Holidays on the Cheap

Holidays, for me, are about knowing when to splurge and when to save, so I don't enter January bound for the poor house. Here are some fun examples of where we've cut corners:

• Making things for others instead of buying them something.  I can't make an X-box, but I can make a lot of other things!   Plus, handmade is so sweet.  As long as it isn't a wonky sweater with my initials knitted in...come to think of it, that would be OK too.  I'd just pull it apart! 
  
• Making decorations for the house - Home depot Christmas tree with free trimmings and ribbons bought from Joann with a coupon, after Christmas last year.  Apparently I also raided Target's after Christmas ornament sale last year (or the year before - no tree last year) and when we began decorating the tree, Ifound brand new boxes of ornaments I had stashed away!  Surprise!
  
• Christmas dinner - looked for sales in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  We are all stocked up on cranberry sauce.  A little too stocked up!  And did you know that yams keep for months?  Me neither, but I've still got yams from the post Thanksgiving sale and they are still good!
• Dinners in the weeks leading up to Christmas - I know I'm gonna eat too much pie on Christmas day, so I'll eat really healthy and avoid the fatty (and pricey) foods in the weeks leading up to Christmas and then...Hello green bean casserole!  I've also begun writing out not just a one week menu, but a two week menu.  I went to the store  recently, list in hand, fully expecting to have to put things back, but nope, I came in $60 under budget for 2 weeks worth of groceries!  How did this happen?!  I wasn't even using coupons!!

How are you saving dollars this Christmas, but still making merry?  Really. I want to know!

The Camera

I've been asked about my camera several times now and I think I need to let you know about it.  Let me just say that it is really hard to take a picture of a camera without another camera and without showing off my spotty bathroom mirror.  So this photo was taken with my phone. 

Here it is, in all of it's 4.5 megapixel glory!  Yes, laugh now.  I know.  It's a piece of crap.  It's a Nikon Coolpix that is so old they don't even sell them any more.  4.5 megapixels!!  Really.  It's sad.  The ring has come off of the lens.  The battery door won't stay shut.  It's downright raggedy! I've been saving for a new one, but every time I get close to having enough, something else happens and the money goes toward that.  So me and my trusty old coolpix trudge on. 

Yet, it's not too bad because I get lots of compliments on my photos.  I do have some secrets though and I'll share them with you.
1. I take about 40 gillion photos of things I want to capture, just to get it right.  Because, hey, it's digital and it's not like I'm wasting film.
2. The details are more fun than the big picture.
3. Never, ever, ever use the flash.  (unless you life depends on it)
4. You can always fix the colors in a photo editor and it doesn't have to be a fancy one like Photoshop.  I often use Windows XP photo viewer!

I also have to say this is about making use of what I have.  Someday I'll have a fancy camera, but I'm not there.  If I wait to take pictures until I can do it perfectly with the perfect gear, then I'll never do it at all.  It's now what you have, it's how you use what you have!   

The stockings were hung on the...uuh...bookshelf with care

I've been working on this stocking (Suzi is a friend's daughter by the way) for what seems like an age now!  I ripped out the leg part of the stocking no less than 5 times (too skinny and I needed to add stitches, too bunchy because I stranded the yarn too tight etc, etc.) and the heel and toe (my first foray into 'short rows'), no less than 3 or 4 times respectively.  And now, blocked, woven in, with scarf and jaunty little top hat added post knitting, and some lovely flannel lining sewn in, I give you 'The Christmas Stocking'!  Hurray!

This was definitely a learning experience for me.  Stranded knitting, pattern charts...this was a whole new world!  But I made it to the other side with lots of extra knowledge.  Plus, now that I've done a sock (albeit a big one), I  know I have NO desire to do socks.  None.  Perhaps that will come later, but for now...ug!  I am not a sock knitter.  (which is strange, since I love wool socks)  I liked the pattern even though the chart had what seemed like errors on it. (design ended in a strange place and should continue on to next row since it's in the round, but doesn't - the adding in of stitches when I widened the pattern fixed the problem )

It turned out very well and now I am debating if I should do knitted ones or felted ones for my own family.  Hmm.  Tough one. (Matt has cast his vote for knitted after seeing this one)

[For those who care about these things, I got the pattern from Annie's woolens and knitted it with Lion Brand Wool Ease - worsted weight, in Denim, Avocado, Ranch Red, Black, and White Multi which had a bit of sparkle in it. The yarn felted just a bit during blocking which added a nice clean look to the stitches.  I also had to adjust the patten for the smidge smaller gauge than what the pattern called for.  It called for 16 sp4i and the Lion Brand knitted up at about 19/20 sp4i (stitches per 4 inchs).  One would think that doesn't matter much until you get halfway through and realize how skinny the stocking is and have to rip it all out.  Ug!  The holly flannel lining is from Joann fabrics.]

