Shenanigans

600.00 Grocery Challenge Check In

2011-10-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

A day late this week but better than never. We have a house full of sick children which always makes life interesting! The show must go on though right?

This week, I took my whole family with me to do the shopping on Sunday. It was the only way it was going to happen with the boys not feeling well. I will not be doing that again. I like to think, ponder, putter my way through the ethnic market I frequent. It is where I start to make the plans for the next weeks worth of meals. Three children and my lovely husband do not ponder the price of cabbage! Needless to say things made it into the basket that I was just to tired to fight.

Here are the totals for the week:

Farm Box - 33.00

Ethnic Market - 91.00

Trader Joes - 56.83

Weekly total of: 180.83

For a monthly total of: 213.83

Remaining Budget of: 365.17

One thing that has helped a lot has been a loose meal plan. It looks like this:

Monday - Rice of some sort, usually rice and steamed veggies from the farm box
Tuesday - Soup, this is a busy day for us so I need something I can prep in the morning or the
night before
Wednesday - beans or legumes
Thursday - grains
Friday - PIZZA
Saturday - pasta
Sunday - big sit down family dinner, usually meat centered!

Next week, I will post about my food co-op and I promise to keep track of meals and give you lots of yummy photos!

$400 Grocery Challenge

2011-10-05T12:03:00.001-07:00

I am coveting beauties shelves!

ok, so maybe you have seen the challenge posted over at beauty that moves. She is attempting to feed her family of three on 400.00 for the month of October. Since we are a family of five these days, I decided to up the amount to 600.00 per month.

My total for the month so far is 33.00 for my weekly csa box. This should be very interesting!

Rainy Day

2011-10-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

As the rain falls,

comfy warm socks,

needles in hand,

soup in the pot.

Accomplishments

2011-02-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

both big and small. Just in case you have been wondering where I have been! We delivered our lovely baby boy peacefully at home on Jan. 18th!

Yesterday, I managed to make both bread and cookies with said babe in his sling. Mama is getting her sea legs folks.

The View From Here

2011-01-01T12:00:00.001-08:00

Pig lounging in the sun waiting for her new house to be built. Her old house finally succumbed to the incredible amount of rain we have had and there is more on the way. Poor Pigalilly, this was a very traumatic experience for her. I had to sit out there and chat with her for two hours to calm her down.

The Pumpkin Feast

2010-11-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are upon us! Can you believe it? How this year has flown by and with so little activity here on the blog. I do apologize. This baby growing gig has me plum tuckered me out. Just another two months and I will be chalking it up to a babe in arms! So with the giving season fast approaching, I have been casting about for that special present to make for folks.

With the current economy and life being what it is, I knew I was going to have to get creative. Enter the lovely pumpkin! Many of you long time readers may remember my banana score back in June. So you know what a free food scavenger I am. That combined with my need not to waste anything brought me to this years holiday gift.

After Halloween, what happens to all of those lovely pumpkins that aren't sold? Well many of them are just abandoned in their lots. Sad, forlorn, and looking for purpose! For our Harvest Festival at the Waldorf school, we gathered about 30 of these cast offs and scattered them about. They looked lovely! At the end of the fair, I piled them all up in the back of the Blue Ox and carted them home.

Some have gone to the pig and chickens. I have roasted tons of seeds, so very yummy but most of that delicious roasted pumpkin flesh is headed for my freezer. Later I will process it with the following recipe and give it out to friends and family!

Pumpkin Butter

3 1/2 cups fresh ground pumpkin or canned pumpkin purée
2 1/2 cups light brown sugar
1 lemon, juice and grated rind
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice

If using fresh pumpkin, mix with sugar, lemon, ginger, cinnamon and allspice in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature 8 to 10 hours

Transfer to a heavy saucepan, add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Simmer on low heat, stirring often, for 40 to 60 minutes, to desired consistency. (With canned pumpkin, mix ingredients in heavy saucepan; bring to a boil and simmer on low about 20 minutes, to thicken.)

Pour mixture into hot, sterile, 6-ounce canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal with sterile, 2-part lids and rings, as manufacturer directs, processing 10 minutes in boiling water bath. Cool; adjust seals.

Makes five 6-ounce jars.

and the winner is......

2010-09-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

Lucky number three!

Karen, you have won!

Please contact me @ faeriefey84@gmail.com

To claim your lovely lavender basket!

thank you everyone!

The View From Here

2010-09-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

When you say POOP? I say Hooray!
Today we put the truck to work and hauled a load of horse manure home!

Happy Garden!

Stocking up for the Holidays - A Give-a-way!

2010-09-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it is only 3 months until Christmas?????? How did the year fly by so fast!!!! In honor of the approaching season, I am giving away a Lavender Zen Gift set from the soap shop.

The set includes one of the yummy lavender eye pillows pictured above.

one of these sweet little bottles of Lavender perfume oil.

and two bars of the creamy lavender oatmeal soap!

Wait! There is one more surprise, a solid lavender lotion bar. So yummy but so shy. No photos yet. I said it was a surprise.

Just leave a comment and I will draw a winner on Monday!

Persephone's Pomegranate

2010-09-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

Do you know the story of Persephone and the seeds of the pomegranate? Kidnapped by Hades and held in the underworld, she was tricked into eating seven seeds of a pomegranate. This doomed Persephone to spend those months as the Queen of Hades court. Poor Demeter was so heartbroken without her daughter that she allowed the world to fade and die. Only when Persephone emerges again in the spring, is the earth reborn.

In honor of our decent into the dark months, I am offering a special pomegranate soap for a special price. Simply become a fan of Sacred Waters Soap Co on facebook and type FBfan into the notes on your etsy order and the soap will be yours for 4.00 instead of the regular 4.50.

