Enchanted Mama

Vision Boards::

Vision Boards always seem to have a bit of magic to them.  

The way they are done makes thinking and getting in the way of the creative process less likely.  You rip/tear/cut out pictures as quickly as possible.  If you start to think about it, you rip faster.  The idea is to find things that you are drawn to and not try to figure out why.  

Then, just as quickly you throw them all down on paper/card stock/old cardboard in random fashion.  How ever you are moved to do so.  

Set them up and step back.  

 

This is the moment of "magic" for me.  I never quite know what they will come out to be.  I imagine I'll have an idea but they are NEVER what I thought, thank goodness.  

With 2012 a month in already, I thought it would be good to get a bit of Clarity.  Vision.  Inspiration.  

My one vision board turned into four.  Yes, four.  Each one with its own distinct meaning.  

 

I'm still pondering what they all mean...or how they may work in my life.  

The added bonus is using all the superfluous catalogs that show up at my door.  I feel a bit better about them when I can turn those catalogs into something that inspires me.

Have you tried vision boards before?  Do you find they work for you?  What other things do you do to find inspiration in your life?  

 

Warning::

Warning::  

These little creatures are habit forming even for the most focused of knitters.  

They are fun, easy and thrive on lots of friends.  You'll be convinced, quite easily, that there should be collections of them--Big collections--that promote gatherings of all types of critters.   Cupcakes with eyes.  Gnomes. Reindeer and mini cheeseburgers.  They aren't about appearances as they all enjoy each others company and only require that you keep knitting more friends.  

If you decide you need to knit some, keep in mind that I warned you.  

Anna Hrachovec has a great site with everything you'll need to get started including the book that I used.  If you are on Ravelry here's another great place to find her patterns.  

Bet you can't make just one....

 

 

For the love of ginger::

This weekend we welcomed a few friends over for dinner.  They are expecting a baby in a few months and we happen to have a few baby things to share.  So, it seemed the perfect opportunity to have them to dine and dessert with us.  

This Ginger Cake recipe was given to me by a friend long ago.  She made it for a baby blessing for my youngest boy.  It was delicious.  Nauseous as I was, the ginger in this cake was a life saver.  Since then we have had it a handful of times and every time I wonder why I don't make it more often.

I thought of you, my friends, and knew you would love it.  Remember the fresh whipped cream on top, it's so worth the extra time.  oh man.  

Hope you enjoy it!

 

Gingerbread and Ginger Cake ---

This recipe makes enough for our family of six to enjoy with a bit left for the next day. If you are expecting company, as I was this weekend, I would suggest you double the recipe.  

1/2 cup Butter

3/4 cup Sugar (add 4 more TBSP for ginger cake)

1 Egg

1/2 cup Molasses (sweet un-sulphured)

1 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1 cup White All purpose Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 TBSP Ground Ginger

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Ground Cloves

1 cup Boiling Water

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter and lightly flour a 9 x 11 baking dish or the dish of your choice...I used a bundt pan.  Baking time may vary depending on the pan.  

Mix the butter and sugar until creamy. 

Add egg and molasses and mix well. 

Sift dry ingredients and mix with previous ingredients until well blended.  

Stir in boiling water, carefully, and then pour quickly into a baking dish.  

Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.  

Serve with fresh whipped cream (Heavy Whipping Cream + A TBSP of sugar + eager children to use the hand whisk = yum!).  

Then, ENJOY!

 

Let's hear it for baked goods on a Monday morning...hip, hip, hooray!!!

 

Shimmer::

I've started a new sweater with yarn I found in New York at the Vogue Knitting Live Marketplace.  It's luscious.  It's sparkly.  It's just what I want to wear.  Right now.  

I can't seem to knit it fast enough.  Granted, the yarn only arrived a few days ago, but I really would have liked to be wearing it yesterday.  Do you suppose my expectations are a wee bit high?

Also, what's hard to see is the slight, but not scratchy, shimmer in this yarn.  Yes, shimmer.  Not too much.  Not too little.  It's really rather fabulous.  

So now to the REAL problem... 