Advent :: His story begins

[Hey all. We've been laying low all weekend. Cora's fever persisted for days and the docs told us to wait it out. No need to bring her in unless a cough starts. Which it didn't.  But talk of possible strep freaked me out, so we went.  Just a virus. Poor little had been sleeping most of the day and night, not eating very much and living off of milk, apple juice, pb&j's, and cheese (her favorite). Today was finally the turnaround.  I'm so glad to have a well household again!  Now on to the post]

Happy third week of advent!

This week in our advent readings begin the actual story of the birth of Jesus.  The first chapter of the book of Luke sets the scene.  A baby boy born to a childless older couple.  A boy who will grow up to be the herald of the king  Angels visiting people here on earth and amazing them with glimpses of God's plan.  A young girl says the words that would change history. (Imagine if she had said no!)

Here are the readings for the third week of Advent:
Sun. Luke 1:5-13
Mon. Luke 1:14-17
Tue. Luke 1:18-25
Wed. Luke 1:39-45
Thu. Luke 1:46-56
Fri. Luke 1:57-66
Sat. Luke 1:67-80

So many things are happening around here in preparation to celebrate my favorite birthday.  And an amazing thing has happened!  My moms group has decided to 'adopt' the family across the street for Christmas!  Such a beautiful outpouring of love and generosity.  There needed things, fun things, warm things, a tree and much more!  Including a heater!!  It is a beautiful season around here. 

Quiet Day

Cora woke up early with a fever this morning and is very, very, very cranky.  I hope it's just teeth.  Today calls for rest and peace.  No frantic running about and having everyone over (like I've done the majority of days this week).  Just me and my girl.  And a tiny alligator book by Maurice Sendak.

Matt and I went on a date last night (we made up from my insanity yesterday morning) and due to my bad timing, missed the movie start times.  Instead we went to Starbucks to warm up and to chat.  We ended up helping out a stranded girl by jumping her car, then headed to find something else to do and realized that after 9pm on a Thursday, unless you are going to a show (didn't plan ahead), a movie (ditto), out to eat (we ate a home) or a bar (smokey and we aren't much for drinking.  Nothing against it, just not a thing for us), there is nothing to do in Nashville.  Even our standby, the bookstore, was closed by 9pm.  So we went home.  Fuddy duddies!  But that was nice too.  Now today is brilliantly sunny, but cold and Cora and I are working getting her better.  (much sleeping - not much eating)  Maybe we will chance a really, really bundled up walk in the sun later. 

Just the facts...

Today came at me sideways, so here it is, 10pm and I am just getting around to writing a bit.  I have no pretty photos to offer, no deals, no craft projects, no witty conversations to recount.  Just me, grateful for the end of the day.  I realize more and more how broken and in need of something bigger than myself I am.  Just last night I was talking about how I am who I don't want to be.  I wake up with resentment in my mouth and then wake my sweet husband up with that resentment spewing out.   Not a pretty sight and who the heck wants to wake up to that?!  I did it again today.  Blame in on being tired, blame it on PMS, whatever.  It's not the girl I want to be and yet, I am that girl sometimes. 

I was so grateful for good conversation last night as I met with my neighborhood group (an extension of my church) and we reminded each other of the overarching story that began before time.  I got lost in the minutia of the details of my life today, but kind friends gently brought me back to center where I could show love again.  I am so grateful to bump up against that kind of truth in you beautiful people.  Thank you.  And now...(finally) Goodnight.

Wonder :: revisited

I love seeing the world through Cora's eyes.  She is just fascinated!  It reminds me to look for wonder in my day.  I know I mentioned this before, but like all things, I need reminding.  This is really the first Christmas that Cora will be able to observe and interact with decorations and her surroundings during the season.  It's beautiful to watch.  I am curious to see what memories stay put in that little noggin.

