Photo-a-Day Week | Day 2

Day #2--Making scones for breakfast with Becket. I love his footies so. 

Photo-a-Day Week | Day 1

Day #1--Gillian has had her bed as a loft bed for two years. Today we moved it to the ground, and she is so excited to have a place to sit and read.


What is this Photo-a-Day Week?  I was inspired by Erica Lea, on ericalea.com, to do a photo-a-day challenge. It is a fun way to be challenged in photography and chronicle everyday life!

Lovely Prezzies

I was so blessed this Christmas. I received several delightful presents that have brought so much joy to me. The Lord is good!

Enjoy taking a peak...

Anthropologie skirt. Love it. 

Cottage Kitchens magazine. Inspiration for my house someday...

Victoria and Albert planner, wall calendar, and file folders. Oh, yes. 

Necklace and earrings. Gorgeous. I feel so happy wearing them!

Two good books to read. I am in love with Elizabeth Goudge, and haven't yet read Orczy. Tea and reading time...

Stationary. I love the envelope and the color combo and design. Thank you notes a'plenty...

J. Jill infinity scarf. Totes adorbs. (I know, friends, I can't believe I just wrote that.)  

And...a porch drop off from a dear friend. Useful and delightful. 

What did you get for Christmas?

Love,

Madeleine

Unshod Feet

Paper Snowflake Tutorial

Hello, friends!

Sorry for the delayed post, but I hope it's worth the wait.

Gillian and I worked on this tutorial together. I hope you enjoy it!

Merry Christmas!

Madeleine 

Unshod Feet

Knitting Project | Wool Scarf

This is my newest knitting project. I thought you all might enjoy seeing the slow progress...aaah. :) I just learned how to pearl, I mean, really, I am at the very beginning of acquiring knitting knowledge. Anyway...I am currently knitting 2 rows, purling 2 rows and hoping to try a 4 stitches knit, 4 stitches purl pattern for one block, but we shall see. The yarn is from a friend who gave us some extra yarn. I'm not sure what the skeins are--if they're a blend or completely wool--but they look and feel so beautiful!

I would tell you who it's for, but I must be secretive. You can try to guess. :)

Any ideas for the evolving pattern?

Love,

Madeleine 

Unshod Feet

When the Frost is on the Pumpkin

Hello, friends!

The days of autumn are, alas, at a close. A few days ago, my Dad referenced this poem and I thought it fits the season we are in perfectly. Enjoy!

When the Frost is on the Punkin

by James Whitcomb Riley


WHEN the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then the time a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here—
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries—kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover overhead!—
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the cellar-floor in red and yaller heaps;
And your cider-makin's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With theyr mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and sausage too!...
I don't know how to tell it—but ef such a thing could be
As the angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me—
I'd want to 'commodate 'em—all the whole-indurin' flock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Love,

Madeleine

Unshod Feet

N. B. I know the picture isn't of a pumpkin...but it's still pretty! :)

Charming Wool Crafts

A few nights ago we had a craft night. It was delightful! We drank tea, listened to classical music, cut beautiful wools, and chatted into the evening. Lovely components: beautiful mugs, yummy tea, the long table, & many wools. The productions: a headband each and beginnings on a few other projects. As it always is, there wasn't enough time to do everything we wanted, but it was very enjoyable nonetheless.  And, as always, capturing it with the camera was a delight! (How do y'all like my fancy collage, above?)

Of course that evening was only the beginning. There are so many projects I want to complete before Christmas! One day at a time...

Thanks to Mama for the pictures of me, and for collecting all the wools! (She also crafted, but didn't make it in to the photos.) What a lovely evening of working with beautiful, real materials. How good it feels to work with wools and make beautiful things!

What have you been crafting lately?

Love,

Madeleine

Unshod Feet

Mamie Gillian

 

    

I had a fun photo shoot with my sister Gillian. I thought I got a few pretty ones, so I wanted to share them. Gillian is very patient with my experiments.  :)

Love,

Madeleine
Unshod Feet

Apple Butter

             

Apple Butter Recipe


15      apples
1/4     cup honey
3        Tablespoons cinnamon
1/2     teaspoon cloves
1/2     teaspoon nutmeg

1.     Peel, core, and cube the apples.

2.     Dump into a crock-pot and add other ingredients.

3.     Set crock-pot on low and leave for about 8 hrs. When the apples are soft, mash them up for a       couple hours more of cooking.

4.     After about 8 hrs., or when the apples are really soft, puree with a stick blender or a food processor until smooth.

5.     Put in jars and refrigerate. Slather on yummy foods, such as Pumpkin Muffins or Pancakes!

Recipe Notes:

~ I did half the honey suggested, and it was fine. Taste it to see what you think. Our apples were pretty sweet.
~ I have to say something about the jars I put the apple butter in! I found them at a little farm shop in Michigan. They are antique jelly jars. So in love with them.

Click here for a printable recipe!

I got the recipe here. I haven't explored any other recipes on this site yet, so good luck!:
http://morethanpaleo.com/paleo-apple-butter/

Happy Autumn,

Madeleine
Unshod Feet

Mama & Daddy Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the most wonderful parents in the entire world! You model for me real love, sacrifice, and ministry. I love, love, love you! Happy Anniversary!

Sunlight

This is a photo I took a while ago, trying to catch the light shining in my bedroom window.  I have to enjoy the sunlight before winter darkness descends!

We went apple picking yesterday, and came home with two bushels. I made an apple crisp last night that was delicious. I'm hoping to make apple butter soon. Any recipe ideas or tips?

Look out for a new apple butter recipe soon, once I've figured it out! :)

Love,

Madeleine
Unshod Feet

Christian Stewart & the Scarf

        

                                                

 So here is Christian's photo session. He is wearing the scarf I just completed for him, so I thought I'd include that as well. It's my first completed knitting project! 

Grace and peace,

Madeleine
Unshod Feet

Becket John

I took these photos of Becket on Sunday. I loved the red chair and his plaid shirt, you'd think it was planned. :) I shouldn't get all the credit because he is super photogenic. He complied with anything we asked him to do. So there it is; I got a little photo session of Becket. I hope to do this for all my other siblings this fall. Stay posted. 

Oh, and check out the new Recipes page at the top, all of my recipes are now compiled and printable. Enjoy, and let me know if there are any issues. Thanks!

Love,

Madeleine

Unshod Feet