After the colors of Autumn turn to brown, black & white of winter

The time after Thanksgiving (for those of us in the U.S.) or the first day of December, is, to me...the beginning of Winter.  We've had cold temperatures and rain and frost and a tiny bit of snow.  The leaves now all cover the ground and when it rains or the animals & birds walk thru them, they crackle and rustle...lovely sounds that you can only hear at this time of the year.  The only bright colors are in the sunsets...now that the leaves are mostly gone from the trees, the winter sunsets are fabulous.  I think that is Mother Natures way of brightening up our world when all the outdoors is resting, some in a very deep sleep.

Since it is December, I can "correctly" begin my "holiday" decorating.  I like to bring the bright colors of the season that we only get a glimpse of into my home.  The reds of the berries and the beautiful Cardinals and Finches.  The greens of the evergreens, winter vines, and duck feathers.  The rainbows and golds after a rain and the sun comes out.  In keeping with the "holiday" season...I LOVE Santa Claus and have begun making a collection of this most magical being on Earth.

 

 

 

I plan to share often in this Quiet...Restful...Meditative time. 

Filling our home with the wonderful fragrances of home cooking & baking is another joy of my husband's and mine...Sharing them with you will be part of the Merry Season!

 

Thank you for letting me share!

Love & Joy!

Diane

 

NOT The Recipe for Cornbread & Warm Spiced Pears

As I was getting the hay together into the wheel barrow and pushing it out toward the pasture to feed the horses last evening, I looked up and was so inspired by the light and shadows in the edge of the woods, I had to stop!
"You guys and dolls are going to have to wait for a few minutes for your dinner.  I must go get my camera & try to save some of this glory."
It took a good half an hour for it to unfold and even as I went down to the house, in the gloaming, the sky was gold and pink, low on the horizon.
This morning I came up to the studio early to create this...ah yes, there are many ways to create and to share what we see " Thru Our Eyes".
                                              Please Enjoy!

The Cornbread and Warm Spiced Pears will have to wait for another day.  The mornings are so much cooler now and promising to be even colder in a few days...I will share their deliciousness in a few days!

Thanks for visiting, please come back again!
Diane

A LITTLE AUTUMN COLOR FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE!

 All these images are from our humble home in Cypress Inn Tennessee

I drove into Florence Alabama yesterday to do my monthly heavy shopping.  When I left home the frost kissed leaves were dancing down out of the trees relieved not to hold on to the branches anymore.  Now the ground is inches deep in leaves and they rustle whenever anyone (including the 4 leggeds step thru them.

 

 

These are just a few images of the Creators wonderful mysteries...gifts given to all of us if we take the time to look around.  This is my gift to all that can't take the time to go out and see for yourselves, whatever your reasons...so please enjoy!
Diane

 

A FEW AUTUMN PLEASURES

The season that I love the most!  When the dry, hot, late summer days are leaving and the cooler, damper beginnings of autumn are here.

 

I love to heat up the chilly early hours with the oven and something wonderful baking in it.  The Sweet Potatoes are just about ready to dig up here in Tennessee, so I share this wonderful recipe that will have your mouth watering!

These are the beautiful plants that you can start from a sweet potato in your own home.  I remembered doing this in school as a child.  Have any of you done it?

After the vines were growing well, I broke them off or cut the potato and buried them into the ground to root.  Be careful not to do this too early, your sweet potatoes do not like it too chilly!  Not only will you have Sweet Potatoes to eat, but beautiful vines with gorgeous flowers (you may also eat the flowers and leaves in a salad...they are part of the morning glory family, NOT nightshade like white potatoes!)

Now, if you so desire...just shop at your local store and pick some up from the people that grow Sweets for a living!

          Here is a preview of what you will be enjoying in the morning!

                               SPICY SWEET POTATO MUFFINS

Your sweets have to be cooked and mashed before you add them to the rest of the ingredients.  I usually use about 3 to 4 good sized taters and simmer them in a pot covering the potatoes with water.  I simmer them for about 20 to 30 min., then gently poke them with a meat fork.  You want them soft, but not falling apart.  When done, remove them from the water and allow them to cool just long enuff so you don't burn yourself while holding them to peel.  Cook first and the peels almost fall off!  Sometimes I will cook the sweets a day ahead...just one less thing to do in the morning :)!

Ingredients:
1.     2 cups whole wheat flour
2.     1/2 cup packed brown sugar (dark brown is best)
3.     1 Tablespoon baking powder
4.     1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5.     2 teaspoons cinnamon
6.     1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
7.     1/2 teaspoon cloves
8.     1/2 teaspoon ginger
9.     1/2 cup raisins (optional)
10.   1/4 cup walnuts / sunnies (optional)
11.   1 1/2 cups cooked, mashed yams
12.   3/4 cup milk
13.   1 egg...beaten

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees & oil muffin pans ( I use 2 mini muffin pans, great for snacks & small hands)

In a medium large bowl, combine ingredients 1 thru 10 and toss with a fork.
Add ll thru 13, and stir until mixed.  Your batter will be thick almost like drop cookie dough.

Fill the cups until all the batter is gone.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until the tops bounce back when lightly pressed.  Your house will be filled with the wonderful fragrance of the spices and mouths will be watering!

After they come out of the oven, they'll be easier to release from their pans if you let them sit about 10 to 15 minutes.

Have the butter & milk standing by so the first ones are still warm for discovery!
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OH MY GOD!!! I CAN SMELL THEM WHILE I'M SITTING UP HERE IN MY ART STUDIO!!!  MY MOUTH IS WATERING !!!  GOTTA GO MAKE SOME NOW!!!