Where are you finding wonder these days?  I really want to know, so please leave a comment!  I love reading your words.  It's like a very slow and sweet conversation.

Goodbye to babyhood

Well, it's really, really official now.  Cora turned 1 in October, but in my head, I said 'She was early, so she won't REALLY be one until December'.  And now it is December.  Her actual due date was 4 days ago and I am having trouble wrapping my head around my girl as a big girl, not a baby.  Yesterday, she figured out how to feed herself with a spoon! 

And yet, I give her a bottle in the morning and we snuggle in the squooshy chair and look at all the twinkly lights on the tree.  I can always think of a reason to keep up this habit! "Well, if she was nursing, we'd still be doing this." (We aren't).  I just love the snuggly time.  I know it can happen with a sippy cup too, but she won't use one, just straw cups and they aren't really conducive to snuggling because, well, you have to sit up!  So I'm clinging to the last of babyhood.  Maybe I'll be ready when she starts to walk...

Advent :: A Light to the Darkness

Happy Second week of Advent!

This week, the scriptures we are reading are all about why a Savior is coming.  He will reconnect God's people with God and He will be a light in the darkness. 

To honor the Light that came to the Darkness, we light up our house and a tree.  Perhaps someday, when Cora is bigger, we will do the Jesse Tree decorations and readings, but for now, we decorate the tree and think of the Light that has come.

The readings for the second week of Advent:
Sun. Is. 11:1-10
Mon. Zech. 6:12-13
Tue. Mic. 5:2-4
Wed. Mal. 3:1-6
Thu. John 1:1-8
Fri. John 1:9-18
Sat. Mark 1:1-3

Deck the Halls :: Christmas Card Balls

I am kind of anti-spending money, if you haven’t noticed.  I kind of have mini panic attacks when I am faced with aisle upon aisle of toys and maniacal shoppers beating each other down just to grab that extra fancy gaming system which for a short time is almost worth the price that their children will pay in hours of slowly turning their minds to goo.  (Can you tell I’m not a big fan of video games either?  Yes, I admit it.  I am living a dichotomy since that is the favorite form of entertainment for Geeks everywhere.  Mine is no exception.  Sigh. Rabbit trail over…)

So in spite of the fact that local craft and hobby stores have amazing sales on Christmas doo-dads, I just can’t bring myself to load up on them!  Sad.  I know.  I should be out there shoulder to shoulder with all of the post-holiday deal hunters, right?   Umm.  Sorry.  No can do.  So I make my own!

My mama always had such great ideas for decorating on the cheap.  My favorite on was always the Christmas Card Balls.  It involves a bit of planning in advance and a bit of well, pack-rattyness. 

Take your hoard of saved Christmas cards.  You know, the ones with all of the pretty pictures that you just couldn’t bear to throw away come December 31st?  Yes, those.   You can even sort them by color!  Blue and silver, green and red, silver and gold.  Whatever. (If you don't have Christmas cards you can always use cardstock and make it pretty with some glitter.)

Now take a cookie cutter, a jam jar, or anything else that will make a nice small circle and trace 20 circles around the pretty parts of your Christmas cards.  (no overlaps!) Then cut them out. 

(The next step is a bit tricky, so you might want to make a little guide triangle to help you.)  Once the circles are cut out, fold the edges in to make a triangle.  (see above picture if you just turned your head and said ‘Baroo?’)

 Glue the folded edges of 5 of your little triangled circles together to form a little cap.  Then glue 10 more in a long strip, alternating the triangles up and down.  Then take the final five trianlged circles and make another cap.  Glue the end edges of the strip together then glue on the two caps.  All together they form a ball.  Use large circles to make large balls, or small circles to make ornament sized ones!

From there you can either fancy up the edges with a little glitter, or ribbon, or leave it plain.  Then punch a hole in one of the glued together edges, run a ribbon through it and hang on your tree or in a doorway for you to ooh and ahh at and for your tall husband to bonk his head on and swear under his breath every time he goes through that doorway.  Ahh.  The holidays.

Have a great weekend.  I'll be back on Monday!

Being still

Christmas season can be wild. The media and other outside forces try to whip us into a frenzy of spending and the appearance of holiday cheer, all the while draining our energy, our time, our bank accounts. Instead of a furious flurry of Christmas-y stuff, today I am seeking to be still. To make memories and traditions out of things that cannot be bought. I am reminded when fleeting moments like this come my way, how important it is to be still and enjoy them.

