by Lynaea
on January 22, 2013
Sweet Land: Cold, and Missing Connections
In all the conversations I’ve had today, the cold weather was the leading topic. We’re all cold. Some of us are happy there’s snow (I am), and some are just plain freezing (that’s me too). Seven degrees today–I wondered about the likelihood of frostbite this morning when I went for a quick run. My nose is extra long; perhaps it would be extra vulnerable? Apparently not. It’s still there.
Cold is both beautiful and terrible to me. I love what snow and frost do to a landscape, and I’m grateful that they are so reflective, since I’m missing summer’s light. But. When it is this cold, and I stand outside alone in the night, I am overwhelmed by the coldness and vastness of the universe. My seven degrees is a comparative (but very thin) safety blanket.
Besides crystalline beauty, cold also means isolation to me. Loneliness can overwhelm like a night alone with the universe.
And so, of course, I crave warmth. And company. In winter especially, I like to bake. Especially if I’m cold. Especially if I’m feeling disconnected . Why is that? [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 21, 2013
Once upon a time this winter, Nora wanted snowman pancakes. I was happy to oblige, conditionally. They also had to be healthy pancakes. We both got what we wanted, with a bonus:they turned out purplish (thanks to a key ingredient: black rice). Juvenile dream come true: We are officially Purple Snowman Eaters. Great times in the dead of winter. The pancakes were delicious (Frank ate 6), and really fun to make with Nora.
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by Lynaea
on January 19, 2013
I thought I’d call this post Winter Whimsy, but really, if I’m reaching for whimsy, it’s because I’m on the cusp of crazy, and I’m reaching for hope and light.
So this Saturday Special will be “Bird on a Wire”. Whimsy perched and clinging.
Winter is so beautiful here.
Hazardous, yes… We keep hearing the crash of icicles as they randomly fall around the house. And today, while Nora and I ran and sledded in the bright, frigid afternoon, we found a bunny trail ending in the middle of a field, with feather swoops marking the spot, and not a drop of blood. (Theory: people with scientific/pragmatic/hunter-gatherer minds are apt to call these animals “rabbits”. Girls who are sad that they’ve just been annihilated call them “bunnies”). [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 19, 2013
Refashion a Shirt Adventure
I posted a teaser on this project a few Saturdays ago, and almost forgot to share “the rest of the story”.
Or more of the story, anyway.
Most of my wardrobe is thrifted. While I love to find things that fit perfectly in the perfect color and perfect cut, it’s rare. And for some reason, not quite as exciting to me as discovering diamonds in the rough…clothes that seem irrelevant but have untapped potential (like a dress that could be a skirt, or a blouse that would look great as the bodice of a dress). Or clothes that are way too big. Sometimes, the bigger the better. Bigger means more fabric to play with (think yardage), more wiggle room. Which was the original state of this shirt (“AND YOU! Friendless, Brainless, Helpless, Hopeless. Do you want me to send you back to where you were, unemployed in Greenland?”—Vizzini to Fezzik, The Princess Bride). [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 17, 2013
I am about to share Nana’s Swiss Porridge recipe.
This is not a Secret Recipe, nor even Deliberately Exclusive, but a recipe til now enjoyed by just a few. The “few” being a remote, obscure clan of hillbillies , plus a smattering of their friends and relatives and random passers-by. Julia Child missed this one. I’m pretty sure.
Aside: This clan, an intelligent, caring, mostly responsible bunch, reluctantly conceded to our sister Mara Lee’s assertion that we are hillbillies. None of us are typically willing to file into any category at all without a struggle, and most of us dismiss the notion of stereotyping altogether (personally, I think it’s abominable). Nevertheless. After my sister enumerated a long list of qualities universally accepted in our culture as Hillbilly, and showed us all with her usual savoir faire how we moved in that groove, we (the clan), were disinclined to further argument (especially after relishing a generous helping of Nana’s Swiss Porridge). Agreed. Yes. We are hillbillies. What is more, we aren’t (not one of us) Swiss. Further proof. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 16, 2013
Painting Nostalgia: Sister, Sister
I was feeling nostalgic today, missing my sisters…feeling grateful for them in a kind of homesick way. So, I’m posting paintings of one them. Andrea Jane. Here is a short series of studies I painted with oil on canvas, using Andie’s wedding photos and my amazing memory (= as references. Photos taken in bright sun; Andie is either glancing down or squinting (I call it gazing pensively).
[continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 15, 2013
Refashion Clothes From Big Sister’s Closet
Nora spilled through the front door in a frosty gust yesterday. Snow had found its way into her boots and was clinging to her leggings; her mittened hands were cold-nipped and her cheeks apple-red. We warmed her up by the fire. She calmed down and mellowed out…and was so darn cute (albeit a little soggy) that I had to capture the moment while her cheeks still glowed. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 12, 2013
I’m getting better. I think. I spent some time outside today (sincerely layered) shoveling snow and mucking out the goat pen. Sneezes were down significantly, ears only slightly plugged, head pressure possibly clearing.
Which tenuous upturn makes me an authority on remedies for the common cold.
*This authorized dubiousness comprises tonight’s Saturday Special (I’m going for historical here).
**These are all homely remedies, by the way. Truly indubitable? You decide.
1) Lemon & Honey.
Growing up, when we had sore throats, my mom used to warm up a little bit of lemon juice concentrate mixed with honey (Realemon…the spelling vexed my little girl brain), and give us the concoction a teaspoon at a time. The ultra sour/sweet combination distracted us (our senses reeling) into feeling better…at least for a little while. [continue reading…]
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