I woke to a frost-covered world this morning, white and glittering. My breath rose in ethereal puffs when I pulled on Bear’s flannel jacket and hustled outside to let the ducks out for their morning feed. My nose and fingers were numb by the time I was done, and I was so glad to get back in the house and huddle under a blanket with a hot cup of coffee.
By mid-morning the frost was gone, melted away by brilliant sunshine, and I happily strode through the golden fields with the goats, laughing at them leap over puddles and streams from our recent storms to gorge themselves on a particularly leafy clump of bushes.
Although it’s might cold in the mornings and evenings, I love this time of year. The world has shifted and the rich sunshine streams right through my kitchen window, flooding everything with light and warmth.
Afternoon is my favorite time to cozy up inside, keeping an ear open for squawks or bleats that tell me an animal is making a ruckus and needs attention. I brew apple maple tea and indulge in reading, writing, dreaming, and planning.
After being very sick for most of the past year, it is lovely to emerge from my cocoon with the strength and energy to follow through on some of the things I’ve only been able to dream about:
Like start an Etsy shop to sell some of the wood-burned items I make. It’s not finished yet – I’ve only just put it up today and have more items to add – but I’m too excited to wait so click here if you’d like a sneak peek.
And write a book. That’s too secret to talk about just yet, but I’m in the process of writing it and hope to have it ready within the next couple of months. I promise to tell you all about it just as soon as I can. xo
You’ll also see a few changes around this space soon. Good, happy, inspiring ones to reflect the good changes in my life and heart. I can’t wait to share them with you.
In the meantime I will share these Spiced Raisin Buns with you. I make the dough in the bread machine so they’re easy as can be. I wish you could pop over for a visit this afternoon. We’d pull our chairs into the puddle of sunshine aglow in the kitchen, butter these beauties and talk for hours or just close our eyes and snooze in the sunlight. I’d love that.
How about you? Do you have any lovely plans simmering away in your heart and imagination? I’d love to hear about them.
Cheering you on always. xo
Bread Machine Spiced Raisin Buns
Ingredients:
1.5 cups water
1.5 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 cups whole grain flour
1.5 cups white flour
1/2 tsp each of ground cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom
2 Tbsp milk powder
1.5 tsp sea salt
1.5 Tbsp raw sugar
2 tsp yeast
1 cup raisins or currants or cranberries
Directions:
- Pour water and oil into bread pan.
- Add flours, spices, and milk powder.
- Make slight well in center of flour mixture, add sugar and top with yeast.
- Lock bread pan in machine, close lid, select Dough setting and Start.
- At first beep add dried fruit.
- When second timer goes, remove dough from machine and place on floured surface.
- Preheat oven to 375 F (200 C)
- Knead dough well several times then divide into 12 pieces.
- Shape each piece into a ball and place until nearly touching on baking sheet covered with baking paper.
- Cover and let stand in warm place for 30 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.
- Uncover and bake for 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown.
- Brush with butter or drizzle with glaze. Serve warm or at room temperature with lots of good butter.
It is lovely to hear you are happy and feeling so much better. As for your baking, it is unwise to read your posts before a meal – just makes us notice we are hungry. There must be some wonderful odours emanating from your kitchen when the baking is in progress. 🙂
Thank you, @ken_powell:disqus I’m learning to take each day as it comes and be SO grateful for the good ones. 🙂 The buns smelled absolutely wonderful cooling on my counter, that’s for sure. 🙂
There is a beautiful and precious theme of hope and new beginnings in your post and I am so thrilled about yet to be written amazing blessings coming your way. You deserve every goodness and beautiful blessings coming your way. P.S – Super excited about your Etsy store! And your book? Oh my goodness, yay! x
Thank you so very, very much, dear @tanyalloyd:disqus 🙂 It makes my heart swell with happiness to read your support and cheering. 🙂 XO
I hope you’re feeling much better now! And I’m so looking forward to reading more about your book project! 😉
Thank you, @b5383af047f41fe50c4a80c17f14bb8a:disqus 🙂 It’s a day by day thing but even little improvements are cause for celebration. 🙂
Such exciting plans Krista. I saw your lovely spoons on Facebook and thought you should share these. You are such a sweet, talented woman it is with a heavy heart that I hear about your struggles with your health. The sun shines on these pages and I wish you continued strength and a permanent smile on your face. I am in the process of putting an e-book together of short stories and recipes. It takes time but it is time well spent and therapeutic.
Oh Val, I’m THRILLED to hear about your ebook!! I will love to read it if/when you’re ready to share it with the world. 🙂 Thank you so much for your kindness and care. You always make me feel loved. XO
So glad you are feeling healthier and happier, dearest Krista! I am so excited about your Etsy shop and your book – I need to know more!!! Beautiful pictures 🙂
Thank you, dearest @katyabroad:disqus 🙂 I will write you soon. XO
oh girlfriend! what a happy post full of nice surprises! looking forward to more and more from you! xo!
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
Thank you, lovely @9d73767d10227efff04c7307e331304c:disqus 🙂 It’s so nice to have you happy with me. 🙂 xo
Oh Krista, this post is full of so many great things. News of your Etsy shop, a book in the pipeline, plus a recipe, changes to this space and your beautiful photos and spirit as always 🙂
Glad to hear you are returning to good health – I will come to see your store when you are setup. The book sounds interesting, a bit of a secret, that’s good………………………I have plans for my new house, and I to have secret plans for a wonderful future. I will tell you about them as they come to pass………………….I am so glad to hear that you are well – that makes me happy
Oh, I’m so thrilled to read about your dreams and plans being slowly, steadily brought to life. How exciting! And completely inspiring! I can’t wait to see the up-coming changes to your blog. And a book on top of it all? A true testimony that passion and dedication to one’s dreams can trump challenges. As well as that “little” thing called an Etsy shop? You are amazing … whew!! xxx
That is so funny because as soon as I saw those buns I thought – I wish I lived near Krista and I would pop over and share some 🙂 Things are sounding exciting in your world. The Etsy shop is a wonderful idea – a great outlet for your creativity. I try not to look at Etsy because I go wild whenever I do. Our daughter is an artist and she shops there a lot – The parcel delivery guy knows our address intimately 🙂 I can visualize the (therapy) goats leaping in the air to cross puddles. Now I am smiling for real. Have a lovely day. PS. I am off to click on your Etsy Link!
Oh, I love everything about this!! A book?! An Etsy shop?! And those lovely little buns and blue French press. =) Would love to hear more of your dreams as you can share…so happy for you in all these happy things!! =)