Lofty Thoughts: Michael Ondaatje

Micheal Ondaatje is one of my all time favorite poets. Yes, I realize he is more than a poet (perhaps you recall The English Patient? I also love In the Skin of a Lion.) In fact, he wrote one of my all-time favorite poems - the type of writing that makes your your heart race faster and face warm while reading. One day I will devote an entire post to that poem - for now I'm keeping it close to my heart... it's the type of post that has to be created in an empty house in  a bathrobe in front of a fireplace with faint background music while you nibble on graham crackers or clementines. 

For now, I'll share with you something a little more brown corduroy and turquoise, wool socks and earrings that make you feel like you're a little more elegant than you actually are...  something a little reflective, a little longing, and a lot lovely.

The Time Around Scars 

A girl whom I've not spoken to
or shared coffee with for several years
writes of an old scar.
On her wrist it sleeps, smooth and white,
the size of a leech.
I gave it to her
brandishing a new Italian penknife.
Look, I said turning,
and blood spat onto her shirt.

My wife has scars like spread raindrops
on knees and ankles,
she talks of broken greenhouse panes
and yet, apart from imagining red feet,
(a nymph out of Chagall)
I bring little to that scene.
We remember the time around scars,
they freeze irrelevant emotions
and divide us from present friends.
I remember this girl's face,
the widening rise of surprise.

And would she
moving with lover or husband
conceal or flaunt it,
or keep it at her wrist
a mysterious watch.
And this scar I then remember
is a medallion of no emotion.

I would meet you now
and I would wish this scar
to have been given with
all the love
that never occurred between us.

Sounds for the Weekend: Muse

Oh, the weekend. How I long for you...

Saturday will be filled with a rush to complete soaps, lotions, lotion bars, *new* specialty lotions (Winter's a Bear & The Bee's Knees - now with evening primrose!) and packaging and getting ready to mail a whole batch of custom Etsy orders! I'll be doing some experimenting with menthol crystals - good thing the husband will be out ski patrolling so I don't totally blow out his nostrils... The Winter Farmer's Market (Valentine's Day Edition) is next weekend and my stock is pitifully low - gotta get crackin'!

Sunday starts with a lovely cross-country ski with my new set-up, good friends, and lots of dogs. Fingers-crossed for a little more snow! And as for the rest of the day... as long as it ends with a hot bath and a good movie, I'm invincible.

To kick off the weekend and come down off a busy week, here's a few tunes to get you in the mood courtesy of Muse...

Yesterday was my birthday...

My co-worker informed me that it was my "golden birthday" since I turned 26 on the 26th.

While I realize many people would love to be in the 20s again, I have (irrationally) decided that I am on a downhill slope to 30. And yes, I realize that many people would love to be in their 30s again!

In order to get my spirits up, I'm compiling a list of the 26 things I want to accomplish in this "golden" year. What would YOU want to have done when you were 26 but didn't? Or what would you want to accomplish by 26?

Crafty Satisfaction: Tea Cup Candles

2009 was definitely "Year of the Homemade" in the Craft Calendar - money was tight, spending was down, and everyone was looking for ways to reuse, re-gift, and reinvent. Magazines, TV shows, blogs, and books advocated homemade meals, furnishings, decor, entertainment, and gifts. 

It was wonderful... and overwhelming! There were so many things to learn and so many ways to save - but not enough time in the day. Where to start! I can tell you where I started: sewing. Then it was soap. Then it was candles. I know, not really survival skills, but they were satisfying. And hey, in a year like last year I can live with just satisfying. 

So here's where I started with candles: tea cups! I'd seen a photo in Country Living and thought that they fit the 2009 spirit - reuse/re-gift/reinvent - and matched my own sense of craft style. A quick internet search for "tea cup candles" will get you all the instructions you need. I'm including the basic basics here - and I got great results and gifts that I was proud to give.

You need: 

Thrift Store Tea Cups
(or cups at home that you're willing to part with)

Candle Wax
(I used a craft store glass wax that is meant for containers)

Tabbed Candle Wicks
(at least a couple of inches longer that you need for the cup)

Fragrance
(I did not use a colorant, but you could!)

