Capturing the Sea

We walk to the beach almost every day. Some mornings the clock doesn't yet read 6 am and Amos is already asking to go, but it is usually mid-morning before I start pushing the stroller down the driveway. This morning we arrived after dog beach hours and before any other parents and young kids showed up to climb on the playground and dig in the sand. For a while we were the only people on the beach. There was hardly a breeze which made 60 degrees feel comfortably warm. The tide was just beginning to slink out as we walked all the way to where the stretch of sand is cut off by rocks.

Although I have seen the lighthouse, the islands, the water, and the cute toddler in the sand so many times, I can rarely resist snapping a few pictures. Each day is different and places change, subtly, from moment to moment. The tide goes out, expands the size of the beach, and reveals thousands of pebbles and shells and clumps of seaweed. A windy day stirs up the water giving it texture and energy. It can be freeing to just be and observe without needing to take a picture but I think the urge to take a photograph is, in a way, an acknowledgement of the beauty and wonder of a place. Spring brings color and blossoms to every patch of grass and tree branch and being able to spend time at the beach without layers of coats and wind whipped faces is wondrous in itself. Amos and I spend most of our days in areas that we can walk to and sometimes I feel unmotivated to repeat the same routes and views over and over. Once we are on our way, though, there is always something new to observe and I am delighted that we can so easily reach such special places.

If April Were a Cake

I wasn't thinking about cake while I was still cocooned in our down comforter watching the light gradually brighten the widows from black to a glowing blue. But when I got up on the first day of April and saw the clear skies and let the sun stream in as I pulled up the blinds, the idea crossed my mind. April seems like it will surely bring spring but spring in Maine is mostly a nice story until sometime in May. So far April has arrived with full on mud season complete with lingering piles of dirt covered snow and air that only feels warm because you are still wearing your winter coat. In a few weeks, maybe, we will get a balmy day that entices me to open windows and go outside without a jacket but for now we dwell in the hope of spring, not the reality.

Anyway, back to cake. I was thinking of the kind of every day cake that I might throw together on a sunny afternoon alone in the kitchen. Most of my afternoon time alone these days is spent sewing or writing and sometimes I miss the days when used to be able to head into the kitchen and whip something up without a second though. I enjoy being in the kitchen with Amos, too, though. It is unpredictable, usually messy with a tablespoon of chaos and lots of flour everywhere.

A quick mental inventory reminded me that we were out of oranges and chocolate and low on olive oil. I wished I had raspberries and ricotta. I considered making a buttermilk cake. Then I came across this recipe for a yeasted sugar cake. I had to make it. This is a cake that Amos certainly could have helped with, but it was nice to work quietly in the kitchen.

If April in Maine were a cake, it just might be this one. Take brown and white ingredients, nothing fresh or colorful, mix them together and then wait for them to rise. My cake batter didn't seem to turn out the way the recipe suggested but fortunately it still baked into a light, toothsome cake. Slightly chewy and pleasantly yeasty, I wished I had berries to put on top, though it was delicious all by itself. Just like spring, it will turn into a lovely treat.

Yeasted Sugar Cake
Adapted from Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison
When I made this cake it turned into more of a batter than a dough. I will make it again soon and update the instructions if it turns out more like the recipe that I followed. I think this would be ideal with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, I can't wait until June!

Cake
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup warm milk
2 eggs at room temperature
4 tablespoons butter at room temperature
Topping
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar

Stir the yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar into 1/4 cup of water. Let stand until foamy, 5-10 minutes. Combine the flours, remaining sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the yeast, milk and eggs and beat on medium speed until smooth. Add the butter and beat on medium high until the batter is smooth. Scrape down the sides, cover and let rise until doubled, 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on how warm it is. 

Butter a 9-inch round pan (I always use a springform pan because it is the only 9-inch pan I have and it makes it easy to get out). Pour or gently pat the risen dough into the pan and spread it so that it fills the pan. Mix the butter and brown sugar and sprinkle it on top of the dough. Let rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake the cake for 25 minutes until the dough baked through and the sugar melted and begun to brown. Serve while still warm, although it is also very good once cooled and will keep for a few days. 

Emerging Green

 

I think I've made it clear how eagerly I have been waiting for the arrival of spring. And even though we had some sleet over the weekend, I think we can finally say that spring IS here. I planted my pots of herbs a week ago and, except the basil, they have been outside since then. The leaves are getting bigger every day, the grass is green and flowers are beginning to blossom. 

