Tis a gift to be free...

For the past several years, I have tried to create the majority of the Christmas gifts our family gives. Either by sewing or baking, we’d create something wonderful for friends and family. This originally started about the time the press reported most of the small toys imported from China were covered in toxic lead paint. I wanted to know that the gifts I gave my children or my nieces and nephews weren’t hazardous.

We would also incorporate purchased/ manufactured gifts because sometimes, that’s just what is needed or desired. If a small child is begging for Legos, you don’t give them crochet finger puppets. Both excite the imagination, but one is truly more relevant for the asker.

That all said, this year I realized that a full time job just doesn’t lend enough time to the sewing and creating endeavor. I decided which very few gifts would be handmade and accepted the rest would be purchased.

But I have put a great deal of thought into how the gifts would be purchased. I want to make my “almighty dollar” make a difference. So I turned to the Fair Trade Federation website and looked into various retailers offering fair trade merchandise. Scarves, coffee mugs, wall art, jewelry, and so much more are available for purchase. These items ensure the makers, often in depressed societies, are justly compensated for their work and time.




Here are a few of my favorite finds this year (click to go to company website):

Ten Thousand Villages (their local retail store closed last year, but their online store is awesome)

Serrv (their wall hangings and tree skirts make me drool)

Project Have Hope (these are the most beautiful bead bracelets I’ve seen!)

TaraLuna (the scarves are exquisite and I selfishly purchased a whole new stack of dinner napkins for our family)

Women of Cloud Forest (I want all of the embroidered bags….I can’t decide! Sea turtle? Fruit Bat?)

The lyric I’ve used today is very old and everyone knows the song….Tis a Gift to be Simple…but we sometimes need a reminder that it truly is a gift to be FREE. Just knowing my shopping will help someone – a lot of someones if I’m honest about my shopping – be a little more independent and a little more dignified makes my personal Christmas season much more meaningful.

PS - I didn't include any pictures of the items I bought because I don't want to give away the surprise...shhhh!

Hard to make a stand

Today the president is visiting our normally bucolic town. I won't go into the politics of the visit because I'd like to keep all 12 of my readers. Our house is along his majesty's motorcade route for today's visit, so there's increased police patrols, random stopping and checking of vehicles, and the ever popular demonstrators on the street corners. Here's the demonstrator nearest our home:

I'm glad to see the threat of thousands of jobs lost hasn't overshadowed his (or hers) desire for humane animal treatment.  Oh, look, I just got political anyway.  The truth is that I applaud his (or hers) willingness to stand in the sprinkling rain for their views - I really do.  I encourage my children to stand up for their beliefs even when it's the unpopular "thing to do".  And, let's not forget the world's best protester - Jesus.

I did, however, decide that my desire to moon the motorcade would not be seen as freedom of speech, but rather as indecent exposure.  I'm staying indoors today.

Today's post title from Sheryl Crow's Hard to Make a Stand.  So true!  I really wanted to quote this song (read through, you'll know why), but I need to keep this place PG.

A habit I can't break

I must admit to you that last week's King Cakes were from a new-to-me recipe. I have a horrible habit of trying any new King Cake recipe that crosses my path. (Some husbands might say this more of an addiction). When I pulled my baking recipes binder from the cabinet to prep those cakes, a stray piece of paper floated to the floor.  It was a handwritten recipe for the cake dough....from I don't know where! On a whim, I decided to try this unknown recipe because a quick glance at the ingredient list showed it wasn't too different than my current favorite.  The added bonus is that it makes 2 cakes for the same amount of work - 1 for you and 1 to share!

But now? It's our NEW favorite.  I feel compelled to share it with you.  Since I am positive that you've all been making King Cakes this whole time, right???


Dough Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter or margarine (Oh, please, who uses margarine? Just grab that butter!)
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream (this is the difference!)
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt

2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast OR 5 tsp yeast
1 tablespoon white sugar (you can substitute honey, as well)
1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)

2 eggs
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided



Directions:

1. COOK first 4 ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Cool mixture to 100 degrees to 110 degrees. (Essentially, you're scalding these - just like the other recipe)

2. DISSOLVE yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in 1/2 cup warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Add butter mixture, eggs, and 2 cups flour; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes or until smooth. Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. (Note: My dough is always very wet and it takes an extra 3/4 cup of flour.)

