The title in and of itself is intriguing, I know.  And, sorry to disappoint but it doesn’t have anything to do with me overcoming my addictions to anything dramatic like drugs and alcohol.  (I did however get introduced to a delightful new cocktail over the weekend…but I’ll save that for another post!)

Over the holidays, I always try to take a break from technology (for the most part—I did have to look up definitions to my Aunt DeDe’s ‘imaginative’ word selections during our games Thanksgiving Day).  The phone is on silent.  The computers are turned off, the TV only gets turned on for a holiday movie.  No blogging, no e-mailing, no texting, no facebooking…just good old fashioned real life, in person stuff to relax and hopefully spending the time fully ‘present’, if you know what I mean.  The buzz of technology can be a beautiful thing, but it can also be a huge distraction, time stealer and overall space invader, so it’s healthy for me to take a break from it now and then.  My travel time in the car was spent reading some of my new books, doing brain teasers with Madeline, chatting with Jon about projects we’re wanting to build,  and listening to some new tunes.  When everyone has their heads in their phones or laptops 24/7, a lot of great stuff passes by unnoticed or unsaid, and for me personally it’s very draining.   I feel like I get a bit behind with things when I do this, but you know what, the world doesn’t end, and I can pick up right where I left off.  Ironically whenever I ‘shut down’ for a few days, a lot of wonderful things are waiting for me when I ‘turn back on’ and whatever ‘beats’ I did miss will show up on another day in another way.  It’s honestly a real refresher and time feels like it kind of slows down, which in and of itself, makes it time well spent. 

The other ‘break’ is a 10 day detox that I try to hammer out a couple times a year.  I’ve always wanted to do it with the start of every season, but I’m lucky to get it done once or twice and the effort always seems to fall in between Thanksgiving and Christmas.   Yesterday marked the beginning of the ‘break’.  I bought a book on the subject several, several years ago, and it was something that I surprisingly ENJOYED doing, and felt like a million bucks afterwards — lighter and brighter I think is how I would describe it.  I’ve never wasted my energy getting absorbed into diets of any kind, but instead have always focused on keeping it healthy, staying active and enjoying what I want to enjoy food and drink-wise….it’s what works best for me and the book purchase wasn’t motivated by that, but more of how to go about getting a clean slate, giving my body a fresh start…an energy kick.   We all know when we’re feeling a bit drained, and ‘less than’. For me, the book I selected read very practically and a lot of it was common sense.  No pills, no crazy concoctions, just an easy to follow arrangement of healing foods, teas, and one day of fasting, as well as other thought provoking tidbits.  I guess I bought into the whole renewal and rejuvenation write-ups on the back! ::) ha…. 8 days to go, and I’m already feeling better!  (only my daughter just said “You’re on Day 2 of your Detox aren’t you mom — only 8 days to go — oh dear, I hope she hasn’t told her 2nd grade class or teacher that her mom is in ‘detox’ this week–!) 

Cheers to giving things a healthy ‘breather’ now and then.  

michele.

So I returned from our workshops at Mohonk Mountain House over the weekend thinking the blokes we left ‘in charge’ at the studio had killed ‘office fish’ while we were gone.  

Chad received a text from Zach that said…just fyi…if fish is dead on Monday, Dave did it… (::

Chad however proceeded to just throw it out there before our workshop that “the fish is dead”. (he didn’t read the word ‘if’)…so I of course felt bad and thought why does this stuff always have to happen when you’re out of town? I know it’s just a fish, but I’m a bigger fan of ‘life’, than ‘death’. 

Chad on the other hand was VERY excited about getting an ‘office turtle’ to replace ‘office fish’.  He had big plans for decking out the tank.   

Only, when we all returned on Monday, office fish was splashing around in the tank like it always is.  

Apparently, Dave had accidently fed the fish ‘pet odor eliminator for carpet and furniture’ instead of its’ fish food.  (This was obviously Dave’s FIRST time EVER feeding the fish because there is a HUGE difference in the containers — not to mention a big DOG on the front,…just sayin….) He quickly realized the mistake….but office fish had already scarfed up quite a few granules, so he scooped up office fish and scurried to clean out the tank. They of course thought the fish was a gone’er, but the resilient little thing wasn’t bothered by any of it.  

