back to work...

The boys' Cita (Aunt Cynthia) & Uncle Chris & cousins were visiting over Thanksgiving. For her I embroidered a flour sack towel to commemorate our dinner.

"Ready for Harvest" design by Urban Threads

Because, at this house we don't do nasty sicky-sweet disgusting sweet potatoes with brown sugar & mini marshmallows! We chop root vegetables and roast them with rosemary oil. You would not believe how delicious they are -- all browned & caramelized from their natural sugars. . .

And yes, I did make my own rosemary oil (gots to do sumthin' with that rosemary bush growing in my garden!)

smattering of thankfulness...

So very grateful for men & women who have served our country in the military.

Blessed to hear my son play taps at his school's Veterans' Day Assemblies.

Thankful our little guy is finally feeling better. (He'd been running a pretty high fever most of the week.)

I'm pretty glad to have this bonnet, muff & cape finished.  Starting on the gown alterations Monday.

We were all happy to eat a Saturday morning breakfast of yummy scones.

Excited that in eleven days all these people (plus 5 additions) will be together. Epic reunion!

Pumpkin Cheese Braid

Absolutely the best breakfast bread I've made in a long time! You must make a batch for the holidays. Your family will thank me! Really! (This cheese braid is so delicious you will want to frame it and hang it in your yummy gallery!)

I have been promising to get this recipe written out & published for some peeps.  Those of you who were not fortunate enough to receive a loaf of this (ok - I was stingy & only shared with two other households. . .) must be wondering if it can possibly be as good as the hype. It is. I have three families to serve as references! (Unfortunately, the evidence disappears within a day or two. . .)

(just click to enlarge to a readable size)

Here are some pics I took along the process:

yes -- that IS a #10 of pumpkin...

pudding's all mixed up!

last punch-down

on the parchment - ready to roll

I use the pizza cutter to cut the strips

ready for the oven

all baked!

seriously need to work on my "glaze artistry"

oooooooh -- glazed while too warm

simply dusted with powdered sugar

hmmmmm -- enjoy with a cup of coffee!

Things I'm loving...

My life this week was spent rearranging some furniture . . .

sewing a costume . . .

buying a jacket for an important interview . . .

buying & installing coat hooks . . .

watching a sunrise . . .

yelling at a game . . .

loving me some boys!

Thanks, Paisley Jade, for again reminding us that you "wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is."