the Honey Hive

Waking Up

2012-01-07T19:27:00.004-05:00

Have you ever driven somewhere, reached your destination and then wondered how you got there? The last time I posted on this blog, I was a graduate student, working on my final research project, teaching public speaking, and living in college housing in a small town. I woke up this morning, from a deep sleep and the blurr of the last six months, and it hit me. I live in the city. I have my own apartment. I have what my fellow grad students and I used to call a "real job" and I am blissfully free of paper writing. People keep asking when I am going for my PhD. Most of the time I don't have the heart to answer honestly. Because honestly, the answer is never. There were things about school that I loved and I am and will be forever grateful for what I learned and those who taught me. But what it comes down to, what I've realized, is that college did not bring out my best self and did not fulfill me or give me a deep sense of accomplishment or peace. And isn't that the dream? Isn't that what we want? Something that brings us to life? Something that challenges and inspires us to be our very best?

Sewing Circle

2011-04-19T18:39:00.002-04:00

I just read a chapter from Women Communicating in which the authors detail a group of women who came together monthly to talk about their experiences as professors. They called it a sewing circle, not because they broke out the patterns and embroidery, but because they wove together their experiences into a patchwork of understanding. Beautiful. It makes me want a sewing circle.

A reminder

2011-04-19T12:19:00.002-04:00

In this arid academic environment, something moves. Light spills over the horizon. Music rumbles up from deep inside the ground. There is still hope and creativity yet to be.

"Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences."

~ A beautiful reminder from Holstee. Those guys know what's up.

The Sun Came Out Today

2011-04-17T19:28:00.002-04:00

Not to sound dramatic, but the past few weeks have felt a bit cloudy... in a metaphoric sense. The pressure of finishing my MA continues to grow. And my to-do list seems to increase exponentially each day.

But at this moment, as I sit in the library and occasionally shake my hands to keep them from cramping, the snow stops, a bit of sun glows on the damp air, and a rainbow shimmers in the sky. I am choosing to take this as a sign of God's promise that when this storm is over, He will part the clouds and cast a rainbow over my life.

To Share

2011-04-11T09:25:00.003-04:00

Hello my lovely readers!

I've come across a few tidbits recently that I think you might like.

From theyallhateus and Table Tonic

Also from Louise over at Table Tonic: Isak Dinesen (Danish author of Out of Africa) once said: "The cure for anything is salt water; sweat, tears, or the sea."

Ever had a day with all three?

Finally, this beautiful video of a talk by Brene Brown.

Just brilliant.

Sorry. Some of us still want to procreate.

2011-04-10T13:50:00.004-04:00

My dear blogger brother-in-law just tweeted this article about our generation's disinterest, and occasional vehement negativity, toward having children. It makes me wonder at what point people starting thinking of individuals and couples with more than two kids (or any kids, in some cases) as irresponsible.

The article cites such great statistics about how children cause unhappiness and conflict in marriages and asserts that the inconveniences of raising children makes abdicating parenthood the intelligent choice. Brian Frazer quotes Laura S. Scott, author of Two Is Enough: A Couple's Guide to Living Childless by Choice, saying "'[a] lot of introverts, thinkers, judgers—these are people who think before they act... they're planners, and they're not the kind of people who can be easily led into a conventional life just because everyone else is doing it.'"

So if I decide to have a child, I am not only reckless and conventional, but also a stupid and undiscerning extrovert? How did we get here? How did we come to see raising a child and building their character as an nuisance instead of a gift?

Apparently having time to visit posh restaurants and tweet every time you blink is more important than sustaining a community or nation. If that isn't narcissism, I don't know what is.

This is not to say that everyone should have children. But please, let me make babies in peace. And for the love of God acknowledge that smart, unconventional planners have kids, too.

The past two years... in a list.

2011-03-31T09:42:00.006-04:00

I started posting to the the Honey Hive two years ago. It began as a class project, a way to articulate my values and opinions outside the bounds of a formal paper. Since that project ended, I have:

~ Gone to graduate school
~ Driven x-country alone to work on farm in WA
~ Found a new family on the Puget Sound
~ Driven home with my sweet friend, Sarah
~ Rearranged my room a dozen times
~ Lost dear friends
~ Listened to hundreds of hours of Harry Potter
~ Changed my mind more times than I, or anyone, can keep track of
~ Found myself - somewhere between sunlit days of studying and talking in the library, the mountains of the Hudson Valley, nights in a white canvas tent, and the dreams of farming, who I am became clear
~ Fallen in love and had my heart broken
~ Discovered the singular pleasure of deep sleep followed by morning coffee
~ Had dozens, or hundreds, or maybe just a few prayers answered
~ Discovered about 20 new bands
~ Become a blog-reading junkie
~ Made fast friends with Jess, Brie, Alyssa, Alfred, Terry and Paul*
~ Read 42 books NOT assigned for a class
~ Drank at Barber's more times than I should reveal in this post
~ Chosen not to count how many assigned books I've read in an effort not to cry
~ Shed relationships that did not bring me life
~ Cut 12 inches of my hair off
~ Cried myself to sleep on three occasions
~ Laughed so hard I either fell on the floor, choked on the food I was eating, or had to spit my drink out in the sink
~ Chased a baby lamb for 10 minutes and enjoyed looking so foolish

I'm sure there's more. There always is. But for now, this feels like a good picture of what my life for the past two years has looked like. Sometimes it's necessary, for me at least, to look at where I've been in order to more clearly see where I am going. Thank you for indulging my reminiscence.

*Thank you, Dear friends. You are the magic makers, and for that, I am filled with gratitude. All my love.

A Grateful Heart is a Joyful Heart

2011-02-06T19:48:00.008-05:00

On the first page of the first chapter of "One Thousand Gifts," author Ann Voskamp quotes Simone Weil who said, "Every sin is an attempt to fly from emptiness."

Every sin is an attempt to fly from emptiness.

This simple truth takes my breath away every time I read it. It makes me think of how many times a day I fly from emptiness. And yet, my beautiful Emmanuel never fails to give me opportunities to fly towards fullness, wholeness, Him. I wrote in my journal several weeks ago that my heart feels empty. Not empty in a sad, despairing kind of way. But rather, empty like a newly constructed nest. New nests are expectant and hopeful. For us, they symbolize a possibility waiting for birth. Upon first realizing my empty nest-like heart, I scrambled to fill it. I mentally searched my life for something to consume me, to enchant or captivate me. But in the midst struggling to fill my heart, I felt something change. A very peaceful shift in the state of my soul took place. I was no longer restless and fraught over the emptiness in my heart. Instead, it felt clean and calm.

Later in her book, Voskamp points to gratitude as the core of our communion with God. She states simply that although we don't know why God gifts us which certain heartaches or joys, we find fullness in gratitude. This being said, she challenges her readers to embrace gratitude, to fill themselves with thanksgiving. Her way of engaging in gratitude in a more tangible way was to write a list of 1,000 gifts or blessings that God has bestowed on her. I was instantly inspired.

I have a vision of a mural/collage/inspiration board that is full of God's blessings in my life. Some will be expressed through text and some through photographs or other artifacts.

What are you grateful for, dear readers?

A New Year

2011-01-07T11:33:00.004-05:00

Well, dear readers, it's been a long siesta from the blogosphere. I hope you are safe and happy and embracing all the newness of 2011. January is usually filled with broken resolutions for me. Do I see some nods of agreement? In an attempt to keep my resolutions this year, I decided to make only one: to not make any resolutions.

As I'm sure you can tell from previous posts, I'm a planner. I plan like it's my job. Listing, categorizing, looking to the future, anticipating events - it thrills me. But it's also distracting. All of those habits take me away from this moment. And I have come to realize that the real thrill is in letting the present fill you up and breathe inside you, bringing you to life. That's how we do the most good. That's how we become more authentically ourselves. That's how we live fully alive. I'll admit that surrendering my desire to plan sends a bit of a chill down my spine. However, things that scare you offer opportunities for growth.

Since I haven't really posted much in the past few months, look forward to some updates and those long-promised photos (and a few crazy anecdotes) from my x-country adventure.

Blessings for 2011!

P.S. check out these beautiful winter photos on Creature Comforts.

Maybe magic doesn't exist...

2010-09-11T13:29:00.001-04:00

I think most kids growing up in America have a “repeat” movie, one they watch over and over until their parents want to burn every VHS they see. For me, that movie was Cinderella. I realize how cliché that is now, but when I was little, she was a portal. I would watch the sparkles swirl around her dress and marvel at how it transformed from rags to wedding dress. In that hour and a half that I was glued to the screen, the trajectory of my life was blissfully hopeful. Something inside of me glowed every time I witnessed her transformation and happy ending. I knew my life wouldn’t be exactly like that, with prince charming walking into a ballroom and falling immediately in love with me. But even now, with a firmer (I hope!) grasp on reality, I can’t let go of my desire for magic.

Recently, an interesting juxtaposition of people happened in my life. Two “groups” came together, and I saw them side-by-side. I compared. I know it’s probably not the best idea, but what can I say? I’m human. And as I compared, I realized what the difference was. Magic. There was chemistry and understanding and trust and people who spoke my language, contrasted with quality people that I simply don’t “click” with. I don’t know about you, but being understood and cared for feels pretty magical. There was an instant when I was overcome with gratitude for the sparks of magic in my life, the moments when I know I am at home in myself and loved by those around me. So, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the people in my life who make magic happen. I think you know who you are, but if not, remind me to tell you someday.

We are told by the world that magic is unrealistic. We are constantly given opportunities to lower our standards, loosen our boundaries, and forge shallow relationships. How do we find real depth and relationships in the face of such flimsy values? Do we swallow the message that magic doesn’t exist and begin to live jaded half-lives in which we accept sub-par relationships with people that don’t bring us life? Or do we develop a keen sense of discernment and begin to sift through humanity, loving those people that bring us life and letting go of those who don’t? I realize this might sound harsh, but who are you pleasing by being friends with everyone? Who benefits when you maintain relationships that don’t bring you joy? Does staying in those relationships and putting energy into them make you a better person or do they make you less and less yourself?

I hope you all have some magic in the weekend ahead.

I love...

2010-07-21T00:37:00.002-04:00

greeting a new day with a nice stretch and an even nicer pastry.

singing at the top of my lungs to guilty pleasure music when I'm alone in the car.

driving from New Mexico to New York in three days.

sleeping in the desert.

having cities embrace me and make me feel like I belong.

foggy beaches.

getting texts from friends that say things like "I'm a New Yorker, I'm not bagging my own groceries."

dreaming about impossibilities and possibilities.

meeting people on the other side of the country with hearts so open, I instantly feel like part of their family.

experiencing natural beauty.

not getting eaten by bears or mountain lions while camping for the past two months.

clarity.

finding faith and self-possession at unexpected moments.

being able to say I've driven x-country alone.

having songs from The Sound of Music stuck in my head.

praying and knowing, deep down inside myself, that it is heard.

Dreams

2010-06-20T14:28:00.003-04:00

I've started dreaming again. That sounds weird. Allow me to clarify.

Academia stunts my natural inclination to explore all the possibilities for my life. I'm not sure why this is, but the academic environment just doesn't inspire me to dream. Farms however, they inspire me to dream. There is something magical about being outside, even in the rain, surrounded by trees and living things, that boosts my imagination into hyper-drive. I love it. While in Seattle last Sunday, I purchased this journal, illustrated by Nikki McClure, one of my favorite artists. It's full of blank pages and lovely paper cut-out pictures. I've been journaling and sketching hypothetical plans, and making lists, and categorizing dreams and hopes and wishes. I know that many of the things in this journal will not actually come to life, but they're out there, which them them a touch of reality and a bit of possibility.

I've been thinking about farming lately. I've been thinking about having land and animals and a house (treehouse, yurt, old farmhouse, etc) to make my own. Something about claiming a bit of land and urging it to be fruitful is really appealing right now. Just thinking about it makes me feel a little like a midwife, bringing something to birth in the world and in myself. Dreaming of a farm, of my own space, makes me feel powerful and whole. It makes me feel like I would finally be living spherically, taking all the pieces of myself and turning it into a living piece of art. This would be an extraordinary gift. Who knows, maybe it will come to life. 22 is a good age to start a farm, right?

I hope all you East Coast readers are soaking up some sun for me!

X-Blogging

2010-06-18T12:19:00.003-04:00

Well, here I am, on the Little Rascals blog. For those of you who don't know, that's the farm I'm working on. We went to the lake last weekend and came home to delicious plates of stir fry with Paneer. Paneer is a soft solid cheese popular in Indian dishes. The quote under the picture is right, it was the best Paneer I've ever tasted. It was soft and creamy and amazing. I'll post the recipe when I get a chance, but I think the real catch was using raw goat milk.

Evidence.

2010-06-16T12:44:00.002-04:00

So this x-country trip really did happen. I promise! Here's the evidence!

This is the view from my campsite at the Badlands National Park. It was breathtaking... the formations, not the car. Although, I do have a soft spot for my Civic.

Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.

The view from my campsite in Yellowstone. It was clowdy and grey, but the lake was a little magical with all that fog.

Montana? Wisconsin? Wyoming? I'm not really sure.

More photos soon of Seattle and the farm!

