Sunset

That is all.................

I need your help

As most people who know me will realize, I don't ask for help.  Even when I need it.  However, this is not for me.  This blog is about a little boy named Jeffrey.  He is 3 years old and has a very very serious type of leukemia.  He has been struggling with it for 6 months and is very sick.  He is also a VERY brave little boy.

His mom and dad struggled to have a child, they were blessed with this little boy, now three years later he is fighting for his life.  He doesn't want much, but he loves receiving cards and post cards.  I am asking if anyone would be willing/able to send him a card to make him smile.

This is a picture of Jeffrey before he lost his hair (right before Thanksgiving)  Isn't he cute?

He loves dogs, elephants and giraffes.  They are living at his grandparents house right now, as their house is under construction and he can't be around the dust etc.....

This is the card I made him as well as a giraffe and elephant I had already made.  They are on their way as we speak.  Hoping to make him smile.

I'm not asking people to send gifts, that was my own choice.  But if you could find it in your heart and wallet to send a simple little card or post card, you would make a sick little boy very happy, and me as well.  Thank you and God Bless.

Jeffrey Davis
444 Cape Road
Hollis Maine 04042

Pip-a-neir

Well, as hard as I tried, the pip-a-neir did not get made the day after Thanksgiving. It did however get made that Saturday.  I will tell you, that it is a task usually set aside in my family for as many in the family to join in as possible.  We have the Christmas tunes on, we laugh and joke, and have lunch together after.  It makes for a lot of great memories. Some of my favorite actually.  For the last- I don't know how many- several years I have been the one to finish off the dough (getting it to the perfect rolling consistency) and rolling out the ropes to pass on to everyone else to cut and place on the cookie sheets for baking.  This year, not even Will would help me.  I did it all on my own.  I'm not complaining mind you, I love pip-a-neir too much, but I didn't make any great memories this year, it was kind of lonely.

For those who have forgotten, pip-a-neir is a danish cookie.  It is like a molasses cookie, but has some anise in it too for a little spice to the flavor.  It also looks like kibble.  Don't let this be off-putting!  It is actually a great selling point.  I will bring a small bag to work, (and used to bring it to school back in the dark ages) people never want to try it, they think I'm crazy for eating dog food.  That's OK, see, that means there's more for me!  What did I tell you--- great selling point!

So for those interested in learning how to make it, here goes....
Ingredients

1/2 c crisco
1 dash salt
2 eggs
2 c molasses
1 c sugar
9 c flour (more or less)
1 teaspoon anise seeds or cardamom seeds
1/3 teaspoon cloves
1/3 teaspoon cinnamon
1 dash white pepper
2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 c walnuts chopped

Cream together crisco, salt and eggs.  Add molasses and sugar mixing well.  Combine anise, cloves, cinnamon, white pepper, baking soda and chopped walnuts with one cup of flour.  Add to molasses mixture.

Continue to add flour one cup at a time.  I find that every time I make this I use different amounts of flour.  It is usually between 6 1/2 and 7 1/2.  Once you can't stir any more, start mixing it with your hands.  Kneading the dough till smooth and you have a great consistency for rolling it out into ropes.  Roll into ropes and slice into bite size pieces.  Bake on a grease cookie sheet at 375 degree oven for approximately 7-10 minutes, or until golden brown.  DO NOT OVER BAKE.

If you like a softer cookie, cook for about 7 minutes, or if you like crunch cook for 9-10 minutes.

This is the disclaimer found at the bottom of my recipe. ;-)
*This is an old Danish Christmas cookie recipe that we always made between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The oldest children rolled out the ropes while the younger ones sliced them..... lots never made it to the cookie sheet, but Gram never gave us the devil for it.

Here is one rope made, always want to have some flour on the board.

you wat to have a little space between pieces on the cookie sheet or they stick together.  Not that that's a bad thing.  We always look for the largest cluster.

And this is about a third of a batch cooling on the rack.  We usually let them sit in the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes after coming out of the oven because they should still be pretty soft, then transfer them to the cooling racks to finish the cooling process.

Making the dough can be a great sensory project for kids who like and/or need that sensory input.
I mean, who doesn't like to get a little messy and knead some dough?  Trust me, it can be a great stress reducer for adults as well........

