tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52685255922540964122024-03-12T22:19:29.905-04:00Fits and Starts Craft/Gardening/Urban Homsteading/Everything Else BlogCrafts and arts and books and urban homesteading and gardening and food and music and whatever else thrills me at the time.fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-12669080337017509462011-09-26T10:26:00.000-04:002011-09-26T10:26:08.444-04:00New things up on my etsy site!!!I just put a bunch of things up on etsy...thought I'd share. My store is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/amymisha">Mercantile de Mama Mojo</a> . Herer are some examples of what I put up!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRIu6XJfXD9f0WHesdKlF3F0x0kPyNODwNnDxSGcum94E07kU7w_xyV7AiRiW77Ai-x5Dx_LbtUfCysyKtI6dYGKFfsFoi5hhDXpe7-La3R9ddig16aRRkyRxhzraWlV4-I6bC9metJQ/s1600/P9240057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRIu6XJfXD9f0WHesdKlF3F0x0kPyNODwNnDxSGcum94E07kU7w_xyV7AiRiW77Ai-x5Dx_LbtUfCysyKtI6dYGKFfsFoi5hhDXpe7-La3R9ddig16aRRkyRxhzraWlV4-I6bC9metJQ/s320/P9240057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-21014656864125708432011-09-23T09:18:00.000-04:002011-09-23T09:18:03.972-04:00Quick preview of what's going up on my etsy....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KlhqbTVNxdbx4Uugxb1QRoG7LgmEqvrA46-KwnusqmFhzUiTjrQY90FWcP4MaUTJ573iDEv5puuZIZrNelngYg6Hba_Q11K-BDotx9bXi9Cqk3dlDOfqLMxmGZINF9Q7JEgS8-xZdhU/s1600/mercantiledemamamojo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KlhqbTVNxdbx4Uugxb1QRoG7LgmEqvrA46-KwnusqmFhzUiTjrQY90FWcP4MaUTJ573iDEv5puuZIZrNelngYg6Hba_Q11K-BDotx9bXi9Cqk3dlDOfqLMxmGZINF9Q7JEgS8-xZdhU/s320/mercantiledemamamojo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had my first vending table last weekend. It was kind of an off day, but it was more of an experiment to see how things would work out. So, these will be going up on etsy this weekend. I'll post the link then!fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-30317728026173253092011-09-23T09:14:00.000-04:002011-09-23T09:14:20.488-04:00Wow. Have I been neglectful...Life just kind of grabs me by the back of the neck and shakes me sometimes!!! I will have new posts soon, as I have some really nice reviews to get up and some info on what's being added to my etsy store. Bear with me.fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-72324663148199495892011-02-22T13:37:00.000-05:002011-02-22T13:37:24.784-05:00Neat link-Fun projectPhotojojo has a really neat tutorial on making photo-realistic pouches! Note to self-must try this!<br />
<a href="http://content.photojojo.com/diy/how-to-make-a-photorealistic-pouch/">Photojojo Pouches</a>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-68577300381437880802011-02-21T15:31:00.000-05:002011-02-21T15:31:35.353-05:00I am a (wanna be!) Urban Homesteader!So, as I have a loaf of sour dough bread rising, made with flour I just ground myself this morning, and as I wait for my food co-op order to come in, so i can get my new essential oil and make some soap, I came across this facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Take-Back-Urban-Home-steadings/167527713295518">Take Back Urban Homesteading</a>. Yes, a family in California who has done great work, has now trademarked the words <b>Urban Homesteading</b>, and are busy having their legal team send cease and desist letters to those using the term. And this fantastic facebook page is a great way to see how other bloggers and Urban Homesteaders are fighting back, in one way or another.<br />
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While I am nowhere near self sufficient, and never will be in this city, I believe that <b>Urban Homesteading</b> is something I have spent most of my life learning the skills for. I am a city kid. I love cities. I also love making bread, growing my own food, working toward self sufficiency, canning and preserving, composting and worms, and learning new skills as often as possible. I may not be an <b>Urban Homesteader</b> right now, but life for me is about the journey, not so much the destination. Every new skill I learn is a skill I keep. Someday....someday.. I'll be closer to that life! So, I am going to claim that title.Done ranting now. Visit that facebook page! there are tons of great bloggers posting today!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJm_w9YmpKhPhCNwZVRA_kzaI2pMn83vKaBGvGHyhB8bSA4CYIxBv_j3AOwQvdTkllvJLUrutFyfRlXIZn1GArBswDPY6th9PcmaNEa-xob_KndmdsyOavJNRHxdiXpWnhrvYD52fy_4/s1600/184985_167568666624756_167527713295518_326869_2064888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJm_w9YmpKhPhCNwZVRA_kzaI2pMn83vKaBGvGHyhB8bSA4CYIxBv_j3AOwQvdTkllvJLUrutFyfRlXIZn1GArBswDPY6th9PcmaNEa-xob_KndmdsyOavJNRHxdiXpWnhrvYD52fy_4/s1600/184985_167568666624756_167527713295518_326869_2064888_n.jpg" /></a></div>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-58315239113683664472011-02-17T18:15:00.000-05:002011-02-17T18:15:56.370-05:00Told ya I've been busy!!!I really have been making things. Just not writing about them. First are two cards, using <a href="http://www.unitystampco.com/">Unity Stamps</a>. Unity is one of my favorite stamp companies! Their stamps are great quality, very nicely etched red rubber. The designs are just great. Their Kit Of the Month Club is awesome too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfWdvXO0UjRjWLqMvHQHEoklzsPCwvdnjCVjV1-q_YUoWYwkJWL-I2WBIO8oGEJTyILm86orxCTph0GdN21pFB2gBWpP3LFaM9v02y105BHlkLtcSY7igP0rrHmOSsAwVIPfx61F6Kmc/s1600/Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfWdvXO0UjRjWLqMvHQHEoklzsPCwvdnjCVjV1-q_YUoWYwkJWL-I2WBIO8oGEJTyILm86orxCTph0GdN21pFB2gBWpP3LFaM9v02y105BHlkLtcSY7igP0rrHmOSsAwVIPfx61F6Kmc/s320/Joy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0agmmryKMU9WJ6Qu6BSHXCfdRLfbX28r2_hFkyq0skaju1JI2Q3cCqVvwkJqztWk9qc5VDmy61V_or39KxkiE_uZGD9yR8FffrON1yTm7reZXg5SxrsClBJT8sjIAQMoCjMGhvPHw_Wk/s1600/youaremy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0agmmryKMU9WJ6Qu6BSHXCfdRLfbX28r2_hFkyq0skaju1JI2Q3cCqVvwkJqztWk9qc5VDmy61V_or39KxkiE_uZGD9yR8FffrON1yTm7reZXg5SxrsClBJT8sjIAQMoCjMGhvPHw_Wk/s320/youaremy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And a scrapbook layout. This is the same sketch I used in a another recent layout. I really like this sketch! Most of the papers are Basic Grey, and the embellishments are from a wide variety of sources.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRl9ZpPo9_61iuwPvAGKBKA8-pQxXadfcOoFUtxRdtjo4ly2bgICMMKRlbUiZzldMhRRWF7HCmgEj-rbwzBSLh7y5oHH9BW3t0c1I8718fX7TroEc_DU9ugU1gY4sRrZgUnqUeHk5ZpfQ/s1600/Heyzozo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRl9ZpPo9_61iuwPvAGKBKA8-pQxXadfcOoFUtxRdtjo4ly2bgICMMKRlbUiZzldMhRRWF7HCmgEj-rbwzBSLh7y5oHH9BW3t0c1I8718fX7TroEc_DU9ugU1gY4sRrZgUnqUeHk5ZpfQ/s320/Heyzozo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My niece. I love her, and do not get to see her nearly enough!<br />
