Fragile Starts, New Beginnings

Ah mornings,
Do you know those mornings? It's those were you wake up and the weather is fine. Beautiful and bright, cold...but beautiful. And one many thanks to Anne!  It started with a wonderful Dutch Baby. It's mostly and eggy type pancake (Much better than it sounds). It was wonderful with the powdered sugar and lemon juice. It was my first time ever making one. So I was curious how it would turn out. Result, Stefan bout' flipped! Yes they are that good. Take a look:

So here it is, and now it's gone!

I was so happy Anne shared her amazing recipe she uses with us. And she wants to share it with you ! So the start of a good breakfast revved up my day. I now have my coffee and my computer. Another great way to start my day.

At least until I start my long list of to-do's. And BTW, have any of you put up your Christmas tree yet? We did Sunday. Although it's not yet decorated. We love going to a local tree farm called 'Stoll's tree farm' It is always such a great experience. They treat you right! You start by going in a warm heated barn filled with the smell of pine needles and a fire. Than you get a lime green ribbon before trekking out to find the perfect tree. And did I mention the oh so sweet yellow lab? She sports a red ribbon around the farm. She has a puppy like energy. Circling around you as you arrive. After finding the perfect tree you then return to the barn and let the guys now were the tree is. You can follow them up the hill and watch your tree being cut or retreat back in the barn to warm up with the fire and the hot chocolate and peanut butter blossoms. The choice is yours. We used to have an artificial tree years ago. But we love being able to support locals and it's so nice that there business is thriving. It very Eco friendly. Some may argue. But by buying a tree you help them to plant more trees. One might ask why that's a good thing if they are just going to cut them down. But each tree must be planted and grow for many years before being cut. And for those many years it provides shelter for the bird's nest's in the spring and shelter from the cold in the winter. And if it weren't for the trees it would be inevitably a flatted spot for more seasonal crops. And you know the trees are helpful in that while you are trumping in the snow the chirps of birds are not far behind. So if you have an artificial tree don't despair. But if you get a chance to snag a real one do it locally! It is a great experience and while you may have a few pine needles occasionally drop to your floor it will reward you with it's wonderful scent. It will make even the urban dweller feel as if they were wintering in a cabin high in the mountains. Or at least come close. Last but not least, this Geranium was a start one may not try to achieve. It started it's life on its mother plant until it's owner clipped it away.

 It's clippings were given to me for the sole purpose to try and make new starts. However after placing them in my car I forgot about them for more than a week. With also the added stress of a whole lot of heat. This was in the heat of summer mind you'. But in the hope of reccesitating it I placed it's stems in water after first trimming almost an inch from its stem. The result several weeks later (Actually more than that) I noticed it greening again and a shot of sucker roots starting. I was excited! Now as you can see This Smelly good Geranium has a new lease on life and is doing exceptionally well.