Inspiration comes from all sides including the inside - The Dream Catcher

Looking to the past to create a more peaceful future.

Recently I have found myself confronted by life. Lots of life. Some scary. Some beautiful. Some peaceful. Some like knots tying themselves up inside.

A quick background.

In the past I have suffered from depression and anxiety. It was surprising and terrifying. I was lucky to find the help I needed and a few amazing counselors along the way. But on occasion and generally as the seasons transition from summer in to fall and winter I feel the anxiety come back. For someone that has never experienced it, it is hard to explain. For me it feels like a wind-up toy running at full speed inside my chest. It comes in waves. Like sitting at the ocean watching and you turn your back for a split second and get doused by the water. It catches you off guard and it sets your heart racing.  

What this teaches me.

I am not alone and I am not the only one. 

I seek to find ways to bring natural peace into our house. I am becoming familiar with the use of essential oils and the many ways to use them to help me. Exercise often helps me remove some of my anxiety...running and lifting help me get the good juju flowing. I also try to surround out house with happiness...pictures of our adventures, people we love, art I have created. I have also begun to look to the past. A talisman. An inspiring word or phrase. My arrows that give me a sense of direction.

In times of disruption what can I do to help myself? What can I do to help create the sense of peace I am looking for?

The people native to this land I call home had some ideas about finding peace and creating that peace while you sleep.
There are several versions of the origins of the dream catcher this one come from Dancing to the Eagle Spirit Society and here is a piece of that tradition, 

Natives believed the night air was filled with good and bad dreams. The legend of the Dream Catcher is that it captures the bad Spirits and filters them. Protecting us from evil and letting through only the good dreams.   It is believed that each carefully woven web will catch bad spirit dreams in the web and disappear by perishing with the first light of the morning sun.

The good spirit dreams will find their way to the center and float down the sacred feather.

Dream Catchers are believed to bless the "sleeping ones" with pleasant dreams, good luck, and harmony throughout their lives. It is how many people remember lessons in our community and get their visions.

 It is said that when you get a good night sleep you can remember when the spirit has talked to you. 

The dream catcher is traditionally made from grapevine or willow branches wrapped into what I will loosely call a circular shape.

We have a small grapevine in our backyard that I pruned and used for my first two attempts. 

Attempt one is much larger than the traditional which is the size of an adult hand, but I scaled back on version #2.

The picture on the left was from this summer and the one on the right I took today (November 1, 2016).

I soaked the grapevines in the sink overnight and then wound them into the roundest kinda shape I could make without breaking them.

Here is version number one. I didn't take pictures doing the second one, but followed the same procedure.

Next I started weaving a jute twine around the grapevine with a super simple loop pattern moving in with each turn around the vine.On or about the third go around you add a bead that symbolizes the spider that spun the web.

Here is the vine finished with weaving and the bead.

Next I added a few feather. I got these feathers from my parents neighbor that have quite a wide variety of fowl. At any given moment you can stroll through his yard and collect enough feather to make a mess of dream catchers. I have also started collecting feathers I see in my yard (we have several feeders) and when I am out and about. There is something magical about finding a feather and to me even more amazing when I can identify what bird it came from.

I tied the feathers on from the center of the web and added a few beads for decoration.

I hung the first on Mark's side of the bed and made a second one for me which a hung the next night. The cat tried to help with the feather attachment, but he is not - not helpful.

Here is BooBoo at some ridiculous hour of the morning trying to slay the bird that is on the wall. If you know BooBoo, the only thing he can slay is cat food and cat nip. He was made for domestication. 

Other than the cat I must say I slept well. Thank you dream catcher for helping keep my nights less stressful and my morning (other than the cat) restful.

Plus I am loving the look and adding art to the wall that is other than pictures...

What is next? Who knows...now to go breathe and find my zen.

Easiest holiday decoration EVER!