The day after

Traditionally today is the day that the Christmas tree, and decorations go as well as making the pip-a-neir. ( a danish cookie, however in recent years this has been pushed back to Saturdays or Sundays)  Well, I got the tree and decorations up.  I think I counted at least 2000 lights on my tree.  Seriously.  I like a bright tree.  The sad truth is, I really want to go out and get another 400 lights, the top of the tree is looking pretty dim to me.
Remember all those snowflakes I made?  Well, before decorating the tree, I put up several and took a picture.  It looked so pretty, I think I may have to make a few hundred more for next year and only put up the snowflakes. 

with just the lights, see?  Doesn't the top look dim compared to the bottom?

I think next year the tree will be full of snowflakes like these!

I love decorating for the holidays, My house has changed over the last few years.  I seem to have less space to decorate, as my son's needs have taken over the whole of the dining room, and half my table space in the living room has been taken over by Sophie (our hamster).  But what I did do I think looks cute, I didn't take pictures of the pictures on the walls though.

Handmade wooden santas, made by my grandfather, and painted by my grandmother and mother.  These were left over from the days when our family used to have a big Christmas craft sale at Ledgeview Farm.  I miss those days.

My only spot in the once dining room- now Will's therapy room.  I may loose this soon, here's hoping it stays till Christmas!

Some of my colored snowflakes ended up in some windows.  Including my front door, thanks to a friends suggestion.

The Christmas tree is always my favorite.  I dread putting it up because I sneeze the rest of the day, and this year was no exception.  -sneeze- (bless me) And the lights drive me crazy.  I hate putting the lights on, but they look so pretty when done that it's totally worth it.  This year, after the lights were on and 3/4 of the decorations were up, the lights started to act up.  I had 3 fuses blow, and a string that's temperamental, oy vey!   Well, at last they seem to be working, I hope they stay that way!

Will was such a big help putting up the tree, decorating it, and making me take breaks throughout the day to spend quality with my favorite person in the whole world.  Who could ask for a better day than that?

Will put up the garlands by himself, did NOT want my help!

And here's our tree this year.  It's so beautiful.  It's hard to see all the ornaments with this blinding light though. ;-)

My favorite part of the day was putting up this wall display.  Now dad can see what I did with all those 4"x4" blocks of wood he cut for me.  And yes, I meant for it to look random.  I'm hoping to add to this wall in the future.

What did you enjoy today?

Thanksgiving

Now is the time to be thankful, I hope most remember to be thankful throughout the year and not just today.  I have a wonderful family, we have our fair share of crazy, but when needed we come together and support and love each other, for them I am thankful.  My wonderful son, was able to find ways of coping throughout the hectic day that did not involve a full, or even partial, melt down (verbal or physical) he was polite and patient, and able to use his words.  For all this I am thankful.  

I did miss my parents at Thanksgiving mealtime, however, was able to bring a plate (more like a very over-sized bag FULL of food) to them so that they didn't miss out on the wonderful food because of my mothers health.  I also was able to visit for a short while before my son quietly explained he needed to get home.  For that I am thankful.

I was able to start the process of decorating for Christmas, the bulk will be done tomorrow.  I have placed the colored snowflakes in the windows, pictures to come, and a few other items were placed.  For that I am thankful.

From my favorite Christmas movie, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Complete with book trees that I made earlier this fall

I love the Bumble.  'Cause Bumbles bounce!

Had to give the misfits a home......I will love you Charlie!

While driving home I was treated to the most beautiful sunset I've seen in a very long time.  I was enchanted.  For this I am thankful.

Yes, I was driving, I don't recommend anyone take pictures and drive at the same time, but how could I pass up this view?  Sorry mom.

What are you thankful for today?

Christmas presents

It's that time of year again, although it has been unseasonably warm so far, there is still a crispness to the air, (at least in the morning) the Christmas music is already playing at the stores.  Christmas displays have been in stores for a few weeks now.  Yikes!  My family has decided (mostly because no one has money, but also because family time is so much more important that "stuff") that we can only spend $5 on each other this year.
This is a wonderful idea, it means more presents from the heart than from the store.  There will be more thought and intent behind the gifts than just the idea that we need more stuff.  (I'm going to win!!)  Wait, it's not a contest! (but I'm going to win!)  I have started, or continued, a tradition of giving ornaments as part of my gifts.  I've always received an ornament first from my grandmother, then by my mother.  She still gives us one, I always look forward to what she's picked out for us.  Last year I crocheted ornaments.  I made trees, Christmas mice, gnomes, and snowmen.  I wasn't sure yet what to make this year and then I was told about the $5 limit!  I already had a lot of plans for different things I was making.  I had most of the supplies around my home, but all things considered, I didn't have the budget to buy anything for ornaments.  What to do, what to do.
This is what I decided to make.  I think they came out beautiful.  I went a little overboard, a lot of the colored ones will be decorations in my windows, but who knows.  All I did was laminate them.  Now I'll punch a small hole to string some ribbon, or whatever I can find. ( I really don't have anymore money to spend!  In fact, I think I'm slightly over, but that's not my fault as I already invested money in ideas before I was informed of the money challenge.)

