“the snow doesn’t give a soft white
damn Whom it touches”

e.e. cummings

Snow Day

People who love snow always seem to be the people who live in places where there isn’t snow.  Snow is easy to love at a distance.  Hell, some days I love to watch it snow while snuggled under a blanket with a hot cup of coffee in my hands.  Not in April, mind you, but November is a good month for snow.

There is a quiet to snow that is addictive.  It’s as if everyone holds their breath for a moment.  It’s romantic.  It both draws you out-of-doors and settles you into the warmth of your dwelling.  The first snow of the season is awesome.

Apple Harvest – The List

(Photo credit: net_efekt)

Apples are one of my most favourite treats of the harvest season (they are right up there with new potatoes).  Year after year, I want to make all kinds of yummy apple dishes, but end up with the same old pork roast with apples, apple crisp, and apple sauce.  This year, I am making a list of awesome recipes so that I don’t forget what I want to make, and where I can get the recipes to make it!

I think I will stick this to the front page so I can easily update it.  Look for new posts below this one 🙂

Here is the list thus far:

SLOW COOKER GOODNESS:

Slow cooker stuffed roasted apples

Slow cooker apple cider

Slow cooker apple butter

BAKED GOODIES:

Apple spice muffins (GF)

Apple fritters

Apple fritter cake

OTHER APPLE YUMMIES:

Apple bacon pancakes

Have any awesome harvest apple recipes to share?  Feel free to comment below.  Happy appling!

Wheel of the Year: Imbolc

February 2nd¹ marks the Festival of Brigid.  Also known as Imbolc or La Fheile Bride.²  It is one of the four Fire Festivals or Greater Sabbats of the year.  The word Imbolc comes from Oimealg meaning ‘ewe’s milk’ as it was the time of year when domestic livestock, specifically sheep, would be lactating and preparing to give birth.

To be honest, I’ve never really had much of a connection with Brigid.  I’ve been inspired by the idea of her on numerous occasions, but I’ve never felt the devotion or closeness to her that her followers describe.

For me, Imbolc is the time of year to begin preparations for spring. I restock my supply of ritual/spell candles, bake something tasty, light a candle and make my first visit to the local nursery or garden centre.  I usually manage to pick up a hyacinth or a crocus for my indoor garden.  This year, the local nursery is still closed, so I picked up a little crocus plant at Safeway – the blooms are already open and a rich delicious purple.