Swimming in the Blue

2010-06-15T13:26:00.003-04:00

Well folks, the state of Washington is currently experiencing its coldest summer to date. I have such brilliant timing, don't I? Only one or two days since June 4 have topped 70 degrees. Needless to say, my arctic equipped sleeping bag is coming in really handy since I've been living in a canvas tent for the duration of this crazy cold weather. Also, the location of the peninsula I'm on resides in a vortex of bad weather, which mostly equals an impossible amount of rain. In fact, it's pouring right now, and has been for the last 24 hours. Somehow, this wonderful family I'm with manages to get farm work done!

In the past week, I have milked goats, made 5 different varieties of cheese, learned how to pick, clean, card, and hand spin wool, eaten some of the most delicious jams, cheeses, breads, and veggies, held baby bunnies that were smaller than my fist, fed chickens, thrown hay bales, and bottle fed a baby goat. On a few ventures off the farm, I went to a beautiful beach and stuck my toes in the Puget Sound, canoed around a lake and illegally picked lilies, tasted Dairy Queen ice cream for the first time, drank coffee more than once in a day, and spend one sunny day exploring Seattle.

This summer is not at all what I expected, but exactly what I need. I hope you are having a beautiful summer! Be well, my loves!

Blessed

2010-04-16T08:38:00.000-04:00

I don't even know where to begin.

Alright, how about here: friends.

I'd like to take this first post, back after quite an absence, to say I feel utterly blessed. I've been making a habit lately of laying in bed at night before I go to sleep and letting my whole body fill with gratitude. Have you ever experienced that? A time when everything in your life seemed beautiful, even if it was difficult, because you were capable of handling it and the people around you supported you? That's where I'm at and it is magnificent.

I have the best friends any girl could wish for. They get "the crazy" (i.e. all those little idiosyncrasies that make me Me.) And for that, I am extraordinarily blessed. I like to help people and sometimes these wonderful friends of mine let me help them. And sometimes I need help, someone to listen, or someone to understand how I see the world, and they do. That is priceless. To have a group of people love you just the way you are is a great gift.

Happy weekending everyone!

It Has Arrived

2010-04-03T13:14:00.003-04:00

I finished the first of three square scarves last night!

I used a gauzy, floral cotton. Unhemmed, it measured 35x35 inches. Once hemmed, it now measures 33x33 inches. To wear it this way, I folded it in half to make a triangle and looped the corners around my neck. It's so nice and light! I can't wait to wear it this summer... it's probably going to be a road trip staple.

Happy April, everyone!

Oregon and Almond Cookies

2010-03-26T10:04:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday, I was told to scrap seeing Portland on my way through Oregon and see the coast instead. People never talk about the Oregon coast. I was slightly skeptical, but figured I'd give it a shot. This post of Heidi Buecking's photography, was all the convincing I needed. These pictures make me want to set up a tent and never leave. Who knows, maybe that's exactly what I'll do.

Tonight is girls game night. I find myself spending a lot of time with the guys in my program. They are wonderful men and I am blessed to have them in my life. But sometimes, I just need a girls night. The friendship of women is so different. We talk differently, laugh differently, and play differently. It's refreshing.

For this little celebration, I plan on serving these almond cookies from Bakers Banter. I am a huge fan of all things almond, and just reading this recipe makes my mouth water. I'm going to whip up some guacamole, as well. It will be my first try without the watchful and practiced eye of my mother making sure I don't make a devastating guacamole mistake. Fingers crossed that I don't botch it completely. And finally, there will be popcorn. Several of the ladies present have an unusual attachment to said snack food, almost to the point of considering it, all by itself, a food group. No doubt I'll have lovely pictures to share and a few recipe tips.

Happy Friday!

Square Scarves

2010-03-24T08:41:00.000-04:00

Lately I've seen quite a few square scarves around. Now when I say "around," I mean actually being worn, and not in stores. This presents a problem. How does one obtain square scarves in order to partake in their apparent trendiness (since my goal in life is trendiness). Being the crafty girl that I am, I headed straight for the fabric shop. During my quest, I found four beautiful, light fabrics. Two of them are delicate, cotton florals. Two are cream colored cotton and drapey, elegant synthetic something.

Summer scarves are always tricky. Too dark or heavy, although lovely, and they're impractical. Too transparent, at least for me, and they don't keep my neck from burning. For those of you who don't know, I burn just thinking about sunshine. For example, this morning I noticed a tan line in the middle of my shins from a burn I got LAST SUMMER. That's right, eight months later I'm still sporting a line from last summer's burn. I left six inches exposed for about ten minutes, and it's stayed with me for almost a year. So what all this comes down to, is that I need some summer scarves and I'm going to sew them up myself.

Usually my sewing projects are fun, and relatively unnecessary. I don't need new purses or wallets or skirts. However, I do need to be shielded from the sun on my summer adventuring. It's nice to work on something that is fulfilling a need. It's satisfying to be able to meet my own needs with skills I've worked hard to learn and sustain.

NYC in the spring

2010-03-18T15:26:00.005-04:00

There's nothing like a fountain and a magnum of French champagne to put you right again.
~ Katherine in Under the Tuscan Sun

Spring break has been all fountains and magnums of French champagne, for I am put right again. I spent yesterday with two dear friends in NYC. We superhumanly managed to walk to:

Union Square - checked out the farmers/artists market.
the Strand - I could get lost in there for hours.
Chinatown - for Dim Sum at Mandarin Court (3rd time going there, and it never disappoints) and cheap scarves.
Purl Soho - found some BEAUTIFUL yarn, which you'll see in the summer after the project has been finished and gifted.
Times Square - so Bess could visit M&M World. She has a major addiction to peanut M&Ms.
Central Park - a lovely place to sit and remember what legs felt like before they gave up and went numb.
Grand Central Station - for a bite to eat and a train ride home... well, to the car, at least.

All in all, it was a fun, exhausting, entertaining, and wonder way to spend a Wednesday. I hope all of you, dear readers, had a chance to try your luck at something and celebrate St. Patrick's day.

Planning in the Rain (and maybe some singing, too)

2010-03-15T10:27:00.000-04:00

It is pouring rain in central New York right now. Great way to begin spring break, huh? However, it is the most perfect excuse to sprawl out of the living room floor with a map of the United States, a hot cup of tea, and guide books galore, to plan my summer adventure. About a month ago, my semester started to feel stifling. I needed something to look forward to, a little light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. So, I joined WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) USA, found some amazing farms to contact on the West Coast, and paid a visit to AAA for guide books.

The Plan (as of this minute.) Part I

Departing (in my trusty Honda) from NY on May 29.
Drive 3000+ miles in 10 days, stopping along the way at "touristy" places like Mt. Rushmore.
Arrive in Seattle to WWOOF at Little Rascals farm on June 7.

The Plan Part II

Meet my friend Sarah in Seattle on July 6 or 7.
Drive through Washington, Oregon, California, a few other states...
End up at home, eventually.

I am the queen of changing my mind. For some reason it just gives me a lot of pleasure to have flexible plans. So, naturally, all of these plans are subject to change at any given moment. But for right now, I am full of summer dreams.

A few people have asked me if I'm nervous or worried about driving x-country by myself. I feel like I should be scared, and maybe the reality of what I'm taking on hasn't sunk in yet, but I'm not scared. I'm not nervous or worried. In fact, I'm looking forward to the peace of an open road that I can experience on my own and in my own way. I always process a lot while I drive and tend to really enjoy the experience of being alone in the car. I can't wait to be able to change my mind and not have anyone care, to be able to stop and stare at something that catches my eye. I feel like this trip is an outward expression of belonging to myself, owning my essence and my actions, and taking a tangible step into the wild blue yonder.

One day left...

2010-03-11T12:33:00.003-05:00

Emboldened by the morning sun, I decided to walk to the library to print some reading, spend a few blissful hours in Java Junction getting work done, and then run (well, walk) a few errands. Today is my last day of class and homework before spring break begins. I have never looked forward to a week away from school so much in all my life. It is much needed at this point.

During my break, I have a few exciting plans. I'm spending my first weekend at home with my family. There is always something so grounding and affirming to be back home, surrounded by the people who know me best and helped me become who I am. On Monday and Wednesday I'm taking two day trips, the first to Boston and the second to NYC. It'll be nice to visit big, bustling cities and contrast them with my usual, small town existence. Hopefully I'll get some good crafting opportunities as well!

Here's to looking forward to some R&R. Enjoy the sun!

Light!

2010-03-11T07:46:00.001-05:00

I love waking up in the morning with sunlight filtering through my curtains. It makes waking up seem natural and exciting. When I was little I used to be a very early riser. My mom called me her morning glory and said I helped wake up the sun. That is a little bit of affection that has never left me. What a magical job - to wake up the sun, to bring the light. Isaiah 60:1 says, "Arise! Shine! For your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." In the haze of sleep, as all my tasks and responsibilities come flooding back to me, and I see the cloudy skies outside, it is sometimes difficult to rise as if the glory of the Lord is upon me, in me, and steeping the world I live in. But for these magnificent mornings, it's not so difficult. The sun makes it easy to see the glory the God. When I pull back my curtain and take a long, slow breath, I am met with this:

What is more glorious than the morning sun? Only a Creator that conceived such beauty. I wish you all a wonderful day. Remember to bask in the glory that surrounds you and drink in some sunlight.

Blogosphere Beauty

2010-03-09T08:23:00.000-05:00

One positive thing about not posting last week, is that I actually had a little time to read other people's blogs.

Some beautiful things around the blogsphere:

A sweet, peaceful post by Heather.

Several lovely spring-themed posts on the purl bee.

Stunning photography. I especially love the pregnancy ones. In fact, I may have to add them to my collection... at least the ones with the little girl and mama's belly.

The folks over at Colorado Yurt Company are "pitching in" in Haiti by sending over temporary housing in the form of really excellent tents. If you want to be a part of this, go here.

Joanna, over at A Cup of Jo announced (not really for the first time, but it my first time hearing about it) that Anthropologie is coming out with a wedding line! I guess all my planning is done. Now I just a groom. Hah!

And as always, clean, simple Scandinavian decor on My Scandinavian Retreat. I'm not always in love with the starkness of some of decorating, but inevitably there is a nook or table or pillow or window that I adore in every photo.

I hope these tidbits bring your life a little brightness and inspiration!

A Relaxing Weekend

2010-03-07T14:04:00.004-05:00

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you lose your bearings? Last week was one of those weeks for me, and I knew before it even started. Not only was is stressful academically, but socially and emotionally as well. I guess when one thing changes it leads to a series of other changes and last week's overwhelmed me. However, this weekend, I felt very entitled to some pampering. That meant sleeping in and waking up with an alarm clock, a hot foot bath and foot massage, and cleaning my entire apartment. It's amazing how doing laundry and dusting, living in an environment that is orderly, can make me feel human again. Aside from the external stuff, I also got a chance to do some yoga, bake biscuits and cookies, hit the gym, and drink several pots of tea. All in all, it was a wonderfully relaxing weekend. I have my bearings back. I feel firmly planted on the ground once again and utterly full of hope.

On Saturday night I got to see my dear friend Sarah. Spending time with her is good for my soul. We had a bit of an agenda though, since earlier in the month I asked her if she wanted to join me on part of my x-country trip. I love those moments when reality can be suspended for just a little while and we can dream like kids. There is nothing better in life than dreaming with my girls. For those moments, we aren't just college students anymore, we are adventurers, travelers, women with eyes fixed on exciting new horizons. So part of my rejuvenating weekend wasn't just cleaning and cooking, it was looking forward to a summer full of fun.

What are you dreaming about? Looking forward to? Hoping for?
Here are my weekend recipes...

Peanut butter cookies: I cut the recipe in half, but this is how it appears on Epicurious.

3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter (I used chunky)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup (packed) brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs

Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes.

Biscuits: I altered Alton Brown's Southern Biscuit recipe.

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter (He called for shortening. Yuck!)
1 cup milk, chilled (I was out of buttermilk.

Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes. These baked pretty quickly... possibly because I rolled them too thin. However, they turned out delightfully light and completely delicious.

Enjoy!

Taking a break

2010-03-01T07:34:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Readers!

This week is going to be a busy one for me... busier than usual. With that said, I have decided to take a break, until the weekend, from blogging. I need to stay focused and I know I wouldn't be able to put forward my best self. Thanks for your understanding and patience! I'll "see" you all in a week. Blessings!

Winter Wonderland

2010-02-27T18:06:00.002-05:00

My tiny little town has received over two feet of snow in the last two days. So naturally I snowshoed around my yard for about an hour yesterday, climbed a huge pile of snow courtesy of the snowplow, and built a lovely snow-woman named Florence (Flo for short) with some friends. It was a perfect way to end my week. Today, however, the snow was less thrilling. I'm ok with a few days of snow, especially when I don't need to get my car out of the driveway. But today I needed to go to the library, and walking there in a blizzard was not particularly attractive. So, I hauled myself three mountains of snow, cleared off my car and attempted to back it out. To no avail. Long story short, I ended up digging my car out with my ice scraper. It was genius and took forever. Perhaps first on the list of things to buy is a snow shovel. I hope all of you are having lovely weekends and enjoy this cold snap (if you live the northeast).

Do not wait for ordination, but be ordained by the grace of God.

