Designing in Life

Origami Cranes

The crane is the most popular bird in Chinese history and is a symbol of longevity. It was believed that if you made 1000 origami cranes, your wish would come true.  Because of this, you should learn to make an origami crane and add it to the top of the next birthday gift you give.  If you've never made anything from folding paper - and my guess is that you have because, well just about everyone has made a paper airplane  - now is the time to learn!

Here is a link for instructions on how to make one, or one thousand if you have the time.  And if you don't have the time or you're all thumbs, you can purchase some from MadebyJo at Etsy!

Do You Have an Interior Design Style?

 

If you've ever pondered this question (and need a fun little middle-of-the-week break), then step right up and take this little quiz brought to you by the International School of Colour and Design.

If there was a style called "Eclectic Junk" I was sure that would be me, but it turns out my style is Hampton's White Wash.  Having grown up in New Jersey, I supposed I'd prefer that to be called "Jersey Shore White Wash," but I won't be so picky.  The description fits me perfectly.  "You don't live by the sea, you live with the sea...beloved memories fill your home...the pieces you choose have stories to tell..."  Yup, that would be me.  And how about you?  What's your style?

Tea Anyone?

There is a new tea house that opened in Middlebury in the Marble Works.

Drinking tea in a tea house seems so ancient, yet civilized.  Although I haven't stopped in to enjoy some, I have passed by here often and noticed that many other people seem to be enjoying their cups of tea.

The tea master, or would that be brew master, was very friendly and excited about his new endeavor.

This marble table sits outside the tea house.  I have a marble Zen bench in the back yard and there are pieces of marble here at home that could probably be made into something like this.  Hmm, another project for another day.  I'm looking for someone to sit down here and have some lapsong suchong with me.  Any takers?

No Rain, No Rain, No Rain

Three days of no rain – wow!  It won't last but I sure feel like we've been lucky.  More rain to come and even though it's not like it rains all day, you still have to be prepared by carrying your raincoat or your umbrella.  Hey, maybe I'm really living in Washington state and just don't know it!

I found a no wheat, no refined sugar and no dairy recipe and made these cookies on Saturday.  They were delicious.  You would think they were the real deal.

Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup organic rolled oats
1 cup spelt, whole wheat or oat flour (spelt is my favorite)
1 cup ground almonds (I love Trader Joe’s almond meal — already ground up)
½ cup shredded coconut (optional ,but adds fantastic flavor so why not go for it!!)
½ tsp. salt
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup dried cranberries (optional)
½ cup agave nectar (or pure maple syrup)
½ cup canola oil
½ tsp. vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Mix the wet ingredients and stir into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon. 
4. Form 1” balls and place on an oiled cookie sheet, pressing the balls down with your fingers.
5. Bake for 12 minutes or until crispy.

I didn't add the coconut, but I'm sure it would be pretty darn tasty.  My choice is raisins or craisins.

Tonight was a perfect night.  We were able to go into the pool because the air temperature was 80 and the pool was 84 degrees. 

Nick and I sat on the back deck and had a glass of wine.

And we looked west at a beautiful sunset.

And to think I've been complaining about the weather!

A Few Things

So, I have two pictures to show you from the Sweet 16 Birthday party we went to last weekend.  Here is the Sweet 16er:

And here is her Grandma Terri and Aunt June:

It was wonderful seeing so many family members in =====one day.  I wish we lived closer to them all.

On the home front.  There was a pileated woodpecker hanging around our house for a couple of mornings.  They are a large woodpecker, about the size of a crow...and yes, they have a call that sounds exactly like Woody the Woodpecker,(and here is a link so that you can watch one of his cartoons in case you're far too young to know who he is...or was!)

What, you can't seem him?  Trust me, he's there! Try holding down the alt key (pc) or the apple key (mac) and  tapping the plus key.  It will make the picture bigger.

Saturday's First Party

We were so lucky this past Saturday to have such an absolutely beautiful day for Phoebe's Christening.  Her party was outside.  It wasn't too hot, and it wasn't too cold.  It was just right!  So here are some pictures to share with you.  Uh, no pictures of the parents, though!

These are the flowers I helped make.  They were easy, though time consuming.  My guess is that at some point in your life you made a smaller version for your mom as a long stemmed flower or corsage – tied with a pipe cleaner, of course.

Phoebe at the Church.

 

Chloe sipping some juice at the party.

 

Phoebe patiently waiting.

Chloe the day after the party.

Thanks to Beth for some of the pictures.  More to come!!!

Whirlwind Weekend

Last Thursday we traveled to Jersey City to celebrate our granddaughter, Phoebe's, Christening.  We had a wonderful time playing with our grandchildren and were able to help with the festivities.

We took many pictures, and thanks to daughter, Beth, there are more than I thought I would end up with.  She sent me to her Picassa pictures and I was able to view, download and order hard copies of them.  One in particular caught my attention.  I've put together a little photo comparison so that you can see what caught my eye.

        

Do you think these two babies look like they're related?  I thought they did.  The top picture is Phoebe and the bottom is me when I was around the same age.  I think because the picture is in black and white and Phoebe's hair was wet from the Christening, there are similarities.  I just never noticed them before.

More pictures to come from our weekend of a Christening and a 16th birthday party!

Blueberry Compost

Well, that's what Nick calls it.  I made this Blueberry Mistake Cake and found it to be quite good.

In another effort to create a no dairy, wheat or sugar dessert, I made this.  The recipe, which I'll share below, did not turn out the way I thought it would.  My muffins came out in a very concave fashion and I thought I'd have to throw them away.  Instead, I scraped them into a casserole and baked it for about 6 minutes.  If they turn out for you (I'm giving you the origninal recipe) they would be great with ice cream.

Vegan Blueberry Muffins

SERVES 12

• 1/4 cup soy margarine

• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbs. baking powder
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup soymilk
• 2 cups fresh blueberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line 1/3-cup muffin cups with paper liners, or spray with cooking spray.

2. Mix all ingredients together in mixing bowl. Spoon into muffin cups, filling three-quarters full.
3. Bake 35 minutes, or until tops are firm. Cool slightly on rack.

Knowing you have to reduce the liquid if you use Agave Nectar, I reduced the soy milk by a little less than 1/4 cup and used spelt flour.  Obviously, the recipe couldn't handle that and the cupcakes ended up deflated concave cupcakes.  Still, after smushing them into the casserole and baking them, they were really quite tasty.

I guess we have to chalk one up for a success!

Designs

I had been submitting some designs for consideration to a site called, "Textile Design."  Although I didn't win their recent contest, I got some good feedback from my peers on my designs.  Here are a few that I sent in.

      
    

I've also found a few companies that will create fabric out of your design.  I'm considering sending at least one to have a few yards made to see what it looks like.

Vacationing at Home

I had the week off last week and spent the time doing things around the house getting ready for our visitors and a party on the 4th.

First, the solar panel finally was in place so that we could start warming up the pool.  More work needs to be done, but it is functional and warming the water...when the sun is out...which isn't much.

The water got warm enough for Jim and Chloe to enjoy it.

Phoebe was happier on Beth's lap.

Nick taught Chloe how to steer the tractor.

Nice getting help mowing the lawn...again.

And Beth got a few pictures of Phoebe with Sadie in the background.

It is always wonderful having family visit.  We have more visitors coming in two weeks.  Looks like there will be a lot of cleaning again!

So, now I'm back to work and have to shift my focus.  I think I should show you some of the designs I've been working on.  Not today, though.  Today I just want to bask in the good times of the past week.