Joining Amanda at Soulemama for this moment.
{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.
February 2. 2012
old man winter
Lately everyone seems to be commenting on their strange weather. It’s no different here. It’s been unusually warm. Beautiful weather in fact. The kids are pulling off coats, attempting to convince me that it’s t-shirt weather. The snow is melting, mud puddles are forming, spring is in the air.
It’s feels like April.
Now, I’m not ungrateful. It’s nice and all but, to be perfectly honest, I’m missing winter. I certainly realize I’m blessed not to head out to work in it or wait for buses in it (I don’t miss those days) but where are the cozy times snuggled up against the cold? Watching snow fall and enjoying hot drinks by the fire (or in our case, by the candles). Wrapping up in blankets with a book. Rosy cheeks, red noses and brushing off the cold.
We did have a couple of cold snaps but it hasn’t felt like winter. Now that the dark days of winter are passing I’m ready for some snow days. Winter always brings a change in our pace and I’m missing my winter nesting time. Winter has never been a favourite of mine but it’s place is perfect. A rest at the end of the busiest season and a rest before we start fresh in spring.
I can’t believe I’m saying it but what happened to winter?
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How about you? Are you missing winter or getting more than enough of it? Perhaps you’re enjoying summer in another part of the world and winter is a distant memory. Guess I’d better get out and soak up some Vitamin D while I can.
Published in kids, out of doors, thoughts | 13 comments
February 1. 2012
yarn along
It’s once again time to fess up on my knitting and reading for the past week. It’s a confession because I’d like to have more to show for myself but the truth is I’ve spent more time baking and cooking up treats than sitting with my knitting this week.
I have been working away on the hat for the little exchange Jen and I have arranged. There was some trepidation and the occasional fearful outburst that it’s all wrong for her but she kindly encouraged me and I’m sticking to it. I’d love to share the pattern but I don’t want to ruin her surprise (could you resist following the link, Jen?).
The leg warmers I started last week were a big flop. I feared early on that they were too wide but I stubbornly kept knitting. Until I finished the first one, until I’d woven in some of the ends, until I tried it on her leg and saw how ridiculously huge it was. I’ll need to rip it out – until then I’ve stuffed it a basket until I’ve forgiven it for not working out.
In the meantime I picked a project I’d barely started a while ago and have been enjoying how quickly it’s coming together. I’m making this knitted toy for my wee girlie who loves to stuff everything in her mouth. Socks seem to be her favourite but I’m hoping I can tempt her away with the sweet rainbow colours. Considering all the babies I know of on the way I might easily get carried away with more. This pattern is wonderfully easy and very quick, and because it’s felted (helping hide boo-boos) I think it’s great beginner project for someone who wants instant gratification. I can even imagine the kids working on these with their knitting towers.
As usual there has been quite a bit of reading going on here this week. I’m enjoying The Lightening Thief and am already nearly through it. The kids have books strewn all over the house after our trip to the library. Elizabeth has been reading a book on taking care of goldfish (we don’t have fish) and Liam has been browsing a book on car maintenance (??). The older kids have discovered little brother’s skills at I Spy books and Sarah is sticking with her good old favourite. My favourite, though, has to be the bedtime reading of Five on a Treasure Island with the two oldest girls. Elizabeth has read ahead though and warned us the next few chapters need to be read during the day – just in case we get scared.
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How about you? Had any knitty successes or failures this week?
joining Ginny for yarn along
Published in books, knitting, yarn along | 22 comments
January 31. 2012
this one’s for you, Bill
My husband does not like chocolate pudding. Although he is a huge fan of custards and chocolate, he prefers his custard lemony and his chocolate moussed. He doesn’t get pudding. It doesn’t call to him from the fridge. It doesn’t beckon with the promise of love handles and late-night happiness. It doesn’t boast of its deep chocolate notes, it’s silky interior, its seductive skin.
I’m getting carried away.
I, if you hadn’t caught on, love chocolate pudding. Maybe it is a value instilled in me by Bill Cosby because I love it despite the fact I haven’t enjoyed any in quite a few years. I shy away from the boxed variety and until recently thought making it from scratch was difficult.
Turns out it is hardly more work than that familiar out-of-a-box brand.
It’s creamy and rich. So rich. Like I-regret-polishing-off-that-parfait-glass-after-dinner-but-I’m-thinking-about-the-other-glass-in-the-fridge rich. Amnesia-inducing regret. You know the kind.
And it’s so quick and easy. What’s to stop me making it every week? It’s practically health food for goodness sake. I even nearly convinced Dan – he almost enjoys it.
Please make it. Bill and I heartily encourage it. Dan recommends it.
Chocolate Pudding, for the Lovers and maybe even the Haters
3/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/8 tsp salt
4 egg yolks*
2 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
100g (about 3/4 cup) chopped chocolate, dark or semisweet (use the good stuff)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp butter
Extra Goodies
1 tbsp liqueur – grand marnier, irish cream or kahlua, optional
or
a few drops of essential oils for flavouring – orange, peppermint, or other, optional
and/or
a small amount of white chocolate for layering
In a medium size bowl whisk together sugar, cornstarch, cocoa and salt. Add in 1/2 cup of the milk and beat in egg yolks, one at a time. Rinse a medium pot with water (to prevent scorching), pour in the remaining milk and cream, heat to boil over medium-high heat. Watch carefully – when it boils it can boil over in flash (I’ve demonstrated this far too many times). Slowly whisk the hot milk into the cocoa mixture. Pour the whole mixture back into your pot and cook over medium heat. Whisk continuously until mixtures thickens to that of mayonnaise – this should take 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chopped chocolate, vanilla, butter and any extra flavourings you’d like, until the pudding is smooth.
Pour into ramekins, glasses, bowls, tea cups, or whatever you’d like to serve the pudding from. Leave uncovered for a pudding skin, or cover directly if you prefer a smooth top. Chill for at least one hour before eating – it only gets better.
*If you are looking for a use for the leftover egg whites these macaroons are perfectly delightful.
I do, though, firmly advise the licking of utensils, fingers, and bowls while you’re cleaning up.
Layered with some melted white chocolate for extra special goodness.
Dolloped rather messily into a bowl, but chocolate never asked to be tidy.
We enjoyed both grand marnier and orange flavoured versions.
And in case you’re wondering what Dan thinks about this chocolate goodness, he’s approving though not sold. In that case, the kids (who fully approve) and I are keeping it for ourselves. No need to waste it on less enthused.
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How do you stand on the pudding debate? Hmm, I think I’ll sneak another little taste while you think it over.
Published in in the kitchen, sweet | 16 comments
January 30. 2012
a weekend
The weather does not quite feel like January – although I’m quite certain will be seeing those temperatures again. Despite the illusion of spring in the air, it was indeed the last weekend of January.
My weekend began with an escape for a most welcome massage from a most skilled friend. A family visit to the science centre and pizza back at home. There was a new book to read, a lunch date with a beautiful mama-to-be, dress up time, soup that tasted good and felt good too, the end of this series snuggled on the couch with hubby, and only one casualty. Warm (to us) weather, penguins in the snow, and spring coats with ski gloves outdoors. While indoors I baked up a storm, danced with florence, smiled at a girl, and did lots of washing up.
And at the end of it all, three new recipes you’ll get to see here soon and a treat you may have seen before, the next instalment, and knitting needles in hand.
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How was your weekend? Hope you’re enjoying a bright start to the new week. Wish you could stop by for a slice of pie and a steaming cup of tea!
Published in beautiful things, family, weekending | 17 comments