Stepping Away from the Edge

Photo Finish

Sometimes, photos just tell it best.

Hope your weekend. . . was as good as mine was!

In the Shape of a Heart

As I thought about this post yesterday, this song got stuck in my head.  So I have to share. . .

 

There's just something about a heart shape that I find charming.

Not just on Valentine's Day, either.  Although that's when they're most plentiful, certainly.

Sometimes even with your name, stuck in little heart-shaped, pink-cream filled brownies from one of your office mates . . . so endearing!

And even more . . . heartwarming. . .  when tied with love. . . from your Valentine!

(Tom crafted this from fish hooks and red mohair . . . just for me!)

There's just something warm and inviting, kind of . . . homey. . . about a heart shape.

Although not as prevelant as my grids, heart shapes appear throughout the year in my home.

On the walls. . .

in the windows. . .

and even in the garden. . .

they inspire.

And make me happy.

Love 'em!

On the Grid

It's February. . . a month filled with thoughts of love . . .

(and chocolate!)

I thought that it might be fun to share some of the things I especially . . . love. . . during the month of February.

I'm not talking about the things you already know I . . . love. . . like knitting and gardening and reading and my family and Jenny.  No, this month, I thought I'd share some of the things I . . . love. . . that you probably don't know about me.

Like. . . I'll bet you'll be surprised to find out that I'm strangely drawn to . . . and love . . . GRIDS!

Grids?

Yeah. 

For some reason, I find things arranged in grid patterns Most Pleasing! 

I have these lovely ceramic pieces hanging on my living room walls.

I adore them! 

Everywhere you look in my house, there are grids.

On the walls.  Propped up on shelves.

When things are arranged in grid patterns, I'm drawn like a magnet! 

(I even have a Pinterest board called "Grids" . . . where I collect images of grid patterns I especially like.)

My attraction is not just to straight-line grids, either.  I like circle grids.

And arched grids.

And grid patterns of all shape and design.

I'm often pulled to grid-like projects. . .

like afghans and quilts.

There's just something about . . . the grid!

I just . . . love . . . them!

And I notice them.  Everywhere!

Grids.

Grids.

Grids.

Love 'em!

Oh, Those Chestnuts!

Finally!  I can share!  Hit it, Nat!

 

If you remember, back in October I joined "SocktoberFest."  Not to make socks.  No.  To make slippers for the people I love!

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. . .

(for my brother-in-law, Kurt, and Erin's boyfriend, Keith)

(back view)

Jack Frost nipping at your nose. . .

(for my sister, Di)

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir. . .

(for my niece, Jes)

And folks dressed up like eskimos. . .

(for Erin)

Everybody knows some turkey and some mistletoe

(for my Dad)

Help to make the season bright. . .

(for my Mom)

And then. . . the song ends.  For now.  I have two more pairs of slippers to complete -- one for my friend, Sandie (nearly finished) and one for Brian (but, really, who wants to knit for a size 13 foot???). 

Althought it's been said many times, many ways. . . Slippers make a great holiday gift!

(Ravelry details here, here, here, here, here, and here!)

Reports are in:  The slippers seem to be a hit with all recipients.  This photo (sent by Erin) warms a Mom-Knitter's heart:

I'm ready to put the slipper patterns away for awhile -- but it was fun to give warm feet for Christmas!

 

Hit the Road, Jack!

Ten on Tuesday is officially on vacation this week.  But I can't seem to get out of the habit of thinking of ten things on Tuesdays. . . So, join me this week for an unsanctioned, one-of-a-kind Ten on Tuesday list!

Despite my complaining, I really do like Christmas.  I like the decorations, the gifting, the memories.  I like the parties, the dressing up, the festive-ness.  I like Christmas music.  I like Christmas movies.  I like snow.

And, despite the fact that I really do like Christmas, I'm never sad when it's over.  Because . . . by the end of December, I'm ready for the excitement and the hub-bub and the stress to cease.

