Bierock Casserole

     Bierocks are of German origin, and my Russian-Polish grandmother almost certainly made some version of them, although I do not remember ever eating the meat-filled pastry pockets. When I came across a recipe that simplified the dish by putting the filling in a pan and then placing the crust over the top, I tried it the next day. Browned ground beef, steamed cabbage, carrots and onions were spread in an 8" by 8" casserole dish, sprinkled liberally with cheddar cheese and then, because I happened to have one in the refrigerator, a can of crescent rolls was rolled out for the crust. Looked and tasted so good that we dug in immediately after removing it from the oven, remembering to get the camera out only when the casserole was almost totally devoured!

DIY Hanging Pot Rack

     Another of my "keep busy and don't despond" projects resulted in this pot rack that hangs above the kitchen sink. I'd often thought this might be a good idea, especially since cabinet space in my kitchen is barely adequate, but:
#1. I didn't want any of the window  view blocked
#2. I didn't want the lovely natural light impeded
#3. Despite the airy vaulted ceiling, I was afraid it would look cluttered.

   
     However on a Christmas house tour, a featured kitchen smaller than mine included a similarly-placed rack and all of my fears were allayed. A short time later, fifteen dollars and a trip to the hardware store provided the scant materials; a five foot piece of electrical conduit, a pack of ceiling hooks (with toggle bolts included) and several packs of S hooks. Oh, and I splurged on end caps - $1.79 apiece for brushed nickel cabinet knobs that matched the existing ones in the kitchen and were glued on each end of the conduit.
     Now my pans are always within easy reach and I have a cabinet freed up for other uses. Even husband, who was skeptical upon hearing my plan (and who has taken up quite a bit of cooking in recent months), admits that he likes the arrangement.

Apple-Cinnamony Gifts

     In November, before the Christmas rush, an invitation came for a housewarming party. I had been expecting the celebration, so was ready with gifts for the family's new home but also wanted to bring food or a drink. Knowing there would be children attending as well as adults, I dismissed the customary host/hostess gift of a bottle of wine in favor of a snack. I had dried some apple slices the week before so a large batch of Apple Cinnamon Chex mix was easy to put together and bake (it also made the kitchen smell heavenly for the morning!) Filled to the tip-top, a glass cookie jar with a lid made an enticing presentation, and a computer generated label tied with a raffia bow added a natural homespun look.

     That same week, we received another invitation - to attend Thanksgiving dinner at the home of hubby's brother and his extended family. In thirty years of marriage, we had never spent a holiday with that side of the family (they just weren't very close) but the patriarch was visiting from Texas and becoming frail with advancing age,  he proposed that all five sons gather with him for what might be the last time. Anyway, again I felt a gift was in order, so made another batch of the Chex Mix, put it in a clear plastic bag and  tied it with the same type of raffia bow and label. Not entirely pleased, I felt something was lacking, so I found a just-right sized basket in the basement (I buy one now and then from a garage sale or flea market and keep a few on hand for projects such as this) and arranged the bag inside - mission accomplished!

Mini Bottle Gift Carrier

     January IS the month of birthdays - six family members, three co-workers, and a couple of friends all share the birth month. On a recent Thursday evening, several siblings gathered for a happy hour celebration at the cozy piano bar of  a local restaurant. (The windows framed a pretty view of the snow covered patio and flames crackled in the fireplace - it was a lovely place to spend the evening!) 

     As we've gotten older and have families of our own, birthday gifts between siblings are mostly token, and usually inexpensive, so before the holidays I bought several mini bottles of various liquors. Paper stock was transformed into little carriers by cutting, folding and gluing.  With my graphics software, I designed and printed some appropriate labels, which were attached to the front; pink ribbon ties added a festive touch and held the bottles in the carriers. I was pleased and the birthday girls were delighted.

Loving Snow

      "I love snow. It makes sweaters warmer and coffee tastier. It makes homes feel cozier. It makes  a book and a fireplace seem like everything a reasonable human being could ever need"...I want to be out in the snow...I'm not crazy. I just live with sled dogs and we had an appointment."
     Author Jenna Woginrich's sentiments echo my own and that is why I was out early today with my camera. A neighbor's towering fir tree stood sentinel on the corner and its magnificence just begged for a photo. On an ordinary day, when the tree was not cloaked in snow, I might have passed it by without a second thought.

The Twelve D's of Christmas (D = Favorite Decoration)

1. Santa salt and pepper shakers that I loved as a child and didn't even know they still existed until we had to sell Mom's house last year! The little ceramic fellows never fail to inspire a wistful nostalgia for Christmas's past.

2. Simple potholders featuring screen printed  images on cotton fabric -  these were sewn and quilted by my maternal grandmother, who I miss dearly, but never more than at Christmas.

3. A fish ornament that is not vintage, nostalgic, or even traditionally holidayish, holds a special place in my heart because it was a gift from a special friend and because it is so unique, with its animated features and sparkly colors.

4. About twenty years ago, I found a page of vintage Christmas images (meant for decoupage) inserted in a magazine. I cut them out and glued them to stock paper, and gold or white doilies trimmed to size. Red embroidery yarn was tied on for hangers. The ornaments have such a lovely old-world appeal.

5. A paper mache reindeer is regally transformed with a painted finish that has the rich appearance of burnished gold. He is also a planter and holds a small bush of shiny berry-laden holly.

6. A spruce wreath hangs on the front porch to the left of the door. Originally it had just the small gold ornaments, red berry sprigs and the red bow. Later I bought the little sled at an after-Christmas sale but couldn't seem to find the right spot for it, until it finally found a just-right place on the wreath.

7. Santa takes on a whimsical form, again on the front porch, atop the summertime fern stand. For safety in the blustery winter winds, his ceramic form (now wait, is he a snowman?) is wired to the stand. 

8. Another holiday resident welcomes visitors on the front porch - this vigilant cardinal that I rescued from a local thrift shop. I used acrylic paint to cover the faded metallic finish and was pleased with the realistic palette. My redbird looks right at home, perched among the potted ivy, scarlet berries and winter flowers.

9. Small shelf at the end of the hall holds two skating snow people, a snowman candle holder and some greenery, and radiates a quiet charm at night with a tiny candle glowing in front of the mirror.









10. Simply because I love it, the nature tree stands atop the computer desk all year long but for the Christmas season, small apple ornaments and tiny gold bells are added. Oh, and a gold nativity ornament assumes the highest point on the tree.

11. Husband started this collection of ceramic buildings a few years ago and now they sit on a bookshelf in the living room. A snow blanket and pillowy pine trees complete the winter look, which glows with tiny lighted windows in early morning and in the evening. (The village is on the same timer as the Christmas tree - no need to hassle with wires or awkwardly placed electrical plugs.)

12. I made the stately swan three decades ago. The fowl, and the holiday wreath encircling his slender neck,  was made from a kit - preprinted fabric which I cut and stitched together, then stuffed. He perches on the highest shelf in the vaulted kitchen, among a collection of cookbooks.