Enjoy!

The View From Here

2010-09-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

Babe, my new blue burb!

9/11 Day of Outdoor Service

2010-09-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Normally I never would just copy someone's post here, but this was so well stated that I couldn't do it any better myself. Please find a way to go be outside and do something for the world today. Heal a fragment of yourself and pass it on to others. This is what it is all about folks!

By Juan Martinez on August 31st, 2010

Make a Difference: 9/11 Day of Outdoor Service

Every day is filled with a chance to make a difference, today even more so with the ability to communicate in seconds through a virtual world. We can transfer money to a cause, virtually sign a petition, and spread the word to hundreds of people in our personal networks. Yet, at the end of the day, the challenge lies where words meet action. Where people connect to each other in their communities, to their roots, and create one family. Change is but a single combination of letters unless it is founded in action.

September 11th is a deep wound and just like any other wound either physical or within our soul, one of the cures is found in nature. I think about my Mom’s garden and how it provides Aloe Vera for our cuts and burns. So too can we find healing, hope, and joy in joining together to serve our communities on 9/11. The joy of rolling in the grass, fishing, hiking, or gardening should not be taken for granted just as the simple act of rolling up sleeves and digging within our hearts to rebuild America.

Join us in remembering and honoring 9/11 by hosting a service event in your community.

Visit Sierra Club Serve Outdoors for more information.

Out Of The Box

2010-09-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

Every week we go and pick up a box overflowing from our local CSA farm. I can hardly wait to get it home and unpack, sometimes I can't wait. The children and I eagerly dig through the box in the back of the car, each one squealing over some anticipated treasure. It could be the amazing watermelon or perhaps the chalky green bundle of kale but every week there is something for each one of us.

A farm box you say, no control over what is coming? What are you supposed to do with all that stuff in there? How does one get through the whole box before the next box gets here? What was that purple thing in the box? I hear these queries and many more.
I treat it as a game, a challenge to get through all that amazing fresh veg.

This week the box had some really lovely cherry tomatoes, both red and yellow, as well as basil and fragrant bundle of thyme. Out come my favorite cookbooks and the search begins! In my go-to veggie book, How To Cook Everything Vegetarian, I found this marvelous recipe for a simple tomato salad. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Cherry Tomato Salad
with soy sauce

2 tbsp soy sauce
pinch of sugar
2 tsp dark sesame oil
4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved crosswise
1/2 cup basil leaves, cut into a chiffonade
freshly ground black pepper

COmbine the soy sauce, sugar and oil in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes and basil and sprinkle liberally with black pepper. Toss gently to coat. Let it stand at room temp. for a little bit, stir and taste. If needed adjust the dressing and eat:)

Now what to do with all that Thyme?????

ready to go!

2010-09-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

Back to school that is. He is so happy the day is finally here.
He has been asking since the week after school let out
for summer vacation. For me it will mean some rare time alone.
Time to work, and a little to play just for mama.

The View From Here

2010-09-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

Labor Day on the farm.
Doesn't look like any work is getting done.

The View From Here

2010-08-29T16:43:00.001-07:00

The crowd is gathering for the second annual backyard concert.
A lovely spaghetti dinner and music performed by all of the teachers
at the Maple Village Waldorf School.

pssst.....that is my backyard!

The View From Here

2010-08-07T08:40:00.001-07:00

Yosemite, where I wish I was today!
Look at my darling girl.
When did she get so big?

Polishing a Star

2010-07-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

Guess I owe you all a post as to where the heck I have been. Child number three will be joining our ranks in January. So needless to say, the last three months are lost is a foggy haze of first trimester exhaustion and barfiness ( yes that is now a real word). What an adventure the road to our third child continues to be. We are all very excited to meet the tiny being that is busy polishing her star right now, waiting for the right moment to arrive.

our new furry friend

2010-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

This tiny lump of cuteness was found all alone on our garden path.
No sign of mama or whence he came from.
Poor little buddy!

Contemplation

2010-06-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

Urban Farming....City Kids

2010-05-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

busy exploring the compost piles and the greenhouse

It seems to me that urban farming is all the rage these days. My backyard chicken lecture was very well attended. This blog and that blog are shouting out their message of bringing the food security right to your own back yard or community garden! Yet I wonder if this is just the bubble I choose to live in? Is this message of slowing down and working to feed and bring your family together really getting that far?

mini lecture from farmer Sasha

The children in these photos are kids who live mostly live in apartments and spend their days inside a classroom. No green or even open space is available. Most of them have no pets. How are you supposed to connect with humanity without a deep connection to the natural world around you.

my oldest in the lower left corner looking on

It was nothing short of awe inspiring to watch these children squeal with delight at the sight of the chicken flock, marvel at each unique egg, run from bed to bed anxious to see what was growing and if they could eat it.

My own children were present and rather dumbfounded by the school childrens reactions. This is all old hat for my kids but as the moments ticked by I saw the deep appreciation dawn in my daughters eyes. What a gift. What awesome teachers who work so hard to connect with these kids and give them a different view of the world.

The View From Here

2010-05-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

Chicken Ambassadors At The Farmers Market

The View From Here

2010-05-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

Chino Air Show

Favorite Quote of the Day as the B-17s flew over
"That, Ladies & Gentleman is the sound of American freedom"

Nasturtium Blessings

2010-05-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

Around here the nasturtiums are always working overtime. There is always a lovely drift just inside the garden gate welcoming you in with their sunny faces. Besides being beautiful and a lovely home for our resident fairies, they are dead useful!

nasturtium pod waiting to be picked

By this time I think you all know about eating the lovely blossoms. And I am sure quite a few of you are eating the deliciously peppery leaves. They are a bit like cress and make lovely additions to your salads and pretty tea sandwiches. There just might be those among you who know about pickling the seed pods. Once finished they can be used just like capers!

sitting in their brine waiting to be rinsed and packed in white wine vinegar

I can hear you now. You are thinking who has time to pick nasturtium seed pods! You do! It only took me about 15 minutes to gather enough to process. 15 lovely sunny, bird song filled minutes communing with my garden and grabbing a bit of sanity from the bees.