We just spent a relaxing two days about an hour north east of here and spent lots of time exploring and strolling along the St Croix River. I did not take any pictures but made sure to breathe in the pine scented air and soak in the emerging green. The air was cool, but vibrant green skunk weed and marsh mallows were bursting with life along the edge of a gently trickling verdant stream. Turtles sunned themselves on rocks while swans dipped upside down to eat pond delicacies. We watched all kinds of songbirds flit through the trees and took walks along the banks of the river.

Coming home this morning, I noticed that the leaves on the trees are already bigger. The air today is humid, smells like a different season and is supposed to reach temperatures that are decidedly more summer than spring. For weeks I've been looking longingly at other people's photos of spring wherever they are and I am so glad now to see it here when I step outside.

Embracing Spring

 

The small signs of spring have been emerging for weeks, but the ground is still covered with snow. It is melting bit by bit and turning into puddles and frozen lakes on the sidewalks. I am ready for soft breezes, ice-less walks, and glimpses of the grass but spring is slow to emerge this year. We still have plenty of icicles and flowers are just a dream but I've decided to embrace spring as much as I can now.

New projects always help me feel re-energized and spring is the perfect time to refocus. Even if it is still way too cold to open the windows, I want to bring a breath of fresh air into my work, our home, and the kitchen. Here are some things I plan to do to make it feel more like spring.

Get back to taking walks every day despite the ice and puddles.
Try pasta with green sauce.
Get outside more, visit some state parks, and soak up the slightly warm sun (see take walks, above).
Print photos and frame photos and artwork for our walls.
Try new recipes and eat more green things. Bake lemon-y desserts.
Fit in a few date nights and outings to places we haven't been.
Sew a few things for myself, like skirts with this gorgeous jersey cotton fabric.
Plan a last minute quick getaway after Ray finishes school and before the baby comes.

That is plenty, considering that I have several other long to-do lists, but already I feel more excited about what might be a long mud-season. What are you doing to re-energize and welcome spring?

In Between Time

It seems like we have more snow now than we've had all winter. We've gotten it inch by inch and sometimes, like Tuesday, several inches in a day. Though the blanket of snow is deep in the yard in front of our building, the sun lingers until nearly six o'clock in the evening. The birds are becoming more and more vocal and this weekend we will turn the clocks to make the daylight last even later. Everything looks like winter but there are so many hints of spring.

I'm happy to stay cozy inside and nestle under a down comforter at the end of the day but then I think it will be equally nice when we can sleep with the windows open and the smell of summer air. I am eager to take more walks when the sidewalks are free of treacherous patches of ice but I also wouldn't mind going for another cross country ski. We're still working our way through food that I froze and canned last summer but I look forward to trips to the farmers' market in flip flops.

I find it hard to let go and just be in this in between time. I want to hold on to what we have now: the light of late winter, the sparkling flakes, and hearty meals. But I am eager for the slow emergence of spring with warmer days and buds on the trees. I find myself holding onto a river bank, resisting the current as it tries to carry my little vessel downstream. I'd like to release this tension, to be freed from clinging to things that must change and to simply appreciate what each day brings.

Perhaps my wish to hold off inevitable change and the anticipation of everything that is coming can't be helped. Regardless of the season or the weather, we are anticipating the arrival of our baby in three months while trying to make the most of the time we have now. Yesterday, I scanned the calendar and noted the remaining weeks, mentally calculating how much there is to do and how quickly time will slip by.  Maybe I'm not feeling the push and pull of the changing seasons. Maybe it is the tension between known, familiar, comfortable and the big changes that lie ahead. I aim to stop holding on for dear life or calculating how little free time I will have, I want to sit in the boat and go where the river takes me.

Spring in the Kitchen

My trips to the farmer's market usually follow the same routine. I feel compelled to quickly browse through all the stands l before I decide to buy anything. If I already know what to expect at the market, then I usually have a list of vegetables or fruit in mind that I want to bring home. I almost always buy more than I really need, but I usually have plans to use all of it.

Saturday was my first time at the market this season and as usual it was hard to resist all of the new vegetables, many that I haven't seen since last spring. I was pleasantly surprised at the different items that were already being harvested and stacked in bounteous piles at many market tables. In May it is easy to get excited about vegetables that I don't think about a lot during the rest of the year -- rhubarb, asparagus, green onions. I also brought home spinach, lettuce, and a bunch of fat red radishes.

