bee creative

open house, day fourteen

A poem I have loved for over 40 years...

It might have been on an invitation:

 

I heard a bird sing

in the dark of December.

A magical thing

and sweet to remember.

"We are nearer to spring

than we were in September."

I heard a bird sing

in the dark of December.

-Oliver Herford

*

 

Sunrise: 7:58

Sunset: 4:14 PM

open house, day thirteen

There is always something that doesn't quite go as planned...

Second try and I still can't get my ice candle holder to freeze in the shape I want.

open house, day twelve

I really like to have old photos out this time of year... in albums or loose stacks.

And altered ones too...

because photos are almost always an appropriate gift and they can be mailed without going to the post office.

(Both of these are altered by using an app that does digital layering.)

 

open house, day eleven

At first it was to cat proof,

now I just like it.

Ornaments that hung on my great-grandparent's tree in a canning jar.

open house, day ten

Having something to do is nice at a party...

Card making?  I am just getting started.

Secret Santa socks are all done.

 

open house, day nine

I love old windows and have had this one hanging on my wall for many years now.

It's become a place for cards, favorite family photos, a few of my projects, some art given to me by creative friends as Secret Santa gifts in years past.

The wall paper came with the house.  In the beginning I thought to replace it but I love it more each year as it ages. 

I also like to tuck cards between the keys or the roller bars of this old typewriter Mom and Dad found for me. 

Like this one...

open house, day eight

Scottish Shortbread from the Kitchen of Ann G.

Knead together:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 cup of butter, softened
• 1/2 cup of rice flour (this is the secret)
• 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.

Roll out thick (about 1/4 of an  inch) and cook in a moderate oven (350 F) for 15 minutes.

Best if they can age a bit before being consumed...

Excellent with tea.

Cookie exchange? Do you have a recipe or link to share?

 

open house, day seven

A few seasonal favorites... Sorry for the ads.

 

 

And a current favorite that I would sneak into the playlist...

 

Anyone have a favorite to add to the playlist?

open house, day six

Considering who we all are, I imagine many of us might gather and

work on projects during this open house...

I am taking a break from the sweater and blanket to knit a pair of socks for the person I am a Secret Santa for at work.

 

 

open house, day five

A bit more of the outside decorations.

This year I am decorating one of the outside trees.

Moss squeezed into a ball, wrapped with string, embellished with rose hips. 

Roses hips are as beautiful as the flower.

There will be more ornaments for this tree, maybe stars or snowflakes made out of twigs?

Pine cones that have been decorated?

Popcorn for the birds... or squirrels.