It's the Big Rain

There was a change in the air...you could feel it...

There were some who seemed disgruntled with the upcoming change...

Even Brooke wasn't too thrilled. You see, not everyone likes the rain.

Sometimes not even Westies whose ancestors were bred on the wet Scottish Highlands. What's up with that?

But I enjoy the rain.

Of course I don't enjoy it enough to move to where they have lots of rain, all the time. No, I live where drought is more common and you have to watch your water usage in the summer. Rain here is more of a "sometime" visitor who doesn't come often enough to wear out its welcome.

So I enjoy the rain. I love the soothing rhythm it makes pattering outside my window. I listen to the squalling of the wind during a storm and watch the drama of the grey clouds shoving each other across the wet sky.

There is the  metallic scent of rain in the air, and I enjoy how quiet it is outside when everyone chooses to slow down and stay inside. As for the few who do venture out, I love the sound the tires on the cars make as they pass by on a wet, rainy road. But mostly, I enjoy the songs the leaves make as the wind and rain play upon them like some ancient natural instrument.

Of course, to get the most benefit from a rainy day, you have to prepare for it. Like having a stack of books that have been waiting to be read. Or a project that needs to be worked on...like needlework...or a quilt would work...

It doesn't hurt to have a few candles to light...or something in the oven....like biscuits...

Oh, that reminds me....I found my biscuit recipe! I remember promising to share it so that is what I am going to do on this rainy day....

Buttermilk Biscuits

4 Cups all purpose Flour

2 T. Baking Powder

1 T. sugar

1 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1 Cup Shortening (or 1 Crisco stick)

1 1/2 Cup Buttermilk (room temp is best)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees and melt 4 Tbs. butter in a dish. Pour melted butter in a large baking pan, coating well. In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs and just starts to stick together on the pastry cutter. Making a well in the center, add all the buttermilk at once and stir with a fork just until the dough begins to cling together. Knead gently on baking board and then roll the dough to about 1/2 " thick. If this is your first batch of biscuits, remember to handle as little as possible to keep them tender. Cut biscuits with a drinking glass or biscuit cutter, dipping them in the butter in baking pan and then turning them butter-side up in the pan. Bake for approx. 15 minutes until the tops are golden brown. Serve hot with butter.

Mmmmmmmmmm....There is nothing in this world that cannot be fixed, at least for a little while, with a homemade buttermilk biscuit, dripping with melted butter and homemade jam. Now don't you feel better already? The sun will come out again....in the meantime, I am going to snuggle in with my soup on the stove and my biscuits and my old movies and enjoy this little bubble of time that the rain has made.

 

And I will see you again on the other side of the rainbow!