The Search For Satisfaction

Before you read further, I wanted to first say how wonderful it was to get your comments and emails on my sudden return. I am so grateful, and frankly humbled.
I expected nothing but crickets!

So, now please pardon the whiny intro to this post!

I have been plagued.
I have been vexed.

I am haunted by something that nibbles at the edges of my consciousness like an itch.
I find myself both merely and profoundly dissatisfied.

This is a crisis.
I lack absolutely nothing.
In fact, acquisition has lately only added to my distress.
Even the treasure hunting at the beloved thrift store often brings more anxiety than pleasure.
If it is not something truly missing, it must be a crisis of imagination!
I am fictitiously dissatisfied!

My dissatisfaction becomes most apparent when it suddenly dissipates;
When it transforms into satisfaction.

Like it does when I forage for blackberries, and they fill my bowl like gorgeous black gems.
Like it does when I fill my basket at the farmer's market with salad scattered with flower petals, and tomatoes, and hearty long stemmed sunflowers.
Like it does when I press in a perfectly piped seam.
Like it does when I hear the pop of the jarlids after canning a batch of organic tomato sauce.
Like it does when an unruly bunch of weedy earth is transformed by digging and scratching back into the flower bed it was supposed to be in the first place.

These are the things that fill my heart with satisfaction...
If only they weren't so solitary.
The work is good, but the lack of co-workers gets a bit lonely.
Is that why we all congregate in blogland?

So, friends, tell me...
What satisfies?

What's Happening Wednesday

Hi Gang!
Well, Summer's swinging through like Tarzan on a vine. I have been up to all kinds of wild goodness and I'm so excited to share some of it with you.

First, did you know I trade sewing lessons with an organic farmer friend for veggies? I do. And I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I get to learn about all kinds of super deluxe gourmet treats in exchange for something I do because I like it better than anything else. How's that for an Alternative Economy? This last batch of veggies held what can only be described as a culinary revelation.  Coriander Berries.

Yep, if your cilantro is bolting, run and catch it quick and snip these pretty little berries off for a taste sensation!

I made a vinaigrette of rice wine vinegar, a little elderflower syrup*, a light olive oil,  lime zest and salt and pepper and tossed it with sliced cucumbers, chopped up basil,  and the coriander berries. Yummmmy.


I've also been doing some sewing. Here's a little WIP picture:

 It's an outfit with a secret... But I might not get to reveal it until September.

Mysterious, No?

And I finally found a cure for this little problem:

 Yup, that's supposed to be my living room.

dining area... just shove the projects over if you want to eat...

But Hey, There's no room left in the Cave

 My solution will soon be revealed.....

Mysteriously Yours,

Betty

*you can buy premade elderflower syrup at fine markets or make you own by boiling cheesecloth wrapped elderberry blossoms in simple syrup and steeping overnight. 

Thrift Thursday: Wait Until You See

It was pretty chock a block with Springy Holiday Goodness at the thrift store.

I got vintage-y blossoms, great crown lace, a chipped up, egg shaped bunny matroshka doll (destined for a refinish, random, tiny, wooden Easter-y charms), baskets, a bag, a set of rosette irons, a pie crimper, a vintage table cloth and a lamb cake mold.

Today I tried the cake mold out:

Behold: Naked Lamb Cake!

Since the face got a bit crumbly, I guess I'll have to frost it. 

( I am trying to resist because frosted cakes aren't part of my commitment to clean up my mid-section)

But it is cute, like a little cake-y sculpture.

I'll frost it and give it to a friend.

Because it's about process, not just product.

Silly Sunday: Back Seat Sun Dried Tomatoes

Hang on to your hats, Ladies and Gents... You are about to see why I am the unchallenged captain and mascot of the US Olympic Rationalization team.

Well, I had to get a new used car.
My old Honda Accord had lasted as long as it could. 225,000 miles was the tipping point where we had to decide if we loved it enough to pour money into it, or whether it needed to be donated to charity. We opted out.

I feel a little guilty. I know that the greener idea would have been to spend a few thousand to repair it and just keep driving it until pieces were literally falling off. When we took a close look it seemed environmentally responsible but fiscally irresponsible to keep repairing it.

