Pancake Day

Every year my family attends a Pancake Day event that kicks off the fall season in our local area.  Pancakes are made under a giant circus tent by the local Kiwanis Club and served to patrons from a huge conveyor belt.  It's such a fun event, and, even though I've lived far from home for several years now, I still like to celebrate Pancake Day with my own special breakfast.

This year I decided to make apple cinnamon pancakes for a hearty, warm start to a brisk British morning.  I made sure to use plenty of butter in the pan to get those nice brown skillet marks on the flapjacks.  For the cinnamon apples, I sliced an apple thinly lengthwise and mixed in about a teaspoon of cinnamon.  Then, I topped the slices with a few small pats of butter and microwaved them for thirty seconds at a time, mixing between heating.  Paired with real maple syrup, the result is a perfect stack of pancakes sure to please.

Throwing Pottery

I've been trying my hand at pottery lately.  I needed a messy activity to replace my lack of a home renovation project right now, so I opted for clay.  A few years ago, I took a pottery class that mostly dealt with coiling and hand sculpting, but I really wanted to actually use the wheel and fire some pieces. This class is the perfect opportunity to do that.  From day one, we jumped right into wedging and centering.

So far, the centering has been a bit tricky for me, but I've been able to create a couple mugs and the beginnings of a decent bowl.  I'm hoping to fire them soon and glaze them with some nice deep colors.  I'm thinking blues and maroons for the winter season.

Artichoke Nachos

This is a great go-to recipe for a quick weeknight dinner.  I originally got it from Sandra Lee but have since made some changes.  Enjoy!

Artichoke Nachos

1/2 package tortilla chips

1 can black beans

1 jar artichoke hearts, diced into pieces

6-9 plum tomatoes, diced 

1 scallion (green onion), diced

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, shredded

mozzarella cheese, shredded

cheddar or colby jack cheese, shredded

* Grease a glass or metal pan (8 x 8 or 9 x 13) and preheat the oven to 350 degrees

* Put a layer of tortilla chips on the bottom of the pan.  Sprinkle 1/3 of each of the ingredients on top of the chips, finishing with the cheese.  Repeat this step until the pan is full and the ingredients have been used.

* Bake for 20 minutes and let cool for 5 minutes.  Enjoy with sour cream, salsa, or pico de gallo.

Mindful Living in Amsterdam

This week I spent a little time in Amsterdam, an amazing city that has a lot to offer anyone.  Besides the usual walking time around the city, I was actually surprised at how sustainable the trip became.  The tiny flat where I stayed was conveniently located within walking distance of almost everything but was also on several tram lines.  Plus, I had the pleasure of taking an eco-canal ride to explore the different districts further.  It was an electric boat that was small enough to pass through the tiny canals in the newly named UNESCO world heritage center of town.  On top of that, the city offered several organic food locations and a variety of vegetarian fare.

The best thing about being in this city was understanding the pace of living that the residents enjoyed.  With plentiful tourists and busy activities, the streets still managed to be pleasant and quiet.  Everyone seemed to be mindful of each moment they were spending in this beautiful place.  What a lovely goal to have for living a meaningful life!

Friday Favorites: Good Housekeeping Muffin Recipe

Breakfast on the weekends in my house is always a special treat usually consisting of a carb overload to make your belly nice and heavy for a late morning nap.  I've been using this basic muffin recipe for several years now as my go-to breakfast.  It's from the Good Housekeeping cookbook I received when I got married, and it's been the gift that keeps on giving.  Some of my favorite add-ins to the recipe include blueberries and cinnamon apples.  Give it a try:

Good Housekeeping Basic Muffins

(Adjusted slightly to my tastes)

2 1/2 c flour

3/4 c sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 c milk

1/2 c (1 stick) margarine or butter, melted

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

* Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and grease your muffin pan.

* Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

* In small bowl, beat milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla until blended.  Add to flour mixture until moistened.  If slightly too thick, add milk until it runs off spoon with ease.

* Add your favorite fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts to create your own flavor combination.

* Cook for 20-25 minutes and serve warm.

Enjoy!

Gift Tags

Well, I'm starting to look at my holiday gift giving ideas to get an early start on some items.  Just thought I'd share some ideas for gift tags.  They can be a great way to add a handmade touch to your packages this year.

White pinwheel: Handmade in my home studio

Reindeer: Seasonal Delights

Hot Chocolate: Seasonal Delights

Just for You: Handmade in my home studio using the Quickutz Silhouette machine

Red Snowflake: Hallmark

Stamped Pear: Seasonal Delights

Tailored Sustainability

I always have sustainability on my mind, but recently it's been a fairly constant train of thought.  I've been working on my thesis about sustainable housing and thinking of all the ways I try to live sustainably.  With all the hype these days, it's a little overwhelming to determine what you should really invest your time and energy into doing.

I subscribe to the idea that it's alright to tailor your social responsibility to your lifestyle and needs.  If there's no way you can walk or bike to work, then try to substitute on weekends with a walk to the market. If you're a die-hard for certain brands at the grocery store, just try a new environmentally friendly product every now and then until you find some you like.  If you can't live without drying your clothes in a machine, then aim to air dry a load of linens once a month.

It's all about giving what you can and living with the intention of leading a responsible and meaningful lifestyle.  Don't stress if every element of your house and life isn't quite up to the standard.  You can reset that standard in a way that makes you comfortable.  That's what living responsibly is about.

If you're still a little hesitant about this whole sustainble living thing, just take it at a snail's pace...