R ~ Recipe Box

  I have done a fair few "Favorite Things" posts (like, maybe four) and even though this following post may classify as a favorite thing (which would have been better suited for an "F" post), I still think it makes a smashing post for today.

  I absolutely love baking, in fact it is my life, my heart, you get the picture I'm sure. And honestly I'm not a very tidy baker, or cook, or anything of the sort in the kitchen. In fact, every time Sean helps me create something out in our little kitchen, I always manage to spill something all over the counters and across the cupboards and floors. And every time I do that Sean waves his little mixing spoon, shakes his head and laughs as he tells me I'm very mischievous. I love his definition of mischievous!

  But anyways, my point is that I'm not tidy at all with anything related to creating things in the kitchen, and that knack for messiness spreads even to all the many recipes I have scattered all over our home. I always have a good handful of current recipes stacked randomly on my Mum's counters, others stuck all over my room, a heap of them scattered around our computer desk, and, because I really tried to be organized, a few of those recipes ended up in one of my several recipe boxes.

  With such devotion to my recipes, I thought it only fitting to make a post about them and to share a picture of one of my explosions with you.

Favorite Things ~ My Teacup

  With it being winter and all, it's only natural for me to drink tea frequently, and I don't know if it's just me, but the prettier the cup I drink my tea out of, the better it tastes. So every time I want to thoroughly enjoy my tea I reach for my favorite teacup which was given to me for my Birthday. Today's favorite thing is my Royal Sutherland teacup.

Favorite Things ~ Daddy Daughter Dates

  It all started at around one o'clock in the afternoon. I was toasting a batch of cinnamon almond granola and it filled the kitchen and school room with the delightful aroma of warm cinnamon. Then upon checking my email I discovered that my dearest dad went and asked me out on a date for that evening, in a very flowery way too. In a matter of moments it was all arranged. He would be home at around five thirty in the evening and we would go out to eat.
  Naturally, I just had to dress up. When five thirty rolled around Dad was ready to go and so waving goodbye I was escorted out of the house and away we drove.

  The whole evening was terribly beautiful since it was snowing large fluffy flakes. We talked for a while and then we arrived at the Cornucopia which is really the most darling-ly rustic and charming restaurant. We had a friendly waitress serving us that evening and I enjoyed every bit of my time. Dad being the photographer that he is, snapped several pictures of the Cornucopia.

  The evening was filled with many random spurts of hilarity because my Dad and I both cracked up laughing over the absurd stone pig that resided on the fireplace hearth in the restaurant. I would have a picture to share with you but neither of us wanted to get up from our table and be seen taking a picture of that garish pig with it's huge candy cane bow tied around it's neck. But my Dad did make me pose for a picture with the fireplace in the back, if you look hard enough you'll see the corner of the pig's ear, and a bit of its ribbon in the background.

  I suppose I went a little out on a limb that evening with my order because I chose a spicy Korean brisket sandwich with chow mien noodles, snap peas, and various peppers. After my dad and I thoroughly enjoyed the delicious artichoke bruschetta we took several pictures of our food and so on, making sure to document our evening.

  By far the most hilarious thing about the whole evening was the fact that my Dad had such a huge case of order envy. He had chosen a barbecue chicken pretzel roll sandwich but compared to my huge, laden with juicy toppings, sandwich, his' dwarfed in size, however we shared my sandwich then so all was good.

  The air once we left the Cornucopia was so magical. The night was falling and all around us twinkling white lights illuminated the millions of floating snowflakes. I think it was because of the ethereal air that Dad and I felt so inclined to prolong our night.

  We browsed through a local tourist's shop amusing ourselves by how the poor tourists don't realize everything is horridly overpriced. While browsing the shop I was so entranced with the gorgeous rolling pins that were being displayed.

   And then I was both terrified and struck silly by the ridiculous stuffed animals for sale.

 

   Then after Dad had me pose in front of the shop we set home, talking the entire time.

  I had such a splendid evening.

  Since I didn't directly address what the point of this post was, it was to say that Dad-Daughter time is another one of my favorite things.

Orange Sneakers

  I have had many terrific (and not so terrific) childhood adventures in this one pair of brown sandals. I took them everywhere with me, from sloshing through our creek, trekking through the woods, marching through fields, running away from deranged cattle, rescuing my sister from yellow jackets, laughing, racing, and pretty much just living my life in those sandals.

  A while ago those poor mud-caked brown sandals saw their last day, Those poor things had served me well. I lovingly chucked them away being truly grateful for all that they've brought me through, and decided it was time time to move on.

  One of my friends gave me a pair of orange sneakers not so long ago, and from the very moment I laid eyes on those sneakers I fell in love with them, I could tell with every feeling of assurance that those sneakers would be my new best friend, they have carried me through ravines, ponds, islands, across our barn roof, across the creek, and as they sit down in the basement awaiting our next adventure together I wish many mud-cakes and grass stains for them, and just know that someday those sneakers will carry their badges of adventure every bit as proudly as my brown sandals do now.

Favorite Thing Thursday

  So often I have written over and over again what some of my favorite things were. It is a bit exasperating trying to get my favorite things written down because to put it quite frankly, I have so many favorite things that to list them all in one post I'm afraid you would be at your computer all day long wondering when my post is ever going to come to an end.

  A few days ago I came across an idea that seemed superb in listing my favorites. Why not just focus on one of them each week?

  Today I will focus on just one of my favorite things.

  The Octopus Claw.

  My hair does not cooperate on most days and because of that I find having a claw nearby is most helpful. But there was one annoying thing about using a claw. The "gripping" part of the claw always managed to scratch my head. It was always a nuisance wanting to put your head on a pillow with having forgotten you were wearing a claw and being smacked firmly in the noggin by a persistent hair accessory.

  Several months ago my Mom purchased an Octopus claw for me, which is pretty much just a regular claw except that the "gripping" part of it is flattened so that it rests comfortably against my head. I was delighted and still am, no longer do I struggle with noggin knots and scalp scrapings.