NO leaves, NO sun, NOvember

November is living up to it's bad reputation this week.

November

No sun - no moon!
No morn - no noon -
No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day.
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member -
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! -
November!

by Thomas Wood

Boy! That's depressing - and so is the 5 days of rain we've had. But never fear - I have lots of inspiration and cheer to get through these darkened days. Here's a better November poem:

Kitchen Magic

When Gray days sometimes leave you
At a loss for what to do,
Fill your house with warmth and fragrance....
Bake a pie, a cake or two.

Make some heart-shaped sugar cookies
or a creamy pudding, fine;
A batch of fudge or brownies
Helps to pass the gloomy time.

A tin of golden muffins
Or some loaves of fresh-baked bread,
I am sure will be more pleasing
Than some 'store-bought' bread, instead.

What a thoughtful cheery greeting
For your loved ones...at the door
When they sniff your homemade goodies,
Wafting welcome evermore.

Violet Rourke Broderick

"Kitchen Magic" comes from the Ideals pamphlet shown on the left. It's one of several that I have - dog-eared and well used. The sentiments and heart-warming pictures always pull me back to the 'ideal' of family life and daily living. Some may call this 'corny', but the poems and pictures speak to my heart.

Today, I am inspired to make some of my Cranberry - Ginger Shortbread. - a recipe I copied from the Dec 2001 Victoria Magazine . So, I'll turn on all the lights in the kitchen, pick out a fall looking apron, line up all the ingredients on my island and indulge myself in a happy hour of creativity.

Cranberry Shortbread

2 sticks butter
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups flour
2/3 cup coarsely chopped dried cranberries
1/4 cup minced crystallized ginger OR 1/4 tsp powdered ginger (or more to taste)

1. Line 1 or 2 baking sheets with parchment paper (for 3 6" rounds).

2. Cream butter and sugar. Add dry ingredients on low speed, slowly. Stir in cranberries and ginger. Mix until just crumbly. Knead together into a ball.

3. Divide dough into 3 balls. Press each to a 6" round on baking sheet. Cut each round into 8 wedges (do not divide). Press edges with tines of a fork. Chill 15 min.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Edges should be light brown.

5. Let cool 15 minutes on pan. Cut now or later.