HNY & Christmas Exchange

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Happy New Year (HNY)!

horseshoe crab on beach with boat in background

On December 30th a cold front moved through dropping temps into the 60s F daytime (circa 15+ C) and 45 F (7C) at night with very low humidity; 21% the lowest I have ever seen it here (and making for dry itchy skin!!).  Funny to see people on the beach in sweaters, hoodies and for one lady wearing a blanket as a poncho. Guess you don't need to see a photo to picture this. Out comes my Autumn clothes and it is nice sleeping weather.

The surf is now breaking out on the offshore sandbar and the wind picking up.

Of course, this being Florida, the day before we had yoga on paddle boards in the Gulf right out our window.







OK, so now the homemade Christmas gifts have been received I can show them to you.

leaf bowl; pattern by Poorhouse Quilt Designs

Round Christmas bowl I designed

Roseate Spoonbill for sis a spoonbill lover

Yarn, hook & pattern for
budding crafter

And I have been busy in the past week . . .

Dahlia quilt finally out of closet for quilting

first attempt at C2C afghan with donated yarn

And best of all my Quirky Quilter Secret Santa (HS) sent me this - I love it!! And it has a poinsettia fabric backing. Beautiful!!  

Instead of a sunset, I will close with ducks on the Gulf of Mexico (salt water or sea ducks??); not something I see too often!  Happy 2017 - all best wishes!!

A Very Sandy Christmas to You!

Christmas in sub-tropical Florida is a bit different than the rest of the Northern Hemisphere where snow, cold and ice reign.

We have had record high temperatures and near record lows within the last 10 days.  One day min me wears sweaters, the next a bikini.

On the beach, we have a tree decorated by the Cabana Boys with buckets and spades to amuse the visiting young ones on holiday. And in the park we have a double bill of Christmas movies shown outside.

Some locals really get in the spirit; Santa now has a new mode of locomotion - you need to know the jeeps are reindeer stand-ins and all lit at night! Homeowners here go all out and many go a bit overboard, so this display is relatively tame (get it no deer, but jeeps -- ha ha).

As I say, only in a Florida Beach Community!

Happy Christmas to all and best wishes for the New Year!

#ReplaceReindeerwithJeeps or #SandintheGears

Thank God UK has the Queen

as seen on pininterest

Trump continues to make daily headlines - around the world I believe.

Well, at least living in Trumpland (which at a practical level has already arrived despite the inauguration being 20th January) isn't boring!  Here was one of my favourite recent summarized articles:

From 'The Week' December 2, 2016 (USA edition)

Thank God we have the queen

Giles Fraser
The Guardian

It’s taken Donald Trump’s victory to make me truly appreciate our monarchy, said Giles Fraser. This was the thought that occurred to me when, in a vain attempt to distract myself from “the nightmare of the U.S. election,” 

I started watching The Crown, the Netflix series about Queen Elizabeth II. Trump makes you realize how valuable it is for a country to have “something beyond the ballot box” to unite around. I see this every week at the London church where I’m parish priest. The members of the congregation, from a wide range of backgrounds, have little in common. Yet they all sing “God Save the Queen” with an affection that you would never see directed at an elected official. 

Some anti-monarchists claim that the royal family is a threat to progressive reform, that this historic institution is the embodiment of British conservatism. That’s nonsense. Indeed, it’s arguable that the steady, reassuring presence of King George VI made it easier for Prime Minister Clement Attlee to introduce radical progressive policies, including the National Health Service and welfare state, in the years following World War II. In an age where “the money god” has become incarnate in this man Trump, we should “thank our lucky stars that our head of state worships at a very different altar.”

Full Gurardian article here.

Thanksgiving Treats

Thanksgiving (Nov 24th for my British friends) is all about food and being appreciative with frineds and family.

Here's a treat I made up on the spur of the moment trying to get into the T-day spirit and having some girlfriends over for lunch. Best eaten warm I later discovered.

Turkey, Pea & Thyme Quiche with Stuffing Crust

And being so fortunate to have Turkey Dinner with friends o the actual day, I found and made these Apple-Cranberry Kuchettes (recipe here) as my offering for an alternative to the traditional pumpkin and pecan pies. Very tasty and you can make your own tangy creme fraiche to counter the sweet kuchettes. Just mix a cup whipping cream and 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or buttermilk) and let stand at room temperature to thicken before refrigeration. And the kuchettes freeze well if you have any left!

Next day leftover duck with more friends.  Leftovers - the best bit of T-day eating!

Apple-Cranberry Kuchettes from the Cafe Sucre Farine website- try adding nuts