Looking Forward to New Year's Day

The bent heads are filled and ready to harvest.

It is 86 degrees today.  That's a considerable distance from winter and winter holidays.  But I'm already planning ahead.  You see, the Things I get to do today are pre-prepare our newly traditional New Year's Day breakfast: waffles made from wheat that has sprouted up about my yard from the straw mulch around the strawberries and vegetables.

The idea came from Anastasia, a Divine Gardener, who's instructions can be found in the Ringing Cedars of Russia* series.  She suggests growing a square meter of grain, making it into flour, then including it in a family meal as a celebration. My version of her idea became waffles for breakfast on the first morning of the new year.

So today the wheat heads were removed from the stalks. They will continue to dry. New Year's Eve we'll thrash the wheat and grind the flour. The next morning we'll add whipped cream and maple syrup for the finest first breakfast of the year.

 *By Vladimir Megre'.

The chickens gleaned the bits left behind on purpose for them.
They get to celebrate early because there will be no waffles for them.

Tea for Me

Purple pot

I do it every morning.  Using this funny little tea pot with the broken handle loop is part of my morning routine.  The pot holds enough to satisfy me and to maximize the tea bag.  Perfect all around.

A puff of steam escapes the top of the pot 

Rituals can be very helpful--I always know at least one of the Things I get to do today--adding security and stability and good flavor to the beginning of every day.





If it's a chilly morning, I pour my cup and place it on the left side of my plate.  The pot stays on the right. Between bites there's a place to get both hands warmed back into comfort.  With the hot liquid in the belly and hands toasty, the day is off to a smart start.