Sunday, January 17, 2016

Crisp Sunday morning. . . . . . .


Yesterday I cleaned house, well just downstairs, as friends stopped by for tea which actually became just a glass of champagne and my almond cookies as they were heading to dinner with other friends. Later I was at the theatre for a stage production I'd rather not discuss - I so dislike these modern plays full of cursing, swearing and worse! My season ticket may not be renewed. Later, arriving home in really lovely weather, a low half moon clear in the sky, I prepared myself for what I hoped would be more than the predicted dusting of snow, one to two inches on awakening today was hoped for.

Yes we did have heavy snow falling for a couple of hours early today. No it didn't accumulate as hoped for. There was no wandering about in a backyard winter wonderland. Zero crisp, fresh snow changed the green and brown landscape to pristine white. Armed with my camera aimed at hungry birds and squirrels on the feeders, perched brightly on snowy branches, scuffling about on the  snow-covered ground, never happened. 
Instead, I stayed in the kitchen and crunched down on a rather delicious toasted English muffin, smothered in butter and Scottish (the best) marmalade. It was crisp, it was comfort food. . . . . and I needed comforting.




Note - today I'm using CREATE from my set of favorite coffee mugs. I hoped it would get my personal creative juices flowing. Other than take these few photos of eating something perhaps not the healthiest, but definitely tasty and at the top of my favorites list, and writing this little post, that hasn't happened yet either. But later I will bake a cake with healthy apples, make felafel and a good green salad, continue sorting through a big stack of old magazines to share with a friend, and be creative by coloring a new page in my 'adult coloring book' prior to hunkering down by the fire. Tonight is Downton Abbey. . . . . . . and you never know, there just may be snow falling there in tonight's episode, and definitely no bad language!




22 comments:

  1. Sounds beautiful and looks so too. Am waiting for an early dinner so I am hungrier now than when I arrived.

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  2. Oh my goodness, Mary, what beautiful photos. You've made that marmalade look oh so so enticing. (I say this having just scarfed down my buttered toast, sans and fruity, tangy offering much to my chagrin now, must say!)

    Awww, no snow. I love that you actually love snow too. Yes, winter wonderlands are totally worth it.

    I really loved reading this post and enjoyed those classy well taken photos too.

    "...perched brightly on snowy branches, scuffling about on the snow-covered ground,..."

    How beautifully written! I relished that no end. thank you. You just made my afternoon, even if for you, this haven;t quite worked out as expected. Never mind, Downton Abbey will help no end. We watch it on pbs.org the following night.

    Oh and btw, I am TOTALLY with you on the vulgarity angle, whether that is theatre, film, or what have you. As my mother would ALWAYS stress, swearing is for those too lazy to engage the English language. I'm not so sure that bit is true (certainly people can creatively swear too) but i do think that in th is day adn age, the quick rush to base crassness only further declines our every day discourse into one that is anything but lovely. No wonder Downton Abbey and such shows are so loved here. I think of how witty Maggie Smith's slights are. One always doesn't mind the knock from such indignity!

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  3. P.S. What Scottish Marmalade do you use? I am almost out of mine and am ready for a restock! Thank you.

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    1. Michael - I buy whatever I can find, usually at World Market, but sometimes at local grocery stores with an International Foods section.
      This latest was Mackay's from Scotland and very nice. Also buy Robertson's Thick Cut (English - remember Golden Shred?) which we like, and have tried Duerr's which is really thick cut (not Bob's favorite). I never use American marmalade because it's so sweet and there's little of the bitter orange flavor, just overwhelmed by sugar!
      Happy marmalade searching.
      Mary -

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    2. Yes, of course I remember Robertson's! Yum. Ah, well that is funny as I finally ended up at World Market too as otherwise i was stuck with Smucker's marmalade which is all you describe for such varieties but is often my default when in a pinch.
      Mackay's sounds perfect. I ended up with St. Dalfours which is a French Marmalade I believe.
      funnily enough, I was jsut showing your photos above to Alexandra and said, "Does that marmalade look divine?" to which she said, "Um, yes! Totally!" particularly amusing as she actually does not like the stuff, as good as your photos look!

