"You know the way that children play make-believe in the garden? I did that and I thought, 'This will do for life. Why would I want to do anything else?' " ~ Harry Treadaway

On a recent snowy Sunday afternoon, I took myself to the Cortland County Historical Society's 

A Dollhouse Holiday

"Weekends only, 1-5 pm, 25 Homer Ave. Cortland County Historical Society brings back a fondly remembered tradition from our past with a Dollhouse Holiday! View dollhouses of all kinds both from our collection and from the community and be amazed at these magical miniatures. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12 and free for children under the age of 6. For more information or to lend a dollhouse to be included in this very special exhibit, please contact us at 756-6071 or e-mail info@CortlandHistory.com. Visit us online at cortlandhistory.com."

I have always wanted a dollhouse, and sometimes even think of getting one as an adult - but the reminder that I am trying to downsize, no matter how miniature they are, stops me!

The Glen Haven School is one of my favorites.

I do find all of the interiors so fascinating!

If you live locally, the show runs through January 4th, so you have another two weekends to make it!

From my home to yours - Merry Christmas!

Grandparents' Christmas Postcard #6

From my home to yours - Merry Christmas!

"Remember, if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.” ~ Charlotte Carpenter

Grandparents' Christmas Postcard #5

Snow, snow and more snow here in Central New York!  Even though it has been a bit rainy today, it will be a White Christmas here to be sure.  I admit that I do love it. In addition to wrapping up some gifts, I have also wrapped up a project that I have been working on since mid-October - my Top Down Icelandic Sweater.  I have shared its progress with you along the way, and I'm happy to report that it is done, and that I am quite pleased with the final product!

You will see that I opted for toggles rather than buttons - and I'm very happy that I did.  All-in-all, this was a very satisfying project.  I know that there are more of them on the horizon!

I hope that your days leading up to Christmas are filled with love and joy!

Procraftinating: Working on craft projects when you should be doing laundry, or dishes, or picking the kids up from school.

Grandparents' Christmas Postcard Number 4

www.craftinamerica,.org

Yes, it's time for the newest installment of Craft In America, "dedicated to the exploration, preservation and celebration of craft and its impact on our nation’s cultural heritage."  This most recent episode highlights our country's "new and familiar winter traditions."

Premiering Friday, December 20th on PBS, this promises to be as informative and delightful as all of the previous episodes.  Remember - all past episodes are available for viewing on-line on PBS.

Enjoy!

Moms Demand Action: Stop the Violence

A break from the Christmas posts. I will tell you up front, if you choose to view the video below, it will be difficult to watch. It should be difficult. As a nation; as a people; we must take our heads out of the sand.

~please go to blog if this doesn't come through via e-mail~

"I live with one foot in the sand and one in the snow." ~ Henning Mankell

Grandparents' Christmas Postcard #3

As much as I love the beach - and oh I do - I love the snow as well.  There is something so magical about it. It's like being transported to some kind of fairy land.  Of course, I hate to shovel it, or drive in it, or walk for too long in it. But, to view it out my window; to see it swirling 'round, well that I love.

The photo below is taken from an article about Simon Beck, an artist who created intricate patterns in the snow using snowshoes to resemble large snowflakes.  Take a look at the article to see further examples of his remarkable work!

 ©Simon Beck/Barcoff Media

“I don't like the turkey, but I like the bread he ate." ~ A three-year-old’s reaction to her Christmas dinner.

Grandparents' Christmas postcard #2

BITE gathered a bit earlier than usual in December. Given the hectic month and individual travel plans - that seemed best!  As host, I had been thinking about my theme for awhile. Also - I knew that there had been a change in some of our schedules, and this would allow us to get together during the day, not just at dinner time. So - I opted for Holiday Brunch. I love brunch/breakfast foods and this was the perfect opportunity for me to try out a few dishes that I love to eat, but had never cooked before.  

Since there really are no "courses" to a brunch (at least none that I am aware of), I let folks know ahead of time what I would be making, and then left them to bring whatever they wanted.

I chose two hot dishes, the first being Quiche Lorraine.  I love quiche, and Quiche Lorraine in particular, but I have never made it.  I followed the recipe to a T.  The crust was a disaster - I don't know what I did, but I was thankful that I had a trusty Pillsbury crust in the refrigerator.  The quiche turned out wonderfully, though I think that it could have cooked a tad longer. Anything with cheese and bacon wins my heart (I try not to think about what else it's doing to my heart!).

My second dish was Creme Brulee French Toast.  This is a favorite of mine at the brunch served at a nearby Inn.  This is not their recipe, but it comes pretty darn close.  It was delicious - and - it is assembled the night before and then popped into the oven the next morning.  I am all about trying to get as much done ahead of time as I can, so this was perfect for me!

When there are no "course" assignments, you do run the risk of two people bringing similar things.  That happened to us this time.  Tierney brought Tropical Fruit in Spiced Syrup (lower dish of fruit), and Chris brought Fruit Salad with Honey-Yogurt Sauce (taller glasses).  Both fruit, but enough of a difference to be refreshing - also refreshing after the somewhat heavy quiche and French toast.

Lastly, Ellen provided a delicious Cranberry-Orange Coffee Cake.  This cake was the perfect combination of just a bit tart, and not too sweet - just right for me.  It was delectable. 

And so the feasting begins!  BITE will not meet again until May - so be thinking up some wonderful themes for us to try in 2014!!!

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." ~ Charles Dickens

As promised, the first of my grandparents' Christmas postcards - this one is a bit odd - I must admit!

                     

You already know that I love these guys - so let's get this season started!

Go to blog if it doesn't come through via e-mail.

"Family is not an important thing. It's everything." Michael J. Fox

And so - Thanksgiving! One large rented home in Saratoga, NY - 20+ people - 3 generations!  Great company! Great conversation! Great food! Great karoake! Oh - and a new Thanksgiving tradition!  And - many , many thanks to Alison and Mark for pulling this all together. You two are great!

 The whir of activity - a kitchen that will fit just about everyone - and "the young people" right in there preparing dishes along with everyone else!  I'm not going to explain each picture, but I think that you will get the sense that a wonderful time was had by all!  There are a lot of pictures - but what would I have left out?

The first thing that you see when you look up upon entering this open-concept home is a mural on the ceiling. Before one sister arrived, my sister Alison told her that there was a nude on the ceiling. Caitlin said "Like Michaelangelo?" "No," Alison replied, "like a super-hero."  Well - it certainly was a conversation piece!

Many of the younger generation brought new people to Thanksgiving - everyone getting to know one-another!

Yes - there was a huge, bronze horse in the living-room!  It helps to know that Saratoga is home to world-famous race-horsing.

And then the new Thanksgiving tradition!  Pass the Squash!  Started on a whim around the table at the end of Thanksgiving dinner, a squash was passed around underneath the table while one person was chosen to guess who they thought was holding it.  If they guessed correctly, the holder was told "You've been squashed!"  If, after three tries, the person doesn't guess correctly - well - they have been squashed!  We are nothing if not creative!  My nephew Scott's wife, Changting, arrived three weeks ago from China - her first time in the U.S. She learned many, many new things in those few days  - but had to be assured that "Pass the Squash" was not an old, traditional Thanksgiving game!

The singing began at the dinner table - as it always did around my grandparents' Thanksgiving table.  For the first time however - it moved on to Karaoke!  Oh my word - laughing and singing till we cried - another new tradition is born!

Family - that's what it is all about.