Glue

Pen/pencil

Double-boiler set-up

(or microwave in a pinch)

 

Make sure to clean your cups thoroughly.

Let them soak in hot water while you prepare the wax.

Melt the wax slowly in a double-boiler set-up.

You can use the microwave, but I'm always careful

of flashpoints when it comes to wax. If you do use

a microwave, heat in 30-second bursts until almost

completely melted and then stir to melt the remaining solids.

While the wax is melting, remove your cups from the water and dry.

Adhere your wick to the bottom of the cup with glue.

Next you will add your fragrance(s). Be sure to check

with the label or the manufacturer on the correct ratio of wax to scent so that you get good throw (how well the scent permeates in a room) .

Pour the wax among your cups,

making sure to leave some wax and room for a second, small pour.

 Depending on the length of your wicks, you can make sure

that it sets straight by wrapping the excess around a pen or

pencil so that it is taught and sits on top of the glass.

If your wick isn't long enough to do this effectively,

I've also heard of using clothespins from several angles to

hold the wicks straight.

Let the wax cool. Depending on the wax used, a small

"divot" will form around the wick.Using the reserved
wax, do another small pour -just enough to fill in the hole 
and cover the surface.

Trim the wick and you're all set!

These make great gifts - especially tied with ribbon

to a matching saucer or with a little gift pack of teas

or hot chocolate/marshmallows (consider a chocolate scent!).

Depending on the size of your cup, they can also fit nicely in a
Chinese take-out type box with a little shredded paper in the bottom.

And last but not least, with Valentine's Day coming up soon,

there's nothing like sharing a "cup of coffee" with a friend that is

far away, presenting a neighbor or teacher or co-worker with "warm wishes" (perhaps paired with a scarf or mittens?), sending "hot stuff" to your favorite "hot stuff" (candle with hot tamales candy or hot sauce, etc), or even gift a "cup of kisses" with a candle topped with Hershey kisses, wrapped in cello and tied with ribbon...

There are so many ideas out there - you'd better get to work :)

Fun Finds: "Amazing Hot Sauce Recipes"

Some like it hot!

The Huffington Post is sharing a collection of hot sauce recipes:

Emeril's Homemade Red Hot Sauce

Chili Hot Sauce - Sriracha Style

Aunt Lindy's Habsolutely Mango Sauce

1947 Tabasco Sauce Recipe

Habanero Hot Sauce

Avocado Hot Sauce

Francesco Clemente's Amazing Hot Sauce

Click on the link or photo above to go to the Photo/Recipe Collection. I've been thinking about making hot sauce for gifts - my father-in-law can't get enough! Does your tongue have what it takes?!

Organization Inspiration: Locker Me Up

      [ Lockers! What a great idea!]

Recently, I've been spending some time trying to figure out what to do with the craft room/spare room overflow in our small cabin. 

Between the spare bed, outdoor gear, filing cabinet with important docs, and then my craft supplies (including a sewing table)--- the room is packed.The outdoor gear is in rubber bins below the bed, the bed is covered in packaging and shipping materials, the filing cabinet is stacked 3 feet high with finished products, and the sewing table is just plain unrecognizable.

I might have posted a picture if I didn't think that someone would take one look and think I belong on an episode of Hoarders. 

And so I have been dreaming of my ideal craft space - not necessarily a craft room I can achieve in our current place, but a room that *fingers-crossed* I can look forward to in the future. As the Etsy shop takes off, I've certainly had more and more occasion to realize all the the things that would be nice to do differently, from storing raw materials and creating products to packaging and shipping and keeping records.

In the first of several upcoming posts on Organization Inspiration,  I want to share my idea of incorporating lockers into creative spaces. While they do take up valuable wall space, I particularly like the one directly above - I can picture a small desk fitting right in that middle space, draping fabrics or hanging projects from the railing, and dividing my supplies among the bins with see-through doors. 