I spent some time with my knitting group, my two dear friends, yesterday attempting to knit while deflecting my bouncy four year old and knowing that any moment the baby would be up and ready to play.  

So, I'm telling them how I thought that the pattern might have some mistakes.  That I was knitting and when I would get to one side with the lace there was always something not quite right.  

Wrong in fact.  I looked back again and again unable to figure out where the issue was coming from.  

Yet, I'm getting better at a little imperfection in my knitting and decided to KNIT ON!  I did.  Yet, every time I came around there was some issue with either not enough stitches or too many or something.  

This is the conversation I'm having with my friends and they are nodding in all the appropriate places and letting me talk it out.  As I'm doing that I realize that one side of the lace doesn't look so bad.  In fact, it was pretty darn close to the pattern and what it was supposed to look like.  

The other side not so much.  

We decided that I would turn it around and put the "not so right part" on the back where in all honesty no one would even notice.  

Our time was up.  We all departed to gather children from school.  Snack.  Homework.  Dinner.  Baths.  Books.  Kisses.  Lights out.  Dinner dishes.  Locate the mittens, coats and hats for the morning.  Finally, I'm on the couch knitting again.  

The clock reads 10:00 p.m. and it's then and only then, that I realize the huge blunder that is mine.  One side of the sweater is fine.  The other not so fine.  Each knit from the same lace pattern.  The problem...not the pattern but the pompous knitter with the needles.  

Yes. 

So, I did the only thing I could think of....I kept knitting. Just faster as though somehow the mistake would disappear if I knit on further.  That somehow I would outrun that blunder by shear will of yarn.  

Today?  Well, I finished the first twenty five rows.  I felt as though if I squished and tucked here and there it would work.  Yup, that was my plan.  I began to straighten out the yarn on the needles preparing to remove the markers and head up the front with the next lace pattern when I saw it.  

The twist.  

The twist, that the whole time I'd been worrying about the lace pattern being incorrect, I never noticed.  The common mistake of ingenue knitters.  I twisted my cast-on.  I TWISTED MY CAST-ON!  

<insert gasp here>

So, for you non-knitters out there this is not something you want to do.  In fact, its frowned upon in knitting a sweater because you will have a big huge twist in the sweater.  Awkward.  Like someone who's tucked their sweater into their underwear kind of awkward.

 

So, the plea went out to my friends via email this morning and it read something like...

...Amateur knitter on the loose....Rookie mistake being made...Should I try and steek it (straws, I was grasping at straws here)...What should I do?  

And, in perfect form the response was unanimously "Rip it out, start over, yours in sympathy."  Cuz, that's how we roll.  There might have been a thank goodness you weren't fifty rows in which I nodded my head in agreement that it could have been even worse.  

So, that's what I did. I ripped it out.  The sweater that I wanted to be wearing two days ago is now a pile of crinkly yarn on the table in front of me.  hmm.  

So, I suppose you know where I'll be in my free time, on the couch knitting when everything else is done for the day.  

I won't make the same mistakes again.  Well, that's probably not accurate.  I will more than likely just make different mistakes.  But, I hope in the long run I will love this sweater even more because of it all.  

At least in an ideal world.   

 

***Notes on Ravelry*** 

A bit of New York::

Well, it happened again.  I left out of town thinking and sincerely knowing "I would blog from the road".  Yes, that was the plan.  As we can all see that is not exactly what happened.  

Though, I'm not entirely sure it's all my fault.  I mean, if New York wasn't so captivating and full and delicious and inspiring, and, and...  I'm not sure there are many out there who could resist her charms.  She's powerful.  She's electric.  She has amazing lattes that keep you up all hours of the night so that by the time you do arrive home you are wiped out and ready to sleep for a week.  

 

So it was that I walked miles and miles there.  Which came in very handy when passing one of the many cupcake shops.  Oh, you better believe it!  

By day and night she had me from the start--From the museums to the french onion soup in out of the way french restaurants to the stark winter beauty of central park to the lights oh, the lights.

There is everything in the city.  I didn't think it could get any better until... 