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The stamps on the background of the hexagon sort of shape is also from Unity.<br />
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More to come soon! I've been on a roll. I've found that the best way to get out of a rut is join an online crop and do some layouts and cards for challenge blogs. This has really been getting things going for me! Tomorrow I'll post some links to some of my favorite Challenge Blogs.<br />
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Be well!fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-9454627541142680642011-02-14T09:09:00.000-05:002011-02-14T09:09:31.304-05:00New crafty pictures coming soon! But for now a great link....I really have been crafting, just not taking pictures like a good doobie. I will do that tonight.<br />
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But for now, here is a great article about journaling. It was written by Noell of Paperclipping Roundtable, one of my new favorite podcasts. It's about capturing journaling information in the metadata of your photos. Once I get a new computer (since mine is making the sounds of a death rattle every time I start it up), I am going to give this a try!<br />
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Here's the link. While you're there check out the site!! The pod casts are just great, and there is a wealth of information here. I love this podcast because they all seem like very friendly people, and it feels like you are right there with them.<br />
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<a href="http://www.paperclipping.com/scrapbooking-ideas/how-you-really-can-tell-all-of-your-photo-stories/">How You Really Can Tell ALL of Your Photo Stories</a>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-44713061751194492782011-01-29T17:29:00.000-05:002011-01-29T17:29:14.146-05:00Basic Grey Challenge 36One final layout for the day. It's for the <a href="http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/01/challenge-36-flower-power-design-team.html">Basic Grey Challenge, #36-Flower Power</a>. Most of the papers are from the Marrakech line, one of my favorites.<br />
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Materials used:<br />
Patterned paper: Basic Grey Masala Bella, Blue Nights, Green Tea, Jubilee, African Nectar, Mandarin Slice<br />
Letters: Basic Grey Marrakech Alphabet Stickers<br />
Flowers: Basic Grey Marrakech Element Stickersfitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-76344795408074263702011-01-29T11:13:00.002-05:002011-01-29T11:18:40.443-05:00Starting my Christmas Cards early!Well, last year I got so busy i only got 6 made! So this year, I figure I'll do 1 a week or so and by the time the holidays roll around I'll have oodles. There's a challenge blog out there called <a href="http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.com/">Christmas Cards Challenges</a>, which has a different challenge every week. This week's challenge: <a href="http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-christmas-card-challenge-8.html">Christmas Card Challenges: 2011 Christmas Card Challenge #8</a> was "No Coloring." Here's my submission.<br />
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Patterened Paper: Basic Grey<br />
Stamp: Tingtura Designs<br />
Rub Ons: Basic Grey<br />
Ribbon: Close To My Heart<br />
Buttons: Unknownfitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-74271218580534561072011-01-29T10:21:00.000-05:002011-01-29T10:21:58.152-05:00New LayoutHere's a quick little layout I did of my sister and my niece.<br />
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Patterned Paper: Close To My Heart and Storytellers Club <br />
Cardstock: Unknown<br />
Shimmer Flourish: Making Memories <br />
Snowflakes: Unknown and Marcella by K<br />
Ritzy Ditzy Shimmer Mist <br />
Cardstock<br />
Brads<br />
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Submitting it to <a href="http://www.pencillines.com/2011/01/sketch-222.html">Pencil Lines Sketch Challenge</a>. <br />
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More to come!!fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-43567316701884615502011-01-26T15:33:00.001-05:002011-01-26T15:38:49.585-05:00No craftiness today, but some pictures....I got an iPod Touch for Christmas and one of my favorite apps is Hipstamatic. I love it. Here are a few pictures I have taken so far. The only downside I have found is their custom prints (if you want real prints) are expensive, and there's no way to get them printed properly by snapfish, etc. But the pictures come out really neat, and it's a lot of fun to play with.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU4pVlGkbi-nyCFg-6O4aI4pQoyeDgI3WIUNQ19WNUKVH5knElqX8TnpH4aT5_R6EhN_JsaaI0VQJeT2d-UYN5g7FFlQv2_bTDPdqxoC08Ge2vlZpqIz4AKLyIZfAjG2YKsCrqRnsZWE/s1600/perkins01262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU4pVlGkbi-nyCFg-6O4aI4pQoyeDgI3WIUNQ19WNUKVH5knElqX8TnpH4aT5_R6EhN_JsaaI0VQJeT2d-UYN5g7FFlQv2_bTDPdqxoC08Ge2vlZpqIz4AKLyIZfAjG2YKsCrqRnsZWE/s320/perkins01262.