Nasturtium Capers

Makes ½ cup

2 tablespoons salt

1 cup water

½ cup green nasturtium seedpods

¾ cup white wine vinegar

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 fresh bay leaves, or 1 dried

2 3-inch sprigs fresh thyme

Bring the salt and water to a boil in a small saucepan. Separate the seeds from the pods, place the seeds in a half-pint glass jar and fill with boiling brine. Cover and let them soak at room temperature for three days.

Drain the nasturtium seeds in a fine sieve and return them to the jar. Combine vinegar, sugar, lemon zest, bay leaves, thyme sprigs and arugula flowers and bring to a boil in a small (1-quart) saucepan. Pour the boiling vinegar mixture over the seeds and let cool.

Refrigerate covered for three days before using. Store covered for up to six months in the refrigerator.

Yes, We Have No Bananas...

2010-05-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in my mission to save food from dumpsters everywhere, I liberated 50 lbs of "too old" bananas from Smart & Final. After seeing a shopping cart full near the check out I asked a few questions. The nice check out girl told me they were being sold at 50 % off. Anything left would just be thrown away. Needless to say I returned at the end of the day and made the manager an offer. I was able to buy the whole lot of them for $8.88.

What am I going to do with 50lbs of bananas you ask?
Well there is the obvious baking to be done and smoothies of course.

bananas ready to pop in the freezer

I will freeze a lot of them.

and many will find their way to my little black pig!
How I love her so!

Things to do

2010-05-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

a big block of spicy lime soap waiting to be cut and my to-do list.

The View From Here

2010-05-10T07:15:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day breakfast at the Farmer's Market.

Song's Crepes why are you so dang good!

Come one, Come All ...

2010-05-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

It is time to fill the pocket lady's pockets!

with tiny speckled eggs just the right size for a fairy

miniature mushrooms just right for the gnomes hollow tree

and of course the gnomes themselves!

What is the pocket lady you ask???
Well she is a magical character that roams the May Fair.
She is covered in pockets,
each one containing a tiny treasure for the children.
Give her your ticket and you too, can have a turn.
No peeking!

making peace with sand

2010-05-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

sand to the left of me

sand to the right of me

amazing pelicans overhead

and one very happy little boy

running amok!

I guess I will make peace with the sand.

The View From Here

2010-05-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Out the front door of my studio into the vegetable garden.

From the Garden

2010-04-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

Still working on using the garden produce, I have a lovely crop of fava beans this year. Not sure if you do this, but I tend to get excited about planting food crops without really considering what I am going to do with them. So I have all these fava beans....Now What???

Well I found this really cool recipe called Fooll Mudammes. Actually I saw it for the first time when Anthony Bourdain was in Egypt. It is a traditional breakfast food in Egypt. Here is the recipe if anyone else wants to try it. It looks really good.

I will report back tomorrow!

Using What You Have

2010-04-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

I have instituted a big spending freeze for the time being. Not because of any dire circumstances or anything, just because I have a lot of stuff and it needs to be used or let go.

This includes all the wonderful growth out in my garden as well. I have been so bad at using what I grow. I tend to love to watch it grow and wait to long to harvest it. So with that in mind the lavender bushes are in full bloom right now. Aren't they amazing? I wanted to find a way to use them when I stumbled upon this project

It is called a lavender wand. They are fairly simple to make. Your hands just need to get used to the motions. All it takes is 39 stems of lavender and 3 yards of ribbon. They dry beautifully and stay fragrant. I love these!

Garden Fresh!

2010-04-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

from here....

to here in 15 minutes.
Carrots and kale fresh from the garden in a light balsamic glaze.

2010-04-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Promises of plums to come

Carrots emerging

green bean seedling reaching for the sky

This year, one of our Easter activities was to start the many seeds we will need for our summer garden. It seemed like to perfect activity to connect the children with the many beginnings and endings of life. Plus I love any activity that gets them all to sit down and be together for a while. We had a grand time digging through the seed box to see what we had for the coming months. Starting our pumpkins generated grand discussions about Halloween plans and all the different things we like to make with our yummy pumpkins. While planting the eggplants, we remembered roasting these black beauties and making the best fritters ever! I felt such a thrill as we planted each thing and my children chatted happily about the memories each plant evoked. This is what I want for my family. This is the life I am striving for.

Easter Treasures

2010-04-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

We love to paint around here and since we mix our own paint from stockmar water color pigment concentrates we needed something to store our paint in. Each of our children received one of these beautiful handcrafted paint jar holders. I found it on etsy from the Wood Clinic shop. So much painting happened yesterday that I now need to go and buy more water color paper!

Mike is a wonderful person to work with and his product is top notch!

Look Out For Large Brown Hare

2010-04-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

He is known to leave presents! What a lovely and very simple holiday we had this year. No driving, no fuss. Just plenty of hand crafted presents and a fabulous hunt for eggs in the garden. It was chilly and a bit damp but fun was had by all. Cap it all off with crepes ala Donni and strawberry sauce, a nice way to use up all those egg guts and dumpster strawberries, and you have one happy family!

