Mother's Day comes in such a splendid time when Mother Earth gives new life to all living things and amazing colors showcase the beauty and wonder of the world around us. Shades of pink cover up the entire neighborhood overnight. Japanese cherry trees, wild apple blossoms, and magnolia leaves give the landscape the most spectacular spring makeover. Tulips, pink hyacinths, and tiny violets perfume the air... Everything seems beautiful and adds a special touch to the honor of the special woman who has made us who we are, to the celebration of the wonder of creation.
Uplifted by all this loveliness around me, I think some pink strawberry vanilla cupcakes would be perfect to spoil your mom this weekend. They would adorn the table at your afternoon tea gathering or the brunch you are hosting for family and friends. Especially if you decorate them with pink macaroons – a truly feminine touch, and handmade paper toppers. Furthermore, place the cupcakes in a festive paper box and they turn into the sweetest and cutest gift... in tune with Nature's colors...

Happy Mother's Day, loving, caring and beautiful woman! Whether or not you have given life to a child, there is no doubt in my mind, you have mothered someone. The cupcakes and the flowers are for you, wherever you are.

Strawberry Vanilla Cupcakes 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup of sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 cup half & half
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup fresh finely chopped strawberries

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter
1 3/4 cups confectioner's sugar
1 tbsp light cream or milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350°C. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Mix together the dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, salt. In another bowl, mix together the half and half, vanilla, and diced strawberries. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake cupcakes until testers inserted into center come out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely before icing.  

In a small bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add confectioner's sugar and cream, beating until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and beat until frosting is light and fluffy. 

                                                                              ***


Thank you to all of you, my darling readers, for your generous congratulations on my publication. Your kind words and support mean a lot to me! 



Home Sweet Home / Be Inspired / Pink Saturday/ SayGDaySaturday/ Seasonal Sundays

• May 09, 2013
• colors

For Mom

Mother's Day comes in such a splendid time when Mother Earth gives new life to all living things and amazing colors showcase the beauty and wonder of the world around us. Shades of pink cover up the entire neighborhood overnight. Japanese cherry trees, wild apple blossoms, and magnolia leaves give the landscape the most spectacular spring makeover. Tulips, pink hyacinths, and tiny violets perfume the air... Everything seems beautiful and adds a special touch to the honor of the special woman who has made us who we are, to the celebration of the wonder of creation.
Uplifted by all this loveliness around me, I think some pink strawberry vanilla cupcakes would be perfect to spoil your mom this weekend. They would adorn the table at your afternoon tea gathering or the brunch you are hosting for family and friends. Especially if you decorate them with pink macaroons – a truly feminine touch, and handmade paper toppers. Furthermore, place the cupcakes in a festive paper box and they turn into the sweetest and cutest gift... in tune with Nature's colors...

Happy Mother's Day, loving, caring and beautiful woman! Whether or not you have given life to a child, there is no doubt in my mind, you have mothered someone. The cupcakes and the flowers are for you, wherever you are.

Strawberry Vanilla Cupcakes 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup of sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 cup half & half
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup fresh finely chopped strawberries

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter
1 3/4 cups confectioner's sugar
1 tbsp light cream or milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350°C. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Mix together the dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, salt. In another bowl, mix together the half and half, vanilla, and diced strawberries. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake cupcakes until testers inserted into center come out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely before icing.  

In a small bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add confectioner's sugar and cream, beating until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and beat until frosting is light and fluffy. 

                                                                              ***


Thank you to all of you, my darling readers, for your generous congratulations on my publication. Your kind words and support mean a lot to me! 



