1.07.2015

miscellany



we started the year off in the way many southern households (and beyond) did;  with black-eyed peas and collards.  we threw in some smoked ham from the local butcher shop as well.  yum, yum, yum.


there was a birthday party for her little buddy.  I made a dress-up crown about an hour before the party, cursing my way through it as I ran out of both bobbin thread and top thread during the process.  it's a little wonky, but overall I was pleased with it and I think the recipient was, too.  thinking I may work on them and make a bunch to bring to the market in the spring.  maybe.



bunny loves tea
gluten-free pumpkin pancakes, yum.  because as much as I love good bread and such, my skin and digestive system sure appreciate when I omit them from my diet.  which I've been doing (with the exception of a couple weeks there when it was full stem ahead with Christmas cookies and cinnamon rolls and on and on and on…) for the most part since late October.  a friend gave me a recipe for pancakes that included just eggs, pumpkin puree, some spices, and a bit of baking soda.  I mixed it up and it looked, well, like liquid.  at the time our hens were laying so few eggs and I didn't want to waste them if the pancakes didn't work out, so I added some oats.  it worked out quite nicely.  so now when I want pancakes, it looks like this: 4 eggs, 1/2 cup pumpkin, cinnamon and pumpkin-y spices of your choosing, a little baking soda, and 3/4-1 cup mixed ground oats and grits.  it makes about a dozen 3-4" pancakes.


we top them, of course, with our syrup.  we tapped on January 19th the last two years.  we'll see if that holds for this year as well pretty soon, although I don't feel like either of us are really ready for the weeks of nonstop work that will bring.  not that we have to do it, of course.  the grocery store nearby does actually stock maple syrup.  but there's just something about all of that collecting and boiling and fire-feeding and fire-tending that nourishes me on a deep, deep level.  it's good stuff, sitting out by the wood stoves for hours breathing in that sweet boiling sap smell and doing pretty much nothing else.  unless you count pondering life and such.

pictured below are two of the remaining jars (we've got a bit over 1/2 gallon left) we have from last year's sugaring.  it is incredible how different they are in color.  we always boil it the same and finish it just the same, but there can be such difference in color over the short season.  I typically prefer the darker stuff.  mmmmm mmmmm.


the lemon and lime trees are in the dining room for the winter and they are covered with the sweetest smelling little flowers.  the lemon tree has recently moved on to fruiting, and we're crossing fingers that some of them make it to maturity.  how happy that would be.  tasty little yellow orbs growing in January.

Mike asked the other day (when they were still only flowering) if they were wind-pollinated.  I didn't know the answer, but I can assure you that our dining room is not windy and I've been rubbing my fingers all over those little flowers ever since, trying to do my part to facilitate the pollination as best I can.  if that's even necessary, I have no clue.  maybe they don't even like it.  but it makes me feel like I'm somehow contributing to what is going on.



the beginning of a little painting by my little artist.  she told me "mama, it's going to be the best painting ever!"


some fabric I picked up last week because it was on sale.  it was on sale because it is Christmas fabric.  clearly it just screams Christmas.  thinking a first try at a couple skirts for her.  any suggestions for beginning sewing projects?





26 comments:

  1. I love the snippets of life that your photos capture. :)

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  2. Our first sewing project was a doll blanket (I helped piece some squares together on the top piece although they did design it). Also a doll skirt went over well. Love the crown!

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  3. The crown is cute!
    We have a Meyer Lemon tree (and have had it for 4 years) and have had one baby lemon on it since August. It has grown and is now quite large, but still green. We also have lots of baby lemons, ranging from acorn sized to walnut sized (and lots of flowers too). Anyway, I think my point is that it takes a long time to get yellow lemons - a surprisingly long time.
    Also, there is a great site called Kids Clothes Week (a challenge really), but if you sign up (or in), you get access to a great collection of children's sewing patterns. Many are free, but there are some very cute independent designers (who I would choose over McCall's etc) with easy designs. www.kidsclothesweek.com
    You got some cute fabric! Where did you get it?

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    1. ooph, that IS a long time! we have one meyer lemon and one key lime. both in pots. last year the key lime had about 20 little fruits on it, and while I remember it taking a long time, I can't say exactly how long. and here's a funny thing- we left a few limes on longer and they got a little dry and turned yellowish and guess what they tasted like? lemons! I wonder if unripe lemons taste at all like limes?

      thanks for the kids clothes week site tip- that sounds great!
      at the fabric store here in Black Mt- Carolina Foam and Fabric.

