52 Weeks of Happiness: Happy Campers

It has been a long time since I posted a 52 weeks of happiness post... but that doesn't mean that I haven't had many happy moments along the way.  It simply means that I've been too busy to post them. 
This past weekend I got a chance to get away from the family and have a camp out with a friend that I've know since grade school.  It was nice to get away.

 Due to a burn ban in Texas we couldn't have a campfire... so we made do with this ghostly light.

 We couldn't cook on the grill... but propane stoves are still allowed so we made up some chicken and vegetable tacos for our dinner.

And what would camp stove tacos be without some old school (with a K) salsa.

 Feeding the fire.

 Two happy campers.

I need to treat myself to getaways more often.

Cheers,
Jenn

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It has been a long time since I've written anything for this blog.  I have been busy writing crochet patterns, and trying to get some creative ventures launched before Christmas. So far I have only sold a couple of toys and I haven't sold any patterns yet, but I'll be patient, success doe not happen overnight.  So far I've published 3 patterns in my Ravely store.  Hopefully something will come of all the hard work.    

My basketry class for BOW went wonderfully. I met lots of really nice women and they have invited me back to teach again at the next BOW in March.  I also sold the above batch of toys, a crocheted frisbee and two of my baskets in the fund raising auction and made over $215 for the program.  I had a good time and I look forward to doing it again in the Spring.

Here is a link to the Becoming and Outdoors Woman page.  You can use it to find a BOW near you.

Over the past few weeks I've cooked a lovely Paella with mussels and shrimp,  I made some lovely chilaquiles with New Mexico style green sauce, and I made this stunning hat for your amusement.  I will post my recipe for the chilaquiles soon... and if you are interested in my crochet patterns and more about my basketry you should check out my other blog Worth a Knit.

Cheers,
Jenn

Weaving Baskets in the Woods...

Well I'm off for a wild weekend of weaving baskets in the woods.

I'm leaving tomorrow and heading off to my favorite retreat... Becoming an Outdoors Woman. This will be my first time at BOW as an instructor and I'm a little bit nervous but I must say that I'm excited as well.

I will be back on Sunday with stories and photos to share.

Cheers,
Jenn

Basketry, Little Creatures and a Trip to the Dentist.

Life has been hectic so I've been taking a break from my blog.

Here is what I've been up to.

I went to the dentist yesterday and it looks like I might be able to postpone the dental surgery for a while. I've been taking good care of myself and it has paid off. I'll have a follow up in 3 months and I'll know more then... but for now I feel good about it.

I have been preparing my basketry materials to teach a class for BOW. I'm very excited about this and I have been collecting, dying, and buying supplies for the two classes I'll be teaching over the weekend. I have been posting a tutorial on my other blog... Worth a Knit and there will be more stuff to come after my class is over.

I have also been crocheting up a storm for online and local sales. I just put a display at a local coffee shop and I have been talking to a popular local gift store about selling some of my handmade toys on consignment. The owner liked my work so hopefully when I have a enough ready I can bring some in for her. I also need to make a few to try out in my Etsy shop and really get that rolling again.



The toys that I'm making right now I also design... so I have been writing up the patterns, taking photographs and trying to create a professional looking pdfs so that I can sell my patterns online. I have had success with the free patterns I've put on Ravelry so I'm hoping that someone will like my work enough to purchase PDFs of the pattern for a couple of bucks.

I still continue to play hard, cook good food, and enjoy my family... I just haven't had the time to write as much about it.

Cheers,
Jenn

My heart goes out to all the Texans out there that have lost their homes (and in a few cases more) in these tragic wildfires. It has been a rough couple of weeks for many people in the Lone Star State.

Jenn

The Little Spoon With A Big Mission.

Tomorrow I am setting up a geocache and releasing two travel bugs. What is a travel bug you ask? You may even be asking what is a geocache... Well here is the story.

A few months ago I attended a Texas Parks and Wildlife class about geocaching. I was at my second BOW retreat (becoming and outdoors woman) and it was one of the offered classes. I had heard of geocaching, but when I walked into the classroom I had no idea what to expect... I had no idea that this would become a new obsession for me and my family.

What I found out was that geocaching is outdoor treasure hunting using a GPS device. It is done on a very large scale. People from all over the world hide containers, small and large, all over the place and then log the coordinates online for other people to find. You probably walk right by geocaches every day and have no idea that they are there.

A travel bug is an item, any item, that you attach a special tag to that allows you to track it's progress (using a tracking number). You place it in a geocache and send it out into world with a mission. The missions vary: some travel bugs simply want to travel as much as possible, some want to be photographed in exotic locations, some hope to increase awareness for a cause. There are countless reasons a person might send out one of these bugs. One of the travel bugs I'm releasing is a tiny measuring spoon.

