Thoughts of Spring

We had a warm, cozy fire over the weekend.

Every time we have a fire in the fireplace, we always ask ourselves why we don't have them more often. For some reason, our fires are lit in the coldest months of winter. As I suggested to Mike, a summer fire...with the windows thrown open and the chirping of crickets outside...why haven't we done that? 

My hydrangeas are already budding, inspiring some spring reading (or at least the thought of spring reading)!

I added an orchid to the mantle in anticipation of the changing seasons.

Ever since the babies arrived, we've been spending most of our days in this room (which was tidied up before I took pictures!). For wear and tear (and spills and leaks), I typically throw a quilt over the couch. Baby swing is by Nature's Purest. 

Flea Market Style

This past summer, I got the nicest note from the beautiful and talented Heather Bullard. She was writing to say that she would like to mention my blog in Flea Market Style.  Needless to say, I felt quite honored.

Today I received a copy of the their newest issue with the piece that highlighted a selection of design blogs.

The other blog categories ranged from "Best for gals who love power tools" (Funky Junk Interiors) and 'Best before- and-after posts" (Miss Mustard Seed's Creative Blog), to "Best home decor inspiration" (My Sweet Savannah), and "Best if you swoon over white" (Home and Harmony).  

Thank you Flea Market Style!

Pumpkin Walnut Muffins

I've experienced another hiccup in my pure and utter devotion to being waited on hand and foot. Once again, the hiccup is in the form of a baked good. I made these with pumpkin from our summer garden. Hubby (as I was a pumpkin myself at eight months pregnant), cooked, pureed and froze the pumpkins we had remaining after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Besides having a baked good craving, I was also eager to try baking with xylitol, a natural sugar substitute (inspired once again by my friend Karen). I used it (equal parts) in place of the granulated sugar.

They were good...didn't miss the processed sugar one bit.

Once again, this recipe comes from my new favorite gluten-free baking book, Gluten Free Baking Classics. I've also made these recipes Huckleberry Muffins, and Banana Walnut Muffins.

Recipe:

1 3/4 cups brown rice flour
1 cup granulated sugar xylitol
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons molasses
1 cup pumpkin puree
I added a handful of chopped walnuts 


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix flour through cloves in large mixing bowl.
Combine eggs, water, oil, molasses and pumpkin in seperate bowl. Whisk to blend.
Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix with blender just until blended.
Add walnuts.
Pour batter into muffin tins - makes one dozen.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until done.
Cool on wire rack.

P.S. Information on bird transfer ware here. 

Simple Pleasures

Since Hubby has continued to do all of our grocery shopping, I keep finding our kitchen filled with delectable little surprises - like these beautiful organic kiwi.

I love their fuzzy skin and their vibrant green sweetness. 

And speaking of fuzzy...Graham's hair is coming in. 

We gobble him up all day long. xo

The Green Winter

Winter came early this year. But it seems that Old Man Winter used up his snowflakes all at once because it's looking a lot like spring around here. In fact, things are so green that we've been graced with our first show of flowers.  

I caught sight of them from our bedroom window and still in my nightgown, decided to go outside and give them a proper welcome. 

Here's a small bouquet that I brought inside. For such little flowers, they have an amazingly strong fragrance. It's a fragrance very similar to that of gardenias.    

Here they are smiling after being in the warm house for a few hours. My friend Catherine told us that they are called  Snowdrops and bloom in early spring.  

Welcome sweet little Snowdrops.