I can lean that way: Planet>pocketbook. I pay more for organic, or handmade, or local small batch products... Eagerly.
But this time I made a different choice. I threw in the towel on that car because I really hate being broken down and that was what the next few years would likely entail. Me, stranded here and there. Irritable, late and likely as not with a dead cell phone and a smelly dog or cranky teenager. I am not that good of a person.
Being a libra, and always seeking a balance in all things, I decided to make adjustments to green up my choice. I picked a more efficient car. It isn't a hybrid... But it rates above average on MPG and emissions. I bought used and will keep it for many years...Until My electric plug in is ready and my solar panels installed

So, what else could I do?
The same inclination to do good by the environment had me planting veggies last spring and now my tomatoes are producing in spades. Too few to can and too many to eat fresh. I wanted to sun-dry them but wasn't too sure about my local humidity and how fast I could dry them without bacteria taking over. We are in the redwood forest and half a block from a rather large river. Hauling the tomatoes around on an old window screen for 4-10 days, praying for them to not mold? Hmmm... There are a couple of oven options... 8 hours of slow roasting (hot out already, thanks), or microwaving for 1/2 hour. Nuked tomatoes anyone?

1)Tomatoes are quartered, seeded, and drizzled with olive oil,
placed on a rack over a metal baking tray.

2) Season to taste with sea salt and herbs.

Or a recipe I found here that calls for Putting Them In Your Car. Using my car as a passive solar food dehydrator? That is just the kind of thing that would help me rationalize my luxurious new/used auto as being just a teeny bit greener. And of course it also indulges my infatuation with the sublimely ridiculous masquerading as the practical. Good thing I like the smell of tomatoes!

3)Put in hot sunny car window for 1-2 days. Remove at night.
Finished tomatoes should be similar in consistency to raisins (dry and leathery-chewy)
and stored in a plastic bag in the fridge.

Using My Powers For Good Whenever I Can,
Betty

WIP Wednesday: Peaches Loves Basil

"Oh Peaches, How I adore you!"
"Oh Basil, you make me blush!"

It sounds like a 1920's Love Affair. Peaches and Basil sitting in a tree....
But it isn't. It is this years Experimental Jam Recipe winner! (Yes, I ran my own personal jam contest. I'm eccentric that way.)

I met and schmoozed with a lovely farmer at farmer's market yesterday and got 12 pounds of jam peaches. Jam peaches are like jam strawberries. They are mostly good (the funky bits are easily trimmed away) and very ripe. They must be processed within the next 24 hours or they will quickly become overripe and then, almost instantaneously- compost. But they are the most reasonably priced locally grown organic produce I have ever found. These were a 1.00 a pound! And often they are not advertised or displayed... Hence, the schmoozing with the farmer.

I decided it was affordable enough to experiment with!

I made 2 types of jam in 2 Quart batches. (That is 2 quarts of pre-processed fruit, in case you were wondering.) One features a yummy vanilla, cinnamon style peach jam and the other is my favorite, peaches with lemon and basil infused.

Peach Pie Preserves:

• 2 quarts of peeled sliced peaches
• 5 Cups sugar
• juice from one lemon
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 vanilla bean opened and scraped
• plus vanilla seeds from pod

Cook peaches and 1/2 the sugar for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add remaining ingredients, mix and mash with a fruit or potato masher while boiling. Continue to stir increasingly as fruit cooks. When fruit starts to seem to adhere to pan bottom between stirrings, the jam is ready to can.

Peaches Loves Basil Jam

• 2 quarts of peeled sliced peaches
• 4 Cups sugar
• juice and zest from 2 lemons
• 8-10 fresh basil sprigs ( mine were 4-5 leaves per sprig)
• 3 fresh lemon balm sprigs

Cook peaches and 1/2 the sugar for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add remaining sugar and lemon, mix and mash with a fruit or potato masher while boiling. after another 5-10 minutes put in the herbs. I tied mine with a kitchen twine to make it easier to remove. For a more intense basil flavor I also rolled over mine with a rolling pin to slightly bruise the herbs. Continue to stir increasingly as fruit cooks. When fruit starts to seem to adhere to pan bottom between stirrings, the jam is ready to can. Pull out the herbs, and can as usual.

