Designing in Life

Be Careful What You Wish

I was supposed to make a trip to South Jersey to visit my sisters this weekend, but we got some snow...well actually, quite a bit – about 24 inches.  Yes, I did want some snow on the ground, but didn't think we'd get this much.  It is heavy and wet and a shovel-full weighs about 20 pounds.   So I haven't been out there happily shoveling.  It is now raining a bit and the temperature is in the mid 30's so who knows how much will be there tomorrow – except for the news that we are supposed to get some more by the weekend.  Oh let's face it, what they say is true...if you don't like the weather in Vermont, just wait a minute!

We lost power for a little more than 24 hours.  Coffee in the morning was made on the camp stove.  Dinner that night was whatever could be found without opening the refrigerator or freezer.  Wine?  You bet.  We fired up the wood stove, lit the fireplace and as many candles as I could find, then settled in to listen to Public Radio on a battery operated radio.  No complaints.  And now in pictures...

Heavy snow bending branches out back

Clothesline hanging low with heavy snow.

The snow was so wet, it was very, very blue when you dug into it.   Everyone talked about this today.  It was sort of like the blue icebergs in Alaska.

A fire and a lot of candles.

I know that anyone living in the middle-Atlantic states have had it far worse than we have.  We just happen to be prepared for it, knowing that if it snows, it might mean we'll be doing some indoor "winter camping."

What's For...Dessert!

No matter what your eating habits are, you know as well as I do that every once-in-awhile you just want something sweet.  So what's a person to do who is cutting down on dairy, wheat and sugar when it comes to dessert?  How about chocolate pudding!

This is a very basic cornstarch pudding with some alterations to fit my new eating habits.  It's topped with some unsweetened organic coconut.  I am not a chocoholic like so many of my friends, but the occasional chocolate dessert is certainly satisfying in the sweet department. 

Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding (makes 4 servings)

Melt in the top of a double broiler:
1 oz unsweetened chocolate

Stir in slowly:
1/4 plus 3 tablespoons Agave Nectar
1 3/4 Cup almond milk (unsweetened)
1/4 tsp. salt
Heat these ingredients to the boiling point.

In 1/4 cup almond milk, dissolve 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Stir the cornstarch slowly into the hot milk mixture.  Cook over boiling water for 10 minutes stirring  constantly.  Add 1/4 cup chocolate chips or chocolate bits. (make sure it's a dark chocolate of high grade)

Stir for a minute, then cover and cook 10-12 minutes more.  Cool by stirring very gently.  Add:
1 tsp. vanilla

Scrape pudding into a small bowl or individual dishes.  Sprinkle with coconut, pistachios or toasted almonds.

Enjoy!

A Little Gift Left Behind

I did a little walk-around outside when I got home this evening and found something Chloe had left just for me!

Snow, No Snow, Snow, No Snow

I have woken up to snow several days over the past week, only to have it gone by early afternoon.  Last Wednesday, when I got home from work, it was light enough outside to go for a walk.  The sky had that "something's going to happen" look to it.

I walked down behind the house into the field below.  The Adirondacks in the background have snowy peaks, but as you can see, not much down here.

Looking to the north, the clouds reflect the setting sun.

That's the Otter Creek, covered in ice in snow and a closer look at the Adirondacks.

As the sun set, the sky took on a personality all its own.  Definitely something brewing.

And this is what we woke up to on Thursday morning.

It was a beautiful drive to work.

I couldn't get out of the car to take a picture of the Otter Creek below the bridge (someone was behind me) but I think you can see what makes the morning drive a nice one.

And I drive through this covered bridge every day.  Not everyone gets to do that! Believe it or not, the snow was just about gone by the end of the day.

Today I went to Charlotte with my friend Caryn to help with her horses, Odie and Avalon.  Avalon is on the mend and needs a little extra TLC.  I am not a horse person, and have very little experience with them.  When I was young, I did go on two trail rides, and my neighbors had horses who I would feed grass to whenever I had the chance. That's by no means experience with horses.  I have to say, though, horses have always intrigued me with their strength, and also that feeling that they know something I don''t.  There are no horses in my future, but it sure is rewarding to go and help when I can.

From the Weekend

Thought I'd show you some pictures from the weekend.  I did get a call from Chloe today asking if I could mail her "dog" to her.  I gave her a little stuffed dog for Valentine's Day, which she forgot to take.  I'll drop it in the mail tomorrow.

Chloe swinging.

Phoebe and Chloe doing who-knows-what to Nick!

Phoebe watching Peter Pan.

These two little girls are just growing up too fast, don't you think?  I probably won't see them until April, so I'm glad I got to spend the weekend with them...oh, and their mom and dad too!

Feeling Better

I was clobbered by a cold last week.  Yup, pretty beat up.  I thought I had kicked it before it really got started, but I was wrong.  Now that I'm on the mend, Nick has it.  Not good...not good at all.  He's off for the rest of the week though, so I'm hoping he'll just lie low.

The bathroom is moving ahead. The exhaust fan is in and the electrical outlets are in place. We are now looking at fixtures and talking about floors, but I saw this really great idea for holding books.

A shorter version would be perfect in the bathroom.  Our upstairs bathroom is incredibly small; not even room for a basket to hold any magazines or books.  I bought a mailbox and hung it on the wall as a catch-all for loose reading materials.  It was an easy fix.

Beth, Jim, Chloe and Phoebe were here for a visit over the long weekend.  It's always fun to have them visit.  I got to watch Peter Pan twice!  Doesn't get any better than that.  Sadly there was no snow for them to go out and play in, but I did get the swing out and Chloe had fun swinging, while Phoebe watched with Nick from the window.  I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

Valentine's Cards

Last year I made these cards and left them on each person's desk at work.  They're very sweet and would make a nice little card for kids to give.  If you'd like to whip up some for yourself here is the link to Bunny Cakes craft blog where you can download the pdf.

I'm starting to wonder what I'm going make this year!?  I'd better get started!

Keeping Little Heads Warm

A workmate makes these little hats and sends them off to her daughter who teaches kindergarten.  She's made about 26 of them this year.  They get sent home with the kids, they keep some at school for just-in-case and some have found their way into first grade.

I'm not sure what pattern she uses, but will be happy to ask if anyone wants to make one. 

Sunday Breakfast

Actually, it's usually brunch because it's not made until after 10:00. (Hmm, is that when brunch starts?)  Usually there are over-easy eggs, toast and fruit. Occasionally we have Dakin Farm turkey bacon or a vegan sausage with the eggs.  This past weekend, however, I really wanted French toast.  Secretly though, I think I really wanted some good ole maple syrup.  Our neighbor has a little sugar shack that gets started up as soon as we have some sunny, above freezing days.  I sure am looking forward to the smell of the wood smoke coming from his sugar shack that is a sure sign that the weather is getting warmer!