Tag: photos

Posted in Homemaking, Photos, Womanhood

Weekly Photo Challenge: Pattern

Posted on by Katharine

This is the table arrangement for a wedding I helped cater not so very long ago.

Pattern for tranquil joy
Pattern for tranquil joy

The task, here, was to seat 30 for the rehearsal dinner, in a rather smaller dining area, while the bride’s helpers prepared the larger dining area for the reception the following day.

I was totally pleased with how it turned out. The wedding colors were brown and yellow and I love how the walls cooperated with this plan. The centerpieces are simple tissue paper flowers, homemade, but exuberant and joyful. The entire theme of the wedding was whimsical and fun, so these fit in with all the rest of the laughter.

In fact, the entire setting seemed to fit the pattern for this wedding: relaxed, inexpensive, whimsical, inviting,  joyful, and at the same time, calm. The symmetry I think helped to anchor all that explosion of yellow.

We began with little idea of how it would work, although we had measured the room, and figured the dynamics several times.

I think it worked.

Posted in Inspiring, Photos, Wisdom

Weekly Photo Challenge: From Above

Posted on by Katharine
From Above
From Above

We almost always view these lovely creations from above, but lately, at night, I have seen the underside of this poor thing as it tried to batter itself through this screen into my house. I went outdoors in the morning and took a photo of it, knowing I would need it for the next photo challenge, and sure enough, I did.

I enjoy when this happens, when I “just know” I will need the photo for the future. That happened with the bear I photographed so long ago, and many other times.

Most of us look at most things from the upper side, from the more presentable side, from above. How few times we know anything of the underworkings, of the heart of a matter! No one can tell the moth spent hours battering itself to no avail. “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, you’ve seen, anyone has seen. We cannot know until we walk a mile in each others’ shoes. How the feet hurt!

Next time we look at a seeming beautiful exterior, let’s remember: There is another side.

Reach out to everyone you can. You will be surprised.

Posted in Food, Herbs, Womanhood

Weekly Photo Challenge: Culture – I’ve Been Baking!

Posted on by Katharine

Lavender sugar cookies. The house smells divine.

But I’ve loaded almost all those wonderful cookies into zipper bags to donate to a charity. (I saved a small set for a son whose wife is on vacation . . . )

You see, I have joined in with a group of blogger ladies from all over our fair state to make a bake sale happen. The purpose is raising money to help feed the hungry. I love this idea. I, from the working class, make ritzy cookies and wealthy people from a wealthier culture pay too much for them. Then the money goes to buy sensible food for those in another culture who are struggling to find even a bite to eat. It just seems to jive.

So, here is the photo!

The Cookies!
The Cookies!

And here is the recipe:

1 lb butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 c. powdered sugar
Blend above, well.
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Blend in well.
4 1/2 c. flour
2 Tbsp. pulverized, food-grade lavender blossoms
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
Sift above and mix in, well.
Drop by teaspooon onto ungreased baking sheets. Flatten with glass dipped into sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Mmm!

Layers of pollen
Posted in Health, Wisdom

If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Pollen

Posted on by Katharine
Pollen
Pollen

I know, today is Thursday.

But I can assure you, the clouds have been crowded, lately.

With huge yellow clouds of pollen in the sky. No kidding.

So now that we’ve had an entire INCH of rain, we’re all better. Whew. Even breathing better.

In case you’ve missed this before, here’s what to do if pollen is giving you fits. I post this occasionally, but if you’ve missed it before, you’re going to love the unmedicated way to beat pollen.

It’s what works.

Enjoy.

Posted in Blessings of Habit, Food, Health, Inspiring

Weekly Photo Challenge – Lunchtime!!! Mmm!!!

Posted on by Katharine
Lunchtime
Swai Filet on Morrow Squash – Lunchtime

What to have for lunch – the eternal question.

Spending my daytime often solo, I have devised the plan I love:

Cook a decent supper, and then reheat for lunch the next day.

Our supper last night was sublime. If I do say so, I cannot help it. I just had to try this combo. I could not stop myself.

The results?

A few swai filets, breaded in egg, almond meal, and course black pepper, sautéed in olive oil, served over a bed of hot morrow squash, al dente, in a sauce of winter onions braised in butter and sour cream, with swai pan glazings and a skif of cayenne stirred in.

We nearly foundered.

But “nearly” only counts in hand grenades and horse shoes.

I got my reward, very carefully warmed over, today, with a cuppajo, or should I say, a very aromatic mug of Arkansas’ own Biff’s coffee, from which I receive no remuneration save the golden drink, itself.

Drool on, Michelle W.; I can’t help it.