more quince jelly

I made my quince jelly on the weekend. Isn't it magical that this adorable greenish-yellow, inedible-when-raw fruit turns into that amazing, vibrant red, delicious jelly?

quince

Currently simmering away, to drip overnight and jelly-fy tomorrow.

Thomas walked into the doctor’s waiting room this afternoon and yelled to all those waiting, “Hey! We’re here to visit you guys!”

inspired

I'm feeling inspired and optimistic today. As if I'm on the edge of something exciting and new, but I just don't know exactly what yet. I love that feeling. And you know what? The feeling itself still has value, whether or not it has tangible results.

Do you like my new header? Those are alder catkins (how's that for the cutest name, ever?) that I scavenged on a walk earlier in the week. Coincidentally, the red berry picture was from the same date, November 13, in 2011. I'm really pleased with both of them.

Thinking of things scavenged, I drove around for part of my work day with a bag of quince in the back seat - what a privilege! I saw the tree yesterday, but it wasn't really clear whose property it was on, it was raining, and I really didn't have time to stop. I knew I would be on my way by again today, so I packed a grocery bag with me, asked a very surprised looking man if the tree was his and if he would mind if I picked some, and filled up the bag.

So on the weekend, once again I'll be making quince jelly. The result is beautiful, and for me, it's a very relaxing process. I'm also hoping to save some of the seeds and see if I can grow something viable.

Happy Thursday!

canadian living, december edition

I was so excited about this that I posted it right away on Twitter and Instagram, but neglected to do a proper post here for you! I'm super excited to share that my beeswax star ornaments, which I first posted here on the blog last December, are featured in this December's issue of Canadian Living magazine!

You can pick up Canadian Living at just about any newsstand or grocery store (here in Canada), and this issue is a mere $3.99. I have at least five other projects marked to return to - it's a very good issue, and well worth the (small) investment. I'm on page 129!

*in a whisper* I *may* have been listening to a little bit of Christmas music already! Only six weeks to go, you know. Songza has a great Christmas Jazz playlist that I love.