2010-02-25T11:37:00.004-05:00

The semester is officially in full swing. Above is a picture of half my research sources for one eight page proposal. Yes, I know I'm a geek. Yes, I know I'm an overachiever. But I actually had them laying around my apartment and am finally getting a chance to use them! You can probably tell that most of them are about God. For my upcoming proposal, I decided to focus on how Catholic women are in the process of negotiating and redefining God in their own terms. This transition further precipitates a change in how they (and others) see their roles in the church.

Catholicism is currently faced with a bit of a dilemma. Churches are closing and merging with other communities, priests are becoming scarcer, and leadership is transitioning into the hands of pastoral administrators that are often women. Now, does the church continue to feed this pattern and eventually end up with few churches and no one ordained to consecrate the Eucharist, thereby dissolving the church altogether. Or, do they man up (I can say that because it's men making these decisions) and start ordaining women. Not that my research will get to the bottom of this issue, but I'd like to tie together the ways women are bringing about this shift and changing the attitudes and practices of the church.

I read a journal article yesterday about women advocating for ordination in the Episcopal church and it ended with this quote by Ms. Bozarth-Campbell:

"Because I never left the institutional Church through this process [of ordination], it's been forced to deal with me, to redefine itself in relationship to me, as I have had to redefine myself in relationship to it. We -- the institutional Church and I -- have helped each other grow by standing with and against one another at the same time."

I thought this quote accurately summarized the conflict experienced when advocating for inclusion. It is our job, as intelligent and grounded women, to stand with and against our institutions of oppression in order to bring about change.

Lent

2010-02-24T09:01:00.003-05:00

When I first got into blogging, Heather's blog, Shivaya Naturals, was one of the first I followed. It is posts like this that remind me why it caught my eye and why I keep going back for more. As she rightly reminded me, we are in the midst of Lent, a time for shedding those things that do not make us whole, or fully alive. I have recently been placed in many situations that have forced me to choose between a boost to my ego or something truly life-giving. And for the first time in my life, I have been able to say no. No to those distractions that don't feel right, that don't give me life, that don't bring out my best self. And yet, it is still a constant struggle between was is easy and what is authentic.

In Walden, Thoreau said, "Put out all that is not life." Words to live by during this Lenten season.

Tomato Soup!

2010-02-24T08:37:00.003-05:00

This morning I whipped up this recipe. I think tomato soup is the trickiest of all soups. People (maybe it's just me) tend to be particular about the flavor of their soup. Too sweet and it's like eating dessert, not enough sweet and the soup is overly acidic. I've tried tons of canned tomato soups and it didn't dawn on me until I saw Amazing Mae's post, that I could just make it myself!!! A huge oversight, I know.

This recipe was simple, came together fast, and the end result was absolutely fantastic. Mushroom, Italian Wedding, and all my other past soups will now be taking a back burner to this tomato. It was that good. I coupled it with a few slices of olive loaf from Lexington Coop in Buffalo. However, it would have been just as delicious by itself, with a small salad, or maybe some homemade dinner rolls.

Bon appétit!

Emotional intelligence

2010-02-22T08:02:00.000-05:00

The first time I heard this term it resonated. There is something so very authentic about being emotionally intelligent. It's an understanding of people that goes beyond observing their behavior or hearing their words. Text books tell me that emotional intelligence is something you can learn, and I agree with that. Naturally it helps if parents raise their children to be emotionally intelligent, but no one is ever incapable of that, regardless of their upbringing. However, I think some people are born with it as an extension of, or perhaps the extent of, their intuition. Emotional intelligence, in other words, is something that I can be deeply instinctual. We are such remarkable creatures, to think that we can understand emotions on a more primal level than our minds... it's amazing.

I hope all of your weeks are starting off gently, with a spirit of understanding and peace.

weekend fun!

2010-02-19T10:45:00.003-05:00

I have a wild weekend ahead of me. My parents and sister, Sarah, are coming to meet me in Rochester for dinner at Golden Port (my favorite restaurant of all time!) for a little dim sum and sushi. Later tonight, I've been invited to an "in the spirit of Cyndi Lauper" party at my friend Lauren's, which is always a good time. Tomorrow I'm spending the day in Buffalo with the fam and then the evening with Jess for a dinner party. And Sunday = homework.

At some point, throughout all the madness, I have to find time for the gym and a few fabulous cooking projects. I'd like to try this tomato soup recipe from Amazing Mae, and I've decided to bring these, Chocolate Decadence Minis from Bakers Banter, to the dinner party! I'll let you know how each turns out.

Happy weekending!

Deep in the heart of England

2010-02-18T08:14:00.001-05:00

lives a legend.
My latest obsession: Robin Hood. BBC recently canceled season four of their Robin Hood television series, which is very upsetting. I've had the pleasure of watching seasons one and two on demand on Netflix. And can I just say, I am SO hooked. I love this period of history and the show portrayed it well. They weren't too "Hollywood" about it and they didn't use a lot of modern words that didn't exist then. I know, I know, the communication major that I am has to notice the words more than anything else. But on the whole, the cast in wonderful, the stories are interesting, and the set is complex and detailed. And I will admit, the small part of me that is a sucker for bad boys gets its fill of rule-breaking eye candy. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the $4.99 or $9.99 for a month of Netflix is worth it, if only for this show!!! I highly recommend it for some exciting family entertainment.

A Language of Our Own

2010-02-17T06:25:00.000-05:00

I believe that everyone speaks their own language. Yes, words carry generic meanings that are more salient and universal. However, I think on a fundamental level, our experiences, paradigms, and schema for interpreting events are rooted in our mind and articulated in a unique language for each person. Our words become reflections of who we are.

I know immediately that I will have strong feelings (positive or negative) towards someone when we speak a similar language and share a way of seeing the world. I notice this most distinctly in my professors, probably because the classroom is so condensed and isolated. On the first day of class I can tell if 1) I understand them, 2) I like what I understand, and 3) they will understand me. In my mind, there is nothing more frustrating than meeting someone that speaks a language I do not understand or who does not understand mine. I think sometimes this is even more difficult to get past than literal language barriers, like someone speaking Spanish to me.

Language, in the way that I am using it, comes from the heart. It is not only an expression of words, but of how you see yourself and your relationship to the world around you. That, in turn, says a lot about who you are. I like that someone's identity and self conception can be visible in their communication. It makes me feel like people can instantaneously bond without ever having a shared interest or common goal, just sister (or brother) paradigms. All that is necessary is a similar language, a similar way of seeing and experiencing the world and articulating those sights and experiences. How beautiful and amazing we humans are, to be able to transcend the particulars of linguistics and share who we are through how we communicate.

Blazing Clarity

2010-02-16T06:29:00.004-05:00

Usually I'm a pretty sound sleeper. By sound I mean that hand grenades could explode every hour on the hour and I would wake up in the morning, refreshed and well rested. So it was unusual that two nights ago I did not fall asleep until 3am.

When I go to bed at 10pm and my clock reaches midnight without me yawning once, I know something is up. I rolled around a bit, and then realized that I would not be awake unless it was for a reason. The best epiphanies arrive at 2 in the morning. Why God couldn't bestow them on me at a more reasonable hour... well, maybe that's because I'm usually too busy to listen. That sounds bad, but it's true. A good way to get me attentive and listening is to keep me up until all hours of the morning. That dearest Divine knows me so well.

Anyhow, somewhere between midnight and 2am all the puzzle pieces of my foreseeable future seemed to fall into place. I have these sometimes, moments of blazing clarity that provide me with the right path.

Do you ever have these? It's as if the vision of you soul comes into perfect focus and the road ahead becomes intensely clear. They happen so rarely that I like to treasure them and keep that feeling of knowing (if only for a brief second) nestled inside me so it can continue to radiate the truth.

More on my epiphany soon! Blessings on this lovely, clear Tuesday!

Valentine's Day Treat

2010-02-15T07:46:00.000-05:00

Epicurious is not joking when they call these the best cocoa brownies. They are the best! I was a little hesitant to try them at first, because they have you heat the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt together first. This is a bit more effort than I'm used to putting into brownies, but whoa, it was worth it!

Recipe from Epicurious:

1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cold large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup walnut or pecan pieces (optional)

As I said, heat the first four ingredients very gently. Add in the vanilla and eggs, then flour, stirring until the batter is glossy. Pour into a pan lined with parchment paper and bake at 325 for about 25 minutes.

Here's to a lovely Sunday evening with a giant cup of Candy Cane Lane tea and a magnificent slice of fudgey, hot brownie.

Garden Goodness

2010-02-12T08:25:00.005-05:00

Inspired by gathering cozy spaces earlier in the week, I decided to hunt around for some lovely gardens. Lately, I've been particularly enamored by Potager gardens, also known as kitchen gardens. I like how the raised beds make everything look so neat. And I'm also a big fan of having little paths through a garden, making it easier to maneuver through. But I think most of all, I like that Potager gardens are so artistic. They take a bit of crafting in their design, and there's nothing I like better than a challenging planning job.

Anyhow, here are a few examples of some beautiful Potager gardens.

I couldn't resist including this. Bess reminded me how lovely the garden was in It's Complicated. I know it's not a real garden, but come on. Who wouldn't want to look out their kitchen window and see that every morning?

On a bit fancier note, this is a French Potager garden. They are a common sight behind many French castles and country homes.

A few blogs that feature Potager gardens:
~ This post, on the Garden Porn blog
~ Potager Garden Girl
~ Some tips on garden plans from Organicgardening.com

Have a delightful weekend everyone! Dream of spring and leafy green gardens.

Thieves

2010-02-11T14:30:00.000-05:00

All good things come from France.

Fine, maybe this is a little bit of an exaggeration. But Thieves comes from France! Note, I'm taking about the essential oil blend, not people who steal things. Legend has it, that during the plague, hundreds of years ago, grave robbers used a special blend of spices in order to remain untouched by the disease as they worked in the city. They were, at some point, apprehended by French law enforcement. In return for their freedom, the authorities asked the thieves for the ingredients that worked such immune magic. Today, a similar blend exists that works the very same immune magic.

I keep a small bottle of Thieves for when someone in my house gets sick and I need to clean door handles. It's also great for adding to a spray bottle full of water and spritzing around. Brands like Young Living essential oils sell it already blended, and in various forms, like hand soap, toothpaste, and lozenges. I know winter is started to simmer down a little (maybe that's just wishful thinking) but bugs are still going around and Thieves is a great, completely natural way to combat them.

Photography Friends

2010-02-10T07:17:00.000-05:00

For several years now, a few of my friends have grown their photography businesses. Saturday afternoon, I received a slim manila envelope in the mail.

I know this is a terrible picture of a picture, but I couldn't resist.
To get the full effect, contact Amanda via her website to purchase a print.

It contained this beautiful picture, taken by the lovely and talented Aman da Farrell. I was thrilled (almost to the point of speechlessness) and the only thing I could say was, "Pony noses!!!!!!" My poor housemates thought I was going mad. However, horse photos, especially their noses, make me nostalgic. I like it when they are on my walls representing pieces of my life. It helps me remember who I am if I ever run into an existential crisis. :)

This photo was taken by my friend Adam Troyer. He used it in a final project for school, and as I was flipping through his other photos, this one caught my eye. Every time I look at it, it makes me feel like I'm laying on the ground, just held by gravity. I keep my print of it on the coffee table and it gets lots of attention.

Cozy homes

2010-02-09T07:59:00.000-05:00

The blogsphere has been filled with lots of pretty houses lately. One that's been in the hotspot since the movie It's Complicated (which was HILARIOUS!!!) came out, is Jane's (played by Meryl Streep) home. One room featured more than the rest, is the elegantly simple kitchen.

The house set was designed by Jon Hutman and decorated by Beth Rubino. I also discovered, in my internet surfing, that Hutman designed the set for another favorite movie of mine Something's Gotta Give (also written and directed by Nancy Meyers). If I could design and decorate a house that combines these two sets, with a few of these nooks, and these treehouses, and these yurts, I would be the happiest girl in the world.

I've been thinking a lot lately about houses. I like being home and having a place that I have created and is all my own. I like places that are cozy. Where are your cozy places?

To Yen for the Sun

2010-02-08T07:48:00.000-05:00

I told you all before that fall and winter are my very favorite times of year. Usually, I am perfectly content with giant piles of snow, icy cold morning walks to class, and bundling up in sweaters and down coats. But for the first time in my life, I am craving summer. A dear friend of mine sent me a Valentines Day tank top and a little yen began to grown in me.

Suddenly I want camping trips, and heat lightning, and yoga on the beach, and TANK TOPS. I want my shoulders to feel fresh air again! Does anyone else have a yen for summer? This makes me think of the house in Under the Tuscan Sun named "Bramasole" - To Yen for the Sun.

I yen for the sun. I yen for heat and light and warm fresh air and watermelon and tomatoes out of the garden, and law mowers buzzing, and grass. This is such an out of body experience. It's like I've adopted someone else's insides, that's how foreign it feels. Maybe all adulthood really equals is a deep desire for summer.

Happy Monday!