As the seasons started changing and the nights have been getting chilly it was time to bring in the plants that has so happily been living outside this summer. It is starting to look like a jungle in the house and I love it! The problem is, now the house looks naked - even with the creeper cat in the window...

All of a sudden it dawns on me. What I initially wanted was something I could change with the seasons and accompanying holidays. What I got was in Mark's words, "why the hell are there a Christmas trees outside the house? It isn't even Halloween!" I tried without success to explain they were just pretty lighted decorations and the house needed something and that we could totally call them Halloween lights. He wasn't buying it.

So here is my ridiculously easy, super quick holiday tree outdoor (although I am sure you could use it indoor too) lights!

Look out Lowes here I come and this time I didn't buy even one can of spray paint!
What I did buy was tomato cages (surprisingly they were on sale - it seems most people in the Chicago aren't growing tomatoes in October) and string lights suitable for outdoor use. I bought two different sizes of tomato cage and white and gold lights since I couldn't find orange in my three minute search of the light isle.

The tomato cage hides pretty well in the kitchen.

I turned the cage upside down and zip tied the legs together. Then I wrapped that sucker with lights (insert Mary Alice in my head saying it needs more lights, don't go skimpy on the lights). I may have gone overboard on the first on. It was a small cage and I wrapped that bad boy with 500 lights. I actually think it may be visible from space!

BooBoo is judging me with his eyes. I know he thinks there are TOO MANY lights on this one.

I think they turned out pretty cute and they fill the void in the corner of the house. Of course I am not actually allowed to plug them in yet, because clearly they are Christmas trees and not the orange Halloween ones I had envisioned...but if I find them I have one cage waiting to be wrapped...

I may add another string of gold onto the larger cage, but overall I am pleased. So if you have old tomato cages lying around and a few strings of lights...this may be a fun project to try.

One thing I would do differently next time is I would try using two cages stacked together so that the shape would be more round than triangular, but as long as you aren't right on top of them you wouldn't notice.

Smoker Trials - Smoked Applesauce

Look Out Thanksgiving YOU Are About To Be Transformed!

So when we moved to Rolling Meadows into our rental house several items came with the house including a smoker. Not that kind of smoker. That isn't super legal here...yet.

The kind of smoker most people associate with meat, but being a veg head I have been experimenting with smoking other foods. Think tofu, brussel sprouts, corn on the cob, cheeses, and apples. This post is about the apples.

I have more time to think than I care to admit and sometime in between contemplating starting a meditation practice and deciding the exchange rate of the pound versus the dollar I had this brilliant thought about smoking apples and making applesauce. 

I called my mom and asked, 'Does this sound good or gross?' Her reply in typical Mary Alice fashion was, "That sounds gross." So of course I have to make it, because now I have to know.

Mark and I made a quick trip to a local farm market to get some scratch and dent apples. Armed with a mess of random apples I prepare for my culinary experiment. 

Being new to smoking things, but knowing just enough to be dangerous...I start up the charcoal chimney and soak a few maple wood chips.

The actual process started on Monday. Mark works from home if he is in town and in typical Monday morning fashion he had several conference calls so he was holed up in his office while I was getting everything prepped. He walks out stops...looks at me and says, 'It smells like campfire.' It did. I explained the smoker was smoking.

While the smoker was heating up I peeled the apples. Years ago we bought an apple peeler. I have got to say even if you only use it once a year, it is one of the greatest inventions ever!!! Seriously. You need one.

I peeled five apples and saved the peels for my outdoor wild kingdom. The squirrels seemed pleased. I broke the apples in half and put them into the smoker. I turned them over after about 10 minutes or so and left them for a while longer. The smoker stayed in the 100-150 range and I used natural charcoal and a combination of wet and dry maple chips. I was not particularly strict on my timing, but they were in there for a while most likely about 30 minutes total. 

