turkey feathers: Snips & Snaps

Hello friends!

The weather has been the talk of the town this week here in the Pacific Northwest, with wind, sleet, snow and ice and temperatures dropping down into the teens during the night. Schools have closed. Roads are treacherous. The mailbox was frozen shut! (LOL)

Currently, we are huddled in the kitchen wrapped in the warmth of our Christmas cookie baking, trying not to dwell (or look upon) the carnage that is happening just outside the window, as every so often, we hear a twisting shriek as another tree branch breaks off (somewhere), and falls to the ground with a thud. Oh dear.

We would much rather hear the snap and crunch of cookies being eaten. Yes, indeed. These merry men and maidens await their sugarplum finery. The girls make quick work with their icing bags.

Can you spot Prancer?

My holiday checklist is nearly complete! The Tree is up. Christmas cards and letters have been signed, sealed and delivered. I have most of my Christmas shopping done; having fun with the wrappings. Those cute dotty gift bags are from Current. Adorable sticker labels by petite alma (purchased thru Amazon).

Besides all this loot under-wraps, the knitting needles are clicking, the needle and thread are flying, the glue is drying--and it's all very hush-hush as we hustle and bustle to get everything done.

I dare say, we must keep up our strength. Which sometimes requires, Second Breakfast! (It's a nice Hobbity sort of thing.) After all, being homebound and hunkering due to bad weather, and shuffling comfortably around all day in one's slippers can easily lead to a wee tea, before noontime. You know, to keep fortified.

Fortunately, I have just the thing for that. My tea of choice: 'Spiced Christmas' from the Family Tea Merchants, Taylors of Harrogate, based in the North Yorkshire Dales (of England), established in 1886. This tea, I think, has just the right mix of black tea leaves, lemon, orange, and cinnamon without overpowering. (This is an import available through our local food co-op, so I don't have a link, but there are shops and websites that carry it in the U.S. as well.) Honestly, I don't get paid to endorse any brand or product, but merely share the things I love.

As for the munchables...second breakfast may be many things from biscuits (aka: cookies) to mushrooms. Since the latter are abundant right now, and high in Vitamin D, which is harder to get as the days grow shorter, mushrooms it is! Here's how I make mine: