around 3:30pm and by 4, we could hear the crickets chirping.  It was perfectly still except for the sounds of their Vesperal chanting.  What stillness and beauty.  

The kids played happily until closing time at 5.  Jumping from haystacks, playing in a giant corn pit, hopping on and off old tractors.  I felt badly for taking them home - as if I was taking them away from something so inherently good and precious.  

Right now I am working on a hat for little J.  With the cold weather practically knocking our door down, I'd best finish it this weekend.  She has requested a kitty hat.  A Hello Kitty hat I might add.  It's a joy to be able to make things for my babies.  My heart swells with satisfaction and joy when I see them walking around in something I made; a scarf, a hat, a little blanket.  :)  

Also, I have two owl hats in queue that a friend ordered.  I've just finished picking the colours, so I am excited to get started.  And of course, I have a few dishcloths left to finish.  They are an easy kind of time-filler, so I'm not really in a rush.  It's nice to have an array of yarn projects to choose from.  (That is little S's hand grabbing my hook in the yarn photo above... I couldn't resist!)  

I am sharing a book with D right now: "Everyday Saint and Other Stories".  Well, we are reading it at the same time, but not together.  Actually, as I recall, before we were married we used to do the same thing: pick a book and read it at the same time, but not together.  Then whenever we got together, we'd discuss it as we went along.  Now that we're married, you'd think we'd be able to read together!  It works out for us though like this.  D likes to go at his own pace and I just gobble books right up.  Anyhow, this book is such an encouraging read - heartening, inspiring.  I am happy we are sharing good books again.  :)  

My sketch this week is kind of wonky.  I didn't have my sketchbook handy, so I grabbed a piece of loose paper.  Then I had to tape it in my sketchbook.  Talk about improvised art.  Incidentally, the subject is kind of a mirror of my life right now.  I feel very much like a mother duck with her ducklings crowding around.  Such beautiful times that I am slowly starting to understand will not last.  It is a nostalgic thought that makes me hug them closer each time.  My sweet little ducklings.

UPDATE:  Here is that banana oat muffin recipe I promised last time.  I apologise for the format.  


BANANA OAT MUFFINS
(makes 10-12 muffins)

1 egg
2-3 bananas, mushed up
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups flour (feel free to use whole wheat if you like... I didn't have any on hand.)
1 cup oats
1/2 cup sugar or honey
2 tsp baking powder
1-2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup sunflower or coconut oil
water

Topping: 
brown sugar
oats

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.  Add eggs, oil, and butter.  Stir until well combined.  Add bananas and mix.  Add water slowly until achieve a more batter-like consistency (as opposed to doughy), but don't make it too runny.  (I think I added around 1/2 cup of water, but I'm not positive.)

Drop spoonfuls of batter into muffin cup liners.  Make sure enough batter to fill liner - at least 3/4 full or more.  Sprinkle brown sugar and oats on top.  Bake in oven at 350 degrees until done.  (I can't remember how long, but probably between 20-30 minutes.)