Celery Salad

2010-03-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

so, what to do with 12 lbs of rescued celery? Well of course you could make stock and soup, but why not make this amazing marinate celery salad? I got this recipe from my favorite cook book, "How To Cook Everything Vegetarian" by Mark Bitman. This book is packed with awesome recipes that any regular cook can execute. so yummy!

Chinese Marinated Celery
1 pound celery stalks
1 tsp salt
4 tsp sugar
3 tbsp dark sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp rice or cider vinegar
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp chili oil ( optional)

1. cut celery into 2 inch lengths. mix with the salt and 1 tsp of the sugar and set aside for 10 minutes while you whisk together the remaining ingredients.

2. Rinse, drain, and pat the celery dry, then toss with the dressing. Let stand in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to a day. Serve chilled!

Your Trash - My Treasure

2010-03-29T08:34:00.001-07:00

so if you read my husband's blog, this is old news and he writes better than I. If you haven't here's the deal. Tried to swing by the farmer's market on my home yesterday only to find all the vendors packing up. I hate it when that happens! SO I stayed to chat with a few friends when I here my name from across the lot. I wandered over to find that one of the farmers had tossed a GIGANTIC bag of produce in the dumpster. Now normally i am not a dumpster diver however, I have a lot of animals to feed here on the farm! SO I dragged it all home with the help of my wagon and the 11 yr old and started to process it all.

It soon turned into a very pleasant family affair. Sorting through 40lbs of strawberries and getting them ready for processing. So far we have made some excellent strawberry popsicles, breakfast smoothies and a lovely strawberry coulis over ginger ice cream. Quite tasty!

We also managed to score about 12lbs of celery, 20 lbs of kale and some random red cabbage and zucchini. So far I made tortilla soup with the rest of the veg and my favorite Chinese style marinated celery salad. I will post the salad recipe tomorrow.

what is black & fluffy

2010-03-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

and oh so cute?????

well, bunnies of course.......

but baby rabbits take it a step further don't they?

they are getting so big now. Eyes are all open and they are hopping about.
No names yet as every single one is jet black!

bite size bunnies

2010-03-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

so as you can tell we are pretty rabbit focused around here right now.

Here is the reason why.
That black lumpy pile is composed of four ever so soft and furry baby rabbits.
They are just over a week old now, so we feel a little more confident that they will survive

for this little guy it was not a sure thing. I found him pushed out of his nest the morning after he had been born. It had been raining all night and he was completely chilled and soaked. He was still moving though, so I snatched him up and put him in my shirt. It took about 2 hours but next to my skin he was able to warm up again. I was worried that mama rabbit might not let him back into the nest or nurse him. Never fear he was welcomed back into that warm little pile and is thriving!

rabbits, rabbits everywhere

2010-03-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

baby cocoa bunny set

and not a bite to eat. That is because this delightful little lot is crafted in soap not chocolate. They are a bit shy and very quiet. They eat nothing and clean up messes rather than make them. What more could you ask for right? They will be a lovely addition to those Easter baskets.

mama cocoa soap bunny

Wild in the city

2010-03-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

One of the challenges of raising children in the city, is how to give them a connection to nature.

A place to run about and squeal with delight at an unusual mushroom discovery,

or a meadow filled with scurrying ground squirrels bounding away into the brush.

To revel under the canopy of the great old oak tree, it's long arms stretching down to the ground.

the chance to follow a magical path where ever it might lead.

This week it led us to Caspers Wilderness Park . The Children learned which plants they might harvest for a lovely green herb tea and how to eat red ants. I have to tell you red ants have an incredible crunch with with a very sweet finish!

My family has been blessed with a unique opportunity, the Earthroots Field School.
Every week we meet in a new location out in the "wild". Who knew that all of these places were so close to home. So many opportunities to explore. So I thought that I would share them with you every friday. Each week I will post photos and the location from that weeks adventure. If you live in Southern California, this is an invaluable resource!

Orcas should be free

2010-03-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

I can't take credit for this article. It was written by two young homeschooled children who did their homework. I think it says it all.

Why you shouldn’t go to Sea World.

• In all of recorded history, no Orca has ever attacked a human in the
wild
• There are currently 42 orcas known being held captive worldwide; Sea
World (USA) holds 21 orcas, 50% of the world captive total.
• At least 136 orcas have been taken into captivity from the wild since
1961. Of these, over 90% are now dead.
• In the wild, male orcas’ normal lifespan is 35 – 60 years.
• The median survival time for the 40 orcas born in captivity to have
survived over 12 months (both dead and currently alive) is 8 years.
• 152 orcas have died in captivity (captive and wild born)
• Shamu Stadium, one of the biggest, is only 10.7 meters deep; Orcas
are used to diving 60 meters in the wild.
• Orcas home ranges can be from 500 to 900 miles long
• Orcas often range up to 100 miles a day, and thousands of miles a year
• Captive Orcas are separated from their family members and mothers are
taken away from babies
• In the wild, orcas live in closely bonded groups, often spanning 4
generations
• Orcas have highly developed brains; captive Orcas are forced to
perform demeaning tricks for human entertainment
• Orcas’ use of dialects and the passing of other learned behaviors
across generations has been described as a form of culture
• 60% to 90% Orcas in captivity develop dorsal fin collapse
• Orcas have possibly the most sophisticated sound receptors in the
natural world, but are forced to perform among screaming crowds and
fireworks
• Orcas can communicate with pods hundreds of miles away. Their calls
just bounce back to them off the concrete walls of their enclosures.
• Each time you go to Sea World, you’re supporting the imprisonment of
magnificent, intelligent, wild creatures.

