2015: A Year in Log Cabin Quilts

Log Cabin Quilt: Dark Wood

Clara and I designed and made this for Felix' Christmas present. First you have to know how much Felix loves Dante. He's even teaching himself Italian so he can read it in the original. 

Brace yourself for perhaps the world's first rendition of The Inferno as a log cabin quilt.

It's called Dark Wood--the place where the story of The Inferno begins.

The narrator is lost there.

He wants out, but his way is blocked by a lion:

a leopard:

and a wolf.

However, he is going to find the way:

The sun breaks through the darkness, and a guide appears. It's going to end well.

Winter Salad: Roasted Beets and Cara Cara Oranges

I roasted a bunch of beets in foil, then cooled and sliced them. Layered with Cara Cara (or blood) oranges, dressed with the simplest vinaigrette ever.

The Monday After

This was a peaceful Christmas. I don't know why everything felt so relaxed. Maybe just the kids being older--having them all at home is celebration enough.  Just add festive food!

Back to our normal routine today, with a break to check on the floodwaters in the valley. Nothing dangerous, just enough to be exciting.

I hope you all continue to find blessing in this season.

Brown Paper

Once again this year I used brown paper for every gift, and color-coded the ribbons. It's so simple and  cheap and it looks good. I pick up partial rolls of ribbons at the thrift store when I see them. They generally cost a dime.

Christmas 2015

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." 

(Rev. 21:3)

Christmas Baking and Daisy's Dirndl

Such a busy day in the kitchen, and at the work computer.

Daisy executed her long-held plan of making marzipan mushrooms,

and putting them on our Buche de Noel.

Then it was time to get ready for evening church, the Christmas music service. Daisy had piano *and* clarinet solos, and thought she'd wear her dirndl.

I made this for her in the fall, faking it from a 50s pattern for a skirt and weskit.

She's very woodlandy.

That's why her mushrooms look so real.

The Boys (Just the Boys) Go Hiking

Giles said the blessing at dinner. "Thank you, Lord, that Felix and Ben and I got to go on such a great hike. And that everyone else got so much work done."

We all burst out laughing. True though.