Home Sweet Home / Be Inspired / Pink Saturday/ SayGDaySaturday/ Seasonal Sundays

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Spring days are here! Finally! The Magnolia trees are blooming. I am wearing short sleeves enjoying every given moment to bask in the warm sun. There are also long walks by the lake, spinach and asparagus at the farmer markets, Sunday breakfasts on the patio of the favorite Kensington Market bistro, fresh salads and homemade lemonades, planted seeds, dusted off cabinets, clothes drying outside, open window nights...
While I was looking for more spring colours and ideas at my favorite magazines, I came across Sarah Moor's wonderful article how to give every household item a spring makeover, especially, the idea to turn your favorite vintage fabrics into simple drawstring bags to store spices, herbs, sugar - whatever you decide. You know the "i-can-do-that" feeling that comes spontaneously, stimulates your emotions, overtakes your mind and doesn't leave you until you prove yourself right... Yes, it's called "inspiration" and I love when I am in spirit and have to hold myself back from starting right now. As Sarah proposed, I got out my fabrics, threads and my sewing machine which hasn't been used for months, and by following (not precisely, though) this tutorial, I made one bag, then one more, then one more... I used ribbons and scrap fabrics to decorate the pouches. After washing the bags, I poured my favorite herbs for tea in, attached labels on each bag and displayed them on the cupboard shelf. Neat! 

It turned out that drawstring bags are easy to make and fun to sew, not to mention handy to have around. I also think these charming handmade drawstring bags filled with chamomile, peppermint, fennel seeds and nettle can turn into a great gift for the upcoming Mother's Day celebration, don't you think?!   

It amazes me how the simplest and ordinary things can inspire you to create, to tune into your spirit, to feel fulfilment... It feels good...

Yes, I am that nerdy girl who's cute colourful drawstring bags make her joyous...

                                                                                             What lights you up these days?


                                                                                                   Happy May to all of you!




Home Sweet Home/ Be Inspired/ Homemaking Party

• May 02, 2013
• crafts

Drawstring Herb Bags

Spring days are here! Finally! The Magnolia trees are blooming. I am wearing short sleeves enjoying every given moment to bask in the warm sun. There are also long walks by the lake, spinach and asparagus at the farmer markets, Sunday breakfasts on the patio of the favorite Kensington Market bistro, fresh salads and homemade lemonades, planted seeds, dusted off cabinets, clothes drying outside, open window nights...
While I was looking for more spring colours and ideas at my favorite magazines, I came across Sarah Moor's wonderful article how to give every household item a spring makeover, especially, the idea to turn your favorite vintage fabrics into simple drawstring bags to store spices, herbs, sugar - whatever you decide. You know the "i-can-do-that" feeling that comes spontaneously, stimulates your emotions, overtakes your mind and doesn't leave you until you prove yourself right... Yes, it's called "inspiration" and I love when I am in spirit and have to hold myself back from starting right now. As Sarah proposed, I got out my fabrics, threads and my sewing machine which hasn't been used for months, and by following (not precisely, though) this tutorial, I made one bag, then one more, then one more... I used ribbons and scrap fabrics to decorate the pouches. After washing the bags, I poured my favorite herbs for tea in, attached labels on each bag and displayed them on the cupboard shelf. Neat! 

It turned out that drawstring bags are easy to make and fun to sew, not to mention handy to have around. I also think these charming handmade drawstring bags filled with chamomile, peppermint, fennel seeds and nettle can turn into a great gift for the upcoming Mother's Day celebration, don't you think?!   

It amazes me how the simplest and ordinary things can inspire you to create, to tune into your spirit, to feel fulfilment... It feels good...

Yes, I am that nerdy girl who's cute colourful drawstring bags make her joyous...

                                                                                             What lights you up these days?


                                                                                                   Happy May to all of you!




Home Sweet Home/ Be Inspired/ Homemaking Party

Read more »

I agree Valentine's Day has become a highly commercialized "Hallmark" holiday. It is hard to feel genuinely romantic with all the pressure of spending money on presents, flowers, reservations on fancy restaurants, parties, dresses, getaways, messages, phone calls... Another blessed day for the retailers... But why not stop with the anti-Valentine complaints and use this day as an opportunity. Frankly, the overall tendency of a holiday driven by commercialism doesn't bother me unless I see spiritual impoverishment of the human soul. Why? Because in the words of the wisest professor Morri, you don't need to buy into this culture – "work at creating and building your own little subculture. You can't let anyone – or any society – determine how you think, what you value... Invest in people, in the human family. Build a little community of those you love and who love you."