PLEASE DON’T GO TO SEA WORLD

Still Life at 3

2010-03-04T06:30:00.000-08:00

my 3 yr old, well really almost four now, loves to play with our camera. He is very careful with it and it is always fun to see what catches his eye. Periodically he takes the most beautiful pictures. I think this shot of our kitchen is one of those. The early morning light makes it all look so nice.

I like to see his view of the world.

RAIN, Rain, rain

2010-03-03T09:31:00.000-08:00

fava bean flowers smell so sweet

Chard and Kale

Lettuce!

so happy you are here! just a few quick shots of the winter/spring garden before the rain caught up with me. The greens are so happy with all this nice cool, wet weather and so am I. Even the sun shiny days have been cool and full of a fresh breeze. So Lovely!

Recent Aqusition

2010-03-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

don't you just love this Hoodie! My family is really drawn to trees. I recently aquired this beautiful piece from my etsy neighbor, Contre Le Jour in a trade. Thank you so much. This hoodie is going to be worn to pieces. Please go and check out the rest of her shop.
Give her a heart, show some love!

I love a hand made, barter filled world!

KNIT

2010-03-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

It isn't everyday that you get to answer the age old question of " So, what did you do this weekend?" with, "well, I spent my day knitting in a gallery with eight foot knitting needles!" . I can't begin to tell you how fun this was. Not only are the needles that huge, they have a duck call inside of them. As you move them around the duck call is triggered. The sound is like one of those mow cow toys that you flip over to hear the sound.

In addition to having fun with giant sticks, I have the great pleasure of teaching the young and old how to finger knit! Now that was a cool weekend!

Love Mice!

2010-02-05T10:46:00.000-08:00

this little pair has moved into the Shenanigans shop just in time for Valentines day:)

one is never enough

2010-02-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

aren't these little guys sweet????

I would let this little couple move in to my house!

The Queen of Hearts....

2010-02-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

only sweeter! No one will loose their head today.

these will be up in the shop later today.

Progress can be measured.....

2010-02-03T12:01:00.000-08:00

by mere fractions of an inch when you are knitting a sock.

Inching Along

2010-01-30T11:25:00.001-08:00

here is some Saturday sock progression.
Not to bad for starting it on Thursday night!

Dodging Rain Drops

2010-01-29T09:45:00.000-08:00

California was pretty soggy over the last week or two, but we managed to sneak in a good walk just about everyday. The rain would stop just long enough for us to rush into our gear and head out for what we call "a big walk". This means not just around the block, right. As many of you know, nature can be a bit challenging to find here in the middle of a big city. We have adjusted our view of nature a bit and have been so thrilled at what we have been able to find. Some of it literally in our own back yard! These photos were all shot at the newly restored Dominguez Gap Wetlands right down the block from our house. SO lovely!

of sticks & string

2010-01-28T08:32:00.000-08:00

Today I find myself with a rare day at home and a knitting basket overflowing with projects. Some started, some almost finished, some in need of starting,

and some in desperate need of help!

This mass of red yarn is all the finish components of my first sweater.
The pattern is from the Spring 2008 issue of Living Craft magazine. All that is left to do is block the pieces, sew it together and knit the neck. A word to the wise, it runs big! If Alaster was willing to wear it ( which he has stoutly informed he is not) it would be more of a sweater dress. Ah well, it is good practice for me and it will probably end up in my shop.

Next on the to do list, this beautiful pile of oh so soft finger weight yarn, so to become my first pair of socks! Aren't the colors amazing???? I am very excited and my beloved knitting mentor swears they are simple. My only trepidation being how small those needles are!!!
oh well my children will take care of me when I am old and blind right?

Last but not least are my fingerless gloves. This yarn is amazingly soft and has a really nice stretch to it, perfect for molding to my hands. Using the Toasty pattern from A Friend To Knit With, I swear I did everything they said!!! Somehow in picking up stitches for the thumb gusset, I created a few large holes around the thumb. Oh yeah, and I knitted it inside out! Argggggh, guess I have to practice those skills a bit more! Good thing my knitting mentor hasn't moved to Florida yet.

Still in the basket, a pile of cotton to be turned into washcloths, non-wool yarn to be knitted into a Chemo cap for a cousin fighting cancer and a prayer shawl for her as well. Time to get to work!

breath, listen, act

2010-01-24T12:24:00.000-08:00

for a while now, I have been feeling stuck. Maybe not stuck necessarily but not moving forward in an orderly fashion. It has seemed like I have been spinning my wheels a lot and not getting very far. I felt like one of those old gyroscopes, constantly moving in circles and not getting very far.

So I have sat in my chair for awhile, poked at my knitting and taken a breather. Some time to sit quietly ( as quietly as one can with a three-year-old) and listen. Listen to my heart's desires, make plans, and just plain old get out of my own way!

I need to do this periodically and then the dust settles and everything falls back into place. Lots of exciting opportunities coming into view. Lots of room to stretch and grow.

Come on Universe
I am ready for you now!

Fascinating!

2010-01-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

From this wonderful pile of odds and ends I made ...

my first fascinator! Go give it a whirl.
Just remember to become one with the feathers as a good friend reminded me.

Roses and Horses

2009-12-31T09:15:00.000-08:00

Imagine a little girl in the frozen environs of the mid-west, glued to her television watching the Rose Parade go by. I was mesmerized, all the beautiful colors, the nice announcer man telling me all the cool things that the floats were made out of. I was hooked. Fast forward to 2010, I am still here, glued to my tv watching all the beautiful floats go by. I haven't missed a parade since i was 3 years old.

I can't wait for the parade tomorrow. Things have changed so much, the complexity of the floats is mind boggling. But much has remained the same, comforting in its annual appearance. The horse troops, the marching bands and old cars. The roses and many of the same plant materials year after year. There is always the little thrill of some new plant material used to create some fantastic color or texture.

