A greeting card that will grow on you!

In this age of modern technology we tend to rely on our computers and our cell phones for keeping in touch with our friends and our families.  It’s all too easy to send a text message or to hit SEND after writing a quick email.  Just think, we can compose one email and send it to everyone at once, with the click of a button.  We seem to have forgotten how nice it feels to be on the receiving end of an actual handwritten note or a handmade card.

We can trace the history of hand made greeting cards back to 15th century Europe.   Here in the US, mass production of greeting cards began in the 1860’s.  Although it’s a convenient option, it’s not always the most personal. 

Imagine…you open the mailbox, pull out the mail and there it is; actual ink, a pretty stamp, real handwriting….no type!  It doesn’t happen to me very often, but I savor that moment when it does.  I’d like to challenge all of you to not only send a handwritten piece of correspondence, but to send a simple handmade card as well!  By using a blank card and a pretty package of flower seeds, you can not only create a beautiful card, but a thoughtful gift as well.  You can find blank cards at your local craft store.  Seed packets can be found in many different locations but start at your local garden center.  The photos used on the package are close up and colorful.  Several seed companies offer artist renderings of the flowers.  They are truly tiny works of art themselves!  Perhaps you’ll choose the favorite flower of your recipient or a flower that’s their favorite color!  

Materials
Blank cards and envelopes
Various seed packets
Paint, crayons, colored pencils, etc.
Spray glue (or any craft glue)
Ribbon - optional

I opted to paint with watercolors around the edge of my card before gluing the seed packet onto the card.  You can use markers, crayons or whatever you’re comfortable drawing with.  I painted a matching flower on the envelope.  Glue the seed packet to the front of the card using spray glue or craft glue.  Seed packets with smaller seeds work best although you can ask the post office to hand stamp your card when sending it.  Using a hold punch, you can lace a ribbon through the card. 

I think at one time or another we’ve all picked up a greeting card in the store and thought “I can do better than that!”  Well, here’s your chance.  What will you write on the inside…a poem, a rhyme, a short story?  This is your chance to really shine and to put the extra special personal touch on your card.  If you’re at a loss for words, use a poem that you love, just remember to cite the author.

Try this just once and the satisfaction you get from making it and sending it will match that of the recipient receiving it!  Make something nice for someone special.  Perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or a birthday; it's sure to be appreciated.

Old Cars in the Snow

Since we seem to be breaking all kinds of snowfall records this year, I thought it was appropriate to post these photos.  I found them among some photos of my dads.  Both vehicles appear to be from the 30's.  I don't know who they belonged to or where the photos were taken.  Beautiful in any event.

Birds in the Blizzard

Yesterday's blizzard proved a challenge for everyone, including our feathered friends.  We went outside periodically to wipe the snow from the feeders and replace the water in the bowl.  The birds were here all throughout the storm but you'll notice the light changes according to how the snow was coming down at the time.  The cold wind is evident in some photos where feathers are askew. 

View from the Kitchen Window 1/24

The snowfall is peaceful....yet the quietness is disturbed by the hungry turkeys!

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

Albert Einstein

 

View from the Kitchen Window 1/22

 "I like that time is marked with each sunrise 

and sunset whether or not you actually see it."

Catherine Opie

A Robust Pumpkin Soup Recipe for a Cold January Day

It never made it above freezing yesterday but despite the frigid temperature my husband decided to clean the chimney.  We use a wood stove almost every day during the winter and like to be diligent about keeping the pipes clean.  When I watched him climb the ladder from the upstairs window, he was looking rather chilly.  I felt I owed him a nice hot lunch!  I had made this recipe years ago and thought it would be perfect to warm up with on this cold January day.

Start with two medium potatoes peeled and cut up into small pieces.  You'll also need one can of pumpkin puree, a half teaspoon of minced onion, a half teaspoon of sea salt, quarter teaspoon of ground pepper, a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon, one teaspoon of nutmeg, four and three quarters cups of organic chicken broth, a cup and a half of heavy whipping cream and a loaf of fresh bread; your choice.

Melt two tablespoons of  butter on medium heat and add the minced onion.

Once the butter is melted, add the potatoes and cook for about five minutes.

Add the chicken broth.  Cover the mixture and boil until the potatoes are tender.

Stir in the pumpkin.  At this point you'll need to puree the entire mixture either using a food processor or an immersion blender.

Now it's time to add the spices.  Reduce the heat, cover the mixture and cook for an additional thirty minutes, stirring occasionally.  The mixture smells wonderful at this point!

Add the heavy cream.

Blend the mixture and simmer for an additional ten minutes.

Slice into a nice fresh loaf of bread.

Ladle into a bowl.....

.....and sprinkle with some shredded Swiss cheese.

Perfect for lunch or dinner.  Delicious!  You'll want two bowls.

View from the Kitchen Window 1/16

The city is caught in the grip of ice-
Trees, walls, snow, are as under glass.
Over crystals, I and the patterned sleighs 
Go our separate, unsteady ways.

Anna Akhmatova        

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