New Links

Tonight I finally did it. I sorted through my bookmarks! They have been slowly adding up to the point that I needed to (1) back them up and (2) figure out which ones I actually want to keep! Naturally, I have about 100 of them that I want to keep, which makes me wonder if I should print out the pages now so that when I get around to some of them in 10 years I can still actually find them....

While most of the bookmarks where for craft tutorials, inspiration, or neat articles, a couple where for blogs or websites that I will be adding to the links column here on the right. Here's what I'm adding:

Living Creatively  
Southern Hospitality Blog 
The Lettered Cottage
Whip Up 
Craftzine 
Craft Gossip  
Joy the Baker

Happy Fall from Wyoming

With love from my moose stalker...

Yes, I truly do live in a perpetual episode of Northern Exposure.

Vote: Hottest Green Farmer!

Vote for your favorite hot farmer over at the Huffington Post!

No, really, I'm serious. Here's the scoop:

"Michael Pollan says we need 20-30 million more farmers to live sustainably, so how better to get people enthused than to sex up the profession? Plus, we think there's nothing more attractive than someone who likes to get their hands dirty, supports green eating and looks great doing it. Check out this awesome slideshow of sexy farmers submitted by HuffPost Green readers. Enjoy, and vote for your favorite farmer -- we'll invite him or her to blog for HuffPost Green." (HP)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/photos-your-favorite-hot_n_324182.html

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/photos-your-favorite-hot_n_324182.html

Nifty Inspiration: Scrabble Tile Pendants

Great find! After doing an internet search for Scrabble tile projects, I came across a link to Annie Howe's Etsy page. The whole concept seems simple enough, and I was excited to try my hand at a couple of them in the hopes that I could make one or 2 for myself and, if all went well, make a handful for holiday gifts. Clearly, I have become somewhat fixated on making presents this year  --- although I'm not sure at what cost-savings since I am venturing into a lot of new crafts that I don't already have the materials for.

Anyhow, I was tickled to find that Annie's shop sells Scrabble Tile Pendant Kits (tiles, gloss, adhesive, papers, bails) for a mere $10-- in addition to very reasonably priced supplies to make anywhere from 10-50 pendants on your own and party packs for groups. The kit makes 5 pendants and I don't have to invest just yet in more supplies until I decide it's something I want to continue. You see, I tend to go all out when trying something new, so I wanted to make sure that I take it a little easy. Sometimes just knowing how to do it and being satisfied with making a few satisfies my crafty urges. We'll see! Can't wait to get the kit in the mail -- although I will likely find my own images to use. Check out Annie Howes' store by clicking on the links above.

See her blog instructions at http://anniehoweskeepsakes.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-make-gorgeous-scrabble-tile.html

Lofty Thoughts: Wendell Berry

Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup.

Don't own so much clutter that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire.

A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other's lives. It is the knowledge that people have of each other, their concern for each other, their trust in each other, the freedom with which they come and go among themselves.

The cloud is free only to go with the wind. The rain is free only in falling.

What I stand for is what I stand on.

Crafty Satisfaction: Tea Cup Candles

Oh, how I have waited to try this out! I finally jumped in an ordered some basic candlemaking supplies before we headed out to Minnesota in anticipation of trying my hand at some candles. I still have a little research to do (i.e. can I use the scents I use to make the soaps to also make candles? Do I want to figure out and/or pay for colorants? Can I suspend seeds like I do in the soaps? Is that weird?) -- but I was thrilled to find a little motivation to get it together after a visit to the thrift store this week. 

Our little Wyoming town probably isn't the best place to find real tea cups, but it is a wonderful place to find unique, vintage or otherwise tea/coffee mugs and other little ditties! Here were my scores:

Can't wait to make some candles! I'll post the trials/errors soon -- I'd like to have at least one work out for a gift at the end of next week.