So, in my world, I am not letting no one destroy the spirit of what Valentine's Day means to me. It has never been a grand affair in my family, yet has never been ignored. Regardless of any biblical or non-biblical perceptions, to me, Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate Love and Romance. A day to declare your feeling of fondness and appreciation for these special people in your life. A day to celebrate the love of yourself, love for life, the divine love. Love, attraction, romance are as old as the world.
I know, it is sad to count on being romantic and showing love on only one day out of the year. But I am not a perfect human being and often getting carried in the busyness of the fast-paced life. Perhaps that is why I embrace this special day in which I tend consciously to set the tone for how I treat others in my everyday relationships, as a partner, as a friend, as a mother and a daughter, as an individual. The way I feel and express my love towards my man, my son, my friends, my parents, my colleagues and people I meet on Valentine's Day sets a standard to me for how I would celebrate them every single day of the year. In other words, I use Valentine's Day as the perfect practice of making every other day a possible Valentine's Day, if you will.
In fact, showing love and appreciation doesn't take a lot (and money). Simple things can go a long way:
- listen to what others love and dream about;
- surprise them with something special for them;
- be inventive in your words; the same phrases lose impact with repetition;
- detach from the ego, be humble, be open, be vulnerable;
- cook for others, share a meal; there is something so honest and generous to do that for someone you love;
- take time to send cards/make cards (Valentines); I miss the evenings of having to make Valentines for my son's elementary grade classes;
- knowing that your wife's car needs gas, surprise her while she is in yoga class by taking the car from the parking lot, filling the tank with gas at the nearest gas station and bringing the car back (who does that? Well, my husband!)
- bake your son's favorite cookies in the shape of a mini heart; fill a jar with them and give it as a gift to someone you love; for a vintage appeal, cover the jar's lid with old paper  (find a recipe here);
- share a cup of coffee in the morning with a loved one, maybe, a tea in the afternoon with a friend; add a romantic touch with a mini heart that perches on the edge of the cup;
- sing a song, dance a tango even if you can't ...
- love yourself; we are born with love and if we know how to love ourselves as an integral and equal part of the whole UNIverse, then we will be able to offer love to others; the more love we give out, the more it builds inside of us and more we will get back ...

It is even easy on Valentine's Day.

Love is in the Air     

And, no matter what we think about Valentine's Day, who doesn't love indulging in some good chocolate?

I do!

And if you think all this sounds cliche, I agree, "important things are inevitably cliche."

" Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." 
- Danny, age 7


                                                                               
                                                                                      Hugs and kisses to you! XOXO




Happy Valentine Pink Saturday
Seasonal Sundays
Savvy Southern Style
Stone Gable

• February 08, 2013
• crafts

mini hearts - maxi LOVE

I agree Valentine's Day has become a highly commercialized "Hallmark" holiday. It is hard to feel genuinely romantic with all the pressure of spending money on presents, flowers, reservations on fancy restaurants, parties, dresses, getaways, messages, phone calls... Another blessed day for the retailers... But why not stop with the anti-Valentine complaints and use this day as an opportunity. Frankly, the overall tendency of a holiday driven by commercialism doesn't bother me unless I see spiritual impoverishment of the human soul. Why? Because in the words of the wisest professor Morri, you don't need to buy into this culture – "work at creating and building your own little subculture. You can't let anyone – or any society – determine how you think, what you value... Invest in people, in the human family. Build a little community of those you love and who love you."

