today i have a Vintage Christmas Wreath that you can make.. it could stay up year round, for that matter { i promise, this is an easy and quick craft once you have everything ready to go } when i saw this over at Thistlewood Farms, i couldn’t wait to make my own from pale…
♥ Disclaimer: I should mention now that these poems and ramblings of mine are not always a reflection of recent occurrences in my life.. but words that arise from a feeling I “get” from the weather, the mood of the day, I guess, stray thoughts like a dog that wanders. Rest assured that I am…
With this weather languishing in bed with a good cup of something and a snack sounds perfect 
Great poetic post today. xx
You have some good looking children! Love the quinoa dish! And the pecan design of the potato dish is brilliant idea…
Deeply inspiring for autumn thinking, life, photography and eating.
Smidge, loved your poem, and love the Moroccan spiced winter squash & quinoa – and could the photo be any more warmly luscious? (Hint: NO!) And wouldn’t you know it? Even your Thanksgiving sweet potatoes are adorned with flowers! I’m so excited to read the news that Just a Smidgen has been named Calgary’s top blog…any day now! (It was what we all knew all along anyway, but occasionally good news doesn’t spread quickly enough.) Have missed you Smidge and am glad to be back in your sweet company!
Oh boy these recipes look so yummy. Thanks 
Smidge, there is always so much love in your posts and what fabulous photos of your boy and the yam/sweet potato dish sounds heavenly!
Mandy xo
You have such a wonderful way of presenting your dishes. Magnifique!
What wonderfully fall recipes you’ve given us Smidge; and that boy of yours is very photogenic indeed! I love the flavours you’ve combined in the Moroccan dish.
You had us fooled, we all thought you were lounging in bed all day, longing for that lost love
Your poem is stunning my friend and its so nice to spend some time with your son 
Love the recipes and as always everything
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The photos of your son are just amazing! You can almost sense his personality through them. Just lovely. I hope if I keep practicing, I’ll be able to capture my kiddos just as well. Wonderful recipes. I love fall and winter foods. They are so comforting, warming and full of flavor. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’m sorry I haven’t been popping in as much. We’ll be back soon and I’ll get caught up. I love your poem too Smidge – beautiful. I always leave your site feeling serene and smiling.
Your poem is very good but I am glad to hear that you are enjoying comfort food for breakfast and that your heart is not crushed. I love the way you have arranged the nuts into flower shapes on the sweet potato dish.
Loving your post – going to have to try out the sweet potato dish – YUM! Have a Beautiful Day:)
Thanks, Sue!
Ahhh.. no rest for the wicked. I’m working from home today:D
Haha.. thanks.. it’s all my genes (just kidding).. maybe the food they eat?? xx
Hahaha.. any day would be perfect, spree!! You’re home!! I’ve missed you.. and I know you’ll have some amazing stories and foodie stuff to share with us!! Gasp, maybe you already have, I’m on my way over to you!! Wait for meeee!
Thank you!
xx Thank you Mandy
Well.. thanks so much Susie!!
Hahahaha.. lounging, well that is non existent for me:D You??
Well.. I will sure let him know:D
Funny, photographing still life/food has made me a better people photographer:) Don’t worry.. catching up is done whenever, right? xx
Well.. it has been crushed, I admit, but in a very distant past
You too!!! I hope you have better weather than us!! More snow and rain here today!! Blech!!
How funny, I have a giant bag of squash that I forgot to cook at Thanksgiving and I was just wondering what the heck to do with it all! And those sweet potatoes sound delicious – definitely a step up from marshmallows on top
Not so much…
Your posts, Barb, aways contain such beautiful photos but none so much as when your subjects are your children. Well done, Barb.
And as if that wouldn’t be enough, you go and give us a bit o’ verse and, get this, 2 recipes! Slow down! I’ve a hard enough time getting out 1 post a week and here you are blogging 4 posts in 1! Worse yet, I enjoyed the verse and want to try both recipes.
