ruby crowned kinglette

consider this post dated december 12-31.... and then some

well, my intentions were pure.

pretty pure, anyway.

but then there was a little hiccup with the computer so it was in the computer shop for a few days. and they said it was fixed, but it isn't really. because what it isn't doing is downloading my photos into something that i can use... and honestly, what good is a blog without a photo? or several?

and all that is important because..., i was going to cheat my way through the month with almost all photos and this glitch puts that little plan to rest.

topping that off i am kind of busy, and kind of distracted with my lack of organization and planning.  no tree this year, and presents? not yet, but i do have that covered.  this one above, a recycled photo from last year.... but i like it so that helps.

instead of worrying about my promise to post every day i am going to sign off for 2008. i want to wish a very wonderful and happy holiday season to everyone out there. i am looking forward to 2009, and am already planning for, and expecting, it to be a great year.  thank you everyone who has continued to stop by and check in with me with my sporadic posting schedule, it means the world to me that you keep coming by.

so, enjoy the next few weeks of 2008 - i will see you in the new year.

-steph

autumn beauty

the lovely, and continually beautiful, oak leaf hydrangea my mom gave to me about 10 years ago.  i love this plant.

feeling better

getting things done - as opposed to not getting things done - feels pretty good.

more for the holiday show this saturday from 11 to 5... if you are in seattle and want to stop by, send me an email or comment and i will get you some directions. 

glowing maples and golden bricks

i love the trees when the leaves have finally fallen.  i have a smaller maple in front of my house that i think is so much more lovely without the green leaves. it's dark grey trunk exposed and so elegant in the cool grey of the winter...

this one is my neighbor's maple, it's self quite lovely in the morning sun.

i tried.....

but my computer conspired against me... so here are three.

three, to make up for the days i have missed.

this was my lunch on thursday.... garbanzo beans like molly says on top of sauted swiss chard... pretty good really.

i woke up and looked outside while still lying in bed and all i could see was a golden glow... so i whipped on some clothes and went outside to take some pictures... exactly what you would expect at 7:30am on a saturday morning... right?

and look! some goodies for the holiday season.  i have a little show with some gals this weekend and am furiously (kind of) getting ready.  these will be a few of the items that i will have. hopefully. as i mentioned before, december has kind of come up on me without me even realizing it was fall, let alone the holiday season.

wet

the dewy wetness of a december morning...

love, dad

it's december 4th, and i am honoring my father's memory. and his presence too, still, after thirty years he is very much a part of who my family is.  amazing, the way people stay long after they are gone. i will always wonder what our lives would have been like had he been here to share them with us. different to be sure. but, i do know he would have been proud.

that is why this project intrigues me so much.  there was discussion at the nearly-empty-except-for-the-wine-glasses thanksgiving table about why documenting family history is so important.  since i don't come from a family with a whole lot of documentation, of heirlooms or stories, i think these kinds of projects and treasures they produce are such wonderful ideas.  although life's events and peoples histories can be reconstructed from sources found, wouldn't it be so much more wonderful to sit down and listen to the people you love, to honor them by asking of their stories before it is too late?

so... i am here today, not regretful, but feeling the still large presence of a man who passed away thirty years ago today.  i wish i knew more of his stories... because i know they would have been good ones.  

out side my window...

this one sits, just waiting for dinner.  i was lucky to have seen her when i did, as she was just beginning to build her web.  so much fun to watch.

i had no idea that she was as pretty as she is... still, she must always stay outside.

we had pie

joanne's pumpkin pie, to be exact.

now it seems that i was a bit selfish earlier and didn't post a recipe - and this pie is so good that you should have the recipe.  so good.

so, so good.

 

joanne’s pumpkin pie

1        10” baked shell

1        envelope gelatin – unflavored
1/4     cup cold water

3        eggs – separated
1/2     cup sugar
1 1/4  cup canned pumpkin – unseasoned
1/2     cup sour cream
1/2     teaspoon salt
1        teaspoon cinnamon
1/4     teaspoon ground cloves
1/4     teaspoon nutmeg
1/4     teaspoon ginger

1/4     cup sugar

1        cup cream – whipped
1        cup sifted powdered sugar
1        teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2    cup chopped pecans

note:  i usually double by half the whipping cream mixture to be certain there will be enough to cover top of pie.

beat egg yolks in 1/2 cup sugar until lemon colored.  add pumpkin, sour cream, salt and spices.  cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until boils, continue boiling for 2 minutes.

remove from heat – stir in softened gelatin.  stir until dissolved.  cool.

beat egg whites until frothy.  add 1/4 cup sugar gradually and beat until stiff.  fold into pumpkin mixture when it has cooled.

whip cream slightly.  gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla.  mix well.

spoon half of the pumpkin mixture into shell.  add 1/2 of cream mixture. repeat.

sprinkle with chopped pecans.

december... you are here too soon

so, it goes without saying, i am not ready for you.

at all.

still and all, i do consider myself a blogger though, and in a valiant effort to get back into the game i am going to post every day.  at least a picture. maybe some words. maybe not.

crossing my fingers...

nope, not me....