Holiday Weekend
Three-day weekends are greatly appreciated around these parts, especially when the wind chill brings temperatures down to unbearable lows and the snow drifts are taller than kindergarteners. I spent much of the time with The Kettle Slayer, cooking, eating, talking. All the things we don’t seem to do enough of during the busy days.
Today I drove up the mountain for an afternoon of laughter and productivity. I wound bunches of yarn and mended gloves before they were unmendable.
We made a cake!
I took some time to think about the new quilt, wondering if adding another fabric for the center panel will work.
Yesterday’s sermon has been rattling around my head too. Echoes of what I keep telling the bears and telling myself: more grace, less judgment. Not the easiest task except when you let it be easy. More grace, less judgment. I am practicing.
Knit Faster!
Halfway done.
Short Stories
When we were little, my sister and I would ask our Papa to tell us stories. One of his favorites was – Once upon a time they lived happily ever after. The End.
Today’s short story is – Once upon a time today was hard and at the end there was ice cream and smiling. The End.
Further Hembakat Adventures
The first attempt is the lumpy one on the right. The second try began much better with a dough that could be rolled out, but neither rose the way I was hoping they would. They were both very tasty and surprisingly filling in a lembas bread sort of way.
I tried again tonight with a different flour blend. The dough was gorgeous, but still no loft.
Pictures of the desired outcome are here.
More hembakat adventures to come!
What He Said: Norman Wirzba
The guinea pigs are not naysayers
Festive joy is impossible when we are naysayers, when we find fault with others or think them not good enough. – Norman Wirzba in Living the Sabbath
An Actual Conversation: Geographic Confusion
Lima Bean: What is the opposite of Norway?
Kettle Slayer: Denver
Shuttle Bus at Rest
Today was full of shuttling. Bears to school, one at a time. Kettle Slayer to work. Lemon Tree to the airport. Me home. Bears home from school, one at a time. I am an excellent shuttle bus.
The skies over the New York part of the trip were blue and clear. The sunshine made the trip that much more gorgeous. It was a good day for a drive.
The smallest (and today the sassiest) smallish bear is off to bed. I am stealing a quiet moment in my little room. My new hat is off to a great start.
Min Hatt
Lemon Tree’s visit came just at the right time for me. This being a mama business is exhausting work. It is good to remember that I am a person outside of motherhood and good for my bears to have amazing role models. Listening to Lemon Tree’s stories they saw how independent she was. How she chose her path as best she could and made adjustments when the unexpected cropped up. They watched her laugh and be quiet. They watched her rest and work. I am thankful these bears have so many strong and happy women to look up to.
Lemon Tree at Play
Tonight, my little room is just where I needed to be. In the middle of the smallest bear’s monologue of sass, I buried my head in the couch and laughed as quietly as I possibly could. I waited a few minutes to follow her, making sure my serious face was well in place. She has the hardest job – being the littlest. She assured me that tomorrow she would only be angry with her sister some of the time. We’ll see.
For now, I’ll cuddle up here with quilt, and tea, knitting, and wine. Tomorrow, the shuttling begins again.
File That Under Rules I Never Thought We’d Have to Make
We had two guests over for dinner last night. Everyone was happily enjoying the delicious roast chicken when something in the kitchen caught my eye.
Lady Bug was by the refrigerator, putting away the milk. I couldn’t see her directly, but her reflection in the oven door was enough for me to realize what was happening. And so I had the opportunity to say these words:
Are you putting away the milk jug with your feet???
Hembakat Adventures
My crumpets didn’t come out like the pictures, but they were absolutely delicious especially with a smear of smör.
I’ve learned I have a ways to go in my measurement conversion skills. Still, as Anne-girl reminded me, I took a recipe written in Swedish and made it gluten-free too. Not too shabby!
Vi Fryser
Lima Bean says her school is chilly. Chilly in some rooms and warm in others. She needs layers. I keep knitting.
Last year I was a knitter with no mittens. This year I am a knitter with no hat. This gorgeous handspun showed up on my desk this morning. Let the hat pattern browsing begin! My ears feel warmer already.
Naming Mountains 