in the garden

It's been a damp, gray week here. I see some sun in the forecast for next week, which I'm looking forward to. But there are some beautiful things about this time of year, even if it's damp and the leaves are almost all gone. The thyme is still green, and it will be all winter. I didn't know that until I planted this little beauty a few years ago.

I'm making this a super quick post - one boy is napping while the other is out with the husband. Which means as long as I'm not too noisy, I can do what I like here in the house for a bit! I have a wee list to accomplish, and then I just might sit still and read. Maybe. Or I might make bread and bake a few other things. Or, or, or...

Have a great weekend!

maple oat scones

If you have seen or talked to me lately, I've mentioned these delicious maple oat scones. You must make them, pronto. End of story. The recipe is here. Need some more convincing? They are flaky, fatty, perfectly lightly sweetened with maple syrup, and the perfect excuse to have someone over for tea. That will also give you a reason not to eat the entire batch by yourself. If you're hankering for something like those adorable little maple sugar leaves, you can just cut straight to the glaze, make it a bit thicker, and eat it by the spoonful. If you're into that kind of thing. Ahem.

Can you tell by the frequency of my posting that we have a grandparent in the house? It's fantastic. I un-guiltily ran some errands by myself this morning, and it was lovely.

Happy Wednesday!

old things, part the second

I am incredibly fortunate. For a variety of amazing reasons, but today I'm feeling particularly appreciative of some 'new' cookbooks that were given to me after Nana passed away. They're about as different as you can get from my somewhat sterile, super-perfect Martha collection. And that's what I love about them. Nana has written all over them, spilled and splattered on the pages, and enjoyed the meals made from them.
One of the books is the Barbour's cookbook, a New Brunswick household staple in years past, it would seem. Turns out that there is a reprint of the 1950's edition that you can purchase. The latest edition was printed in 1988. I especially love the quotes throughout, and the vague instructions.
In true Nana form, this book was opened to the doughnuts page and held there by an elastic.

I am so pleased to have these little pieces of Nana's life to relive and enjoy with my own family and friends. I think she would be pleased, too.

old things and perfect boiled eggs

I can't help but love old things. Especially old, beautiful things. A friend of mine (Hi, K!) asked me if I would like to have some things from her grandfather's house. I was happy to welcome them in.
One of my favourites is this lovely wooden bowl. It has become our 'nature bowl', since we don't have a surface area to make into a nature table. P is always collecting one little thing or another when we're out, so it's perfect.
I also love these gorgeous glass insulators. They're on a windowsill which gets lots of sun, so I'm enjoying them very much. Thank you so, so much, K!
We've also instituted a napkin basket on the kitchen table. Phillip loves flicking out his napkin and spreading it on his lap. So cute.
And incidentally, would you like to know how to boil the perfect egg? I heard someone who had written a cookbook about boiled eggs, and thought I should try it. Turns out that she was right! Put eggs in pot of cool water, covered on stove and bring to a boil. Turn the burner off, leave the eggs in the pot for 15 minutes. That's all there is to it - they're perfect. I always pour out the boiled water, then fill the pot with cool water so they're easier to handle. For easier peeling, I also give them a little crack on the bottom of the pot (submerged in the cool water) and the shell pops right off. A teeny bit of water sneaks in when you crack the shell, which is what releases the shell from the egg. Yum!