O Winter! frozen pulse and heart of fire, What loss is theirs who from thy kingdom turn Dismayed, and think thy snow a sculptured urn Of death! Far sooner in midsummer tire
The streams than under ice. June could not hire Her roses to forego the strength they learn In sleeping on thy breast. No fires can burn The bridges thou dost lay where men desire In vain to build.
O Heart, when Love’s sun goes To northward, and the sounds of singing cease, Keep warm by inner fires, and rest in peace. Sleep on content, as sleeps the patient rose.
Walk boldly on the white untrodden snows, The winter is the winter’s own release.
Winter is officially here, with the frigid temperatures, snowy weather and grey skies. Not much fun to be outdoors right now; inside seems much more appealing. I think the best part of winter is making the inside pleasant, warm and cozy. I like to be welcomed home each afternoon by simple textures, muted colors and lots of elements to make me smile. It’s not my favorite season but cozy makes it so much more bearable. Grab a hot chocolate and enjoy my winter touches.
But not too much…This happy guy is comfy on a stack of antique quilts. Our snowy backyard with our garden so still. Dried oranges and plaid say winter is here. Cozy shoes for the Princess!
Of 2024 Christmas pictures are dropping, it already feels like a very long time ago. I miss them but getting the house simple and cozy for winter is the next project. I hope they bring you joy!
The tree!The fireplaceCozy SantaDressed up tobacco basket Beautiful Angel BandA collection of treesOur snow arrived…and arrived. We haven’t had snow like this in forever. My Hero and Princess are off on a snowy adventure.
It’s going to snow, supposedly a lot, tonight. School and work are closed, the snow shovel is out of the garage, snow pants and gloves are at the ready and the hot chocolate waits some heat. It will give us some time to take down the Christmas decorations…that makes me a little sad but I’m ready for some quiet areas inside to rest my eyes. I will miss the joy Christmas items can bring, I hope the photos bring joy as well.
Chinese cabinet dressed up with a wreath. Stockings at the readyI love this ceramic tree and my little elvesTable dressed up for Christmas Antique sleigh bells. Happy Princess in green
It has been pretty gloomy weather wise this holiday season. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it does draw you to the more cozy elements of life. Quiet times inside, good books, hot chocolate, warm socks and Holiday movie marathons. I think my decor really reflects “cozy” this year. Lots of layered fabrics, vintage touches and natural elements. Our master bedroom is probably my favorite spot beside my new kitchen.
We traveled for the holidays to Philadelphia to visit family and experienced the first white Christmas for quite some time. I’m usually pretty eager to take down Christmas after the 25th but this year I think we will enjoy the season a little bit longer. We have some time before school starts again, so some more time can be had in our Christmas house before it is all tucked away until next year.
Simple greenery in stone wear with some vintage angels.More greenery and some Christmas books on my antique table. The topper was a thrift shop find. Lucky finds years apart. The pillow is perfect with my antique quilt.Beloved Santas top an antique Chinese chest. A throwback to a Christmas long past. We miss Pop reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.
I could not believe it when I looked at my calendar and saw that Christmas was three days away. Last week was packed with so much activity; parties, cookie making, last minute shopping and school Christmas concerts…I need a break from all the fun. I truly enjoy the season but need to remember to slow down and be still with all the beauty. I love to decorate my home but I’m often so rushed I only glance at it as I rush out the door. Do you feel this way? Well, slow down and enjoy our foyer in all its glory.
Holiday touches on the benchI love the Santas on our steps.Our nativity collection. So precious to us. So many memories are attached to them. Antique family ornaments sparkle and shine, surrounded by festive berries. Also, ten years ago our family became complete with the adoption of our Princess. Oh how tiny she was!
I used to really enjoy a very glitzy, over the top approach to Christmas decor. I loved sparkle, gold, glitter and super shiny elements. The intention was to show a little sophistication, I think. I can’t deny the beauty of a glitz, but it never felt like me…almost like playing pretend. I’ve really been embracing a more nature, vintage and whimsical look…I mean, who doesn’t love a collection of antique Santas. Oh, I still have “stuff”, maybe too much, but the holidays seem more peaceful and family focused. This is a good thing.
Antique postcardsThe church that was always under my Grandmother’s tree.Antique milk bottles with vintage bottle brush trees.Some of my favorite Santas. Snowflake alley…an Annapolis tradition.
It has been a busy few weeks. We decided to check off something from a bucket list and spend our Thanksgiving Break in NYC. It was a wonderful trip despite the rainy parade…we stuck it out for over an hour before the fear of hypothermia set in. Luckily we followed up with a circus afternoon followed by a great meal. The 11 year old Princess was very content.
When we returned we had to hit the ground running as far as Christmas decor. It was so much fun to decorate our new kitchen for really the first time. I love how it turned out. We are leaning toward a more vintage and simple look. Maybe we achieved it…Let me know!
Our picture window in the kitchen. A little baking arrangement A cozy corner for relaxation. I love to use fresh greensSweet little kitchen treeParade in the rain…we were devoted.
So always expect the unexpected, or maybe not so unexpected if you think about it. Brand new kitchen addition downstairs, old unrenovated bathroom upstairs, a ceiling that houses a warren of pipe and valves and stuff over said new kitchen and well…you may just be able to take a shower without going upstairs. Yes, it was a mess but luck, and a good contractor was on our side. Our planned holiday decorating was pushed back a bit. I don’t enjoy delays but we seem to be back on track. I was craving a bit of comfort, however, and what is more comforting than smooth, homemade rice pudding, with the added convenience of a slow cooker. Plus, your house will smell great!
The Usual Cast of Characters
4 cups milk
½ cup white sugar
½ cup long-grain white rice
1 tablespoon margarine
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
The Steps to Glory
1.Stir 4 cups milk, sugar, and rice together in a slow cooker until sugar dissolves. Add margarine, cover, and cook on High for 2 1/2 hours.
2. Whisk egg, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla, almond extract, and salt together in a bowl.
3. Pour a small amount hot rice mixture into egg mixture, whisking quickly so egg doesn’t cook. Pour mixture back into the slow cooker and whisk until combined. Continue to cook on High until creamy, about 15 more minutes.
4.Transfer pudding to a glass baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap leaving two corners uncovered to vent, and refrigerate until chilled completely, at least 1 hour.
It was a long week…I saw this recipe…I had all the ingredients…I made it…all was right again.
The Usual Cast of Characters
1 frozen puff pastry sheet
2-3 small/medium apples, peeled (I used a both Granny Smith and Honey Crisp)
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice, fresh
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
dash of salt
pinch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg
2 Tbsp. butter, cut into small cubes
1/3 cup preserves ( I used Pumpkin Spice)
The Steps to Glory
1. Allow puff pastry to thaw at room temperature for ~30 minutes.
2. Slice the peeled apples ¼ inch thick. Add them to a mixing bowl.
3. To the apples, add the sugars, lemon juice, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir to combine and set aside.
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F
5. Unwrap the thawed puff pastry and remove the paper, place on work surface, lightly flour the pastry and roll it out.
6. Score the pastry using a sharp knife around the edges, about ¼ inch from the edge. It should not cut all the way through, you’re basically making a square inside so the edges will puff up properly as it bakes.Then poke the inside of the puff pastry all around with a fork.
7. Spread an even layer of preserve on the bottom of the puff pastry. I just used the back of a spoon to make it even.
8. Arrange the apples on top, leaving the juices behind, making them in a pretty pattern. Just make sure they aren’t piled on top of each other too much because it will get mushy. Dot cubed butter over the tops of the apples.
Bake for ~30 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the apples are tender
A Day of Small Things... 