Knitting History & Project Update !

Well today I am going to take on the challenge of figuring out how to knit a thumb gusset in my finger-less gloves. Knitting these on double pointed needles in the round is a new challenge to my knitting skills. My Mom was a great knitter and made all my Dad's socks, so that is my next challenge to knit a pair of socks, for myself. Thought I would share this link I found today on Merriam Webster, when I went to check out the word for the day. History of knitting words. I found some interesting facts--Do you know the origin of the word Cardigan? If not check it out.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/10-knitting-words/knit

Time to do the Gusset © RJA

Happy Knitting !

Seonag

New Things !

From the Heart © RJA

Hope you all had a good Valentine's Day ! Sharing time with the ones you love, either close by or far away. Being an "Empty Nester" I sometimes wax poetic, as they say, when I haven't seen the Chickadee's, in awhile. Sorry I know that is corny, but it feels appropriate. Went to the Urban Dictionary for this definition, just for fun.
 To "wax poetic" means to become increasingly verbose and romantic in speech. To become more and more like a poem....
OK that fits my mood today.   I have often in the past when missing things and people, written Haiku Poems for fun. Today I am missing my 2 sons so this is what sprouted ! I love Merriam Webster's Word for the Day, emails. So here is a link for you http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day
 Always good to learn new things.

2/15/2016

Seed germination,

growth then blooms, to pulchritude,

our Saint Michael's rose.

+++++++++

Quiet as the wind,

with the heart of a mountain,

much hidden within.

 One is thousands of miles away, serving our country, one travels to a different parts, of the USA with his job, and the wives keep the home fires burning, one state away. So as you might have guessed, there are always new things happening, everyday in our family.We have a private family FB page that lets us share photos, thoughts and stories, as a way to stay in touch.  Sometimes I want more, but thanks for listening, to a Empty Nesting "Mom". Give those you LOVE a Hug !

Seonag   ((<3))

Snow Day !

Well Winter is back....woke up this morning to snow flurries, so having a "Snow Day". That incorporates getting outside to enjoy the pristine snow, take photos, top up the bird feeders, fed the zoo and then with cold fingers and toes, retire to the warmth and watch the snow fall, Ahhhh hot coffee, to warm the fingers and the spirit. This just might be a bread baking kind of day also. Then some sewing to bring thoughts of spring, with bright colors and flowers.

Blue Jay © RJA

Breakfast Feast © RJA

I see you ! © RJA

Dreaming of Spring.  © RJA

Let it Snow ! © RJA

© RJA

Rainbow Bridge

Yesterday was a hard day here. The second of our 3 Labradors, made the journey to the "Rainbow Bridge" . Many pet owner know what this means. If not please google it. When you loose an animal, it is a reassuring way to cope with your loss and have hope for the future. Just under a year ago we lost the youngest of the 3 Juneau, the puppy (12 years old). Yesterday's journey was made by her Mom, Shadow. The tough old "boy" (13 year old ), Midas is still with us, and adjusting to the changes. He has health issues as well, but holding his own and back to 95% normal, following his illness before Christmas.

Midas (sweet Mo) © RJA

Aging pets can be a huge strain on a family, in numerous ways. We initiated some changes in Mo's routine today, hoping it would help him, as well as ourselves. Today's cool, but sunny weather was a great chance for a car ride and short walk in a new location. He seemed to enjoy the short walk, (he has weakness in his hind legs and tires easily) and the new smells and people he met at the local park. Then some time lounging in the back of the car, with a nap in the sun while we checked out items for the auction tomorrow night. My husband and I have made a pact to take Midas with us more, on short outings, to give him adventure in his life, now he is solo dog. He's finding it hard to settle still, as he keeps looking for Shadow. Each day hopefully will get easier. Here are some photos of the rest of the family zoo. Enjoy !

"Felix" (my constant helper) © RJA

"Big Al" (shy, timid guy) © RJA

"Grannie" (greeter & boss cat) © RJA

                                                                  Seonag

Discovering Tasha Tudor !