We've eaten well this winter, lots of food from jars and our freezer, but we haven't been complete strangers to lettuce, oranges, avocados and these foods that are clearly exotic during the Minnesota winter. I've been happy that we ate so much of what I preserved and that there are still full jars in the cupboard, but it is nice to have new fresh vegetables bringing the leafy and colorful world of spring into our kitchen. They taste greener and more refreshing than produce shipped from California.

Fresh produce really motivates me to pull out cookbooks that have been languishing on the shelves and collecting dust over the winter. I check the indexes and frantically flip through pages for inspiration as well as precise recipes. Right now I am perusing and plotting recipes for asparagus and rhubarb. These hardy stalks of spring seem to require special attention as they are not common in my kitchen any other time of year. Luckily they are the early ones and I have time to devote to them that I won't be able to give to each vegetable when local produce is abundant in variety and quantity.

And so it has arrived, the season of life and growth. I eagerly and enthusiastically greet the flavors in my kitchen that have been nearly forgotten since last spring. I  can't help it (but I'll try not to repeat myself). Each year I rediscover these tastes as though they are completely new.

What flavors and recipes of spring have you tried recently?

Late Winter Pantry (and freezer)

Last week we finally had a taste of winter, with snow, slush, flurries and chilly temperatures. As usual in early March, this week's weather feels completely different. Yesterday the sun was genuinely warm, the air smelled of spring and the sidewalks were flooded with puddles and patches of mud. Today is still warm, but rainy. I've never lived anywhere that the weather was consistent and could be counted on to behave as expected, but this late winter early spring can be especially full of surprises.

The days are getting longer, birds are chirping in the morning and it seems like spring is slowly arriving. It will still be months before anything green and edible comes out of the muddy ground here. Luckily we are still eating the food that stored up last summer and fall. The freezer is no longer stuffed full, but I am glad that we still have frozen fruit and some frozen vegetables left. I was a little nervous about freezing so much broccoli but I've discovered that this frozen broccoli tastes just as good roasted and fresh broccoli does.

Our pantry shelves are emptier, but we still have lots of jars of tomatoes, dilly beans and enough salsa that we don't have to worry about buying any for a while. I am sure that my investments of time, energy and food this summer have paid off throughout this winter and we have relied on these stores for delicious meals as much as possible.

(not a pretty picture, but there's lots of good stuff in here!)

Did you eat from food you stored this winter? Are you looking forward to preserving in the coming seasons?

Green Garlic and Arugula Pesto

When you work all day outside, pulling and hoeing weeds, and you come home with a bunch of green garlic, freshly picked, still caked in soil and you are so hungry and have been wracking your brain all day to think of what to make for dinner, well here is what you do.

You wash off the green garlic, take one of the stems, cut off the roots and discard. Chop the rest of the green garlic, all the way up the green part, into one inch pieces.*  Drop them into the bowl of the food processor. Put a pot of water on to boil and take a package of whole wheat pasta out of the cupboard.

Dinner will be ready soon, just a few more things you have to do. Take some sunflower seeds (about 1/4 cup) and toast them until they are golden brown. Drop these into the food processor with the chopped green garlic. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of salt, some grated parmesan and enough fresh arugula to nearly fill the food processor. Top with a squeeze of lemon and the let the machine whir. As it pulverizes the leaves, shoots and seeds, pour in enough olive oil to create a soft paste -- a pesto.

When the water is boiling, add enough pasta for you and anyone else who will be sharing your meal. When the pasta is cooked, drain out most of the water, but leave enough to turn the pesto into a sauce that will cling to the strands of pasta. Mix as much of the pesto as you wish with the pasta and the bit of cooking water.

Before you dig into this simple pasta with green green garlic and arugula pesto, remember this is a different pesto than you might be used to. It is a bit spicy, a bit bitter, and very green. Don't expect it to taste like the basil pesto that will be to die for during the height of summer. This one lively and unexpected like spring and the first taste of something grown in the soil nearby.

*green garlic is young garlic, pulled before it makes a bulb in the ground, or the new shoots that have grown up from a bulb of garlic that stayed for another year in the ground. It looks a bit like a large scallion or a leek, but it tastes like garlic, just a little less strong. I suspect lots of farms in the northern part of the USA have it this time of year, but if you can't find it you can use regular garlic.

