Armchair Gardening

This is one of the first books I reach for when I have an overwhelming bounty  of produce, or a couple of ingredients I don’t know what to do with. It is really an encyclopedia- thick and heavy, full of information on varieties, preparation but with a few simple, creative recipes for each type. It also has the most captivating still-life photographs of luscious fruits and vegetables served in a farm kitchen, prepared with rustic wooden cutting boards and dished up in well-loved pottery.

Of course, this book always gets me thinking about growing our own vegetables. My fantasies are often overly ambitious and I have to remember to know my limits. Especially since I will be nine months pregnant in June. How much gardening can I realistically commit to? I’m not sure yet… In any case, that hasn’t stopped me from ordering a few seed catalogs to peruse. On my wish list so far? These purple and yellow string beans look divine. What are your plans for summer gardening?

Handmade Christmas Ornaments

Every year I try to expand my collection of decorations for the tree. This year I didn’t have the energy to make any myself, so I wrote “handmade Christmas ornaments” on my Christmas list and knew I was bound to receive some new beauties as gifts. I love that they are pretty much all nature-related. 

Both the felt bird and butterfly are from a local shop called Ravensara. The bird is from my Mum. I fell in love with the butterfly while doing some last-minute Christmas Eve shopping, and my husband went back to get it for me.

These two birds were made by a family friend, Sophie. This year she made folk-art inspired papier-maché birds, in just about every colour combination. I picked out this pink and red one. The penguin was one of many she made a couple of years ago.

I bought these two ceramic ornaments at the Old Fire Hall holiday craft sale. The woman selling them made mostly bowls and dishes but she was dabbling in some little ornaments this year. I wish that I had taken down her name, but hopefully she will return next year with more. I love the rosy cheeks on the hedgehog, and I just realized while taking these pictures that the owl looks a lot like Grumpy Cat.

I had a really hard time picking out a favourite owl at Flock (another local shop). So many fabric and colour variations that remind me of the toys my grandmother used to make. They come in a few larger sizes, as well. I might have to buy one for baby.

My step-mother made these moon and star ornaments, as well as many heart-shaped ones that she gave me last year. She loves anything sparkly!

And this little owl is also from my Mum. I believe these wooden decorations are hand-cut in Germany, and they are also sold at Ravensara.

So there you have it, the latest adornments on our Christmas tree.
It’ll probably be time to take it down soon.

Cold Weather Comforts

::visiting the ducks at Mud Lake::
::eating clementines like they’re going out of style::
::a cat always curled up by my side::

Life Lately…

If you’ve missed me lately, here are a couple of things I’ve been working on these days:

YES, we are having a baby (in June or July) and we couldn’t be more excited! I haven’t been feeling the greatest, but my energy is starting to pick up a little bit. I’m enjoying this winter hibernation as it allows me to curl up (guilt-free) with a cup of tea. On Christmas morning I started knitting a blanket for the nursery with a random assortment of free wool I got recently.

I am amazed at how much snow we have already gotten. We were going to go for a walk, but I just checked the weather and, unfortunately, minus 25 does not appeal to me. I’ll stay cozy indoors, thank you!