holiday greetings, day 15...

Today, December 15th, is National Lemon Cupcake Day. This POST at ifood.tv/blog is a post titled "How to Celebrate National Lemon Cupcake Day" if you feel like celebrating go check it out. While I am baking today and hope to post the recipe later on my kitchen blog I prefer chocolate to lemon at this time of year. That being said I have several cupcake ornaments maybe the pink frosted one above is lemon and you never know - the chocolate frosted one could be too.
More likely it is the white frosted one with sprinkles...
or one of the many on this cake tray.
Still, it could be the one Santa chose to hold today or the wooden one which is actually a recipe card holder but I decided to hang it on the tree this month.
I have a very small galley kitchen but managed to find room by the sink for a tiny "foodie" tree which I just love.
Keeping it real by showing a tiny peek that yes those are dirty dishes in the sink below after all I am baking today.
I love all the ornaments on this tree...some are gifts but most are bought by me at thrift shops and some new that I couldn't resist. Among my favorites are this toaster...
a box of petit fours...
cherry cheesecake in a cloche...
a kettle and blender...
and several plates for the dish lover in me.
Heck, who am I kidding - I love them all. There are faux cookies, candy treats & many cookie cutters. Spoons, veggies & fruits. A grater & whisk, teapot & tea cup. It is so fun to take this tree out each year because the food ornaments are just too cute.
Holiday Greetings to All! May your day be filled with SWEET SURPRISES!

Holiday greetings, day 14...

I accidently did my winter whites tablesetting post on the garden blog so if you saw it before I moved it to my kitchen blog - my apologies. A peek below of the sparkling setting.
A female hairy woodpecker enjoying some zick dough (peanut butter, lard, cornmeal, flour and birdseed). I thought I would show you something edible today since most of December's national holidays seem to involve food. Did you know that today, December 14, is National Bouillabaisse Day
While I like to cook and even started a second blog to highlight new recipes, I had to actually use google to see what bouillabaisse is :) The following information was copied from the website punchbowl.com.
December 14, 2010 is National Bouillabaisse Day

Bouillabaisse is a tasty fish stew that originated in Marseilles, France around 600 B.C. The Phoceans actually founded Marseilles so the stew was referred to back then in Greek as "kakavia." Bouillabaisse also appears in Roman mythology as a soup that Venus feeds to Vulcan. Today, bouillabaisse is an extremely popular dish across the Mediterranean.

When bouillabaisse is made, it is rarely made for fewer than ten people. The more people that share the meal, the more different varieties of fish that are included in the stew and thus, the more tasty the bouillabaisse.

Marseille fishermen typically make the dish when they return to port. Rather than using the more expensive fish that they catch, they use common fish like rockfish and shellfish. Different herbs and spices are also added to the soup for flavor such as garlic, orange peel, basil, saffron, and bay leaf. Vegetables like tomatoes, onions, celery, and potatoes also began to be added during the 17th century.

To celebrate today, try your hand at making your own bouillabaisse stew for your family to enjoy!

I wish you all Happy Holidays whether you want to celebrate Winter Whites as I did at Kathleen's blog party, or if you plan to try your hand at making bouillabaisse. Man that word is hard to spell and type!

holiday greetings, day 13...

December 12th was National Ambrosia Day as well as Poinsettia day. I wish I had my poinsettia from last year to show you again. It was a beautiful "ruffled" blossoming one and I saved it all winter to plant in the garden over the summer. I had great intentions of digging it back out and hopefully it would bloom once again but I forgot before the first frost hit and killed it instantly.
Today, December 13th is National Cocoa Day, it is very cold here so I think I will enjoy a cup later with marshmallow creme or fluff as it is called in some areas of the country.
Wishing you all a Happy Cocoa Day - may you have a evening filled with warmth and joy.

happy holidays, day 11...

It's time to make pasta salad after all it is National Noodle-Ring Day! With dangerously cold wind chills and a storm in full force - I think I will opt for a soup with noodle rings instead :)As we look outside our windows a storm is blowing out the front windows but our backyard is protected by the wind so the many birds and creatures are enjoying breakfast in Santa's Garden.
After the squirrel had his fill of cracked corn on the sleigh he moved on to the feeders for some black oil sunflower seeds.
He took a break from munching to eat snow off the top of this red birdhouse.
When I filled the feeders yesterday I put peanuts in the shell in this snowman's hat but with the fresh snow the bluejays have yet to find them.
But someone seems to be eyeing the snowman...
thankfully he hasn't moved over to it yet.
It seems like we have had a lot of snow already this season so I was telling J that it would be a long winter. He said what do you mean "winter" it hasn't even officially started yet we are still in the last weeks of autumn! Yikes, thanks for reminding me...

Happy Holidays! I wish you all a wonderful weekend filled with joy, love & family!

happy holidays, day 10...

I missed blogging the December 9th holiday - it was National Pastry Day. Today, December 10th is Human Rights Day. I have been busy finishing some holiday projects around the house and planning some more projects for when I am snowed in this weekend. We are anticipating more nasty weather and are currently in a blizzard warning - this could be a LONG winter!
Happy Holidays, stay safe if you are going to be experiencing winter weather in your neck of the woods.

holiday greetings, day 8...

