The Woodmans Garden - Part 6

Grace entered the kitchen, to the aroma of Millie’s abilities as a wonderful cook. “I have already filled your cup dear.” Millie said referring to the small china cup which sat on a delicate matching saucer lined with small purple flowers, if you would call a thistle a flower. “Cream and 2 sugar, right love?” Grace nodded and sat in her assigned seat, as Millie sat a large plate of fresh blueberry scones on the table in front of her. There is fresh butter and lavender honey also if you like. She added.

Thomas stared at Grace while she sipped her morning coffee. She smiled at him yet he continued to stare at her with little expression. His consistency was beginning to make her uneasy when he finally spoke. “Why didn’t you ever visit James? Did you not like him?” Grace was not sure how to respond. She really hadn’t liked him yet she knew she could not say such a thing to Thomas. Fortunately she was saved when Faith entered the kitchen “Come on Thomas, it is time for school.” Thomas jumped out of his chair grabbing the remaining piece of bacon on his plate. “Goodbye Grammy” he said as he ran to Millie’s side and flung his arms around her waist. She returned his gesture and kissed his cheek as only a grandmother can. “Goodbye dear.” As they left the kitchen Millie turned back towards the sink which was piled high with dishes.

Grace had finished her second scone and she knew with food as good as this it would need to be her last. Stacking her cup and saucer on top of her plate, she rose to help clean the table. Millie turned and quickly stopped her. Don’t worry dear I will tend to those. Michael is waiting in the garden for you. Go ahead now. And she took the dishes from Grace’s hands.

Grace felt awkward as she was not certain as to how exactly to get to the garden. Millie could see her frustration. “Oh dear she said, out this door and then turn right. You can’t miss it. Here put this sweater on, there is a bit of a chill this morning. Millie handed a small red sweater to Grace. The collar was detailed with handmade lace. Tiny buttons of silver fell in a row down the front and a small pocket lay at the bottom on the right.

As Grace exited the back door she was glad Millie had given her the sweater. A slight breeze blew yet it was a cool one. A light fog still hung over the tree top as if to shelter the forest beyond from the coming warmth of the sun. Grace pulled the sweater closer and put her hand into the one pocket. She could feel something in the pocket. She pulled her hand out along with the pocket’s contents. As she opened her hand she found in her hand a smooth stone, green in color and another one of the white stones she had found the night before in her room within the velvet bag. Once again the figure inscribed resembled a B. She wondered what such things were. She put the contents back into the pocket as she saw Michael walking towards her from the garden shed across the way.

Well child what is it you wish to know? Grace barely knew where to start. So many questions. Would it be best if we talk in the kitchen while we wait for this fog to left, the old man stated. I am sure Millie will have a cup of tea for us. She smiled and nodded as she turned to return to where she had just come.

Returning to the kitchen she took the sweater she had worn and returned it to Millie. “There is something in the pocket. Grace remarked. Oh dear that is just my rune and malachite. Speaking of runes did you find your bag I left for you last night? “My bag?” Grace said in a questionable manner. “They belonged to you when you were young, Millie continued, A gift from your father. Grace looked puzzled. My father? She had never remembered her father speaking directly to her, let alone giving her a special gift.

I thought you might enjoy their return to your possession. Millie said. They should have never been taken from you; Regardless of all that happened.” Michael looked at Millie as if Millie quickly sat the 2 cups of tea she had prepared, once again in the small china cups with matching saucers lined in thistle and excused herself from the room.

My Candle

On my Table 'ere she sits

Silver, Red and Blue

Constant when her Flame is Lit

Watching All I do

Carmels & Cream

One of my favorite flavors... autumn or otherwise is carmel.  Whether it is warm and soft, covering an apple, chewy between my teeth, or just hanging off the end of my finger... you get the picture... Believe it or not I have never made home made carmel apples except for the wrapple kind which personally I dont think count.  My kids were never really crazy about them and my teeth just are not what they used to be. Yet the desire for that warm rich flavor over took me this fall and I decided to make me some.

After looking at the recipe on the back of the carmel bag I realized that the simplicity of its preperation  was that for me not to do it would just be ridiculous.  Plus I wanted to make it while I was visiting my grand kids so I figured I would try it out at home first.... (Really I just wanted to eat some carmel... warm gooey carmel.. yummm) Sorry got a bit carred away there.

All I did was put the candies in a pan. Pour 2/3 cups of half and half in with it and slowly warm it on the stove, stirring it occasionally, making sure it didn't stick or that it was melting properly.. And did I say taste it.. Yes, I tasted the nice warm carmelly goo several times to make sure that it was melting properly... I tasted it again to make sure the consistency was right.  Of course the first time I tasted it it wasn't so I had to taste it a couple more times.. Well you get the picture. (again!!)

It turned out wonderful and not too bad the many many times I tasted it  before it was finished.  Needless to say this is a treat I will make again.  It worries me though.  Before I was able to keep myself away from my weakness by telling myself it was too much of a bother to prepare... Now that I know how easy it is... I will be sitting in some dark corner in the middle of the night with my finger in the bowl making those funny umm ummm ummmmmmmm sounds.  What can I say.. I Love Carmel..

The Beauty of Fungus

To say the word Fungus... one immediately goes to thinking of nasty... gross... things that you do not want to be touching.. Yet to me, when I hear this word I immediatly think of mushrooms, toadstools, and such.  This time of year they pop out all over our yards..... Fairy rings can be seen popping up before the time of the full moon in hopes that the wee folk will come and play amongst them. 

At my blog The Picture As Janie Sees It I often post my photography I have take or the nature that surrounds me.  This year I was lucky to have plenty.  Fungus or Shrooms as I like to call them were in abundance.  I am amazed at how they can not be seen at one moment then you turn around and there they are.  For any of you who have ever hunted Morels you know exactly what I am talking about.  For those of you who haven't you are missing a treat.  Morels are a safe wild mushroom that grows in abundance in wooded areas in early spring.  The perfect time to go hunting.... when a oak leaf is the size of a squirrels ear.  Or in early April. 

Although I strongly suggest that if you do not know what you are doing.... don't... Many Shrooms are poisonous and without proper identification can be a severe health hazard.  Yet still even if you can not partake of this delicacy that nature has, you can still marvel at its beauty and its manner of sneaking up on us when we least expect them.  Next time you see a shroom peeking its head out of the grass waiting for that perfect moment to spring itself into existance.  Allow it the priviledge of doing just that.  And pay attention to when it finally does emerge.  you may be surprised by the beauty you discover in a gross little thing we call "fungus".