Winter today is tempting us, with the belief that Spring is hiding, close by. This morning the sun is shining, with a cloudy, but blue sky. The wind is brisk and temperatures cold. Seed catalog's arrive in the mail, bringing dreams of blooming bulbs and trees in blossom. The mountains are still snow capped, like confectioner's sugar, topped cookies. There is something beautiful about every season....yes, this true, but I'm ready. Come Spring !!!  Clicking thru some of garden photos of last year, to keep my spirits up. Sharing some, here for your enjoyment also. The birds are stocking up for the colddd days ahead.

Spring Blossoms © RJA

Ready for Spring © RJA

Azaleas © RJA

Just spending a "Farm Girl" day here in East Tennessee.  In case some of you don't know about Mary Janes Farmgirls, here is a link so you can check it out.maryjanesfarm.org   The site is a place where women can socialize, share, things they love and get back to some of the things that are important in life. Things that technology, progress and the stresses of the modern world, have taken from us or that we have lost along the way. The main reason for me bringing this up, are Merit Badges, (like you earned in Girl Scouts). If you wished you'd learned to knit.....here is you chance to still do it,with friendly help and support.

I have been a member off and on for a few years, but retired now, I have time to pursue and learn new skills.
"Her Story" Merit Badge encourages exploring the lives of famous women in history and the present day. Which finally brings me to the point of this writing. "Tasha Tudor" is an author and illustrator of children's books. I had the opportunity to discover this interesting lady, in a book I borrowed from the library on heirloom crafts. She was an amazing woman that lived and practiced her love of nature, animals and a simple life style that I want to learn more about. I wanted to guide you to the website about her books and life, that is shared by her family. tashatudorandfamily.com
So I am off to explore, fire up my sewing machine and just have a day for Me. Pouring a hot cup of coffee and saying Bye for now !

Seonag 
  

Success! Lovely Bread

After doing some reading, on the Chemistry of leavening ingredients in the bread making process, I learnt, a few things. There are chemical leavening agents and yeasts. These both are used in different types of bread making and need to be handled differently. Baking soda, baking powder and cream of tarter are used in quick breads. Once they a in contact with the liquid component of the recipe they start to work immediately and as such need to be baked as soon as they are mixed. No rising time required. Pictured below are Scottish Scones that fall into this category. Yummy warm from the oven, with butter and raspberry jam !

© RJA  Fresh from the Kitchen

 The two loaves in the rear, are my loaves of Buttermilk Honey Bread. They were taste tested by my husband, Remi and declared to be a "keeper recipe". Success at last. Not sure what my next yeast experiment will be, but I see, more bread making in my future.

                                                                 Scottish Scones © RJA

Baking Bricks? No Bread !

This is a busy month in our family....Birthdays, Wedding Anniversaries, Valentines Day and Supper Bowl Sunday ! We are not big football fans, other than supporting our local team, the Vol's. Still cold windy days and snow forecasts, but sunny today. A project the we have been working on here, is getting rid of processed food and learning to eat CLEAN. It takes some work when shopping, reading labels etc, but worth it in the end. Time to get back to basic's and eat the nutritious, unaltered food, our grandparents ate. A great, quick read on the subject to help you on your journey is Michael Pollan's book, " Food Rules :An Eater's Manual".

So far we have got rid of the processed packaged food. Went to a local bulk food market and bought things for our "bakery project", this month. Unbleached flour, baking powder without aluminum, (why is aluminum in food/), dark honey, yeast etc. .http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2008/10/why-you-should-use-aluminum-free/
I have made bread in the past, by hand and with a bread machine, but never had much success. My husband and sons used to tease me, that the loaves would be great in a third world, school building project. So we have been eating store bought bread for some years now. My recipe in hand, fresh ingredients at the ready, we are off on a new experiment.  "Buttermilk Honey Bread" will be our test recipe. I did a bit of reading on Baking Soda and Baking Powder, .....thinking, understanding my ingredients, might help make this project a SUCCESS.....will be back in awhile to show you how it comes out. Stay tuned. LOL. I found the recipe in "Homemade Bread",  one of Hobby Farm's Home, Kitchen Series magazines.hobbyfarmhome.com .

If you want to understand how your ingredients effect your baking here is a science lesson for today.
http://phys.org/news/2014-05-difference-soda-powder.html

Wish me luck

Seonag