Baby, it's cold outside

Well, not so much today, but yesterday it was cold enough to bring the first frost.  We broke out the fleece and sweaters and found sun-spots to warm up in.  I love the bedhead that this doot gets!  I took early (and I mean EARLY) morning photos of the frosty yard while Cora observed from the sidelights (complete with baby, dog and cat nose prints.  Awesome.)

We made it through almost the entire autumn here in the city without much frost, in spite of what the Farmer's Almanac says.  I'm not sure how winter can compete with all of the paved space around here anyway!  But still I am glad for the welcome cold, even if it's an excuse for me to knit more for a little sweet gal I know! And how can I resist this little face anyway, hmm?

By the way, still no decision on the family across the street. They seem to have lights, but I think they are bumming it from their next door neighbor.  I'm thinking a lot about it as this cold sets in.

Advent :: His coming was foretold

Last month, the ladies (and often their tireless hubbies) of my church got together and with much sewing of tiny camels and other barnyard animals, wrangling of burlap, and gluing of tiny bits of velcro we created Advent calendars for the families in our church.  Based on this calendar (by Noel Piper which has been discontinued), it is about the true meaning of 'Christ-mas' rather than based on 25 days of presents.

Each day has something to add to the Nativity Scene as we tell of the birth of Jesus. We will be reading the Christmas story from The Message (revised a little by my sister) along with some other scriptures which have meaning to us.  Here is the complete list of advent scripture readings.

This week is all about how this story was written into all other stories from the beginning and that His coming was foretold, over and over again.   
Sun. Is. 40:1-5
Mon. Is. 52:7-10
Tue. Is. 40:9-11
Wed. Gen. 3:8-15
Thu. Gen. 15:1-6
Fri. Deut. 18:15-19
Sat. Ps. 89:1-4

Holiday Kitchen :: Pies

This post was supposed to be on Wednesday of last week, when I was baking up a storm, but the day got away from me as packing to leave that night took over and then the week got away from me in the midst of food, fun, and family.  Then, as I posted yesterday, I got sick, so everything else got away from me as I convalesced.  This is one of 2 today, since today is the day we start our Advent readings!

Pie.  I love pie. I've been in charge of pies since I was a girl and Mama had me make my first pumpkin pie.  It turned out so well, I got promoted to pie maker for holidays, and I love making them!  I follow classic recipes from Joy of Cooking for all of my holiday pies.  I've always said, don't mess with a classic! (And the lack of leftovers is proof)  I'd post the recipe, but I'm pretty sure it would be a copyright violation, so I'll post pictures of the beautiful pies I took to Thanksgiving dinner. 

Hiding out - the Post Thanksgiving blahs

I don't feel like posting today.  I caught some sorta crud while visiting family, just got back from a Doctor visit and apparently I'm wearing the turkey I ate on my thighs!  Plus, it's cold and the babies (mine plus the one I keep a few days a week) are howling upstairs after micro-naps and keep waking each other back up.  (this could possibly be the reason I want to eat my way through whatever sweets are left in the house - good thing there aren't any left!) and all my posting ambitions for Thanksgiving week got waylaid by sickness and lack of internet.  So happy Monday, I hope your Turkey day was great and I'm gonna go climb under the covers until I feel better.

Thankful :: Family - all zillion of them

This does not even being to cover half of them, but it's a good start and is most of the immediate ones (at least on my side.  It's funny how family becomes more important with the years that go by.  I didn't think of them very much as part of the fabric of my life and there was also a time in my youthful selfishness that I didn't think very much of them either.  Now, this holiday spent without them while they all head to a family camp, I am a little sad.  I miss them, no matter how many weeks I head to TX to catch up on visits this summer.

So here's a smooch along the miles (and probably bounced between cell phone towers, rather than sent along the phone lines).  I miss you all and am so thankful for every single on of you.

Thankful :: My parents were (and still are) awesome

It's a great week to give thanks.  I have to remind myself sometimes that I have a lot to be grateful for.  I'll do some 'Thankful' posts this week as Thanksgiving approaches.  This post is inspired by a site called 'My Parents Were Awesome'. Which is a beautiful tribute to parents and how cool they once were!