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclGPPHRue8LYKrQ7a7V922O29FFABSgSgfVWpl7tQaizKoyR-zO6fQ9ZQI3t9UoDRon-0olapXs_5UYgH0XnIaTDf23eLeug_MCyc6yCO6rdCsqGl9DoKW_yBDv0x1ymDhZ0_p3R4EYY/s1600/perkins0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclGPPHRue8LYKrQ7a7V922O29FFABSgSgfVWpl7tQaizKoyR-zO6fQ9ZQI3t9UoDRon-0olapXs_5UYgH0XnIaTDf23eLeug_MCyc6yCO6rdCsqGl9DoKW_yBDv0x1ymDhZ0_p3R4EYY/s320/perkins0126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYT_IFrBjDbTFnfFILu7lCueEkC1MNMBiSpNZteI2IlRHXcyTKIZDTql4TAkqgGFmS_VL6SnDoAhIAoI8xNe4SC9tt35pAZ15zjEID7JTdh9EeUelYPigp0myFxzd4Nnx2Udl4zJdzBJE/s1600/cambridge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYT_IFrBjDbTFnfFILu7lCueEkC1MNMBiSpNZteI2IlRHXcyTKIZDTql4TAkqgGFmS_VL6SnDoAhIAoI8xNe4SC9tt35pAZ15zjEID7JTdh9EeUelYPigp0myFxzd4Nnx2Udl4zJdzBJE/s320/cambridge2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The first two are where at I work, at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. The third is in Cambridge, MA. And look at this great picture of my niece I took last month! I love how the lens and film I used make this picture look like it's one of my childhood pictures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKuRXdqzHZ_37O_WKfloX9gh3GyKD8MlV7N0cfBhlE33aRF8vJcyDt4CaaDuQj47yPC0jJuKiPTWCeicGrcXx3edbofyDsKqzn5z5pCDY26Bi3TFEtISP4NCfQaLw-xRLmYdWb7QUiwE/s1600/zoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKuRXdqzHZ_37O_WKfloX9gh3GyKD8MlV7N0cfBhlE33aRF8vJcyDt4CaaDuQj47yPC0jJuKiPTWCeicGrcXx3edbofyDsKqzn5z5pCDY26Bi3TFEtISP4NCfQaLw-xRLmYdWb7QUiwE/s320/zoe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Their website is at <a href="http://hipstamaticapp.com/">http://hipstamaticapp.com/</a> and you can download their app in the app store. It's not very expensive, and for me it has been tons of fun.fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-67223839835980388352011-01-25T15:28:00.003-05:002011-01-26T11:00:45.539-05:00New Year's, sort of, Resolutions....<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I do not usually make New Year’s resolutions. Mainly because I am way too ADD to follow through, half the time. But this is a list of some things I would *<b>like</b>* to accomplish this year. In no particular order:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Gardening</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Get my garden up and running again. Since I disappeared last year for a while, no one here has heard the tale of what happened to my garden (unless you read my small post below, snicker). Just a few short months after transplanting everything from my old community garden plot to my front yard, my landlord destroyed all of it. There are 2 sides to my front yard, I was gardening one side. It had gotten a little weedy, but nothing like the side that belongs to my neighbors. Someone must have complained because I came home from work one day to find the entire yard stripped to bare earth! All of my container plants in a dump truck! My worms, my lovely worm bin, also gone! This was a bin I had been caring for during the last 4 years or so, and it had almost 10 pounds of compost ready to be harvested. Gone. My 7 year old tarragon, sage, lavender, etc.? Gone!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I was devastated. This year I am building a raised bed, so it is clear that there is a garden there. Urgh. Unfortunately, it didn’t get made before the snow, and there is now about 2 ½ feet of snow in my yard, so it will have to wait. But it will happen. The seed catalogs are starting to come and I am starting to plan the space a bit. I am going to get started on a new worm bin in the next week or so, I set one up for my Dad for Christmas, and I miss the little critters. Now we have an ample supply of bunny poo for fertilizer, due to Lola, the house bunny my daughter got for Christmas. I am busy collecting paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls to make seed starters. This year I am going to try potatoes and hops. The hops tie into my next goal.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Random Skills/Hobbies</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Learn how to brew my own! I’ve been thinking about it forever and make very good liquors. But I want to try my hand at beer. I figure if I grow hops, by the time they are ready to harvest I will be ready to move away from kit brewing into more complex recipes. Now, just to come up with the $$ to get the start-up kit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Start canning and preserving more. I want to start keeping my eyes open for crazy good deals on produce so I can do some more preserving. I desperately want to get a food dehydrator. I’ve been trying to get more involved with the Urban Homesteaders League Meet Up group, which has been a good way to get produce cheaply, every so often. I got an amazing deal on canning supplies at Target at the end of last season, so I am well stocked on supplies. I just joined a new CSA, and they have Pick Your Own days, so I will probably take advantage of that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Find an online certification in Herbalism. Start saving up for it. See if I can find one that is pay as you go.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Crafting</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">This year I will learn how to crochet a granny square. I just need to find someone who crochets who can show me in person. I have tried and tried to learn from books and it is just not working. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I am going to enter more craft challenges online, like at Cupcake Craft (<a href="http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/">http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/</a>). I am going to win some! So there. I am definitely trying to break out of crafters block, slowly but surely. I’ve been joining some online crops and things just to force myself to do some work. I’m also going to Maine in a few weeks to have a crafty weekend with my sister, which should jump start things.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Keep up with the Art Journal Every day. I’m trying, but haven’t been too good about it. I’m concentrating right now on getting my supplies in order more. Everything is kind of scattered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Get my etsy shop up and running. Produce, produce, produce. