Days 9-14 - Time Flies

Oh, blogging is just not as much fun without some accompanying photos. Alas, the weather in Vancouver is so, well, grey, right now that all my pictures turn out dark. It just doesn't inspire blog posts, truthfully. However, I really enjoyed looking back on last year's holiday posts, if only for ideas this year, and I'd like to look back on this time next year (hopefully to see how frazzled and busy I was and chuckle because Christmas 2011 is soooo relaxing) so continue I must, even with dark photos.
So, what have we been up to this week?
First, the tree was bought and decorated. It is smaller than our usual tree, and fit into the living room easily. Not good. Christmas trees must come with furniture rearranging. Luckily I married someone who agrees (if only because he wants to sweep up dust bunnies) so after pretty much all of our furniture was moved, we are quite pleased. I love the light a tree gives off. I always mourn the loss of it when it is gone.

Only about 1/3 of my decorations fit...I got to pick my favourites so I love it all the more!

A few new birdies were added to my tree this year (this one was gifted to me last year from Sarah)
Remember this one? Love it!

Isla and I have started baking...

I told her I wanted to take a picture of her in Faire's apron and she held this pose while I found the camera, adjusted, took multiple shots...in fact, she wants to do this pose in all photos right now! Hilarious!

She helped with a bit of adding and mixing, but really, she just wants to lick the spoons...
Jay moved the TV down into the living room for the next couple of weeks. It seemed a shame to go up the the TV/Playroom to watch a Christmas movie when the tree and the fireplace are down here. It's quite blissful, although we don't have cable and I've already had my fill of CBC Holiday specials...



And, of course, I've been knitting. So has Faire, actually. She plans to knit gifts for everyone. The fact that Christmas is 11 days away does not faze her. I could probably learn something from that. But, most of my knitting is done. I'm feeling quite Zen about it now, which means I am growing as a person, or I am heavily under the influence of homemade Irish Cream liqueur. I have a sneaking suspicion thatI've forgotten something that I'm supposed to be knitting and that's why I'm so calm...

Harvest

Okanagan Abundance

Kyla, Roxanne and I took a road trip up to Kelowna for a weekend of canning. Sarah, who lives there in the summers, had worked her magic at the farmer's Market. She had found lovely, unsprayed peaches (60 lbs), tomatoes (90 lbs), and pickling cukes (40 lbs) for us, along with 60 lbs of organic heirloom tomatoes for herself. The plan was to lounge on the dock and in the boat on Friday (the only forecasted hot day), canning Friday night and all day Saturday, a bit more on Sunday with a break for Kyla, Sarah and I to drive to Okanagan Falls for the Feast of Fields, then home again Monday.

Peaches...my family's favourite winter treat.

Everything ready for pickles (notice our amazing view?)

Heirlooms, getting ready to roast.

Crushed tomatoes, bubbling away.

Sweet success! (literally. we've never tasted such sweet tomatoes)

We took the long way home, packed into Roxy's smallish car, floorboard to roof with boxes of full canning jars, then every other space stuffed with local produce from the farm stands in Keromeos. I love the beautiful scenery on the old highway.

Rosehip Mojito

I made Rosehip Syrup.

It just so happened that I had 4 quarts of frozen rosehips from last Fall, which I simmered with 2 quarts of water, then strained through a jelly bag to equal 4 cups of liquid to which I added SUGAR and made a syrup. Whew. I'm considering it sugar with added vitamin C.

Sugar With Benefits, shall we?

Well, what to do with said sugar? Make a mojito, of course. I am always on the lookout for a healthier alcoholic beverage, after all (ahem).

If you happen to come across 4 quarts of rosehips, and you have the time and energy to make yourself some Sugar With Benefits, try this!

Rosehip Mojito

Muddle 6 large mint leaves in a glass with 1/2 ounce of rosehip syrup.

Add 1-2 ounce(s) white rum, depending on your mood and your children (haha)

Add the juice of half of a lime (or a full lime if it's not giving up much juice)

Add ice.

Top with sparkling water, or club soda.

***

Oh, and Happy Anniversary Babe!

XOXO B.

Winning Hearts and Minds

You know when you melt 3/4 pound of butter and a pound of bittersweet chocolate together, only good things can happen.

In this case? Two Winning Hearts and Minds cakes, from the food memoir, A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenburg. It is a great summer beach read, people. And it is full of lovely recipes. Can't wait to try this one, but wait I must. After they cool, they are going into the freezer (apparently they are even better after they've been frozen and allowed to come back to room temperature before serving). I will pull them out of the freezer on Friday before I head out to join my girl Sarah's tribe for some Okanagan sun.

Finished!

Citron

Knit with Zephyr Laceweight (50% wool/ 50% tussah silk) Less than one skein. Added an extra repeat, and wondered why it still seemed so much smaller than I wanted. As I knit the last row, it came to my attention that I was knitting it with a 3mm needle, not a 4mm needle. I have no idea how that mistake came to be, but the next one will be knit with the 4mm. Oh yes, there will be another. I'm casting on with Sweet Georgia laceweight in the Botanical colourway. So beautiful.

It's soft and lovely and perfect for all seasons. Love love love.

Morning at New Brighton

In the pool with Grandma

And lunch on the porch (homemade tzatziki and watermelon/strawberry "blasters")

Watermelon Blasters
(I think this is from Martha, but I could be wrong)

3 cups cubed watermelon
1 1/2 cups strawberries
3 tbsp lime juice
1 cup ice cubes
sugar (or honey in our case) to taste

Blend until smooth. Yum!