(at the workbench) - he will return

in the back of my mind even as gorgeous autumn is still in full color, thoughts of him linger...with all his mightiness and reach... king winter like no other tells us we must prepare for his return... i share just this one quick picture for now as all things are swirling faster like the falling autumn leaves caught on the wind...sending you warming wished wherever you may be!

(this moment) - autumn stillness

{this moment - Inspired by Soulemama. A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.} 

(at the workbench) - light

it's that time of year again.  caught a bit off guard as the days grow so short that my senses try to convince me that it is too late, while a clock says otherwise.



and here is a lantern made as a custom request to accompany a group of children and their teacher at lantern walk this year.  it will help light their way for martinmas and hold kite paper scenes  of the changing season all through the seasons.

(glimpses) - postcard days

 

 these days are full of postcard views and many busy hours... we'll see if somehow time can be found to take really take part of this life framed within the postcard. wishing you a very happy weekend!

(glimpses) - further adventures of life as a giant

The morning glories had been overlooking the garden for sometime now ...watching the days grow shorter  ... and giving thought to the weather and the changing seasons ...

 (though in truth more time has gone by then this picture will tell... and first frost are not always kind )

the ground has not been dry for nearly a month ... and how is it that bystanders can stand up to the winds of hurricanes, storms and first frost I don't know...


all summer ... I had been looking for them....I had seen them many times moving quietly  below my footsteps with their littlle leaps


and they had gone running before my camera could keep them in a picture for you ... very little and hardly as big as a cricket....among the ferns and raised beds

I had seen them busy no doubt in search of a meal and hiding from my ground quaking footstep..

... so while the sun was still bright and the last black-eyed susans shining...

at last here ....I am sharing my further adventures of life as a giant ..
.

even as the fierce weather had arrived with summer exit and autumn arrival....

(glimpses) - written in black and orange

 this is a short story written in two colors only...

 of the darkening year ... when colors fade from our world

 .... and we wake in darkness even though morning has come...

...  night is gaining in strength  ... while beautiful orange finds corners to bring it's warming glow....

(at play) - we two are

she has made me a fairy like herself ....

weaving a jewel like Autumn crown .... so we two might run like the wind  ... along side the falling leaves....oh how  I wish ... these autumn queens might stay a bit longer before those last leaves fall ....

(this moment) - Shine Like Gold

{this moment - Inspired by Soulemama. A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.}

(at the workbench) - glowing

I am so excited about my current projects ...  I  still have more photos to take, but wanted to share a little look

.... I hope to start posting these luminous candle holders later today here.










 Children studying a Waldorf curriculum enjoy the very magical study of form drawing. The forms they draw are both simple and complex. They are mathematical and artistic. They are taught to instruct the child in many ways.  Gracefully drawn,  they fill the childrens' handmade books  ....

While working on my own projects, I came across this wonderful chart that is used to express how geometric shapes relate to one another ...

In my mind I can see a very wonderful shifting of forms in all these studies. Happily dancing shapes that change from one form to another in delight. I can understand why a mathematics teacher might be so very excited to teach geometry to his or her students ...


Geometry and forms are alive in this way ... and that is what I I envision when I am working with "living design".

... forms that are both exact  yet organic and dynamic...












... while I wait for delivery of parcel filled with sweet smelling, honey-scented beeswax ...

to make more little tins of my  "Bee's Make Polish by Bright Sunlight" beeswax polish

... I will share that I will be adding a larger tin size and second special blend to the traditional one that I love... 

... the rain is coming down like a waterfall now ... and I am thinking about all things warm, cozy and glowing as I work inside the studio today. 



Happy Autumn!

(this moment) - Walking on Color

{this moment - Inspired by Soulemama. A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.}

glimpses - Give and Take

I have wanted to write this post for over week now ...

As I drove back this past Wednesday ... as the seasons moved from summer to autumn ... and day and night shared equally  ..

I was filled with words and would have rushed on a bit faster if not for those little reminders... crazed squirrels and low flying birds reminding me to take my time and watch the changing of the leaves ...

all the plants have done their best to thrive and give fruit as best as they could ....

despite promised rainfalls straying ... garden intruders feasting  ... hopes waning and waxing ... the garden still thrives and gives back ...

insistent plants lay down their seed  ... where wild plants will be welcome yet another year ... to share their unexpected return

Even Mrs. Murphy has seen better days ... her work has slowed ...but she will stay ready for the return of any new sign of building projects still to come...

The shadows are lengthening reminding that the year turns round again ... as we watch the garden making ready it's last offerings ... before we begin to prepare for a long winter  and the earth for her rest.

 that in the end ... all things move toward balance despite outward appearances ...  

and simple meal is prepared and we are grateful.

around the table - Apple Cake Turned Round Once

seasons have turned ...

bringing golden light through our kitchen window....

... while other golds go bye
encouraging a taste for autumn...













this apple cake recipe was adapted from a recipe found here. Once written the other way round,  but on a whim ... it was turned round once  ... so that our apple cake could be crowned with a spiral of golden apples ...

Apple Skillet Cake


Apples

• 2 or 3 medium tart apples (such as Mac), cored/ sliced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons orange juice or apple cider
• generous sprinkling of your favorite combination of sweet spices(cinnamon, nutmrg, cloves, cardamon, ginger, etc)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

  Cake

• 1 1/3 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup warm milk
• 1 large egg
• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9 ½" to 10" (2" deep) cast-iron skillet; or a 9" square cake pan.

2) Combine the apples with the brown sugar, orange juice/ cider, spices, and salt. Set aside.

3) Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

4) Mix the warm milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture, stirring to combine. Pour into the prepared skillet.  5) Arrange the apple at the bottom of the skillet in single layer pattern. Over medium head for 10 to 15 minutes let apple mixture caramelize and brown

6) Pour the batter on top and bake the cake for about 40 to 55 minutes until it is a light golden

7) Remove from the oven, and cool for about 5 minutes. Loosen the edges of the cake from the pan, and place a large plate on top of skillet, turn over and serve.

Have a great weekend!