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Everything Else</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I really, really, really need to get my craft area more organized. It’s super small, and I can not find anything right now. Organizing in general is a challenge for me. I need to streamline things a little.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Well, I guess that’s it for now. This is more to get things down “on paper” and start moving toward goals. They’re all attainable. And I have a whole year!</span></div>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-72455686988719612092011-01-24T12:36:00.001-05:002011-01-26T14:43:35.593-05:00A few new cards....I really need better pictures for these! I took the pictures on my iPod, so the quality is not great but, here are 2 new cards that I've made:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVk3v4q-xobupBF9soz1t-3JdLtLPzvNnuPb1f4LbNAr0HYPUSQ3ld5JoMfQfFqAmciPwYoHfoA3KtcSB-LCrwx0wdEUajTqWrJkvVfSnxObiwODhzaW5ac_jbS-sfbo2PlsgfJz44tQ/s1600/thank+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVk3v4q-xobupBF9soz1t-3JdLtLPzvNnuPb1f4LbNAr0HYPUSQ3ld5JoMfQfFqAmciPwYoHfoA3KtcSB-LCrwx0wdEUajTqWrJkvVfSnxObiwODhzaW5ac_jbS-sfbo2PlsgfJz44tQ/s320/thank+you.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Patterned papers are Basic Grey Wisteria Stone Wall and Willow<br />
Die cuts are Basic Grey Wisteria Chipboard dies<br />
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And the second card:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jigGUZWOrx6avK8KpfeIwzWWkm242GiNGE5DVQGr-FbsaBe8gprcKXPx8b2O38P-UYaIJuiTApyjcDjaGI6r9jDPj6VUDBezsDfXTY4xkoca6XUIQY0HSNp7SIPWdNZIYXsbtVDUmFc/s1600/card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jigGUZWOrx6avK8KpfeIwzWWkm242GiNGE5DVQGr-FbsaBe8gprcKXPx8b2O38P-UYaIJuiTApyjcDjaGI6r9jDPj6VUDBezsDfXTY4xkoca6XUIQY0HSNp7SIPWdNZIYXsbtVDUmFc/s320/card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Fancy Pants Patterned Paper Glimmer<br />
AdornIt Patterned Paper Fern Collection-Owl Hoot B<br />
Prima Flower<br />
Copic Markers<br />
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I've been busy trying to organize what little of a craft space that I have. *sigh* The perils of small space living. I really only have a 3 foot by 3 foot space to craft on, and small spaces for supplies. I'm trying to get it more workable, so I will use it more!<br />
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I made these cards for an online crop over at <a href="http://www.memorableseasons.com/">Memorable Seasons</a> . A nice way to break out of scrappers and card makers block. It was fun and I got some stuff done, 2 cards, 2 layouts and 2 more layouts that weren't related to the online crop.fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-23393527296225648852011-01-08T07:32:00.000-05:002011-01-08T07:32:00.382-05:00New Year, New Start!Boy have I neglected this place. Sorry...things all went downhill fast last year. <br />
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But it's a New Year and I have started partcicipating in a new challenge to keep me busy! It's called Art Journal Everyday and it's over at this link <a href="http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/art-j.html">http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/art-j.html</a><br />
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So, that should kick start things. <br />
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Projects this year... I want to start home brewing. As soon as I get money for the start kit and equipment I am going to jump right in.<br />
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My landlord razed my garden to bare earth last summer. We have two front yards, one that I was working in and one on the other side of the duplex. That side got crazy weedy. I was clearing my weeds out as best I could. Someone in the neighborhood complained so i came home from work one day to find everything GONE. 7 year old lavender? Gone! I had finally gotten it to overwinter well too. 7 year old sage? Gone! Well established worm bin, with about 10 pounds of compost ready to harvest? GONE! <br />
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Needless to say I cried. But this year I am building a raised bed. So I'll get going on the garden wagon soon. I am going to have to start scouring freecycle and The Urban Homestead league to find new herb plants, but that will come.<br />
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So.... I can't promise I will post every week, or even every day. But I'll be here more often.fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-83514722319812505592010-04-02T13:04:00.001-04:002010-04-02T13:28:56.675-04:00Indpendence Days #5, April 2<div style="color: #000099;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: #274e13;">1. Plant something.</span></div>Just sprouts, so far...Misha is joyfully eating them as fast as they'll grow. I'm starting my peas this weekend and will start in door seeds this weekend too.<br />
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<div style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: #274e13;">2. Harvest something.</span></div>Sprouts!<br />
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<div style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: #274e13;">3. Preserve something.</span></div>Nope. BUT I did get signed up for the online Food Storage and Preservation class at <a href="http://sharonastyk.com/2010/03/25/food-storage-and-preservation-class/">The Chatelaine's Keys</a>. Very excited about this!<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;">4. Reduce waste. </div>Decluttered a lot and am getting ready for a yard sale this weekend. What doesn't sell gets boxed up and and brought to Maine this summer for my sister's big yard sale. <br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;">5. Preparation and Storage.</div>Worked on herbal stuff for my herbal swap. Made 2 sock bunnies for a different swap. I think I am addicted to swapping.<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">6. Build Community Food Systems. </span><br />
