A promise of chai

Rooibos black chai

1 c loose rooibos tea

1 c black tea 

1/2 c cardamom pods

1/2 c cloves

1/2 c peppercorns

Simmer 1 T of tea mixture per cup of chai desired for approximately five minutes. I like to use cloth tea bags for loose tea. Many groceries stores sell them in sets of three or four and they're washable, which is nice and environmentally friendly. Oh, don't forget for each cup of chai add to the pot:

1 generous cut of fresh ginger

1 shake of ground cinnamon

1 long pour of favorite milk

For each cup, after it's been served in favorite cup add a splash of maple syrup or however many sugars one needs for that particular day. I like two sugars, usually. Some days I'll admit to three or four. I'll always admit to that.

How are things going? The west coast has been getting some serious sun. It is very nurturing to my soul and so I bring the baby out as much as possible. Lucky for us, we were handed down a suit of purple kitty armor for cold and wind protection. Now mom and dad need not worry about chills for little Bea. We can just frolic and play until she's fast asleep in the January sun, our little winter born, I love you.

Crafting

We had a little family visit. It was a big family visit, actually. The sisters, my brother, and mother came out to see us and mostly Bea. I miss their big smiles as I think of them on the east coast now. Why are the coasts so far apart?

I'm off to buy chai ingredients and will soon post my favorite recipe along with pictures. We made a giant pot for the whole family and it was a huge hit! Boy, it was fun ladling out more than just two cups. I ladled six cups and poured a bunch of love in with it. Man, I miss them.

Here, right now, I want to show you the beautiful crafting that took place while we played and lazed in our living room. 

Isn't that crafting beautiful?

January

I've got a chai recipe to share soon. Until then, let me show you one of my favorite knits for the littles, especially the very littles.

This hat. Really fast, really simple, and so darn adorable on a newborn to about six months. I've made three in my life so far. The last two were for twins! What an honor, I thought, as I purled and ribbed away thinking of the two due to arrive in May. Not us, of course. No no no, not us. We are well and busy with one almost one year old.

Miss Camellia Bea is officially walking, signing bird, singing on cue, and uniquely saying kitty (tikky). We love her rosy magenta cheeks and her wide toothy smile. Sometimes she sleeps better than she has the day before. Sometimes not. I'm enjoying tips from the Sear's book, "The Baby Sleep Book-The Complete Guide to a Good Nights Rest for the Whole Family", especially after the "not" nights. And I find great comfort thinking of our fellow parent comrades down the street or even across the states, perhaps struggling with the same thing, on the same night. This sometimes brings me comfort. Hey, and if it doesn't, waking up to that silly finger pointing baby is pretty great. She's always up for helping mom and dad make coffee, their special drink.

Enjoy your Januarys people!


One chai recipe coming up next.

Presents

Here are two things.

One

 

Two

http://8tracks.com/obiwankentucky/concordia-christmas-2013

Presents for you. Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice, winter winter wonderful land!

Making

It feels so good finishing a project. Sometimes it's nice to put aside old ones so you can start a new one, complete a new one. I've got two on my mind for the holiday (I think there will be time). Both pretty easy and small but both on size two needles in fingering weight yarn. Feast your eyes on this beautiful skein of yarn that will soon be an adorable pixie hat for my girl. Sh, don't tell.

I don't even know what it is or where she got it. It's from a dear friend. She gave it to me many years ago and finally it'll be something.
Merry making you all!

We like snowflakes, swags, and sunshine. Doilies, felt, ribbon, branches, rosemary, candles, lace, a felt bowl, and stuffed Star Wars toys really do brighten up our December days.

Love to you all.

Bea, it's been nice sitting with you, looking out of the big window this afternoon. The cold dry stones out front are so pretty next to what is left of the less than leafy trees. You are getting big, older! Ten months, six teeth, nearly thirty inches long, and twenty pounds heavy.

I love walking with you. You leading me with your arms above you, holding my hands, my mama hands and your baby hands. Yell for dad. Go ahead, he loves it.

And I love strolling with you. Your finger points to everything, e v e r y t h i n g a l l o f t h e t i m e. My favorite of your favorites is the rose. Somehow you can spot it without buds and from quite a distance. That's impressive, m'lady. Onward!

And now, it's time to start crafting on a budget. To be continued!