It certainly felt like a frosty winter day this morning. We woke up to wind, snow and frigid temperatures here in eastern Pennsylvania today, but somehow it felt like we were due for some significant snow accumulation. This weather system seems to have hit a large area in the northeastern part of the United States, so many of you are probably digging out as we speak.
Let me begin by saying that the first significant snowfall of the season is great because, not only is everything covered in pristine, white snow, but the wildlife seems to take a small break and settle down from the every day hustle and bustle.
This morning while it was snowing, everything was white!
As soon as it stopped snowing, the sky cleared and the wind picked up. It was magnificent looking out the front door and seeing such a blue sky.
While I didn't venture out through the trails and up into the field this morning, I did get to walk along the driveway to photograph a few pictures for my archives. There were other things that needed to get done inside the house.
Believe it or not, underneath that hill is our resident groundhog.
He did predict six more weeks of winter!
The past week or so has been rather hectic here at home, with Valentine's Day coming up, birthdays and other projects popping up here and there. It's the reason I haven't written a blog post in a while. Forgive me!
Looking down the driveway, you can see the thick snow on the branches, the gorgeous sky behind the horizon, and our small home that is keeping us warm.
I recently had the pleasure of making a batch of Lovebird Valentine's Day cookies. The idea wasn't mine, but rather than make an exact replica of the one that inspired these, I took some liberties and gave the lovebirds some cute accents.
Half of each heart sugar cookie was iced in a light pink royal icing and the other half was iced in plain white. Using two sets of heart-shaped candies, I played around with how I wanted to situate them on the cookie for their kissy faces. I chose the candies on the right.
These very bashful lovebirds were given little tufted feathers on their heads (stiff royal icing piped with an open star tip) black eyelashes, heart-shaped candy beaks, and small wings reaching out for a hug. People loved them!
For a special birthday party with over six dozen children in attendance, I was asked to do Minecraft sugar cookies. As much as I wanted to photograph these cookies for the blog in great detail, I simply didn't have the time to do so. The photograph above shows you the works in progress; chickens and pigs, among other characters, were created by the dozen. I think the kids are going to like them.
Every hardworking cookie decorator needs a tea break in between projects, at least in my opinion. I wanted to try a new tea from The English Tea Store, so I took out one of my Wedgwood drabware teapots, some teacups and had a much-needed respite.
Sitting on that antique wire cooling rack, I set out a few cookies that I made at the very last minute. I found myself with extra sugar cookies (I always make extras for projects just in case) and several shades of royal icing. While the kettle was waiting to come up to a boil, I drizzled three colors of royal icing on these cookies and set them out for tea.
Can you blame me? I love having cookies with my tea in the afternoon if I have the time.
The daily ritual of making a good pot of tea, setting out some homemade cookies on a nice plate, and using some of my favorite cups and fine silver, is something I never tire of. In fact, it's something I look forward to because I find it soothing and necessary. It's my way of removing the negative from the day's happenings, whatever they may be.
Allow yourself the pleasure of taking a few moments of the day for yourself to unwind and relax. It's necessary for our well-being to be able to enjoy some kind of diversion from the day to day.
Stay safe and warm wherever you happen to be this afternoon.
I was relaxed just reading your post. As much as I long for spring, the snowfall at your home is just beautiful. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kenn! Now it's time to clear it up from the driveway. :)
DeleteGoodness me - snow! We are having a 3 day heatwave of 113 deg F here in Australia.
ReplyDeleteYikes, that is very hot! I have to admit that I do know what 113 feels like. It's not pleasant. Stay cool down under!
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