I know these were already in above pictures but these are my favorite colored snowflakes!

There are actually many more white snowflakes than colored, but I picked out my favorites.

And these are my absolute favorites.

Talk about a cheap ornament.  Luckily I had the laminate at the house and didn't have to spend money on it!  Otherwise I'd be in trouble!  What are some of your Christmas/ holiday traditions?

Pumpkin seeds

Remember the all-in-a-pumpkin recipe I shared?  Well, that pumpkin also yielded a lot of pumpkin seeds.  I couldn't throw them out!  I don't know about you, but I love pumpkin seeds.  I look forward to carving a pumpkin for just that reason.  (Well, I like to carve pumpkins for the fun of it too)
Well, I was pretty bummed that I didn't get a pumpkin to carve this year, so when I got that recipe I was very excited about the seeds, thinking if the recipe was a bust, at least I'll get the seeds.  The recipe was fantastic, and the left overs tasted great too (whew!) Now, I usually roast the seeds with a lot of salt.  It's what I"ve always done.  This year I decided to think outside the box.  I roasted my seeds with a mix of sugar and pumpkin spices.  I have to say, it's different, but I really like it!  I have one more pumpkin and I'll be thinking outside the box on those seeds too.  I haven't decided yet, but if it comes out well I'll definitely share the ideas.
What new recipes have you created or tried lately?

Fall day

It's been unseasonably warm these last few days, however there was a bite in the air today as I did a couple of errands with my son.  Most of the leaves have fallen with the exception of a few brown leaves clinging to the branches of almost barren trees.  There are still a few colorful leaves out there to be found if you look hard enough.  I happened upon a bright red leaf in my yard today that looked so beautiful siting on the brown leaves in the grass I just had to take a couple of pictures if it.

Where did you find unexpected beauty today?

All in a Pumpkin

What's that you say?  Well, it's a new recipe I tried today.  I received it from a colleague of mine.  It tasted delicious and is the perfect meal during the colder months.  It would have been better if I had had a couple of people to share it with me, but alas I ate alone tonight.  I just hope the left overs taste just as good.  House smells great too.
Think of it this way, it's a way to clean out the fridge and have a tasty meal to boot.  Mine tasted almost like a Thanksgiving dinner all rolled into one.  Want to know how to make it?

Well, first you get a pumpkin (a pie pumpkin, or sugar pumpkin is best) you cut off the top, clean it out of the stringy stuff and the seeds (I saved mine and they are baking right now- another yummy fall treat)

Then you want to rub a little salt and pepper on the inside to taste.  Make your filling- it can be anything you like.  I put in prosciutto, cheddar cheese, broccoli, carrots, and dry stuffing mix.  Again, that's what I had on hand, but anything will work, it's all a matter of what you like.  I mixed it all together and stuffed the pumpkin.  After I stuffed the pumpkin I poured 1/4- 1/2 cup of heavy cream over the top of the filling.

I put mine on a baking sheet covered in tin foil ( makes clean up so much easier) I think you are supposed to put the top of the pumpkin back on but I forgot.  My filling was perfect for me, but was told it is much more liquid when the top is on during baking to keep it from evaporating.  You can choose what you like.  I baked it in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 - 2 hours depending on how big your pumpkin is.  Check by piercing the skin of the pumpkin  with a fork if it goes in easily then it is done.  Then you can just cut it into sections- pumpkin and all to eat, just don't eat the skin.;-)

I couldn't eat the half.  It tastes a lot better than it looks I promise.

There you have it: All in a Pumpkin.  Enjoy.....

