Gifting

The good thing about Little Bird Baskets Is that when a basket is ordered for my friends I feel like its from me too. I love knowing what kind of image to put on the tea towel and what color to embroider it so it will look the best in their kitchen. To know more than a name. This basket was ordered for my friend Kyran Pittman, from her sweet mama. It was great to gift it for her mom, I love being the one that hands the basket over. Its just immediate happiness. Kyran Is an inventive and very funny writer check her out Notes to Self. She also took these pictures of her basket, they are lovely.

Mason Jars

So!!! It should not be a hard thing to can, preserve or put things up and it should not be expensive. I searched Little Rock over and could not find affordable 8 oz. canning jars. That seems really silly to me. Our local food mart carries a variety of over-priced canning items and after today's venture on-line they seemed reasonably priced.

So I called my mom Judy, she is the lady of know, and told me to call Ace Hardware. They carry canning supplies year round at a reasonable price. Wow, I was starting to get worried.

For Christmas I am making Red and Green Hot Pepper Jelly, no food coloring added, and a variety of chutneys in the next week. I will also be making a mint jelly that should be great with lamb or pork. If you are reading this and will cook with mint jelly let me know and I'll try to get some to you. Maybe share a recipe.

Winter Little Bird Baskets

The baskets are taking off, I couldn't be happier. Each one gets better and better and the vision becomes more solid. I am starting to get some new ideas for holiday baskets with specialty breads and jams. I am going to do potted paper whites and crocuses instead of cut flowers for the winter months.

I have been preparing my garden for next spring getting it beefed up with good organic fertilizer and lots of wildflowers for cut arrangements. I can't wait to see what starts popping up next spring, and its to soon to be thinking about that yet I have all winter to daydream about my garden. There is a sweet little moss garden that has started on its own on the north side of my house I am going to add to it and hopefully start some terrariums and little potted gardens. Dakorah Designs has so inspired me and this should prove to be a good winter hobby for the cooped up gardener.