The moral of the story:  The product was all-natural & eco-friendly and I’m pretty confident that if it had been anything but, office fish would have had to been flushed.  So this was an instance where it really is beneficial (in a lot of unexpected ways) to have all natural products lying about. ::)

I SOOOOOOO wish I could have been a fly on the wall watching those two guys scurryin’ around tryin’ to figure out what to do….that had to have been some of the funniest stuff ever….  

Cheers to giving thanks for natural products and a resilient life that carries on!  

michele.

Love games that are simple, not full of a bunch of plastic parts and cardboard contraptions. Bananagrams is one of those games.  I found it a few years ago and all it consists of is a banana-shaped cloth zip-up bag and a ton of letter tiles.  It’s SOOO much fun.  You can play it by yourself or with large groups.  You can just toss it in your bag and you’ve always got a ‘game in your pocket’ for whenever there’s any lull in activity….perfect for traveling.  My brother recently brought me it’s pear companion called ‘pairs in pears’, and I can’t wait to play.  I’ll definitely be pulling it out over the Thanksgiving holiday to see what its’ all about.   I think there may even be an ‘apple’ variation.  Can’t go wrong with fruit, now can you?! 

They’re games worth sharing, so enjoy!

Try ‘em out on some of your friends and family over the long holiday weekend!  You won’t be disappointed.

Cheers to fun ‘n games everywhere!

michele.

Bored with the traditional pumpkin pie?

Here are a couple of tasty alternatives that my mother and grandmother like to whip up each year.  And, I can personally say they are DELICIOUS.  I’m pretty sure I’ll be seeing both of these dessert options at our Thanksgiving table this year! 

PUMPKIN TORTE

(this one is great for larger gatherings because it serves 12 people)

1. 24 graham crackers (crushed)
2. 1/2 cup of sugar
3. 1/2 cup of melted butter
4. Mix the above ingredients and press into a 9×13 pan and set aside.
5. Beat well 2 eggs, add 3/4 cup of sugar, and 8 oz. softened cream cheese.  Pour onto the crust and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
6. Mix 2 cups of pumpkin, 3 egg yolks, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves and cook until thick.  Remove from heat and add one envelope of unflavored gelatin that has been softened into 1/4 cup of cold water.  Let Cool.
7. Beat 3 egg whites until stiff with 1/4 cup of sugar and fold into cooled pumpkin mixture.
8. Pour onto crust and chill in refrigerator before serving.
9. To serve, top with fresh whipped cream and crushed nuts.

ENJOY!

GINGER CRUST CHIFFON PIE  

This yummy number is from my grandma. 

Crust:

• 1- 1/4 cup finely ground ginger snaps
• 1 TBL sugar
• 5 TBL butter melted

Combine and press in bottom and up sides of 9 inch pie pan.  Place in freezer for 15 minutes.

Filling:

• 1 Can pumpkin (15 oz)
• 2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar (divided)
• 1-1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (divided)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 3 cups heavy whipping cream (divided)
• 1/3 tsp ground ginger

In bowl, combine 2/3 cup sugar, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin, 1 tsp vanilla and salt – set aside.

In saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup water.  Let it sit for 1 minute.

Place over low heat until dissolved, then stir in pumpkin mixture.  Set in refrigerator 20-25 minutes until it reaches consistency of unbeaten egg whites.  

Beat 1 cup whipping cream until stiff peaks form. (TIP…place your bowl and beaters in the refrigerator or freezer to chill before mixing your whipped cream) With spatula, gently fold the whipped cream in mixture from fridge.  

Pour in pie shell.  Refrigerate for one hour until firm.

Topping:

Take remaining 2 cups of heavy whipping cream and beat in ginger and other iu  n remaining ingredients.

(1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla) until soft peaks form.  Spread over pie and refrigerate overnight.

One of my favorites!

Cheers to sharing family recipes!

michele.