I understand that blogging is not a competition but you sure do set the bar awfully high. Do you think you could slack off a bit? Maybe posting an entry with a few typos would be a good way to start.
Where did my reply go to? I might be repeating myself, but I did want to thank you for your beautifully written posts, Barb. They always put a warm smile on my face. Loving that quinoa recipe!
Oh wow, that quinoa recipe looks sooooooooo comforting right now. I’ll be needing some of THAT.
Smidge, I love your poem. It’s perfect for me right now. Is there a way for us just to print the poem, like the recipes? I’m sorry if that’s a dumb question :0
Thank you for the recipes and the fabulous photographs too. I’m shocked you have a 19 year old son….he’s such a handsome guy!
Hahaha.. you got your wish.. apparently I left out what to do with the squash in the recipe:D I’m so busy these days.. my blogging is down to maybe twice a week so I try to cram in the recipes or I’ll be so far behind! I’m off to read everyone’s blogs.. my nightly cuppa tea!! Thanks for your kind words, glad you liked my poetry:D
I’d like to say I started young.. but I didn’t:) I didn’t even think about the poems like that.. I’m going to format them, starting with this one and I’ll work my way back. Thanks so much Sarah for an excellent idea:D xx I hope you’re not languishing:) xx
I don’t think so? WordPress has been “acting up”. I updated some formatting errors on earlier posts and it sent them off to Facebook as though they were new. Everyone thought I was really cooking up a storm, lol! Thanks so much for your kind words:) xx
I LOVE that marshmallow recipe! My girlfriend in high school (Joy) used to make it and it was my all time fav! I hope you make some up for us so I can get that recipe:D xx
Your words did make me think of lost loves from a long time ago. So beautifully written and such evocative words, Smidge. And you son is like a GQ model. So lovely to see photos of him. I wonder if he would get along with my Archie. They look like they would be great mates. I love his jumper – so big and thick and heavy looking – we don’t have jumpers like that in Sydney as it just doesn’t get cold enough xx
The Moroccan dish looks so exotic and delicious, not to mention healthful. And I love the design of the pecans on the yam dish. Taking a little time to arrange the pecans in a pleasing pattern adds such pleasure to the plate! It was great to see the photo shoot of your son (handsome fellow). Hmm, wonder if I could persuade mine to do that? Probably some type of bribery would be required
Hope you don’t mind me jumping in here (I know WordPress wants us to respond to other people’s comments, but it somehow feels a bit rude to me, like I’m interrupting someone else’s conversation; at any rate, I may as well finish what I started
Wonderful post overall!
Well I have quietly and peacefully loved your verse and admired the photos of a very handsome young man . . . now to get busy, as that Moroccan quinoa dish is absolutely calling out to be made – and THAT I can do here !
What a handsome son! The Moroccan quinoa sounds fabulous, and of course it’s gorgeous as are all of your dishes!
I don’t think it’s rude at all.. it’s interesting and kind of like a conversation.. closest to “Messenger” on Facebook, lol! I love reading everyone’s blogs. Every day I get to read something new and it definitely influences how my day goes.. and the added bonus.. it almost always gives me ideas for supper:D Have a wonderful week!! xx
Trust me.. I think a video would have been more entertaining than the photos.. the eye-rolling, muttering and frowning that went on was hilarious (at least to me!). I am a strong believer in bribery or whatever it takes!! xx
Your poem as usual is very moving! Have a lovely day
From what I read of Archie.. they would be instant “Bros” (I think that’s what they call it these days!)! If I told him he had a jumper on I would have gotten into even more trouble.. jumpers in Canada are skirts with a little bib top
Thanks!xx
Thanks, Tandy!
I don’t know if this will work.. I’ve made the last two a jpeg.. you could click on the poem/photo and then print?? Let me know if that works:) xx Night!!
Great post Barbara! The poem, your son’s pictures, breakfast, quinoa and yams… I loved it and now I have 2 more fantastic recipes in my list. Thanks for sharing!