I've certainly struggled with keeping soap supplies separate from sewing supplies separate from packaging... and I would hope that this would help keep everything in their proper places! From new lockers (I've seen them at places like Pottery Barn Teen, IKEA and even Walmart) to salvaged from old schools being torn down, to more imaginative locker-types (old post office boxes, anyone?), I'm keeping my eye out for locker inspiration!

Upcoming Organization Inspiration: 

 Bins/Baskets/Buckets, Shelving, and Tables/Desks/Other Surfaces

Baked Fresh: Upcoming Projects!

In an effort to branch out a little more, I'm working on a few new things this month...


Winter's a Bear - Soothing Lotion for Ski & Sled Legs: A perfect compliment to a day on the slopes, this lotion helps warm muscles back to life with menthol crystals and a natural essential oils blend including Eucalyptus, Orange, Rosemary, and Peppermint (and yes, I am using the bear photo to the left on the label!) 

The Bee's Knees - Goat Milk & Honey Lotion for Flighty Joints & Muscles: A wonderfully tingling lotion with menthol crystals and scented with natural essential oils hinting of Anise, Ginger, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Spearmint

Men's Scented Goat Milk Soap-On-A-Rope: Due to popular demand (thanks, Mom) I'm adding a few men's specific fragrances for soaps-on-a-rope, including Bay Rum and a Cool Water-type. I can't help you if he leaves the seat up, but at least he won't be leaving the soap on the floor of the tub...

Order in next week - I'll report back with (hopefully) beautifully finished products! Do I have any willing test subjects out there?

Nifty Inspiration: Crafting for Good

In response to the tragedy in Haiti, the crafting community has been working to contribute to the cause, whether through donating procedes of sales, making items that are needed by Haitians or volunteers/aid workers, or setting up crafty shops to entirely benefit aid organizations. 

Etsy sellers are right on in there - CLICK HERE to see a full list of stores donating proceeds to different organizations through "Handmade for Haiti."

Craft Hope is also making major strides and has set up an Etsy store with 100% of sales going to Doctors Without Borders. According to CH, they have "raised just over $20,000 for Doctors Without Borders, 1,155 sales, and currently have over 155 items for sale in the shop.... [and] approximately 300 more listings to add to the shop" --- all as of this morning.

They are currently not accepting more donations (I missed out), but they are encouraging interested people to shop in the Craft Hope for Haiti Etsy shop. They will likely start taking craft donations again in a couple of weeks - I can't wait to be a part of this amazing (and creative) outpouring of support.

For now, I'm headed over to do some serious (and worthwhile) shopping... join me?

Sounds for the Weekend: Lilith Fair 2010

I totally missed out on going to Lilith Fair the first time around from 1997-1999 (not sure I was even in high school yet when it came to TX)... so you can imagine my excitement when I heard about the 2010 tour. I can't even BELIEVE the line up to date (and you will recognize many of the names from artists I have mentioned here on Pie Bird!):

Initial List of Artists: A Fine Frenzy, Ann Atomic, Ash Koley, Brandi Carlile, Butterfly Boucher, Chairlift, Chantal Kreviazuk, Colbie Caillat, Corinne Bailey Rae, Donna Delory, Emmylou Harris, Erykah Badu, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Ima, Indigo Girls, Ingrid Michaelson, Janelle Monae, Jennifer Knapp, Jill Hennessy, Jill Scott, Katzenjammer, Ke$ha, Mary J. Blige, Meaghan Smith, Metric, Miranda Lambert, Nneka, Sara Bareilles, Sarah McLachlan, Serena Ryder, Sheryl Crow, Sugarland, Susan Justice, Tara MacLean, Tegan and Sara, Vedera, Vita Chambers, The Submarines,  The Weepies, Ximena Sarinana, Zee Avi

Recently Added Artists: Loretta Lynn, Heart, Norah Jones, Cat Power, Sia, Gossip, La Roux, Beth Orton, Ceci Bastida, Erin McCarley, Frazey Ford, Julia Othmer, Kate Nash, Lights, Missy Higgins, Lissie, Marina & The Diamonds, Priscilla Renea, Rosie Thomas, Melissa McClelland, Toby Lightman and Elizaveta

And there are still more on the way!  

