Baby, it's cold outside...

I look at these photos and think of that nice warm feeling you have when you come indoors after a long walk on a cold winters day. The fire is roaring, the air is crisp with the scent of fresh pine needles from the Christmas tree and all you can think about is hot chocolate with little marshmallows on top. I say this and I am looking at a summer garden outside but it still can't stop the New Englander in me. There is just something about that special feeling that you never quite forget. To all of you experiencing this at the moment...enjoy!

Images via Martha Stewart Living Magazine

Christmas Shopping: Faded Plains

Here is another little jewel, Faded Plains 

A lovely site filled with beautiful gift ideas. I am putting this one on my shopping list!

www.fadedplains.com

New England

It has been ten years since I have lived in New England but no matter where I am I still feel the weather at this time of year. It's in my bones. Spring is in the air in New Zealand but I always think of Autumn and the chilly days of October first. There can be no better time of year with the anticipation of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Let the festivities begin!

Images 1, 2 and 4 created by me along Cape Ann, Image 3 from www.Marthastewart.com

Essential Ingredients

I love to share books that I have read and enjoyed. This is one of them. If you haven't come across this yet, check it out. It will be at the top of my list for Christmas gifts.

From Publishers Weekly:

'In this remarkable debut, Bauermeister creates a captivating world where the pleasures and particulars of sophisticated food come to mean much more than simple epicurean indulgence. Respected chef and restaurateur Lillian has spent much of her 30-something years in the kitchen, looking for meaning and satisfaction in evocative, delicious combinations of ingredients. Endeavoring to instill that love and know-how in others, Lillian holds a season of Monday evening cooking classes in her restaurant. The novel takes up the story of each of her students, navigating readers through the personal dramas, memories and musings stirred up as the characters handle, slice, chop, blend, smell and taste. Each student's affecting story—painful transitions, difficult choices—is rendered in vivid prose and woven together with confidence. Delivering memorable story lines and characters while seducing the senses, Bauermeister's tale of food and hope is certain to satisfy.'
image from www.amazon.com