Next I brought them in and put them in my enameled cast iron pot with about 1 cup of water, 1T - ish cinnamon and allspice and a light dusting of cumin. Stir those suckers and let them get fully cooked. This took about 20 minutes. 

I scooped them out and mashed them with a potato masher - I prefer my applesauce chunky, but this is all a matter of personal taste.

So the final verdict? I loved it. The smokiness paired with the sweetness of the apples and the combination of spices was divine. I may try a batch without the cumin to see what that is like too...but overall this surpassed what I was expecting and it is crazy good. I am going to can what I have left and keep it to share. 

Mary Alice was wrong...this is amazing and paired with a Thanksgiving dinner the mashed potatoes and turkey (if you eat that) or stuffing I can't wait!!! 

How natural do you want to go?

Wait, what? You don't use store bought deodorant? What?

When you actually stop and think about it when did this start? Why did we as a society decide that all of these extra products were needed?
Here is a brief history provided by Mental Floss...interesting stuff.

And another from Smithsonian Magazine on how advertising has convinced us that what is natural is bad. Advertising. So good. So bad. Advertisers have convinced us super sizing everything was good or that dairy is the best way to get calcium...that dental product with fluoride is how you prevent cavities and so much more.

Sorting it all out can be difficult. What is actually good and needed and what is propaganda and fluff. That is up to you to research and sift through all the mumbo jumbo. What is actually in the deodorant you use? Do you know? Do you know why the ingredients are there? Do you know what happens when these are absorbed into your skin? Maybe nothing. But maybe something.

I am here though to share my experience with making and using my own deodorant. 

I have been making my own deodorant for a few years now and I couldn't be happier. There are rare opportunities that I will use something commercial, but it is few and far between. 

So what happens when you switch?
In the early stages I found myself sweating more than previous, but it was just different and new to me and the longer I left my clogs unplugged the less I noticed extra wetness. Now I hardly notice it at all. 

So the question I am sure you are all asking is do you stink?

Your body changes and you notice a different musk generally at the end of the day or if I forget to reapply for a day or two, but I have not noticed any significant changes in my aroma. 

Do I have any regrets? Nope. Would I go back? Nope. 

Where do you get your hands on some of this awesome all natural (and healthy) pit product? 

You can make your own. It is pretty quick and easy, but I understand you may not want to take the time to do this. 

If you don't want to make your own...Our Company - Bad Hippies - actually sells it and I am more than happy to support your journey toward less gunk on and in your bodies, while you are supporting our small business.

If you are willing to take on the task, here is the basic recipe that I use.

1/3 C beeswax (we buy ours from local beekeepers)

1/3 C coconut oil

1/3 C Shea Butter

1/3 C arrowroot powder (you can use baking soda or any combination of the two - some people find the baking soda too harsh so I stick with arrowroot alone)

2 T Bentonite clay (it latches on to heavy metals and help pull them out of your body)

20ish drops of essential oils of your choice. I most frequently use geranium and tea tree oils.

Melt the wax and coconut oil over low heat.

Remove from heat and stir in the dry ingredients.

Allow to cool slightly and stir in the essential oils.

Dispense into a container for storage. 

Keep in a cool dark space because in high heat it can liquefy again. If that happens just toss it in the fridge and let it harden again.

This recipe is forgiving and you can tweek it to your liking...

Force, movement and direction of travel - Easy arrow wall art

Sometimes you have an empty wall that calls to you and says decorate me, but you are not sure what is meant to be there.
Then it dawns on you. Your wall and decoration can be so much more than just filled with frames and drawings, but it can be given meaning and inspiration.

Enter the simple, but powerful arrow.

Arrows have much lore in Native American Heritage and different tribes looked at them with different eyes and in varying context, but there are several meanings that seem to reoccur...