It’s always a pleasure reading your posts
This dish looks as cozy as that sweater:) so lovely and bright too x
WOW! What a great post, handsome young man, delicious foods, and beautiful poem… You are amazing dear, Thanks and Love, nia
You have shared so much in this post, Barbara. Lovely! Your poetry is so beautiful and really compliments the mood of the delicious recipes. I am particularly eager to try the quinoa and butternut squash! I love the spice combination! Your son is a photogenic as your daughter!
I hope you enjoy the squash dish.. it was yummy!!
Amazing photos as always Barb! Your son seems very natural in front of the camera — does this mean that no bribery was required? I’m tucking away the yam recipe as it looks like simple delicious fare for fall …which is just the kind I like. Btw, we’re you having troubles with your site last night? Tried to visit several times last night but the screen was blank.
Beautiful photos Barbara and the Quinoa stew looks divine, great dish for autumn
Beautiful – and varied – post! You really covered all the bases with this one…
Oh my goodness! These are just beautiful, Barb! They both printed fine here. Thank you so much for this, wow. They’re perfect!
Great!! I’m glad it worked:D xx
Oh, yum! You make that stew look and sound simply irresistible, Barbara!
I thought this cover photo of your son was from a magazine, what a handsome young man!! I love the sweater he has on. These recipes make me swoon for fall!!
What a good looking and thoughtful young man your son is. He looks like a deep thinker.
Love your recipes, waiting for things to slow down a bit so I can start working with my butternuts.
Smidge what a handsome boy you’ve grown there! I think it’s lovely to have photos like that to look back on. Being 19 (from vague memories) was a bit of an awesome age to be.
What a great round up of fall goodness! You are moving fluidly into people photos. Lovely subjects you have.
Barb, what a gorgeous boy you have! My Big Boy is nearly 20 – it’s such a wonderful time for them! May he have a happy and blessed adulthood! xx
And the same to yours!! It is a wonderful time!!
Beautiful poem. You have this beautiful way with your words, they are so mellow at times yet strong.
What is it with boys not wanting to be photographed?
Gorgeous recipe, gorgeous boy!! Both filled with love.
A little bit of everything wonderful in this post (especially those sweet potatoes…I love sweet potatoes )
Harmonic Solstice To listen to music, is to be conveyed… back to a distinct instance every detail seen, every scent, and touch extant.. in unison and in harmony precise measures of time and tempo inscribed.. I was in my mid-20s… and enjoying a magical respite from teaching during those languorous Christmas holidays. It was snowing powder…
As always, a perfectly lovely post. I have so enjoyed reading your blog, and look forward to much more in the new year. Merry Christmas! xx
You just gave me the most lovely Christmas present…such a heartfelt photo video. Merry Christmas, Smidge to you and your family.
This was so beautiful dear Barbara… How nice music and books meet… and how many times hits again and again… in your side and in my side… as if I lived these moments too… And wonderful recipe with beautiful photographs… Thank you dear Barbara, Happy New Year and Merry Christmas, angels be with you always, with my love, nia
Beautiful!
What a lovely post, Smidge! Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas.
They do look celestial! Just gorgeous. Merry Christmas Smidge. I hope it’s a wonderful day and a fun filled year.
Yum! I am going to make these today! Thanks for your beautiful post!
Beautiful words, beautiful music and very pretty cookies. Wishing you a very lovely Christmas.
So beautifully, beautifully written Smidge, your post alone something to savor. And how much more perfect and celestial could a little cookie be?! Again Simply Beautiful! Wishing you a delightful sumptuous Christmas and a bit of time curled beneath a cloud of a quilt with book in hand! xo
Beautiful cookies. I think you succeeded!
What beautiful looking cookies. I love the little sprinkles. Have a very Merry Christmas.
What a wonderful video! I kind of want to cry – in a good way! The cookies look lovely. I wish you a very enjoyable Christmas with the people you love, and all the very best for the New Year!
