Winter scene

This very pretty scene shows why only four wheel-drive vehicles are getting out. Halfway down (or up, depending on your position) is a sheet of ice. Everyone here is prepared, though, so we have not been complaining about the state of the road.
The Bees were well provisioned, at the start of the winter. They aren't moving much, at the moment.

These Deer were startled by people coming out to Toboggan. It is usually very quiet here, and they are able to browse undisturbed. They made themselves scarce vey quickly.

A little cheer.

There, that's what we need on a cold day-a cup of tea, and some.....Cake.
Dundee cake.

I have three recipes that I alternate, according to whim and/or size required. The first is my family recipe (from my maternal Grandmother). The second is from ''Mrs Beetons' Household Management''. The third is from a television programe featuring Gary Rhodes. He later published it in a book, ''At the Table''. This last one is Mrs Beetons, with additions. It is also the recipe I have used this time.

Full Moon

The first full moon of 2010, rising over the hill behind my house. It's the first time I have tried taking photographs at night, and so I am quite pleased with how this has turned out.
It was an extremely cold night, minus 4 celsius. The stars were bright. It was still, and quiet, and the Owls were hooting and shrieking in the wood. A Vixen screamed occasionally, down by the stream. All very atmospheric.
I know that elsewhere in the country was much colder. In fact, we have been reasonably lucky with the weather, but each of us goes by our own experience.

The next morning, I found these toadstools growing on the remains of a woodpile, on the edge of the wood. We have made lots of random piles of wood, especially for wildlife use. All sorts of insects and amphibians use them to hibernate, or otherwise overwinter, in.

Or perhaps the Faerie Folk have set up home here?

The one that got away...

Unfinished work.... I tried to knit one thing too many....

..but it will be ready for her birthday.

Seasonal things

A little seasonal knitting has been going on...

I had promised Christina some squares for a blanket. This first one, Green Trees, was from a pattern that she had.

This is Fafnir,an Elsebeth Lavold pattern. Both are in the remnants of my Jaeger doubleknit superwash Merino stash. 4.5 mm needles.

A new recipe for ginger cake- Ginger Drizzle Cake. Use a standard sponge recipe, and add a tablespoon of ginger syrup (from the crystalised ginger jar)and a teaspoon of ground ginger to the mixture. Take it from the oven, and prick all over with a skewer. Drizzle with a syrup made from 4 tablespoons of icing sugar, the juice of half a lemon, and a tablespoon of ginger syrup. (It should be thin enough to run, but slowly). Leave in the tin until the cake is cool, and the topping is set.
We have had very seasonal weather today. Ice, hoare frost and a little soft hail. Best Beloved and I both went out and spent a happy hour taking photos in the frost.Poppy and Babur stayed indoors by the fire.

B.B. thinks that this is a better photo than the one I posted as a Yule card. The sentiment holds.

Seasons Greetings

I wish you all the Blessings of Midwinter Day. Have a safe and joyful Yule.

Whoops!

My computer will not upload photos at the moment. (Grrr). Will be back as soon as possible.