`

Vogue Knitting Live came to town along with my delightful, dear friends and knitting group.  The three Amiga's in the Big city armed with knitting needles, yarn and the desire to learn new things.  

We took classes and ate in the aforementioned french restaurant, a few times in fact.  Knitting while we waited.  Incredible.  We shared a room and it was like summer camp for adults.  Only we wrapped up in all types of knitted items and carried knitting projects around in our purses.  

To say I had a delightful time would not even begin to describe it.  We were going the whole time we were there.  Knitting classes, lunch, museums, knitting classes again, the marketplace with some INCREDIBLE yarn, delicious dinners and even a show or two.  

All I know is...it was out of the ordinary to take this time as a mama.  Time to be together with friends doing something we all love.  Taking time away from our families.  Out of the ordinary, but so amazing.  Doing something that recharged us creatively, after we caught up on all the missed sleep of course.  It was a luxury that I know all three of us enjoyed to the last moment.  

 

There was more...   

One of my dear Nirvana friends the lovely Laura stayed with us as well.  She brought smiles and beading gifts and delicious restaurants to go to with other lovely designers and she delivers a mean latte when the morning before class just isn't long enough.  So grateful to meet up with her again and have some time to knit, laugh and snuggle while sleeping.  I've written about her impeccable designs many times.  

There was a talk given at the Gala Fashion Show Night by Alice Starmore.  Inspired by her talk about knitting, designing, yarn, and life style.  Incredible.  I'm a new fan.  Plus, she works closely with her daughter who is also a designer.  Wouldn't that be  fabulous?!!??

The lovely woman sitting to my left at the dinner that night and new Philly friend made the evening even better.  The friendly face in a sea of strangers.  Who I'm now corrupting, I mean teaching, some new knitting stuff.  How lucky I feel to have sat down next to her. 

 

So it was that we arrived home last week and I have put in some serious hours sleeping.  On the flight home I'm pretty sure we made up the only knitting row on the plane click-clacking away on our needles. 

I have new projects in the works.  Yarn to share with you and inspiration abounds.  

My hope is to share that here with you all soon.  

Hope your week is starting out well, 

Kellen

 

 

The Light::

This began as a very different post.  

The plan was to talk about the stretching we do as "creatives" to learn new things.  Try new techniques.  Experience new processes.  

Then, it was about this sweater and how it started in a flurry last January after I had finished "the sweater that took forever".  To prove to myself that I could do it again.

Then, I planned to spend time talking to you about steeking and how it involves scissors and the knit project you lovingly knit on for months which normally would send any knitter huddling into a corner.  The process both terrifying and thrilling and after months of plotting "how to" steek it was over in about thirty seconds.  I'd planned on talking about that, shaky hands and all.  

Then, I thought of the long months of knitting away, secretly mind you, finalized the night before christmas.  The project then wrapped and tucked under the tree.  The fact that I somehow ended up drawing my honey's name in the family handmade venture well, pure luck I tell you.  I thought I'd talk about that.  

 

Instead I'm just loving that the light finally gave me what I wanted.  No, not the true color of this sweater, as that seems to be truly elusive but rather back-lighting and camera flare.  Two of my very favorite things in photography.  Yup.  That's really all I wanted to say after all.   

 

Oh, and even without the light, I'm pleased to see that this cardigan looks pretty good with some baby on it too!  

Happy Wednesday to you all.   

 

*For those of you interested...the full set of photos and knitting details will be on Ravelry next week.*  

 

 

 

Handmade Holiday 2011::

Our Handmade Holiday, which we began in earnest last year, was quite lovely.    

We drew names for one another so we could focus on creating a gift for each member of the family.  Last year this is where it started and this was along the way here and here and this is where it ended here and here.  

When I asked my children this year how they had wanted the holidays to be they enthusiastically said, "We want to draw names like last year and have a special date with you and Daddy."  

So that is what we did.

Our Holiday was full of secret projects, closed doors with signs that read, "Elves working...DO NOT OPEN!!!" and whispers about "how to" without telling who someone had drawn.  