Spring Work

 
It's a busy time of year and between various jobs and trying to get things together for an upcoming fair this weekend, I haven't had time for much else. But, though I am very tired when I get home from working on the farm, I do appreciate the feeling of doing physical work all day. It makes it harder to get other things done, but the days are long this time of year and I get to relish the lingering daylight while I cook dinner and do some work in the evening.

I have been enjoying my little porch garden with the back door open and breezes wandering through the screen. I've got a good variety of herbs and I look forward to when I can step out the door and cut a few leaves or stalks to add to our meal. The peas are also up and getting ready to climb. If you are interested in more ideas for your own container garden, I wrote this article about how to get started.

I haven't been doing as much sewing as usual, since I am spending more time at the farm. But I am looking forward to the fair this weekend and have a few more things to finish up (I hope) later this week.

Abundant and in Season

We hit up the Saint Paul farmer's market on Saturday and despite the cold and rain the stalls were splashed with the bright greens of seedlings ready for planting, bunches of thin stalked asparagus, loaves of bread, cartons of eggs. It was good to see lots of other shoppers reaching eagerly for the first goods of spring. I couldn't help but grab multiple bunches of rhubarb, the red stalks of a vegetable that is so often made sweet.

As I considered what to do with my rhubarb, I was reminded of one of the tenets of eating locally. Eat lots of what is in season, enjoy it to the utmost because once it is gone you won't see it until next season. I'm rereading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver which chronicles her family's year of eating locally and it reminds me of the beauty of savoring and relishing what we have now for, in this northern climate, it won't last long. This also helps me to feel a little less greedy when I can't help but grab several bunches of whatever is abundant and new.

We had friends over for brunch on Sunday and I made short work of the rhubarb. I boiled and strained it into a sweet rhubarb syrup which can be mixed with seltzer for a not too sweet rhubarb soda. It also goes quite nicely mixed with some champagne.

I was going to make this rhubarb compote, but instead used it in a big crumb coffee cake. I'm still thinking about some other ways to use rhubarb, I'll have to go to the market and get some more while it lasts. What have you been enjoying that is abundant and in season?

Sowing Seeds

All of the planting and seed sowing I have done recently has gotten me thinking a lot about the seeds we plant all the time and the things we choose to nurture. This started when I was writing my most recent newsletter, talking a little bit about the CSA model and the similarity between planting and nurturing seeds and the way we use our dollars to support things we care about.

There are so many areas where we can choose to plant seeds -- ideas, daily practices, projects. When the seed of an idea comes to you, do you open your mind to let in the sunshine and rain necessary to make this idea grow and come to life? I know I have so many things that I would like to see flourish in my daily life, but sometimes it is hard to find the resources I need to make these little seeds take root. I still struggle to make my yoga practice a habit and not an occasional stretching. I have a list of other things I would like to make more room and time for so they can grow.

Then there are those crazy, impractical ideas that I can't remember where they come from, a wild seed blown in by the wind. The ones that don't seem like they should survive, but they keep growing, at least in the idea stage. Sometimes these rogue ideas reach me when I need them most, other times I wonder if I should even consider making them a reality.

It takes more than just a seed to bear fruit. That is the miraculous starting point, but these little things won't grow without the proper care and attention. I wonder what kinds of seeds, literal or figurative, you have been sowing lately? What ideas have you nurtured and grown?

Simple Hand Salve

Planting seeds, digging in the soil, scrubbing surfaces and getting ready for spring is an exciting chance to nurture new life. But all this work can take its toll on your hardworking hands. After a day on the farm my hands are dry and rough. I made a very simple hand salve which quickly refreshes and rejuvenates my worn fingers.

It is easy to mix up and made with ingredients that you can use in the kitchen, too. The salve doesn't soak in quickly like a lotion, but it's not greasy and it is a great cure for dry skin. I use almond oil that is found with the other cooking oils in the store, it works really well as a moisturizing body oil and it is less expensive than the almond oil in the body care section.

Homemade Hand Salve
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon grated beeswax
1 tablespoon almond oil
A few drops of your favorite essential (optional)

In a double boiler, or a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, place all of the ingredients. When the are all melted, stir them together to combine completely. Pour into a shallow, wide mouth jar or other container for easy use. Let cool completely. Rub a small amount into your hands until absorbed. Use as often as you like.

P.S. The new aprons are up in my shop.