Flaws

2010-02-05T20:15:00.005-05:00

A while back, I talked about femininity. I said that my idea of being feminine is all about changes and it evolves as I do. The newest element I've integrated into this concept is that of taking constructive criticism in the most graceful way possible. I'm not great at this, but I feel myself rising, bit by bit, to the occasion. I see the wisdom of those around me and know that it can make me stretch and grown as a human being and as a woman. I like growth and change, but looking at my flaws is not my favorite pastime. However, there have been a few situations recently that have demanded humility, and acceptance of the places that I fall short. So here I am, grappling and integrating, stretching to allow myself to look inward at my flaws and gratefully accepting it when people point them out.

Happy weekending, dear Readers.

Trying something new...

2010-02-04T21:52:00.004-05:00

Today I made a delicious miracle happen in the kitchen. Italian Wedding Soup. Buttery dinner rolls. Combine the two and, good God in heaven, it's a masterpiece.

For the soup , I used this fantastic recipe. If you open the page, be sure to scroll down, past the bread recipe, to the soup instructions that are just below. In this case, it called for ground beef to make the meatballs, but I used ground turkey and they turned out great. Otherwise, I followed the recipe exactly.

For the rolls, I used this recipe. Anything with butter in the title tends to catch my eye, so I thought I'd give it a shot, just to try something other than bread. They turned out wonderful! I could have left them in a bit longer and gotten them a bit more brown, but they still tasted great. I highly recommend them, especially for a low-maintenance dinner addition.

Book Review

2010-02-03T08:24:00.000-05:00

Well, the first month of 2010 has come and gone. Now it's assigned readings, presentations, and papers for as far as the eye can see. But before I dive into an ocean of homework, I'd like to finally post the book review I've been promising. I spent about two weeks enchanted by The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones. But I tried some additional recipes from Going Solo in the Kitchen by Jane Doerfer and Serves One by Toni Lydecker.

Each of these books was fine in their own way. Going Solo in the Kitchen was not my favorite. However, for an American cook that is not obsessed with all things French, it's an ok find. Doerfer is sweet and witty. She weaves in little stories and personal tips. I, however, was unimpressed with her actual recipes. Many of them were overly complicated and had more than 10 ingredients for a simple, one person dish. The few very easy ones were bland and not at all creative. This assessment is partly because most of her recipes simply did not appeal to me. If you do want to check it out, get it from a library and don't commit money until you know you like it.

As for Serves One, I liked it a little better. The books organization was a little off, and made it difficult to find recipes. However, once you found them, they generally didn't disappoint. For example, the Shellfish Steamer was delicious. She basically mixes mussels and clams into a white wine sauce that makes you want to die and go to heaven. But then she includes recipes like Spaghetti with Butter and Cheese. Really? Isn't that the oldest trick in the book? And is it absolutely necessary to tell me how much butter and grated Parmesan to use? Needless to say, some of her recipes are little ridiculous and juvenile.

On the whole, they were not bad cookbooks, but they weren't great either. What it all comes down to, is that if you want a good cooking for one cookbook, get The Pleasures of Cooking for One. Jones is a genius in the kitchen. I can honestly say that it's the best, most useful cookbook I've ever tried.

Mushroom Madness

2010-02-02T09:25:00.002-05:00

Mushrooms are one of my favorite foods in the whole entire world. I like them in just about anything. This week promised to be extremely cold, so I thought a bit of mushroom soup might satisfy my craving and keep me warm.

I used:
10 cups of broth (I used Rapunzel bouillon with salt and herbs)
2-3 cups of sliced mushrooms
1/2 medium onion
1 cup frozen peas
1 sliced carrot
1 1/2 cups of rice, cooked

Fry the mushrooms and onions together until both are tender. Then, transfer everything into the broth and simmer for about 15 minutes. Voila! Delicious soup!
I hope your February is beginning with beauty and peace.

Whole wheat chocolate chip cookies

2010-02-01T07:45:00.000-05:00

Today I had a craving for something sweet, and after two hours at the gym, decided to reward myself with some whole wheat chocolate chip cookies. Now, I didn't have chocolate chips, but I did have Almond Joy Pieces. They're this new candy that's just recently been introduced. Think M&Ms meet Almond Joy. So I hunted for a decent looking recipe (which I followed exactly, save for one exception), chopped up some walnuts (the exception), and added the Almond Joy Pieces. After 8 minutes of baking, they came out soft and a tad chewy. The perfect snack. And I'll admit that whole wheat flour always makes me a little nervous. If it's not used right, it has a tendency to make things heavy and not as tasty as usual. But these came out perfect. In fact, I don't think I'll ever go back to making chocolate chip cookies (or faux chocolate chip cookies) with any other recipe.

Safer Than A Known Way

2010-01-29T07:49:00.001-05:00

I said to the woman who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And she replied, "Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way." ~ Mimi Louis Haskins

Better than light in a dark place? Better than a well known path amid uncertainty? Logically, there is nothing better than light and a well-trod path. But I think one of the most beautiful things about the Divine, is how utterly beyond logic He is. Put your hand into the hand of God. How often do we remember to do this? We live in a culture that glorifies independence and self sufficiency, not surrender. But as heirs to God's promise, we are called to rise up as bearers of Christ in the world.

I joined a new gym recently, that happens to be about 25 minutes away from my house. This means nearly an hour in the car for every workout. How is this relevant? Well, driving induces a prayerful state in me, one that I don't embrace nearly enough when I'm home with school work, crafting, cooking and the internet to occupy my mind. Needless to say, these driving hours have been a tremendous (and a little surprising) blessing. It is a great gift to have time in my day when all the distractions are set aside and my soul can be still and focused. During these car rides, I find prayers bubbling out of me of their own accord. I think this kind of prayer is a little miraculous because it is as if God prays in me, rather than me praying to God. I am so grateful for these moments when I am wonderfully aware of Christ' presence in me, when I know I am a daughter of Jerusalem and a lover of The Beloved.

Croque Monsieur

2010-01-28T07:56:00.000-05:00

Croque Monsieur is a traditional French snack, which makes a perfect light lunch. Well, not actually light since it's made of bread, cheese, and ham, but you know what I mean. Anyhow, after the bread triumph, I decided to use it for these tasty bites.

So, take one large slice of fresh bread, or a few smaller ones. Butter one side of the bread, and place one or two layers of thinly sliced ham over the butter. At Wegman's, I asked the woman at the Deli what her highest quality ham was and she shrugged. That's it, just a shrug. Really? Come on. Work with me! I used a couple slices of provolone, however Gruyère would have been the ideal choice. Unfortunately, it's not in the budget right now. Pop the bread on a baking sheet, either for the toaster or regular oven, and bake for about 10 minutes at 250.

Bon Appétit!

A Little Love for Lists

2010-01-27T08:09:00.001-05:00

I'll tell you what. I love love love making lists. They give me a feeling of order and tidiness - very New England and very French. I've been feeling a yen for a good list these past few days, so here it is. During 2009 I made a few transitions from store-bought, inorganic, mildly toxic products/habits, to more natural ones. Thus, the first is a list of things that I have succeeded in changing and the second, things that I would still like to change.

Successes:

1. Switching from aluminum-laden deodorant to homemade deodorant.

2. Using glass, ceramic, and stainless steel in my kitchen, instead of plastic.

3. Giving up kitchen garbage bags and only using recycled ones. This meant employing a smaller garbage can and committing to emptying it much more often. Worth it!

4. Transitioning from regular sponges to biodegradable sponges, cotton cloths, and cotton dish mops with wooden handles (which apparently don't exist on the internet, only in dollar stores).

5. Putting a filter in my shower (AMAZING!!! My skin and hair feel so much better!) and a water-saving shower head.

6. Only using organic/natural shampoo and conditioner.

7. Using Korres makeup, instead of cosmetics that contain petroleum and other toxins.

8. Cleaning with homemade or biodegradable/non-toxic surface cleaners, dish soap, and hand soap.

9. Using homemade, reusable menstrual products, rather than store-bought synthetic ones.

Soon-to-be Successes:

1. Recharging batteries.

2. Only recycled paper in my printer, and re-filled ink cartridges.

3. Sewing some of my clothes with organic and repurposed fabric.

4. Staying on top of recycling paper products and cardboard.

5. Using essential oils to their fullest capacity: cleaning, air freshening, relaxation, and immune support. (More on this soon!)

6. Traveling as economically and environmentally responsible as possible. This may mean traveling more slowly, staying in locations that are "off the beaten path," and being mindful of how my traveling habits impact the environment and people around me.

7. Buying and eating vegetables and dry food that was grown locally and/or organically whenever possible.

8. Consuming meat and eggs that were free range, grass fed, and/or local whenever possible.

Do you have any environmentally-minded goals this year?

Repurposing

2010-01-26T07:57:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was the first day of my second semester of grad school. And goodness, it was wonderful! I've said it before, and I'll say it again: part of me feels like a fish in water when I get back in class. The stimulation it affords me is positively magical. I love it.

Anyhow, enough about my love affair with academia. You'll hear plenty more about that during the next few months.

Over the weekend, I decided to stitch up a small purse, since the plain brown one I'm using right now is starting to lose it's pizazz. I think the best way to do this in a hurry is to use an old jumper, either your own (or your child's), or pick one up at a thrift store. I simply sliced off the bottom 12 inches of a jumper, turned it right sides together, and stitched the open (just cut) end closed. By doing this, the shoulder straps become handles, and the seam you sewed becomes the bottom of the bag. Instead of sewing straight across however, which is a perfectly good option, I chose to curve the ends up a bit, so that the bag was more rounded. I also enhanced the curve by sewing the two shoulder straps together at the top, creating a little overlap.

I used this particular jumper because I wore it all the time when I was little. I truly hate to let a pieces of fabric, so full of beautiful memories, and once so beloved, go to waste. So here it is, useful and lovely in my adult life. I think I'm going to use the remaining fabric to fashion a wallet. I'll let you know how it goes. Until then, blessings and peace as you start your week!

Choirs of Angels Sing

2010-01-25T07:49:00.000-05:00

I just pulled THE MOST DELICIOUS BREAD out of the oven. This was my first attempt at the elusive French Baguette. My relationship with bread is always a bit iffy. I love it, but it does not always love me back. However, I think a new, fearless attitude towards it is emerging, which this recipe hastened. I think it was Julia Child who said that you must be fearless in the kitchen. I can see how a confident cook creates confident flavors and wholesome food. It just makes sense.

Anyhow, these were my first baguettes. Beautiful, yes? I was pleased as pink with them. In fact, they looked so pretty when I took them out that I actually blushed and became flustered. How do you act around such beautiful bread? I certainly have no idea. They were gracious enough, though, and were all forgiveness and understanding when sliced and slathered with butter. I am completely convinced that there is nothing more wonderful in the entire world than French bread and fresh butter. I swoon.

I followed this recipe, on the Bakers' Banter blog by King Arthur Flour. Listen to what they say about refrigerating the dough over night, it really does make all the difference! Also, I could have made four of these and had them a bit thinner, but I made them bigger in anticipation of another recipe that I'm using them for... there was a method to my madness. But if you try them, four slimmer baguettes will work just fine.

Judith Jones has done it again.

2010-01-24T08:28:00.000-05:00

The woman is a culinary genius. I am 100% addicted to The Pleasures of Cooking for One. Yesterday I tried two recipes from it, and both turned out phenomenal! For lunch I made "A Potato Dish for Julia," which she created at the request of Julia Child. The recipe is perfectly simple and turns out a bit crispy, but mostly tender and rich.

To make this...
~ thinly slice two new potatoes (you can use more if you're cooking for more than one or two)
~ melt two tsp. of butter in a cast iron skillet at medium-low heat
~ place one later of potatoes in the butter
~ crush together 1 clove of garlic and a bit of butter and salt to make a paste
~ spread that paste over the potatoes in the pan, and place over it a second layer of potatoes
~ cover and cook for about 8 minutes
~ place a plate over the pan, flip the potatoes onto it, and slide them back into the pan with the top layer now on the bottom.
Note: you may have to add a bit more butter, or lower the heat depending on how quickly they're cooking.
Voila! Delicious, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes.

The second recipe I tried was for a stuffed portobello mushroom. For those of you who don't know, I have a mild obsession with mushrooms. I add them to everything and firmly believe that, besides butter, it's the one ingredient that makes any savory dish better.

I adapted her recipe a little and this is what I ended up with:

1 portobello mushroom
1 clove of garlic, minced and crushed
5 baby portobellos, finely chopped
1 heaping tbsp. of fresh, chopped parsley
1 slice of crumbled bacon
1/4-1/3 cup of breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese

~ Preheat the oven for 350
~ Melt butter in a pan, cook the garlic and little mushrooms until soft
~ Add in the parsley, bacon and breadcrumbs and cook for about a minute
~ Rub olive oil on the outside of the portobello and place it on a baking sheet or pie plate
~ Stir the cheese into the stuffing mixture
~ Spoon stuffing into the portobello cap (I had to press it a little so it would all fit)
~ Bake for 20 minutes

I hope you have a much fun and enjoy these as much as I did. Blessings!

Cookery

2010-01-23T08:35:00.006-05:00

I made something amazing two nights ago. It was basically veggies, with a few pieces of chicken on top, baked in the oven. Sounds kind of boring, but it wasn't. For the vegetables I used stew sized chunks of carrots, parsnips (who knew they were so delicious?), zucchini, mushrooms, and lots fresh parsley. I chose not to add potatoes, but they would have been a tasty addition.