Crafty Satisfaction: Homemade Vanilla Extract

I've seen instructions on homemade vanilla extract on several different blogs/websites over the last couple of months:

• http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2009/02/homemade_vanilla_extract.php 
• http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2009/06/how-to-make-vanilla-extract/ 
• http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/2009/08/homemade-vanilla-extract-giveaway.html 
• http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/making-homemade-vanilla-extract-aka-why-laura-bought-a-gallon-of-vodka 
• http://buildmakecraftbake.com/2009/09/semi-scientific-approach-to-homemade.html 

I made mine based on the general consensus that you need 3 vanilla beans per 1 cup of alcohol (at least 80 proof). I thought it would be fun to use some of my husband's 90 proof Koltiska (a WY brand), but he wasn't thrilled at the idea. Another time perhaps...



What you need:

• 3 vanilla beans
  
• 1 cup alcohol (I used mostly Stoli with a little Grey Goose to get me to 1 cup)
• Mason jar with lid
• Patience

Aside from just putting everything in the jar and calling it a day, the only other real step in the process is cutting the beans. Leaving an inch or so at the top, cut the bean down the middle and expose the vanilla-y wonderful center. After cutting each bean, place in the jar and pour the alcohol in before sealing.


 
The concoction needs to sit for at least 60 days, if not 3 months. I put my jar in a dark cupboard and then headed off to the thrift store where I found a neat, new syrup dispenser-like container that should make for nice presentation when it's finished around Christmas time. 


In the meantime, I think I will look into more vanilla beans and contemplate making a few batches for holiday giving. Yum! I will update in a few weeks as the color (hopefully!) changes.

We're Home

After a week of paddling, portaging, de-icing boots, a little snow, a little visit from the Ely sheriff, and a 22 hour drive (twice!)... we are home! Even though we ran a day late and ended up spending part of our 1st anniversary in a Cabela's (probably the husband's dream come true) we rolled in late last night. 

Rest assured, as soon as I find what crevice of the car I shoved the camera in I will post photos and a trip report. It was a wild adventure, to say the least! 

In other news, I scored some awesome thrift store finds --- four tea cups for some candlemaking experiments and a few yards of fabric--- and will post about that later! Unfortunately, I did pass up the blue corduroy/multi-colored hearts fabric.... but if I decide I can't live without it I'm sure it will still be lurking there later...

To the Northwoods!

Hooray! My vacation has finally arrived! The husband and I leave tomorrow for a 7 day wilderness canoe trip in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota along the Canadian Border. In fact, it's where we met over 4 years ago and where we will celebrate our 1st anniversary as a married couple. We are joined by my father-in-law (which might seem weird except that he's a fun, motorcycle-drivin', goatee-wearin', hot sauce-lovin' guy) and a friend flying up from Kentucky.

That is to say... I won't be posting anything until we return on October 12! By then, I hope to share photos of lots of fish, campfires, and fall. We have been busily preparing for the past month -- gear, food, route planning -- and finally have the car packed, the tackle clean, and the dog dressed in his life jacket (he loves it, I swear).

While I didn't make as much of the food in my kitchen as I had wanted, I made a good dent in terms of dehydrating beef, sausage, fruits and making the Hudson Bay bread and granola bars. Here's what we're eating:

Breakfasts: granola, oatmeal, cinnamon rolls, huevos rancheros w/ salsa, biscuits/gravy with dehydrated sausage, hot chocolate, cider, coffee

Lunches: sandwiches, grilled cheese w/ tomato soup, bagels/PB&J, pita/sausage/cheese, Hudson Bay bread (a dense, granola bar-like awesomeness), crackers w/ dehydrated hummus, trail mixes, clif bars, etc.

Dinners: italian sausage w/ onion rings (first night!), mac & cheese w/ tuna, chicken alfredo, Bear Creek Cheddar Broccoli soup w/ hashbrowns/dehydrated beef, spaghetti w/ meat sauce, dehydrated beef/mashed potatoes/gravy/fried onions... followed by "Tang Toddies" (tang with peach schnapps) or hot chocolate w/ peppermint schnapps.

When I guided trips, I would often make fresh cheesy herb rolls, cornbread, and desserts on the trail... and this trip will be no exception. Think: german chocolate cake, cherry cheesecake, garlic bread.... I don't think I'll be losing any weight on this trip -- but I hope to regain a little perspective :)

Happy trails to you all wherever they lead you in the next week...