My First Christmas As A Mrs.

Since it was an absolute blast, I think it only far that I touch on my first Christmas as a Married Woman. I suppose I won't go into the details of festivities and such (We made rounds with the families, spent time by ourselves, and wrapped it all up with the new Sherlock movie, which was incredible by the way) but i do have one thing to point out.

There comes a time in every young lady's life when she looks herself up and down, taps herself on the shoulder, checks her pulse, and realizes....she's a woman. My moment came, quite appropriately, on my first married Christmas when I looked around and realized that, among the many other things, many of my gifts were kitchen appliances, aromatheraputic cleaning supplies, and gift cards to high-end grocery stores - because that's what I wanted!

Growing up, I have found my Momma ridiculous to buy gifts for. Partially because I have a hard time picking out gifts for anyone I care about that I feel are "good enough." but mostly, in her case, because she very often asks for "tools" of her trade...which happens to be a full time Homemaker. Something about buying Mom a good set of pots and pans never seemed adequate to me. This however, was before I understood the relationship of a woman and her household, a woman and her kitchen. I suddenly, and quite unexpectedly do now. Which also begs the question, is that transformation into womanhood actually found in that quirky moment when you look and realize you're becoming your Mother.

What do you think? When did your a-ha moment come?

Lesson Learned In 2009

When it comes to cooking mistakes, cut your losses and start over.



Now I realize some - if not most- of you may disagree with me, and perhaps this is a guideline subjecive to each home chef, but for me, it had become gospel. It's a matter of control really. Wanting to fix something, that is cearly beyond you. Trying to work outside the law! Okay, maybe not the law, but the recipie. Unfortunatly for me, I usually find myself ending in failure...messy failure. Anyway, wish me luck!



May I rise above my kitchen mistakes in 2010!

P.S. Christmas reporting soon to come

Tis the Season...to Update

Well, it's Christmas Eve, and goodness sake, time to update! This Holiday season has yeilded many inspirations for blogging, unfortunatly it hasn't allowed much of an oppurunity time-wise. But here I am sitting with my husband, cup of joe in hand, watching Star Wars in "crystal-clear" High Def. That's right, we braved the mayhem on Black Friday and came home with a 32' flat-screen. We got it hooked up to HD sattlite in time for the Iron Bowl, and have been thrilled with it ever since.

Aside from television there's been baking, puzzle-putting-together, and generally enjoying our first Christmas as a married couple! The cats have not really enjoyed the season as they've spent a lot of time "grounded" sinece they can't be trusted alone with the tree. When they are allowed out, they do enjoy sitting on the tree skirt and staring up at the lights.

This year, I was able to rise above my procrastinating ways and get gifts under the tree, with time to spare. I'm actually quite proud of myself. I managed to make some edile gifts from scratch as well and should be posting recipies, assuming they all turn out :)

Anyway, I hope everyone has a very Mrry Christmas, and I'll hopefully be blogging again in time to wish you a Happy New Year as well!

I'm Watching "Little Women".....Again

It's November and, not to make the other Autumn months insecure, the season has finally rooted itself in. I find myself rewatching the same Romantic Period Dramas that I find seasonally appropriate and generally warm and fuzzy.

The South always seems to afford short Falls and the Christmas season will be upon us before we get comfortable where we are. In an attempt to grasp the season, my Momma, sisters, and I took a trip to our local produce stand in search of the best the season has to offer. Turns out the local pumpkin harvest has been slight, but we still managed to come away with more than enough... A collection of gourds crying out to be loved

Called a "Peanut Pumpkin"....I call it disturbing

The one in the center is called a "Cinderella Pumpkin" and ended up being my pick for the day

Our conquest

Happy Autumn!

Concerning Autumn

It seems fiting to me to start a domestic centered blog in October. It seems that I always find myself with a particular yearning to nest in the Fall - okay and Summer and Winter, and Spring - but Autumn MOST of all. Perhaps it's the blatant changing of season, the cool breeze that encourages everyone to stay indoors, or perhaps it's because my Momma does Fall so well.

I'm pretty sure my Mom is the best person I know at letting you know exactly what season it is the moment you set foot in her house. There's always an open door letting in a warm breeze and a mason jar of wildflowers in the spring, fresh iced sweet tea and comfy outdoor seating in the summer, and in the winter, sweet smelling garlands accompanying the genuine, recently cut Christmas tree. But Autumn is my favorite. As if on cue, the house starts automatically smelling spicy and sweet; gourds so oddly shaped that no one else would understand them, find a home as a centerpiece on the kitchen table; and there's always some sort of calming instrumental music that recalls visions of Pilgrims or the Civil War or some other Americana Trademark. The oven is always on, the house is aromatic, and it's sheerly, unquestionably Fall.

And so, a newcomer to this keeping house thing, I have striven to mimic my Mom's Autumn house as much as possible. I am not having very much luck, of course, but I am trying. After a few failed attempts I finally found something that set me in the Fall spirit and made me feel as though I had accomplished some seasonally domestic thing: And I'm going to pass it onto you! Cinnamon Apple Crisp!

Peel and slice 4-5 medium apples and lay evenly(ish) in an 8inch pan.

Mix together:
3/4 cup Brown Sugar (Or one whole cup if, like me, the crisp is our favorite part)
1/2 cup Flour
1/2 cup Oats
1 tsp. cinnamon

Cube 1/3 cup of cold butter and cut into brown cugar mixture. Spread over apples and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, until bubbly! Top with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with Caramel for extra flair.

Happy Autumn!

Concerning This Blog

In a world of microwave dinners and over-priced produce, every old-fashioned-modern woman needs a moment to reflect on the charming (and not-so-charming) aspects of domestic life: keeping her kingdom, feeding her household,and keeping her bathroom shiny. I am such a woman. I happen to be tired of my own disorganization, apathy, and hit-and-miss culinary skills and it is time for change. I have launched myself on a course of cinnamon-scented self improvement, and I'm inviting you to join me. If you long for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipie, live for the occasional houseguest, or love the glow of a freshly organized linen closet, this is a place for you. My hope is to include recipes, tips, and (just to warn you) ramblings that should be a combination of Momma's tried and true wisdom with a Grace Kelly twist.

Here we go.

P.S. To contribute and connect check out our facebook group, As a Matter of Fact, I do Vacuum in Pearls!