Perfectly fitting: a quiet remembrance of the soul-filled moments past of another winter solstice; dreaming text, crisp wintry skiing around a lake, welcome immersion in a loved book, and a sweet, sweet bite of lemony shortbread cookies sprinkled with sparkling stars. Thank you, dear Barb, for this lovely interlude, and may you be surrounded by joy and peace at Christmas and throughout the year ahead!
xoxo,
Kathryn
Likewise, Misk, I love your food, your poetry… everything is so beautifully written on your blog! Merry Xmas xoxo
Merry Christmas to you Karen, I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family… xoxo
I’m sure you’ve lived very similar experiences, Nia, we are quite similar in nature:) Merry Christmas, I hope it is everything you wish it to be (and your cat doesn’t get at your tree:)xo Smidge
Thank you and a very Merry Christmas xoxo
Merry Christmas to you, John, I’m sure your family will just love being together and I can only imagine the tables decorated with beautiful plates full of your food!!
Sprinkles are always fun:) Merry Christmas to you, wishing you a perfect year of good times and good health!! xo
You’re so welcome.. Merry Christmas, Susie!
Have a wonderful Christmas holiday xoxo!!
I will, indeed, strive to be under the quilt!! As soon as all these gifts get wrapped… I hope you, too, have a wonderful Christmas celebration and holiday with your family:)
Thanks to you both.. and a very Merry Christmas!!
Yes, they’re kind of like perfume for the little black dress;) They are a very fun finishing touch to add on at the end! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
I have been more tearful than usual this year, myself. I think it is the lovely sentiments I’ve been reading on everyone’s blogs this year.. It’s just been such a proliferation of “more” of everything… more celebration, more decoration, and more meaning… I love it all! Merry Christmas to you as well!! xoxo Smidge
You always write so beautifully (and I know I always say this) but I am always touch and entranced (and honored) when reading what you’ve written. I hope you and your sisters and all of your loved ones have a wonderful Christmas! xoxo Barb
What beautiful and delicate cookies!
That was a lovely post. Beautifully written. I know exactly what those books that devour and savour means. Merry Christmas to you!
The light on the Winter Solstice cookies is lovely. Wonderful post.
note to follow
I plan to post this but am inviting a few consistent followers first.
Thanks Smidge.
Ruth
I am working on a new 2012 blog project to see where my blog travels. I would love to “travel” to you and visit via the USPS snail mail and have you photograph “me” wherever you want to take me, Like the FLAT STANLEY project.
If you are able to participate email me your snail mail address and then “cardboard me” will be sent to you. Take a photo or two of me wherever you want to take me, then write a couple of sentences about location, you, your blog, how you came to find my blog, anything you wish. You will be a guest blogger when I post your photos.
What do you think?
Email snail address to cardboard.me.travels@gmail.com if you can. Hope you can do it. Thanks
If you’re offering me some delectable cookies, then I gladly accept because these Winter Solstice Cookies look so darn good lol. I absolutely love a good cookie this time of year. You always have amazing recipes.. so thanks for this one and the lovely video. Wonderful post
At last Im getting the Christmas bug…
Thanks:)
Thanks, which books are you reading these days?
This sounds like fun, count me in!
So wish I could! Thanks and have a wonderful Christmas!!
Thank goodness.. it’s not too late:)
Everything about this post is just beautiful, and I particularly like those cookies. Yum!! That video was so nice.
Merry Christmas!!!! By the way, love the snow across your page!!!
So festive!! And you know I love a book lover – though haven’t had the pleasure of reading that one yet. Merry early Christmas, Barbara!
What a lovely recording and slide show: a treat to see all the snow for the holiday. Have a beautiful holiday and a happy New Year. — Sharyn
Thanks, Caroline… Merry Christmas to you!
Thanks Courtney… have a wonderful holiday!