To give the chicken a little something extra, I used a Puerto Rican spice mix called Adobo. It's perfect for any kind of meat or fish. You can find it in most grocery stores, usually in the isle with other Hispanic/Latin specialty foods. I bought some at the beginning of the month, and waited to read the list of ingredients until I returned home. That was a wise idea. The store-bought stuff was full of artificial colors, preservatives and several things I could not pronounce (which in my mind equals BAD). So naturally, I was faced with a conundrum that could only be solved by searching the internet, finding a recipe, and making my own Adobo. After a considerable hunt, I ended up with two possible recipes. This one, I decided, produced too much Adobo to actually be practical, however, it would work well for a family that used it relatively often. Taking quantity into consideration, I settled on adapted this recipe. In order for it to turn out right, make sure everything is crushed and powdery.

Adobo Recipe
3 tbsp. salt
3 tbsp. onion powder
3 tbsp. garlic powder
3 tbsp. ground black pepper
3 tbsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. dried, crushed oregano
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. dried, crushed lemon zest
1 tsp. turmeric

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! Have a wonderful weekend, dear readers!

The blue of Beauxbaton Academy

2010-01-22T07:56:00.002-05:00

During these past few weeks, I've had an deluge of Harry Potter exposure. Due to this deluge, I started crocheting a project inspired by the outfits worn by the Beauxbaton students in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie.

Just to be specific, it's the cape I adore and attempted to replicate. I love the hat, too, but haven't figure out how to make it.

For the cape, I used the last of my Patagonia cotton, the stuff that smells like sheep, even though it doesn't contain wool. This is what I ended up with! I love it almost as much as the real thing!

Now I have a problem. How do I close it in the front? The options I'm toying with are: a toggle (just because I'm obsessed with them), some kind wooden button, or a ribbon woven around the neckline and tied in a bow. Any votes? Other suggestions?

School Crafting

2010-01-21T07:36:00.000-05:00

After hundreds of pages of printed readings began to bust the seams of my folders last semester, I decided this semester needed a new system of organization. But what kind of crafter would I be if I didn't make it myself? I'll admit, I did buy a pre-made 3-ring binder... I hear they're difficult to make yourself. However, page dividers are doable, so that's what I did. The primary colored tabs attached to white card stock never did much for me. After a bit of thinking, I decided to head to the craft store and pick up two pieces of brown cardstock, and two pieces of contrasting cream cardstock. I cropped each piece to fit into the binder, leaving a half circle on the side as a tab. I accented each divider with a tag to write course information that I might need at a glance. All this binder needs now is a cover! That will come soon!

The man's got panache...

2010-01-20T08:07:00.004-05:00

Some girls crush on Gerard Butler or Robert Pattinson, but my Hollywood love is Jimmy Stewart.

Recently, I've watched Dial M for Murder, Harvey, The Philadelphia Story, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It's a Wonderful Life. In each of these films he was magnificent. If only he were still alive. There is just something about his voice and his mannerisms that imply a great deal of humility, self-awareness, and dignity. I feel like the world rarely makes men like this anymore. Men who treasure women, who wear fedoras and vests, and command respect the moment they enter rooms, are a rare breed. Where are they? Where are these men among boys? Maybe I need to travel back a century.

tea for two

2010-01-19T07:49:00.002-05:00

This French girl was born to entertain. I love it. I absolutely love it. Having people over, setting a beautiful table, cooking food, creating a particular atmosphere... it thrills me, and fulfills me. On the table above are just some blanched veggies, cheese & crackers, cookies, tea and homemade scones. I've served the scones a few times this week and each time, they've been a big hit. The recipe was courtesy of my dear friend, Brittany. She's graciously letting me share her recipe here:

Brittany's Scones

1 1/2 cups flour
2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup fruit
(I used Craisins, which makes them go well with marmalade)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup milk (I used soy)

Preheat oven to 425
Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients.
Place large spoonfuls on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper.
Cook for 15 minutes.
Enjoy hot or store and reheat the next day!

I haven't yet decided exactly why I like having people over so much, so for right now I'm just basking in how wonderful it feels. Happy Tuesday, everyone! Do something lovely for yourself today, something that thrills you.

Bees for my 100th post

2010-01-18T07:48:00.002-05:00

This is post 100 for the Honey Hive. It's hard to believe that I've said that much on here, but I suppose I have. In honor of this little milestone, I'd like to share a poem, written by Julie Cadwallader Staub, and sent to me by my dad.

Joy

Who could need more proof than honey—

How the bees with such skill and purpose
enter flower after flower
sing their way home
to create and cap the new honey
just to get through the flowerless winter.

And how the bear with intention and cunning
raids the hive
shovels pawful after pawful into his happy mouth
bats away indignant bees
stumbles off in a stupor of satiation and stickiness.

And how we humans can't resist its viscosity
its taste of clover and wind
its metaphorical power:
don't we yearn for a land of milk and honey?
don't we call our loved ones "honey?"

all because bees just do, over and over again, what they were made to do.

Oh, who could need more proof than honey
to know that our world
was meant to be

and

was meant to be
sweet?

I wish you all a sweet, honey-filled day. Thank you for reading this blog and responding with such grace and kind support. It has provided me with invaluable nectar for my journey. On to the next 100!

Wild Blue Yonder

2010-01-17T07:49:00.001-05:00

The coast of Prince Edward Island on a perfect summer day.

I've been thinking about my life. I like graduate school and the tools it provides me for life. But I miss real things. I miss riding horses and having all their energy and weight cantering with me. I miss coming in from outside and having dirt under my nails and clothes that smell like the ground and hay and pony noses. I miss aching at the end of a day of hauling hay bails and buckets of water and working. I know I work now, but it's all in my mind. I miss the complete and utter exhaustion of being outside all day and never having a minute to ponder rhetorical theory or the helical model of relational development, because beautiful animal lives depend on my work. I miss that. I miss the wholesomeness and realness of it. I miss how alive and industrious it made me feel. I'll talk more about the implications of this re-awakened longing, but for now...

it's time for me to step out into the wild blue yonder.

Naan

2010-01-16T07:53:00.001-05:00

I have a bit of India to share. Naan is a traditional Indian flatbread, usually cooked in a Tandoor oven. This is a simpler recipe that you can make in a large skillet.

Combine
3 cups of flour (I used 2.5 white and .5 whole wheat)
1.5 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1.25 cups of water (if it's humid out, use less)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup minced scallions
After thoroughly mixed, divide dough into three or four sections. Stretch and flatten each one, the thinner the better, but no holes! Lay each, one at a time, in a skillet set to medium heat and brushed with oil. It cooks for about 4 or 5 minutes on each side. They should look unevenly light and dark brown, like the picture. This is a great bread to eat with Indian or Thai food, and I like it to snack on or pair with eggs in the morning.

Pure Pleasure

2010-01-15T07:57:00.002-05:00

I have a new love: The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones. That's right, Judith Jones. Not ringing a bell? She's the woman who edited Julia Child's book Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Jones has received quite a bit of buzz lately given the popularity of the movie Julie & Julia. I know it's cliché to say how much I love her, but God, I love her! I happened upon her book in Barnes and Noble last month and made a mental note to track it down at the library. That goal just came to fruition yesterday and it was so worth the wait! Reading this book, and yes I actually read a cookbook cover to cover, was like chatting with my Great-Grandmother (who was wonderfully French in every way) about food and cooking for myself. Jones' book is classically French. Almost every single recipe contains butter and/or heavy cream. I am in love. She speaks so gently and honestly about life, and so passionately about food. I was completely enchanted, and felt transported to the French countryside.

My idea was to review three differing cooking-for-one cookbooks at the same time, but I just loved this one so much and became blinded by my new obsession with Judith Jones, that I couldn't bring myself to open the other two. I'll get to them eventually. Until then, I'll be feasting on stuffed portobello, ratatouille, and steamed artichoke with homemade hollandaise.

baby quiche

2010-01-14T08:40:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite holiday foods, that is always present at our family gatherings (usually courtesy of my Aunt Lisa), is baby spinach quiche. One recipe makes a big batch, and they're a perfect finger food.

Baby Quiche Recipe
you'll need a mini muffin tray

3 pkgs (10 ounces each) of chopped frozen spinach - I used Stahlbush Island Farms Cut Spinach
1 cup of bisquick (I substitute with 1 cup of flour and baking powder)
1 small onion, chopped in food processor
2-3 cloves of garlic - usually I just throw it in with the onion
1/3 cup of oil
1 pound of grated cheddar (extra sharp works great!)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
4 eggs

Note: to make this recipe really amazing mix together spinach, cheddar cheese, onion and garlic. Let that mixture sit refrigerated over night and mix in the rest of the ingredients the next day.

Preheat your oven to 350, mix everything together, place about a tbsp. of the mixture in each muffin cup and bake until golden on top and slightly crispy around the edges.

Enjoy hot!

They also keep very well in the freezer if you want to make them in advance of a gathering, or keep them to nibble on over a longer period of time.

An amazing find!

2010-01-13T06:36:00.000-05:00

Once again, thank you Mothering for presenting me with an amazing opportunity! In the January/Febuary issue, an article featured the organization World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). What a cool program!!!

I feel like I've dreamed about something like this, but didn't know it actually existed! The gist of it, is that you can pick a continent or area, browse a list of hosts (sometimes you have to register to do this, depending on where you choose to look), pick a few that suit you, and contact them to work out your stay. Airfare to get wherever you're going is on you, but once you get there, you work for room and board. Brilliant! I think you can guess what two countries I immediately browsed... France and Canada. Shocking, I know.

Most farms let you know whether they're looking for seasonal workers, people just for a week or two, how many people they can accommodate, what kind of work you'd be doing, and if they're family/children friendly. Just thought I'd share this tidbit, since I think a lot of you would be interested in it. Happy organic farming!

A French Girl's Delight

2010-01-12T11:58:00.004-05:00

Crêpes! I can't get enough of them. As a special going-back-to-school treat, we made crêpes. The recipe was similar to this one. However, using vegetable oil in the pan is optional, and the more French version is obviously to use butter. If you've never made them before, don't be worried about how lose the batter is, it's supposed to be nice and wet so it's easier to swirl around and cover the pan. One more tip: use a nonstick pan - even a well seasoned cast iron one works well, or just regular Teflon covered.

We used strawberries to fill them and homemade hot fudge over the top. I'll post the recipe for that by tomorrow.

Bon Appétit!

Tea Time!

2010-01-11T08:10:00.001-05:00

This is a reusable tea time menu. It's basically a piece of DCWV Nana's Kitchen printed cardstock, from the same collection as the pieces I used for the meal planner. I just couldn't resist this adorable print with tea trays, cakes, tea cups... it thrills me! Anyhow, with a few adhesive letters across the top, and a cheap 12 x 12 glass frame - a reusable tea time menu board is born.

This is a little addition to the meal planner. I wanted to give it a title, just to round it out and make it look complete. I used the same adhesive letters that I did for the tea time menu board. Also, these projects could both be done with vintage frames, which would give them a much softer feel.

DIY Meal Planner

2010-01-10T08:11:00.004-05:00

As I mentioned in this post, I wanted to either download the premade meal planner from Olliblog, which I found on Giver's Log, or design/make one myself. The crafter in me opted for making one myself. A quick trip to Joann's lead me to two great sales, one for a 16 x 20 floating frame, and one for a pack of DCWV Nana's Kitchen printed cardstock.

First, take some cardstock and cut 7 circles. I used two different sizes of white cardstock.

Second, take those circles and tape them (I used double-sided tape, but you could glue them, too) to a 12 x 12 piece of printed cardstock. Also, I would encourage you to write on the days of the week after taping them all, just to make sure that it looks cohesive.

To the side of my weekly menu, I wanted room to make a list. However, since all of this goes in a floating frame, I can't really leave it blank. So I collaged together a bunch of pretty scraps to serve as a backdrop for my grocery list.

Half an hour later and voila! All together and in the frame, this is the finished product. Mounted on the wall and equipped with a dry erase marker, it will be a perfect addition to my kitchen!

Boston Adventure

2010-01-09T08:35:00.002-05:00

My parents and I have a wonderful tradition of visiting the city (always NYC, until now) while I'm on break each January. These adventures usually involve fabric shopping, a trip to the Strand, a lunch of dim sum in China town, and a lot of trekking around the city. I look forward to this trip every year. However, this year, someone threw a monkey-wrench into our plans. Harry Potter. Yeah, Harry Potter messed with our family tradition.

Actually, Harry Potter: The Exhibition (HPE) came to the Boston Museum of Science in January. I've been wanting to attend it since I first heard about the exhibition in June. At that time, it was housed at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. I did not get a chance to see it during my visit to Chicago, so when my dad suggested we try Boston instead of NYC this year, I jumped at the opportunity.

HPE was wonderful. I watched people get sorted into Hogwarts houses, stood on platform 9 and 3/4, and saw beautifully detailed costumes and props used in the movies. I know this starry-eyed description makes me more than 100% geek, but I don't care. I grew up reading all the Harry Potter books, and now I can say that I was a foot away from his wand, and his bed, and his clothes... ok, taking a deep breath now. But seriously, it was a fun time for anyone into the books and/or movies. Even the rents liked it, and they haven't seen all the movies.

