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Confederate Jessamine

A heavenly fragrance lured Hedydd into the garden. The sun was bright and hot. A venerable Pecan offered not only shade, but played host to the bearer of the sweet aroma…the Confederate Jessamine. The vine had rambled and twined unchecked for many seasons, but this Spring found it so high into the pecan that it had run out of branches to embrace only to cascade downward in glorious ropes of rich cream and glossy green.

A sanctuary from the heat of an Alabama afternoon, the jasmine provided a wonderful hide-away for a little doll with a heart full of dreams. Perhaps she dreams of faraway places; perhaps of a sister called Jessamine…as sweet and light as the scented air.

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Mine Own Library

Knowing I loved my books, he furnished me

From mine own library with volumes that

I prize above my dukedom.

The Tempest, Act I, Scene 2

by William Shakespeare

 

Hedydd was simply along for the ride. Still a-purse since yesterday’s errands, she stretched her wooden limbs and nestled further into the familiar hand-bag…if not completely sure where she was headed, she certainly knew it wasn’t THAT place!

From the dark, she heard a happy gasp, a flurry of cheerful conversation, and the zip of her hide-away being opened. In a moment, she was greeted with the sight of her favorite volume and more!

The Friends of the Dothan Houston County Library were hosting a book sale. Displayed in a corner of the room, some in a dear little suitcase, some neatly arranged for ease in viewing, were “vintage” books – all sorts. The first one spied was “Hitty, Her First Hundred Years”. Standing next to “Hitty” was “Twig”, and beyond “Twig”, “Penny”. Books indeed to be prized and treasured.

Surely a kindred spirit had made these generous and timely donations!

Hitty, Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field, Illustrations by Dorothy P. Lathrop

Penny, Story and Illustrations by Marjorie Torrey

Twig, Author and Illustrator, Elizabeth Orton Jones

Dothan Houston County Libary

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Yo (Ho, Ho, Ho)

 

What have we here?

 

Oh, dear! Someone has gotten into the holiday spirit(s), pirating the rum meant for the glaze!

 

Hedydd’s not the only one with a glazed look…gingerbread cake for a special day.

 

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Hell-Broth

~~~Like a hell-broth boil and bubble~~~

Macbeth Act 4, Scene 1

Not altogether weird, but definitely sisters, Hedydd and Panthy got up to a bit of brewing in kitchen, preparing for the possibility of a sniffle this rainy summer. A fire-cider is not too different than the old family cure-all, hot lemonade – a great deal more chopping and many more ingredients, however. The kitchen smelled as aromatically, even if a bit heavy on the garlic…and really, is that a bad thing?

The rosemary fresh from the garden was fragrant, but the jalapeños made even painted eyes water, poor Hedydd!

Layers of horseradish, onion, garlic, turmeric, jalapeño and ginger.

Topped with lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, the cider must mature for a month in a cool place. Fingers inadvertently dipped while adjusting layers and sampled afterward found the concoction already bright and tasty.

It’ll cure what ails you, no doubt.

 

The Wiregrass Hitties and Mad for the Farthing Crowd tried this recipe for their first brewing of Fire Cider:

https://www.mommypotamus.com/fire-cider-recipe/

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Frank Jackson State Park

A late afternoon ramble along the welcoming shores of Lake Jackson found Hedydd carefully balancing on a boardwalk leading to a small island.  A lovely cool breeze ruffled the water, but it was just enough to cause concern…and Hedydd had not prepared for bathing and certainly not diving.

The water lilies, barely blooming, were host to frogs and dragonflies who chirped and hummed as the afternoon waned. Crossing to the island, the company discovered a small wooden sign bearing the words: “‘WARNING’ BEWARE OF ALLIGATORS”. Hedydd is well-aware the shady island was the perfect spot for snakes but wondered why the warning had not been posted on the other side of the boardwalk.

http://www.alapark.com/frank-jackson-state-park

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Before The Birds

What was meant to be an hour or so of tidying following a rainstorm turned into an afternoon of berry-picking. Hedydd was startled to hear the whoops of glee from the front garden. It was a rare moment of perfect timing and worthy of celebration.  Now, it was not an abundant crop, but the berries were close to ripeness and not yet greedily consumed by the neighborhood birds.

Nobody really minds sharing, but it is pleasant, occasionally, to enjoy the literal fruits of one’s labor. Hedydd picked baskets of blueberries and dewberries, even a pineberry or two. There was enough for supper and to spare…and a gracious plenty left for feathered friends.

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Investigating Alternatives

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Berry White

Three or four days of genuine Winter had caused modest consternation in the garden. The Lavender and the Pineberries had relocated to the front porch, where the brick wall, soaking up sun during the afternoon, could then release the necessary warmth during the frigid nights. In the evening, the pots and boxes were gently tucked in, every care being taken to secure their safety until the temperature had risen in the morning to above freezing.

“Your Sweetness Is My Weakness”

The Pineberries appeared to have enjoyed all the attention. They began producing fat berries, flourishing as the weather warmed. Hitty Hedydd thought it prudent to document this fruity phenomenon before the Mockingbirds, never ones to miss an opportunity, took advantage of this January surprise.

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Pea…zzzzz on Earth – Fairy Tales For A Kinder World

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:14

We all have those peas in our lives…sometimes we are the pea.

Throughout the year, Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth is knit during particular sporting events, when The Knitter can hardly excuse herself for sitting in front of The Box without something to occupy her hands…but not something that requires a great deal of thought or talent. Later in the year, every Christmas stocking beyond the immediate household is stuffed with those same dubiously handy dishcloths, both as a genuine gift and a poke in the ribs.

But before the stuffing of stocking or the mailing of boxes this Season,  Hitty Hedydd declared that the DD’s (Dratted Dishcloths) should be put to good, illustrative use in a Fairy Tale for a Kinder World.

 

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