A rainy Fall morning…

From a high of 90* to cold,wet, rainy mornings- all in the space of a week, this Fall is behaving strangely, indeed! So glad I washed the floors while it was hot and dry a few days ago. Now it’s on to prepping dinner for the weekend (a Pot Roast, Indian Tacos, Lemon Chicken and lots of Mashed Potatoes! Oh, and a trial run of a new Stuffing recipe. Only it’s not going into a bird, so maybe it’s a Dressing recipe? Hmm…), making a Quilt Sandwich (it’s about time, I know), and lots of tinkering in the Christmas Workshop. I love this time of year, lots of new ideas flying around (some even landing on paper), tables strewn with half-finished  projects, slivers of paper, hanks of yarn, swatches of fabric and bottles of paint. Bliss!

It’s hard to believe it was so hot last weekend, sitting here today with the rain coming down right outside my window, the chilly air making the house cold and brisk. That sweet face up above greeted us to Julian last Saturday, just as he has a few times this year- very quiet and curious, such a pretty boy! The trees are turning from green to brilliant reds, oranges and yellows up in the mountains this month- so refreshing! And exhilarating really. Our house in the city is on a bit of a ridge, so no trees around us here, just windswept streets with the occasional bush. There’s no shelter from the heat, sun or rain here- very different from our last house, come to think of it. That was more of  Hobbity-hole, all surrounded by trees, huddled under the stairs on the first floor. This place feels more of an Aerie- a windswept nest of Eagle people perched high atop a vast mountain…hmmm, she’s quite poetic today, isn’t she?

So- cooking, baking, cleaning, crafting, sewing and maybe even some Gaming to do today. Busy, busy, busy. Where are my Faeries? No time for dawdling today boys, there’s work to do!

A Second Breakfast Celebration

Happy Second Breakfast! It was a wild party- all the Dwarves showed up, shedding their scarves and hats hither and yon. Even Gandalf dropped by- he left his bag by the bookcase! I hope he remembers to come by and pick it up before the movie premiers- he might need it for his opening scene…

While they were planning their route to take on the Dragon Smaug, I noticed somebody eavesdropping by the door…

Do you see him? Bilbo is such a little fellow, he fits in with the Hallway décor!

 

 

 

Thorin insisted on writing up an Itinerary for the festivities, which Bilbo updated with a few necessary items, namely the Washing Up, which any good Hobbit can tell you is Very Important for any impending adventure preparations!

I suppose you’re interested in learning what they ate whilst planning their epic journey, eh? Well, there were a few things laid out…

Bunting makes a good, cheerful atmosphere for any planning party…

 

 

 

There were Sausages, nicely plump and browned in apple cider…

There was a good dish of gruel (requested by Bombur as an appetizer), and a plate of Cheese and Pickles…

A proper pot of Tea with a plate of Scones for Gandalf- notice that rather ostentatious saque by the bookcase…

A few boiled eggs for the youngsters Fili and Kili, along with a few choice jams, jellies, and mustard …

and lastly a beautiful crusty Beer Bread set out with a full crock of butter was set out for Thorin’s enjoyment.

  Gandalfs traveling bag caused quite a stir-  everyone had to go get his to show of their skills!

 

 

 

A bit of bunting was strung up to give a bit of cheer to the grim proceedings, and Gandalf threw a bunch of maps and travelogues on top of the bookcase when he sat down..

For some reason Bilbo has a model of the tavern The Foot and Fang on his bookshelf…

 

 

 

A few hours later they all took their leave after many “thanks’”  “lovely party’s” and several suspicious lumps in their sacks. Upon closing the door I discovered every last crumb had been swept up and even the heel from the loaf had been taken. Hrrumph! I don’t know whether to be glad- no leftovers to pack away- or despondent- no leftovers for lunch tomorrow! Oh well, at least now I know to make a bit more for next year’s party.

Thank you for stopping by our little Second Breakfast celebration- have a Great Weekend everyone!