This year, especially, I'm ready to call it quits on Christmas!  In fact, this one will go down in the record books (tied, perhaps, with my chemo-Christmas) as Worst Christmas Ever.  It's tough to do Christmas . . . when you're also playing Florence Nightingale.  It's tough to enjoy Christmas. . . when you're living in an altered state with your leg in a cast. 

So.  Let's say goodbye to this one. . . in ten different ways:

1. Stick a fork in it; it's done!
2. Put it to bed!
3. Turn out the lights. . . the party's over!
4. Hasta la vista, Baby!
5. That's all she wrote!
6. It's all over but the shouting!
7. It's gone 'round the bend!
8. So long, sucker!
9. Don't let the door hit you on your way out!
10. You . . . and the horse you rode in on!

So glad this one is over! 

Softer . . . and More Beautiful

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~Norman Vincent Peale

Enjoy the beauty of the season!

 

Steeped in Tradition: The Pepparkakor

Like most Americans, I have a mixed-bag when it comes to heritage.  A little English.  A little Scotish.  A touch of Irish.  Maybe a hint of German.  And a whole lot of Swedish.

My great-grandmother immigrated to the US from Sweden as a 19-year-old.  Alone.  She came to Rockford, Illinois (a community with a large and established Swedish population) to meet her brother, who was already settled.  She met and married her husband -- another Swedish immigrant -- and they had one child, my grandmother.  Although my grandmother did not marry a Swede, my Dad was raised with significant Swedish influence.

I was also born in Rockford, and spent my childhood there -- surrounded by my Swedish family.  Our Christmas traditions were heavy on Swedish heritage. . . especially when it came to food!  Inlagd sill.  Pannkakor.  Lutfisk.  Lingonberries.  Smörgåstårta.  Isterband.  

As a kid -- an American kid -- I didn't really like or appreciate much of the Swedish fare served up around me.  Never could get past the smell of lutfisk.  Or the texture of the herring.  I really liked lingonberry jam, though, and the pannkakor (pancakes).  Mmmmm.  But what I especially loved . . .

Pepparkakor!

Thin, crispy, incredibly tasty Swedish gingersnaps.  My favorite cookie of all time!

Once my family moved away from Rockford, we left family gatherings full of Swedish food -- and a community of Swedes -- behind.  My Mom (who is not Swedish and doesn't care for most of the foods) embraced tradition and made pepparkakor every Christmas using my great-grandmother's translated-from-Swedish recipe.

When I grew up and left home, I took the pepparkakor recipe with me.

They are not an attractive Christmas cookie.  When I put them out for parties or holiday gatherings, most people are . . . not tempted . . . to pick one up.  But when they do?  YUM!  They never hesitate again!

Tom (not Swedish) and my kids love pepparkakor!  When Brian was little, he used to call them "popper-cookers."  It really wouldn't be Christmas for me . . . without pepparkakor.

Which is why today, on Christmas Eve morning, I was up early to bake this year's batch.  Although we've cut out a lot of fluff for this year's celebration, I needed to keep the pepparkakor in the mix!

Really.  It wouldn't be Christmas without it!  (Sorry, though, Dad.  No lutfisk this year!!!)

***NOTE:  You can find many recipes for pepparkakor online.  Beware of those that don't include cardamom.  "Real" Swedish pepparkakor includes cardamom.  (My recipe - above - is translated from my great-grandmother's original pepparkakor recipe.)

==========

Mom Update:  Surgery went very well and she's in recovery mode.

 

Steeped in Tradition: The Christmas China

It all started with this little candlestick holder. . .

back in 1984.

Tom and I were living in Austin, Texas at the time.  He was doing a post-doc at the University of Texas, and I was working on my accounting degree.  We were very poor.  We didn't have many "nice" things.  (But we were really, really happy.)

I never dreamed of owning Christmas china.  (Shoot, at that point, I didn't even dream of owning ANY china!)  And, although I already loved blue transferware, back then I had never even heard of Spode.

So I was surprised when I opened my Christmas gift from Tom that first year in Texas and discovered this little Spode candlestick holder.  Apparently, he'd been shopping in a mall department store, and the candlestick had caught his eye.

