Wild Rose Petal and Lavender Jelly

So I've wanted to make Rose Jelly for sometime I've had it in Turkish Delights from Ireland and I loved it! But sadly the only roses in our garden mold and die before they can really be used. Then last week I had a beautiful idea, you see the country round abouts gets covered in wild roses this time of year (it smells heavenly). So today I made Wild Rose Petal and Lavender jelly! I'm so proud of myself. I also got a large manilla envelope in the mail, I maid the Dean's list! So awesome, I'm almost sad to not be going back to school next year. Below are the wild roses I was busily plucking and cleaning the better part of the day. I also found an excessively large patch of blackberries in bloom.

Flowers and Rain

Aren't these lavender and hibiscus macaroons  simply delightful I've been looking up recipes the better part of the afternoon and I had to share. It's still raining here, and I feel it's a little more like England every day. Tomorrow I'm going to make buckwheat pancakes for breakfast and then I will go flower picking and attempt to make some wild rose and lavender jelly. It promises to be a wonderful day, but for now it's time I was in bed.

Driftwood

So mom and I walked to the local summer store today and as we were walking through the small beachy gift shop I thought why not make instruments out of driftwood! I don't how good  they'd work but I figure it'd be fun and they'd look pretty cool! So I came home and I googled it, figuring someone else must have already done this, but no. I did however find these beautiful drift wood horses and I love their haunting forms especially just touching the waves.

Feeling a little stretched?

Allow me to quote Bilbo Baggins if I may "I feel sort of thin, stretched, like butter scrapped over to much bread" I've been working in the morning and then coming home to work on my TEFL course. I have done a little bit in the garden and played guitar twice but even those begin to feel tedious after rushing through them so I can get back to work. Even when I have the time and want to do something it just never seems to happen. I'm dragging in the dust and it makes it difficult to breath.

But he is the Glory and the lifter of my head!

You're like a pistachio

Hard to open, so many might not think it's worth the effort, but in the end it's rewarding and satisfying having you as a close friend.  ~ P.D.G. 

This made my afternoon so much better, you don't even know!

Long time no EVERYTHING

So I haven't posted anything in a long time, but I have an excellent excuse! I finished up with college classes got 3 A's and 1 B. And Tuesday before last I started working a part time job at the high school I graduated from and man do I miss being there! Also I've been working on my TEFL Certification. I finally finished this tatted cameo bracelet and I LOVE it! Enjoy the pictures and hopefully I'll get another post up soon.

The DHR part 2

Part 2

The Depths of Hope and Revelry     


(Read part one here.)

“Miss Degratino?”,

“Yes, may I help you?”He stood silent. “Ah yes, I’m here on behalf of a friend ... well a relation really.” “Come in, would you care for some tea or coffee?” “Ah tea, if it’s not to much trouble.”

***

She left me in a small sitting room while she glided off to make some tea. My mothers eldest sister was on her death bead, and truly the last relation I had, so when I heard she was ill I got the earliest flight from my beloved England and I had now been living in Maine for almost two months. Aunt Ruth was a dear sweet thing, I wasn’t quite sure now what I would do when she passed. It was cold in the small sitting room, as I returned from the thought rooms of my mind I discovered a rather fluffy gray cat sitting at my feet as if awaiting an invitation to invade my lap. I smiled, patted my leg, and up it jumped, purring loudly like a boat motor. 

***

As I returned from making the tea, I tried my hardest not to appear shocked at my normally skittish cat’s boldness in invading this gentleman's lap. “So sir what is this business I might help you with?”I asked as I poured the tea and sat. He pulled out a faded photograph of an elderly woman I knew well from my years by the sea. 

“How do you know dear Ruth?” “Ruth is my mother’s oldest sister and my last living relation, I moved to Maine several months ago to help take care of her.”

“And your name is?” “Oh how rude of me! My name is Edmond Greyham.” “You can just call me Anne I’m not a big fan of Degratino.” “Likewise, just call me Ed.” “Now do tell me what it was dear Ruth wanted?”

“Well, I’m afraid she couldn’t quite remember what it was called, but she said it was her favorite with your fresh english muffin bread.” “ Ah, yes I know what it was. Come on, I’ll show you.” I stood and Edmond followed me to the pantry. The white shelves were stocked with jars of preserves and other things. Her favorite being the lavender and rose petal jam which sat on the top of the far left shelf. “Being that I’m short I need a stool to reach, but I think you can manage it.” He reached past me and gingerly lifted a jar off the shelf.

We returned to the sitting room and after a few minutes of conversation there was an awkward pause fallowed by an invitation. “ I know you don’t know me Anne, but I’m sure Ruth would love to see you and as I understand the jam goes with the bread and I’m not much of a baker.” He smiled and I found I couldn’t say no, this spontaneous behavior was completely out of character for me, but all I could here was my own voice  responding with “ I’ll get some cloths.” He smiled, sat down to the piano and began playing a sprightly tune. Which sent me skipping upstairs with the wings of laughter under my feet.

