Easter Day!

Happy Easter! What a lovely day it was too. It's been a while since I've been around here! We had everyone over to our house this Easter, since we moved again in February to a house. I tried my hand at making a strawberry galette, and of course I made my chocolate rum cake that I make every Easter. We had our 4th annual adult Easter egg hunt (pictures coming soon). It was SO fun. Our new house has a very large yard so there were a ton of awesome hiding spots. And of course we went to our Easter sunrise service at the flower fields - that's what it's all about after all. 

Our Dear Christmas Day

 
Merry Christmas! Hope your day was wonderful and full of Christmas surprises. We spent the day at my parents house with my brothers and sister. We opened gifts slowly and spent the rest of the day savoring the festivities. Wine, cheese, cinnamon rolls, champagne - and a gorgeous sunset. I couldn't be more thankful than to have the ones I love all together in one home. It was merry and bright and joyous - a glory of a day.

This morning we woke up late to the sound of wind chimes and pouring rain. And now the scent of my homemade turkey broth from the Christmas bird can be smelled from every corner of the house. My kitties are curled up on the sofa and I'm just about to put the kettle on for some tea. What a jewel of a winter's eve!

Mid-December

It's late and I can still hear the soft raindrops in the yard. Mid-December. It's the week of lists and making sure it's all on track. I've got my wrapping paper and most of my gifts so far. I had a cup of Christmas tea this morning with my eggs and toast. Even when things get hard and I feel out of it, thoughts of Christmas on it's way always gets me excited. Silver and Gold! Hand to hold. Let the rain fall, what a glorious season after all.

Good morning to you on a rainy December day. Last night I made a pot of potato leek soup while listening to some very old but very classic Christmas tunes. I could listen to Frank Sinatra sings Christmas all year long. I've got half my Christmas gifts bought, new sheets on the bed, and a quilt on the long arm just about finished. The first thing I did this morning was to put on a pot of tea and put on some more layers. What a December this is shaping up to be!

Early Autumn

There is something about the way the light filters through the trees that makes the Autumn months irresistable. Maybe its the rays of hard light that come through my blinds, or maybe its the cool wind that makes the row of eucalyptus rustle. It simply could be the chilled morning air and the clucks coming from the hens in the coop next door. More than once I have found myself sinking into my covers while the light dances around the room, and I get that old feeling of comfort once again.

Autumn is a fantastic time to rejoin the way we eat with the season at hand. Figs must be one of the most indulgent fruits that comes to mind. A few weeks ago I picked up a large flat of figs from my local Trader Joes and since no one else really eats them I ate every single one. A fig salad with arugula and honey is one of my favorite ways to use them, as is figs topped with crumbled gorgonzola and honey, as seen above. The figs with gorgonzola is a simple snack or appetizer that tastes as delightful as it looks. Just pile a pinch of crumbled gorgonzola on top of each fig half and then drizzle all with honey. Magnificent!

First Day of Fall: A New Tradition

The first day of Fall has already come! Fall always seems like that grand old friend that comes around to say hello, bringing lovely weather and the seasons comforts. Fall is never to blame for dramatic weather like Winter is, or dark frosty mornings like Spring is, or scorching evenings like Summer is. Fall is a time to celebrate food and scents and long walks around the neighborhood.

This year I started a new tradition that I think deserves to be observed on the first day of every season. On the first day of fall I went to the farmers market and bought a large arm full of fall colored flowers and filled vases all over my home. What a sweet way to welcome in a season!

Little Herb Garden, Petit jardin

On the side yard we have a little herb garden.

A petite little space. Un petit amour.

Growing madly in the light Spring air.

If gnomes were to come around they'd make a cabin amongst the chard.

Or perhaps on the edge of a forest of radishes.

But SCAT! The forest cat wards those gnomes away.

No pesky garden gnomes here.

Delight overwhelms me.