“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Sunday, January 8, 2012

How Is Your New Year Going So Far...

                                                            Are you a bit like Dotty?


Now that the holidays are over are you feeling a bit let down or even bored? 
Feeling a little of those post holiday blues?



 Are you feeling a little tired because you were working so hard 
to get everything done throughout the holidays?




 Maybe you are a little more irritable than usual? Oooh, and maybe 
a bit of indigestion (not to mention pounds) from all those extra treats!



 You didn't go out on New Years Eve and celebrate too much, did you!! 

Maybe you are already tired of winter. 
Let's think about a nice warm vacation spot for a moment. 
***sunshine  warm***sandy beach***ocean breeze***umbrella drink***mmm nice.....






 Here is how Dot handles her stressful life. 
(Bye the way, she does this on her own.) 

Haven't we all done this at least once! 
Time to relax friends and get back to our regular routines. 
Don't hide under your blanket too long. We have another whole year to try and get 
everything done that we want to get done. Another whole year to enjoy and have fun 
and make the most of what we have. But I know we all have days like this so do what 
makes you feel better and hope for better days ahead.



Oh baby it's cold outside!
Dotty can hardly wait for spring!

What makes you feel better? Is it reading a book, hanging out with 
friends and family, cooking, crafting, going for a walk? All of the above!
Chime in with your comments below. ~ Diane


Friday, December 23, 2011

It's Almost Christmas!

Can you feel the anticipation? 
These special moments and celebrations are what we humans are all about. We love the ceremony and the traditions that connect us to the past and pull us into the future. So here we are on the threshold of another Christmas and then another new year. I hope we can all savor and enjoy this precious time with family and friends as the year comes to a close. 

I'm sharing just a few more pictures of some of my favorite
Christmas images and some from Flickr friends.


Thank you dear readers for following me along this first year.


Vintage pink christmas ornaments






VINTAGE CHRISTMAS CARD








Through a Looking Glass













Vintage Pointy Hat Santa Christmas Card 1959


Have a very Merry Christmas and a Fabulous New Year.


Sunday, December 18, 2011

Christmas Time


We are in the final week before Christmas. Let's look at some of 
these lovely images.













Christmas Fawn










Sweetly Singing O're the Plains...25 Days of Christmas~Day 3














Thursday, December 8, 2011

Swedish Cheesecake also known as...

Ostakaka or Osta Kaka. Which in Swedish means Osta (cheese) Kaka (cake or cookie). This recipe was given to me by my Aunt who many years ago, lived in a Swedish community (Lindsborg Kansas) where she obtained the recipe. This a favorite Christmas dessert with it's festive color and delicate flavor. Who knew when I grew up I would marry into a Swedish family!




This dessert is easy to make and most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen. All but one - you may not have lingonberries. They are a staple here in Minnesota and I always have a couple of jars of lingonberry preserves on hand. They are also delicious on pancakes and waffles. You must not make this dessert unless you find the lingonberry preserves, otherwise you will be disappointed and we don't want that. The cheesecake is a very simple recipe and it really needs it's crowning glory of lingonberries and whipped cream.



24 ounces cottage cheese, 2% fat
4 whole eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups half and half
1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash nutmeg or cardamom



1.    Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly oil or butter a 9 x 13 casserole dish.

2.    In a large mixing bowl by hand, beat the eggs. Stir in the rest of the ingredients.  Pour into
       a prepared baking dish.

3.    Bake at 325 degrees for approximately an hour. Test by inserting a knife in the middle,
       the blade should come out clean. This is similar to a custard. Cool.

4.    Spoon into serving dish and top with Lingonberry Preserves and whipped cream.
















                Really not much to look at
                   in it's unadorned state.

















Lingonberry Preserves are a must for this dessert. These are from IKEA. I f you don't happen to live near one try your local grocers. There are several brands of lingonberry preserves available, look for them in the gourmet food section of you grocery store.

Lingonberries are in the same family as cranberries. They are smaller in size and somewhat sweeter with a mild peppery bite.









Top your dessert with some whipped cream and you will be as happy as a bird in the morning!







Linked with Tina's PicStory in the kitchen