Wondering if Lilith Fair is on your horizon? More and more cities continue to be added, but the most current list includes:

Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Calgary, AB; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Edmonton, AB; Hartford, CT; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; London, UK; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Montreal, QC; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Portland, OR; Raleigh, NC; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; St. Louis, MO; Tampa, FL; Toronto, ON; Vancouver, BC; Washington, DC; West Palm Beach, FL 

I would LOVE to make it to any of SEVERAL locations, depending on the schedule (still TBD). Unfortunately the closest shows are Denver and Salt Lake, but I have my family in Houston, the in-laws in Chicago and I'll be in Minnesota in Aug/Sept. and Hartford/NYC in October... so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for at least one date that works out :)

You can find lots of info on the Lilith Fair website - including a link to their YouTube channel featuring music videos of the artists!

Happy Listening online for now - 

will YOU be going to Lilith Fair this year?

Lofty Thoughts: Julia Child

As I look to make some positive (i.e. healthy) changes this year, I couldn't help but laugh when I ran across this quote from Julia Child: "The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook."

So, in honor of her Majesty of Butter, this edition of Lofty Thoughts is dedicated to all quotes Julia...

Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.

-----

Noncooks think it's silly to invest two hours' work in two minutes' enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet.

-----

I think every woman should have a blowtorch.

-----

Being tall is an advantage, especially in business. People will always remember you. And if you're in a crowd, you'll always have some clean air to breathe. 

-----

In spite of food fads, fitness programs, and health concerns, we must never lose sight of a beautifully conceived meal. 

-----

Life itself is the proper binge.

 

Baked Fresh: New Items in the Etsy Shop

[Knock Your Socks Off Lotion Bars]

For heels, elbows & tough spots

[Chocolate Kiss Lip Butter]

26 Days Until Valentine's Day!

Crafty Satisfaction: Sweet Bites

As I posted last week, I have been infatuated with all things mini recently. Case in point, this month's book club gathering on Friday up in Wilson, Wyoming. We were scheduled to discuss Anthony Bourdain's The Nasty Bits, so I decided that I would make the opposite... delicious bites!

Of course, just like me, I was going to bring 2 different dishes, but I ran plum out of time once Friday rolled around (the other dish? Caprese bites with my own mozza cheese -- see the mini recipes post, linked above, for the link). As many ladies in the book club have New Year's resolutions to make healthier choices, I whipped up the Chocolate Strawberry Bites below - so simple! You'd need:

- Box of Cake or Brownie Mix

- 1 can of pumpkin (not pie filling!)

I was a little skeptical, but all you need to do is mix the pumpkin with any cake mix (both plain Chocolate and Spice options turned out great!) and bake -- no eggs, no oil. I found that adding 1/4 cup of water did make it a little easier to work with. The dough will be very thick. I put a spoonful in greased mini muffin tins (no papers) and baked according to the directions on the box. The end result was about 30 mini cakes! With a smear of whipped frosting (less calories) and a strawberry on top, I skewered a mini dessert that comes out to be less than 80 calories. You might consider other or more fruit - turning it into more of a dessert kebab! I wish I had picked up some mint leaves for these...

Next month's book club: Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder

Centering around health care issues in Haiti at the turn of the century, I can only imagine that it will be a very thought-provoking read... 

Sweetie Pie Deal: FREE Jar of Penzeys Spices

As you may have read before around here, I'm a HUGE Penzeys Spices fan - I don't bake without them! If you know what I'm talking about -- or especially if you don't! -- visit the Penzeys website to order yourself or download their Winter 2010 catalog.

When you receive the catalog, I promise you'll be jumping for joy --- there's a coupon for a FREE 1/4 cup of their *new* Cajun Seasoning!  The promotion has supposedly been going since November, so you'd better get a move on...

As background, Penzeys Spices, based in Wisconsin, offers some really great gift options. I was actually first introduced to them via a wedding present (the Baker's Gift Crate - awesome!) and am an official convert. I didn't think I'd know what to do with 2 different types of cocoas and vanillas, but boy, I do now! 