"The meaning of the above single arrow indicated protection and defense. Arrows also signified direction, force, movement, power and direction of travel. When an arrow pointed to the left it meant warding off evil, pointing to the right meant protection and an arrow pointing down meant peace. Two arrows depicted together were the symbol for war.A bundle of five arrows represented one of the five founding tribes of the Iroquois League. One arrow could easily be broken, while a bundle of five arrows would remain strong. Crossed arrows were symbols of friendship. A broken arrow was a symbol of peace." found here.

So thank you Pinterest for providing me with endless ideas and many hours of time that I will never get back, but thank you also for sending me this easy arrow how to that has begun to fill my wall void with inspiration and color.

A big shout out to Festoon and Frill for providing me with the knowledge!

Luck for me I already had everything on hand I needed to get started (go figure)...

-popsicle sticks (each arrow as shown uses 15 sticks)

-glue gun

-glue gun glue (very important when using a glue gun)

-patience (ugh I am such an instant gratification woman)

-spray paint (duh)

It took a few tries to get the shape I wanted and so that it was mostly symmetrical. I made three (3) before I ran low in sticks, but according to the lore I think I want to have a bundle of five (5). I may shake of the design and add a few super basic ones to the mix, but we will see where the glue gun leads me.

Here is an unpainted arrow just...you know...hanging out in my herbs, because where else would it be?

And here are two spray painted (navy blue and metallic copper) hanging on the wall with you basic clear thumb tack.

I love how they turned out. Quick. Easy. Fun. Colorful. Symbolic. What more cold you ask for? 

What so you think?
Do you have any quick go to crafts you use to decorate?

Flux Capacitor Foods...

Food like music has the power to take you back in time - to a different place in the space time continuum. For me this is one of those foods.

In its most basic form you can make these with four items you probably already have on hand.
-Beets
-Vinegar
-Sugar
-Hard Boiled Eggs
When these four basic items combine they create a magical transporter where I have been beamed back to my youth. This is Festival Food made by many loving hands every summer for our church festival dinner...

Here is my ode to:Pickled Beets and Eggs.

There are just about as many variations on this age old recipe as there are stars in the sky (maybe not), but everyone seems to have the one they like the best. I took my favorite parts out of several recipes and came up with something magical. And I took a million pictures too because they are beautiful...

This story starts at a local farm stand and the beautiful bundles of beets there. I loaded my cart with those beauties and a few other essentials...dill (with seeds so I can spread them and have my own fresh dill next year!), some sweet corn, and a gorgeous heirloom tomato. 

I am notorious for not really following recipes and winging it. This is one you can totally wing...there is no right or wrong it is all just personal taste. I used fresh beets, but canned are totally fine just make sure to save the juice...

I took four (4) beets, which was just shy of a pound, cut off the leaves and wrapped them tightly in tin foil. I roasted them in the oven at 350 for about 75 minutes. You just need them soft. No need to peel prior, because the skins will slip right off after you roast them and let them cool. I also cut up one sweet onion.

See the skin just slid off with my hands...of course I also looked as if I may or may not have committed a crime in the process. REMEMBER beets stain!

 I boiled half a dozen eggs (or seven) and let them cool as well.

While the eggs were cooling I sliced up the beets. No rhyme or reason here just chop chop. Next I put the onion and beets in a non reactive bowl. This must be important because most recipes stated this explicitly. Not being a chemist I am guessing it has to do with the chemical and reactive nature of vinegar and metal bowl or the like would taint the taste, but don't quote me on that...just use glass and you are good.

Now peel your eggs. I used six maybe seven, but today (the next day) I am cooking more to make them magic too...

You also need to make your pickling brine...this is where there are a million ways to customize to you particular tastes. Mine consisted of apple cider vinegar, white sugar, fresh cracked black pepper, cinnamon, bay leaves, and cloves.