“We need another cat like we need another hole in our head”… as they say…BUT….The cries in the distance creeped closer, and over the course of 24 hours, you have no choice but to search out where the cries are coming from.  Turned out to be a little kitten in the woods.  Junie B. (the dog) scared it up into the tree, so I had to climb the evergreen (which are great for climbing…a branch like every 6 inches)…. I could tell that it wasn’t totally freaked out and kind of wanted to come towards me, so I carried on, grabbed it and found my way back to the ground.  It continued to be VERY chatty but seemed to warm up to me quickly and it’s little internal motor began to replace its’ cries.  Turns out IT’S a girl…she’s all black, which can mean nothing but good things in the near future, right?!…She’s had a run in with some trouble on her left side but it doesn’t look like anything serious, AND she took to the litter box right away.  She’s a total lover and digs all the attention she can get.  Total selling points right?!  Well, I haven’t found any takers as of yet, so it looks like our cat count is up to 5….(my lucky number)….What do you do, though?  You have to help it, which 9 times out of 10 means “new addition”, so here we are in search of another name and another furry mouth to feed, which is A-OK by me.  Most of our cats are indoor/outdoor, so Jon had just started rounding up salvaged wood from the fencing to build a swanky set of ‘row houses’ for their winter accommodations…what’s one more house, right?!  They of course each need their own private quarters because NONE of them are fond enough of each other  to shack up.   And, the adventure continues…………

I’m thinkin’ “Betty” or “LuLu”

Our Handsome Blondie, Jack

Our ‘special needs’ kitty, Tar Baby (he had something similar to a stroke when he was about a year old, and scores a little extra lovin’!)

Miss Independent, Maggie.

and……Mabel

Can you guess which two get most of the ‘indoor house time’ — in other words, are the most well behaved.

Cheers to unexpected additions!

michele.

A naturally simple arrangement to add to your Thanksgiving decor.

No need to pull out vases or other containers.

• Grab a pumpkin, any pumpkin.
• Top it off with some moss
• Compile some of your most festive, natural dried goods.
• Use hot glue for a quick, easy way to secure, or you can also add floral picks to your pieces and secure directly into the shell of your pumpkin. 

They’re quick and easy to create, and a lot of the dried materials are long lasting, so they can be re-used or they can be tossed in the compost bin.

Make ‘em small, woodburn their name in a small log slice to hang from the stem and you have a specially marked nameplate that they can take home!

Tips on arranging:

Glue your elements from the center out, placing the taller things in the middle behind the stem, remember to glue things to the back and to the front of the pumpkin so it has balance and can be viewed from all sides of the table.

Use any natural material such as leaves, feathers, grapevines, pods, nuts, branches, grasses, (an easy way to obtain some of these materials is to use a bag of fall potpourri that contains all kinds of natural materials that will also add a nice fragrance) 

Add some of the ‘unexpected’ by making tendrils out of wire,…. twist 18 or 20 gauge wire around a round writing utensil or a wooden dowel, twist and continue twisting until you have the tendril as large as you want then snip the wire off the spool by leaving enough on the end for a stem and poke into the natural stem of the pumpkin.

Cheers to topping off the pumpkin!

michele.

As quirky, unconventional and experimental as I love things in my studio, my approach to creating in the kitchen is the COMPLETE opposite.

• Simplicity and no frill basics are what I enjoy in the kitchen. 
• Fresh, simple ingredients.
• Minimal gadgets and equipment.
• A regular mainstay of versatile ingredients and recipes that can be used in a number of ways.

I’ve always been overwhelmed with all the choices and styles and ingredients and the ‘rules’ of what we’re SUPPOSED to be eating every day.  There are millions of recipes, millions of possibilities….which ones were for me? Is it really this complicated? What the heck’s MY STYLE?
I’ve yearned for that simple, secret formula that would simplify grocery shopping and the whole thought process of what to prepare yet keep everything flavorful, interesting and healthy.

• I want to work only with things as close to their natural state as possible.
• I want to create as much from scratch as possible and is practical….
• I want to make good use out of every crumb or drop.
• I want to grow and provide as much of it as I possibly and practically, can.
• I don’t want it to take a lot of time, UNLESS I have the time like that of a relaxing Sunday morning or afternoon.  But I also don’t want it to be ‘hurried’ because I enjoy the process of chopping, kneading, sautéing, mixing.  I do love the feeling that comes with preparing something delicious and healthy and working with natural ingredients.
• And I want it to be FUN, not a daily chore that just gets gobbled up in a flash.
• I want to establish this enjoyable pattern and routine that makes this daily task a ‘natural’ one.

