flagstone

we've been working on a path to widen the driveway and the snow beat us to most of the cracks.

while i was laying the stones for the path, i noticed how similar it was to piecing together wool for a skirt or a shawl. and though it's not yet finished, we can already see how flagstone instantly makes a place feel more naturalized, even next to asphalt.
afterwards: hot chocolate, la sauvagine cheese, and lesley stowe knock-off crackers

thanks to Grazing by Julie Van Rosendaal, here's the recipe:

2 c flour
2 t baking soda
1 t salt
2 c buttermilk
¼ c brown sugar
¼ c honey
1 c raisins
½ c pecans
½ c pumpkin seeds (optional)
¼ c sesame seed
¼ c flax
1 T fresh rosemary (or 1 t dried)

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add buttermilk, brown sugar, and honey and stir a few strokes.
4. Add the rest of ingredients and stir until just blended.
5. Pour the batter into two buttered 8 by 4 inch pans. Bake for 45 minutes until golden and springy to the touch. Remove from pans and cool on wire racks.
6. Once cool, slice the bread as thin as you can and place in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Reduce over to 300 and bake for 15 minutes, then flip them over and bake another 15 minutes on the other side until crisp and deep golden.

Makes about 8 dozen.