Talked more with my friend Alyssa about doing a huge cooking day at her house (where I usually do my big cooking days). But this way I won't be the only one buying all the food and I'll have help with preparation. It'll be BYOT-Bring Your Own Tupperware.<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #274e13;">7. Eat the Food. </div>Still eating the freezer full I made a few weeks ago. Also have been on a tofu cutlet kick. Mish and I have eaten 3 containers of tofu this week! Here's the recipe, more or less...I just kind of throw things in a bowl and hope for the best:<br />
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1 package of tofu<br />
3/4 cup of flour<br />
1/4 cup of bread crumbs<br />
seasoning (salt, pepper, whatever)<br />
1/4 cup of nutritional yeast<br />
sesame oil<br />
vegetable oil<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 400F.<br />
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.<br />
Cut tofu into 6 equal sized slices. Dip into sesame oil.<br />
Dip into flour mixture and coat well. (I do the oil-flour thing twice, because I like the crust thick)<br />
Put a little veg oil in a pan.<br />
Put tofu in pan and pop in over. After 10 minutes flip the pieces. Cook for 10 minutes more until they are golden brown.<br />
Eat!<br />
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Easy, peasy. And delicious.<br />
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And Misha's been eating sprouts every day.<br />
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That's it for this week. It's been raining all week so I have not done too much.fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-14207484819570501392010-03-31T09:52:00.000-04:002010-03-31T09:52:51.432-04:00Crafts...Garden....Decluttering!Busy week.... And finally some photos...<br />
I've been decluttering my craft space, slowly but surely. And my bookshelves. Joyfully I just found out that my favorite used bookstore <a href="http://www.loremipsumbooks.com/">Lorem Ipsum</a> just moved into a new space about 2 1/2 blocks from me. <br />
Here are my bookshelves, semi-arranged by theme.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf4-GjppwjCzfiEmkGDqWtw6pO4zSSfUpvKKALtckOQqNVP5HazTNqu0WvJRSrRKQPiOEoevV2XGVdKnzkPdB8WSt1AN6xMez4subRxVXDFk1d-gGMWGWc00Mp7Vzx86-Ai-4I-MMzwQ/s1600/Pictures+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf4-GjppwjCzfiEmkGDqWtw6pO4zSSfUpvKKALtckOQqNVP5HazTNqu0WvJRSrRKQPiOEoevV2XGVdKnzkPdB8WSt1AN6xMez4subRxVXDFk1d-gGMWGWc00Mp7Vzx86-Ai-4I-MMzwQ/s320/Pictures+001.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPQqCxWo76aqofZzeTzKgyjXNe_7D6aCK2ns0J0gP2qWngkMd7THJCo5YzeaGWm3M8wB6g09mx8wrDui3gjWnjB5rBnF8BE9VVBBqks_FkjAKavQJvHJLtbNXmjsX2HGU54lzBTK3Dqw/s1600/Pictures+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp_9ZVSHCf8Afqa7vIObRRZ22ZPzrK5cOKW-lcftHvj7saRXdH8IPTOZiwz01i6MSdzltBplpbPOk6cOK9fTU45oij9IKENZm6SYk4e4SBR_R3wHzS9cXCzOh5DzN4vEKryB1xIvWo7M/s1600/Pictures+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp_9ZVSHCf8Afqa7vIObRRZ22ZPzrK5cOKW-lcftHvj7saRXdH8IPTOZiwz01i6MSdzltBplpbPOk6cOK9fTU45oij9IKENZm6SYk4e4SBR_R3wHzS9cXCzOh5DzN4vEKryB1xIvWo7M/s320/Pictures+002.jpg" /></a></div>And here is my favorite part of my craft space, the peg board system I got for my birthday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGy2nQyYx9Mro2ZFEQUNAJshYXiCOILkEY2YxgEL51P8us8TTqAvsGQO68zstvBAHueo-qJKaS3HItget9yaRiE2Gux1G_Kt7fb5ilmsjj2WgtkxclseVEifeaCpx-v_-7cGjBr_-xsA/s1600/Pictures+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGy2nQyYx9Mro2ZFEQUNAJshYXiCOILkEY2YxgEL51P8us8TTqAvsGQO68zstvBAHueo-qJKaS3HItget9yaRiE2Gux1G_Kt7fb5ilmsjj2WgtkxclseVEifeaCpx-v_-7cGjBr_-xsA/s320/Pictures+004.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0lKkabaLrlAB_VylcYyDeefSbI9lgVqE8O2lapL4sg6hYOyw51zK7jW-bjaQPWKUHlqAl7Tz6pX2640-hsfsJXZtY_A6aCiyClmDzYudkjPEO4aWzo5_vmUfFMdHvBV0iE_cCtBFNX0/s1600/Pictures+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0lKkabaLrlAB_VylcYyDeefSbI9lgVqE8O2lapL4sg6hYOyw51zK7jW-bjaQPWKUHlqAl7Tz6pX2640-hsfsJXZtY_A6aCiyClmDzYudkjPEO4aWzo5_vmUfFMdHvBV0iE_cCtBFNX0/s320/Pictures+005.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a tea container that I fitted with peg board attachments, markers fit perfectly.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3wqIyjKb3odURFJxgkCULHFEjqe5fJ8T_blSNTJ55HR_MhAoMQatiKyB7NSLRaw234IWTVi2hcsQngruqJDidSAtRp1rM0ksjTrY5WK0MB7vtwb0qWyLKMPvr5BsJ-iYt9myXdu34nU/s1600/Pictures+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3wqIyjKb3odURFJxgkCULHFEjqe5fJ8T_blSNTJ55HR_MhAoMQatiKyB7NSLRaw234IWTVi2hcsQngruqJDidSAtRp1rM0ksjTrY5WK0MB7vtwb0qWyLKMPvr5BsJ-iYt9myXdu34nU/s320/Pictures+006.jpg" /></a></div>And here's a sock bunny I made for a recent swap...I made him a little baby sock bunny too. My daughter has named him Awkward Bunny.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSvVXz3JfGDqtuHJRp4Catcu6iSnwRopd3RN8wM4_6ujm5gYHeI2Ps7QVZovkFWe4YhjOTobLxxgTu38XMAWyy39uA8uEhdPJOhqmJvCCJUg0yOvTR57VGj-VCsoHdP8sDpCWDBrs3rk/s1600/Pictures+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSvVXz3JfGDqtuHJRp4Catcu6iSnwRopd3RN8wM4_6ujm5gYHeI2Ps7QVZovkFWe4YhjOTobLxxgTu38XMAWyy39uA8uEhdPJOhqmJvCCJUg0yOvTR57VGj-VCsoHdP8sDpCWDBrs3rk/s320/Pictures+008.jpg" /></a></div>and finally...my new garden, in beginning stages. In the containers are strawberries, mint, a pussy willow, English lavender, and lemon balm. My lavender, sage, and tarragon are in the ground. I have blocked off an area to build a raised bed around. It's a start. It's been far too rainy to do anything to it this week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnaXkAbYNsmE4tXaeTtnpKgrBktjPwN7jOsEzVr7drPdR0UrEfPHtr7LBWRx3HcBPig-271cz4H3D1uz5tiWjkNWrhxcOGGVfLqE1SQ7d-Wlz-68_vxu5CYF2npE8mWptvB3Vj7aEiIc/s1600/Pictures+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnaXkAbYNsmE4tXaeTtnpKgrBktjPwN7jOsEzVr7drPdR0UrEfPHtr7LBWRx3HcBPig-271cz4H3D1uz5tiWjkNWrhxcOGGVfLqE1SQ7d-Wlz-68_vxu5CYF2npE8mWptvB3Vj7aEiIc/s320/Pictures+010.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkLVf_EiOc2NweOgUDPcFF7O4E1VLtZgwUiCpoGdb8ElWp0qcKKvDomelAPJaaW-7f_AmVceOaQXYvRY1KzuT3bshXOmW23_zK8vhZwlBPL7iZp90ySD1MQn8STwA_VHupf0IgF3rbp4/s1600/Pictures+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkLVf_EiOc2NweOgUDPcFF7O4E1VLtZgwUiCpoGdb8ElWp0qcKKvDomelAPJaaW-7f_AmVceOaQXYvRY1KzuT3bshXOmW23_zK8vhZwlBPL7iZp90ySD1MQn8STwA_VHupf0IgF3rbp4/s320/Pictures+011.