This spoon was given to me by my mother when I went off to college. It is one of only two measuring spoons left from my first kitchen. It has been used to cook countless meals that have been enjoyed by many and I would like to pass the cooking bug along to as many people as possible. So the goal of this little spoon is to travel from place to place, inspiring people to cook and share a home cooked meal with their friends and family. I'm asking people to post a photo of the spoon with their home cooked meal... and send the recipe along to me. I would like to track it's travels here on my blog.

I'll have to see what happens and keep you posted.

The other travel bug I'm releasing is a crocheted finger puppet that I will be tracking on my other blog Worth a Knit. Stop by and read it's story if you are interested.

For the next few weeks my posts may be a bit sporadic. Summer is in high gear around here. This week we went camping at Krause Springs...As a result of our summer travels I missed this weeks 52 Weeks of Happiness and What I love Wednesday. Since geocaching falls under both of these categories I thought I'd share this post... It's a little late I know... but better late than never. I'll post photos of some of our summer adventures soon.

Treasure Hunting Before Breakfast...

This weekend we went on a treasure hunt. We borrowed a GPS receiver, entered coordinates that we found at Geocaching.com and then off we went. It was a blast and now I have another piece of semi-expensive gear to add to my growing list of fun things that I want to buy. I learned about this fun outdoor activity at B.O.W. and I have a feeling that it is going to be kind of addictive, but anything that gets you outside and moving can't be that bad. We found a cache of wildflower seeds at the San Marcos Nature Center, and then we went off to the San Marcos Greenbelt for a little exploring. Tracking device in hand, my husband points the way... Then off into the woods for an adventure. On the way we discovered a beautiful hiking trail that is nearby that we have never hiked before. It was a misty morning, but the girls didn't mind the walk. Especially knowing that there was treasure nearby. My little one shows off her mad navigation skills! She has no idea what a GPSr does... but she sure enjoyed finding a toy box out in the woods.Finding the cache is nice... but sometimes the things you find along the way are the real treasure. On this hike we found some real gems.This mysterious fort was really cool. It was made entirely out of fallen trees. The kids really loved it and found inspiration for building their own backyard hideout.We also discovered a roadrunner dashing through the trees at the end of our hike. After a morning of treasure hunting we settled down to some breakfast tacos and a cup of coffee at a local cafe. "The kids" played with the toys they discovered on our walk and then we went home to get ready for our soccer game. We had so much fun that we managed to get a little treasure hunting in on Sunday as well... but that is a story for another day...

Week 4

Baby Steps at B.O.W.

• When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. Confucious


• Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs. Henry Ford


• Have a bias toward action – let’s see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away. Indira Gandhi


• Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. Martin Luther King, Jr.


• A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Lao Tzu


• He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance. Friedrich Nietzsche


• I dream of men who take the next step instead of worrying about the next thousand steps. Theodore Roosevelt


• When I face the desolate impossibility of writing 500 pages, a sick sense of failure falls on me, and I know I can never do it. Then gradually, I write one page and then another. One day’s work is all that I can permit myself to contemplate. John Steinbeck


• Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. Tao Te Ching Don't let the night sky intimidate you. Just take it one piece at a time. Start with what you know and build on that. Warren Hart (Astronomy Teacher at B.O.W.)

Many people have said it before, but sometimes it takes an experience like B.O.W. to bring something into focus. Staring up at the night sky and allowing the impossibility of it all to overwhelm me and make me feel small is not my personal road to enlightenment. I have to take baby steps down that road. I need to take it one step at a time. The first night at B.O.W. I did just that. I found the constellation that I know best... Orion... I looked for those three stars that make up his belt and from there I built the story that I had learned in class that day. I spotted his loyal hunting dogs Canis Major and Canis Minor at his side. I also recognized the stealthy rabbit Lepus crouching at his feet who is thankful that Taurus the Bull is there to draw the hunter's attention away. It didn't make me feel small, it made me feel like I was a part of something big.

The next day I applied this to what I learned in my other classes. In my outdoor photography class I decided that I was going to tackle my digital camera one function at a time instead of trying to digest the whole owner's manual in one gulp. In my introduction to hunting class I began formulating my hunting plan rather than feeling like I have to rush to the end. Finally in my last class, geocaching, I decided that rather than moaning and groaning about how I can't afford to buy a GPS receiver I was going to explore the host of opportunities out there that don't need any special equipment. I'll worry about buying stuff when I can afford it and just have fun for now.

Thinking about all the ways that I can apply this idea to the projects and goals in my life can be a bit overwhelming... so I won't do that. I'll just start with what I know and build on that. To start a fire first you need a spark. but that's a story for another day... Another baby step...

Nature vs Nutrisse: B.O.W With Bows In My Hair.