Full of Possibilities

I am always amazed by seeds. That these tiny, dry, sometimes strangely shaped bits can, with soil, water, and sunlight become the plants that feed and sustain us. Each seed is the potential for life and it is incredible to think of them in the dark cool earth doing what they do best, fulfilling their destiny to grow. Seeds are full of possibilities. The garden that will be, the flavors, meals, and sustenance that will be made from these minute beginnings. Each one becomes something so much bigger.

I started planting my porch container garden this weekend. I have great hopes for the pots and boxes now filled with soil and seeds, but I'm not sure how it will all turn out. The spot, right outside our back door is south facing so it should get enough sun, but a lot of that light may be blocked by a tree whose leaves will soon make even more shade.  We do have a sort of yard in the back of our building and, since everything is in containers, I can always move them to a sunnier spot if I need to.

I have planted some herb seedlings, parsley, sage, and thyme. The basil seedlings are potted up, but I am keeping them inside until the weather gets warmer, probably later in May they will join the garden on the porch. I also planted seeds. I planted one window box with peas which are an early season crop, good in cool weather. I haven't grown them in a window box before, so I'm not sure how they'll do, but if they grow they way they are supposed to, I plan to trellis them up the the edge of the porch. The other box is planted with arugula and lettuce, which also grow well in cool weather.

I'm not trying to grow all of my food in these containers, just focused on planting things that make good snacks right off the plant or, like herbs and greens, are great as small additions to meals or salads. I am especially hoping the herbs do well because it is so nice to have fresh herbs available whenever I need them.

I'll be sharing more about my little garden here as things sprout and grow. I'd love to share ideas and tips, but this is somewhat new for me, too. I came across this urban/container gardening blog that seems like a great resource for those of us who are growing in very small spaces.

Have you planted anything yet?

Happy Earth Day!

As I said in my newsletter earlier this week, I think it is crucial to make every day Earth Day, but I also think it is important to celebrate occasions when they come along. In the spirit of caring for the earth and making each day vibrantly green, I'm sharing some links that I have found interesting and inspiring and I have a little gift for you at the end of this post, too.

I think handmade and homemade is one of the best ways to support local farmers, connect with your food and reduce waste. I mentioned making homemade butter last week. All it takes is some good quality cream (maybe you have a local farm you can support). It is so easy to make and such a treat!

I recently found Earth911, a site which helps you find where and what you can recycle near where you live. Also, if you are looking to recycle e-waste (old computers, cell phone, etc) it is really important to bring them to a reputable recycler, one that is not going to send e-waste overseas where people break down the computers (often by burning the entire thing) to extract precious metals and copper. E-stewards provides information on certified e-waste recyclers who make sure that the e-waste is recycled in an environmentally, socially, and globally responsible way.

Speaking of recycling, on her blog, Zero Wast Home, Bea talks about how it is most important to refuse first. 

Simple living is another, important way to care for ourselves, our communities, and the earth. I read this a while ago, but can definitely use the reminder.

If you are inspired to plan a garden, there are so many good seed companies to choose from. This shop, run by a Laura Watt in Toronto, sells seeds geared toward the home gardener and she incorporates environmentally friendly practices in all aspects of her business.

I have new market bags in my shop! The latest batch is made from organic cotton canvas. The colors are beautiful and the bags are sturdy. As with everything I made, they are designed to make it easy and fun for you to conserve resources and enjoy being green! In honor of making every day Earth Day I am giving you a coupon for 10% off anything in my shop today. Just use the coupon code earthday when you check out.

Guide to Finding the Fresh, Local, and Green

Spring is slowly awakening here in Minnesota. I started a new job on a farm on Monday, which is why I haven't posted until today. It has been nice to get outside and feel more connected with the earth. We're supposed to get snow tonight, but planting seeds means that spring really is going to come one of these days. I don't know if you are planting seeds of your own, visiting farmer's markets or still waiting for spring, but I wanted to point out some of the options that are available if you are eager to eat more fresh and locally grown. I know I've written on each one with some length, but I wanted to describe them as well as I could. I've added links and resources, too. If you have other ideas for finding farms and markets please share!

CSA - Community Supported Agriculture is a system that many farms use. Farms offer a share (which might feed 1 person or could be enough for a whole family) of produce for the farm season and members pay the full price up front. It is kind of like investing in a farm -- you pay a certain amount at the beginning of the season which gives the farmer capital to order seeds and get started. In exchange, the farmer provides you with a regular supply of vegetables. While most of the focus is one what you get from the farm, the beauty of the CSA system is that you are giving to the farm, too.

