A Year Ago Today
Photo by The Kettle Slayer
photo by The Kettle Slayer
MASS MoCA puts on an incredible bluegrass festival in the fall. I am sorry to miss it this year. Memories of last year and hopes for next year will get me through!
Soup
The official start of soup season is hereby declared!
What He Said: Robert Hooke/Isaac Asimov
The strain is proportional to the stress.
Hooke’s Law as expressed by Isaac Asimov in Understanding Physics Volume I
Have a Carrot
They are finally big enough to pick!
The garden tomato jungle provided a great harvest this year. I am encouraged enough to try again. We are already making plans.
Promises, Promises
Dear Lima Bean,
I know right now things seem pretty awful and that there’s absolutely no hope. Here’s how I know that’s not true.
No one makes you wear this bonnet anymore. See! Things pass. Bad bonnets, bad haircuts, bad classes. All of it.
Love,
Mama
Legacy
This bookcase found its way from dear friends into our home this week. Once upon a time, it belonged to a beloved aunt and surrogate mother. A woman whose life’s work was guiding girls along positive paths. She left books where they would be encountered at the right moments. Now my bears will keep their books here and I will continue the good work – guiding them with love.
I am continually thankful for these blessings. For the hand-me-down furniture and the many people who love my bears and are living examples of joy and generosity. Real people with real mistakes and real experiences. We are blessed to have them all in our lives.
Tea, Cookies, and So Much Love
My Aunt Vicki was an angel to me. No hurt was too big to be fixed or too small to be noticed. She always seemed to be love incarnate. I miss her every day.
When it is cold and grey and my heart is a little heavy, I head to the kitchen for tea and cookies. Aunt Vicki made cookies by the hundreds. She started the Christmas baking in the summer. All of her children, siblings, and the host of nieces and nephews have a favorite. This one is mine.
Aunt Vicki’s Sugar Molasses Cookies
3/4 C shortening or butter
1/4 C molasses
2 C flour
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
black pepper
Preheat oven to 375° F.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the molasses and beaten egg. Add the butter and mix until well incorporated.
Roll dough into 1″ balls. Toss with white sugar in a baggie (or roll in a shallow bowl). Place on baking sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool. Enjoy with milk or tea or whatever brings you joy.
Auntie’s pro tips:
Mix this dough by hand.
Melt the butter in the microwave. (If you do this, be careful with the egg.)
After 8 minutes the cookies will be high, then they fall suddenly. The secret is to under-bake.
Share.
My well-loved copy
Made me Laugh
In response to my post lamenting my smallish bear being the weakest link in the school-home communication chain, some sort of spam generator sent me this:
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not
sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem.
You’re incredible! Thanks!
I’m all about knowing such detailed. This is why we never only occasionally run out of milk or toilet paper.
From the Garden
Omelets. Salads. Pizzas. Sauces. All sorts of delicious. Straight from our garden!
Heart (Almost) on my Sleeve
I had jury duty this week. The courtroom was even more cold than my desk at work. My favorite warm sweater still had ink on it. There are people in my county who wouldn’t worry over a little ink. These are likely the same people who wear pajamas to court. I am of the stodgy variety who cannot conceive of such a thing.
A quick stitch around a cotton heart and all was well. And good thing too. The trial was upsetting. Being wrapped in the warmest and most favorite sweater helped. The heart may as well have been on my sleeve as I’m sure my emotions were all over my face.
I am glad I could be there. My fellow jurors were thoughtful and kind. It was not an easy thing, but it is done. My sweater and I are headed for a nap. Pray my heart will find rest too.
Naming Mountains 