We're going to Italy

But not together

It came out of my kiln this morning. 

It will soon be on it's way to Panicale, Umbria in Italy. 

Mr G and I will leave a few weeks later, and arrive about the same time as the tile, only the tile is going to Umbria and we are going to Bolzano in the Alto Adige, Italy.

Where the Market place will be aglow with the smells, sounds and sights of the Christkindl  Markt.  

And more Christmas Markets to visit in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Linz and Regensburg and many sights along the "Romantic Strasse"  and the "Castle Road."  

And a little side trip to Berching. 
Have you heard of Berching?  I will show you pictures when I return.  It's a very special place.  



The House Tile?

Most likely, I will never see again. 

Have a great week my dear Friends.

Gina   

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.

First out, Cranberry Sauce with whole oranges and Cherry Likör.

Candied Sweet Potatoes.

The perfect yeast rolls.

Duck a l'Orange,
not turkey.

Wishing you and yours a most wonderful Day. 

The End,

Gina

Little treasures of gold.

The golden Acorn

So appealing and special for Holiday decorations. 

My charming friend Sieglinde sent these extra special acorns to me from Texas. 

We decided that we liked them just the way they are.  

But, you have known me long enough to know about my penchant for gold. 

A simple 2 step process.

It is the gold leaf , $12 (actually called metal leaf in craft stores) I use for craft projects. 

The Genuine Gold Leaf  ($80) I use for more important projects. 

The difference, metal leaf will eventually tarnish.  Real gold does not. 

More information in an earlier post and a link to a more professional approach when using real gold leaf.

But I couldn't help myself, I had to add a bit of gold to at least some of the acorns.

I used a gold pen on the acorn on the left.  Not shiny enough for me. 

Pour a little glue (specially designed for gilding, available in any craft store), into a small container and paint each acorn. 

Acorns painted with glue will slowly turn from white to clear. 

After about 20 minutes,  acorns will turn shiny and tacky.  

You now have about an hour to apply gold leaf.  

Lay on gold leaf and polish with a soft cloth.

Even one little acorn is charming.

And you have learned a new and golden craft. 

By Easter time you are an expert. 

Have a lovely remainder of the week my dear 

Blogging Friends, 

Gina 

Your friendship is very important to me and I would love to see you here for a visit. 

The Story of the Last Wagon

Near the Scenic Byway SR 12 

South Central Utah

A scenic byway with spectacular views for 120 miles.

There are many turnoffs and view points.

Roads with many curves, no room for error. 

Awesome scenery and roads without railings.

Civilization is sparse, watch your gas gauge and water supply.

The Story of the Last Wagon

On January 26, 1880, Joseph Stanford Smith worked hard along the precipitous Hole in the Rock trail, guiding wagons to the river. Toward day's end he received word that all 40 wagons from the encampment at the top of the Hole were safely down.  But Smith couldn't find his own wagon among those gathered at the river. He climbed back up to the top, where he found his wagon and family waiting, seemingly overlooked. 

No other men remained on top to help brake the wagon's decent.  Over Smith's objections, his wife, Belle, insisted that she and their horse, Nig, could restrain the wagon.  She settled their three children - including a three-year-old and an infant - on a quilt and told them to stay put until their father returned.

Together the young couple began driving the loaded wagon down the Hole.  In the first steep cut, Nig fell, dragging behind the wagon.  Belle soon fell as well, and was dragged a hundred feet, deeply cutting her leg before the wagon came to a stop. 

After treating Belle's wound, Smith climbed back to the top.  He found the children waiting just where Bell had left them.  "God stayed with us" said Ada, the eldest.  The worst of the trail behind them, the family completed the rough descent together.  They arrived at the river just as a group of men, noting their absence were starting up to help them.  

Utah State Highway Sign  

Guiding the wagons through Hole-in-the-Rock trail.

 Our journey began in Torrey where a good two lane road, in excellent condition, took us through spectacular scenery and tall pine forests.

 After 36 miles we arrived at our home for 2 nights, the Boulder Mountain Lodge. 

Boulder Mountain Lodge has wonderful accommodations (even dogs are welcome).

The excellent Anasazi Museum is only a mile away.  

Unmatched Scenery on the way to Escalante, a sleepy and spread out town just 20 miles further along Highway 12. 

When you're in the area don't miss Calf Creek Falls Trailhead, an easy 4 hour round trip hike. 

If you have just a little more time take a picnic and enjoy the most fantastic scenery along the famous Burr Trail. 

Happy Trails to you my dear 
Blogging Friends.  

Gina

Apples under glass.

I leave for a few days

But the apples were still waiting. 
Waiting to be put up for the long and cold winter.

Have a wonderful week my dear Friends, 

Gina

The perfect squash for cooking and baking

There is nothing better than a bowl of hot squash soup on a cold and wintry day. 

  We save our squash seeds from year to year. Lakota Squash is an American Squash cultivated by Native American Tribes as early as the 16th Century. 

Most of our Hubbard (green) Squash are taken on more and more of the Lakota characteristics.  The bees are to blame. 

 Cut up squash into large chunks. Remove seeds and bake at 350 for an hour or until soft.  After baking, mash the pulp and use in recipes for soups, breads, cookies, muffins,vegetable side dishes and more. 

Squash bread fresh out of the oven.  

  

Everyone likes (loves) my squash bread.

Squash pulp freezes well and is ready to use throughout the winter.

And for Desert the perfect Pear Pie.

All winter squash are loaded with vitamins.  They keep well and are fun to grow.  They never disappoint. 

Until you grow your own, pick up a squash from your local grower and find out for yourself how versatile they are.

Have a wonderful week my dear Friends, 

Gina



They did not disappoint

I look forward to seeing them every year.

 

 

 

 

Some a little taller

 

 

 

 

Always lots of happy smiles,

 

 

 

 

 

A new little face,

 

 

 

 

 

 Now what to do with the left over candy?

 

 Happy rest of the week my dear friends.

 

Gina