Basic Jam Canning:

• Sterilize jars by boiling for 10 minutes.
• Heat canning lids and rings but do not boil these.
• Put hot jam into hot jars.
• Wipe jar rims and place a lid and ring on each jars, tightening slightly.
• Process all finished jars in boiling water bath (2 inches of water should cover each jar) for a quick 5 minutes,
• remove with canning tongs and cool.

My 12 pounds of peaches yielded 13 1- cup jars of jam, plus enough extra peaches for a yummy peach and blackberry crisp.

I know.. You want to come over for dinner now.
Well, Okay. Come on Over Already!

Love your Peaches, Wanna Shake Your Tree,
Betty

PS: The Lovely and Talented Jen of the Austin Craft Mafia/Naughty Secretary Club/CraftLab mentioned that suitcase project in a really great round up she just blogged about. ( Um.. Now I need to make a minibar...hello?)
Thanks Jen!

And to those I have forgotten to thank before... Thanks now and I apologise. Flakey like a croissant, but deep down grateful to every one who links, comes by or comments. ( Like, Molly, for instance...)I really love you guys. I'd be lost without you.

Thrift Thursday:Thrifting Therapy from my Hometown

It was a fun day of shopping in my "home county" of Tuolumne on Tuesday. I came up with some fun and lovely stuff. Vintage patterns, all cute! And one is a western shirt with fun cuffs!

Vintage Sewing box in a most covetable color.

Hmmm, not usually a label girl, but I am able to make exceptions...

And a cookbook that was likely bought for the red cover with black dots...


Because it sure wasn't for the delicious looking color plates that dwelled within.
Yipes!

It was very theraputic to make a fun thrift haul because my last retail therapy was buying a great new pair of jeans. I got lucky and found a pair that fit, were flattering, had those cute pocket flaps, and were relatively cheap. I got them up near my sister's house which is an hour and a half away. I left them in my car, and left my car unlocked in front of my house... and somebody stole them! So frustrating! Did the thief know they were getting a one in a million purchase? Could they possibly understand what a good pair of jeans can mean to a woman of 40 who just put back on all the weight she lost last spring? I knew better than to leave the car unlocked, and as for replacing the jeans, I know that will not be so easy. Jeans and bathing suits... they make the dressing room a battleground. All that therapy... straight down the toilet.

Oh well. At least there was good thrift. And one of the patterns has sailor pants.

Made It Myself Monday: 13 means Sushi

Well, the accidentally big blog break at the beginning of the month had a bit to do with the fact that the first half of October is fraught with Birthday's around here.

Saturday, the wunderkind had his 13th. The theme was Sushi featuring Rock Band Karaoke and it was our first official Boy-Girl Party. It was great, the kids came and all the neighbors crashed the party as well. There isn't a scrap of food left in the house.

My main contribution was the cake.

oh yeah, and the birthday boy, but at 13, I guess I still consider him a WIP.

Happy Birthday Kid, I love you more than I could ever say... now, go do your homework.

I really want to say a big thanks to all the folks who stopped by from Today's Creative Blog too.
And to the delightful Kim for her really great article. So Very Kind!!



That was such a wonderful birthday present to get all the lovely feedback on the western shirt.
I just started a Wild Western Shirt Flickr group for all you folks looking to make your own!

I think it will be so fun to see all the variations!

I hope I get my next western shirt cut out today. So many things to sew, so little time.

Oh, and I did make a special 40th Birthday New Vintage Party Dress... Stay tuned. It will be posted as soon as I get that photo shoot done. Which will be after my photographer finishes his homework.

Made It Myself Monday: Another Pup and Pumpkin Pancakes

A new pup with stuff. Pedro Pup.
Actually Augie the Doggie found a new home.
And then he found 2 more new homes. So I am in the pup making business.
At least, for now.
And I am just thrilled about it.

KnitSonya was the first to ask about Augie but after there were other inquiries she said her lovely daughter would actually prefer a Chihuahua... so I made this little Pedro Pup.. But I then did more research and I think she meant a chihuahua that looks more like this.
Hmmm. That will be so Cute!

Anyway.. I am setting about making one that is more like that anyhow.
and I am listening to funny chihuahua songs, because it makes me laugh.