I pulled the vintage blue suitcase from under my bed, it needed a good dusting and I did so with gusto! As packed my things I felt like a giddy school girl headed home for the holidays.

As I came to the base of the steps I found Ed standing in the hall cat perched on his shoulder admiring a painting I had done the last summer I live by the sea.

“Ah” he said, “ Can we bring the cat?” “If you want, it’s your car that will be destroyed by angry grey fuz not mine.” I smiled and with everything turned off and locked up I headed out on a new adventure.

Recipe

Traditional Devonshire Scones 

with Clotted Cream

Home Made Clotted Cream

1}  Using double boiler fill bottom pan 3/4 with water. Fill small pot with desired amount of Heavy Whipping Cream [I used 1 pint].

2}  Bring water to a simmer then place small pan inside the large pan.

3}  Cook cream till reduced by half 

4}  Clotted cream is finished when it has a nice golden crust on top and has become     thick like butter.

5}  Cover and let cool, refrigerate over night

6}  Stir before serving.

Ingredients 

2      cups of flour

1/4   cup of sugar

2      Tsp of baking powder

1/8   Tsp of salt

1/3    cup of butter

1/2    cup of heavy cream

1 1/2 Tsp vanilla extract

1/2    cup of raisins 

1       Egg

Baking Devonshire Scones

1}  Pre-heat to 425, grease large cookie sheet or use parchment paper.

2}  In large bowl combine dry ingredients.

3}  Cut in butter.

4}  In small bowl combine  cream egg and vanilla

5}  Add liquid to dry mixture, stir till dough forms.

6}  Stir in dried fruit

7}  Coat cutting board and hands with flour

8}  Pat dough to an even half inch

9}  Use round cookie cutter or glass  place on cookie sheet

10} Bake 15 min, finished when golden brown on top.

11} Transfer to wrack

Eat scones covered with your choice of preserves and clotted cream. 


Enjoy!

Devonshire Tea, April Adventures and Nice Sweaters

Adventures in April and an early, indoor, un-annual, tea party. Began the tradition Last year of the annual tea/garden party, the time has not yet come for that. However, I was missing my lefty {un-biological sister / fantastical friend}, and we never need much of an excuse for a fun time spent together. Spent Friday evening making Devonshire scones and clotted cream {I'll post pictures and a recipe tomorrow}. Saturday morning it was time for an adventure involving "cheese, bacon, squirrels, trolls, giants, trees, mud and dragons". Then we came home dressed up and had our own private tea {inside, it was overcast and chilly in the garden}.      

Dressed up in our pretties listening to You and I by Ingrid Michaelson.

And a few pictures of our devonshire scones to wet your appetite {recipe to follow}

Playin Princess

Was wishing so badly I had a magical place to wear this gorgeous dress, it was only $28. But $28 is $28 and I have more important things to spend that money on and no place to wear this. *SIGH* 

Sepia Sunrise

This morning I greeted the sun with a delicious cup of coffee, my sleepy eyes and uncombed hair. Life as it should be at six in the morning. I did remember to take my camera this morning instead of just my phone as my new phone takes terrible pictures! (man do I miss my old one) When I reached the sand I realized I had left my memory card in my computer. So I was left to use my cell phone camera, it looked best in sepia tone, hope you enjoy! For now I must go finish the job of pulling a million staples out of my neighbors previously screened in porch, I'll return later with more interesting tidbits.

Sweater Progress & Joy!

Progress on the before mentioned sweater is coming along nicely and I must say I'm rather proud of my work, the beginnings of a sleeve 2/5 of the left front panel 1button and 2 pockets! The Yarn which I found 9 scenes of yarn for $5 at a not half bad little thrift store. It has been the best yarn I've ever worked with! I've always loved knitting but it becomes frustrating when the yarn pulles tight or snags, this yarn lays beautifully and slides on and off my needles like a dream. I must also say that this past week was my last week of school and that made me incredibly happy not to mention the enormously splendid adventure I had with two of my bestest guy friends, we went to the music store and then back to the Craig's house for dinner and then big lots for snacks and last but not least Mystery Science Theatre 3000 at the Egyptians house! It was amazing, and a little of my ornery streak got to see the light of day.

Terribly Delicious

The last week that I haven't posted anything has been just that, delicious! Thus I have been to happily busy to post much of anything, I've been meaning to I really have, but somehow at the end of each day I realize it never has. I have so much deliciousness to tell you, but for now I'm just telling you that I'm going to tell you. Cruel perhaps but there's to much to share in one post, so this my friends is what we'll call an ice breaker from lack of posting. All my week to follow as the day grows older. At the moment it is time to fold some laundry. 