Go to the website, get yourself a catalog, and then get yourself comfortable -- they have some wonderful recipes waiting for your perusal...
 

Sounds for the Weekend: Thievery Corporation

Let the snow fall, stay in bed, and daydream.

Sweetie Pie Deal & Nifty Inspiration: DIY Bags & Totes with a FREE Window Cling Reminder

Although I work for a non-advocacy, non-profit conservation organization, sometimes I just can't help but do a little advocacy outside of the workplace... and this is one of those times!

Thanks to the generosity of all of the Christmas elves in my life, I have a beautiful and inspiring stash of fabrics waiting for me to work with. I'm been collecting various online tutorials and fun projects - including lots of fun and practical bags and totes. The husband and I have always had a large collection of fabric bags for groceries, but I have to tell you that we've become increasingly bad about remembering to keep them in the car for all the last minute trips to the store. So....

Problem solved! ConservingNow is a group that "provides facts, educational resources, products, and opportunities to help people be more environmentally conscious." They are currently offering a FREE static window cling that you place on the driver's side door that helps you remember to bring your bags! Click the images to the left and below to get your cling. You have a choice of 2 different styles. 

 

 And just in case you're looking to add a few more bags to your stash, here's a compilation of tutorials on making your own - there are TONS out there if you don't find what you're looking for below!

The Long Thread: Top Tutorials of 2009

Martha Stewart: Pillowcase Purse/Tote Bag

Craftster.org: Ultimate Purse, Bags & Wallet Tutorials

One Hour Craft: How to Make an Easy Tote Bag  

Not So Fancy Nancy: Beach/Pool/Farmer's Market Bag 

Film in the Fridge: Market Bag Tutorial 

Design*Sponge: Cute Veggie Market Tote

Cicada Daydream: Fat Quarter Tote Tutorial

There - that should keep you busy until I return on Thursday! No posts tomorrow - I'm off to a staff retreat in Jackson Hole for the day and will return ready to prep for the fun foodie night on Friday for book club. We'll be discussing Anthony Bourdain's The Nasty Bits: Collected Varietal Cuts, Usable Trim, Scraps, and Bones  and sharing our own little food adventures. Hmm... what to make... 

Crafty Satisfaction: Cinnamon Poached Pears

Using a modified Poached Pears in Vanilla Sauce Recipe from MyRecipes (originally in Cooking Light), I set out to enjoy the "fruits" of my labor - homemade vanilla extract! Substituting the vanilla bean for about 2-3 tsp of vanilla extract, the end result was perfect for a wintery weekend evening - warm, sweet, and satisfying - but still relatively healthy for all you New Year's Resolutions folks!

[Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan;

bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.]

[Add vanilla...]

[and cinnamon. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.]

[Peel the pears, leaving stems intact.

Cut about 1/4-inch from the base of each pear so they will sit flat.]

[Add pears to sugar mixture. Because I was using only 2 pears - instead of the 4 in the recipe, my pears did not stand up in the saucepan--- they wouldn't have been covered enough by liquid otherwise.]

[Cover and cook over medium heat 10 minutes or until tender.

Again, because my pears weren't standing, I rotated them about half way through and cooked them for a little while longer.]

[Remove pears with a slotted spoon. 

You can either chill or keep room temp.]

[Keep half of the sugar mixture and bring it to a boil over high heat.

Instead of the vanilla bean in the original recipe, I added a little more extract here.]

[Cook until slightly syrupy  - about 12 minutes. Chill or serve warm.]

[Pour syrup over pears. Voila!]

[You also couldn't go wrong with a little 

vanilla bean ice cream on the side...]

Baked Fresh: Etsy Update!