Who knows, this year I may even manage to get up there and see the floats in person.

The focus of my days

2009-12-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

It must be love!

Sorry for the radio silence.....

2009-12-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

but you see I have acquired a new member of our family! Her name is Chase and we all love her dearly. She is very shy and a bit traumatized by her time on the street and in the pound but she is coming around. Everyday a little more of her sparkling personality shine through.

Rain drops on roses...

2009-12-11T11:06:00.000-08:00

and whiskers on.....

well, bunnies of course!

Too cold and wet for a nature outing today,
so I sent the children on a walk about the yard with the camera.
Today's theme was water.

We are working on a photography unit at the moment so the tie in was perfect! My daughter is developing a good eye for the framed shot wouldn't you say?

Thursday Give-a-Way

2009-12-10T09:20:00.001-08:00

What in the world are you going to give your dad, brother, boyfriend, etc. ??
How about one of these cool shavings sets?
The set comes with a shaving brush and 2 bars of soap. My favorite shaving soap is the Orange Bay soap but you can use any of the Sacred Waters scents.

If you leave a comment today you will be entered to win one of these sets.

If you place an order for one of these sets,
type Shenanigans in the comments
and I will ship it for free!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Fall has fallen away....

2009-12-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

and made way for winter. But what is Winter here in sunny California?
What does one put on a winter nature table here is this part of the world?
Actually it is really cold here at the moment and I am loving it!

So far I have collected a little mirror to represent a frozen pond
and a collection of gnomes decked out for the cold weather.

All warm and toasty in his recycled sweater cloak.
Isn't this little gnome cute?
I am especially fond of his little mouse companion.

I need to get some winter colored silks I think and maybe drift some wool roving snow about.

What does your winter nature table look like?
Please send me some photos!

Almost done!

2009-12-08T08:44:00.001-08:00

The tree is up and the children have slowly been adding the ornaments.

Now what to do with all those boxes!

making christmas happen

2009-12-03T11:29:00.000-08:00

Today, all of the christmas boxes came down from the attic.

The children are running about,
pressing their little faces to the sides of the plastic bins
trying to catch a glimpse of their favorite pieces.

Lots of cleaning happening, dust flying, mom sneezing!

the fall nature table is being cleared away, and winter is moving in.

i think i love this part of the holidays more than Christmas morning! so much squealing and excitement!

Favorite Christmas books are rediscovered and poured over!

I love the Holiday season so much!

2009-12-02T09:03:00.000-08:00

this is where it is at today! Coffee and crafting. I have some orders to finish up and ship out. A batch or two of soap to whip up. A bunch of tiny mice to finish for a swap, aren't they cute? Well they will be when they are done. I will post some photos of them later today!Lots of stuff in process. What are you up too?

Happy Cyber Monday

2009-11-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce that both of my shops are having holiday shipping specials thru Sunday, December 6th.

The Shenanigans Shop is offering free shipping and boy are those strawberries flying!

The Sacred Waters Soap Co. is offering half price shipping and a price reduction on any purchase of three bars or more.

I am also very happy to entertain custom orders. Just ask!

How Do you Celebrate #11

2009-11-30T08:50:00.001-08:00

well you start at Hot Dog on a Stick!

Then you go to Kooza

then you have a proper English feast at the King's Head!

then you promptly go back to bed as you have now overdone it.
So much for the recovery, we are now pretty snotty again!

Saturday Give Away

2009-11-28T05:52:00.000-08:00

Let's kick off this holiday shopping season right:) I am offering free shipping in my toy shop thru next friday. Custom orders are always entertained! Plus if you leave me a comment today with your favorite soap smells and you will be entered into a drawing for a three pack of my soap!

AND THE WINNER IS MAMA ROSE!!!!!!!

congratulations!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T05:47:00.000-08:00

happy thanksgiving everyone.

I have so much I am grateful for.

My Husband, my children, my life!

that about sums it up

2009-11-25T15:13:00.001-08:00

I would blog if I could but I can't so I won't! No one wants to hear me whine about my snot filled face and the pressure about to pop out my eye balls! Instead I will leave you with these lovely photos to chew on. They will be up in the shenanigans shop later today:)

Holiday Vacation Declaration

2009-11-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

I have declared this week to be a holiday week. Everyone is free to sleep in, lay about in pajamas all day and read a pile of good books. This declaration came just in time as we all seem to have fallen ill over night! Nobody is feeling to awful yet, but there are hints of sore throats and lots of sneezing and snot. No one really wants a picture of this scene, right? That is what I thought!

Meet me back here tomorrow for Pony Tuesday!

How did we get to 11 already?

2009-11-20T16:08:00.000-08:00

seems like I can still smell your new baby smell!
Feel the fine wisps of your hair tickle my neck.
Your tiny shoes, your tiny hand in mine.

where did the time go my daughter?

Now the world is your oyster, just waiting for you to dive in.
I am so honored to be your mama.
Thank you for choosing me.

One Last Look

2009-11-20T08:16:00.000-08:00

at our fall nature table.
I am really happy with the way it slowly came together.
A bit here, a bit there.

Pieces from our trip up north,
pine cones from Yosemite,
Gourds and squash from the garden.

A few very special pieces from some very talented swappers!

How I love this little corn husk doll, isn't she gorgeous.

The tiny mouse hiding about his hollow log ...

and little gnome folk everywhere,
stocking up for the dark months ahead.

Starlight, Starbright Birthday Crown

2009-11-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

or any occasion really. this crown is now available in my shenanigans shop. I have three more crown designs in the works and I am always happy to do a custom order:)

off to a field trip today. I will post pictures later!