There were loud noises coming from the garage as well as sewing machines whirring in the back round.  My knitting needles click clacking furiously in the end.  

Full and fun.  

 

The Big Daddy drew my name this year.  Lucky me.  

I love to have candles on the dining room table for all the seasons.  Big tall drippy candles and short fat handmade candles in a variety of holders.  Though I love all candles these holders may still be my favorite.    

What I don't love is "chipping off" wax from every surface.  The wax that gets stuck on the table, plates, and goodness knows the tablecloth.  So my request in October, I started early, was a slab of wood with feet to put in the middle of the table that would allow for the rolling, dripping wax.  Something that would make chipping the wax off optional.  

Do you know what?  The Big Daddy created this fantastic gift.  He even listened when I said, "I would love to have bark on it as well".  I have a fondness for bark on pretty much anything.  So he did it.  

The love that he put into this project is what makes me smile and the fact that this is so much better than I could have even imagined.  

 

One thing for sure is I felt like the luckiest mama on the block when I opened this.  We have used it every night since.  And I suspect, will continue to for years to come!  

 

My oldest girl took to the sewing machine for her brother.  She made a book cover for the guy who loves to carry around books at this point.  A pencil case to hold well pencils and various treasures.  He was quite proud of his presents.  There was even a bookmark tucked inside.  How simple.   

I loved seeing my girl do this project completely on her own.  All she wanted was the velcro for the pouch and she was off and running without any help from me.  Even I was surprised on Christmas morning to see what she had created.   

Oh, also in her spare time she decided to make gifts for ALL of us, ahem.  

There were hand-knit washcloths.  Stitch markers for this knitter.  And an assortment of other treasures she whipped up.  No wonder she had all those bags of things squirreled away in her room.

She has big plans this girl of mine.  Big plans and a big heart.   

 

My oldest boy, my woodworker, thought of this idea for his littlest sister.  

A wooden stacking ring from some of the candle holders he had in his workshop.  With a little help from the Big Daddy they spent a few days on this creation.  

Sounds of saws and sanders emanating from the garage.  We knew they were out there but had no idea what creation was being made.  

That is what I find so fun.  As the children get older there is less involvement and more surprise and wonder at what their little creative selves come up with.  

Once he cut the pieces he rubbed them all down with beeswax.  So, not only do they look so cool with the rings from the inside of the wood but they smell delicious. 

 

My girl loves it.  

She's taken to carrying it around the house with her for things to stack at a moments notice.  

 

My four year old LOVES to watercolor.  So for his gift that seemed a natural choice.  Plus, he drew his big sister who LOVES to write letters.  It seemed for this year to be the perfect match.  

He set right to work and created a unique set of cards and postcards.  What I enjoyed most was sitting with him after he had spent a few days painting and asking him to tell me about the paintings. 

He knew, of course, what every one of them was.  An angel on horseback.  A fire breathing dragon.  A swan.  A dragon's tail.  A smiling Turtle.  A woodpecker.  A person pushing a wheelbarrow.  And, the one that made me laugh the most was, A vacuum.  

I believe I had as much fun labeling them as he did painting.  They were bundled up with bakers twine and tucked in a bag to await Christmas morning.  

His excitement in giving this gift to his sister was the most beautiful part about it.  

 

The creative aftermath...

 

The next gift was for my sweet four year old from his littlest sister.  Who, no matter how much I pondered, I realized was a bit young to make anything herself.  So with some help from this mama we created a bag for her brother.  

He loves elephants after seeing them at the zoo last year.  He is even referred to, in our house, as the "elephant washer".  We being the elephants and him doing the washing.  When I found this fabric I knew it had to be used.  

He had been wanting a bag of his own to carry more books and toys around like his older brother and sister.

I also tucked a hand-sewn fish inside, as he loves to grill things up in the play kitchen, that I found at the local handmade holiday market.  Think rainbow trout with ribbons along the sides.  

He has since been seen loading the bag to capacity.  Which makes me glad I did the extra strong seams!  