          Farewell dear friends!

A "Winderfull" Sunday Afternoon

Went shopping after church this morning and got a really cute sweater that I love, I was however sad that the shoes I wanted were so stupid expensive  (my mom would have to remind me I wouldn't want them going up and down 8 or so flights of steps next year).  There's one week left of school and that's rather exciting, sociology test, political science test, psychology presentation and paper and that's about it. Oh and I get a break from playing guitar at youth group this week as the amazing egyptian is coming home  from the grove and is gonna lead worship, very excited to see him again.

Two varieties of shoes I would love to have, oxfords and peep toe booties.

McMillian and All the Bright Lights

  So last night I went on an adventure with two of bestest friends. This adventure took us to a Philadelphia  bar where John Mark McMillian and All the Bright lights were playing a show. Ran into some old friends from high school and college and had a crazy amazing time. So glad the 3 of us got to go.

May I Wander Through Your Woods?

Last night I went to bed rather depressed and woke in relatively the same condition. However, the sunshine seems to have brightened up my day a bit. I dragged my dearest, sweetest of mothers on a rather long walk through the woods, where we found this insanely large holly tree (that I just had to climb). Shhhhhhhh .... don't tell anybody. It doesn't look very high but my head's a good 10-12 feet in the air. I wanted to go higher, maybe next time ;)

Sweet Sweater

So I'm working on designing and knitting a sweater. It's the first real knitting project I've ever done and I'm very excited about how well it's coming along so far. The colour is between 1 and 2 on the blue green scale. I have one pocket finished and the other started and I'm halfway finish the left front side. Also I'm making four Dorset buttons for the front opening. I finished the first this morning and I'm rather pleased.

"The Sun is Rising"

This is one of my favorite quotes from the Two Towers. Last night was so delightfully warm that I was able to leave the windows open, I love waking to fresh morning air on my face.

Growing Green

Oregano and English Thyme

Lilacs in bloom

Today is a beautiful day the herbs and flower and food are all growing so beautifully green I just had to share it. Here are a few pictures of the beauty. Enjoy. 

The turnip is coming up rather nicely

Hyacinths smell so delightful  

Red onions (for my Dad [I'm not a fan])

Grape Hyacinths grow wild in the yard 

Carrots are growing happily

Spinach you are delicious

And the first of the snow peas is finally sprouting!

Flowers in Your Hair

Not the best lighting for the colors, but I finally found something to do with that nasty yellow I loved so dearly. I rather like it =) haven't decided yet whether to add more little flowers.

Flying

Oh wait that was a swing! I love swinging (sometimes). This morning happened to be one of those times. So what have I been up to? Well thursday I made a skirt, shown below, out  of  a 75

cent scrap it's not quite finished as I have yet to add a pocket to the left front side. Then Friday night I went to see my friend perform the part of Woodstock in " You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" which was being performed at her wonderful little college. It makes me almost wish I had gone away to college, but it doesn't matter now. I have two weeks left till school is out and I'm rather excited about that! All my final presentations are this week, Monday sociology on Holidays, Tuesday composition class on Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Wednesday psychology on major depressive disorders. It'll be a busy week, must get back to work on all that mess, at least for now. Oh by the way I cut my hair, a little bit, trimmed and added some bangs.

Just 十五 Minutes

Steaming tea, ginger snaps with sharp cheddar, %80 dark chocolate, sock knitting and the rocky road to dublin. That's my 15 min break from school, well more like 20 min if you include this post. I'll expound on the socks later, for now it's time to write about the history of Easter.

French and Army Lace

I've always loved languages! I won't say I've always proved good at mastering them, but that does not diminish the interest. At the moment I need to learn chinese and I'm working at that but I'm far more interested in French, complicated and rather ridiculous but a beautiful language none the less. I've been working on studying political science tests and writing essays about child soldier not to mention preparing a presentation on teaching English as a foreign language. This is my pre-class break, I really want to buy a coffee but I just realized I some how left the house with only about 65 cents in my wallet and that won't cut it. I've love this picture  and I have this wonderful idea for a necklace like this made with drab army green thread, mind you I've never seen thread this colour so it'll be a while before that happens. 


Languages I would like to speak ~ French, Chinese, Portuguese, Celtic, Spanish, German, Arabic, Russian,  Štokavian, Finish and well all the other ones!

Do You Argue?

Do you argue with yourself? I do, just today I made up a basket to hook to my bike and I told myself, self, you should go for a ride. Well self didn't really want to, fortunately self won out, a bike ride and pictures were taken. 

Went by way of the Boggs, and had a lovely time. Though I must mention that a rain cloud cried on me a little and a mallard screamed at me rather loudly.

On the way home I found this poor little daffodil sitting tariffed on the side of the road and so I brought it home and gave it a nice drink of water.

But now it is time for coco and studying. Three weeks left of school.