Nearly two weeks have slipped by without my making a single entry in my weblog. This calls for some sort of explanation, doesn’t it? My face takes on a martyr-like expression, my voice employs a wheedling tone, and I begin…

… “Well, I have been very busy lately!” …

…Getting in my exercise, ice-skating on Midge Lake…

…Attending an Autumn-themed tea party, hosted by friends…

…Making nearly 100 pounds of potato sausage–a Christmas tradition!…

…Singing in our cousin’s wedding, held in the Twin Cities…

…(Visiting the Capitol building, too!)…

…Spending Thanksgiving with my dear family, enjoying Mom’s delicious turkey dinner…

…And my favorite-est — holding my little Elinor!

P.s. Erica took all these photos except the potato sausage one.

Laurie: “What do those girls do all day long?”

Mr. Brooke: “Over the mysteries of female life there is drawn a veil best left undisturbed.”

from the film, Little Women

I love them for their kindness and generosity…

Molly Gibson

…

…for their courage and honesty…

Princess Leia

…

…for their ability to admit their own faults…

Bella Wilfer

…

…for their intelligence and sense of humor…

Elizabeth Bennet

…

…for their quiet strength and wisdom.

Anne Elliot

Usually considered a special-occasion dessert, Rommegrot, a rich, creamy wheat porridge, makes a delicious, satisfying breakfast, perfect for a chilly November morning. If you’re getting a little tired of oatmeal, give this a try! Oh, but before you look at the recipe, please read the following warning…

WARNING:
Do not be alarmed by the three sticks of butter, quart of milk, and heavy whipping cream this recipe contains. These natural saturated fats are good for you, and should be enjoyed without guilt.

Norwegian Rommegrot

Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (preferably whole wheat pastry flour)
1/2 cup maple syrup
Cinnamon-sugar for sprinkling on top

Directions:

1. Heat milk and cream over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Be careful not to let it scorch or boil over. In a small saucepan, melt one stick of butter to use as a topping for the Rommegrot.
2. While milk is heating, melt the remaining two sticks of the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in the flour, and cook over medium heat for five minutes, whisking constantly. The flour/butter mixture should be smooth and bubbly.
3. Slowly whisk hot milk and cream into the flour mixture. Cook, stirring frequently until mixture bubbles and thickens. Turn off heat, and stir in the maple syrup. Serve warm, with the melted butter and cinnamon-sugar as toppings.

Serves 6-8

Ruby Gillis: “She really looks dead! I’m frightened. Mrs. Lynde says that acting is a sin!”

Anne: “Ruby, keep quiet. You’re spoiling the effect. Besides, this is hundreds of years before Mrs. Lynde was born. Diana, you arrange all of this. It’s ridiculous for Elaine to be talking when she’s supposed to be dead!”

- From the film, Anne of Green Gables

…Ev’rywhere you go…

… Frosty red crabapples …

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… morning sun glinting on the iced-over pond …

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… pungent evergreen boughs …

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… Summer’s keepsakes: leftover Black-Eyed Susans …

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…and frost-sugared pansies.

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Thankful for the morning light, shining over earth and sea;
Thankful for the gift of sight, O Father, Lord, to Thee.

To Thee with all the heart I pray, now at the dawning of the day;
I know Thou hast me in Thy care, and Thou wilt hear my prayer.

- from the hymn, Morning Prayer

Today’s the day! A whole week has flown by since I announced I was giving away a pencil sketch of Jane Austen’s memorable matchmaker, Miss Emma Woodhouse. Now it’s time to discover the name of the winner! Here’s how…

First of all, I write out all the entrants’ names on bits of paper and dump them in my sister’s Regency-style bonnet.

Mix ‘em up, mix ‘em up… Then pick one!

And the winner is…

Congratulations to Elizabeth! Hooray!

P.s. Thank you to everyone who entered the drawing. I had so much fun hosting it! The excitement of checking each day for new comments, and seeing the number of entries rise higher and higher–! Hmm… I want to do it all over again! Perhaps sometime this winter?

Lord, my sins, they are many, like the sands of the sea,
But Thy blood, O my Savior, is sufficient for me;
For Thy promise is written in bright letters that glow,
“Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them like snow.”

Yes, my name’s written there,
On the page white and fair;
In the book of Thy kingdom,
Yes, my name’s written there!

- from the hymn, Is My Name Written There?

“And you have forgotten one matter of joy to me,” said Emma, “and a very considerable one–that I made the match myself. I made the match, you know, four years ago; and to have it take place, and be proved in the right, when so many people said Mr. Weston would never marry again, may comfort me for any thing.”
Mr. Knightley shook his head at her. Her father fondly replied, “Ah! my dear, I wish you would not make matches and foretell things, for whatever you say always comes to pass. Pray do not make any more matches.”
“I promise you to make none for myself, papa; but I must, indeed, for other people. It is the greatest amusement in the world! And after such success, you know!”

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CharacterSketch… My poor little Etsy shop! I started it up months and months ago, and not a single sale have I made; which is no doubt partly my own fault, as I’ve neglected updating, promoting…all those online-business necessities. All right, that’s it! In a desperate attempt to do something with those miniature drawings I made, I’m going to hold a Blog Giveaway! Here’s your chance to own an Original Work of Art…albeit a very small Work, indeed. I spent a very pleasurable half-hour sketching the twinkling eyes, playful smile, and muslin Regency gown; as near the Miss Emma Woodhouse of my imagination as my artistic talents would take me! The drawing is the size of a baseball trading card (2.5″ x 3.5″), and is done in pencil on heavy watercolor paper. It will arrive in a protective clear plastic sleeve, specially designed for cards this size.

Here’s how you enter:

1. Use the comment form to leave your name and e-mail address (and a sentence or two) in reply to this post. Entries will be accepted for one week, from now until Thursday, November 6th, 12:00 noon, Central time.
2. Wait with baited breath until the deadline has passed. Boy, I hope you’ll be able to sleep at night! 3. Come back here (*Janna chuckles evilly, envisioning the hit-count for her website soaring to new heights!*), and find out whether you’ve won or not. I will send the winner an e-mail requesting their mailing address, so I can send Miss Woodhouse on her way. Dear, dear! She’ll be travelling “Post”, and by herself, too! Lady Catherine de Bourgh would find that highly improper, I fear…