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  4. Sorry you didn't get your dusting of white...I have not been the least bit creative lately. I need to get into the swing of things!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  5. We've had way more snow than I want....I love your great dishes...I have a post in draft for Tues on a few pieces of dishes with words...:)

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  6. The much promised snow has not arrived in this little corner of the world. How can it be that an English muffin liberally spread with marmalade can look so enticing at this time of night - I am just off to bed Mary so sweet dreams.

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    1. Yes, I admit I was a bit too liberal perhaps - but it was the very end of the jar and I figured what the heck, use it up and enjoy, haha!
      I love marmalade, but not American brands, much too sweet and too fine peel - love thick cut.
      Mary -

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  7. I'm with you. Don't care for shows that have me cringing and my ears bleeding. *loved Michael's response*. In total agreement with Downton Abbey. I will miss it when it's gone. We are suppose to get snow flurries on Wednesday. I always pray, Lord...just leave the power on. Here in the south snow seem to scare the power off. ha.

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  8. I agree on the language, Mary...everywhere. We watch movies on TV and I get embarrassed in front of my own husband. :(

    Your toast and marmalade look like a great treat and we all deserve that now and again. I've been on a strict low carb plan since January 1. Yesterday I took a break and had 1/2 of a roast beef sandwich and some brie baked in puff pastry. Today I'm back to the plan.

    We are frigid here, as I comment on blogs I mention the temps by looking at my weather report on my phone. It keep going down and now with my comment to you, we are at exactly 0 degrees. I think that's better than -1!!! Ha! We are staying warm with plenty of blankets and our slippers. Paying close attention to the letting the dogs outside. You can read my latest post for more ominous reports!!!

    Take care,

    Jane

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  9. What a lovely post, hoped you enjoyed Downton Abbye, it's my favourite. Enjoy your weekxx

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  10. You know I understand you absolutely. The weather this winter disappoints me more and more, day by day. Only two days ago we saw the snow for the first time this winter. What's going on???

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  11. Mary, your snow is here. Come pick it up anytime you want. :)

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  12. I adore English muffins and Downton Abbey. I am sorry you didn't get much snow. It seems like winter refuses to come and stay this year. We get a few days that are really cold and then it's back to very mild temperatures again.

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  13. I've just recently discovered Downton and I'm already on season 5!! I finished up season 4 last night and I hope to catch up with everyone else before the grand finale. Lovely post, it feels like a warm peaceful hug!!

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  14. Richard and I do love our Wolferman's English muffins (as you can see from my last post's main photo!!) -- a spread of butter and a pinch of salt for a savory muffin, or a spread of butter and some of your delicious fig jam for a sweeter variety! Also, I just picked up Fearrington Village's latest jam creation (they make some marvelous ones) -- a PEACH jam. It's my new favorite. xo

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  15. Oh, an English muffin, toasted golden brown, slightly crispy, butter melting into the tiny air pockets, and a generous smear of orange marmalade to top it. I can taste it, dear Mary. Alas, it will not be on my no gluten, no sugar diet. I'd have to find substitutes, and so I'll just envy you your treat. :) I agree with you on today's language "and worse". Have fun with your coloring. Hugs, Nancy

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    1. So sad you can't crunch down and nibble one of these dear Nancy - but I promise I'll eat another one soon for you, haha!
      I do hope you can perhaps toast some gluten-free bread to crunchiness - and how about searching for a sugar-free marmalade, perhaps there's one out there - I be looking for you.
      Mary -

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  16. I do detest fowl language in movies and plays. We just need to fill our minds with beauty. Your toast and coffee is beautiful. Just my "cup of tea"! Ha! I love a good muffin with marmalade, but the cup would have tea.

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  17. I'm sorry the snow didn't materialize for you to get photos of Mary. I love your plate, and toast and marmalade is a favourite snack I enjoy along with Earl Grey tea. Have a cozy afternoon. xx Pam

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  18. Mmmmm - hot toast and real marmalade. That combination, with a cup of tea, will cure all ills!!

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