Happy Holidays! Did you know that today is National Brownie Day? To celebrate I baked a batch of snowflake shaped brownies and enjoyed one this morning with a cup of coffee while enjoying watching the birds outside my window. I've blogged before about how I tie a dead tree branch to my bird feeder pole each winter in order to have more natural looking bird photos. Here it is right outside the window by my favorite chair.
For the past 3 mornings we have had hoar frost covered trees and by mid-morning the frost falls off like a gentle snowfall. While taking some photos of the birds visiting this am, I managed to capture some of the frost crystals on the branch below.
The goldfinches were happy to pose for me...

along with a male white-breasted nuthatch.


The bluejays and...
the juncos were not quite as cooperative, but I managed a few quick snaps that froze their action.
All the birds made a hasty exit when Ruger appeared for one of his frequent walk throughs - a good dog always has to patrol his territory :) Look at all the frost crystals on his back from his morning walk through the grove!
J is home and outside so Hershey is a one man dog and has to constantly stay by his side - no patroling for him today :)

Holiday Greetings and Best Wishes to all...I wish you a day filled with "sweet surprises" whether it is an actual treat like a brownie or a sweet gesture of love!

p.s. If you are interested in the photos of the tablesetting fair I mentioned I participated in this weekend you can find those photos, HERE, on my kitchen blog.

holiday greetings, day 7...

Best Wishes, for today is National Cotton Candy Day! Doesn't the above hoar frost covered tree look a little fluffy like cotton candy with this morning's early am pink skies behind it?

The most well known observance today is Pearl Harbor Day and I was able to photograph lots of WWII era airplanes at a local air show this past June. I chose this photo because it is also International Civil Aviation Day.

Our personal favorite way to celebrate December 7th is to wish our niece, Tiana, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Isn't she gorgeous? She is just as fun as this photo portrays. I just love this photo she had taken as one of her shots for her graduation photos. Her family is so creative thinking of the "frame" photo shoot idea and we copied them at my family's gathering this past weekend as you saw in yesterday's post.

There is one more holiday listed for December 7th and that is that it is Letter Writing Day.

Dear Readers,

Thank you so much for coming to visit my little garden of life photoblog. I hope you always find at least one photo you enjoy each and every day.

I wish you the very best this holiday season. Today, I remember and honor all those who served our country following Pearl Harbor day, especially my uncle Walter. Please join me in celebrating their courage and service to our country.

If you wish, please also join me in celebrating life and wishing all who celebrate birthdays today a Great Day, especially Tiana!

Sincerely,

Marsha

holiday greetings, day 6...

As you can see above, I had a busy and FUN weekend with family and participating in a table setting event (which I hope to share in a future post). I am behind on sending my holiday greetings so a little catch up is in order...
December 4th - National Cookie Day and Wear Brown Shoes Day
December 5th - Walt Disney's birthday, Bathtub Party Day
and today...
St. Nicholas Day, Mitten Tree Day, and Put On Your Own Shoes Day.
While I have heard of St. Nicholas Day and understand it is celebrated in many European countries I myself am not familiar with it. I have put on my own shoes for many years and do not see too much a reason to celebrate it but I love the mitten tree tradition. We have one in our church and there are several located in the area retail stores. A mitten tree is a tree put out by a charitable organization and decorated with paper mittens on which are written a child in need by sex, age, likes and dislikes. A person may take and sign out one or more mittens and buy Christmas presents specifically for the anonymous child(ren) and return them to the organization who makes sure they are delivered in time for Christmas usually along with a food basket for the entire family. Jayme & I have shopped for these "mittens" together on our yearly shopping weekend for years - this year we went out before the mitten tree was up but will both individually do our part, she through her work and me through our church. If you are able I too hope you find a tree to participate with.

Today, I wish you FUN with those you love like I did this weekend and discovering the JOY of helping others in need. Happy Holidays!

holiday greetings, day 3...

Remember in the last post when I said the weather was looking to be good for the visit of my family from California & Texas? Well here is today and tomorrow's forecast and it is really white out there already!
Winter Storm Warning
Hazardous Weather Outlook

This Afternoon: Snow. High near 20. East southeast wind around 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow. Low around 17. East wind 7 to 15 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 20. North northwest wind around 11 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -1. Wind chill values between -3 and -13. North northwest wind between 9 and 11 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 10. Northwest wind around 9 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -2.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 14.

They have all arrived safely in the state and are staying at my sister's through this storm. Hopefully we'll see them tomorrow.

I missed Dec. 2nd's holiday greetings because I was gone all day - it was National Fritters Day. Did anyone eat fritters? None were consumed in our household or yard :)
Today, Dec. 3rd has us celebrating the International Day of the Disabled Person and National Roof-Over-Your-Head Day. This is what I found on the first holiday: "The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by General Assembly in 1982. The official title of the Day was changed from International Day of Disabled Persons to International Day of Persons with Disabilities by General Assembly resolution 62/127 on 18 December 2007."