So, in my world, I am not letting no one destroy the spirit of what Valentine's Day means to me. It has never been a grand affair in my family, yet has never been ignored. Regardless of any biblical or non-biblical perceptions, to me, Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate Love and Romance. A day to declare your feeling of fondness and appreciation for these special people in your life. A day to celebrate the love of yourself, love for life, the divine love. Love, attraction, romance are as old as the world.
I know, it is sad to count on being romantic and showing love on only one day out of the year. But I am not a perfect human being and often getting carried in the busyness of the fast-paced life. Perhaps that is why I embrace this special day in which I tend consciously to set the tone for how I treat others in my everyday relationships, as a partner, as a friend, as a mother and a daughter, as an individual. The way I feel and express my love towards my man, my son, my friends, my parents, my colleagues and people I meet on Valentine's Day sets a standard to me for how I would celebrate them every single day of the year. In other words, I use Valentine's Day as the perfect practice of making every other day a possible Valentine's Day, if you will.
In fact, showing love and appreciation doesn't take a lot (and money). Simple things can go a long way:
- listen to what others love and dream about;
- surprise them with something special for them;
- be inventive in your words; the same phrases lose impact with repetition;
- detach from the ego, be humble, be open, be vulnerable;
- cook for others, share a meal; there is something so honest and generous to do that for someone you love;
- take time to send cards/make cards (Valentines); I miss the evenings of having to make Valentines for my son's elementary grade classes;
- knowing that your wife's car needs gas, surprise her while she is in yoga class by taking the car from the parking lot, filling the tank with gas at the nearest gas station and bringing the car back (who does that? Well, my husband!)
- bake your son's favorite cookies in the shape of a mini heart; fill a jar with them and give it as a gift to someone you love; for a vintage appeal, cover the jar's lid with old paper  (find a recipe here);
- share a cup of coffee in the morning with a loved one, maybe, a tea in the afternoon with a friend; add a romantic touch with a mini heart that perches on the edge of the cup;
- sing a song, dance a tango even if you can't ...
- love yourself; we are born with love and if we know how to love ourselves as an integral and equal part of the whole UNIverse, then we will be able to offer love to others; the more love we give out, the more it builds inside of us and more we will get back ...

It is even easy on Valentine's Day.

Love is in the Air     

And, no matter what we think about Valentine's Day, who doesn't love indulging in some good chocolate?

I do!

And if you think all this sounds cliche, I agree, "important things are inevitably cliche."

" Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." 
- Danny, age 7


                                                                               
                                                                                      Hugs and kisses to you! XOXO




Happy Valentine Pink Saturday
Seasonal Sundays
Savvy Southern Style
Stone Gable

Read more »

The fragrance of orange and apple drying in the oven takes me right back to my grandparents' old house (not for the first time this holiday season). I can see myself, as a little girl, sitting on the floor in front of the freshly cut Christmas tree, surrounded by boxes of old glass ornaments collected over the years...Wood in the stove is cracking and filling the space with warmth. While I am making garlands from popcorn and snowflakes from tissue paper, my grandma is simmering dried apricots, apples and pears in a big pot, preparing the traditional dried fruit compote. Grandpa Angel sitting on the table in his signature pose is adding to the house an aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg from mulled wine...

It always amazes me how Christmas time brings back to everyone of us childhood memories of the magical past. It also possesses this unexplained power to inspire our creative being and make us create handmade beauty, something I have always loved. By just taking a little time and using our hands we can lend personality to our Christmases and make them truly a meaningful time for family, friends and strangers. This is how we give the love inside of us wings to fly and reach others...

Days before we trimmed our tree and before our guests arrived for dinner, I spent time drying oranges and apples. Once dried, the fruit slices not only make the room smell great, but they look beautiful and they are multifunctional. With mini jingle bells and hemp twine, I made ornaments. Instead of using them on the Christmas tree, I decided to make a dried fruit holiday tree, simply by putting branches in an urn and covering them with a little moss. I also arrange slices of dried oranges and apples together with pine cones, cinnamon sticks, walnuts and chestnuts around candles to create a simple table centerpiece. Then, it came to mind that I can adorn the wine glasses with them...These homemade ornaments would look pretty decorating on top of the wrapping presents, too. And...why not adding them to cinnamon sticks or mint and rosemary in order to make potpourri. Isn't it a perfect welcome gift for the guests?! Of course, I can also make a dried fruit wreath or unique napkin rings...But the best part is that when the Christmas season is done, my son would hang our dried fruits ornaments outside from tree branches and make them gifts to our bird friends. 

      

                               
                                                     Dried Orange and Apple Slices 

1.Slice the oranges and apples into approximately 1/4 (5mm) wide slices.

2. Lay the orange slices on a dishtowel and blot them with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

3. Dip the apple slices into a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water.

4. Place the fruit slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Dry in a 200 F  for 3-4 hours. It's a bit of a slow process since we only dehydrate and dry them out.

5. About half way through turn each slice over to help the slices dry out evenly. 

6. Remove the sheet from the oven and leave for half an hour to cool.



                                                               Merry making!

                                                                            Wishing you all the joy of the season!

