I hope this day finds you in the spirit of the holiday. May you be filled with peace and a sense of brotherhood (and sisterhood) this week, and always.
homemade
Kairos
Kairos—“a right, opportune, or supreme moment in which something special and unique happens”
Her First Project
As I mentioned on Tuesday, my three year-old received a sewing machine for Christmas this year. Now, many of you may be wondering, “Why on earth did this crazy mom buy her three year old a real sewing machine?” Well, when researching the kids-type sewing machines and speaking with the lovely gals at my local sewing shop, they informed me that many of the machines geared towards kids will fall apart over just a short period of time. They told me that by spending just about $40 more, I could get a nice, quality machine that can grow with her.
Obviously, this real sewing machine (as my daughter refers to it), involves a lot of assistance from mama at this time, but I have no doubt that in a few years this little lady will be sewing away all by herself. But for now, I run the pedal, and she feeds the fabric through the machine, with mommy’s hand gently atop hers to insure it doesn’t get too close to the needle.
The week my daughter returned to pre-school after the holiday break, they were suppose to bring in a toy they received for Christmas for show-and-tell. So, my tiny seamstress wanted to make a quilt, and bring that quilt in to show her class because “Mommy, my real sewing machine is too heavy to bring into my classroom and I don’t think it will fit in my school bag.”
So we worked and worked on a cold afternoon, while Big Sissy was at school, and we created this tiny little quilt. She is so very proud of this crafted bit. She has been taking it everywhere, and showing it to anyone who will look.
I just had to add this picture here at the end. My daughter told me she had to iron her seams with her iron to make sure they were flat. Quite the professional little seamstress she is. I’m such a proud mama.
Hearty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I am constantly testing out recipes in my kitchen, attempting to incorporate local organic ingredients to amp up the healthiness of the goodies we love to eat, while also keeping them super yummy. I still had some locally-grown rolled oats in my fridge from this farmer and whole wheat flour from this farming family, so I created this recipe to highlight those hearty grains and their lovely earthy, nutty flavors. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup granulated cane sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 baking soda
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
4-6 oz. high quality milk chocolate chopped into chunks (I love using Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate in all my baking.)
Cream the butter, coconut oil, and both sugars using a hand blender or stand mixer. Then blend in the eggs and the vanilla. After all of these ingredients have been well incorporated, add the baking soda, followed by both flours. Now, mixing by hand, add the oats and chocolate.
Scoop the dough out (about 2 tablespoon-size) and bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes, depending on whether you like chewy oatmeal cookies or crunchy ones.
*A note about all my recipes: I use all organic ingredients, local when available. I use non-homogenized milk, and all of the dairy we use is from animals raised on pasture. I also use oils that are non-GMO verified. All our meat is raised locally on organic feed, and our beef is grass-fed, grass-finished. All our spices and cane sugar are fair-trade certified and purchased through a cooperative.
A Place Of Their Own
I’m sure all of you mamas out there know how this goes. The holidays are now over, and space needs to be created for all those gifts that the little ones found under the tree Christmas morning. Our biggest issue this year was that both girls received a lot of project materials (which is amazing…don’t get me wrong), but the problem arose when each girl wanted her own space to create, discover, and “just be in peace.” (That was my oldest…always wanting her “peace” 🙂 )
So, I ventured to my parents’ basement, where I can always find a few trinkets that I need, and emerged with an antique desk that my sister and I used when we played “school” all those years ago. I then went to the thrift store and picked up a table. I painted both these pieces to match our existing decor in our basement. It must, of course, all coordinate right?
And yes, that is a sewing machine…for my three year old. That was the one item she asked for for Christmas. She never wavered, never faltered. Each and every time someone asked her what she wanted for Christmas, her response was, “A real sewing machine.” Oh my.
I also let my oldest paint the trim on her table, to add a bit of personal pizzazz, and then covered it with a water-based finish to avoid any chipping.
Now each girl has a bit of space, all her own, where she can get lost in her creative world. More on the projects created in these spaces later this week.
Venison Chorizo
My hubby has been out there in the wee hours of the morning, waiting patiently for a deer to meander his way for a long time now. Eight years if we are counting. But who is really? Well, after all this time, it finally happened. We have fresh venison! And I must say it is a festival of all things venison around here these days….venison stew, venison burgers, venison meatloaf…and as of yesterday, venison chorizo. Yum.