  [Dozen Roses Goat Milk Soap]

I've been working to add new items to the Pie Bird Shop on Etsy every week or so. The most recent additions include my Valentine's Day-oriented goat milk soaps (White Gardenia, Lilac Lush, Dozen Roses, Choco-Luxe, Raspberry Truffle)! I am so happy with the new packaging - and I'm sure my stamping skills can only improve :)

 [Choco-Luxe Goat Milk Soap]

I have quite a few things to add that I have in stock - but I'm still working on finishing up labeling, etc. before everything is picture perfect. Soon to be added are Goat Milk & Honey Lotions (all scents above), Chocolate Kiss Lip Butter, Choco-Luxe & Raspberry Truffle Lotion Bars, Sweet & Nutty Scrub Soaps (with an embedded loofah!), and incredibly cute Gift Packs (Box of Choco-Luxe & Bouquet of Flowers).

Keep in touch - lots of folk crafts being baked fresh around here!  

[Raspberry Truffle Massage Soap Bar]

Nifty Inspiration: Everything Mini

 [My mini cheesecakes in the oven!]

While I realize that this post is "Everything Mini," you have been warned in advance that pretty much everything in this post will make YOU anything but :) 

Ever since I finally became the proud owner of a mini muffin pan (I know, hard to believe I didn't have one until now!) there's have been a lot of mini inspirations in the kitchen. There have been mini pumpkin crumb cake muffins, mini cheesecakes, mini corn bread.... it's addicting!

Here's a round up of some of my favorite mini inspirations at the moment - not all are made in mini muffin molds, but I'm sure that won't stop you.... And, of course, several of them are from Bakerella and Ree Drummond/Pioneer Woman-- they just have too many wonderful things happening over there that I couldn't limit myself...

Mini Maple Pancake Muffins

Mini Cherry Cutie Pies

Mini Pie Pops

Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

Mini Mint Cheesecakes

Smoked Salmon/Cheese Mini Twice-Baked Potatoes

Mini Caprese Skewer Bites
Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Mini Man Burgers

Mini Caramel Apples

Mini Mac & Cheese 
Teton Tarts (gotta love the name!)  
French Toast Bites

Sweetie Pie Deal: Pioneer Woman Book Sale!

***UPDATE*** Deal still happening as of 1/14/10! 
I got my copy in the mail yesterday :)

Who doesn't love a Pioneer Woman? Ree Drummond's bestselling cookbook - "The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl" - is currently on sale in hardback on Amazon for $11.50 + shipping (or free shipping if you spend $25... so maybe stock up and get 3!) The book is typically listed at $27.50 - and I'm not sure how long the sale will last!  

If you haven't met Ree yet, check out the reviews - and check out her blog! - thepioneerwoman.com

Thank goodness my sister-in-law was kind enough to send me an Amazon Gift Card for Christmas - woohoo!

Sounds for the Weekend

A little redhead love from A Fine Frenzy.

Lofty Thoughts: William Morris

“If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

---

“If I were asked to say what is at once the most important production of Art and the thing most to be longed for; I should answer; A beautiful House; and if I were further asked to name the production next in importance and the thing next to be longed for; I should answer; A beautiful Book. To enjoy good houses and good books in self-respect and decent comfort, seems to me to be the pleasurable end towards which all societies of human beings ought now to struggle.”

 ---

“Simplicity of life, even the barest, is not a misery, but the very foundation of refinement; a sanded floor and whitewashed walls and the green trees, and flowery meads, and living waters outside.”

---

"A man at work, making something which he feels will exist because he is working at it and wills it, is exercising the energies of his mind and soul as well as of his body. Memory and imagination help him as he works."

 ---

"With the arrogance of youth, I determined to do no less than to transform the world with Beauty. If I have succeeded in some small way, if only in one small corner of the world, amongst the men and women I love, then I shall count myself blessed, and blessed, and blessed, and the work goes on." 

 

William Morris (1834 - 1901)  

architect, furniture/textile designer, writer

 

Sounds for the Weekend: Phoenix

Just can't get enough of these guys.

Happy 2010 from the home on the range!

Crafty Satisfaction: Homemade Vanilla is Ready!

It all started on October 17th with a dream and some vanilla beans. Introducing.... homemade vanilla extract! I've been thinking about the first recipe I'll use it in - I think I've settled on vanilla + cinnamon poached pears..... I'll report back!