Many CSAs simple provide a weekly box of produce, others give members credit so they can pick out what they want. Some CSAs include eggs, milk or meat and still others focus on fiber or fruit. Some farms also do winter shares so you can keep getting locally grown food during the colder months. Although it may seem like a big investment at first, your investment will stretch much farther when you are dealing directly with a farm instead of shopping for produce at a market. Keep in mind that the although most farms provide a wide variety, they are limited as the what they can harvest at different times of year. It is a great way to get in touch with the seasons of a farm and to learn to use a variety of vegetables.

Farmers Markets - Some CSAs allow members to get their produce at the market, but generally a farmer's market is just for retail. Many farmers bring their goods to sell (usually produce, but also baked goods, flowers, meat, dairy products and artisanal specialty foods) and you can pick out whatever you like. The prices are probably higher than at the grocery store, but the quality is better, too. Farmer's markets are also a great way to meet the people who grow the food you eat. When you eat local food like this, you can get to know the growers and ask them questions about how they grow it, what they grow and how to use the products that they sell. Local Harvest is a great website to find markets near you.

Farm Stands - I've lived in some rural areas where farms or sometimes smaller growers have a stand or spot by their house where they place the produce for sale. Sometimes the stand is attended other times it is based on the honor system. You take what you would like and leave money in a can. I love stopping at these little spots along the road, you can find some great very fresh food and it is nice to support the people in your community who care for the land and protect undeveloped open spaces.

Grocery Stores - Since interest in and demand for growing local food many grocery stores and co-ops stock their produce section with locally grown. It's not the same as buying directly from the farmer, but it is always good to take advantage of the locally grown food that is available.

Community Gardens - If you want to grow your own food, there are plenty of options, too. Community Gardens can be found in urban and suburban areas. Different places do it differently. Often it is an area of land sectioned off into plots that you pay a small fee to use for the season. Sometimes the garden is completely communal and members work together to grow all of the food. Community Gardens usually provide guidance and information for new gardeners and there are usually seasoned growers around to make suggestions or give advice. Sometimes the gardens have rules about what you can or cannot grow and how you plot should be maintained and they also have tools and lots of other resources to help you get growing. The American Community Gardening Association can help you find a community garden near where you live. 

Your back yard - Before you start digging up the lawn, make sure to get the soil tested. This will give you information about what you might need to add to the soil and will also warn you if there is lead. Many urban and suburban areas have lead in the soil but that is not an insurmountable obstacle. Your yards is a fabulous place to grow food that is as local as possible. Kitchen Gardeners International is a good place to look for ideas, resources and other back (or front) yard gardeners.

Your front steps, porch, deck or fire escape - I don't have land to plant in myself, but I am planning to grow a few vegetables and some herbs in pots on my back porch. I hope to get this started very soon (once it stops snowing for good!). I'll be sharing my porch garden exploits here, but this book also looks like a great way to get started.

Spring Cleaning Continued

When it comes to the nitty gritty part of cleaning, removing dust, scrubbing sinks and stoves, I like to keep it simple. My home is part of my every day environment and I don't want harmful chemicals in it any more than I want them in or on me. I use non-toxic, biodegradable, and mostly homemade cleaning products. They are inexpensive, easy to make, and do their job leaving your home cleaner than when you started. Obviously that is the goal when cleaning, but most conventional cleaning products are made with chemicals that are not healthy for your home environment. For more information on which ingredients to avoid, I recommend two websites The Naked Truth Project and the Environmental Working Group.

For most of my cleaning I use vinegar, water and baking soda. I fill a spray bottle about 2/3 full of water and 1/3 full of white vinegar. This solution alone is ideal for cleaning windows and glass. For sinks, the stove top, and the bathtub I sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the surface and then spray it with the vinegar and water mixture. I save my retired dish sponges for scrubbing these other areas of the house.

For spots that are harder to get clean (like stuff that is stuck on the stove top or in the oven) I make a paste of baking soda and water, spread it on the area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then I give it a little vinegar and water spray and start scrubbing.

When a drain is clogged, a treatment of hot vinegar helps. Bring 1-2 cups of white vinegar to a boil, then pour it down the affected drain. Follow this with a quart of boiling water.

