12 days treasury

I haven’t made an ETSY treasury in a while but I couldn’t resist doing something themed for Christmas.  This was my grandma’s favorite song, it was always the highlight of the Christmas party.  ”FIVE GOLDEN RINGS” was the most cherished line, and typically by the end of the song everyone tried to out-sing their line to that dramatized tune.  But only the true position of five golden rings was allowed to hold the wooden spoon microphone!

NewMoonStudio $95.00	karendavis $11.00	ThePolkadotMag… $42.00	InGoodCo $20.00
tinahdee $130.00	tomsoucek $65.00	LoveAtFirstBlu… $50.00	grayworksdesig… $450.00
printed $50.00	benconservato $6.00	ffischerphoto $53.00	timmcmullen $225.00

In my search to remember all 12 days I found this list linking the popular song to a ”catechism song” to help young Catholics learn their faith.  Here is an explanation of the twelve days below, I found them very interesting.

A Partridge in a pear tree–Jesus Christ.

Two Turtle Doves–The Old and New Testaments.

Three French Hens–The Trinity and/or Faith, Hope and Charity.

Four Calling Birds–The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Five Golden Rings–The first Five Books of the Old Testament.

Six Geese A-laying–The six days of creation.

Seven Swans A-swimming–The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

Eight Maids A-milking–The eight beatitudes

Nine Ladies Dancing–The nine Fruits of the Spirit

Ten Lords A-leaping–The Ten Commandments.

Eleven Pipers Piping: The remaining eleven faithful apostles.

Twelve Drummers Drumming–The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed

the exchange…

The annual cookie exchange with my SpringHill ladies – always one of the best parties of the year.  I exchanged ice cream for cookies this year the choices were; gingerbread, peppermint, mint chocolate, cannoli and caramel egg nog.  I loved these sweet little pint containers, so convenient!

One of the best exchanges of the evening though was the sharing of hearts as we are able to catch up with those in town for the holidays and friends separated for weeks by busy schedules.  I love these ladies, who they are, what the do, what they believe in and certainly for what they make!  Those moments of exchange as we mingle around the room will last much longer than the temporary sweet treats, and nourish the soul.  Thanks ladies for another great tradition!

For Eunice: Mint julep ice-cream & Burbon fudge brownies

As newlyweds we lived in Kentucky for a few years as my husband finished his MDiv.  Our first (itty bitty) apartment was half of a starter home that had been split into a duplex.  On the other side lived the owner the sweetest 85+ year old woman, Eunice.  She was proper in ever southern way,  I loved catching a glimpse of her on shopping day which came once a month.  She transformed into this glamorous woman complete with faux fur coat and lipstick.  I once caught her on a ladder trying to change a light bulb and had to convince her that she could come down, so I could help.  You could never just talk for a moment, she alway invited me over, eventually she would even let me in when her hair wasn’t done!  I rarely turned the heat on during the winter because she kept her half so warm the heat radiated over.  Sometimes she sang opera or old hymns, those made their way over to our quarters.

It was in that little apartment that A and I blended (beated or whipped might be a better word) our very different cooking backgrounds in our journey to oneness.  I also made my first batch of ice-cream ever in that little space.  I often would take plates of food and bowls of soup over to Eunice who didn’t like to cook for just one, other than that I think she lived off of diet coke.  She used to say in her sweet voice “you’re an artist in and out of the kitchen!”  I loved that phrase, it still makes me smile.

Although we never attended the Kentucky Derby  day which was held this past weekend, I make this weeks flavor in honor of the late Eunice.  She was a faithful servant with a loving heart, I sure am glad our paths crossed.  About a year ago I got a hankering to look her up and ran into her obituary online.  It unfortunately was missing all the personal and sweet details that are impressed in my mind of this ever-giving lady.  May she be rejoicing in the Lord’s full joy and love today!

I used these recipes Mint Julep Ice-cream and  this isn’t my exact recipe but this is close for Burbon fudge brownies.  So good. Enjoy!

white table centerpiece

So I love how these came out, I practically giggled when I cracked the kiln. To describe the process, I wanted to originally make these from porcelain but it just wasn’t working out.  Then I tried to throw them (on the wheel for you non-potters, NOT across the room), but really was going for a square.  Try three produced these white stoneware boxes with  good coffee on a saturday morning. Finally things were going my way.  There is a little crack on one, and a little warpage on another, but compared to the first two attempts….  I love the natural feel of these and the glaze which drifted together like a Michigan snow bank.  The flowers were timed perfectly and slightly fragrant.

I gave the large one to my mother-in-law and the two smaller ones to my sister-in-laws.  I wish I made one more for my self, maybe a January morning will take me back there.  She wanted the table all white, so this was my contribution.  I also made little porcelain snowflake ornaments for table place-cards, with everyone’s name stamped in them.  I am so happy that these all turned out, and the close similarities to my drawing.  It has been a great Christmas break but I am eager to get home and start working on some new ideas.  Just wanted to show you all my excitement of how these guys turned out!

* I used spectrums running hot chowder over a swipe of texture kiwi.  I love how it brought out hints of green and crimson.  A nice little holiday surprise.

christmas centerpiece.

My husband comes from a family of great cooks.  The kitchen is never empty at holidays, they seamlessly enter and exit to prep, stir, rise and bake.  It is a little world of its own, that I am slowly learning.   I have for years looked for a way to contribute without bumping in and muddling all that tradition.  Last year at thanksgiving it clicked, why not put my artistic gifts to use at the table, a safe distance from the kitchen.

I should probably go back and post sometime about the ridiculous piece that may have set the bar a little too high, for years to come…  so to create a new tradition, I am making the centerpiece, this year out of clay.  Three attempts and I finally have my shape drying out, awaiting to be fired in the kiln.  So excited to post, but for now here is the beginning a teaser sketch and my paperwhite bulbs on the journey to creating holiday cheer.