my Christmas gift in use

My Christmas gift from my family has been getting use.  We found a very nice fish market because they have been coming to the farmer's market we go too.  

We have been grilling mussels.

Which my Beloved is not sure he likes but may try again.  There was sea trout which was so fatty it made the fire roar.

And my old standby, salmon.  I am wanting to do fajitas on here but we have not gotten there yet.  It has been really lovely.  It has been a lovely way to cook this spring.

gone rowing

My boat came today!

I am so excited that I can hardly wait until tomorrow.  We are going rowing.  Then, we are going to our friends who have a lake house to go rowing some more.  So, if you do not hear from me tomorrow, you know I tuckered myself out something fierce.

Best birthday present to myself ever!

more baking going on here

More cookie baking is going on around here.

I still have at least one more type if not more.  Today was sables.  I actually updated the recipe a little bit.  I shortenend the baking time.  See those cookies on the edge.  It is just not the picture but they are a little bit overbaked.  I guess they are for me then.

Yesterday I was rather under the weather.  My head hurt so bad there were no words.  I sat and worked on this present.  I was doing the embroidery.  I love embroidery but I am not very good at the designs.  But Miss Ray is who wrote Doodle Stitching.  I slightly modified one of her designs for this nightgown.

I hope it is liked!

Obviously, I am feeling better and there are more words today.  Maybe I can start baking some of the cookies I wish to bake.  Mostly chocolate and gluten free soon to come.

christmas decorations and cookie baking

More baking is going around here tonight.  Another standard for the Christmas boxes:  chocolate shortbread.  Or equivalently known around here as tallbreads.  I snitched a few and had them with the pumpkin ice cream I made.  Really yummy.  The ice cream has a tendency to melt into the consistency of pudding or whipped cream cheese.  A little bit fills the tummy.

I wanted greens this year but my Beloved did not wish a cut tree.  I could not find a live tree the size I wished.  We were at Lowe's and they let me take some of the bottom branches they had cut off from Christmas trees.  No charge.

I cut the branches apart and put them in mason jars in the dining room 

and kitchen.

Then candles were added.

There was one more thing added.

My Beloved added roses.  I actually think the rose bush attacked him (again) but they added more beauty to the simplicity I wished.  I really am enjoying how this turned out.  The smell is divine.

baking for family has started

A lovely friend gave me a pot of forced paperwhites.  They are just lovely and I had to share.

This is a busy week but there is not a lot of new to post.  I bake for my family.  And send boxes.  You should see the looks I get at the post office.  But it is a week of pulling out old recipes.

Because that is what people wish for.  Like these tallbreads.  Shortbread that has not been flattened.  I always seem to start with these.  I do not know why.  I have come to the point of only making two batches to share between my family because I do bake a few different types of cookies.  Our best friend may actually get a full batch but it will depend on if she is eating sugar or not (Nirinjan, you will let me know if you wish your own cookies, will you not?)

I am also doing a bit of sewing and crocheting but it is a little bit difficult to share.  I will share bits and pieces as it gets done.

While I am baking, Grandpoppa has the magic touch.  

It has been a lovely December so far!