New Shop Photos

2009-11-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

aren't they gorgeous! My dear friend Donni took them for me. I am going to have to give her my next born child in exchange, or maybe she might want my first born. You know, already potty trained and all, does good work in exchange for food, etc.

Seriously though, I am thrilled. I think they are so pretty. Only one problem now...all the rest of my shop photos look rather shabby in comparison. Oh Donni!

Both the strawberries and the soap sampler bags are available in the appropriate shops. Check the side bar and go have a closer look. The strawberries are very sweet for your budding chefs and the soap sample bags will make great stocking stuffers.

Tuesday is Pony Day

2009-11-10T11:10:00.001-08:00

and boy are my legs and arms tired! It is a good tired and I would do almost anything for horseflesh.....seriously anything! I love the ponies. I grew up with horses all through my young life at home. Once out on my own, horseflesh got a bit expensive so....farewell went the horse. But now, here I am, 40 years old and back in my boots and helmet, trying to resurrect muscles that have not been used in oh... about 20 years! I am a lazy old thing after all. I think the most magic part of life out at the barn, is getting to share the wonderful adventure with my daughter!

well I am off and running, busy, busy, busy you know!

sunday is cookie day!

2009-11-09T08:52:00.000-08:00

We had our first school festival last night. Lantern Walk is a beautiful celebration focused on sharing through the dark months. We walked through the park carrying the most amazing handmade lanterns. The glow in the dark was magical. I wish I had photos of it for you, but Greg was in charge of the camera so all the pictures are "arty" meaning weird! For the celebration, we made the most delicious sunflower butter oatmeal vegan cookies ever! Thanks Vegan With a Vengeance Girls!

Back in the saddle again

2009-11-07T18:56:00.000-08:00

Has it really been 4 months??? Where have I been? What have I been up to? The honest answer, I have no clue! All I know is that I have been busy. The days have been a blur and it is, apparently, very easy to fall out the habit of blogging.

The good news is that I have re-opened my soap studio and once again Sacred Waters Soap is available to the world. If you are able to, go stock up now at the old prices. Once I have to resupply, I am going to have to raise my prices a bit:(

This is what I have been up to today. That's right I have been obsessively painting mini mushrooms for our winter fair project. Later in the day, i added the tiny white spots.
Now just a coat of sealer and then on to the next project!

Acorns!

out in the garden

2009-06-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

grapes on the fence

buckbeak doing away with rollie pollies in the vacated carrot bed

waiting for red tomato goodness

the potato leek soup of the future!

diversify people

2009-06-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

blackberries running amok in my garden

poking through my favorite blogs this am, I wandered over to the folks at Path to Freedom. Look at what they have posted on their page today!

A time bomb for world wheat crop ( la times)

Crop scientists fear the Ug99 fungus could wipe out more than 80% of worldwide wheat crops as it spreads from eastern Africa. It has already jumped the Red Sea and traveled as far as Iran. Experts say it is poised to enter the breadbasket of northern India and Pakistan, and the wind will inevitably carry it to Russia, China and even North America — if it doesn’t hitch a ride with people first.

followed up with.....

Dairy farmers in desperate straits (LA TIMES)

Falling prices are forcing many to sell their cows for meat. Some are threatening to dump milk into sewers. Two have committed suicide. In California, the No. 1 dairy state, the pain is felt keenly.

this is a big wake-up call for you all out there. If you have any space at all, you need to start growing food of some sort! Anything, a single pot of basil will help you get the ball rolling. Things are dire all over the world and if you really look at it, all the problems hinge on each other. If you grow as much food as possible, you will reduce:

1. air pollution because your food isn't traveling hundreds of miles to get to you

2. trash since you food will have no packaging

3. pesticide/chemical use as you will be in control of the crops

I am sure there is much more, but it is early and my brain is mush! Think of all the benefits as well. Things like food security, more time with your family ( cause you all need to be out there working the garden). The list goes on and I think I am ranting but you get the idea, I am sure.

i gotta get one of these!

2009-06-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

seriously, it is a tower for the goats to climb...that's it!

you can find the article here, if you want to read more about it!

duck in progress

2009-06-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

she has trippled in size since she found us!

boy does she love her swimmy time.

In Case of Emergency......

2009-06-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

pack crafts!

when you have one of these ( who doesn't nap anymore but seriously needs to), you desperately try to time your car trips just right. If the stars align properly you might get a nap out of him!

if you are really lucky, he will nap for 2+ hours and your kitty pal will join you in the car.

all in all, totally enjoyable and I got loads of craftwork done!

once upon a time...

2009-06-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

I joined a story telling swap. For this swap I need to make five pieces, with which the recipient will be able to tell the intended story. For many a moon, I have been wanting to make the set for the story, The Hedgehog Harvest from the Living Craft magazine. Finally I have the motivation! Here is what I have so far!

I love the papa hedgehog and his little green play mat. Wait till you see the rest of it.

Stay Tuned

looking forward....

2009-05-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

plenty on my crafty plate right now. I am busily putting my farm play mat together. Making some wet-felted balls for Alaster. He was pretty crabby when i gave the last ones away.

I have a few embroidery projects up my sleeve. and last but not least a big exchange project looming over my head. Gotta keep this one on the down low for now,
but all will be revealed in the end!

Peeking Duck

2009-05-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

Duck is getting bigger and has been named Ring Ring.
She is quite the little snuggle bunny these days

she wants to be where the action is all the time.

and of course there is plenty of duck man handling going on.
She swears it is for the duck's own good!

sorry for the grainy photos, they are property of the ten yr old!

transmutation

2009-05-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

From soft fluffy sheep's wool

to funny bouncy balls

all with just a needle, a little soap and a bit of hot water!

while I was gone...