3. KNEAD with your stand mixer for 8 minutes.  TURN dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for just another minute because it feels good and pioneer-ish. Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85 degrees), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.

4. STIR together 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, and 2 TBSP cinnamon; set aside.  In a separate bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter.

5. PUNCH dough down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface; roll to a 30" x 30" (approx) rectangle. Cut this in half, leaving you with two pieces.  Spread half each with melted butter and sugar/ cinnamon mixture.  Roll each dough, jellyroll fashion, starting at long side. Place dough roll, seam side down, on a lightly greased or lined baking sheet. Bring ends together to form an oval ring, moistening and pinching edges together to seal. (You could also cut the large rectangle into thirds and braid the cake, but it will be huge and very tall - almost too high to comfortably take a bite.)

6. PLACE each cake in a warm spot for 30 minutes.

7. BAKE at 375 F for 15 to 18 minutes.  Do not overbake because it makes the cake dry.

8. PROCEED with icing and colored sugars as per this post.

Humorously, we had a friend from the New Orleans area stop by last weekend and, of course, I offered her a piece.  She was so enthusiastic about it's flavor and texture, that she likened this cake to one of her favorites from "back home" and vowed to send me that recipe.  Surprise!  The recipe she sent is exactly the same as my unknown handwritten one!  Now I can tell you that this sour cream version was printed by Southern Living in January 1990.

I always give credit where credit is due.  Please comment or email if you try to make a King Cake this season.  I would love to hear about your experience and opinions.

Post title - Dolly Parton's A Habit I Can't Break.

You can count me in

 Today, I am so very thankful to have my opinion HEARD!

As the children celebrated a "no school" day by sleeping in, Mr. Neoclassic and I snuck out to vote.  We held hands while walking into our polling station and discussing Virginia's chances for going in our chosen direction.  We witnessed a sweet white-haired husband unloading his aging wife and her walker, all the while promising her breakfast and coffee for braving the cold to vote.  Her response was something akin to, "well, duh!"

Tuesdays during November will be my Gratitude Days.  I'd like to share simple thanksgivings and blessings that our Domestic Church recognizes.  Today, we are most thankful for the chance to make a difference and to be heard.  Classic Rock pointed out that he'll be voting in the 2016 election.  Wow!

Today's post title....any of the 1000+ songs that showed up when I googled "count me in."

One man has his mind made up, the other can't decide

This blog will never be a forum for political discussions. Those who know me well know that I am opinionated and vocal, but rarely able to tolerate a political debate/ talk/ discussion. Frankly, I know what I believe and want, and I have no interest in making you accept my view as gospel. My religion? Now, that I'll talk about happily. It has a point, after all.

This year's election, however, is interesting to me for many reasons. The main being that our oldest child is aware of key issues and able to discuss them with us. In the safety and comfort of our home - not on national television or commercials. We like hearing his opinions and talking through the political agenda to actually get the facts.

Virginia is a "swing state" this election. Will our state be BLUE or RED? I am not going to state my preference - it' none of your beeswax. I will state that the frenzy to garner last minute votes is making my head hurt - and my heart. The ads/ commercials we're seeing and hearing have taken nasty to a whole new level - for both sides. After watching several with my parents, I found out that Virginia is getting ads that other states aren't. We have whole armies of campaign specialists vying for our state's votes. Apparently, our residents are considered too stupid to have already made their decisions. Who knew one 60 second ad could change a whole mindset?

Then, just this morning, I heard that a new threat to Virginia is out there. Well, two threats. The first is Superstorm Sandy. The need for the candidates to visit destruction zones is zapping their valuable campaign time. Well, God forbid they show compassion. The second threat is the third Virginia candidate. Will he suction votes needed by either Repub's or Dem's to take the state? Will he take the whole state and throw off the balance of natural power? Will he bow out at the last minute?

For those of us living through it all, the situation is just funny. And a little depressing. I am somewhat ashamed to know that most of America thinks we can't make a decision and must be led around like dogs on leashes.

