Winter in our Garden

"Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again."
Bill Morgan, Jr.

Thinking of you during the holidays!

"Every friend is like a snowflake, unique in beauty and design. Each sparkles in a different way—some are playful, some refined. But, unlike fragile snowflakes that fade when the sun appears, friends grow even more beautiful with every passing year. Thinking of you during the holidays!"

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Almost Ready

I have been feeling much better these days.I had a good start on my pressies too. I have been sewing for days.I found some fantastic embroidery pattern.So I am keeping busy and positive as much I can.It is a bit hard to be really accurate but not to worry I think the baby Jesus will be bringing some help very soon. Still I feel a bit off because we still don't have an apartment.We did have a look at one yesterday which I liked a lot. It had a small craft room which even made it better. As we were viewing we could hear some music playing from next door. As it turned out the neighbor is in music college and practices a lot. I felt completely cheated. We are having a look at another one tomorrow. I hope we will have more luck especially that I have some friends in the neighborhood and it would be easier for us to meet up.
Until then I get back to work I still have 5 angels to make.

Friends

'Yes we are [friends] and I do like to pass the day with you in serious and inconsequential chatter. I wouldn't mind washing up beside you, dusting beside you, reading the back half of the paper while you read the front. We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you and think of you very often. I don't want to lose this happy space where I have found someone who is smart and easy and doesn't bother to check her diary when we arrange to meet.' ~Jeanette Winterson, Written on the Body, 1992

Remembering

Remembering to all my sweet colleagues.I hope it all goes well for all of you. Let me tell you all that I miss you all and wishing you  a lovely christmas and all the best for the new year.

'There is magic in long-distance friendships.  They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.'  ~Diana Cortes

 

Winter Privacy

"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself." ~Ruth Stout

                               http://littleemmaenglishhome.blogspot.com/

Flower Shop

Just a quickie on my favorit flower shop.Love the color scheme and the small objects especially the toads and the owls.

Card Making

I apologise for the lack of posts this week but I was not feeling well. I am much better now but this short break set me back a lot on my projects.This time of year there is always something to do and as Christmas approaches it gets busier every day.

At least the cards are done. We make our cards by hand every year with my brother.He is disabled and spends most of his time at home, but this gives him a lot to do.He is very artistic and does lovely cards.We have spent some fabulous afternoons getting busy and creative. Now I have to find some nice meaningful message for the cards and write all 40 of them. When I write my cards I always think of what people will think, feel when they read it. I can only hope that they will enjoy the words. I would love to send some of our cards to people I don't know. Once I saw this film where a small community sent christmas letters to anonymous soldiers in Afganistan. I found the idea really thoughtful especialy that they are so far from their family and home they can use all the support. Anyway if anyone has some suggestion on the topic, just drop me a comment.

Hope that it was a good week for you all. Here are some pictures of our card making.Not many days to go now so enjoy the time left till christmas.Hopefully we will be super-dooper busy in the weekend.

Christmas Cards

Quickie post today as I am supa behind! This is the first year I feel the pain to have made grandiose plans to be prepared, I hope it all will not fall through.The card making is really slow. We have to make 40 cards altogother.Luckily my brother  loves to help, and enjoys stamping and sticking bits.I just want to say a big thanks to M for the papers she got me last year!!!!! We love to use them for the cards.

I plan to make some small candy boxes for friends which we share on christmas day in the church. I have not decided as yet what I fill the boxes with. I found too many good recipes.This is one of them:

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

• 2 bags Wilton's White Candy Melts (14 oz each) or other white chocolate (I prefer Wilton's because it melts, cools, and tastes fabulously, and is easily available at Michael's in the baking section)
  
• 1/2 tsp Wilton's Pure Peppermint Oil (OIL not extract, and be sure to get the real stuff not artificial flavor - also at Michael's or baking supply/gourmet stores)
  
• 9-12 candy canes, crushed (I put them in a Ziploc and hammer them into 1/4 inch pieces)
  
• parchment paper
  
• large cookie sheet (around 11x13) with a lip

Directions:
1. Bring water to a boil in a pan, then turn to low. Put the candy in a separate metal bowl and melt the candies over the pan of boiling water. Be sure no water gets into the chocolate. Wilton's candy melts very fast, so keep an eye on it.
2. Stir in the peppermint oil.
3. Using a spatula, spread the candy on parchment paper that has been placed in a cookie sheet until it  fills the cookie sheet but do not go too thin - I maybe leave an inch or so around the edges.
4. Place crushed candy canes on top of the melted chocolate. Refrigerate until cool, then break apart with a butter knife (it will break very easily when cool). Store in an airtight container.

(recipe source:papermonkey)