thankful thursday: in loving memory of l.k. madigan

February 23, 2012February 22, 2012 ~ jama ~ 14 Comments

On March 20, 2008, one of the things L.K. Madigan was thankful for was, “The scent of hyacinths.”

In May 2008, she said, “I am thankful for dreams beginning to take root. They’re not just seeds, waiting, anymore. Their shells have split. Roots are curling out. They will flower in the fullness of time.”

In her final LiveJournal blog post on January 12, 2011, she said: “We arrive in this life not knowing the length or shape of our future … but sometimes we find out.”

We lost Lisa Wolfson to pancreatic cancer exactly one year ago today. I’m thankful our paths crossed, however briefly, grateful to have been touched by her beautiful spirit.

We miss you, Lisa!

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sunday bear: marcel proust

February 5, 2012May 22, 2025 ~ jama ~ 7 Comments

*“Cousin Sylvia” by Nona Pebworth (mohair, wearing her 1930’s dime store watch from occupied Japan).*

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~ Marcel Proust

♥ Your weekly bear hug is brought to you by the charming Mr. Cornelius, who is always on time and wants you to send him a chocolate pie.

(((((((((YOU)))))))))

♥ Need an extra hug this week? Click here.

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♥love♥ = susan branch cookie jar

December 13, 2011January 16, 2014 ~ jama ~ 8 Comments

I’ve been a longtime Susan Branch fan, and have a pile of her books and calendars to prove it. Her drawings and watercolors are every bit as gorgeous as her handwritten quotes, musings and commentaries, and her illustrated recipes are the best, so lovingly infused with her special brand of cozy charm.

Recently she included this wonderful Cookie Jar in her Willard Email Newsletter, decorated with the names of some of her favorite holiday recipes. Clicking on the words gets you the recipe –don’t you just love it? Click here to access Susan’s Cookie Jar; you’ll probably want to make something right away!

♥ If you’re not already reading her blog, you really should. Like me, you’ll probably want her to adopt you, so you can live in her beautiful home on Martha’s Vineyard, play with her adorable cats, sip tea and warm cider in front of the fireplace, and cook delicious foods in her vintage kitchen.

♥ For some last minute gift ideas, check out her Shop!

For the month of May in her 2012 Heart of the Home Calendar, there is this quote from Margaret Fuller: “The special genius of women I believe to be electrical in movement, intuitive in function, spiritual in tendency.”

She’s also laid out a Mother’s Day Tea Party! On the menu: Lavendar Tea Cookies, Orange Cake, Cream Scones with Clotted Cream and Coconut Layer Cake with Lemon Filling, among other treats. Yum yum yum! Her calendars are such wonderful keepsakes.

♥ Special thanks to Susan for permission to post the Cookie Jar here ☺!

Sigh. There’s nothing like “homemade.” Have a lovely day, Everyone!

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two for tuesday

December 13, 2011December 12, 2011 ~ jama ~ 4 Comments

A couple of noteworthy things for you today.

First, we have a winner in our CakeSpy book giveaway!!

Thanks to all you sweet-toothed readers for sharing your favorite desserts. I’m now dreaming of treats like carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, crème brûlée, cream puffs, and pumpkin cupcakes with maple frosting.*drool*

We once again called upon the services of Mr. Random Integer Generator, who was sporting a dapper Derby and had waxed his mustache just for the occasion. He ardently wished to present all the lovely entrants with a copy of the book, but rules are rules. So, we tossed over some numbers and he selected (sans drumroll, as he claims to be too civilized for that sort of thing) —

Congratulations, Cobi!

Please send me your mailing address so we can get the book out to you ASAP! Thanks again, everyone, for playing. I will eat a serving of all your favorite desserts in your honor ☺!

Now, please listen up!

The wonderful Teaching Authors — that would be April Halprin Wayland, JoAnn Early Macken, Mary Ann Rodman, Carmela Martino, Esther Hershenhorn and Jeanne Marie Grunwell Ford — are doing a Holiday Fundraiser for First Book.

They aren’t asking for any monetary donations, just a teeny tiny moment of your time to leave a comment on their blog (on any post), now through December 31, 2011. For every comment they receive, they will donate $1 to First Book, a fabulous organization which provides books for children in need (each new book costs $2.50). And Disney Publishing Worldwide will match every $1 donated with another new book!

I know that if you’re reading this, you probably love books — reading, writing, and/or sharing them. So, click on over pronto if you haven’t already, leave a comment, and help make a child happy with a book of his/her own.

The Teaching Authors will donate up to $225; thus far they have raised under $40. Go help them spend their money, and do what you can to help spread the word — via Twitter, Facebook, your blogs, etc.

If you promise to comment, you may have a cookie. ☺

Go, Teaching Authors! Thank you for your generosity!!

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holiday blog hiatus

November 17, 2011November 28, 2011 ~ jama ~ 16 Comments

fantastic mr. fox — Fantastic Mr. Fox illustration by Donald Chaffin, 1970 (via Vintage Kids' Books)

It’s that time of year again, when people gather from near and far, sidle up to bountiful tables and give thanks for life’s abundance.

As for me, I’m already hearing that all-too-familiar gobble gobble, and my highly trained olfactories are picking up the aroma of yummy pumpkin pie baked with generous measures of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and ginger. Yes, I’m looking forward to a hearty meal with all the traditional fixin’s, but I know the real nourishment will come from sharing it with family and friends.

I’m giving myself plenty of time to reflect on what I’m thankful for this year. November, more than any other Fall month, is tinged with melancholy. Though it’s chock full of happy birthdays — friend John, brother-in-law Ron, cousin Leslie, godson Kyle, father James, husband Len, and mine (turning 29 this year ☺) — it’s also a time to celebrate the lives of those who left us in November, who won’t be at the Thanksgiving table: Aunty Ella, Aunty Ellen, and Cousin Liz. Even while you blow out the candles on your birthday cake, the deepest part of you knows that the light of remembrance is inextinguishable.

I will be offline until after Thanksgiving, when we will resume our holiday hijinx. To keep you out of trouble until I get back, enjoy these videos, Parts 4 and 5 from “The Thanksgiving Visitor,” based on a short story by Truman Capote first published in McCalls (1967). It was written 12 years after my all-time favorite short story, “A Christmas Memory,” and features Buddy and Cousin Sook. Unlike the joyous account of baking fruitcakes, “The Thanksgiving Visitor” reveals some of Capote’s childhood torment. In light of today’s widespread problem of bullying in the schools, there is an interesting “lesson” here for the victim. Unbeknownst to Buddy, Sook has invited the older boy who’s been bullying him to Thanksgiving dinner.

Here’s wishing you a joyful, delicious, heart-lifting Thanksgiving with your loved ones. Enjoy all the family chatter, the Macy’s Parade, the football games, the obligatory naps, and seconds and thirds of pecan and pumpkin pies. I am thankful for each and every one of you — my faithful, good-looking, eternally hungry blog readers!