A winter storm is forecast for today. The sky is keeping us guessing with dark, gray clouds hanging low on the right side of the highway, and blue sky peeking through a bit on the left. Hoping blue sky wins (always), but that wind is blowing something fierce. Time will tell. For the moment, moving onward, heading North.
December 20, 2012
the robins are still here
hoppin’ on the ground
perchin’ high above
in the bare branches
of winter’s naked trees
a cold wind blows
temperatures are droppin’
silly birds
fly somewhere warm
go now
while the gettin’ is good
December 13, 2012
I wonder as I wander,
“When will the robins fly away?”
it is early December now
yet I still see them here
perched in treetops
hopping in the grass
singing a trilling song
“For how much longer?”
cold is lingering
wind is whipping
winter is coming
soon
Dear Robin Red Breast,
You must go now,
so you can return,
and be a sign of spring renewal.
I hope you hear me when I say,
Hurry back, so I can greet you, when you come again, with a smile brightly shining.
I’ll sigh a sigh of springtime,
when temperatures begin to warm,
when winter’s wind gentles to a balmy breeze,
then I’ll whisper, “The robins are back. Spring is here.”
But now, now it’s time to go.
Please.
Love,
Janean
December 9, 2012
My mom’s spice tea is one of my favorite tastes of fall and winter. I started my day by making a big pot of it – even though I’m the only one in my house who likes it. It’s Comfort Food for me – in liquid form. My mom made it rarely when I was growing up. I remember spice tea on Christmas morning, snow days and when she’d host her evening card group a few times a year. Sometimes I even got to take the left over to school in my thermos. When you make it, the cinnamon and cloves make the whole house smell good and everything feel all right – inside and out. Happy New Year’s Eve Day, as my father wished me in an early morning e-mail. ~ Janean
Spice Tea
2 cups sugar
2 dozen cloves (or less)
2 cups water
2 or 3 cinnamon sticks
Boil together 15 minutes
Pour 8 cups boiling water over 6 tea bags (or 2 Family Size tea bags), let stand
Add to sugar mixture when brewed
Then add: 4 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 can frozen undiluted orange juice. Add 4 cups boiling water. Simmer, do no boil
Extra can be stored in the refrigerator overnight and reheated the next day. You may want to remove the cloves before storing because their flavor gets stronger if left in overnight.
My sister told me once with a wink that this recipe was supposed to be a secret, but I think it’s meant to be shared.
Turquoise Tangles 