The next year, he bought me a second candlestick holder.

And, with that, my collection of Spode Christmas Tree china began!

Each year, he chose a piece for me.

Now, I have a full "service for 8."

A tea set.

Various serving pieces.

Even a gravy boat!

I love getting out my Christmas china every December, and setting it up in my china cabinet.  We use it daily -- not just for special meals -- throughout the holiday season.   I love remembering how Tom "discovered" the pattern -- and how he liked it so much that he splurged on a piece for me . . . way back when.  But I especially love using the candlestick holders.  They will always be my favorite pieces.  I think their candlelight glows brighter and longer than any other candlelight. . .

==========

Mom Update:  Surgery tomorrow.  She is comfortable . . . but miserable.  I thank you all for your kind words of support.  They mean a lot to me -- and to my Mom, as well!  Many thanks!

Caught in the Whirlpool

We've reached that time of year. . . that point in the season. . . where it feels like we're caught in the whirlpool.  Too much to do.  Trapped.  Spinning round and round.

And today, you'll be reading lots of last-minute holiday to-do lists.  After all, Carole has suggested the most perfect Ten on Tuesday topic for the season . . . the Ten Things We Need To do Before Christmas.  My list, at first glance, looks much like all the other lists you'll read today. 

But then I diverge. 

Because . . . as you've read here in the last few days. . . I've had Priority-ReShuffle.  And, you know, that's okay.  Christmas really doesn't have to look like a Hallmark commercial. . . or a Martha Stewart layout. . . or a Norman Rockwell painting.  Christmas . . . is a time to share.  Whatever it looks like and in whatever state of "done-ness."

So, despite all the harried tasks and to-do lists and plans, please remember to sit back and appreciate your families and friends and enjoy . . . each other!

With that . . .my list. . .

1. Finish last-minute shopping (just a couple of things!).
2. Finish wrapping (or not. . .).
3. Finish that Christmas letter and get those cards in the mail (or . . . perhaps these will be New Year's cards this year).
4. Cookies?  (Maybe.  We'll see.)
5. Finalize meal plans and send Tom off to the grocery. 
6. Hang lights and cards for my Mom and Dad - make their "new digs" look a little festive and bright.
7. Agonize over the fact that I'm so close. . . yet so far. . . from finishing the last of my gift knitting.
8. And then. . . just. . . let it go.
9. Open a bottle of wine.
10. And be grateful - oh, so grateful - for all the love and support I'm feeling right now.

And. . . as an added Ten on Tuesday BONUS . . . I'm adding TEN WISHES FOR A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY:

Happy Birthday, Tom!  I wish you. . .

1. Smooth sailing.
2. Tight lines.
3. Cold beer.
4. Good jump.
5. Fast feet.
6. Clear translations.
7. Fine dining.
8. Fast ice.
9. Down time.
10. And love.  ALL my love.

Happy, happy birthday!  You are THE BEST!

 

 

For the Hostess. . . With the Mostess!

It's the time of year for parties! 

And. . . when you go . . . you can't go empty-handed!  This week, Carole has us thinking about hostess gifts. 

For me, generally, it's a quick and easy solution:  Bottle of Wine. 

But sometimes, the a bottle of wine doesn't seem appropriate (like for an afternoon tea, for example) -- or if the host/hostess doesn't drink wine (I hear it happens sometimes. . .).   Then, the hostess gift calls for a bit more creativity!

Here we go. . . Ten Hostess Gifts:

1. Bottle of red wine
2. Bottle of white wine
3. Bottle of champagne
4. Six-pack of tasty micro-brew beers (Tom often creates a custom six-pack with six different craft beers. Yum.)
5. Bottle of liqueur - like Bailey's Irish Creme
6. Basket of specialty teas
7. Fresh-cut flowers
8. Poinsettia plant (or other holiday-blooming plant)
9. Gourmet cheese selections
10. Gourmet chocolates

What's YOUR favorite Hostess Gift?

==========

 Join the fun!  Sign up for Ten on Tuesday here!