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0L_J9Mi3p9Xkxwk5Eo_iMGc9h0Ff7aPp1BvC-ZKdvwCORuHTYtr06Zom-odjpT33Fa9ew4TvXFCuLLCp6eyYykxxuFZmb5ANaC6Qmy5AGOdzdo-2F8aKHXRyahZJ6XYksYVdXncRLBw/s1600/Pictures+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0L_J9Mi3p9Xkxwk5Eo_iMGc9h0Ff7aPp1BvC-ZKdvwCORuHTYtr06Zom-odjpT33Fa9ew4TvXFCuLLCp6eyYykxxuFZmb5ANaC6Qmy5AGOdzdo-2F8aKHXRyahZJ6XYksYVdXncRLBw/s320/Pictures+012.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uS1TKITfd81nPMEGqlSWB0UgwsJnPHDUcKFW2ty1oaNnw9H0jiWsPFK0x2wvfGA7E238vhyphenhyphenDN3kUBUK0c7NNmuDDKd97VIT6riOMIkrrBNxvxOegs1081M8af4IRLFFeQU6MWdl9m8c/s1600/Pictures+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uS1TKITfd81nPMEGqlSWB0UgwsJnPHDUcKFW2ty1oaNnw9H0jiWsPFK0x2wvfGA7E238vhyphenhyphenDN3kUBUK0c7NNmuDDKd97VIT6riOMIkrrBNxvxOegs1081M8af4IRLFFeQU6MWdl9m8c/s320/Pictures+013.jpg" /></a></div>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-61076398661220704212010-03-25T12:12:00.000-04:002010-03-25T12:12:09.440-04:00Great looking online class!Sharon, from the blog The Chatelaine's Keys is offering an online class soon on Food Storage and Preservation. Looks great!!! Check it out..... her blog is really inspirational.<br />
<a href="http://sharonastyk.com/2010/03/25/food-storage-and-preservation-class/">Food Storage and Preservation</a>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-75667673636387818682010-03-23T09:25:00.002-04:002010-03-23T10:05:39.438-04:00Independence Days March 23, 2010-Post #4<div style="color: black;"> A very fruitful weekend for me! It was 70 degrees F, which is unheard of for March here. So, I spent the weekend moving my perennials from my old community garden plot to my new front yard, where I'll be doing my gardening this year.....pictures coming soon. I couldn't find my camera.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: black;">Also I am switching the categories a bit.....just so you know! They're based on the Chatelaine Key's <a href="http://sharonastyk.com/2009/04/28/independence-days-challenge-year-two/">Year Two Independence Days</a>.</span></div><div style="color: #000099;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: #274e13;">1. Plant something.</span></div>I moved my tarragon, sage, lavender-2 kinds, chives, mint and lemon balm to my new space and got them planted. I also moved my pussy willow (one of my only truly ornamental plants) and some day lilies (yummmmmm).<br />
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<br />
Also started some sprouts. I've fallen off the sprout bandwagon. They're clover sprouts. I got them last time we were in Montreal.<br />
<br />
This week...starting seeds! <br />
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<div style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: #274e13;">2. Harvest something.</span></div>Nothing to harvest. : ( I checked the nettles at the community garden but there aren't enough to make soup out of. Soon, soon.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: #274e13;">3. Preserve something.</span></div>Didn't really preserve much....but I did make a ton of meals to freeze for the week. Oh...I did string up a bunch of hot peppers to dry, so they wouldn't go bad.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;">4. Reduce waste. </div>Used paper towel and tp rolls to make more seed starters. Used the food waste from my massive meal prep to feed the worms, except for the onions which they hate. Those were composted. Used newspaper that would have been recycled as new worm bedding.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;">5. Preparation and Storage.</div>Got my plot staked out. Now I must scavenge some cinder blocks to make a raised bed. This is a funny category for everything that isn't especially food related. I also worked on some herbal remedies for an herbal swap I am doing on craftster.<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">6. Build Community Food Systems. </span><br />
Placed and received my first buying club order. Got some free seeds from someone at the <a href="http://www.meetup.com/Urban-Homesteaders-League/">Urban Homesteaders Meet-Up Group</a>. Must get to one of their meet-ups one of these days!<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #274e13;">7. Eat the Food. </div>Oh boy did I make food. Mostly from supplies on hand, I absolutely raided my pantry and made:<br />
1 pot of veggie chili<br />
1 pot of corn and potato chowder<br />
4 loaves of bread<br />
4 chickpea patties- based on the recipe <a href="http://www.chow.com/recipes/11364">here</a>. I am in LOVE with vital wheat gluten! Good thing too, as I got tons of it in my buying club order.<br />
2 bean patties<br />
1 pot of black eyed peas and veg<br />
Massive amounts of rice<br />
<br />
Most of this is in the freezer for food throughout the week. I left some chili for my boyfriend's roommate, and left them three loaves of bread. Plus I let Tim have half the chowder so he can meat it up.fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-89341107130821897422010-03-19T08:57:00.000-04:002010-03-19T08:57:52.176-04:00Independence Days...postponed until this weekendI'm going to postpone until this weekend, so I actually have something to report! I have a busy weekend planned with all sorts of activities. And I'll be taking pictures. So... stay tuned....fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-77683800279520217632010-03-17T12:04:00.000-04:002010-03-17T12:06:13.167-04:00Oh wow...fun blog I stumbled upon.I love it.<br /><a href="http://unstuff.blogspot.com/">Unstuffed</a><br />It has keep me entertained for a long time today. Really good info on it. It's written by a woman who did a buy nothing year, which turned into a lot longer than that. I am going to finish this post and go back to exploring. It's definitely in my bookmarks now.fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-31911908996712019262010-03-12T15:21:00.003-05:002010-03-12T15:38:52.886-05:00Friday March 12, Independence Days Post<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1. Plant something.<br /></p>Once again, not yet. I think next week will be the week. I have been making seed starters though, out of upcycled toilet paper and paper towel rolls.