getting crafty

There are so many amazing women online who I swear knit in their sleep and can homeschool their nine children while simultaneously kneading a loaf of whole wheat bread, planting their three-acre garden and writing/photographing a book to be released this year. It's enough to make one go white as a sheet and decide to never ever get out of bed.

Really, I am in awe of the amazing, creative, inspiring work being done by mamas and other artists everywhere. What an ecclectic bunch humanity is. (Oh, the grammar!) So rather than succumbing to enui in the face of such shining examples of true beauty, I will, instead, throw my hands in the air and honor the few lovely things I do manage to accomplish despite rarely getting out of my pajama's these days.

One
I'm discovering through mostly trial and error what level of complexity a two-year-old will tolerate in a craft project.

Thumbs down: Making an alphabet paper chain. Twenty-six piece of paper to be cut, labeled and taped? What was I thinking?

Thumbs up: Making birdseed treats with overripe fruit. A total homerun.

Two
I'm also learning my personal crafting limitations. This is, apparently, an ongoing lesson as I have amassed quite a collection of half-done, quarter-done and even not-yet-started projects. Including, but not limited to, three or four cross-stitch patterns; fabric, buttons and thread for two art smocks I designed in my head; all the bits and pieces for a doll, a beany frog and some little felt monsters; feathers and beads for a butterfly mobile. Ugh!

So what exactly have I learned you ask? Um...to not just cut my losses when things are starting to go sour, but to salvage the work I've done so far. My latest scarf attempt is now a cozy ear-warming headband. (Modeled after a bunch I was admiring on Etsy.)

Three
Kitchen projects have turned out to be the sweet spot, literally, for both Rowan and Mama. They don't require too much time and there's always something new to measure, mix, taste or rub all over one's face. Perfecto!

This sweet-tart apple-berry pie was born of the dregs of a few of our fruity supplies and turned out to be quite a success. The last, almost-too-soft apples from the bushel we bought in December and the berry-licious crumbs from a freezer bag of raspberries and blackberries. I threw in a few blueberries, too, to make sure the pie was plump.

Despite all the warnings about tough dough, I always make an all-butter crust. It makes such a difference when it comes to flavor and I actually like the texture better than most crusts that rely on shortening.

Time to dust off that rolling pin and get baking. There are no hard and fast rules with this recipe. Change up the fruit, use a store-bought crust, add more or less sugar. Just be sure to share it with someone you love.

Rowan's Apple-Berry Pie

4-6 cups apples
1-2 cups mixed frozen berries
squeeze lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
2-4 tablespoons flour
pinch fresh-grated nutmeg
pinch of salt
2 all-butter crusts
2 tablespoons milk
Coarse sugar

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F. Peel and slice apples. Toss in bowl with lemon juice as you slice to prevent browning. (Note: I actually don't mind brown apples in a pie, but I do like the little bit of sour sunshine the lemon adds to the fruit!). Add berries and sugar to the apples, and sprinkle with flour (more for juicy apples, less for dry apples), nutmeg, and salt. Toss with your hands until well combined.

Roll out one crust and lay into pie plate. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Roll out the second crust. Grab first crust in plate from the fridge and fill with fruit. Cover with second crust, trim and crimp the edges, and cut one large and two small slits in the top. Brush with milk and sprinkle coarse sugar.

Bake for 30 minutes and then reduce temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake for another 15-30 minutes until the fruit is tender and the crust is dark golden brown.

All Butter Crust (adapted from Joy of Cooking)

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1 cup) cold unsalted butter
1/3 cup + 1-3 tablespoons ice water

Combine and mix flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Break butter into chunks and cut into the flour mixture until it resembles mostly corn meal with some pea-sized pieces, too. Drizzle 1/3 cut + 1 tablespoon ice water and mix. If the dough sticks together when you press it against the side of the bowl, you're done. If not, add 1-2 additional tablespoons ice water until you can easily form your dough into a ball. Divid the dough in half, press each into a flat, round disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Winter

So much goodness has taken place in the last month. Our winter solstice was spent feasting and quietly getting ready to be immersed in family for Christmas. We played in the snow and lit our bayberry candle to keep vigil through the longest night.

Then Saint Rowan arrived...

Rowan found his infant Santa outfit when I cleaned out his closet. While I lovingly folded each little sweater and pair of tiny pants too small for his quickly growing frame, he demanded to wear his "Santa suit" despite it being suited for a 3-6 month-old. With a "Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of juice" (apparently Santa has some pirate in his ancestry) he marched downstairs and told me to sit on his lap.

The remaining holi-days were filled to the brim with family warmth. Cookie baking at Meme and Grampy's house...

Hanging with Great-grampa Evans. The youngest first son of the first son of the first son with the eldest...

Papa acting holi-silly...

Then all was quiet again. Rowan enjoyed some of his new games and we settled into the pace of a new year that will hopefully pass a little slower. I won't hold my breath for that one.

I've got a new year's gift for you all next entry--a tasty recipe and a simple project to share with the munchkins in your life--so stop back soon.

