Hasn't the weather been amazing. Glorious winter sun and the longest of long shadows. I made jam tarts, one of the littlest boy's best things, and put lemon and lime marmalade in some of them. Winter sun shining through a lemon and lime marmalade tart is a very fine thing. There's little more than eight hours between sunrise and sunset here at the moment. I do love closing the curtains early. The other morning there was a long tube of mist above the river and a soft pink sky. Pretty.
Succulents have (mostly) been rescued from the garden before the frost struck. I left one of them out there as it had some sort of insect attack. I did take a few cuttings though. Just as well as the original plant has been well and truly frosted.
I'm on the home stretch of a big quilt. Just the binding to do. That's my favourite bit. Taking the pins out one by one as I hand sew it on to be left with a neat (hopefully) finished edge.
I 'm trying a Jodi Picoult book to see what all the fuss is about. Apparently she is the most read author in this country or something like that. Also flicking through one or two cookery books. I found gingerbread sausage dogs. Yes, yes, yes. A couple of years ago we made a big gingerbread house which was delicious but really far too much gingerbread when you consider the mince pies, Christmas cake, yule log etc. etc. etc. that had to be got through too. But a few little sausage dogs will be just the job. Maybe we'll make them a kennel.
Wishing all a good weekend. Do we have the festive season in hand? I'm holding my nerve and not panicking yet. And aiming for as green a time as possible. Not for us the inflatable PVC Santa or a load of straight-to-landfill plastic from China. Just need to tell the children...
Ah yes, the festive season has now officially started. I am going to delay it for as long as I can and then enjoy it as much as possible. I always find it drags on a bit if the festivities start too soon. You have such a lovely way of making a jam tart super special. I bet they were good. As for gingerbread sausage dogs, they should be on everyone's list of things to make. Love the cutter! I am really looking forward to seeing your quilt, if you decide to share it. I enjoy that last part of quilt making, too. Jodi Piccoult is vastly overrated in my humble opinion. I find her writing tedious. Having said that, I haven't read her in years, maybe she has developed into a fantastic writer. Let me know if it was a good choice. Have a lovely weekend, hopefully with not too much standing outside watching boys play footie. xx
ReplyDeleteMy Sister's Keeper is one of her best but I gave up on Jodi Picoult a few years ago as I felt every book was written to the same 'formula'. I would highly recommend Diane Chamberlain as an alternative. When she was first published in the UK she was advertised as the "new Jodi Picoult" but in my opinion is much better!
ReplyDeleteI've read most of Jodi Picoult's and Diane Chamberlain's books. Dorothy Koomson writes in a similar vein.
ReplyDeleteI found the first couple of Jodi Picoult's books enchanting but there after a little tedious. Love the sausage dog cutter, a real delight. I hope you share the finished quilt, it looks amazing. I have made a start on the Christmas décor today, it could take some time.
ReplyDeleteGood job on the tarts.. and all the baking. I look forward to seeing your baking results! I admire the idea of a green holiday.. I'm not buying anything new just using my old things. Do Legos count for being naughty? We're doomed here, then. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
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*H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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A nice post and lovely pictures. Happy reading. Thanks, and you too. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteOoh, I haven't seen that fast vegetarian book - I'll have to see if it's available at our library. Your quilt is looking fabulous and those gingerbread sausage dogs are gorgeous. Have a great weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteooooooh! The Dark is Rising!!! brilliant series!!
ReplyDeletegingerbread sausage dogs. i may have just wept a bit. joy. so much joy to be had there.
my mum thought it a grand idea to gift the children a pre-built gingerbread house...just needs decorating!! *head-desk* you have to know the stress level incurred when the autistic child needs it to look EXACTLY like it does on the box. EXACTLY. it's probably worth mentioning that my confectionery decorating skills wouldn't win me any prizes. bring on the festive spirit!! :)
i'm very impressed with your quilt. and your baking. and your green Christmas. doing pretty well with that here....all shopping is done...although there's rather a lot of Lego...which counts as plastic, but it won't be heading to landfill any time soon. so there's that.
we haven't seen the sun for almost two weeks...very grey and rainy and dismal. and now i can hear something decidedly more solid hitting the windows with every gust of wind. still...it's all very cozy in the house and we're kicking off our Chrimbly movie watching this evening. *wriggles with glee*
xxoxo
Lemon and lime marmalade tarts sound scrummy and I must give them a try. The sausage dog biscuit cutter is very cute and a kennel would be fun - this made me giggle! Beautiful photos, especially the pink skies and mist. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteOoo Jam tarts! They are SO pretty. Do you put a crust on top as well? Now I must learn this magic.