<br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">2. Harvest something.<br /></p>Nothing to harvest. : (<br /><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">3. Preserve something.<br /></p>Continued with the rep pepper freezing and chopping. Man, I got a lot of red peppers!!!!!<br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">4. Prep something.<br /></p>*sigh* Not much. Man, I haven't done much this week.<br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">5. Cook something.<br /></p>I made a TON of lasagna. I figure if you're going to go to all that trouble you might as well make tons, so I did. One pan for me, one for Misha, one for Tim and one for Misha's friend Guchie.<br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">6. Manage your reserves.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">*sigh* Nope.</span><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">7. Work on local food systems.<br /></span></p>I started my first buying club order. I am psyched!!! It's due on Wednesday, the 17th. So far I've only put a few things in my cart, but this is going to be good. I've missed being in a buying club.<br /><br />OK not much to report this week, obviously....<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-35536859154935976322010-03-05T09:30:00.001-05:002010-03-05T09:32:00.104-05:00Oh! Exciting news!!!I have signed up to be a demonstrator for <a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/">The Angel Company</a>. I'm quite excited about it. They have Copic markers!!! So, if anyone reading this would like a catalog, shoot me an email at amymisha@comcast.net. I haven't got my cattys yet, but they'll be here soon I hope!fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-27817767790150151612010-03-05T09:19:00.002-05:002010-03-05T09:29:36.174-05:00Friday, March 5-Independence Days Post #2<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1. Plant something.<br /></p>Not yet!! Snow on the ground when I woke up this morning! I did get my seeds for making seed bombs for May 1st, International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day!<br /><a href="http://www.guerrillagardening.org/ggsunflower.html">Link here!</a><br /><br />And I got some other seeds in a swap. Haven't started seed starters yet... must get my some space first to start them. I got potting soil though!<br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">2. Harvest something.<br /></p>Too cold and snowy/rainy...nothing to harvest. : (<br /><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">3. Preserve something.<br /></p>I got an awesome score of red peppers, hot peppers, and other veggies at the "damaged produce" section of Stop & Shop. So I've been cutting them up and freezing them. I still have pounds and pounds to finish. Tomorrow is my day off, so I'll be finishing filling my freezer!<br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">4. Prep something.<br /></p>Same prepping as last week. But, the Frugal-Along 2010 on craftster has a theme for March of decluttering, so I have big plans for this month!<br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">5. Cook something.<br /></p>With all the seitan I made last week I made Kentucky Fried seitan, one of Misha's favorite dinners!<br /><br />Here's a good recipe from <a href="http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2007/09/chicken-fried-seitan.html">Vegan Dad</a>, one of my favorite cooking blogs.... I deep fry mine, but want to start using less oil, so I'm going to try pan frying next time. We ate it all up...so now I have to make more seitan this weekend.<br /><br /><div><strong>INGREDIENTS</strong></div><div>- 1/2 cup canola oil</div><div>- 2 cups bread crumbs</div><div>- salt, pepper, nutritional yeast flakes (optional)</div><div>- 6 slices of seitan, or seitan cutlets</div><div>- 2 cups plain soymilk</div><div>- 1 tsp lemon juice</div><div>- 4 tbsp margarine</div><div>- 2 tbsp flour</div><div>- 2 cups soymilk</div><div>- 1 tsp lemon juice</div><div>- 1/2 tsp salt, white pepper</div><div>- 1 tsp dried rosemary, chopped</div><div>TIP! If you don't have breadcrumbs, process some cornflakes in the blender.</div><br /><div><strong>METHOD:</strong></div><div>1. Heat oil in frying pan in med-hi.</div><div>2. Put bread crumbs in a medium bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast flakes if desired.</div><div>3. Put soymilk in another medium bowl. Stir in lemon juice until soymilk thickens.</div><div>4. Dip seitan cutlet in soymilk mixture, then roll in breadcrumbs, then back in the soymilk, then coat again in crumbs.</div><div>5. Fry for 4-5 mins per side, until golden brown. Drain on paper towel.</div><br /><div>1. Melt margarine on medium in a saucepan.</div><div>2. Whisk in flour, and continue to whisk until light brown.</div><div>3. Slowly whisk in soymilk and lemon juice. Bring to a slow boil, until mixture thickens.</div><div>4. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add rosemary.</div><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">6. Manage your reserves.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Same as last week. My pantry is a disaster. </span><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">7. Work on local food systems.<br /></span></p>I signed up for my CSA, for a full season which goes until December!!! June through December, yay!<br /><br />And I found a local buying club. First order will be soon.... looking forward to that!!!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Well...that's my Independence Days for this week. More next Friday.</span>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-47460223692001644492010-02-28T08:37:00.003-05:002011-01-26T14:23:59.352-05:00Artsy/Craftsy/Garden Goals for the yearI don't do New Year's resolutions. I refuse. But goals are good, right? So...in no particular order:<br />
<br />
1. Participate in more challenge blog fun!<br />
2. Organize my craft stuff, esp. my stamps.... I have a great idea which I found somewhere for organizing all my unmounteds on acrylic sheets. I have a special file thingy that will be perfect, I got some acrylic sheets, now I just need to start the process. More on that later.<br />
