happy tummies

Thanksgiving in Florida should be our new family tradition. What isn't there to love about sun-soaked mornings filled with the cooing of doves.. not to mention the comparatively balmy temperatures? Long hours filled with coffee and chatting gave way to a deliciously enormous meal of turkey and every possible trimming. My meagre contribution was a flat of butter-tarts, my grandmother's recipe - a real hit which ended in my writing out the method on index cards for some of my inlaws. There is such joy in watching personal family favourites melt into what will become our family's story.

Coming home has seemed like an endless string of go-Go-GO! Christmas shopping and new year preparations and a house blanketed in leaves. After helping DH rake up the front and back yards, I slipped into the house to fix a batch of these painfully-simple soft pretzels - a treat for hard work well done. He likes his plain, while I like to tear chunks off with my fingers and drag them through puddles of yellow mustard; either way, paired with a nice cold beer, they hit that "We done good" spot. THIS is the recipe I use, but I find they've not browned enough after 10 minutes so I pull them out, brush them with the melted butter, then return them to the oven for another 2-3 minutes: this gives them a golden colour and the most delicious crunchy bottom. Give them a try, you wont regret it! (Although your hips might. Yummm.)

new growth

 

Good morning! I'd love to say I've had a productive busy weekend, but alas it would be a lie. My darling husband brought home these stunning orange-tipped spider mums to replace my withered roses; I've never seen anything quite like them. He said they made him think of me - a little wild and orange around the edges, a compliment I will accept gladly. They have added the perfect pop of colour to the kitchen, and I will be sad to see them fade.

 

I spent most of my weekend curled up sick on the couch, watching TV and dozing. On a medicine run, my husband bought me this silly card which says "MILK IT FOR ALL IT'S WORTH" on the inside, and shoved it at me any time I tried to fix myself a beverage or snack. His persistence kept me well rested and I am feeling much better now, although I'm sure he thinks I'm a terrible patient. Getting well again quickly was imperative because we're going to visit some of his family for Thanksgiving, which happens to be my favourite holiday, and I would hate to have missed it!

On a final note, I pulled down my little Christmas cactus this morning and noticed that it's growing a new section! See that tiny pink little nub on top? My mother-in-law's cacti are in full bloom and I'm a touch jealous, but my little plant was a 2-segment section found broken in her trunk earlier this year and I'm pleased as punch to have it growing at all. You can see the piece on the right where my cat thought it would make a fun chew-toy - I'm torn as to whether I should break it off in hopes of new growth, or let it alone. Plants growing in winter always serve to remind me that although it's chilly and barren now, spring is not far behind.

November

 

The air outside is crisp and smells of snow: that distinct metallic pink-ness. I can't be the only one who believes it smells pink, right? This month has been full of plans for birthdays and Christmas, graduations and new beginnings. I have been working on that autumn coloured quilt off-and-on for almost a year now, and although I am in the final stretch of piecing the back it seems like it will never be finished. Most of my frustration is trying to make the fabric I have stretch, as opposed to taking the easy route and buying more. My sewing machine is seeing much use these days, and Zoeycat keeps me company by snoozing nearby. 

Must get new flowers for the dining table; those roses have seen better days. 

an introduction

I'm Kate, and keeping cozy is my favourite past-time. Recently I've become obsessed with crafting blogs written by women world-wide, and I figured it was time to add my stories to the list. I'll be posting updates on my various projects, my ongoing education as a military wife, and life in general. 

I was born on an island surrounded by the ocean, but currently live in the hills of Georgia. I am mama to two pups and one fluffy feline, and bride to a soldier in the U.S. army. I love to bake, knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and craft in general; I also love to read, eat, and explore.

I love people! Let's be friends.