The cost of food – Butter is beautiful, but lard is also lovely. And so are gingersnaps.

Christmas is over for another year.  One of my favorite Christmas activities is Christmas baking but I didn’t do as much this year as I usually would. What slowed me down this year was the cost of ingredients, specifically the cost of butter.

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The Adventures of Miss Wigglyhead – All Dressed Up for Christmas

Well, it’s that time of year. The air smells like pine needles and fresh baked cookies. The holiday season must be here!

Miss Wigglyhead received an invitation to a Christmas party with some of her distant relatives who live somewhere out in the forest. She won’t say where, as like most Gnomes, they are very private and reclusive. She did want to make a good impression, so a new outfit was needed. 

Food in Jars Mastery Challenge – When the stars align: fermenting free milk

Making yogurt!

This month’s Food in Jars Mastery Challenge was all about using fermentation to preserve food. Despite the health benefits provided by fermented foods, I have never really been a fan. At least I wasn’t a fan until I realized that both sour dough bread and yogurt rely on fermentation to develop their unique flavors. And then my neighbour gifted me with a jug of milk that would go bad before she returned from her travels. Clearly the universe was telling me to make yogurt.

The Adventures of Miss Wigglyhead – Wonder Woman PJs and Albert Einstein Hair

“Some days you live in pajamas, and your hair kind-of has that Albert Einstein look.”
― A.D. Posey, Coffee Chatter

Dandelion Jelly – Sunshine in a jar.

I know that there are those who see dandelions as a nuisance but to me they are an early promise of warm summer days, sunshine, and time spent laughing with friends. When I came across this recipe on line, I just had to give it a try. After all, who can resist an jar full of sunshine and happiness.

Mini Lavender Bunny

Earlier this week, Miss Wigglyhead woke up from her long winter nap.  She took one look outside at the rain and said she was going back to bed until the sun and the hot weather returned. Unfortunately, she found that she could not fall back to sleep. And she was lonely. I made her this stuffed lavender bunny to keep her company and help her fall back to sleep. This bunny would also make a nice addition to an Easter basket or tucked under a child’s pillow to help them sleep.

Ragged Edges – a new pillow

Earlier this year I made a rag quilt for our local daycare. I like rag quilting because it is easy and quick. The end results are cozy and have a tactile appeal that improves over time and with washing.