There is a cold icy rain falling outside. It has left a glaze on everything and you are invited to step inside for a visit. You can use our boring little door bell button…
…or the more interesting chickadee door knocker…
Most fun of all is to use the chain pull on our vintage Italian bell…
(found at the market in Arezzo in 2001 – brought back in my carry-on, lugged through the Rome airport and cleared customs to the US – try to get that pass those TSA guys these days! – But I digress) which will announce you in royal fashion!
Take your coat off and warm yourself by the fire. Can you smell the turkey soup bubbling away on the stove? With the cold November weather this weekend, it has been a good time to putter in the kitchen. A good soup making weekend. And with Christmas all ready in the air, it is time to make the traditional Plum Pudding.
This is Mr. Outback’s favorite and has been a part of our holidays for close to 30 years. The origins of this particular recipe have been lost, but my in-laws traveled extensively while Mr. Outback’s Dad was in the Air Force. They knew a Canadian Air Force couple who shared this recipe and it has been handed down to me. Old Fashioned Traill Christmas Pudding…2010, and something that doesn’t happen every year…this time a perfect unmolding! Yippee! Now to let it mellow in brandy soaked cheesecloth for a month.
I still can’t show you what is happening in the sewing room but things are moving along….
And having no will power, Block #2 of the Beyond the Cherry Tree Quilt has just been started…
If you promise not to be put off by the state of disarray in our basement, would you mind helping wrap all these ornaments for shipping? Every year for 33 years, our son has received a special Christmas ornament from us, my folks, other family members and his own friends. Now he is planning to celebrate Christmas with Jena in Alaska and all these treasures need to arrive safely.
- Yet to be unwrapped and rewrapped in bubble wrap
Maybe we can talk a little about each ornament as the memories will be returning piece by piece. Each reflects his childhood, growing up and interests…from a tiny gum ball machine and little red airplane to a batch of outdoor camping novelties and fragile glass eagles…as these are carefully placed in bubble wrap, another little piece of my heart goes with it and a prayer for his happiness and a good life. We will miss not having him here at Christmas but are so happy that he can begin to make his own memories and traditions. Included in the packages will be his stocking, made a number of years ago and a new one for Jena – I used the same Thimbleberries stocking pattern for both and just added a little ribbon and tiny bell to her moose – afterall, it has to have a touch of femininity, right!?
We had better get to work – time is of the essence…but first let’s enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and watch the Packer game…they just have to win this one against the Vikings…it is the principle of the thing! Looking very good…
Have a good week preparing for Thanksgiving and remember to…
Always take time to stitch…
Pat
We have the same doorbell, Pat! I knew we have a lot in common, but come on the doorbell! I love your door knocker. I have a trowel that I’m hoping to put on one of my new doors soon! It’s on that long list of updates our house needs! Glad your husband likes the pudding, because it would be off my list! Love the ornaments. I need to get into our attic and pull mine out. They haven’t been seen for a very long time! Fortunately, our teams each won! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Pat and Mr. Outback and your entire family! Nancy
That Christmas Pudding looks absolutely mouth watering. I can almost smell it. Mmmm Mmmmm
Have a great Thanksgiving
Cheers on a Hot Summer Day in South Australia
Lynne
Thank you so much for the wonderful visit … I enjoyed my French Roast coffee. The ornaments, stockings and doorbells were all quite unique. The stand out has to be the Christmas pudding – yummmmy. DWH talks a lot about English dishes and plum pudding his Mum made, unfortunately all recipes lost – one in particular was called “Bubble and Squeak” and I have not a clue. He will enjoy his Williamsburg Bread Pudding, which does not have to made in advance. Can’t wait to see pictures of the Christmas treasures you have been working on. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and keep stitching. JudyC
Awe, reading this post made me both smile and have a tear or two. In happiness and sadness knowing how much Thanksgiving/Christmas mean to me and my own family. I will miss you and Mr. Outback and the pooches just as much, and know that David and I are never away from home in your hearts. I just spoke with my parents and actually got choked up just hearing them, and this week they are putting up the traditional Haferman Village! Something I’ve helped them with for years! I will give my heart out to help David be in the spirit, as we start our own memories and traditions. He’s already saying we need to bake our first Turkey, because he loves them Turkey sandwiches! I said, let’s do it! Seeing the ornaments bought back memories for me too, as a tradition in our family we always had a themed Christmas Tree. Will tell you more on that SOON! But all in all I look forward to hearing the stories about each ornament of David’s childhood, and his days growing up. I plan on calling you this week, so I hope you’ll be home! Until then, stay sweet and ooh keep working in the kitchen! I love being in the kitchen as much as my Mom, and you too.
That was a lovely visit!
What sort of sauce do you make for your pudding? We make a hot rum/butter sauce – delicious!
Are you going to share the recipe????