Wishing you the same, Sharyn, may it be everything you hope for and then some:)
Hey, having just been nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award I get to nominate you (I don’t think this is your first time somehow) Here is the link on my blog that nominates you http://theemeraldgarden.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/the-versatile-blogger-award/
You know already that I love reading your posts, so sending some love your way.
Very nice post! Your cookies are just gorgeous!! Merry Christmas to You and yours from Me and mine!!
Thank you! I used to dislike feeling upset at this time of year, but I’ve come to think that feeling a spectrum of emotions helps us to experience the time more fully, so I’ve come to not fear them so much.
i felt the need to pause and reflect on how fortunate i am
Thanks so much for stopping by my site, I’m loving your blog! Look forward to your upcoming posts. xx
Gratitude has to be the healthiest state of being possible! And grace is indeed the very heart of it. Well said, lovely lady.
Very true, what a powerful thing is this grace that you have.. c
Beautiful… I absolutely loved reading this. And since I know you guys are having Thanksgiving.. I want to wish you a wonderful one
Wishing you a wonderful thanksgiving
You’re welcome!
Thanks to all of you for stopping by, shall drink a Thanksgiving toast in your honor:)
Lovely post. Happy Thanksgiving!
Beautifully put – happy thanksgiving!
Thanks to both of you! Having a lovely fall day here, sun is shining, leaves are yellow and red… perfect… now I hope that doesn’t jinx my turkey:P
Lovely photos.
Enjoy all that beautiful autumn weather, and happy Thanksgiving.
This was so beautiful and so meaningful. I am impressed so much by your poetical touches and by your beautiful autumn photographs… Thank you, with my love, nia
It’s good to give our kitchens a well deserved rest, after all it is the main stay, the work horse if you will, of our homes and if you push them too far they just might go on strike. So let the ovens cool down, store away all those dishes and pans, and… escape. This…
by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
Cute wreath! I met KeriAnne from Thistlewood Farm a couple of weeks ago in New York at the Country Living blogger awards. You and she have a lot of energy!
How lovely is that, Smidge (not a question, but an exclamation) ! Great ideas both! Especially like the memory wreath – Such a welcome change from the frames holding multiple photos that we tend not to look at much once they’re done. Already, you’ve set my mind to wandering! xx (And today’s the big day! So anxious to hear the good news coming from you!)
You’re so lucky to have gone to those awards.. your blogs are in a league all their own!! Congratulations again!! xx
Thanks sweetie.. I’m not certain when we’ll hear?? I think they can still submit votes today. As always, I’ve already won knowing you:) ps will write soon!! xx
That wreath is quite lovely! And I already have a bunch of little frames I used as Place Cards for a family dinner quite a few years ago (I put photos of each person as a child in the frame). I have to taste this biscoffie.
Brilliant idea for a wreath.
This post breaths in the Christmas spirit right into ones soul! <3
That’s a great idea.. especially that they’re children.. I’m going to try that this year since it’s my family’s turn, it will be easy to do!
Hi Smidge! I haven’t heard from you in a while, I think something might have gone funny with my subscription to ;your blog (I thought you had stopped posting altogether!). I’m glad to see you’re doing well, and your photo wreath frame is amazing. What a clever idea!
Your site is so breathtaking. It almost feels enchanted! I wish I had half of your talent
Haha that is only one of the cutest ideas ever my friend
Loved it! They look delicious!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
What a lovely idea the memory wreath is and yours looks gorgeous – it’s so easy to forget all the nice things that happened over the course of the year and this is a great way of keeping those memories alive. I like the sound of the biscotti – especially as there is oatmeal in the mix which I always feels magically makes sweet things healthy!
What a great idea!!!
Fantastic idea – awnd stunning photos in those frames! And scrummy biscotti too
Smidge your wreath is the most beautiful I have ever seen – I just adore the idea!
Mandy xo
Beautiful wreath – and just look at those cookies!
Your wreath is just gorgeous and what a clever idea. I love the look of these cookies and they look extra special in that stunning Christmas box xx
How great! What a lovely idea.
