because I had to be home to rotate the pan in the oven

Today in between making Syrup Cake, my version of gingerbread, which is made with a whole lot of Steen's pure cane syrup (thus the name), I did some sewing.

Unbelievably, and only with the help of Ann, I have finished piecing and sewing the top of a quilt. Truthfully, I wondered if I had it in me. Turns out, there is a lot you can do with the guidance of a friend. It's not that I haven't made a quilt before, but never one where I wasn't just winging it. 

The cake, by the way, turned out perfectly, with a crisp exterior snap to the crust, a soft interior, and plenty of dark rich molasses flavor.

There was also sitting, fire watching, and recalling the time in Williamsburg in the late 1990's when I stumbled upon Christmas Eva in a little store and she came home with me. 

Candles were lit, feet were put up, options for holiday movies were reviewed. This is where I request you share your favorites in case I have missed them. It's hard to sort through all the movies out there. 

I only left the house once (for 15 minutes because I had to be home to rotate the pan in the oven) to run to the store for grapes and strawberries to go with the syrup cake. 



It was a perfect day of poking around, doing a little of this and a little of that, Chris telling me "you know you left the iron plugged in right?" and "hey your sewing machine light is on"... I am in my element when not following anyone's rhythms but my own, getting up to do something else whenever the spirit moves me.  

Comments

[Chris Oliveira]

My favorite cartoon is Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol. The retro artwork is just beautiful. We also enjoy Scrooge the musical, George C. Scott’s Scrooge, and Henry Winkler’s American Christmas carol. Seeing a pattern? Also love other traditional ones: you’ll shoot your eye out, It’s a Wonderful Life, etc.

[Michelle Weatherson]

The Syrup Cake looks delish! As to Christmas movies, if you haven't seen 'Last Christmas' with Henry Golding and Emilia Clarke from 'Game of Thrones,' please check it out. It's a sweet rom/com that came out in 2019. Some chuckles and some tears. I liked it far more than I thought I would--even my husband liked it.

[carol]

Thanks Chris! just added Mr. Magoo to the list.

[carol]

Michelle: "Last Christmas" sounds perfect! thank you, carol