And if that isn't just nice enough,
this weekend my hub made these :
Pumpkin Pancakes
(swoon)


and I loved them,
so I am suggesting to anyone who wants a
cozy Autumnal breakfast experience
to get the recipe.. and eat some.

Yummy.

The Friday Finish Line (Saturday Edition)

I am back to my "School Week System" of making a list of what I managed to get done Friday to Friday.
What did I get done this week?

I canned tomatoes with my friend Meridith.
This is just batch number one. 17 Jars. 8 for me, 9 for her.

It is beyond addictive to set in stores for the winter.
It appeals to me on a
"wild frontierswoman/ Survivor of the Great Depression"
kind of level.

I sent StressBunny II: The Return of StressBunny
off to his new home in The British Isles.

I got my haircut. Only 12 weeks overdue.

Took Puppers to school.
He isn't the best puppy in class, but he's close.

Talked to the track coach about some nasty foul mouthed little creatures
who have NO Idea What Sportmanship Looks Like.

I made a new "pup with stuff" for a sweet friend

Finished His Dark Materials trilogy.

Bought "pricey" vintage toy kitchen. Photo Essay to follow.

Ordered more tomatoes to can.

Finished a crayon tinted vintage embroidery bit.

And went to watch track meet number one featuring "the reluctant runner: Jacob Mann".
He was not last.

Put off regular housekeeping chores with a level of procrastination that is difficult to explain,
let alone justify.

It was a pretty good week.

Strawberry Lime Jam ( Tutorial Tuesday stand in)

Strawberry Lime Jam
(I totally went 100% organic on this one and used no pectin as well...
it worked astonishingly well!)

4 baskets ripe strawberries-cleaned and cut up
4 cups sugar
1/3 cup lime juice
zest of one lime
1 tbsp butter

Sterilize your jars and keep hot in boiling water in your canning pot or time your dishwasher to end just before the canning part. I have to start mine about 15 minutes earlier than I start my stove. Heat your rings and lids in a pot of water and put 2 small plates in the freezer.

Place the berries in a big pot and mash them up with a potato masher or slotted spoon. Pour in all the sugar and stir. Put on medium high heat, add lime juice and zest and stir until all the sugar is dissolved . Stir often, and watch for any signs of burning. As the mixture begins to really boil put in the butter. This is optional, but it cuts out the foam, which I really like. Let boil (stirring quite often, or constantly if you are a worry wart, like me.) If you have a good thermometer, you want the jam to get to 220 degrees, but you also can check to see if it leaves a thick coating on a metal spoon when dipped in.

When it seems like it might be ready, do the plate test: take a cold plate from your freezer and dribble some juice, letting it sun down the plate. Count to 5 and then draw a line with your finger through the line of juice keeping the plate tipped up. If the lines don't reconnect, you are ready to can.
Fill a clean sterilized jar with jam, leaving a 1/4 inch gap at the top. Be sure to wipe the rim and place a lid and ring on and finger tighten the lid. Fill all your jars and then put in boiling water in the canning pot for 5 minutes. Remove with tongs and check for seal. If they don't seal quickly (1-3 minutes.. ) double check that the ring is tight and the turn upside down. Turn over after 10 minutes. If it still doesn't seal, refrigerate, and eat that one first!

Here are some more beautiful "artichokes in bloom" pics.
( click to enlarge.. it's worth it.)

I really can't imagine why all this deliciousness was allowed to turn into all this beauty, but I sure am glad I got to see it! (almost as glad as if I had gotten to eat it!)

The etsy update is coming, with lace necklaces, utili-obis, and sign language sampler kits but it has been delayed by a combination of a power outage, internets failing, and photography class homework. The Bitter Betty Industries prognosticators are guessing sometime between tomorrow night and Friday... Stay tuned to this blog for further info!

WIP Wednesday: What's Up These Days at My House

I am working on the dress for my anniversary date. Nearly done, but I am having trouble with the "removable collar." It is basted in when you want to wear it , which is fine, but I am having such a hard time getting it centered properly. I have re-basted 3 times. I would love an adjustable dress form. That would have really helped.
I have a beautiful dress form ,
but she and I can't share clothes.

Lemons are in season, I've been collecting.