Yule-tidings

Rowan's finally at the age where the holidays really start to get fun. He's starstruck by Santa rather than terrified like last year and he has very specific gift requests so "Santa" is sure to hit a homerun this year. Granted, he has less patience for cookie-baking and it's a little harder to keep track of at the tree farm, but I'll never know exactly what the tree will look like from day to day (he's moved every single ornament within his reach at least three times in the week since we put it up!).

This weekend is our big Yule feast and it looks like its going to be a snowy one. Our first big storm hit today although I didn't have a chance to take any photos. Since getting our family dog, Elvis, it's a little much to juggle Rowan, dog-on-leash and a camera when we head outside. Not to mention the layers of clothing and other keeping-warm items. I've taken to bribing Rowan with hot cocoa and the dog with liver treats to get them back in the house after a long walk-about and play in the yard.

Speaking of bribing, Rowan locked me out of the house the other day. There I am, on the front porch in my socks and short-sleeves, covered in flour from bread-baking telling the neighbor where to find the old dresser we're passing on when I hear the "click" of our deadbolt behind me. When I peek in the front window, I'm met with an impish grin.

"Open the door for mama, honey!" I plead. "No, go away!" he giggled. The backdoor? I, of course, locked it behind me after bringing the dog in last. How thoughtful of me. How did I finally get in the house, you ask? I promised him gummy bears. That did the trick.

Let this be a lesson to all mamas: Keep a house key in your pocket (along with a tissue, a wipey, a diaper, a crayon, some lavendar oil and a scrap of paper) at all times.

Playing Catch-up

Tomorrow is Rowan's third Thanksgiving and it's about time I catch up with my three or four readers here. Since the Mmmm Mama blog has been languishing for the last two months, we've been enjoying every spare autumn moment. So much so that we never finished cleaning out our garden nor got our garlic in the ground for next year. And I certainly won't bore you with how messy the house looks. Oh well. What are the holidays for if not cleaning?

We're going to make a trip to Ritter's Cider Mill with Meme and Grampy an annual event from now on. In fact, we were going to have Rowan's birthday party there, but figured we'd save it until he's a little older and can invite a few of his friends to go with him.

Mmmm....picking apples!

There is nothing like fresh-squeezed, unpasturized apple cider from Ritter's.

Meme taught Rowan the real meaning of HAYrides and Grampy "benefited" from the lesson!

Is there anything we wouldn't do for our litle ones? From left to right, that's Meme, Grampy and Mama. Papa is taking the picture. You can't see if face, but Rowan was laughing hysterically! Totally worth it!

And then is was time for All Hallow's Eve. The carving of the gourd was a teeny bit more controlled this year as compared to last, but unique none-the-less.

Whoa Daddy, what is that stuff?!

Rowan knighted our pumpkin "Aberdeen" this year. We don't know why.

Since Rowan already considered himself a pirate, we thought we'd simply bring the delusion to life and dress him as the Dread Pirate Rowan for trick-or-treating. He looks somber here, but he had a ball raiding the neighbors' houses for candy.

Until next time....I'll try not to stay away so long.

Snuggily Two's

I don't know much about the Terrible Two's, but I know a ton about the Snuggily Two's. Papa and I are drinking in as much of this as possible while it lasts. We both know it won't be long until our hugs and kisses will embarrass the poor boy. Until then....snuggle on!

I have to admit, these pictures are from earlier in October. I've been out of the loop a bit with my blog working like a mad woman on a huge fundraising event in NYC for the Rodale Institute (the non-profit for which I slave). The event was titled "Ripe for Revolution," but I'm feeling overripe these days. Squishy, soggy and covered in fruit flies! It is only the smile of a certain little bear that makes my heart soar and my supermama powers get all zingy and electrified. Really...how could anyone resist....

Here he is as "Incredi-Boy" in the park.

I'm afraid my lovely little son is addicted to "MOVIES!" (in caps to represent how loudly he requests one). With his personality and charisma, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up as a movie star himself....or a producer. Who knows. Until then, he's going to have to deal with the TV(and movie)-time limits the mama and the papa (well, mostly the mama) impose. Although, it really is hard to resist those big blue eyes.

Two today

Happy Birthday my darling little bear.....

Putting up

I've been meaning to get this particular entry up for weeks now. We've picked, preserved, stewed, frozen and pickled some more over the last month. We're very far from ever putting up enough to tide us over until spring, but there is something comforting about having so much garden goodness glistening in jars and bags. There is something about the ritual that brings the summer to a sweet close and welcomes the fall in all it's warm (inside) and spicy crispness (outside).

Dad Evan's dill pickle recipe.

Elderberry currant apple preserves.
(I've missed the annual jelly-making activities at my mother's house the last few years. This year, she brought the whole process to mine. Berries picked by my father, juiced by my mother, and preserved by me.)

Tomatoes, garlic, leeks, basil, rosemary, and oregano
just waiting to be turned into sauce and jarred up.

This truly is my favorite time of year. The month of our marriage...the month of our first born. Today, in fact, is our anniversary and next week is the litte bear's second birthday. So much seems to begin in October, I can't help but celebrate. Autumn blessings to you all!