ReplyDeleteThe Dark is Rising ... SWOON!! I hope you all enjoy it! Have a great weekend!
Nope, nothing on top, they were baked just like that. I'm reading The Dark is Rising to the children, loving it so far. CJ xx
DeleteIf I can make a suggestion...read early Jodi Picoult books. I think everything she wrote before she started churning out so many social-consciousness type books was so much better than stuff she has written more recently. Your photos are really pretty. I hope you'll show us cookies made with the sausage dog cutter - that is so cute! Have a good weekend, CJ.
ReplyDeleteThose marmalade tarts are gorgeous! They look so bright and cheerful. But my favourite picture is that of the sausage dog cookie cutter. We own a sausage dog (and a Westie), and they are so much fun. They definitely think they are the centre of the universe, and ours would feel it only fitting to know you were celebrating her by making cookie replicas. :-)
ReplyDeleteNow gingerbread sausage dogs is something I have to see. You've made me want to make jam tarts too :o). Good luck on the quilt. I am full of admiration for the hand sewing part xx
ReplyDeleteThat does look like a big quilt - looking forward to seeing the finished project. Just load up your boys with yummy tarts and they won't even miss those tacky Christmas decorations and gifts.
ReplyDeleteWinter sounds beautiful and yummy at your house. I have a love hate relationship with Jodi, sometimes I am furious at the end of her books and want my reading time back, other times I am thrilled I took the time to read the book. We will see what you think.
ReplyDeleteI have never read any Jodi Picoult, not sure what she writes! I will wait for your review when you have read it and see. Hope you enjoy the preparations, a few gingerbread doggies sound like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteGingerbread sausage dogs!! Oh my stars. Perfection. My gingerbread house nearly killed me off last year - this year it'll be something small. Like a sausage dog. Or maybe gingerbread greyhounds? Your photos are lovely here, full of domestic warmth and festive preparations. Have a great week CJ. xx
ReplyDeleteYum jam tarts. I have a recipe somewhere for clementine and whisky marmalade. I bet that concoction would make splendid tarts. A gingerbread sausage dog sounds equally delightful! x
ReplyDeleteSunlit jam tarts are certainly things of beauty! They took my mind completely away from all thoughts of Christmas for a few seconds. I have made a cake and that is it. I haven't even started to think about shopping for pressies, although I did buy four tins of Christmas chocolates which were delicious. Now I need to buy another four. I agree with Gillian - your photos are indeed full of domestic warmth.
ReplyDeleteThe sunlight is amazing at the moment, so wonderful to catch it on those lovely jam tarts. I have been taking indoor pictures too, of it's light and reflection! A gingerbread sausage dog looks fantastic, hope you have time to make a kennel, maybe I should look for a westie version! What is the vegetarian book like? I always admired Jane Baxter's recipes when she worked for Riverford. I will be joining you for a green version of Christmas. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need that westie biscuit cutter, a cut above angels and stars I think! I like the look of the veggie book, not too complicated which suits me! CJ xx
DeleteHadn't thought about making marmalade tarts, such a good twist, and the sausage dogs are sure to be a big hit. I'm hoping the baker boy here will turn his hand to something gingerbready (I've clocked the arrival of a copy of Gingerbread Wonderland and so am expecting at least a set of edible Russian dolls).
ReplyDeleteThese photos and words put me right in the spirit. It feels like too often that people complain about this season being dark and cold and I, admittedly, know close to nothing about a true and real winter, but it is refreshing to read how much you enjoy the shorter days and extra time for indoor crafts and baking. I'm with you on the eco-friendly Christmas. We did dried oranges for ornaments this year and added some greenery around the house as the main decorations. I prefer it so much more than the plastic.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. I have read a bit of Jodi Picoult and mostly enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very "green" Christmas.
ginger bread sausage dogs. in little coats. be still my beating heart!
ReplyDeleteYep, it's me. I'm still here. I love the way you have your blog in all the categories! I'm on a new mission. Looking for dachshund (did I spell that correctly?) cookie cutters. Whodathunk?
ReplyDeleteCindy Bee