Let There Be Light

The current temp in western Massachusetts is a "balmy" 18 degrees and it's not noon yet. 

During deep freezes, like we are in, coming home at night from errands, visits, or wherever, is a pure joy.

The first thing I do is switch on lights. 

In the small living room, itself, I use three different lamps, one of which is shown in today's video.

Anything fringed sets my heart on fire and, of course, pink is my favorite color.

So the lamp shown casts beautiful light . 

There's a lamp to the side of the lounge chair from which I watch television and there's another fringed lamp on the kitchen table/counter.

Way over by the stove, a lamp, fringed with cranberry-colored beads, gets switched on when more light is needed.

The many lights create a fabulous ambiance in this small apartment and make me want to stay home forever.

However, the next morning, it's get up and go time!

DO YOU USE A LOT OF LIGHTS, TOO?

Easy, Peasy Cornbread

Cornbread with some butter can be a really delicious accompaniment to a cup of coffee or tea.

For more decades than I care to count, I've been making it in a certain way that is quick and easy.

If a last minute dish is needed to bring somewhere, pop a pan of cornbread into a 400 degree oven and 20 minutes later, it's ready to roll.

Pour two packages of Jiffy Cornbread into a big bowl.  Add two thirds of a cup of milk and two eggs that have been gently beaten.

Then, (and this is a key ingredient that makes the cornbread extra yummy), add a can of creamed corn.

Mix all and pour into greased pans or cupcake tins, if you want cornbread muffins. 

Bake about 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven that has been preheated.

If the center of the bread is not quite done after 20 minutes, pop it back into the oven for a few minutes.

Take a tablespoon or so of fresh butter and let it melt all over the top of the cornbread. Spread it around with a dull knife until completely melted.

This cornbread is delicious alone or as a side to chili or any other dish.

Enjoy!

 DO YOU LIKE CORNBREAD? 

Ready for the Next Snowfall

The pretty little lady in today's post is all ready for snow.

Her red coat has white, puffy cuffs at the wrists, and on the bottom as well as on the edge of her hat and at her collar.

She has long, golden curls and big, beautiful brown eyes.

She is one of the dolls that has escaped being sold or given away.

She now stands inside my late grandmother's hutch, looking through one of the glass cabinet fronts.

The doll collection was once very large and loved. 

However, after several moves, ending in a small apartment, there just is no room for a large number of dolls.

They have been among the most difficult of my possessions to give up. 

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF DOLLS?  DID YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ONE WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE PERSON?

 

Folk Art

 

Artistic pieces from other countries have always been intriguing.

The colorful art from Nicaragua, Central America, is very unique and beautiful, in its own way.

The cross shown in today's post is from that country.

Every inch of it tells its own story of everyday countryside life there.

The images are simple and kind of rustic but are very inviting.

Throughout this apartment are examples of folk art from all over the world.

DO YOU ENJOY FOLK ART OR ARE YOU MORE TRADITIONAL WITH ONE  FAMILILAR  STYLE?

A Winter Respite

When winter, with its single digit temps and some long, lonely days,  begins to get on one's nerves, one solution is to invite a dear friend for brunch.  

It's fun to decide what to serve, how to decorate, and to share precious hours with a person one loves.

When having a special brunch,  beautiful Old Country Roses dishes, red goblets, and a lace cloth, make a table look lovely.   

Recently, a dear cousin and I, had quiche, guacamole with crackers, fresh cherries, and spice cake with cream cheese frosting.

 Of course, coffee accompanied our little brunch.

These kinds of respites bring sunshine into our lives despite dark grayness and cold outside.

Now, with Valentine's Day around the corner, it's also fun to add hearts and other decor to celebrate the upcoming day of love. 

WHAT DO YOU DO TO ADD JOY TO WINTER ?