Fall Harvest Festival

My son's school has a Fall Harvest Festival every year.  This is to raise money for the schools PTA.  I've never been able to go but it looks like they have some wonderful things going on there.  I do know that every year each classroom is in charge of a themed basket to be raffled (auctioned?) off.  I try to help out with this every year, some years I can't afford anything, didn't think I would be able to help out this year until I saw the theme.  I was so excited!!!  It is a spa basket.  Everything to do with pampering yourself.  At first I thought: I'll give a gift certificate for a free 1 hour massage.  I mean I am a LMT and it would be for a great cause. My son's education and that of all the other kids there.  Well, I decided against that because I've been struggling lately and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to offer the highest healing and intent with my massage.  (I have a feeling it will be a while before I'm feeling confident that my clients will be offered that.  So I don't feel it's right to offer a possible mediocre massage.) 
So what to do??  I really think this is my forte.  If I had paid more attention earlier to the themes I could have made a whole bunch of stuff.  As it was, I've been so preoccupied with my own life that I left it to the last minute.  This is where divine intervention happened.  I  found a few inexpensive facial masks at the store.  I also happened to be surfing all the blogs that I now follow, and was led to a site that had simple recipes from ingredients I have in my kitchen.  Perfect!  So I made some of the most amazing sugar scrubs I have ever used.  Yes, I made enough for me to have some too.  I made a brown sugar and vanilla scrub that smells wonderful, however I have to say my favorite of the 2 I made is the peppermint sugar scrub.  Wow, it smells so good.  The funny thing about them is they are all natural and edible.  I have to confess to trying just a dab of both.  Yup, peppermint won out big time!
I forgot to take pictures, but as these will also be Christmas presents for family and friends, have no fear.  If you want to see the end results (including the clumsy packaging)  I will be sharing in the near future.  I don't want to make them up in advance as the only preservative is some vitamin E, so I don't really know the shelf life.  ( I don't think that will be a problem, if people enjoy them as much as I have the last few nights.  Wow, what soft skin I have now! )  Yum, peppermint.......;-)
And if you are a family member reading this or a close friend, act surprised!  Trust me you'll love it.

What do I make?

 You may remember that my brother got married just over a month ago.  Well, did I tell you that I cleaned up the church after the service?  Did I mention that they had wheat tied in a bow with purple and whites ribbons?  Or that they had see through tubes with willow limbs, twinkle lights and potpourri? Well, they did, it was beautiful.  However all they wanted was the columns.  So what was I to do with this?

left over potpourri

the wheat. ( there was a LOT more than this)

And the ribbons

 I couldn't bring myself to throw them out.  It seemed like such a waste!  But what could I do with them to commemorate their big day? 
My family has also taken up the challenge of giving Christmas gifts for $5 or less.......
This was my first attempt:

I know, not that great.  Although I can't bring myself to throw this out, as I might be able to add to it and salvage it.

Well, wasn't what I wanted.  I walked outside and grabbed a few more vines and wound them into a wreath, wrapped it in purple ribbon and tried 2 rows of wheat, and a few more pieces of potpourri.  I think it looks a lot better.  I'm still not convinced it can't be improved, but it's much better.  I might even give it to them.  And all it cost me was about 20 cents in glue sticks.

hanging on my wall for now

close up so you can really see the wheat and potpourri.

Any ideas on how to make it better?  I'd love to hear them!
And I still have plenty of ribbon, potpourri, and a little wheat left over.  What else can I create?

Trees

So, you have seen the book trees I made.  I believe that I said I was working on a forest.  Well, I'm happy to say (embarrassed to say?) that I have been busy making more trees.  My aunt was kind enough to find some smaller paperback books at Goodwill when she stopped there a few days ago and bought me a few. Here is the beginning of my forest, although not all trees have stars on top yet.......

I love the different sizes.  I think I wish that I had aged the newer books though.  They seem to really stand out and don't look so vintage as the older books.  Oh well, live and learn.
I was working the 2 days ago with one of my clients, she loves to go for rides, and we had time to kill so we drove all around from Scarborough to Biddeford.  We happened by an old cemetery in Saco.  I was intrigued, so we pulled in and drove around.  These are some of the pictures I took there.

I loved the ivy climbing all over this chapel.  Made it feel like I was in a fairy tale.

On our way home from our drive and then dinner, we happened on this scene.

I don't know about you, but I love looking to the sky.  Watching the clouds drift by constantly changing shape, and the breathtaking colors that light up the sky at sunset.  This was taken just before sunset but the colors were just starting to make an appearance.  I would have driven around looking for a better vantage point for a view of the sunset, but my client was anxious to get home.  What can I say?  I was working, her desires came before my own. (damn my work ethic! lol)