I, for one, am not a dog.  I will proudly vote and watch as my state goes my way - or not.  I might be happy in the end - or not.  But I'll know that I made my decision and I didn't depend on the media to make it for me.

I will now step down from my soapbox and resume regularly scheduled fluff posts.  Thank you.


Today's post title from Steve Winwood's Split Decision.

Mercy you have given

Rather than a particular devotional program or Bible study course, I tend to use the daily Mass readings as a jumping off point for reflection. Some days the words pass in and out, leaving little impact, and some days I find particular phrases lingering. I ponder a message or teaching for days, working through it's nuances and applications for daily life.

Friday, July 15th was one of those lingering type days. The gospel reading was Matthew 12:1-8 and included the following phrase:

I desire mercy, not sacrifice.

Reading the rest of the passage will certainly put the message in perspective, but I've been seeing that phrase mean so much over the week.  Irish Jig is, like many toddlers, a little cranky at 5 PM.   She's out of sorts from the length of the day, still tired from a shortened nap (having been awakened so that she'll go to bed before 10), and clingy.  Amazingly that's the same time of day everyone else wants a little piece of time and attention.   And, of course, a meal is being prepared. Lately, meals are prepared like this:

Mr. Neoclassic (or me if I'm the chef) slows the process down and encourages her help.  It's certainly not the most expedient method at a time of the day that demands expediency.  We could look at it like a sacrifice of time. Or, we could see it as a merciful outpouring of time.

Then, there's the story about a generally sweet boy who requires so many hours of sleep that a fight ensues nearly each morning when he's awakened to face the day.  Recently, though, Zydeco's had several middle-of-the-night nose bleeds, requiring assistance and bedding changes.  After the first two, he just asked for the new bedding and told me he could handle the situation.  I could go back to sleep and leave him to it.  Or, I could sit with him until it passed, help change the bed, and remember to let him sleep later in the morning.   A sacrifice of sleep or a merciful tending?  It's all in the perspective.

You can thank me for skipping the nose bleed photo opportunity.  Let's enjoy this one, instead!

There's a thin line, sometimes, between sacrifice and mercy.  One can certainly be shaded in the other.  I am choosing, hopefully, to practice the mercy.  There's too much self absorption in sacrifice. 



Yes, I'm having the nose bleed issue addressed.
Today's post title from You Alone, by Sarah Hart and Dwight Liles

...the thoughts of a fool thinkin' out loud

This is truly a day of random vignettes from this domestic church.  So, with no actual rhyme or reason, let's visit various snapshots and stories, shall we?

Jazz dressed as a squirrel for her class musical, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  She was adamant that the tail be furry, so I mulled over possible tail designs and constructions for several weeks.  I finally decided to sew a felt casing that I slipped over electrical wire (some thick grade that Mr. Neoclassic used when he wired the house for surround sound) and then zigzagged across layers of furry yarn to create the bushy tail look.  She was thrilled.  The play was, uhm, a second grade level play.  Since she'll probably read this, let's go with, "I was so excited to watch her on stage having the greatest time while singing her little heart out.  She sings very well - I like to think she got that part from me :)"

At Classic Rock's request, I made curried chicken pot pie for dinner last week.  He said I should photograph it and post the recipe.  I am not going to write the recipe in this post, but will do so soon.  It's an Alton Brown recipe I found on Food Network.com many years ago and it's divine.  No canned soup yuck stuff in this one!  I use my favorite biscuit recipe for the topping - a recipe I found via Cocoa.  It was very close to my own, but I liked the addition of the egg.  Curried chicken pot pie makes your whole house smell fabulous.  Glade should make this a PlugIns scent.

I spent a great portion of last week and this weekend sorting through clothes for small (and not so small) people.  We reorganized drawers and closets, weeded out too small winter stuffs, and prepped the girls' room for a paint job.  Which is what I am supposed to be doing as I type this.  Ooops!  Above is Zydeco's room and shirt pile to sort through.  He wasn't thrilled when I dumped the clothes on his floor.

Notice the Girl Scout cookie boxes I used for short term clothes sorting!  Recycling is what I call it.