This is the info I found on askville on the National Roof-Over-Your-Head Day: "Today is National Roof Over Your Head Day. It is a day of appreciation for the things we have, starting with the roof over our heads. For most of us, a roof over our head signifies living in a house that protects us from the elements, keeping us warm, dry, and cozy. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as you and I. There are many homeless people right here in our country. Some people live in a cardboard box on the street...... literally. There are millions of people around the world who live in poverty or disaster areas, and do not have a home to kees them comfortable and safe.
Spend a few minutes appreciating your roof and home today, along with the many thins you have. And, also make a contribution to a homeless shelter, so others can come in out of the rain."

I think the above pictured squirrel was celebrating by eating under the snow covered gazebo today. Happy National Roof Over Your Head Day!
Today, I am happy to have a roof over my head during the nasty weather outside and that my Christmas dishes are all out and displayed.
Setting up all my holiday decorations including changing the dishes in this cupboard makes me happy :)
I wish you a safe environment to live and work, especially if you have a disability and I wish everyone a warm and cozy home to live in - I'm grateful for a roof over your heads! Happy Holidays all!

holiday greetings, day 1...

After yesterday's stormy day, I couldn't believe I spotted a robin outside this morning - they are usually long gone by now.What's with the Happy Holidays on the photo & the Season's Greetings in the header? December is such a joyful holiday month that I thought I would spend my blogging posts wishing you "Happy Holidays" each and every day! There is lots to celebrate this month and while most people don't celebrate all the special holidays I found when I googled December 2010 holidays it is fun to know they exist. Did you know that today, December 1st is: Eat a Red Apple Day, National Pie Day, World Aids Awareness Day and Hanukkah begins tonight at sunset?

I wish my friend, Carol, a Happy Hanukkah and I especially want to wish all my readers "good health"! Maybe, if we all celebrate and eat a red apple today we'll be on our way to a healthy & happy year ahead.

grateful, day 30...

Welcome to the final grateful post as November comes to a close. I hope those that participated looked for all the little things in life to be grateful for - I did it each and every day though I didn't always get a chance to post and my journal "gratefuls" didn't really match the ones I put here for public viewing :)

1. I'm grateful to be safe and warm in my home today as the weather outside is nasty!

We had snow overnight and today the winds are blowing, reducing visibility and creating cold windchill temperatures.
I decided to photograph the birdhouses on the clematis trellis and took the above shot first. When I aimed my camera at the second house I spotted something...do you see it?
2. I'm grateful for spotting this little female downy woodpecker housed in the decorative birdhouse!

I imagine she is seeking shelter from the winds but staying close to the feeders today.
I've never spotted a woodpecker in a birdhouse before.
All of the above photos were edited to become lighter but in reality this is what it really looks like outside as I look to the east towards my neighbors yard and grove 1/2 mile away. I just heard on the news we got 8" of snow last night but the winds have blown it off the open fields already.
Same photo edited and lightened since you can't really see the grove on the first shot. You can also see all the snowflecks on my lens in the edited version.

On Thursday, my sister & bil are coming to Minnesota from their home in California for a long weekend of family gatherings. While they visit MN frequently they haven't come during a winter for over 30 years as our weather is too unpredictable and the 2 1/2 hour drive from the airport to our area is not always in the best road conditions. Another sister has nicknamed her a "California Cupcake" because "L" has lost her hearty Minnesota winter blood after living out of state all this time - in fact they are not allowed to complain it is cold in CA during the winter :)

3. Today, I am most grateful that my sister and brother-in-law are coming to visit from California and my brother and sister-in-law are also coming from Texas. I looked up the 7 day weather forecast and driving should be okay - just bring your warm coats! In gratefulness, we promise not to call you cupcakes :)

Today 11/30/2010 Hi: 20° Lo: 6°
Colder...windy...cloudy. Snow likely in the morning... Then a slight chance of snow in the afternoon. Areas of blowing and drifting snow through the day. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Highs around 20. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 45 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent. Night - Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy. Lows around 5 above. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph.

Wednesday 12/1/2010 Hi: 18° Lo: 9°
Partly cloudy. Highs 15 to 20. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Night - Mostly cloudy. Lows around 10 above. Northwest winds 5 mph.

Thursday 12/2/2010 Hi: 19° Lo: 11°
Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs around 20. Northwest winds 5 mph. Night - Partly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10.

Friday 12/3/2010 Hi: 25° Lo: 20°
Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in the afternoon. Highs 20 to 25. Night - Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows around 20.

Saturday 12/4/2010 Hi: 22° Lo: 6°
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Highs 20 to 25. Night - Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10.

Sunday 12/5/2010 Hi: 11° Lo: 5°
Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10. Highs around 15. Night - Mostly cloudy. Lows zero to 5 above zero.

Monday 12/6/2010 Hi: 12° Lo: 5°
Mostly cloudy. Lows zero to 5 above zero.