5 generations

Thanksgiving day was a mad house.  But there is much to be thankful for.  This picture basically says it all.  We had 5 generations of family in the house.  100 years.  My Grandmother is 101.  Small Mister is 1.  What more is there to be thankful for?  We had 17 adults at the table and 6 kids.  My Beloved had his brother and his wife and best friend there as well.  There was much conversation.  Good food.  But the pie did not last until breakfast (I need to make another pumpkin pie).

It was hard to leave the next day.  It was the first Thanksgiving we have spent with my family since we were married due to my Beloved's job up until now.  My Dad had all his grandchildren under the roof at one time.

Another thing to be thankful, my Beloved's knives was part of the Bon Appetit gift giving list.  

It has been a lovely year.

Thanksgiving week

We went to our land for Thanksgiving week.  The land had gone from being under a fire watch to being under a flood watch.  

We had lots of rain, a little bit of sun, a little bit of snow.  We walked in the mud, worked in the mud, and got stuck in the mud.

The boys really did not wish to come inside.

But when they did, it was time for tea, quiet, and sleep.

We are home now.  Not really wishing to be.  Wishing we were back in the colder rain.

steel cut oats

My Beloved went to make oatmeal last week.  I got told the recipe is not here so I am rectifying that error.

I actually like steel cut oats the best.  They cook in a 1 to 4 ratio.  1 oat to 4 water or milk.  I have two favorite ways to make them.

steel cut oats in a thermos

1/2 cup oats

2 cups boiling water

1 pint thermos

Put the oats in the thermos.  Cover with water.  Seal the thermos.  Take out in the morning and reheat.

Now lets be honest, I really never measure the water, I just fill the thermos.  You will need to play with how much water works best for you.  You can make your oats very runny or very thick by just the amount of water you use.

steel cut oats in a pan

1 cup steel cut oats

4 cups water

Start this the night before.  In a deep pan with a lid, put the oats and water.  Bring to a boil.  Turn off the burner and cover.  Let sit overnight.  Reheat in the morning until they are hot enough for you.  If you wish, you can reheat in a cast iron skillet with some butter and you can have bits of crispies.

This is the really exciting part of today.

This Small Mister turned one today.

He is well loved and full of joy.  Happy Birthday!

a letterpress

Today we had another cookie decorating party.  We had a small turn out because everyone has been busy!  We were lucky to get it done this month.  I even tried a new gluten free cookie recipe but the one person who would have really wanted it has been sick and did not come.  Next time maybe.  Then I can tell you how it worked.  There was a large pot of potato soup and a large basket of rolls.  It made it very good.

I bought myself a letterpress.  My friend Ed found it on craigslist.  He knows what I like.  I went and looked at it and it came home with me.  With more then was in the ad.  I still have bits and pieces to buy to make a print but I am part way there.  I am very quietly excited.  I will be more excited when I have bits and pieces and print something.  

Now, I need that drum carder!  Then my current need for tools is satisfied.

spinning wheel!

I just had to share another picture from our trip.  This was near our campsite.  It makes me smile to see it.

I mentioned that I bought a bit of fiber at SAFF.  Here it is.  Half of this will need skirting, washing, and carding before I can spin it.  The other half just needs to be carded.  Looking at this pile I realized that I really need a drum carder.  I should be ordering it at the end of this week.  Tools!  I am a tool junky!

The tool I brought home with me was a new spinning wheel.  It is a Lendrum.  It is so easy to put together, unless of course Pirate King Malarkey takes over and tells you his adventures on the high sea.

Once I had a little sleep after the drive home, I started spinning.  I spun a pound of fiber in an afternoon and evening.  There was life that kept me from going straight through but that is okay.  I really like this spinning wheel.  My Beloved observed that I was never this comfortable using my older one.

And there would never been a way I could spin with Small Mister on my lap.  He finds my spinning wheel almost as fascinating as my sewing machine.  This wheel has many less pieces that can hurt him if a finger goes towards it while I am spinning.

I think this wheel is just wonderful.  It folds down so I can take it with me.  I can spin in my rocking chair or watching videos on the "couch."  The Pirate King Malarkey can tell me tales of the high seas from my lap.  Life is good and full of smiles.