Besides Harry Potter, the Boston Museum of Science currently houses a Bee exhibit, and you can bet that was our second stop. I could have stared at those little workers capping comb all day long. But alas, my stomach growled and I started feeling a bit tired, so we headed to the Union Oyster House, arguably the most famous restaurant in Boston. It was old and wharfy (is that a word?) and romantic, in a very fisherman/tweed jackets/pipe smoking kind of way. Usually I'm not a mussels (the shellfish kind) lover, but the mussels we got were so tender, not a bit chewy. Delicious. And the clam chowder was the second best I've ever had! First place still goes to a tiny, country cafe in Concord, MA.

On the whole, it was a delight day. I must officially admit that I like Boston better than NYC. It's a bit softer, more nostalgic, and more New England. I like New England. I'm a New England girl.

Planning for 2010

2010-01-08T08:07:00.002-05:00

I love planners just as much as the next girl... No, that's a lie. I love planners, probably more than most people. That's not to say that I actually use them when I have them, but I enjoy the idea of them a lot. My latest addiction (and I think this one will stick) is Google Calendar. It's so easy to use, and since I'm already on my computer all the time, it's literally right at my finger tips. However, I was perusing Giver's Log (thanks for suggesting this, Liz!), and she did a whole post about planners. I was immediately smitten with the meal planner from Olliblog and the 2010 Poster Calendar from The Sketch Book on Etsy.

Cooking for one is always a challenge, and having somewhere to jot down my meal ideas for the week might be a good way to make meal prep and ingredient gathering a bit more manageable amid paper writing and test taking. I'll either get the meal planner printed in color (because that's cuter) or make one myself, and frame it, like they suggest in the blog, so I can write on it when dry erase markers.

I've always loved the idea of being able to see my entire year in one place. It gives me a wonderful sense of wholeness. The poster calendar would be a much bigger investment, both physically and financially. I'll ponder it a bit more, and decide if it's really worth almost $50. In the mean time, I plan on fantasizing about where I'd hang it in my room, because obviously that won't sway my decision-making at all.

Breast is Best

2010-01-07T08:35:00.002-05:00

While running errands, I stopped by Honest Weight Food Co-op, to stock up on some dry foods that I can't get back at school. I was on my way in, and hurrying because I was about to lose several fingers to the cold, but was distracted by this:

That little blue icon next to the door is the International Breastfeeding Symbol, signifying that the co-op is a breastfeeding friendly establishment! A while back, I wrote a research paper examining Mothering's creation of the International Breastfeeding Symbol, and how it has spread to public spaces beyond the magazine and its website. It was wonderful to actually see this in real life, instead of reading about airports in Michigan that use it. Kudos to Honest Weight Food Co-op!

Do you know of any establishments that use the International Breastfeeding Symbol?

Successful shopping!

2010-01-06T08:17:00.001-05:00

Since the latest additions to my tea set, I've been pining for some tea cups. Not mugs. Tea cups. While shopping in Ballston Spa yesterday, I came across these lovely tea cups at Daisy Dry Goods. They are authentic, vintage Fiestaware tea cups in mint condition. For those of you who don't know, Fiestaware popularized in the 1930s and has recently made a comeback. I saw some beautiful Fiesta pieces in Macy's when I was out before Christmas. Anyhow, these are the exact shape I was looking for, and the color matches both my polka dotted plates and tea pot. Life is good.

Before lunch at The Whistling Kettle (my favorite restaurant!), where our waitress harangued the kitchen staff to get me some Lobster Bisque (she was miracle worker), I stopped by Almost-One-Of-A Kind Quilt Shop for a bit of fabric shopping. Unfortunately, I follow in my mother's footsteps as an avid fabric junkie. This is great for my creativity, but not for my bank account. However, in anticipation of a kitchen I might one day have, this was bought...

It's basically a tea service amid blue and cream swirls. It will make a lovely window valence, or table cloth, or table runner... Ah, the possibilities are endless! No matter what it ends up as, it has all my favorite colors and I can't wait to create something new!

Floating on the Snow

2010-01-05T08:58:00.000-05:00

Snowshoeing always makes me feel like I'm floating. There wasn't a ton of snow, but I managed to snap a few beautiful pictures while I was out.

Views like this inspire me to thank God for making me feel small sometimes. We are just tiny bits of a vast and beautiful universe.

My bi-monthly treat!

2010-01-04T09:24:00.000-05:00

How is it that Mothering magazine never fails to touch, warm, and inspire me? I am constantly amazed by how much their articles, advertisements, and ideas ring true. The most recent issue arrived in my email inbox last month and I groaned, knowing that I did not have time to read it and so wanted to. Graduate school can be such a nuisance! Anyhow, I found a couple hours this week to devote to the latest issue and, as usual, I was not disappointed. It was chock full of great ideas for sustainable holiday celebrations, gift ideas and a particularly beautiful article about different ways of learning.

As some of you know, I was homeschooled through grade school and high school by my family. My mom was my primary teacher, but everyone taught me something I needed to know. From that experience, I've learned how I learn best. For example, if I can hear something or read something, I'll retain it better if I hear it. This propensity for auditory learning shows up in my love of audio books (especially Jacob Have I Loved, The Westing Game, and all the Harry Potter books). But it is also evident in my grades for online classes versus classroom classes, in which I tend to do much better.

How do you learn best?

100 Things I'm Thankful For from 2009

2010-01-03T08:03:00.001-05:00

1. Graduate school
2. Flannel
3. Grass fed beef
4. Blueberry muffins
5. Steamed milk at Java Junction
6. Sweaters
7. Curry
8. This blog
9. Wonderful friends who understand The Crazy (me)
10. The smell of wool
11. Merrill clogs
12. Men who wear babies
13. Inside jokes that turn into fantasy themes (especially bees)
14. Saying NO
15. Happy hour
16. The tapestry
17. Watching movies/tv with my people
18. Crocheting
19. Over-the-knee socks from Sock Dreams
20. Tech-y family members
21. Fantasy theme analysis (yes, I know I'm a geek)
22. Libraries
23. My bunny, Gus
24. Jimmy Stewart
25. Elliot's Jimmy Stewart impression
26. Turning in 20 page papers
27. Great people in my grad program who have aided in keeping me sane
28. YA books
29. Paris
30. Dreaming, planning and listing
31. Baking
32. Eating popcorn with Alyssa
33. Concord, MA and all those delightful Transcendentalists
34. Immanuel Kant
35. Traveling on planes
36. Music that gives me chills
37. Earl Grey and Lady Grey tea
38. Honey
39. Random, beautiful text messages from long-lost friends
40. Writing letters (not emails!)
41. Morning sunlight
42. Breakfast
43. Routines (and breaking them)
44. The fall and crackling leaves
45. Going to the gym
46. Having enough money for a gym membership and groceries, and not having to choose between the two
47. Pillows
48. Farmers markets
49. Laughing so hard I hurt or cry
50. Being around people
51. Giant sweatshirts from Maine that I would like to live in, but don't actually leave the house while wearing
52. Korres cosmetics
53. Tarte lip stain - in Tea Time
54. Having hair that can be either curly or straight (depending on my mood)
55. The Maine Diner - especially Lobster Pie
56. Down comforters
57. Turning 21
58. Days at the beach
59. New cell phones that allow me to hear whoever I'm talking to
60. Horses and memories of riding
61. My family
62. Folding laundry
63. Flapper hats that make me feel enchanting
64. You've Got Mail
65. Amy Grant's A Christmas Album
66. Down coats from L.L. Bean
67. Sheep
68. Independent yarn shops
69. Unpetroleum cherry chapstick
70. It's A Wonderful Life with my family every Christmas
71. Thanksgiving day parades
72. Inner change
73. Cotton shirts from Gap
74. the Magnolia
75. Cowls
76. Dexterity
77. Homemade deodorant
78. Indian food - especially samosa
79. My Honda
80. Full-sized bed
81. Online banking
82. An ever-growing fabric stash
82. Really good hugs
83. Captain and coke
84. Meringues
85. Pearls
86. Camping by lakes and making s'mores
87. Traveling and going on adventures
88. Hockey games
89. The nunnery (where I live)
90. Snowshoeing
91. Answered prayers
92. New journals
93. Professors that teach me something valuable
94. Board games
95. Clean finger nails
96. My coffee table of serenity
97. Mountains
98. Swinging on swings at playgrounds
99. Knowing where I came from
100. Artwork made just for me

Tea & Crumpets

2010-01-02T12:34:00.000-05:00

Last month I woke up in the middle of night and jotted down "crumpet recipes" on the notepad I keep on my night stand for these 2 am inspirations. Since then, I have searched the internet for crumpet recipes, finding where they originated, the best ways to serve them, and so on. One of my Christmas gifts this year was Tea & Crumpets: Recipes & Rituals from European Tearooms & Cafes. I was immediately enchanted by the cover, and the rest of the book did not disappoint. Author Margaret M. Johnson brings to life a vivid, slightly nostalgic, and sweetly sophisticated world of tea drinking. I was so inspired by her bits of tea history, scrumptious sounding recipes, and gentle respect for the ritual of tea, that I went out the next day and put together a little addition to my tea service.

On the left is actually a plate storage rack, that when improvising, will work nicely as a place for tea sandwiches and baked treats. The wire pedestal next to it has an even better destiny, though. It shall hold my favorite culinary delicacy: meringues. Light, sweet, and piled high, I can't wait for them to grace my tea table! The first time I try them on my own, which will inevitably be an adventure, I'll post all about it. And as a side note, I found both of these tea time accessories at the Christmas Tree Shop.

revelries and new beginnings

2010-01-01T22:10:00.006-05:00

I think this picture accurately sums-up my New Years Eve merriment. It began with a bottle of Patron, and ended with a crisp, cold walk home amid fellow celebrators and flurries of snow.

I can't even articulate how wonderfully content and blessed I felt among my dear friends last night. A heartful of gratitude to Sarah, Lindsay, Brittany, Mary, and Kim for a magnificent start to 2010. I am utterly blessed to have you, and all of my friends, in my life. You are amazing women and it is an honor to be in your lives.

To all of you, my lovely readers, a happy, healthy, and blissfully blessed new year. Embrace this new beginning fiercely and with all your heart. It isn't often that we have the opportunity to begin anew, to see the world with a spirit of hope and renewed energy!

A Christmas Recap!

2009-12-27T22:14:00.002-05:00

What a lovely holiday it was! I hope all of you embraced this beautiful season with family and friends and had a chance to delight in new birth amid the icy cold of winter. I have several exciting things to share, but I'll spread them out over the course of a week or two, so as not to overwhelm you with a ten page post. Let's start with mattresses. That's right, mattresses.

My mom recently purchased several new mattresses for her house, as well as a futon for the living room. These, however, were not ordinary mattresses. The futon was from Northern Naturals, and made of a combination of cotton and poly fiber fused together. Most mattresses (including the one currently on my bed!) are made from synthetic fibers and filled with toxic flame retardants. It wasn't until recently that I considered the amount of time I spend on my mattress, and how that might adversely impact my health. What a simple thing to change, and thereby improve your health! I think my next major purchase will be a futon mattress from Northern Naturals.

This dreamy find lead her to discover 100% wool mattress covers, then to 100% wool batting made from your own wool (that you ship to them) at wool mills, such as the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill. The mill can turn your batting into comforters, pillows, and other things, or simply ship it to you plain. Now I just need sheep! Unfortunately, apartment living and graduate school are not conducive to sheep ownership.

In the same vein as sheep, I've decided to bite the bullet and take knitting/crocheting classes when I return to the Rochester area. The Yarn Boutique sent me their upcoming class schedule and these are my top picks:
~ New Knitter - Beginner Level (because it's time)
~ Crochet vests (just to pick-up some more advanced skills)
~ Next step - Advanced Beginner Knitting (this will let me finish whatever sweater I've started under the supervision of very experienced knitters)
Hopefully these classes will better equip me to complete larger, more complex projects with yarn. If anyone is in the Rochester area and wants to tag along for any of these, let me know!

Alright, enough rambling! I'll post more soon about Christmas gifts I gave, and wonderful presents I received.

Blessings!

Taking a pregnant pause...

2009-12-23T21:58:00.007-05:00

Christmas is almost upon us! The contagious joy and hope of Christ's birth is nearly here! As the celebration of this glorious event draws close, I am reminded of renewal and birth. In Caryll Houselander's book The Reed of God, she reminds us that, just like Mary, we are called to carry Christ and birth the promise and presence of God into the world. Was there ever a greater calling or a more profound destiny? I don't think so.

The example that Mary sets is one of a resounding Yes! to the will of God. Even in the face of rejection, judgment, and misunderstanding from those around her, she opened her heart and womb to God's life on earth. I can't help but think of all the times I have stubbornly clung to my own ways and my own will. I get so caught up in plans and distracted by saying yes to others, that I forget to say yes to the quiet voice of my Emmanuel. Imagine if we all cultivated an attentive spirit, and every time the voice of God called to us, we responded with Mary's joyful heart and unwavering "YES!" The world would be a different place. We would be different people, transformed by the awareness of Christ's divinity in us.

Prodigal Blogger

2009-12-20T16:38:00.002-05:00

I'm back! My sincere apology for a long, unexpected silence. I've spent the past few weeks surviving the end of my first semester of graduate school. It is over, and I am soaking in the blissful knowledge that I have five weeks with NOTHING to do. Well, that's partially true. I am free from school-related work for a while. However, I have a busy itinerary, full of reading, writing, and crafting, for while I'm on break.