I love these photos of my parents and even how they go together in opposing black and white.  We've come a long way as a family, through very rough patches and more.  At the center were two people who stayed together, no matter what.  And there was a lot of 'what' that happened.  I'm grateful for that.  Thankful that though doing the right thing was often the hardest thing, both personally and relationally, they chose that, not just for us, but for themselves.  And they continue to grow in beauty and richness as people.  (Here's a recent article about the work my Mama does.)  I am thankful to have such amazing people in my life.

Holiday Kitchen :: Candied Almonds

I love the holidays!  Especially the preparing (and let's face it, eating some too) of so many great dishes.  For a little brunch I attended this morning, I whipped up some candied almonds.  It was very simple! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Candied Almonds

1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp chili powder (or a bit more if you like them spicy.
2 cups of raw almonds

Set the almonds aside and mix all remaining ingredients over a medium heat in a large thick bottomed sauce pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil.  Add in the almonds.  With a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula stir the mixture continually, but not rapidly, until most, BUT NOT ALL, of the moisture has boiled out. 

Once the moisture has boiled out, the sugar will crystallize very fast.  Watch the edge of the pan for the start of crystallization.  You want to get the almonds out of the pan before that happens.  While the nuts still have a shine to them, but are not dripping in the caramelized sugar, pour them out onto parchment paper to cool.  Separate any clusters.  Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.  Serve at your favorite holiday gathering! 

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OK.  I'll admit it.  I've been a slacker blogger this week, posting just before midnight and just eeking in a few words here and there.  I guess I'm having trouble adjusting to life with work added back in.  Maybe I'm just out of things to say (naaah.  That can't be it!).  Either way,  I'll be back to more punctual posting on Monday, chock full of ideas, I hope!    Have a great weekend!

These days...

I commented to Matt recently how much messier our house is now that I am keeping a second baby a couple of afternoons a week.  I look at it as practice for our future.  (No, this is not an announcement of any kind)  We have been recovering from a few weeks of parties (me and the doot).  And now are frantically crafting for the days to come.  I have a lot of projects to finish and start before Christmas gets anywhere close, and nothing really to show you.

These days are filled with the sunniest of babies!  After a pretty nasty drug reaction (to ear infection meds) and more drugs (steroids ack!) to counteract it, she is feeling much, much better.  In fact, she is more smiley than ever!  She has also figured out that camera means 'cheese your face off'.  Here's an example: (the super pink cheeks are part of her drug allergy, although admittedly cute)

 

I'll get back in the swing of things here soon.  I will, I tell ya!

On stage

the click of the pick
the scratch of the strings
the boom of the wood through my lungs as I sing
the moment, the lights, the song to the night
this is the thing I drink in.

(no.  It's not me.  I just got back from a Jen Knapp concert.  And like a dork, forgot my camera)

Insular

I can bundle myself and my baby against the weather and the world, but I cannot remain insular.  I took my neighbors to meet with the benevolence team from our church, but their need is so great.  It's everything.  Water, lights, gas, rent, food, clothes.  All these things that I take for granted.  All these are things they need. 

I'm pondering how I can help today.  Would you readers be willing to pitch in to get them a kerosene heater?  Just a thought.  Let me know.

On turning 33

It was my birthday yesterday.  I am 33 years old now and so far, so good.  I've said it before, but I'll say it again: I really like my 30's.  I'm so glad to be free of the angst that haunted my teens and twenties.  Whoever I was going to be, I already am, or am not.  I am me, and I have always been me.  What I do for a living isn't what makes me me.  What ever I was going to do, I know if I get to it, I'll enjoy it more, not looking for the ultimate moment, and whether I do it or not, it won't define me, it will just be a path I walked down for awhile. 

The days are glorious in parts, hard in others, sad, and joyful, boring and thrilling.  I have to remind myself to be present.  To stop time for a moment and look around.  To not get swept away in the raging current of life, dishes, laundry, projects, work, and bills.  To relish little hands, and little feet, and little teeth.  Furry pets and glorious sunrises, sweet kisses from my fuzzy Geek, good conversation, sweet alone time.  I was made to be in this moment, to know how much I am loved.  So bring on this 33rd year (technically 34th year in the world - if you think about it).  It's just getting better.

Sick, sick, sick

Mama sick.
Baby sick.
Taking a break from blogging.
Have a great weekend. See you Monday!

Here's some sweetness to tide you over.

