'Tis the Season

For the next couple of weeks, I'll have Christmas on the brain. There isn't much that I'll be doing that won't have something to do with Christmas, whether it be the cleaning so I can enjoy the holiday in my clean, organized house or the baking that will make my family and friends smile. The quilting, sewing, knitting, wrapping, baking, cooking, planning, list making... I love it all.

On today's agenda is designing and printing weekly calendar sheets. I had one week per sheet but I think that doesn't give me enough room to write, so I'm going to split the week in half and try that. I have a pretty good idea what I want to do, I'm hoping that means this won't take very long.

What I really want to do is knit. A lot. Above is a stack of knitted dishcloths that haven't been joined yet. Below is the yarn I have left to knit up. It doesn't all have to be done before Christmas, but I'm on a knitting roll so they may all be done by then.

I'm making smoked sausage and sauerkraut for dinner, it's fairly easy, can be done in steps (I sautee it all afternoon), it is done in one large pan and overall will take very little time.

More time for knitting.

My microwave needs to be cleaned out. It's small and doesn't take very long.

More time for knitting.

Saturdays are generally busy for our older kids and the younger ones and I hang out at home. I don't have to leave the house today....you guessed it....

More time for knitting.

You get the idea.

Right now our 13 year old is outside with a friend, running around our snow covered yard. It's 9 degrees out. NINE. I could hear my younger ones giggling, I went in search of them to find this.

and then this. Knocking on the window to get their attention. She also knocks on the inside of doors when she wants to go out. For being speech delayed, between words, signs, sounds and pointing she can always seem to get across what she wants.

I've had some requests for my marshmallow recipe, so I've included that in this post.


Homemade Marshmallows
1/4 cup powdered gelatin (5 envelopes)
1 cup cold water
2 cups sugar
2 egg whites
2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted, plus more for dusting pan and marshmallows
Butter, for greasing pan

~In a medium sized saucepan, soak the gelatin in the water. After the gelatin has softened, approximately 10 minutes, add the regular sugar and then gently dissolve over low heat, approcimately 8 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

~In a mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks and then fold in the sifted confectioners sugar. While the mixer is on low, slowly pour in the cooled gelatin mixture. Increase the speed and beat until white and thick. The volume should double in size.

~Line an 8 by 8 inch baking dish with high sides with foil, grease slightly with butter, and coat with confectioners sugar. Alternative, you can use a baking sheet, but the marshmallows will not be as tall. Pour marshmallow mixture in and top with more sifted confectioners sugar. Leave out overnight or for at least 3 hours to set. The marshmallow should be light and spongy when set. (I make a double batch and put it in a 9 x 13 pan.)

~Loosen marshmallow from edges of tray and invert onto a large cutting board. Peel off foil and use a large knife to cut teh marshmallows into cubes. Dredge each piece in sugar and store in airtight container or bags.
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So now I'm off, to see how much I can get done today. My husband has to work this evening and it's likely our older kids will all be out, I hope to park in front of a couple of movies with my feet up and a cup of flavored coffee and knit the evening away!

Happy quilting and ho ho ho!