I mop our hardwood floors with a bucket of hot water and a few splashes of vinegar. By the way, if you don't like the smell of vinegar, it doesn't linger for more than a few minutes. Don't forget to open windows in your house daily to let in fresh air.

It might seem like I have a vinegar and baking soda obsession, but they work perfectly to get things clean. Lately I haven't had as much time to devote to tending my home as I would like, so it's best to keep cleaning simple. We buy biodegradable dish soap in bulk at our local co-op. I'd like to try making this laundry detergent but Ray is in charge of laundry and usually buys Seventh Generation before I have a chance to gather up the ingredients to make our own.

If you prefer to purchase cleaning products there are a number of truly green companies that make them. These companies print a list all of the ingredients on the product bottle so you know just what you are using. The websites I mentioned above can help you figure out which ingredients to avoid. Many conventional products don't even reveal what is in them which seems reason enough not to use unnecessary and harsh chemicals.

Do you have any simple cleaning tips or homemade cleaning solutions?

Spring Cleaning

Although April has arrived, we are still in the awkward transition between winter and spring, sometimes called mud season. We've had just a few days full of sunshine that have been warm enough to step outside without a jacket on. While waiting for more weather that will draw me out of the house, I find it is a good time to clean and spruce up inside. The days get longer and lighter and I can no longer ignore dusty corners and disorganized shelves. As I wait for new growth, green grass, and budding leaves I like to bring new life to my living space.

Deep cleaning and organizing might sound like a pain, but it can be really refreshing. Rearranging a room, some furniture, or even just what I put on the walls can change the feeling of the whole space for the better. I love to use what we already have and find creative solutions for eliminating clutter and neatening up. Since we moved we only had one bureau which meant that Ray's clothes were just in a pile on the floor. I freed up two shelves which can hold all of our clothes and moved the bureau to my studio for storing my fabric. It only takes simple changes to make a space more peaceful to live in, like keeping my supplies organized with empty canning jars. They hold a lot and I love the aesthetic.
 

Spring cleaning is also a good time to get rid of things that you don't need or rarely use. It is all too easy to acquire more than you need and often this means finding more storage space or living with more clutter. I've become pretty relentless about letting go of clothes that I rarely wear and, aside from books, items that I don't really use. I try to remember that this is my living space, not storage space for things. Acquiring and holding on to things you don't need can be stifling and letting go of some of this makes room for more light and air and life.

While I pack up what I don't need and take it to Good Will, I also pay attention to what I keep in my living space. When I need a change, sometimes all it takes is putting up new inspiration on the walls. I love my clothespin system for hanging photos, art, poems and anything I want to see while I work at my desk or sewing machine. I can hang new photos and take down old ones without any extra holes in the wall and no need for tape. To make this, I simply screwed a few cup hooks into the wall and connected them with string.

These are just a few ideas for spring cleaning in your living space. On Wednesday I'll share some of the simple cleaning products I make to get rid of dust and dirt in my home.

What do you do to freshen up your living space?

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Whipped Cream Frosting

I hope the cupcake aprons got you inspired to do some baking. For me, it wasn't enough to sew cupcakes, I needed to bake some, too. I tied on my apron, gathered ingredients and mixed up a batch.  Cupcakes remind me of my elementary school where on your birthday you would bring in a treat for the class. After every child had a cupcake at their desk, the birthday girl (or boy) would pick a friend and walk around the school bringing any extra cupcakes to teachers from years past. I have no idea if this was normal for elementary school or just an odd tradition at the school I went to.

I know that cupcakes became very trendy a couple years ago and although bakeries may have moved on to donuts or pie as the next big I still think of them as a fun occasional treat. They're not just for birthdays any more. Cupcakes are a light hearted, informal dessert that can be dressed up fancy or just simple and fun. Made with dark chocolate cake and a light but rich and creamy frosting these cupcakes bring a little decadence to any occasion. This recipe is perfect for sharing with a group of friends, but there is no obligation to give one to your teachers or every single person in your class, though I am sure they would enjoy them if you did.

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Whipped Cream Frosting
These cupcakes are best eaten within 24 hours of frosting since the topping is whipped cream and quite perishable. The cake recipe is adapted from the King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking Book. 