3. Get my damn etsy store functional again. And sell some stuff!<br />
4. Continue "Drunken Midnight Crafting" with Rabbit and invite other people to play. It's a fun way to learn new techniques, and is such a nice bonding thing. Girlfriends, wine, crafts? What's not to love.<br />
5. I have decided not to let these bastard bed bugs chase me out of of this apartment, because I WANT that garden space. I am getting a garden journal and am planning now. I'm going to make a raised bed or two, and grow mints and tomatoes in containers, planning, planning, planning! I'll be in Maine in a few weeks which is a great time to pick up bags of seaweed for fertilizer and I am going to ask my friend Peter to start saving bunny poo for me..... build up those raised beds!<br />
<br />
(Side note: I must give props to Emma Cooper of the Alternative Kitchen Garden podcast for inspiration. She has a blog too... <a href="http://coopette.com/akg/">here</a>. I've been listening to the podcast for years, and just got her book and it is lovely. And she has the nicest accent in the world. (I live in Boston. I am surrounded by the most awfullest nails on chalkboard accents you can imagine on a daily basis, so a nice lilting UK accent is like candy!) Someday, perhaps, when Mish and I go visit her dad in wales and Grandparents in Liverpool, we'll do a side trip so I can meet my kind of idol. : ))<br />
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Well...I have more goals but these will be a start. I want to be on a design team someday, but that's going to take a years work and a bit of getting published. Let's consider that one long-term....fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268525592254096412.post-73761329772103827712010-02-26T09:54:00.003-05:002010-02-26T10:51:32.477-05:00Friday-Independence Days Post<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1. Plant something.<br /></p>Nope...didn't get any of this done...soon it will be time but not yet. I am browsing seed catalogs though, and getting ready to plan.<br /><br />I am going to start making some toilet paper roll seed starters and some newspaper seed starters. Instructions for TP roll starters can be found here: <a href="http://www.simplyforties.com/2009/02/making-toilet-paper-roll-seed-starter.html">Seed Starters</a><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">2. Harvest something.<br /></p>Too cold and snowy/rainy...nothing to harvest. : (<br /><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">3. Preserve something.<br /></p>Well....I bagged up lavender that I'd dried earlier. Again, the end of winter problem.<br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">4. Prep something.<br /></p>*sigh* I just found out last week that we have bed bugs. Our building has had them for some time, it was only a matter of time. So, the prepping I've done this week has been laundry, moving furniture, vacuuming every night, steam cleaning the carpets every night, etc. Not fun, and my whole place is in absolute shambles and I can get my mind wrapped around anything more than this. : ( <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">5. Cook something.<br /></p>I've done a fair bit of cooking. Sunday I made batches and batches of seitan. I love seitan, and we eat TONS of it. Here's the recipe I use, it's from this link:<a href="http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vjseitan.htm"> Vegetarian Resource Group</a><br /><p> <b>Quick Homemade Gluten</b><br />(Makes 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds or 2 to 2-1/2 cups)</p><p> This is the basic recipe for gluten.</p><p> 2 cups gluten flour<br />1 teaspoon garlic powder<br />1 teaspoon ground ginger<br />1-1/4 cups water or vegetable stock<br />3 Tablespoons lite tamari, Braggs liquid amino acids, or soy sauce<br />1-3 teaspoons toasted sesame oil (optional) </p><p> Add garlic powder and ginger to flour and stir. Mix liquids together and add to flour mixture all at once. Mix vigorously with a fork. When it forms a stiff dough knead it 10 to 15 times. </p><p> Let the dough rest 2 to 5 minutes, then knead it a few more times. Let it rest another 15 minutes before proceeding. </p><p> Cut gluten into 6 to 8 pieces and stretch into thin cutlets. Simmer in broth for 30 to 60 minutes. </p><p> Broth:<br />4 cups water<br />1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce<br />3-4 slices ginger (optional)</p><p> Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring broth to a boil. Add cutlets one at a time. Reduce heat to barely simmer when saucepan is covered. Seitan may be used, refrigerated, or frozen at this point.<br /></p><p>Seitan is about $5 for 8 ounces in stores, and this recipe makes tons. A bag of vital wheat gluten flour is about $4 and make many, many batches.<br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">6. Manage your reserves.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I need to get on this. My pantry is a disaster. So is everything else, so.....</span><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">7. Work on local food systems.<br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I got my forms for my CSA. I get my veggies from </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.redfirefarm.com/">Red Fire Farm</a> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> in Granby, MA. The shares are enormous!!! I end up sharing them with others. I get the full season share, June through early December. It works out to about $25 a week. I've been using them for 3 years and LOVE them so much. Each share is almost 10 pounds of stuff!! And the pick-ups aren't far from our house. Very nice, and I am very excited.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm also considering finding a local buying club, but right now have spent so much on the bug war my funds are kind of beyond depleted. : (</span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Well...that's my Independence Days for this week. More next Friday.</span><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span></p>fitsandstartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00076973135944820236noreply@blogger.com0