What a Beautiful Wreath – oh so creative – love it! Have a Great One:)
Such a lovely idea. I’m often thinking of crafty type gifts for my friends who pretty much (have it all) and I love how personalized this is. Truly brilliant so thanks for sharing!
Ps those biccies look delish and I love the festive snowflake overlay on your pic too!
I too love the wreath, such a clever idea. Never heard of Biscoff, will look when next I go food shopping.
Great idea for a wreath and I like the beige colors. It is nice to have all the people dear to your heart all on one little circle. I am sure they will all be at your house soon gobbling up all of your delicious cookies. enjoy the holidays. BAM
I love the wreath idea! And when I look at it, I can actually see it being used year round because of the neutral colors you chose — beautiful and classic for any decor!
I haven’t even started thinking about Christmas Smidge
Another winner, Barbara! I love the wreath. I already have someone in mind, so thank you for the idea as a gift! Then maybe I can make one for myself later. These yummy bites are heavenly. I have some work to do this week, I see! oxo
Such a gorgeous wreath! I’m so jealous of Biscoff. It sounds like something I would love but it’s nowhere to be found here in Aus.
What a great idea for a wreath, Barb! So many different photo collections could be used and to good effect. A thoughtfully prepared wreath like this would make a great gift.
Speaking of gifts, a tin of these oatmeal biscoffie bites (great name!) would be happily welcomed around here. I may not be familiar with Biscoff but i know a good oatmeal cookie recipe when I see one.
This really was a creative and enjoyable post, Barb.
Barbara, what a gorgeous post: with an original wreath and a cookie recipe to die for….just lovely post. Off to share.
Love the wreath!! And the biscoffie bites look perfect!!
Very clever wreath and I could use some of those cookies to go with my coffee! Well done!
Such a pretty wreath, and as you say endless possibilities !
That wreath is gorgeous! I love the bigger frames you used, it turned out amazingly! These bites also look divine!!
I’m so grateful for the information on the wreath. I have a wonderful friend in Washington, D.C. who’s birthday happens to be the same day as Christmas and I’m always looking for something new and fresh to send her that day. This is perfect, and will look great with photos from our days together in Chicago. It’s a perfect idea, Smidge! Thank you!
I wonder if I can ship some of the Biscoffie bites her way too? Except that I’ve never seen or heard of Biscoff until you told us about it. Those look so good!
These look like fantastic Bites!
Love both of these just lovely:) will have to translate some of the wreath materials into uk talk though but get the idea – always looking for photo ideas. Thank you.
Barb, such a lovely idea! The wreath is simply divine, and very meaningful.. xx
Christmas is such a great time to get crafty! I wish more holidays called for more decorations so there would always be an excuse to pick up things at the craft store
I love your idea of wreath, nice one
My grocer just started carrying Biscoff and I bought a jar. This sounds like a great way to try it.
Your wreath is absolutely beautiful Smidge! I wish you could come make over my house. You have such a peaceful and beautiful touch. I like the idea of using pictures from the past year – it’s a great idea for celebrating the coming New Year!
You’re not just a pretty face, young lady! Very cool festive creation!
I love the picture wreath, Barbara! I think I would like yours better than the one you first looked at. I think it would be too busy with too many photos. Yours is perfect. I’m definitely going to be making one of these next year.
Cookies look yummy!
~ April
Love the wreath idea! And I love the recipes.
You are busier than me and haven’t been back to comment! I was gone on a girl’s weekend and am still digging out!
I have never made a wreath yet but I see them everywhere on all the crafty bloggers sites and yours looks lovely! And congratulations on your double win! xx
The wreath is such a great idea Smidge not to mention beautiful. It’s has that wonderful nostalgia and serenity that imbues your blog generally. I prefer low sugar too – your bites sound perfect!
That’s such a nice idea for a wreath – a wreath for modern times
Lovely little bites too – I love the photo with the snow flakes underneath 
What a lovely idea … with the wreath !!! So beautiful !!!!