2009-05-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

alaster's 1st pinata

may cone we made

all the cones ready to go and deliver

Desi started ridding lessons

last but not least the other baby bird I rescued from the cats.
sadly, she didn't make it:(

so now you have a brief view of what we have been up to around here!

make way for ducklings

2009-05-21T07:12:00.001-07:00

what is that fuzzy bit in my hair you ask???? well, that would be the baby duck that my cats very kindly delivered to my 10 yr old. She asked and they came through. Not a scratch on her!!!

she now watches tv with the kids and is quite the snuggler.

She also likes to swim in the sink

been gone so long...

2009-05-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

indeed I have! Where have I been? Working like mad on our Waldorf School's May Faire. Knitting my play mat, Trying to keep up with the garden. I haven't forgotten about you dear blog, I write to you in my head all the time. It is like I tell my husband, the whole conversation needs to be out loud. Well I need to get typing apparently.

My schedule was thrown off by the weaning of my son. No more poking about the computer with one hand while nursing with the other. No more naps either. He is a tough cookie! He wants to trade nursing for naps. He may be a lawyer when he grows up, look out!

as for photos, yes I take them(sometimes). Maybe I will even manage to get them out of the camera for you:)

Voice From The Past.....

2009-05-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

still rings true! I hear you Julia, loud and clear!

Julia Ward Howe's

Mother's Day Proclamation - 1870

Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe out dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
At the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace...
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.

Mother's Day Peace Vigil

2009-04-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

I WILL NOT RAISE MY CHILD TO KILL ANOTHER MOTHER'S CHILD

this is a pretty powerful statement, and our dear friend Auntie Felt turned us on to this awesome CodePink project going for Mother's Day. So Desi and I have decided to join the movement. We have knitted a small number of pink squares to be a part of the "cozy" that will be hung on the white house fence for the Mother's Day Vigil.

Our squares are done and headed for the mail stream today!

there is still plenty of time for you to get involved too!
The squares are very simple and I am sure there is some yarn in your stash that you just have no clue what to do with!

Not a knitter but find this message resonates strongly for you??? Not a problem!
Follow the link and take the mother's day pledge.

2009-04-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

whirlwind trip

2009-04-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Literally!

we have just been blown back into town after a super quick camping trip out to joshua tree. Had to sneak this trip in before it got to hot out there! It was absolutely lovely even though we froze our butts off at night. Oh man was it could and windy! Brings to mind the sundowners trip for those of you who accompanied us for that.

The highlights included glorious rocks for climbing and all of the spring flowers still in bloom!
I tried to figure out how to get a shot of all the stars but you will just have to imagine it.
They were amazing!

desi on musical saw

alaster on spoon drums

we also enjoyed an impromptu jam session. Everyone got in on it. The kids made up songs that the grown-ups had to sing and play.

yes, the mustache is still in full effect and oh my isn't it getting fancy!
shh don't tell, but i think it is getting kinda cool!

We are all sunburned and wind chapped, tired and dirty!
and extremely happy!

catching up....

2009-04-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

we have been crazy busy around here! just what have we been up to??
Adventures of course, well that and running amok.

here is the proof!

we seriously love this beach. It is such an awesome beach for shells.

Totally worth the drive!

easter recovery day

2009-04-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

today really should be voted another holiday unto itself! I here by dub the day, National Easter Recovery Day! My children are both toast ( and thankfully still asleep!) The younger is by far the worse for wear though. Sugar, sadly, is not his friend. He didn't even get that much and he is still a mess. I blame all the corn syrup in everything and If I see that pro corn syrup ad on the tv today, I might throw something! Good thing i have outlawed the tv:)

so beyond the sugar roller coaster, we had a nice day. Easter baskets were kept simple and sweet and loved by both of them.

Best of all, I was able to knit my heart out most of the day!

just because...

2009-03-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

these showed up the other day!

my husband rules!
he does, however, think this is some sort of get out of jail free card for everything

the atc kids swap

2009-03-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

We had such fun with this swap. Desi was thrilled to get some international partners, one is Spain and one in North Wales. So of course we have gotten out the map and found all the cool places where her cards came from. She has really fallen in love with maps and the idea of travel as of late. I have promised to have a cafe au lait on the Avenue des Champs Elysees with her. I love that kid! But I digress, back to the atc process.

First I had both children do wet on wet water color painting, waldorf style. If you haven't ever done this with your kids, you must it really is such fun.

After letting that dry for a day, we made a view finder templete so Desi could find just the right parts. A view finder templete, for those of you unfamiliar, is a piece of card stock with the atc shape(or any shape) cut out of the middle. This way you can move it around the page and see what your composition will look like. Old Art School trick, huh all that money was good for something:) These became the back round of her atc cards.

She them employed her favorite Ed Emberley Book to create the images on her cards.
If you have never used one of these books, they are great fun!
I have to say, I loved every single one she made.

I rarely see her work with such focus on a project but she really got into this. It was so cool to share the swap process with her. She would check the mail box daily for the next envelope and do a little dance when it arrived.

Winter

2009-03-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

one last look...

2009-03-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

at winter in california and a warm welcome to spring. It is coming you know. Even thought the air is quite brisk these days, it has been ages since we have turned on the heat.

So to honor the turning of the season, the kids and I headed out for a hike at our local nature center. Two miles on the trail did a world of good for both hearts and heads. Here are a few of the things we saw.

turtle found!

beautiful meadow of wild flowers alive with the buzzing of bees

Little mud hen on the water

And I for am hoping that with the return of warmer weather, the pestilential grip on my family will ease and move on.