 

The final gift was for the Big Daddy.  

I drew his name this year and of course I had to knit something.  Something Big.  Something scary and thrilling all at the same time.  Unfortunately, the light has been non-existent and with a few sick children we have yet to do a photo shoot but its on its way.  Hopefully this week.  

I hope your holidays were all that you wished them to be and that the New Year is off to a great start.

I myself feel a bit behind the ball already.  But, I'm hopeful that all the lingering pieces of 2011 can be finalized and let go so that we can focus on the Beautiful Year of 2012.     

I'll be checking in here more often I promise.  It's just been well, full.  You know?  

 

Let's chat soon, 

Kellen

 

New Years Eve::

The Disco Ball is hung... 
The Caramel Corn made... 
The Bubbly Chilling... 
The Disco Playlist at the ready...

Our family is ready to celebrate.

 

Have a Happy New Years!

 

Beauty::

 

An Art Installation of Ten Thousand Paper Cranes.

Beauty amongst the flurry of an international airport.

Something I want to remember this season.

 

Happy Holidays to you all!  

 

So Easy::

That's what this recipe was supposed to be.  Easy.  

I tried.  I really did.

I didn't think it was possible to mess up---melt chocolate, pour, spread, etc.  

Yet, I did.  

With the three youngest children banging around the kitchen and the clock showing--late afternoon I should have seen that train coming from a mile away.

I didn't.  

It all started on twitter.  Mentions here and there about peppermint bark.  Small comments.  Others trying it.  

I had to have some-and-quick.  I would whip up a batch or two, or four, and give them as gifts and take them to see family and, and, and....

I pulled out the necessary pans.  The chocolate and peppermint. I loved the idea of this so much because we could use dark chocolate and the white chocolate without all the gross stuff.  Peppermint without the dyes and artificial flavoring.  These were going to be delicious.  

Then dodging two of the three children I filled the double boiler with chocolate and went to work.  I spread the melted chocolate on the pan and only when I had finished this did I remember that I was supposed to add the cream and peppermint extract to the dark chocolate.  

"Oh well, what's the difference?"  I thought.  

I proceeded to pour these items into the white chocolate and melt them together.  All was going well I assumed.  Until the white chocolate turned yellow.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't supposed to do that.  

More rambunctious children and now the littlest decided she wanted extra attention and I have a boiling mess of yellow chocolate fit for a laboratory.  

I pick up my girl poured the second batch of chocolate one-handed onto the cookie sheets.  Hoping for the best because really I had no other choice, and spread it out evenly-ish then dropped some peppermint on and shoved the whole thing into the fridge.  

I'll tell you that hot liquid chocolate may not be the best time to have the children bounding around the stove.  Nope.  It is not.  

Most of the time I have one to four children around whenever crafting or baking.  It just seems to work that way.  Unless they are in bed, they sense mama is up to something and they are magnetically drawn to me and whatever I'm doing.  Usually, I'm prepared for this.  This day, I was not.  

I tossed the dishes in the sink and sat down frustrated.  That was supposed to be easy.  Easy.  (The very word that I will now be on the lookout for---tricky trickster that it is).  No one else mentioned any difficulty.  Theirs came out perfectly.  And, delicious.      

An hour later we took a chance and tried some after dinner.  The surprise was that it tasted pretty good.  Almost edible.    The problem began two minutes later when it hit the air and it all turned gooey on top.  GOOEY.  That is no exaggeration.  

In fact, if you look at the above photo again I think you will see it.  

See?  

My family ate it of course.  We thought the "peppermint mess", as I have delightfully re-named it, could be stirred into some ice cream and wouldn't that be good?  If not a-bit-too-sweet.   

 

Note to Self::

*One might need to read the recipe, regardless of how easy it seems, at least the first time. 

*Working with Hot Liquid Chocolate may be better when the children are in school. Or the little one is napping.  Or it's not late afternoon when everyone here seems inherently grumpy.  Yeah, I'm talking to you mama.   

* Try this recipe again, because who knows, next time it might work.  

 

Any recipe mishaps for you this season?