Sharing with Seasonal Sundays, Setting for Four

• December 14, 2012
• Christmas

Merry Making

The fragrance of orange and apple drying in the oven takes me right back to my grandparents' old house (not for the first time this holiday season). I can see myself, as a little girl, sitting on the floor in front of the freshly cut Christmas tree, surrounded by boxes of old glass ornaments collected over the years...Wood in the stove is cracking and filling the space with warmth. While I am making garlands from popcorn and snowflakes from tissue paper, my grandma is simmering dried apricots, apples and pears in a big pot, preparing the traditional dried fruit compote. Grandpa Angel sitting on the table in his signature pose is adding to the house an aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg from mulled wine...

It always amazes me how Christmas time brings back to everyone of us childhood memories of the magical past. It also possesses this unexplained power to inspire our creative being and make us create handmade beauty, something I have always loved. By just taking a little time and using our hands we can lend personality to our Christmases and make them truly a meaningful time for family, friends and strangers. This is how we give the love inside of us wings to fly and reach others...

Days before we trimmed our tree and before our guests arrived for dinner, I spent time drying oranges and apples. Once dried, the fruit slices not only make the room smell great, but they look beautiful and they are multifunctional. With mini jingle bells and hemp twine, I made ornaments. Instead of using them on the Christmas tree, I decided to make a dried fruit holiday tree, simply by putting branches in an urn and covering them with a little moss. I also arrange slices of dried oranges and apples together with pine cones, cinnamon sticks, walnuts and chestnuts around candles to create a simple table centerpiece. Then, it came to mind that I can adorn the wine glasses with them...These homemade ornaments would look pretty decorating on top of the wrapping presents, too. And...why not adding them to cinnamon sticks or mint and rosemary in order to make potpourri. Isn't it a perfect welcome gift for the guests?! Of course, I can also make a dried fruit wreath or unique napkin rings...But the best part is that when the Christmas season is done, my son would hang our dried fruits ornaments outside from tree branches and make them gifts to our bird friends. 

      

                               
                                                     Dried Orange and Apple Slices 

1.Slice the oranges and apples into approximately 1/4 (5mm) wide slices.

2. Lay the orange slices on a dishtowel and blot them with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

3. Dip the apple slices into a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water.

4. Place the fruit slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Dry in a 200 F  for 3-4 hours. It's a bit of a slow process since we only dehydrate and dry them out.

5. About half way through turn each slice over to help the slices dry out evenly. 

6. Remove the sheet from the oven and leave for half an hour to cool.



                                                               Merry making!

                                                                            Wishing you all the joy of the season!

Sharing with Seasonal Sundays, Setting for Four

Read more »

If you can see the happiness in my face, you would know Christmas is on its way! It's almost December, my most festive month of all and I am excited! I love Christmas (who doesn't)! I love the entire holiday season, completely and absolutely. Visiting the local tree farm to cut our own tree, decorating the house, the lights, the movies, the warmth of the kitchen, the concerts, the music, the baking, the friends and family gatherings, the GOODNESS in the air - everything!

Rod Stewart on the record player is rekindling my Christmas spirit "Let your heart be light, next year all our troubles will be out of sight..." A mug of hot cocoa is waiting to warm my hands and body. Through the window, the first light snowfalls peacefully marking the beginning of winter. Sugar cookies are in the oven, the fragrance of vanilla and spices scents the air. I can't imagine the season without the ritual of Christmas cookies: making the dough, rolling it out, cutting with cookie cutters and waiting for the bells, and doves, and the stars to transform into sweet, soft goodies for eating. This year I am leaving aside all these cutters and stamping my cookies with a cookie stamper "HOMEMADE". How cool is that! Self-described cookies! I am wrapping up these imprinted treats beautifully, writing the recipe on the gift tag made out of my holiday photos, tying the bag with hemp ribbon and will soon knock on the neighbor's door on the left. For my neighbor on the right, I am combining dry milk, cocoa powder, sugar, miniature chocolate morsels and marshmallows in a jar, wrapping the jar with a ribbon and a tag, sticking it with Reindeer Candy Cane and I am ready to offer the ultimate drinks for warm holidays. For the house on the other side of the street, I am preparing a fruit and nut oatmeal mix. For my friends, I am grinding herbes de Provence and lavender and combining them with fine sea salt in a jar to make a scented salt present.  