Autumn’s Herald

Would you believe I have no pictures of my knitting? None? I’ll have to give you a picture of a kitty to look at while we chat:

 

 

She is getting ready to play hostess for tomorrows Second Breakfast party…

 

 

It is officially knitting weather around these parts- at least in the early morning, when it’s nice and cool. There is a Pixie Pouch that’s been on the needles all summer that I’m finally finishing up, and a new one in black that’s going lickety-split fast since last night. Funny how that works- try a new pattern for the first time and it takes for ever to get done, but do one in straight stitch and it goes together almost faster than I can see!

I made my first table runner yesterday, the easy way- split a length in two and seamed it together to make a really long piece, then just hemmed the edges. This fabric already has a cute little fringe edge along the selvedge, so I just left that to make a ready-made fringe! And the best thing is it’s the perfect width for a little Fall shawl, too!

And lastly- this year has been a hectic one, mostly due to my inability to listen to my own heart. Forcing myself to slow down and get back to my basics has been really hard to implement, but I’m glad I did- this Fall has been a lot more comfortable once I slowed my pace down a bit. Some things I had wanted to do this year just aren’t going to happen- no matter how much I want them to, or how much effort I put into it. Working myself into the ground, and becoming a grumbly bear to my loved ones, isn’t worth it in the end. I’m very grateful for what I have in this life, and I’m a lucky girl for having them. Sometimes its better to say Thank You, and leave the rest to find it’s own way to your door.

A Hobbit’s Tea

Did you know that it’s Hobbit Week ? And that this Friday is Hobbit Day? I know! I’ve been reading The Hobbit this month, and just discovered this awesomeness myself. So I immediately had to plan a Hobbit Day Party, with all the trimmings. Here’s what we have so far:

We will be participating in Second Breakfast, which is this Friday. Interesting, because it is also Mabon, and there is also a birthday in the family! So much to do, so little time…

A new table runner has been made, inspired by this little scene I cooked up whilst doing a dry run for Second Breakfast:

See all the props back there? I had a few of those beanpot jug-teapotty things already, and knew they’d be just perfect for this, so I went down to the thrift store to find more, and well, just look!

I am just totally in love with these little dishes- and that glass jug! That is sending me over the moon. So I’ve had to sew up some new things to go along with the new colourway.

Now, on to the menu…

Sausages! Hobbits are forever eating sausages in the movies, and the book, so I made up a batch of Turkey Apple-Sage-Allspice Sausage Patties.

Bread. As you can see in the photo above, a nice plump, golden brown loaf was baked this week, just for the occasion. Ahem. And promptly eaten! We may have to bake another, the day of, just to make it last long enough to actually be eaten at the party!

Scones might be nice, so I whipped up a batch of Maple & Brown Sugar Scones. Yummy!

Mushrooms, of course, since everyone knows Hobbits love Mushrooms. Stuffed or Stewed, I’m not sure which yet. Hmm, maybe both?

Tea, of course- we love tea, I actually prefer it over coffee. Which is featured in the book prominently, so perhaps I ought to include that as well?

Ale. Since the weather has started it’s turn to cooler nights and mornings, I’ve been fancying a bit of crusty, yeasty Beer Bread, so I might just bake up a loaf of that as well…

And that’s as far as I’ve gotten in the food department. Quite nice I think. The Faeries are just over the moon with excitement- they think I’m celebrating their birthdays, since they love all the brown and greens in the house this Fall! Silly Faeries, haven’t they ever heard of a Hobbit before?

So I’m off to see what else I can whip up for the party! This is such fun already- don’t you just love the planning part the best? Ta!

Fall sewing- and a Hobbit or two…

Mama’s little helper:

We (she owns half of everything brought into this house!) bought some new fabric for a few very special Fall projects.

High loft interfacing. A very important part of my crafting!

Lots of yummy Fall colours!

Some of you might remember this little guy. I made hima few years back, but now he’s so apropo! It’s my version of a hobbit- right down to his little vest and pants! Now all he needs are some hairy feet…

Happy Weekending everyone!