The gardening is falling a bit behind.. These are for my pumpkin patch.
Today marks the 3rd day I have planned to get them in the ground.

This is why I have been collecting lemons. Stage 1 Home made Lemoncello, Now I patiently wait for 4 weeks for stage 2 of Homemade Lemoncello. If this batch comes out well, this will be a Handmade Holidaze 2008 project.
You can start trying to get on my good side now.

And I hope to cut out a New Vintage dress...
I washed and ironed and there's still daylight!

WIP Wednesday: Bread

Today I made cinnamon bread again..

I wore my "Lotta Jansdotter Simple Sewing" apron. Good pattern. Cute fit and comfy.




I made the bread the old fashioned way with 10 minutes of kneading. (Almost burned off a quarter of a slice with all that exercise!)



Rolled out to be sprinkled with cinnamon...









Now all I have to do is the dishes!!

Now with Recipe:
Cinnamon bread

1 pkg dry yeast (2.5 tsp)
1/2 c warm water
2 c scalded milk
2 ts salt
1/3 c sugar
1/4 c butter melted
6 1/4 c flour


1/2 c sugar
1 TB cinnamon

soften yeast in warm water
Combine milk sugar salt and butter. Let cool to lukewarm.
Stir in flour 2 cups at a time until the dough is moderately stiff.
Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead8-10 minutes until the dough is satiny and smooth. Form a ball.
Let rise in lightly oiled bowl, turning once to cover top with oil.
Should be doubled in bulk when finished rising. About 1.5 hours

Punch down and cut in half .
Roll out each half to a 6 x15 inch rectangle and sprinkle with half of the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Roll up fairly tightly.

Place in grease and floured bread pan or I did mine on a silpat sheet on a cookie pan.
Cover and let rise 1 hour.
Bake in pre heated 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

mmmm.

Had a Happy Week

Well, I am having a run-away mom girl weekend with my best friend from college this weekend but wanted to do a bit of a weekly recap.

I think that Very soon I am going to try and do themed posts.

You know:
Made it Myself Monday
Tutorial Tuesday
WIP Wednesday
Thrift Shop Thursday
Fashion Friday

Or something less nauseatingly alliterated.
or not.

But back to the recap of The Week That Was:

Very decent Thrift-shopping:

• The 4 cup pyrex measuring cup... I only had the two cup.
• 5 mini fluted pyrex pie plates. These are fantastic. I will use them all the time!
• Handy dandy potato ricer/fruit press: appears to be vintage but unused, cute and handy.
• Nice vintage robe pattern: maybe a holiday item for Mr. Bitter.
• Red beads and a black patent leather frame handbag.

The table cloth was from a previous thrift-venture but it pulled the look together.

I think it is funny how what you buy from the thrift store usually has something to say about you current obsessions. Lately I have been cooking about a thousand times more interesting and complicated meals. Hence the small dishes and huge measuring cup.
But Betty why are you cooking so much more? Why, when there is sewing and embroidering calling out to be done? Why?

The CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Box. It is like an Organic Veggie Subscription.

This is a pic of some of the stuff we got this week.

Last week I made: fresh tomato soup, pumpkin bread from fresh roasted pumpkin, butternut squash soup, cornbread, eggplant dip and sauteed shrimp, margaritas, pita croutons for a salad made with mint and feta cheese, blue cheese-cranberry-pecan salad, apple crisp, pumpkin bread caramel sundaes, gingered lemon drops ( The cocktail, mind you.), tuna casserole with green beans, ceasar salad,

and tonight we will have almond crusted local salmon with creamy leek sauce, scalloped sweet potatoes with fennel, and mixed baby greens with pumpkin seeds and apple chunks.

Normally its just: pasta, burritos, pasta, grilled fish, soup, pasta.. and maybe an omelette.

I am going to have to find a happy medium someday because my craft time has been pretty sparse.. and the huge amount of dirty dishes.. aye-aye!

but for now we are fat and happy living off the CSA Box.

Weekly Gratuitous kitten photo:

Well, off I go to take my big orange cat to the vet. He hurt his paw trying to escape from this little terror.

Maybe I will get a chance to finish my New Vintage Shirt before I hit the road.
Well, a girl can dream, can't she?