3 ounces (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3 3/4 ounces (1/2 cup) brown sugar
2 1/2 ounces (1/3 cup) granulated sugar 
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 3/4 ounces (1 1/4 cup) whole wheat pastry flour
2 ounces (2/3 cup) unsweetened natural cocoa powder 
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 ounces (1/2 cup) plain yogurt
3 ounces (just under 1/2 cup) water

Preheat the oven to 350'. Lightly grease and flour 12 muffin cups (one muffin tin). With a stand mixer or beaters, mix the butter and sugars until they are fluffy and light, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure it is all mixed. Add the eggs one at time, beating until each one is thoroughly incorporated. Mix in the vanilla.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa and baking powder. Add half of the flour mixture and mix until combined. Add the yogurt and water and mix until smooth. Add the rest of the flour mixture and mix until evenly moistened. Scrap the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed.

Spoon the batter into the prepared tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then remove from the muffin tins and let cook on a rack.

For the Frosting:
1 cup heavy cream
1/3-1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

Whip the cream until stiff. Stir in the raspberry jam until it is thoroughly combined with the cream.
More jam will give the cream a stronger raspberry flavor and be a bit sweeter. Start out with a smaller amount and keep adding until you like the taste.

When the cupcakes are completely cool, spoon, spread, or pipe with a pastry bag the raspberry frosting onto the cupcakes. Enjoy as soon as possible.

Waste Less, Enjoy More.

As part of my interest in vibrantly green living, I want to talk about some of the small things that I think can make a difference. I often feel that I don't know how to make the world a better place on a grand scale, so I stick to my small decisions and hope for the best. While it might not create a huge wave of positive change, I have seen my little ripples touch other islands and get passed on to reach even farther.

Sometimes I think about experiments like No Impact Man and read blogs like Zero Waste Home and One Local Family. While I am often tempted to stick to a regimen of eliminating excess and waste from my life, I am so much more drawn to creating. So I work to make fun, useful and enjoyable alternatives to disposable mass production.

These days it is easy to find a cool, reusable option for the paper and plastic that so often surrounds us. The trick is to find something that you want to use. Do you forget the crumpled reusable bags that are relegated to the trunk of your car when you go in the grocery store? Start collecting bags that you love to use. Nice colors, slogans that provoke conversation or designs that you want to carry wherever you go, even on the most of mundane chores.

Ideally we can all work toward wasting less while enjoying more. Maybe you use a travel mug that holds your coffee perfectly or reminds you of the friend who gave it to you for your birthday. Maybe you cut back on the clutter of plastic bags in a drawer or in the trash by bringing cloth bags to the store. I love the way glass jars look in my cupboard holding popcorn, beans, rice and sunflower seeds.  I fill my cloth bags from bulk bins and then store them in these jars.

Sometimes these small changes seem so tiny and insignificant, but then I look around. I notice that in so many areas disposable packaging is still the norm. I think about how if everyone made one change to enjoy more and waste less, it would make an impact for good. I have lots more ideas I want to share about small changes that we can all make.

I want to hear from you, too. What are some of the changes you have made, or would like to make? How do you waste less and enjoy more?

Emerging from the Cold

I do believe spring is on its way! I know it is not quite March, we still have three weeks of official winter, and it is certainly cold and snowy here. The bright sun, chirping birds, and longer daylight keep me hopeful that the seasons will, indeed, change. Warmer days and green growth will reappear, even if it is a little early to be expecting spring.

This winter I have been doing a lot of behind the scenes work on Seedling Design. Many of my ideas have been circling around eco friendly and green living. I am working on adding more items that you can use to make every day green. I believe that we can all make small changes that really do add up. I hope that my one of a kind, handmade items can help everyone make small changes for a greener world.

I always feel slightly awkward using the term "green" because it can be over used and not very meaningful. I recently read this article and the note that inspired it. I discovered the idea of bright green environmentalism which makes me want to focus on items that can be vibrantly green. I want to continue crafting things that are made to last, that combine beauty, utility, and small solutions. While a reusable bag isn't an example of great innovation, I am trying to create more items that are useful everyday. But I stress that every day green doesn't have to be boring, dull or lacking in color. I am striving to make every day vibrantly green.

I intend to share more of my ideas for vibrantly green handmade living here and I'll be sending out a newsletter with shop and blog updates and more (there's a sign up form over to the right if you are interested). It will still be some weeks until I can truly welcome spring, but after all this behind the scenes work and I'm excited to have new designs and brightly colored items emerging out of winter's work.