Reflections

Days and nights, both cold and warm, in an oddly inviting way. More active followed by less active. Layers of snow. Layers of cloths. Layers of flavors. Whatever it is, I am digging this winter season.

Trees stretching out and taking up the sky view. Awesomeness in every way. The snow and ice showing off on the branches. I want to take their pictures all day. Q said, "Are you still taking pictures of the trees?" Yep.

Could you resist that face? Subzero
temperatures and willingly I go. We constructed and patted. We froze. Then retreated to hot coco and chai.












Evenings...

love the low lights, the flicker of flames and the many many books. 

Moments, games, chatter... these are a few of my favorite winter things.

Winter Wonderland

Our Lilac and Rose Bush

So suddenly, winter is upon our home and life.  We've been preparing for Holiday gatherings and the sharing that happens with the shortest days of the year.  Q and I are working on a gift or two for those we love.  I have been quite busy bakin' and makin'.  I really do love it. It keeps me so in the moment.  

This is our 6th gingerbread house season and our first to make the house from scratch. And of course, there are plenty of cookies too. I added the challenge of making both GF/DF and traditional wheat based doughs.  This one comes from Cynthia Lair's "Feeding the Whole Family".  I substituted Buckwheat (2 cups) and Sorghum Flour (1 Cup).  I've been kinda surprised how much easier 
GF/DF recipes are getting to be.  Q demands complete control of decorating so I thought it would be fun to make several of them for our friends too.  Sorta nuts. For sure, not well thought out. And most definitely, lots of fun. Be prepared for a mess and lots of stickiness.

I have been overcome by the need to try new recipes. One of the best holiday treats I found, was Candy Cane Truffles.  How could something so heavenly be so sinfully easy to make? I made both milk chocolate as the recipe indicated and vegan GF/DF substituting DF/GF dark semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut milk instead of cream. The recipe yields about 20-25 truffles. I will be making more of these babies. 

clearly proving the need for aprons

Finally, the joy of giving the delicious Spiked Cherries we put up last summer, to our friends and to ourselves, of course! Yummo and packs a wallop. We have to remind ourselves to not over indulge as the sweetness and warm juices do try to tell you otherwise. The slow warmness that rises up and settles in, brings you into the moment and leaves you deeply satisfied. 

Still Snowing

I just had the best cup of coffee ever. I realize that is because of the two hours of shoveling before hand. Anything I eat or drink right now is blissful. The Big Fella spent more then four hours shoveling and snow blowing.
Of course they worked hard on an assortment of snow sculptures. Both he and Q are sprawled out in front of the fire place right now laughing. Yum. Q feels so much better today too. This blizzard has given us much fun and many moments of laughter already today. And yes, it is still snowing. No work today. Another gift. We'll bake later. Some holiday gifts need our attention. I'm also quite sure video games are in my future. For now, there's a fire that requires our presence.