I went with a 2 to 1 ratio apple cider vinegar to sugar ratio. My first attempt did not make enough so I ended up doing two batches to cover the precious eggs and beets (and onion). In total I believe I went with 3 cups of apple cider vinegar and 1.5 cups of white sugar. Again you will need to use a non-reactive pot to cook this in...I used my enameled cast iron and it worked brilliantly - plus it is really pretty cookware! I tossed in two bay leaves, about 10 cloves, a solid sprinkle of cinnamon, and went grind grind grind with the black pepper and brought that happy mixture to a boil. After you reach boil turn down the heat and let it simmer for about five (5) minutes so all your ingredients get to know each other. ***Side note - some recipes said to let this cool and let the ingredients mingle like they are having cocktails for a few hours. I am not that person and I wanted it done NOW! I let it cool kinda and then poured this bad boy

Boiling

Simmering - it looks totally different in pictures right???

Now you pour that happy juice over your beets, eggs, and onion.

Close that bad boy up and put it in the fridge so they can all get cozy and get to know each other...oh and this lets the beets do their magic and turn everything a beautiful ruby shade.

This is a few hours later. I am so impatient and I need to check on them...and maybe eat one. Ssoooooooo goooood! Everything...the onion, the beets, the eggs. Perfection! Back in the fridge to blend a little more. 

Guess what I had for breakfast today?

This has got to be the breakfast of champions somewhere...most likely Amish country or Germany.

Look at that perfection! It was amazing. I seriously could have eaten the whole dish. Like I said I even put the rest of my eggs on to boil so I can restock them. Plus pickled food is good for you!!! Totally a health food.

Gone in Sixty Seconds.

Your food should be as beautiful as it tastes and this my friends fits that bill...

Here is a brief rundown of the recipe to the best of my hazy beet filled recollection.

Roughly one pound of beets I used four.

Remove leaves, wrap in tin foil and roast at 350 for about 75 minutes.

Hard boil eggs. I initially used six or seven.

Slice on sweet onion.

For the pickling juice:

In a non-reactive pan!

3 cups apple cider vinegar

1.5 cups white sugar

2 whole bay leaves

10 individual cloves

A shake or two of cinnamon I probably use .5 teaspoons, but could have gone a bit heavier

A few turns of fresh cracked black pepper

Bring to a boil and make sure the sugar is dissolved

Turn down heat and let simmer for about five (5) minutes

After eggs and beets are cool peel both. Cut beets however your heart desires, but leave eggs whole.

Marry everything in another non-reactive container and allow to have some alone time in the fridge...at the very least you should wait 8 hours if not 24. 

Serve fancy or eat right out of the dish like I will in just a few minutes...Yum!!!

Enjoy...

Do you have a twist on this? I would love to hear about it!

A ReFreshing Table Story

A year or two ago is when I think I was first bitten by the spray paint bug. We had a marble topped coffee table. The marble is off white streaked with greys, blues, tans, and white. The base was brown. Yep. Brown. One day I ask Mark...'Mark do you care if I paint the base of the table?'

Foolishly he said no.

This was the time when I didn't even realize you could get the same shade of spray paint in flat, semi-gloss or full-on shine.

I painted it a gloss off white and it was good...until we moved to Chicago where all of our accents are now white. Not eggshell, nor ecru, or even antique white. As luck would have it I just so happened to have an extra can of gloss white just hanging out in the garage (actually there were two, but who counts that stuff).
Let me tell you the marble on that table is heavy AND awkward.
I get the base outside and it assumes the position...

Yep this is the correct position...

I am about one coat in and Mark calls...he innocently asks, 'what are you up to?' I fumble for words looking...searching for ones that will not incriminate me. Nope. There are none so I mumble real fast...Iampainting. 

Maybe he won't notice. 

Wrong.

I think his response was something like, 'Oh no. Now what?' 

I respond the table. 

'What table?' the coffee table. I had to. It was wrong and we can't live with a coffee table that is wrong.

So now the coffee table is right again.

As a matter of fact he hasn't seen it yet...

Hey babe, here the the coffee table done right! 

Now we can all sleep just a little more soundly tonight. 

You are welcome.