Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Dropping by to say hi...

From my Instagram feed
It has been too dark to take more photos with the digital camera.  So I'm sharing the above photo, taken with the iPad camera.  I made lemon scones* this past week, doubling the recipe and baking half right away and freezing the unbaked scones for another day.  I read on The Kitchn website** that you can do this so we'll see if it works.

I adore Christmas teas.  The one shown above was purchased last year but is still quite tasty.  I bought the lemon curd on sale last summer.  Oh, my... Heaven will be so nice.  Yummy foods will not be fattening or raise blood sugar levels.  Until then, scones are nibbled with great delight and only one per tea time.

The weather has been strange all over the country.  The warmth and rain are welcome by some but for those in my family who suffer from mold allergies, it has them on the sofa... or worse.  My husband could not stand up yesterday.

When people hear about him having had to go on Disability many years ago due to environmental allergies, some don't realize the ramifications of how serious they can be.  I texted the kids and a close friend to pray!  Rain on all those decaying leaves are dangerous for him.  He is feeling a little better this afternoon since the rain moved out late yesterday.

The extended Fall made it possible to get some work finished in the yard and garden that we thought would have to wait until Spring.  But we are ready for the weather to return back to normal.  Going outside in December without a jacket is just plain un-Christmasy!

On a brighter note, I made biscuits this afternoon for the first time in... years (since I need to be careful with carbs).  But I needed some for a recipe I'm making for dinner to use up leftovers.  I forgot how delicious these are.

Although I will post the recipe soon, they are simply: 1 cup self rising flour, 1/2 cup buttermilk or heavy cream (I usually use heavy cream), and 2 T. oil for every four standard size biscuits.  Cut out 1" thick and bake at 450 degrees for approx. 12-14 minutes, until biscuits are slightly brown on top.  I always double the recipe since that uses up one pint of cream.  Like I said, I will post it on the recipe "blog" soon.

My daughter let the grandchildren open their Christmas gifts when the two boxes arrived.  (Being frugal, I sent the books Media Mail.) They have enough to open Christmas morning and this extends the Season.  I used Amazon credit for most of the gifts.  An item I bought for both my daughter-in-law (for her birthday) and my ten year old granddaughter, was an adult coloring book***.

It is the book created by one of my favorite authors, Margaret Feinberg.  It is unique because each page contains a beautiful Bible verse as well as flowers to color.  When finished, each page could be frame worthy.  I read that she is creating a second color book since this was so popular.

I do pray each of you finds a way to enjoy this special season.  Isn't it true that any challenge we are going through seems to get magnified during Christmas, whether it is stretching finances, dealing with illness, a prodigal child, a death in the family, and so many other difficulties?  It is rare to come into the Christmas season with no challenges at all.

Not to mention, for already busy moms there is the added stress of even more to do.  My Season is very quiet but I remember working full time while balancing church and school activities.  (One child was in public schools, the other spent three years in public schools before homeschooling.)

I spent time in the study this morning, reading through a few favorite Psalms.  My Bible opens to this section immediately unless I'm purposely going to another part of it.  What a gift these Psalms are to those of a Judeo-Christian heritage.  

So I am at the end of just saying hello.  Back to the To Do list in the non-virtual world.  I really need Downstairs Staff.  ;)

*   Lemon Cream Scones... here.
**  Freezing Unbaked Scones For a Quick Breakfast article... here.
*** Live Loved: An Adult Coloring Book... here.  (An Amazon Affiliate link.)

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love to see that we have identical Royal Albert teapots :) I knew we were kindred souls!! Hope you have a wonderful Advent Season dear Brenda. I agree with your thoughts of heaven- I'm going to eat frosted sugar cookies every day! Merry Christmas!
Love,
Donna

Vee said...

I am so sorry, as one who has been enjoying this strange weather, that your husband has been flattened with mold allergies. No fun. I will mow the lawn tomorrow unbelievable as that sounds. It needs it and I can mulch the leaves that way. No raking for me. I like the way you think about Heaven's foods. It's going to be great all right. Keep sparkling, Brenda.

Debbie said...

Praying for your husband and for you too. My DIL Heather is doing the adult coloring books for friends and some family this year also. :)

Keri said...

Downstairs staff...sounds like a lovely fantasy to me as well! I'm sorry that your husband is having a rough time. It's always a shame to be under the weather this time of year especially. Here in Louisville, I'm also waiting for the cold to arrive. I whole-heartedly agree with you that it's not Christmas-y to go outside in December without a jacket. I do have to admit, though, that when my children and I were running in and out of stores today shopping for some gifts, it was nice not to have to struggle repeatedly with the zippers, the gloves, the bulkiness of coats coming on and off... Looking at the upside of disappointing weather helps me to bear it better. ;-)

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I love the idea of feasting in heaven on all the delightful treats, yet with no calorie or blood sugar issues!

I'm sorry about your husbands' allergies. So terrible for him. Glad he is feeling better. I'll be praying for him.

Deanna

A Woman that Fears the Lord said...

I never tried freezing unbaked scones so I'd be curious how they do. I've baked scones and then double wrapped them in plastic wrap and they did just fine when defrosted. Your scones look yummy.

Anonymous said...

Love the teapot. I am retiring at the end of this year and have received a teapot, sugar and creamer, another beautiful rose-covered teapot, and a pretty cup and saucer with roses on it as gifts. I said, "If I had known there was going to be gifts, I would have retired sooner." I really wouldn't have though because I love my job, but it's time to go. Glad you stopped by for a morning chat. Christmas blessings and health to you and yours, Sharon D.

Sherry said...

when your 'downstairs staff' is done at your place, please send them to mine. really. i mean it. ;) looking forward to your biscuit recipe .. loving the tea selection. a friend going through a tremendous personal challenge is coming over this afternoon for tea. i have some autumn blend which will have to do - - need to go through my tea and add to the ready reserve soon. i'll put out cookies, and have comfy blankies at the ready - needed to make one feel cozy and secure.

Margaret Feinberg said...

Thank you so much for the shout out! We are indeed coming out with a second and eventually a third coloring book. So exciting. Hugs!

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Sorry indeed to hear about your husband's response to increased mold...Can you turn on your air conditioning, even with heating? Would that help?
I'll be saying prayers for you all and hoping colder weather comes. (I think it is supposed to.)Be well, all of you!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Your teapot is beautiful and your scone looks perfect. I hear ya about heaven's foods being non-fattening and not raising our blood sugar levels. I have to monitor mine all the time, and it's not fun, is it?

I am so sorry your family isn't feeling well. We reallty DO need a nice big freeze and snow - as it is suppposed to be - I hate this mild weird warm El Nino weather! I like winter!!!!

Take care - good health to you all there! ♥