My winter therapy

Made a lovely Natural Lemon Cake from Jane Brocket's Gentle Art of Domesticity (found originally by author in Baking with Passion by Dan Lepard.

I've been drying citrus peels and found some time to make this Citru Peel Scrub. I all about DIY especially when it is for home and beauty with products i have in the pantry. This natural exfoliator is from Janice Cox, Natural Beauty at Home.

• 1 Tbsp. dried citrus peel chopped and grounded in processor
• 1/2 c plain yogurt (I used vanilla because that is what i had on hand)
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1/4 c vitamin E oil
• 2 Tbsp. cornmeal.

Peek into snowy bliss

We finally are receiving our long-awaited snowstorm. Kids school is closed as well as mine.

For the most part these 'days off' are listed as lazy but I find myself (and the kids) doing lots. Lots of good - a bit of work and play.

• A chance to make No-knead bread adapted by Sullivan Street Bakery. Definitely have time today.
• Trying out our new teapot.
• Reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.
• Started a rag rug for the kitchen. Strips are being kept in a thrifted bag at the Brooklyn Flea.

Glimpses from around the house:

The bar is set so low these days and yet these days seem fulfilling. My kind of day as I float from one thing to the next. Not everything needs completing. I love that the goal of such a free day is to do what you please, more else at home base.

And there's more snow a-coming. Yeah!!

Is spring in sight?

With these cold days, spring seems a long way away. Catching a whiff of this hyacinth reassures that it is coming soon. It's growing in a champagne flute - the most use this glass has seen since we received as a wedding gift 10 plus years ago.

I'm ready!

Once you get past this look on my face, look at the cute headband. It's quite difficult to take a picture of yourself. When am I ever this serious (or perturbed)? Timing with our snow delay, I am happy to share the latest of my winter gear. Referencing Make by Cath Kidston, I applied an applique to this fleece headband.

Materials: Headband from Walmart for $3, fabrics from stash - velvet, tweed and Denyse Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy (leftover from our dining room curtains).

Might even make going outside bearable or at least stylin'.

Baby it's cold outside

Having lived in OH, I can't believe I grumble about the cold here in MD. I just don't want to go outside when it is so chilly. The wind just gets to your bones. So today, with the Ravens* on TV (YEAH!!), fireplace a blazing, Christmas decorations packed away, I whipped up these neckwarmers for the kids. O & V are not big fans of the scarf. I think this is a wonderful alternative. So easy to make.

Days like today are for made for knitting. This yarn is beautiful and fun to work with. Just beautiful, every stitch was making me pause and smile.

Tiennie Knits had this super easy pattern on Ravelry - Ribby Neckwarmer. I went through my stash and pulled what I could find. Two criteria for yarn for this project - washable and not itchy when next to skin. I started with Oliver's and cast on 100. Knit in ribben pattern up 5.5 inches. Viv is smaller (she is 3, and O: 6). For hers, I cast on 80 and knit up 4.25 inches.

I stamped their respective names on cotton tape and sewed inside. (Stamp ink is Versacraft - washable).

*I can't believe I love watching football. A wonderful influence from my son.

Learning New

After reading Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Domesticity (again), I've changed my mind about 2 things: learning to crochet and knitting socks. Before I thought, why bother? Then her words and pics inspired me so. I picked up a copy of Erika Knight's Simple Crochet. I LOVE this book and the projects.

So, armed with a crochet hook and some cotton yarn, I tackled our 7 + hour ride to western NY with the goal of learning how to make a granny square. guess what? I did it. Still learning and lots of frustration, I did it. They're not perfect but that's ok. I love changing up the colors and using my stash.

So once I caught this crochet bug, I'm a bit obsessed (typical Elizabeth-style). Came across Wisecraft's Granny square scarf - this might be the perfect project for these squares. Attic 24 has a great tutorial on joining the granny squares. I don't know how warm the cotton yarn will keep me put it sure is cheery.

Crochet is so portable. I'm loving it....now to be inspired to sew in some loose ends.

I missed you

I've been wanting to write. Really. With the holidays and the getaway to the in-laws in rural western NY, we are just getting back to some sort of normalcy. Our chaotic normal where creativity lives. With sleepy heads who can't fall asleep or get our of bed in the cold morn. twirly skirts with one leg warmer. a number of knitting projects because i like variety. And learning crochet. why not?

A few findings throughout the holiday break.



Yummy pomegranates

Well-deserved naps

A juicing for Christmas Day: apples, spinach, kale, ginger, lemons, beets. Festive and yummy.

Oh. You must meet Sally, the latest addition to our family. 'Sally Stitches' is wearing the pjs the kids refer to as 'elf pants'. She fits right in.