For right now, I'd like to leave you with a suggestion to read M.F.K. Fisher's book The Art of Eating. I read the first few chapters this morning and am absolutely enchanted. Fisher is eloquent, witty, and full of the most useful perspective on food I have ever come across.

Blessings for this snowy season of hope!

Going Inside

2009-12-14T09:11:00.005-05:00

Sometimes, especially during Advent, I fold into myself. Almost without knowing it is happening, I find myself meditative and distant. There is no other way to explain it, except to say that I begin to attend to my inner life. When this happens, everything around me fades. Thankfully this started happening at the end of a semester, and did not disturb any of my work. I know most of what I share here is relatively light or intellectual, not usually the deepest products of my heart. During this time it becomes difficult for me to share or think about anything beyond my inner journey. But my mystical self needs a place to talk as well, so in the days to come, I will post more God-related tidbits.

Sweet Dream Sachets

2009-12-06T15:33:00.006-05:00

I broke down yesterday and purchased my very own television. It made me feel like such a grown-up. So naturally, as soon as I returned home and set it up, I put on a Harry Potter movie and got to crafting. Over the past few weeks, I've been collecting bits and pieces of a Dream Pillow Project that I found on the Shivaya Naturals and Garden Mama blogs. You've already heard about the felt. The stuffing will be different combinations of chamomile, jasmine, cloves, lavender, and wool, depending on who it's for. I did a test run and made one for myself...

The sewed on piece in the middle was the cut-out sample from Felt on the Fly. I filled this one with wool, chamomile, and lavender. I slipped it under my covers as soon as it was finished, and when I went to bed last night, my sheets and pillows smelled absolutely lovely! The gentle, sweet combination of herbs and fibers lulled me right to sleep. I can't wait to make more and give the gift of a peaceful rest to some of my dear friends!

Happy December!

2009-12-01T11:47:00.003-05:00

I woke up this morning to a blanket of crystalline whiteness. Our first snow had fallen during the night. What a magical sight! I absolutely adore the snow and relish how crisp and cold and glittering it makes the world. I'm editing a paper right now and wishing we had actually gotten enough snow so that I could justify racing out the door, snowshoes in hand, to trek around campus. Unfortunately, it was just a couple inches that have already begun to melt. Oh well. I'm sure there will be more next time.

I hope you all enjoyed this beautiful day. If you have snow, soak up the sights, sounds, and sensations that it brings. It is a beautiful gift to be able to cycle with the earth and experience the seasons.

Felt on the Fly

2009-11-29T20:30:00.006-05:00

Drove back to my tiny little town yesterday after visiting family for Thanksgiving. A large white envelop was waiting for me when I arrived. It was full of sweet smelling, 100% wool felt from Felt on the Fly. You can also check out the Felt on the Fly blog.

I can't rave enough about this felt. It's the first time I've invested in some that was not partially synthetic and bought at a craft store chain. SO worth it! This felt is beautifully colored (as you can see in the picture), incredibly soft, smells wonderful, and doesn't stretch or distort when I work with it. These simple pieces of fiber will make such beautiful Christmas gifts! Also, not only was there a tag with each pieces color written out, but also a personal, handwritten note, thanking me for my purchase. If there is one thing that will make me a loyal customer, it's a handwritten note. I am so sold and will probably never buy icky, synthetic felt ever again.

Project posts for this felt will come after Christmas. I don't want to give anything away!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A Strange and Glorious Attempt

2009-11-24T20:23:00.004-05:00

I just got home for Thanksgiving break. This inevitably means being thrown into the current of cooking that grips my house for the entire week before T-Day. We had a delicious dinner tonight of bean and greens (sauteed with garlic and olive oil) and Merlot raviolli (delicious enough to make you cry). However, we did not have a planned desert. Mom suggested tapioca pudding, and then took it back since dad doesn't like it. He only likes chocolate. Compromise?

Chocolate Tapioca Pudding. Strange and Glorious.

3/4 cup sugar (or a little less...)
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca (regular works too, it just takes longer)
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 3/4 cups milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a pot, cook over medium heat until it boils, and then remove from heat and let it thicken. Voila!

The Chocoholic himself.

We used this recipe because it called for cocoa powder instead of cooking chocolate. My family has a thing for cocoa powder. We use the best cocoa powder, according to my mother. It's called "Barry's - Extra Brute," which is imported from France, because the French know two things: butter and really exquisite cocoa. Additionally, any cocoa that other bloggers describe as "luminous" is absolutely worth it.

The Leaves Have Fallen

2009-11-22T10:17:00.003-05:00

The trees in my lovely, tiny town are bare. Outside it is cold and gray. However, the inside of me is like a wonderfully warm melting pot. Tidbits of thoughts, words, gestures, things I catch out of the corner of my eye, are all coming together to form something new. Don't ask me what that is yet, but I'm sure you'll hear about it soon.

I've recently been noticing words. And every so often, one of them just clings to me, making me tingle.

I rode horses for about eight years, and the owner of the barn I worked at, occasionally called me a peach. She wasn't one to hand out compliments easily, so it was always a special recognition of a job well done, or appreciation for common-sense (which you can never have too much of when working around large animals). She was the only person I've ever known who has used that word... except for me. But yesterday, someone called me a peach. Immediately all those beautiful barn memories came flooding back. I could smell hay and hear the gentle breathing of my ponies. How strange that such a simple word could transport me to a different time and place. Instantly I missed them. I wanted to run my hand over a fetlock or lean against a strong, solid shoulder and breathe in all those moments I had left behind.

So, for the past 24 hours I've been trying to pay more attention to words. They give our lives meaning and are born from that meaning. I love how cyclical they are, how recycled and rich with connotations. So try paying attention to words. Which ones do you choose? Which ones make you tingle? Which ones do you have a history with?

Technorati

2009-11-20T15:24:00.006-05:00

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Not really. It's a new word. But I've thought about it before, at least conceptually.

Right now I'm researching blogging as a way for women to meet some of their socio-emotional needs. This involves reading through stacks of research articles about "the radical act of mommy-blogging." I'm a little offended by this concept ("radical" mommy-blogging), although I know some women have truly embraced the title. But more on that in a minute.

One of my professors happens to be a rather raging technophobe, and I came upon a term (certainly one of the "highlight" words of the week): Technorati. This word essentially embodies the opposite of everything a technophobe hates. It reminds me of the aforementioned professor, and this research I'm knee-deep in, and I wonder, are women bloggers turning into the Technorati? The field of blogging was originally dominated by men, but that is no longer the case. The number of blogs by women compared to the number of blogs by men almost evens out. I don't mean to sound like a technophobe myself, but I wonder, as we share our lives on the internet, do we lose touch with the value of face-to-face interactions? Is blogging an extension of our Selves and our lives, or is becoming a substitution?

Alright, back to radical mommy-blogging. How do you feel about this term? Is mommy-blogging "radical"? I tend to think that it is simply women, taking the mommy-talk that usually happens in their kitchens and at play-dates, and moving it into a digital space. Blogs have become virtual livingrooms, if you will.

The Mecca of Yarn

2009-11-17T13:00:00.004-05:00

I have found it! This morning I went on an adventure and landed here. I've been trying to find a well-stocked, independent yarn shop in the Rochester area for a few weeks. The Yarn Boutique in Brighton is it. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but was thrilled when the first thing I saw was loops of beautiful kettle-dyed yarn. The place was packed... with yarn, of course. It took me a solid 20 minutes to look through all the Cascade. The women working their were helpful, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. I love it when I score a new store. And just a heads-up, there will probably be a lot more fiber projects to come!

Alright. Top to bottom. First, some copper-colored Miski (100% Baby Llama) from the Mirasol Project. Second, Milky Way colored Jasper from Berroco. This is the first time I've used this brand, so we'll see how it goes. Third, color 9417 of Cascade Yarns' Magnum line.

Each of these yarns will soon be turned into lovely, hand-crafted Christmas presents for friends and family so stay tuned for the projects!

Some highlights of my week...

2009-11-14T11:02:00.004-05:00

A few words that gave me a thrill:

~ Panache: verve, style, a grand manner.
~ Dusky: somewhat dark, shadowy.
~ Chignon: a large, smooth twist of hair, worn at the nape of the neck.

A few quotes that stuck:

"Dinners of consequence" - Jaucourt's reference to 18th century Salons. I mused (probably for far too long) about how I'd like to attend dinners of consequence and how I attend far too few, simply because far too few exist. What would a dinner of consequence even look like today?

"After a cup of tea, it says to the brain, 'Now rise, and show your strength. Be eloquent, and deep, and tender; see, with a clear eye, into Nature, and into life: spread your white wings of quivering thought, and soar, a god-like spirit, over the whirling world beneath you, up through long lanes of flaming stars to the gates of eternity!'" ~Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat. How beautiful that tea may make us soar. This week has been full of weighted work and I am ready for a bit of god-like spirit and eloquence.

A few songs that resonated:
"Winter" by Joshua Radin
"The Chain" by Ingrid Michaelson
"Boy With a Coin" by Iron and Wine

A few lovely occurrences:

~ I started two papers that aren't due for weeks. I love having the motivation to get ahead and actually write a thorough, tight, carefully edited piece. One of them is on women's rhetoric in 18th century Salons. The other applies the Uses and Gratification perspective of media use (basically that we choose what media we consume in order to fulfill needs) to blogging!

~ Elliot came to visit! I used to live with three amazing guys: Austin, Stefan, and Elliot. Each of them has moved out and on to the next phases of their lives. I, however, still live in the same house. On cold nights I am sometimes haunted by the wonderful memories we made. They knew me better than many of my friends and I miss them terribly. So, it was great to see Elliot and be reminded of the warmth of that time.

~ In my Wednesday night class (Research Methods) we were given a class activity to do. My group promptly decided that we had no idea what we were doing and that our time would be much better spent talking... so we did. It was lovely. I can't really identify why, maybe it was just not following instructions that delighted me so much. Or maybe it was going beyond the usual surface of conversation with two intelligent people.

~ Last night my flat-mate and I made popcorn and watched Friends on DVD. This doesn't really need an explanation. Alyssa + Popcorn + Friends = A perfect Friday night.

And there you have it! The highlights of my week! What were yours?

Living Spherically

2009-11-06T08:33:00.006-05:00

In Under the Tuscan Sun, one of my favorite movies of all time, a character named Catherine, admonishes another, Frances, to "live spherically, in many directions." This line resonated with me and I will never forget it. But recently, I've been asking myself why. What does this phrase actually mean to me? I've concluded that I believe in curiosity towards the world around us and the knowledge that is there for finding. However, a sense of inquiry is most fruitful when coupled with self-awareness, when you know yourself.

One of my professors made a comment a few weeks ago, saying "I'll refer to Hilarie about this, because Hilarie just knows everything." Seeing it written out makes it sound a little snarky, but in its original context, it was a genuine recognition of the fact that I have a working knowledge of rhetoric and religion, which is uncommon among 21-year-old female graduate students studying communication. However, I have found in many of my classes that I have a working knowledge of a lot of applicable things. For example, on Wednesday nights I take a research methods class. And for some reason I am now the go-to girl for: critical theory (basically the perspective that research should be used to identify and deconstruct power and oppression), feminist theory, information and anecdotes about being a Doula, Applied Kinesiology, fantasy theme analysis (a method of rhetorical criticism) and natural medicine, among other things.

I'm realizing as I write out this list, that people are hungry for alternatives. And I am finally in a field, or at least in classes, that welcome my perspective and knowledge base. That is a beautiful thing. It feels so wholesome, so right to be able to use the information I have, instead of just storing it up for the right time. This is the right time!!!

I have this knowledge base because it was brought to me, by family and friends, and I investigated further, or I sought them out because I was interested. In other words, my knowledge base in directly connected to my identity. This seems obvious, but I've found many people who know things that don't inform their identity or who seek out knowledge for its own sake, rather than its applicability. Politics and science don't excite me. They don't arouse my curiosity or scintillate my mind, and so I know very little about them. Conversely, communication, theology, natural health... all of these things inform who I am and how I live, thus, I know about them. I feel like this is so basic, but not many people approach learning like this. Maybe this is because we are taught to choose careers based on what will make us money and provides financial stability, rather than a pursuit that understand and enrich us. Somehow, we have managed to divorce our Selves from the process of learning, but shouldn't that be our most fundamental motivation?

Tea Fanatic

2009-11-04T17:15:00.007-05:00

I am a tea fanatic. You know how some people love waking up to the smell of coffee and crave their cup (or several) every morning? I wake up craving bergamot, the ingredient that turns black tea into Earl Grey. I even have dreams in which the smell of bergamot permeates the air. Needless to say, they are very good dreams. And yes, I know I'm weird. However, let me explain a little bit about why I am such a tea drinker.

I grew up drinking teas, like Celestial Seasonings "Sleepytime." I also inherited my mothers nose and remember smells as if they were actual events. So Sleepytime, for me, was an event, a comforting ritual of my childhood that remains rooted in my memory. So even now, after a particularly stressful day, all I have to do is smell the wafting aroma of Chamomile coming out of that cup of Sleepytime, and life is good again. Similarly with "Lemon Zinger," another Celestial Seasonings tea. Some women crave chocolate. I crave Lemon Zinger. As I grew out of my adolescence and could have caffeinated tea, green and black have became favorites. I love their earthy, often sharper, tones compared to herbal or white tea.