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  4. Love the birthday crown such a lovely idea. My 2 grandaughers have birthdays soon I may make them one each if you don't mind. Love the fabric, good luck with your sewing venture.

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    1. thank you. and of course I don't mind! (it's hardly my own original idea after all) I bet they'll love them!

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  5. Your pancakes look good. We do a gluten free pumpkin pancake with rice and quinoa, so good! Can't believe you tap so early, what different worlds we live in. It will be at least early March before we start. We only tap a few trees so the syrup doesn't last that long, but it isn't about that, it is all about the process.

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    1. we had them again this morning with visitors. apparently visitors means pancakes around here! oh yes, we are definitely a couple months ahead of the Northeast (and beyond) season. by early to mid march we don't have terribly many freezing nights.

      we tap 4-9 neighborhood trees, so much fun! and yes, definitely about the process :)

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  6. Looks like good stuff happening round your world!
    I will have to try those pancakes. Thanks!
    This is a super simple skirt tutorial: http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-a-simple-skirt.html
    I have made a few of these for Fionna and she loves them.
    Have fun sewing!

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  7. An expert seamstress friend recommended to me the beginning sewer to use Kwik Sew patterns. They have adorable children's clothing and the patterns are SO well written, and you learn a new "skill" each time you make something (i.e, facings, or buttons, or pleats) but it's so clearly illustrated and explained it never feels hard, and the finished garments are beautifully constructed.

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    1. awesome, thanks! I'll definitely check them out :)

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  8. You can help pollinate your lemon trees by doing this since they are inside..
    http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pollinate-indoor-lemon-tree-43964.html

    I quite enjoyed all the Christmas goodies this season too and am now back to just fruits and vegetables which makes me feel so much better [although I really enjoyed the cookies].

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    1. sounds like I was doing a much less exact version of this swab-pollinating thing~ let's hope some of it took!

      oh yes, the sweets can have such a siren song, but if I listen closely enough to my body (which I don't always do), it's other stuff I'm really craving. pungent and sour stuff usually, and good fresh produce. kimchi, sauerkraut, a really sharp cheddar. crunchy, crispy veggies.

      the trick for me is getting to where I more often hear what my body is really wanting BEFORE the consuming, instead of after ;) I"m getting there. kinda.

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  9. I am loving your photos - especially the first one of the your tea steeping. I usually make Bea little twirly skirts every spring though right now she is in such a dress phase that skirts just don't cut it. To get started, I used the Oliver S free pattern. It's super easy and quick. https://oliverands.com/free-patterns/lazy-days-skirt/

    I can't believe it's almost tapping time. My, how time flies!

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    1. thank you Nichole~
      and thanks for the pattern link!

      yes- soon, soon!

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  10. Isn't the fragrance from your blooming citrus intoxicating! I love it! Thanks for the pumpkin pancakes. Yum. I hope you all are well and off to a great start in 2015!

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    1. oh yes! LOVE that smell.
      and you and yours as well, Amanda!

      cheers~

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  11. Oh to have lemon trees! I have an avocado plant growing indoors but, of course, it will never fruit. It would be a first in Canada! :)

    Love your little snippets of life. So sweet!

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    1. fingers are crossed for some lemons…… eventually!
      thank you!

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  12. the pancakes sound healthy and tasty. I've been slowly easing back into healthy eating.....salad? what's that??

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    1. I love them.
      trying to up my produce:other stuff ratio after all the holiday indulgences, for sure!

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  13. this all sounds so wonderful!! the soup, the cakes, yum! the crown ties in the back... brilliant!! the painting and sewing... oh it sounds good :) i am almost there. i have many projects knocking on my door right now, but i am on somewhat of a mission to go through the house and deep clean/declutter... i always feel i need to do this after christmas :)

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    1. I was thinking about fiddling with elastic for the back of the crown, then saw the pretty wide turquoise lace and kind of had an 'aha!' moment. THIS is totally how I'll be doing them from here on out. easily customizable.

      I am in the middle of starting projects while trying to do the new year declutter and…. well…. they are pretty counterproductive, for sure. think it'd be smart of me to finish the clean-up before forging ahead. you're a smart one, Jenny!
      xo

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thanks for taking the time to read and comment~