Favourite Things

Thought this was a wonderful way to introduce some of my favourite things, and the "Sound of Music" IS one of my favourite movies....and I love this song.  So..sing the song and change the words a little and you can find out some of my favourite things (to do) or watch or wear or read.  Beautiful roses, birds in my feeders, knitting and sewing, and baking my bread....chicken and roosters all safe in their coop...these are a few of my favourite things. Or try... Cooking on wood stoves....cast iron cookware, growing fresh veggies and old vintage dishes ...... Now wasn't that fun! So now I will just share a little more detail of 2 of my favourite things.

The past couple of days have been mostly quiet...I say mostly because there were some traumatic  moments that included our 2 dogs, 1 raccoon (now deceased),  a few tears (mine), a shovel and a kind friend and neighbor. I  will spare the gory details, suffice it to say that we hope that Rosehaven Cottage and its occupants will recover from what seemed to me a rather ghastly happenstance!   DH has been battling a cold and we have just tried to keep him resting and recuperating, as we do get concerned for his health with his compromised immune system.  So while we watched  Christmas movies... or listened to some favorite CD's.....  

I have been busy working on some little Christmas gifts...involving one of the things I love to do..knitting! Specifically cotton dishcloths, and my ever popular Tuff Scrubbies .  I thought you might like to see some of my creations from the past few days. The lighting doesn't really show the pretty pastel colors...but you get the idea.   Scrubbies: 7 yds netting/6 inch strips/Size 15 needles. I didn't learn to knit till I was, well hitting an age milestone, and a very talented friend got me started (very patiently). My first project was a pair of wool socks!  If you start with socks..other things are a cinch.  I really like simple and homespun,  so socks, scarves, dish cloths, hats are my favourite projects. I always seem to have a couple small projects by my chair and when I sit..I knit.
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This morning we held  our Christmas program at our little country church and were blessed by wonderful gifts of music and song,  and then this afternoon we gathered with the elders and deacons for our annual Christmas party/potluck and white elephant gift exchange..(I brought a red dishcloth and 2 scrubbies). The ladies fought over the scrubbies..I kid you not! When it comes to  what food  I will bring to a potluck I know that they will fight over the last piece of....  my homemade french bread.  Baking bread is another one of my favourite things to do....especially this super easy and very popular recipe. This morning I made a double batch .....  here is recipe for one loaf.
1 1/2 c warm water
1 T. yeast
4 c. flour (I use Wheatland organic unbleached) I think this is the best flour out there!
1 1/2 t. celtic seasalt

Place warm water in large bowl, sprinkle yeast over water, let sit few minutes,  add flour and salt. Stir till forms ball of dough, knead a few minutes. Let rise in oiled bowl till double, roll out into long loaf,  cut a few slashes in dough, let rise and bake at 400 degrees for 20 -25 min.  This makes wonderful french toast, or for stuffing or croutons..after a few days, if it lasts that long!  The picture makes it seem like one loaf is bigger..but its just the camera angle.
Well, I hope this wasn't too boring..I just wanted to share a little of what I love to do and let you see some of it up close and personal and to share a recipe and project.  I hope to share and show you more of what goes on here at Rosehaven Cottage, more of my favourite things. May you be blessed as you prepare over these next few days for the celebration of the birth of God's Son, Jesus Christ.  Talk to you soon!