My Birdsong

Happy Christmas to All!

Winter Wishes

Hope you're enjoying a quiet moment to enjoy the seasonal lights, the beauty of nature and your family.

~ Iva

Starry Angel

I seem to be drawn to angels at this time of year. They give me comfort and make me think of my beloved Brianna. She would say, "Oh mom! I love what you make. Can I have this one?" She had quite a collection of my art. Although I'd love to keep them, I also enjoy sharing my art with you. You'll find this one on SpookyTimeJingles.com, when the online gallery updates on December 13.  I thank you all for lighting a candle Sunday, Dec. 13, at 7 pm, for all the children who have died. (See my previous post.) Blessings to you.

Light a Candle Sunday Dec. 13 at 7 pm to Remember My Daughter and All Children Who Have Died

Join me on Sunday, December 13, 2009 along with other bereaved families, for The Compassionate Friends Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting, always held the second Sunday in December.

Brianna is never far from my thoughts and at this time of year, her absence is particularly painful. Times of joy are always bittersweet, because we are missing a part of our family, a part of our hearts, a part of us, a part of me.  Holidays and special occasions are mingled with a terrible sadness that she is not here to share them.

So I ask that you visit The Compassionate Friends website to find a formal service near you, or light a candle in your home at 7 PM knowing you will be joined by hundreds of thousands of people who are thinking about the children around the world who are gone, but continue to live on in the hearts that they touched.
 
A Remembrance Book will also be available on The Compassionate Friends' website on that day to post a message or tribute.

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Your family loves you and misses you dearly, my sweet one. We miss your laugh, your smile, your funny ways, your sense of style, your art and most of all the ability to hold you and tell you how much you are loved.  ~  Mom, Papa and Trevor

Let it Snow!

The Christmas spirit has touched Danville and Alamo and much of Northern California. The snow level dropped to 500 feet last night. The Las Trampas Mountains west of us are covered in it. We are east of the San Francisco Bay, which is truly amazing! This photo was taken from our gazebo (pictured below), which sits high on a hillside behind our home. See the snowy steps? That's our roof line at the bottom of the above panoramic photo. It's still very cold out, below 40 degrees, but it sure is a lovely sight!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

 

Handmade Hullabaloo

Head on over to the blog of  Tracy Nuskey-Dodsen, Vintage Sister, to find out who is offering free shipping on items in their Etsy shop just for today! Look for my Etsy shop banner among the list or head there now! The Second Red Friday sale is on. See you there!

Cooking for Hungry Men

I've been cooking up recipes and following some of the advice given by Lucinda Scala Quinn in her recent book, Mad Hungry, Feeding Men & Boys. Love the flattened chicken recipe! Plus, cooking up a pound of bacon at a at once in the oven saves so much time - I was cooking a few pieces in the microwave!

I saw her on Martha Stewart's show and thought her ideas were great. Then, my friend Colleen said she had gotten her book and just loved it. So when I saw that he was coming to San Francisco for a demo and signing, I let Colleen know. Then I didn't think about it again - until Colleen said, "Hey let's go!"

So, we headed out to the city to see her LIVE as she gave a demonstration and booksigning. Of course, Colleen had her book in tow. I decided to buy one there.

What a gorgeous November day we had! The signing was at the Embarcadero's Ferry Building right on the bay. And, the farmer's market was in full swing. So many delectable fruits and veggies in season! Of course, no farmer's market would be complete without the food vendors! We had the best carnitas tacos I think I've ever had!

Then we settled into front row seats of her demonstration, and watched as she made chicken and dumplings. We all got to sample the tasty soup too.  But she is so down to earth and genuinely nice, sharing her funny  home stories.

The thing that I took away from it was that here was this woman, who cooks up a storm at home and at work, and yet she told us she has a regular sized kitchen in a New York apartment. So no second fridge in the garage, no sub-zero at home. Just the standard appliances and yet she's freezing everything! That did it for me. I was a devotee! 

So now, while making breakfast, I've been boiling up what little meat is left on the bones of whole roasted chickens we've had for dinner  - Costco chickens are great for this! - and making chicken stock (with a little carrot, celery, fresh parsley, peppercorns and a teaspoon of Better than Boullion). Pop it in the freezer and fresh stock is only two minutes away. I've been using many of her tips on how to use what you have and let nothing go to waste. And of course, I've been using her advice on how to feed hungry men - two of which I have living with me, and then several more when Trevor has friends over for dinner.

 

I wouldn't have it any other way! I have Colleen to thank for giving me the nudge to steal away and have a great day of learning and enjoying where I live.

Dream During the Season of Wonder

I was sitting in my studio working away when something with butterfly wings went flitting by. I thought I had seen a fairy. Certainly it was my imagination! But this dainty little thing peeked out from some vintage flowers on my work table and introduced herself. She was so excited about Christmas! She was waving her crepe paper streamer to announce the advent of December. So much wonder at this time of year.  I thought I'd give her some sparkly tinsel to wave and turned around to gather some up. But when I looked back, she was gone! Was she real or just my imagination?

If you like to dream, you'll find her on eBay.