Under the weather.

Under the weather. As idioms go, I think this one aptly describes that beginning aspect of sickness that leaves you icky but still functional.  I seem to be fighting off some bug or another today or at least trying to. Kitty Valla and I have gone back to bed to work, sip on tea, eat soup, and hopefully kick this bugs arse.

As you can see from the photo Valla’s idea of working from bed and mine are very different.

Although… she’s a pretty smart cat, so probably hers is the better plan.

My favourite comfort food for under the weather is my Ginger Miso soup.( What’s yours?)
I have been making this for my family for years. All the kids love it and ask for it even now. Sophie and I just polished off a pot of it last week.
I keep getting requests for this recipe so here it is:

Under the weather Miso Ginger Soup

In a sauce pan:
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 heaping tablespoon of grated ginger
4 green onions chopped
I/2 cup grated beet ( red or gold )
1/2 cup grated zuke
Saute all of this in a small amount of sesame oil until garlic and ginger are toasted.
Then add 10 cups of water or veggie broth. Let the water heat to a boil .
Turn heat down to a simmer and add 2 tablespoon of red ginger paste and about an 1/8th of a cup of apple cider vinegar.
If I have it on hand and I almost always do I add in a smidge of umeboshi plum paste.
Let all of that simmer about until the veg starts to be one with the broth and then enjoy.

I usually have to make twice this amount. My youngest Sophie loves it and will easily consume that amount all by herself is a 6 hour period.
The beauty of this is you can add in whatever veg you have or like.  Just keep in mind it’s supposed to be a brothy soup.

Ok I’m off to snuggle a kitty, proof a few patterns, knit on the one Christmas present I’m knitting and probably make some soup.

PS. 1: We shipped out the last of this years sock club yesterday and the loveliest thing happened as it walked out the door. You can see here .

PS. 2: Marisol you are a sweetie! Those are wonderful cookies. Thank you! You made the barn girls day!!

PS.3: I was going to rotate Valla’s picture the way it should be but thought better of it. (under the weather better of it)

Dear Samantha

I was making biscuits for Sophie this weekend, which of course made me think of you.  It always does, such an easy great recipe and one of the many gifts you’ve given me and this Blue Moon family of mine.
Holy cow, hasn’t this fall just been a time of transitions and change. We all seem to be facing that truth about how our lives are not really our own.  I want you to know, Sam, how much I respect your decision to scale back and focus your attention on your family.  I have made very similar choices where my family is concerned. Choices for the greater familial good that I do not regret at all, ever.  You are a wonderful mother, partner, daughter and friend, which is clearly evident after spending just a few moments with you and your family. The love and happiness radiates from all of you and it’s a joy to be around.
What you also are is a very talented designer with some wicked organizational skills.  I was lucky enough to be the recipient of these for the past year. You make you a wonderful design coordinator.
I will - and actually, truth be told, already do - miss you. 
As with Stephen, the only reason I have not run screaming into the woods with all of this is the fact that I know we’ll still be working together on designing and maybe a show or two.
Thank you so much, Sam.
Thank you for sharing your talent and skills with Blue Moon and me.
Thank you for your patience with my schedule, your honesty and willingness to work through just about anything and that great smile!
You are a joy to work with.
See you soon!

We can all keep track of Samantha and what she is up to here:  http://knitquest.typepad.com/

The first of December

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here,
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer,
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake,
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake,
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep,
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

-- Robert Frost

I love this poem. It reminds me of the winters of my early childhood and my grandfather.  He loved to takes us walking through the woods in the winter especially when there was snow. I think he loved that insulated silence. If I close my eyes I can still feel the biting cold on my cheeks and the comforting warmth of my hand sheltered in his.
It occurred to me last winter, as I was walking in my woods on just such moonlit evening, that my beloved grandfather would love it here where I live.  As I continued on my way thinking of him and remembering, I could still feel the warmth of my hand in his.
I’m so looking forward to this seasons first snowy evening walk. Almost as good as the walk is returning home, making tea and curling up by the fire with my knitting. I do believe he’d have liked that part too, although his tea would have an extra kick to it.

Happy First day of December!