A winter wish

 

A plant that I don't have... Camellia, called the Rose of winter.  Beautiful! On my wishlist!

A nostalgic fruit: quince

 

I am fortunate to know generous people who own a quince tree!  This fruit makes me feel ten years old again.  It simply makes the very best jam (fruity & not too sweet) to tide us through winter.  I used Tessa Kiros's recipe and it worked beautifully- made quite a few precious jars.

like summer without flowers

'A world without a Sabbath would be like a man without a smile, like summer without flowers, and like a homestead without a garden.  It is the most joyous day of the week.'

~ Henry Ward Beecher

Muffin making

 

Choc chip muffins on the left and Muesli ones on the right... just what Autumn calls for.

She flowers

 

 The Hibiscus buds have opened... bright and beautiful!

Choices not circumstances

"Life is not a matter of circumstances but issues of choice.. I want my daughter to build on the rock-solid foundation of Christ... and the best ways to make life choices.

An ungrateful, selfish heart always leaves us feeling miserable.  With this attitude, no matter what we have, it is never enough.  God tells us how to avoid this.. 'In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ' 1 Thess 5.18

When we allow our joy to be stolen over something insignificant we waste our sorrows.  That's why its so critical to distinguish between what is important and what is not so important.  Galations 6.9 says, 'Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.' "

~ Annie Chapman
from her book:  10 Ways to prepare your daughter for life

 

Renoir's 'Girls at the piano' 1892

Baking bread

I have made bread before but they were more like leaden experiements not lovely chewy bread.  This bread was astonishingly easy, thanks to Jim Lahey's (the New York bread guy) recipe!