P.S.  Email me if you'd like to get 30% off this weekend at Old Navy, Gap etc.  5% goes to your charity of choice!  The first 25 get the invite. 

Frogging

When it goes from a partially knitted thing, to this, balls of re-wound yarn, that is frogging.  Oh the dreaded frogging!!  I started this stocking and got about halfway through, then realized it is too skinny and WHO wants a SKINNY STOCKING?!  No one.  And you know why it's too skinny?  Any knitters want to guess?  Yes.  It's because I did not knit a swatch to check my gauge.  I just started knitting.  If you use the kind of yarn it calls for, it's usually not a problem, but I didn't!  So I'm going back to the pattern and adding in stitches somehow.  Ah well.  The point is to knit, right?  Right.  I enjoy it, so doing it over won't be that big of a deal.  And now, I have a pattern to modify.  Sigh.

Gook! and glorious autumn foliage

Cora has had a verbal explosion!  Her first word came out on Saturday and it was 'Thank you' (two words technically)!  And me, not wanting be replaced by manners, asked her if she could say 'Mama' and she did.  (Still no 'Papa' though.  He gets 'Lala') To which she quickly added 'Stop' (I guess I say that a lot, to the dog, to a wiggly baby on the changing table, to the cat, oh well), then 'dog' and 'no' and even a sly little sing songy 'love you' which I said to her as I put her down for her nap yesterday and she repeated  back!  Then as we were reading her a book before bedtime she came out with 'gook' for book.  Today she has been crawling over to books and saying 'gook, gook, gook'.  Very fun.  We now have a talker on our hands!

Here's some gorgeousness from this past weekend. We went for a walk in Centennial Park and soaked up the sun and all of the beauty of trees still turning in this oddly prolonged season of fall foliage.

Food for Fines!!

As I may have mentioned, food for those in need is foremost on my mind right now.  So when a little banner ad flashed up on the Nashville Public Library website about Food for Fines, it caught my attention right away.  For two reasons.  First, collecting food for Second Harvest will directly benefit those in need in our community which is fabulous and much needed, and second, I've got about $20 in fines that I need forgiven!  And I'm all about trading my cans of tomato sauce for a clean slate.

So November 9th through the 24th, haul your cans of food and boxes of pasta (etc) in to the circulation desk  (Bag them or box them up) and bring your library card so you can get credit!  Visit the Nashville Public Library website for more information about when, where, and how.  What a great way to start off November!

Neighborly :: Revisited

Sorry for the disappearance.  I'm kind of in a hard place.  The lovely neighbors with all those kids I mentioned a while back?  We hang out a lot.  At least the kids hang out here a lot, anyway.  The mamas are still wary of me unless then need something.  (eggs, matches, garbage bags etc.)  And here is my problem.  They need a lot.  More than I have to give, sometimes.  They are now without gas, without electricity, and cooking in the back yard.

We often struggle to make the ends of our budget meet, but comparatively, we are doing just fine.  Their poverty is staring me in the face and I have no idea what to do, or how to help.  We can't really support two more families, but how can we sit here in our largely empty, well heated and well lit house while they are just across the street, cooking over an open fire?!!  (not to mention that it is, in fact, November and while winter is nothing like Maine around here, it can still be bitterly cold)  I need wisdom.  I need direction.  I need to know what will actually help them and not just put a band-aid on the problem.  They already see me as 'wealthy' and, well, I am a bit of a bleeding heart.  I would happily give them our dinner tonight, (and did last night) or pay to have their electric turned back on, but really, that is not the problem.  It would just get turned off again next month.  I am at a loss.  Well.  Not really. I know what it would take to be helpful and to be very honest, it is more time and energy than I have to give.

I've seen others at our church care for those in need and I know that that level of caring for others right now, would swamp and capsize the little ship that is our family.  I called several friends who have been in similar kinds of relationships and they heartily agreed that this is a job for a church (or a larger organization), not one family.  So we start on this journey.  There are things I can, and have have already begun to do, but it's only a beginning.  If you do this sort of thing, say a little prayer for our family and the family across the street. 

See you Monday.

Starting the Holiday Knitting!