What does this all boil down to? Well, I'm recommending that our entire country (most others already have a pretty healthy love of tea) give tea another shot. I think the Boston tea party and the rejection of British government and culture has hindered our ability to truly embrace tea drinking. But come on, it's time to let it go. It's time to regenerate our national love affair with tea.

And so I make a few suggestions:
Lemon Zinger by CS- Tangy and lemony, caffeine-free
Sleepytime by CS - Soft, with Chamomile as the dominant flavor
Country Peach Passion and Tropic of Strawberry by CS - Light, fruitful blends, both caffeine-free
Raspberry Earl by Zhena's Gypsy Tea - this is a stronger Earl Grey infused with the flavor of Raspberries, does contain caffeine, and is fair trade and organic.
Decaf Earl Grey (which I live on) and Double Bergamot Earl Grey by Stash - these are dark, strong teas, and the double contains caffeine.

Drink up!

leaping into Love

2009-11-02T07:33:00.004-05:00

Lately, I have been reminded of the importance of waiting, of letting events unfold in their own time. Not unlike most people living in the United States, I like things to happen quickly. Maybe this also has something to do with me being born and raised in New York (not the city, just the state.) Either way, I like instant gratification just as much as the next girl. But lately, lately I've been waiting happily. It feels like my internal pace, and the usual clip at which my inner life moves, has slowed. In this slowing down, I have become more aware of my waiting. And it seems to me that good things happen when we wait, when we acknowledge that the timetable is not in our hands. We are caught in the current of a perfectly timed, perfectly designed universe. What makes us think our lives are unfolding in any way but perfectly?

I stumbled across this Mechthild of Magdeberg poem, sent to me by a very dear soul sister.

~~~
I cannot dance, O Lord,
Unless you lead me,
If you want me to leap joyfully,
Let me see you dance and sing -

Then I will leap into Love -
And from love into knowledge,
And from knowledge into the harvest,
That sweetest fruit beyond human sense.

There I will stay with you,
Whirling.
~~~

It doesn't talk about waiting directly, but the line "Let me see you dance and sing," implies that we await the Divine's dance. And then, after waiting, or perhaps in the midst of our waiting, we "leap into love." So as the world curls inside herself to ruminate on the happenings of the year and regenerate herself for the spring, as she waits, leap into love and wait there.

Pink Wool

2009-11-02T07:11:00.004-05:00

I can't remember ever having shared this, so maybe it's just posted on Ravelry. Anyhow, I made a pink cowl with matching fingerless mits out of Patons Classic Wool over the summer, and I got to wear them for the first time yesterday! They were so cozy and warm. Whoever invented the cowl was a genius. This town is unbelievably windy, primarily because of its proximity to large bodies of water, and the fact that we have a canal which runs right through town. This wind level sometimes makes wearing scarves a little iffy. I can't tell you how many times I've had one blow off or start to unwrap. My trusty cowl, however, can't do that!

Happy November!

Hand Pies and Christmas Music

2009-10-25T13:15:00.005-04:00

Oh my goodness. I just spent a very fruitful hour in the kitchen cooking up these. I had no idea they would be so amazingly delicious. If I had, I would have tried them long ago. I plan on eating them all week long and can't wait! I've made hand pies in the past, using strawberries and rhubarb in kind of a folded-over pie, these are a bit different though. They're made in a muffin pan, so they have a very different shape, and of course the ingredients are savory, not sweet. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with these!

I need to develop nerves of steel if I am going to continue roasting vegetables. They smoke! They smoke a little and they freak me out. This is totally normal, but it just messes with my head.

Pate Brisee! Lovely, buttery dough. And it had plenty of awesome.

Before they went into the oven!

Delish and steamy after the oven!

I would also like to mention that I am currently doing homework while silently singing along (looking like a absolute fool so I don't wake up my flatmate) with Amy Grant's "A Christmas Album," full of the most beautiful Christmas music I have ever heard. Now, I realize that we haven't even gotten past Halloween, or Thanksgiving. However, I don't have much use for Halloween and I kind of lump Thanksgiving and Christmas together into the "end of the year holidays" category. There's my justification for listening to Christmas music in October.

Enjoy this beautiful life!

Hot Soup!

2009-10-20T14:42:00.006-04:00

Well, actually, it's cold right now. I currently have a neat row of three quart-sized canning jars full of creamy broccoli soup in my refrigerator. My mom was kind enough to boil chicken yesterday and provide me with a delicious, fresh broth for my soup base. As I mentioned in this post, I've been wanting to try the broccoli soup recipe posted by SouleMama.

Last night, I gave it a try! I made some alternations because I was missing (or didn't like) a few of the ingredients. For example, Amanda said to use 6-8 cups of Broccoli and instead I just chopped up three small heads of it and didn't bother to measure. I am such a rebel. I was probably about 1/3 short, but it turned out alright because I added about 2 cups of chopped mushrooms (because they make everything better). Amanda's recipe also called for 1-2 leeks. I am not a leek fan. However, I LOVE scallions, so I sliced up about five of those instead. After the veggies were tender and blended, I added about 1 cup of whole milk (instead of 1/3 cup heavy cream).

My (and partially Amanda's) complete revised recipe for Broccoli Soup:

3 cups of chopped broccoli
2 cups of chopped mushrooms (I used baby bellas. Always remember with mushrooms that browner is better!)
4 medium sized potatoes, cubed
5 (ish) scallions
1 red onion cut into chunks
1 cup whole milk
stock (I used chicken, but veggie would work too)
Salt and pepper to taste

Throw all the chopped things into a pot and cover with broth. Boil it all together until veggies are tender. Blend it in a food processor or blender. Add some milk, salt and pepper to the finished product and voila! If you cook some up, grate a bit of cheddar cheese on the top of each bowl before you serve it. Bon Appétit!

Wholeness

2009-10-17T14:46:00.005-04:00

Do you ever have those moments when you realize you have everything you need?

I was driving home yesterday, into a sea of colorful trees and magnificent mountains, and I realized it. I realized I have everything. Not that I won't acquire new interests, new loves, new dreams, but right now, I have everything I need. I have arrived. It was a breathtaking thought and I have been basking in it ever since. My process of becoming is nowhere near complete, but as my mother so aptly put it, "all your seeds have been planted." And so they have. I am in a paradox of sorts, a resting place where I have maximized my growth and productivity. I can't even tell you all how good it feels to be here, to exist in this place and know that I am whole.

"I hear nothing, not a sound on the streets of New York. Just the beat of my own heart." ~ Kathleen Kelly

Momentous.

2009-10-15T08:36:00.003-04:00

Okay. This is a big deal. I just submitted my first paper to an academic conference. At the suggestion of one of my professors, I entered it in the competitive division (with PROFESSORS!) rather than the non-competitive grad student division. This means that I have more to win and more to lose. If it makes it, that will be a huge triumph. However, there is a much higher chance that it won't make it. Right now, I am preparing myself for disappointment, just in case. I don't want to get my hopes up, and then get a rejection, and be devastated. So lots of prayers and luck are welcome. I would really love this opportunity to present my work and attend a conference.

At this point, that's all the news that's fit to print. I have today completely off (for once!) because of a welcome class cancellation, so I think I'll be hitting the gym, doing some sewing and definitely taking a glorious nap.

Blessings!

A new favorite.

2009-10-11T21:28:00.003-04:00

Recently I've experienced two recurring discomforts: trouble sleeping and tightness through my hips, particularly the right side. What single thing could possibly solve these two problems? The solution came through my resourceful friend, Beth. I spent a few hours with her on Saturday at Java Junction. Somehow, throughout the course of our conversation, she mentioned a yoga podcast that she downloads and tries to practice regularly. Perfect.

I went home and hopped on YogaJournal.com and found a handful of 20 minute (give or take) yoga podcasts that, in the span of two days, have become my new favorite before bed ritual. They loosen me up, help me de-stress, foster flexibility, and provide a bit of closure. I love having a physical way to sort through the day, bid it goodbye, and welcome sleep. Oh, and the tapestry is coming in particularly handy for my nightly yoga. So far, I've tried the Evening Relaxation Sequence and Standing Poses.* I highly recommend these podcasts! However, I'm also open to suggestions. Do you have any nightly rituals? Any yoga podcasts you like to share?

*When the instructor has you use a yoga belt, I just grabbed a scarf and improvised. So if you try it, don't let the belt thing throw you.

Does this make me a geek?

2009-10-08T12:04:00.002-04:00

Sometimes classes simply thrill me. Last night, in my research methods class, Dr. C. assigned one of his own journal articles. I read it in preparation for class and one particular measure stood out to me: state motivation. This is basically how motivated someone is at a specific time and in a specific context. During our class discussion, I suggested that the study may have yielded richer data in this area if it had examined internal versus external motivation, as well as state motivation. My professor really liked this idea and apparently did some of his own digging this morning on the subject, only to find that two of the more well-known researchers of intrinsic motivation work at the University of Rochester. How serendipitous!

Anyhow, I sent him an email about my research question for his class. He responded with some helpful advice and provided that lovely tidbit about his dive into motivation research. I love it when I can connect with a professor, when I know we have some common ground to stand on. It makes me realize all over again that I am in the right place, at the right time. Knowing that feels supremely satisfying. My horizon is full of new knowledge that is ready for gathering and I am on my way.

I can't not talk about this.

2009-10-06T13:08:00.004-04:00

So, Heather, on her lovely blog, wrote one of my favorite posts of all time yesterday. She began it with a quote from one of my favorite books, one of the few that I go back to over and over for reassurance and inspiration: Circle of Stones: A Woman's Journey to Herself by Judith Duerk. She then went on to discuss friendship, and who we choose to keep close to us on our journey. I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately, and her post just resonated so much with me.

A few weeks ago, I was explaining to a friend how difficult it is for me to say no to people, to set boundaries. I like to keep everyone happy and avoid conflict, which often means sacrificing my needs and desires. I would like to say that I do this out of caring for others, but really it's selfish. I do it to avoid conflict, to avoid asserting myself and potentially making someone unhappy with me. This makes friendships tricky. My inability to say no is often at the root of unhealthy friendships, that as Heather quotes, should be on the periphery of my life, not in my circle. I have no definitive answer at the moment for how to deal with this, but it's something I'm working on and thinking about.

Thank you, Heather, for posting this. I needed to read it.

Autumnal Crafts!

2009-10-06T12:34:00.006-04:00

My crafting to-do list has been growing exponentially in the past week. Something about the crisp fall air, watching the sun rise as I work up a sweat every morning, and immersing myself ever more in grad work, inspires my creative self. So, without further ado, here it is!

I would like to accomplish these projects by mid-November:

~ An Apple Picking Tote from Purl Bee (all the better to lug around my college learnin'). I'm thinking of using a nice creamy linen for the outside and an old sheet to line it. The contrasting handle color is still undecided.

~ Two crocheted hats for Brittany (that she purchased and asked me to finish).

~ Coasters for my coffee table. I have some really vibrant fat quarters that I want to turn into circle and square coasters. I've always like the juxtaposition of something round with something angular.

~ A Wallet. The pattern I sketched out on Sunday looks a bit like this one. Although, I did make some modifications, which I'll post when it's finished.

~ A tiny case for my tiny Mp3 player. While exercising, I like to listen to music. Unfortunately, If I keep my player up on the dash board of my treadmill, I inevitably reach up at some point and catch my hand on it. Hilarity ensues. As it falls onto the treadmill and pulls free of my headphones, I try not to step on it, which means some very fast and fancy footwork. I'm sure I look like I'm doing a drunken salsa or something equally ridiculous. So, to avoid this daily embarrassment and the potential demise of my Coby, I am going to make a small case to slip over my player, thereby allowing me to hold it in my hand without it getting sweaty. That was an excessive explanation for the littlest and simplest project on the list!

On to the food!

I've been dying to try Amanda Soule's Broccoli Soup. She made it for her daughter's birthday awhile ago and it's been on my mind ever since. Nothing says fall like hot Broccoli soup... except for anything Apple or Pumpkin related, which I think trumps Broccoli.

And finally, I really want to give Angry Chicken's Sort-of Chocolate Chip Cookies a try. They sound delish and I have a major weakness for chocolate chip cookies that call for milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet. I think these will be heating up my oven this weekend!

I'll report back soon on my progress!!! In the mean time, enjoy this beautiful season and all the blessings that harvest brings.

p.s. The picture is of the Erie Canal.

An Ode...

2009-10-02T09:09:00.002-04:00

to my new gym!!!!!

I love it! I went this morning for the first time to walk 5 miles out of the cold! But aside from being out of the cold, I have a key card. That's right, a little swipey thing that goes on my key chain and makes a beep when I flash it at the door. It's the little things in life that make me happy.

Anyhow, it was so nice to work out in a clean, warm (compared to outside!) environment. Now, I haven't yet mustered the courage to use any machine besides the treadmill. You know, staying in charted territory still. However, I have high hopes for the elliptical machines next. Any suggestions? Favorite machines to use?