Lemon, blackberries and cream, oh my!

Baking is one of my creative passions and favorite past times!

Here is our version of Karen's Blackberry Lemon Trifle. We didn't do the whole layer job like the photo on the front cover of her book. We made mini little cakes! They are so tasty and refreshing, even in the middle of January!



My little one picked out this recipe, from the Blackbird Bakery cookbook! I was gifted this book at Christmas, and I love it! I highly recommend this awesome cookbook! You better get your hands on a copy soon, as the first run has already sold out. Check out Karen's website for tasty looking photos of her recipes, that are just as gorgeous as they taste!

Here we are, basking in the sunshine

Here we are on January 19, 2011!



Signs of spring..........



Warm enough to head outdoors..........chalk drawings!




* Homemade vegetable pizza

* Tulips

* Chalk drawings outside

It's beginning to look a lot like.....

a little holiday cheer, here and there around the house.............



my little trees.........



some whimsy.....



.........and the countdown is on!




Now for some holiday baking! What are you up to?

Early riser

Early morning sunrise!



This was such a gorgeous sunrise. I forgot to post this photo, from way back in October. Goodness me. Each morning seems to run into the next, these cold days.

Take the time to look out your window and reflect. Look up and out of yourself. There is a world of natural beauty to behold.

Setting the table

Here we are on Saturday morning...........a cold, gray morning.....getting ready to rain. Cheery holiday place mats freshly made......homemade pancakes, buckwheat cereal, almond butter, homemade jam, butter, persimmons, hot cups of tea on the way.



Try my recipe for Oat pancakes!

Oat Pancakes (gluten-free)

3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup oat flour (gluten-free)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon baking powder

Beat all ingredients, and pour batter by spoon fulls onto pancake griddle. Flip pancakes over once bubbles form.

Serve and eat immediately! Yummy!
We love to pile ours with butter, jam, fresh fruit and whipping cream.

Shorter days that glisten and glow

I'm sure enjoying these Fall days that glisten and glow! The leaves are really gorgeous right NOW!
I know that in most places the leaves have almost all fallen. We are still enjoying the various stages of leaves changing colors and falling.





A single leaf, dangling by a thread



Pretty persimmons on my table



Waiting to soften into jelly and make into Winter smoothies. Yummy~

What have I been up to?
Sewing up a storm....place mats, bags, purses, pillows, and all sorts of Christmas surprises.

Baking up a storm...trying new seasonal recipes.

Sipping cups of hot tea~

What have you been up to?

Signs of the season

Fall. I just love this time of the year!

Colorful season for leaves........veggies, etc....first rains of the season to freshen the air. A crispness in the air. Wood burning fireplace smell outdoors. Pumpkins! Just a few of my favorite things.



Our supper cooking on the stove top. Yummy beets, celery, butternut squash, zucchini, garlic, savory onions.



Making Halloween treat bags for some lucky kids.