"Gifts from the heart" is what I remember my childhood Christmas in my grandparents' house with. I had learned back then that gifts don't have to cost a lot and the simple homemade presents are the best because they embody the giving human heart. Their true purpose is to warm us with kindness and love. Do you remember Dr. Seuss' brilliant and enduring tale when Grinch learned about the true meaning of Christmas? "What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from the store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?"

I agree!

I couldn't ask for a better start to the holiday season. 

* To all of you who want to make these adorable Reindeer Candy Canes, you need to twist brown pipe cleaner under the neck of the candy and bend it on both sides into Z shapes to make the reindeer's antlers. Glue two eyes and a miniature red pom-pom for the nose. Tie a short length of ribbon and a mini jingle bell below the crook of the candy cane. They can hang from the tree or be used as a stick for your mug of hot chocolate. Whatever you decide to do with them, they will bring a smile to anyone's face. One Christmas I, myself,  with a little help of my 8-year-old son then, made 21 of these cuties for every student in my Gr.3 class. They were a hit...!

Dear Friends, how are you kicking off the holiday season?

I am joining Home Sweet Home , Inspired for Christmas , Inspiration Friday, Stuff and Nonsense, Setting for Four Party

• November 29, 2012
• Christmas

The Season's Warmth

If you can see the happiness in my face, you would know Christmas is on its way! It's almost December, my most festive month of all and I am excited! I love Christmas (who doesn't)! I love the entire holiday season, completely and absolutely. Visiting the local tree farm to cut our own tree, decorating the house, the lights, the movies, the warmth of the kitchen, the concerts, the music, the baking, the friends and family gatherings, the GOODNESS in the air - everything!

Rod Stewart on the record player is rekindling my Christmas spirit "Let your heart be light, next year all our troubles will be out of sight..." A mug of hot cocoa is waiting to warm my hands and body. Through the window, the first light snowfalls peacefully marking the beginning of winter. Sugar cookies are in the oven, the fragrance of vanilla and spices scents the air. I can't imagine the season without the ritual of Christmas cookies: making the dough, rolling it out, cutting with cookie cutters and waiting for the bells, and doves, and the stars to transform into sweet, soft goodies for eating. This year I am leaving aside all these cutters and stamping my cookies with a cookie stamper "HOMEMADE". How cool is that! Self-described cookies! I am wrapping up these imprinted treats beautifully, writing the recipe on the gift tag made out of my holiday photos, tying the bag with hemp ribbon and will soon knock on the neighbor's door on the left. For my neighbor on the right, I am combining dry milk, cocoa powder, sugar, miniature chocolate morsels and marshmallows in a jar, wrapping the jar with a ribbon and a tag, sticking it with Reindeer Candy Cane and I am ready to offer the ultimate drinks for warm holidays. For the house on the other side of the street, I am preparing a fruit and nut oatmeal mix. For my friends, I am grinding herbes de Provence and lavender and combining them with fine sea salt in a jar to make a scented salt present.  

"Gifts from the heart" is what I remember my childhood Christmas in my grandparents' house with. I had learned back then that gifts don't have to cost a lot and the simple homemade presents are the best because they embody the giving human heart. Their true purpose is to warm us with kindness and love. Do you remember Dr. Seuss' brilliant and enduring tale when Grinch learned about the true meaning of Christmas? "What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from the store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?"

I agree!

I couldn't ask for a better start to the holiday season. 

* To all of you who want to make these adorable Reindeer Candy Canes, you need to twist brown pipe cleaner under the neck of the candy and bend it on both sides into Z shapes to make the reindeer's antlers. Glue two eyes and a miniature red pom-pom for the nose. Tie a short length of ribbon and a mini jingle bell below the crook of the candy cane. They can hang from the tree or be used as a stick for your mug of hot chocolate. Whatever you decide to do with them, they will bring a smile to anyone's face. One Christmas I, myself,  with a little help of my 8-year-old son then, made 21 of these cuties for every student in my Gr.3 class. They were a hit...!

Dear Friends, how are you kicking off the holiday season?