This year, I have time, gumption, and sensation in my hands (oh, and no postpartum depression).  I will be making things for Christmas!!  Sometimes for our family, sometimes for other families.  I have this sweet little Christmas stocking on the needles right now and it's a whole new world of intarsia and stranding.  I'm slightly intimidated.  See how the letters are puckering up?  Not sure how to make it STOP doing that.  I'm gonna get a few rounds further along and go back and fiddle with it.  The pattern is from Annie's Woolens and is very cute and only slightly hair-pulling inducing.  (Don't try to knit this and watch Hulu.  Bad things happen, I tell ya.  There will be a lot of frogging and tears.)  I've got lots of other ideas and things lined up in my queue over at Ravelry.  More than I could ever actually get done!  But still, it's fun.  Happy brisk Thursday!

I asked for Wonder

The baby is awake at the crack of dawn again.  I grab her, sure I smell a poopy diaper, and lurch down the stairs, my joints and muscles protesting and reminding me of my impending birthday.  I grumble and muster a little smile and a 'good morning' for my wide awake wee one as I change her wiggling bum.  Then the dog makes her needs known.  I cringe at the thought of opening the door to the cold air and just open it wide enough for her.  Then this catches my eye.  A beautiful moment that I would have only caught if I had been awake (and let the dog out to pee) at exactly this time.  I am stunned, bowled over by the colors and the glory of an autumn sunrise.  I asked for Wonder.  He delivered.

What about you?  Did you find wonder in your day?  Go listen to this song by Susan Enan on my friend's blog.  It's putting words to how I feel this morning.

Wonder

It's quite easy for me to get lost in the daily shuffle around here.  I suppose this is the struggle of every human, no matter what their job or station.  We grow up, put on our big girl (or boy) undies and head out into life, clad in the requisite gray, black, or brown, ignoring the world around us in an effort to get things done.

Today I want to take the opportunity to find wonder.  To find something like these three leftover birthday balloons suspended in a stream of heat from the vent, and to think, as a friend said when she saw it, 'It's kinda magical', and it is.  I know the principles of thermodynamics (etc) behind it, but still it is a bit magical.  I hope you find a bit of wonder in your day today.

Vegan Carrot Cake - for birthdays and lessons learned about friendship

The back story:
For the first time ever in my thirty-some-odd years, I have friends who are vegan.  (Yes, yes, I lived a sheltered life.  I grew up in Texas, people!  'Vegan' is practically a cuss word there, and being one is almost worthy of a boot up your a$$ or at the very least, making you a social pariah!)  When asked to events at their house where they requested vegan or vegetarian food be brought, I was sorely tempted to show up with a side of beef, or some hog jowls.  Seriously.  I am stubborn girl.  I don't like being told what to do.  (Ask my Mama)

But after some conversations with women much wiser than myself (and being directed so some even wiser texts), I got a grip and embraced the idea that showing up with vegan food is loving my friends well.  And THAT, I really do want to do.

Cora bird's birthday party was this past weekend and I invited those friends.  I decided to Vegan-ize my Mama's carrot cake recipe.  (can I just say I love my Mama.  She writes her recipes with instructions like 'whoop together the following ingredients' - pronounced 'whup' and I know just what she means)  I actually made both a vegan version and a regular version and so was able to compare them side by side.  I could detect only the slightest taste variation, but both were equally good!  So here it is:

Mama's Carrot Cake (Vegan-ized)

(1) Beat together the following:
1 cup vegetable oil OR 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cups packed brown sugar
4 eggs ( for vegan version substitute 1 cup silken tofu blended smooth in the blender (I used Mori-nu Silken Tofu (firm) and added a 1/2 tsp of oil to get it to blend better) 1/4 cup of Silken Tofu for every egg you replace

(2) Sift together the following:
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon


Add (2), the flour mixture, to (1), the egg or tofu mixture.


Fold in [mix and match] (we used the carrots and the pineapple this time)
4 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts are our favorite)
1 cup raisins
1 cup dates
1 cup crushed pineapple -well drained (she means it!!)

Pour into a greased (with veg. shortening) and floured 9x13 casserole pan. Bake 45 minutes at 325 F.  (add 10-15 minutes for the vegan version) Cool 10 minutes then turn out onto a cooling rack. (or leave it in the pan because you didn't listen to your mama and didn't drain the pineapples enough and it threatened to come apart on you because it was so moist!)

Ice with Pillsbury Cream Cheese Frosting, (which oddly enough has no dairy products in it.  Mysterious!) if you want to serve it as cake, or leave it plain for breakfast bread, which is also awesome!...and don't expect any leftovers.