The whole family got involved yesterday afternoon, as the temperature around here plummeted into the single digits and we were forced indoors. We used our absolutely favorite chorizo recipe from Rick Bayless’ Mexico One Plate at a Time, substituting the pork shoulder the recipe calls for, with venison.
We purchased this meat grinder yesterday, to assist with the process, and once we got going and figured out how the machine actually worked, we were well on our way to a delicious dinner.
And to my absolute astonishment, after we finished making the chorizo, each gal gobbled up a bunch of mini chorizo burgers they had hand-crafted themselves!
Kairos
Kairos—“a right, opportune, or supreme moment in which something special and unique happens”
Yam Fries With Spiced Aioli
With winter now in full swing, I am trying to get seasonal ingredients on the table as much as I can. This week I tried out a new experiment with fresh yams I found at the store. This recipe made for a nice sweet and salty treat that the kids just gobbled right up. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3/4 cup canola oil, plus additional oil for frying
1 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch of pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, plus more for garnish
4 large yams
For the aioli: Whisk the egg yolk with the Dijon mustard. Very slowly, drop by drop, add the canola oil while whisking briskly. The mixture should start to thicken. Once all of the canola oil has been added, then very slowly, add the olive oil. Continue to whisk while adding the olive oil. The key is to add the oils very, very slowly while whisking continuously. (This may take some time to master. If the oil breaks, don’t get frustrated, it happens. You could try again, or like I’ve done many a time, just eat it anyway 🙂 It still tastes pretty yummy, it’s just not the greatest consistency.) Once both oils have been added, mix in the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Pour into a bowl and garnish the aioli with a pinch of nutmeg.
For the yams: Slice your yams into small strips. Pour about one inch of canola oil in a pan and heat it. (A trick is to sprinkle a drop of water in the oil once the oil has been heating for a while. If the water sizzles when you add it, you know the oil is hot enough.) Add a handful of the yams to the hot oil and allow to fry for 3-5 minutes. Remove from the oil and allow to rest on a plate covered with a paper towel to drain off the excess oil. Salt to taste. Serve with the aioli.
*A note about all my recipes: I use all organic ingredients, local when available. I use non-homogenized milk, and all of the dairy we use is from animals raised on pasture. I also use oils that are non-GMO verified. All our meat is raised locally on organic feed, and our beef is grass-fed, grass-finished. All our spices and cane sugar are fair-trade certified and purchased through a cooperative.
Our Crafting Space
After spending so much time crafting over the holidays, I realized I have never shared our crafting space with all of you. The previous owners of our home used this space as a dark room because the husband was a hobby photographer. When we took ownership of the property, this space was perfect to house our crafty endeavors.
Over the last four years, the walls have grown covered with artwork, making it a cozy little space that perfectly suits our arts and crafts needs. On many a weekend, you can find us gals down in the basement, nestled into this small space, creating away.
Brew and Moo
The mercury had risen just a touch, but enough to make it bearable outside. The snow fell lightly upon the ground, leaving a white dusting on the roofs of houses and the paved roadways. This past weekend we took full advantage of this beauty. I kept the kitchen warm with the stovetop all abustle, and the smell of warm milk in the air. Meanwhile, my hubby could be found in the nearby garage, reading and mixing his brew with the aromas of hops pouring forth into the crisp air outside. The girls frolicked in the snow, while the cat sat perched in a tree, taking in all the action.
My oldest daughter and I used our favorite cheese kit and made two pounds of fresh mozzarella cheese. (You can check out our previous cheesemaking experience here.) For the first time, I allowed her to truly assist me by slowly stirring the curd and then stretching it, adding salt, and then forming it into small balls of deliciousness. The best part of the entire experience was when this six year-old, who normally only likes “cooked cheese,” took a ball of fresh mozzarella and bit in. She said, “Well, I only like cheese that I make. That’s the only kind I’ll eat.” Love.
The holidays left us empty handed in the home-brew department, so my husband brewed three fresh batches this weekend. He tried out a new brewing kit, and then made two tried and true favorites…a caramel creme ale and a fabulous breakfast stout.
The finished products of the day: beer, cheese and a bit of hot chocolate of course. Is there anything better? Yum!
Making of a Home 