I am joining Home Sweet Home , Inspired for Christmas , Inspiration Friday, Stuff and Nonsense, Setting for Four Party

Read more »

They say you have grown taller from walking with the trees...

I feel it! Every time when I am there among them... 

It is on walks that a lot of my inspiration comes. Be it through the city, the country road, the woodland, or the beach, I take in the sights and sounds, smells and textures of each season. Autumn, though, is something special. One can sense the divine artistry of nature in every leaf, every fruit, every tree, every sunset... The endless array of patterns and shapes around us has always been a source of joy and wonder. The views have never been more full of colors, shadows, and light... and you want to bring that still, harmonious life into your home as a reminder of everyday marvel that surrounds you.

When the rain finally stopped (after a whole week of pouring), my son, our dog and I got in the car. We had a basket and scissors with us. The nearest forest was calling! On our way to the woods, we paid a visit to the local market and bought pumpkins. There is no Autumn without the most versatile of vegetables. Either in savory and sweet meals or just for decoration, pumpkins together with pears and apples create the perfect fall mood.
Walking in the autumn woods has always been naturally enchanting. 

While diving into the trees, it seemed as the three of us were in awe. Even the dog behaved differently. 

Leaves were swishing under our boots, the freshness of the air was palpable. The silence was delightful. My son started creating stories. He was whispering ... We were looking for acorns. Our basket was quickly filled with yellow, brown and red leaves. We cut branches to bring home. We fed the squirrels. We were quiet and full ... 
We collected memories...

At home, I placed the fall branches in the vase. Then, using walnut shells we made Autumn boats. 
(These crafts will be used as place cards holders on the upcoming friends gathering.)

I shared my memories of the sweetest and delicious roasted pumpkin my granny and my mom make.

"Why have you never cooked a roasted pumpkin, mom?", asked my son. 

That was a great question!  

...

I  called my mom ... and you know the rest...

( See the recipe on my next post What is It About Pumpkins?)

 

Hope your Autumn season has been wonderful! 

How do you decorate your living space for Fall, Dear Friends?

THANK YOU for your visit and kind words!




I am sharing with Vintage Inspiration ~ Savoring Fall

• October 20, 2012
• autumn

An Autumn Walk, Pumpkins ... and Something More

They say you have grown taller from walking with the trees...

I feel it! Every time when I am there among them... 

It is on walks that a lot of my inspiration comes. Be it through the city, the country road, the woodland, or the beach, I take in the sights and sounds, smells and textures of each season. Autumn, though, is something special. One can sense the divine artistry of nature in every leaf, every fruit, every tree, every sunset... The endless array of patterns and shapes around us has always been a source of joy and wonder. The views have never been more full of colors, shadows, and light... and you want to bring that still, harmonious life into your home as a reminder of everyday marvel that surrounds you.

When the rain finally stopped (after a whole week of pouring), my son, our dog and I got in the car. We had a basket and scissors with us. The nearest forest was calling! On our way to the woods, we paid a visit to the local market and bought pumpkins. There is no Autumn without the most versatile of vegetables. Either in savory and sweet meals or just for decoration, pumpkins together with pears and apples create the perfect fall mood.
Walking in the autumn woods has always been naturally enchanting. 

While diving into the trees, it seemed as the three of us were in awe. Even the dog behaved differently. 

Leaves were swishing under our boots, the freshness of the air was palpable. The silence was delightful. My son started creating stories. He was whispering ... We were looking for acorns. Our basket was quickly filled with yellow, brown and red leaves. We cut branches to bring home. We fed the squirrels. We were quiet and full ... 
We collected memories...

At home, I placed the fall branches in the vase. Then, using walnut shells we made Autumn boats. 
(These crafts will be used as place cards holders on the upcoming friends gathering.)

I shared my memories of the sweetest and delicious roasted pumpkin my granny and my mom make.

"Why have you never cooked a roasted pumpkin, mom?", asked my son. 

That was a great question!  

...

I  called my mom ... and you know the rest...

( See the recipe on my next post What is It About Pumpkins?)

 

Hope your Autumn season has been wonderful! 

How do you decorate your living space for Fall, Dear Friends?

THANK YOU for your visit and kind words!




I am sharing with Vintage Inspiration ~ Savoring Fall

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