Well, I’m excited to say that I think I have FINALLY found some resources that are actually helping me out in all these areas.

 

Unplugged Kitchen by Viana La Place…

Her philosophy in the kitchen matches mine in the studio, ironically…she speaks of weaning yourself from formal measurements and devices…and using your senses…taking a fearless, freeflowing, heartfelt and natural approach.

The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters

Her list of ‘staples’ — something so simple, yet something I really needed to get started.  She too demystifies (for me) good cooking and breaks it down in a way that I can embrace…..it celebrates some simple basics that will take me a long way.

Both of them written in ways that excited me and danced with my spirit
They’re exactly what I’ve been looking for and since this is a month that celebrates gratitude….I’m forever grateful…Thank you, Ladies!

I’m excited for the ‘practice’ I have ahead of me.

If you too share my ‘thoughts’…. they’re good reads….
Good reads that I discovered on my own, paid for on my own and am learning on my own…for the record ::) 

Cheers to simple and unplugged!
michele.

Maddie discovered the reeds from some of our ornamental grasses and has been busy harvesting for days.  (There’s this strange, addictive attraction to ‘peeling’ things that I unfortunately passed on to her, and she can’t seem to stop.::) ) They are incredibly strong, incredibly long and my thoughts are stirring around what we’re going to use them for. Maybe I could tie some together for various mats or containers?  I could use a few in some arrangements.  They’ll make great stakes for the garden….what to do, what to do.   LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when you can make new use of things growing in the yard.   So incredibly exciting…Will share how we configure and anything useful that transpires, soon!    And as always, if any of you have any ideas to share….please do!  

Cheers!

michele.

Thanksgiving, in my mind:  simple, rustic, earthy, gracious.   Natural Serving Platters  that you can create yourself make everything you serve all the more special and meaningful.

I use mine in different ways throughout the entire year, but they were originally made with the upcoming holiday in mind, so I thought it a good time to share.   They’re rustic, primitive and fairly simple to carve out on your own.  They just take a bit of time, and a little patience, so if you embrace this relaxing, creative exercise today, you’ll have plenty of time to create your own collection to serve up at YOUR Thanksgiving dinner!

(w. quick video demo here — scroll and click on natural serving platters)

• Start with a raw chunk of wood.. a dry, solid log slice you can carve out and shape into a bowl or platter.  Shapes and sizes of the logs you start with will vary and that of course will alter the type of dish you end up with.  Work with a piece that is anywhere between 2 to 4 inches thick.

• Securely clamp the log to your work surface, and you are ready to begin.

• You can hand carve, which will take more time and effort, but it is very doable. Or, you can make a faster, easier job of it by using a four and a half inch grinder. To the grinder, you can add either a wood carving attachment, which will allow for a lot more options with your carving, or you can choose to go the less expensive route and throw on a carbide grinder cup wheel.

• While wearing safety glasses, carefully remove the center area of the log until you have achieved the desired depth, slope and look of your platter. Take your time and let the tool do the work for you.

• Smooth out the inside by sanding. Start with a flap disc on the grinder, then work your way through the various grits of sandpaper (coarsest to finest) until you have a smooth surface.

• Finish off with a food grade oil like mineral oil, walnut, or 100% tung oil.

Serve them up proudly, my friends.

Cheers to handmade holiday traditions!

michele

They’re pOInTEd, ShARp, & PrEtTY to boot!

This installment of our natural jewelry focuses on the beads you can create.  There’s the ‘ole tube style bead, or you can have some fun playing off the pencil look with your beads.  

For colorful versions, paint a slender stick, then sharpen using a pencil sharpener.  (I prefer the old school crank sharpeners because they have the adjustable holes to accommodate a variety of branch diameters).  Once sharpened, use your anvil pruners to cut down.  Continue sharpening and cutting until you’ve used up your entire painted branch.   Can also embrace the natural look and simply  wax the branch before sharpening and cutting down.  

Use a 1/16″ drill bit to drill through the center of the blunt end, and then add to some beading wire for a necklace combined with some complimentary beads or use your other findings to create other pieces like earrings, bracelets or pendants.  

You’ll be lookin’ ‘sharp’, to say the least!

Cheers to branch beads!

michele.