Sweet

Earlier this week, we had a near freeze (32.5*) and I risked not covering my garden before I went to bed. Thank goodness for that half of a degree; none of my plants froze. I would like them to just make it one more week. I broke down and turned on the heat that morning.

Yesterday, I went out and found a zucchini in the garden and my little boys helped me make zucchini bread. I used Paula Deen's recipe from foodnetwork. Several people commented (online) about making it, and alterations that they'd made, so I have my own version. The original recipe has a LOT of sugar. As recommended by others, I used a bit less. The final result: it is so good, everyone wanted it for breakfast! Over the summer, when I've had more zuc than I could use that week, I've shredded it up and frozen two-cup portions, so we'll have plenty for bread all winter.


After dinner last night, the five of us worked together to change the mantel around. Last year, we had a scary tangle of tree roots that we put on our mantel, but apparently that went into the fireplace at some point during the winter! If you can't tell, there is a (rubber) rat sitting on the biggest pumpkin (above). We also needed a place for all the pumpkins; we picked several at the farm, but there are at least three from our own yard in here. All of the little gourds and mini pumpkins are from the yard, too. It's very satisfying to know that I grew or made something instead of buying it!


I love the apple crate; it was my grandpa's; another treasure from the garage.

Speaking of making things, I have finished another hat! I will post pictures once I have a model. Hopefully the hat will fit the model.

And lastly, something that has been on my mind the last day or so: My sweet little grandmother, for as long as I can remember, had a little sign hanging in her kitchen. It said something like,

Be careful of the words you use
Make sure they are sweet.
You never know which ones
You may have to eat.

Sometimes, people hurt my feelings. I mean, really, really. I know, we all feel that way. I'm one of those people who would rather just get things out in the open, but I know not everyone deals with problems that way. It is hard for me to keep things bottled up, but sometimes you have to, and sometimes you don't have to, but ... you know you should. So I am trying to remind myself to make sure my words are sweet. I might have to paint my own sign, and hang it on my own kitchen wall!