This is how Irish Jig helped me clean their room.  She laid there and talked to the little people in the house for an hour or so.  This is of course a day or so before she got into my purse, took my wallet and hid it somewhere in the house.  I was supposed to take the girls out Saturday morning to buy Easter/ First Eucharist shoes while the boys and Mr. Neo were at an all day Boy Scout event.  I spent two hours tearing the house apart looking for the wallet while contemplating the destruction of a small person.

When she continued to laugh about hiding the wallet,  I picked her up and marched her squirming body upstairs and into her crib.  I needed a time out from her after the first hour of searching.  For the next ten minutes, I heard the following being yelled from her room:

• You mean to me!
• Dat not nice!
• You come get me down!
• You 'urt my fweelin's!
• You read dis to me?

And I totally laughed until my sides hurt.  I think God truly knew I needed some comic relief about then.  I did go get her and I read The Cat in the Hat Comes Back (again!!!!!).  I found the wallet squashed in between the cushions of the living room couch and shoes were eventually purchased.

And let me just get on my soapbox for one moment about shoes for little girls.  Why do the vast majority of them look like something you'd wear if you were standing on a street corner???  They had half inch to one inch heels on sandals for toddlers, people!  She can't walk on her own bare feet in a straight line and they put heels on shoes for her? I found simple white flats, appropriate for the occasions finally, but not before passing sparkly, sequined, heeled, strappy configurations.  Maybe our children would make better moral choices as young adults if we didn't surround them with inappropriate attire as children.

Don't even get me started on low cut jeans for little girls.  I need to go paint!

Mighty works displayed for all to see

I am sorry, my friends, for not posting on Saturday as promised.  It has proven to be a crazy busy weekend for me, which is somewhat unusual.  I needed to use the down time intervals for my family, not for the computer.  But I am here now and ready to share more quilt show pictures.  Let me warn you that the show requests no flash photography, so some of the pictures have glare and are a bit dark.  Let me also get on my soapbox and say that more than half of the people I saw taking pictures were using those mini cameras with auto flash functions and it was really unnerving.   I wanted to tell them to read the book and find the OFF button.  But, then I remembered that I don't know how to use most of the buttons on my camera, so I (uncharacteristically) zipped it and moved on.

It's not a quilt, but it's still very eye catching:




These Lollipops are actually tightly rolled bias tapes in colorful patterns and motifs.  They are packaged like the old-time lollipops (or suckers, if you're Southern) and they are adorable.  They, like their sugary counterparts, make you want to grab one and carry it around, smiling at it.

Next, we have a waterfall cascade of quilted circles.  At first, I thought they were yo-yo's, but they are similar to coasters amazingly stitched in the round, then connected in a cascade.  I thought the color gradation was well-executed and included those in-between shades.  I could totally see this hanging in a well lit hallway, entry, or family room.  It was beautiful!





Another wall hanging quilt that really impressed me is shown below.  Maybe it's the civil engineer in me, but I really thought the tunnel perspective was well done.  The fabric patterns emulated  the look of brick, concrete for the tunnel ceiling, and asphalt pavement.  And, of course, it was titled "The Light at the End of the Tunnel."

I have to add this one again because the art work was stunning.  The artist actually painted the facial expressions onto the fabric. That's brave (and begs the question of how to wash it).  The suns are very intricately pieced.  I still think of Tomi de Paola :)



This wonderful bed-sized quilt was a show award winner.  I know my picture doesn't do the work justice, but trust me when I say it's an applique wonderland.  So many patterns and motifs - maybe too many - but the full size effect is rather pleasing.  One major benefit of using this quilt, you can pick any color of wall paint and it would surely work!

The last quilt I'd like to share was a major award winner for the show.  It's entirely done by hand, which the purist in my mother would love, and it's beautiful.  I chose not to capture the full quilt in order to highlight the workmanship.  It includes several different types of applique (my mother can name them all, but I can't) and several intricate runs of hand worked runching.  The quilting is so precise, you could hang it backward and it would be a work of art on its own

Well, thus ends another year of fun at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show.  I keep badgering my sister-in-law to fly into town one year and attend the show with me.  She is a fabulous quilter and has made beautiful wall hangings for her family by designing landscape scenes (um, K, I am still waiting and not feeling the love - just saying).   Her work evokes serenity. 

Have a good week!  I'll see you back here soon.