I have a vision of myself. I'm wearing jeans that fit me perfectly. My behind looks neither too large nor too small but as Goldilocks would say... just right. My hair isn't coiffed in the fanciest new doo, but it is perfect. My nails while not brightly colored are well manicured. My footwear is practical for a hike in the woods, but also exceedingly stylish. My camo t-shirt is composed of the perfect colors to bring out my eyes. AND I'm packin' heat. I'm on a hunting trip and damn I look good!




I want to bring home the venison, fry it up in a pan, and never let him forget he's a man.

Right now I'm a woman who is caught between two visions of herself.

1. In January I decided that as my New Year's resolution I was going to learn to clean the fish that I catch and that I was going to learn all about hunting. If possible I want to hunt, clean, and cook something totally hands on. This isn't going to be easy for me... I'm not a squeamish person, but I spent 15 years as a vegetarian and I don't take the life of animals lightly. I think that that is the main reason that I want to do it... and if I can't maybe I need to rethink my diet again.

2. The other vision of myself is part of my vow for lent to give up negativity. A big part of that is getting rid of the negative self image that has been creeping in. I am banishing the sweatpants , holey t-shirts, and sloppy doo-rags (the stay at home mom uniform) to the back of the closet and getting back to a more girly me. I went through my closet and ruthlessly threw away the stained, the out of fashion, and the just plain ugly.

I'm sprucing up my clothing, taking care of my skin, reintroducing exercise and just trying to make the best use of this 40 year old body that I can.


So this weekend I'm off on a BOW retreat. There I will be taking classes on astronomy, nature photography, geo-caching... and yes HUNTING. And I will be doing all this with a bunch of women. Perhaps we can trade make up secrets while we hike through the woods looking for game...

So any fashion or hunting tips anyone?

BOW Ourdoor Cooking Class

As I promised here is a little more about my experiences this weekend with BOW (Becoming and Outdoors Woman). One of the many highlights of my weekend was my outdoor cooking class. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot about all the new equipment that is out there but I also learned tips on using some of the old fashioned technology like Dutch Ovens.Here is an assortment of cooking gear for the back packer: A pouch to carry utensils and spices, a small propane stove with an extra light cooking pot, and a fold up fire pit (it is the item that looks like a vegetable steamer).

This on the other hand is a fully stocked outdoor kitchen for the luxury camper or tailgater. It even has a small sink for washing dishes and plenty of room to store all those gadgets that some of us don't like to live without.

Here our instructor is whipping up some cowboy coffee. He put the grounds inside a bandanna. Along with the grounds he placed an egg that he lightly cracked in order to keep the grounds from escaping into the boiling brew. He then dropped the coffee into a pot of boiling water and cooked it until it reached the desired strength. I plan on doing some experimentation and research about the egg method. I've read about it but this was the first time I'd seen it demonstrated and I must say my interest is peaked.

For our starter we made Salmon on a cedar plank. Our instructor seasoned it lightly and then topped it with lemon slices and a sprig of rosemary. The cedar plank must be soaked for several hours prior to cooking (preferably overnight). He then placed the plank on a propane grill and lowered the lid until the fish flaked easily.

Here is the finished product. We ate it on crackers for some truly gourmet camping fare.

Next we made tin turtles. To make these you simply wrap meats and veggies up in a small sheet of foil and place the packages directly on the coals. I've made these before... but this time I learned a new trick. Simply line the foil with cabbage leaves to prevent the veggies from burning. The cabbage leaves will burn (and frankly they smell pretty awful)... but once you get past that you'll enjoy nicely cooked vegetables and meat without the typical overcooked bottom layer.

We each labeled our tin packages with fingernail polish so that we could eat our own custom made creation. The fingernail polish will weather the fire better than most other methods.

Here is my finished creation. The burned mess on the bottom is the cabbage leaves... but once I poured my meal into a bowl it was cooked to perfection.

The next dish was Cornish hens cooked in a Dutch Oven. First he rubbed butter under the skin and seasoned them with rosemary, parsley and chives. Then he simply placed them in a Dutch oven with some baby carrots and broccoli. He placed the coal under the oven and then cover the lid with more coals and baked these babies for about 45 minutes-1 hour. Mmmmmm.

Here are the birds cooked to perfection. I was really impressed with how easy and yet elegant this dish was.

Before we even arrived our instructor whipped up a batch of sour dough biscuits and set them to rise. He keeps a batch of sourdough starter on hand for just such occasions and he showed us how to prepare the Dutch oven for cooking. He said that any sour dough biscuit recipe would do... I found this one on line... and I plan on trying this once I get around to buying myself a Dutch oven.

Here is the finished product. We ate these delicious treats with lots of butter and honey. They were fantastic!

Last, but not least, we made some peach cobbler. First we melted a whole stick of butter in an insert pan and added two large cans of peaches in heavy syrup and a tablespoon of cinnamon. I was responsible for adding the cinnamon... and oops... a slip of the wrist and half the jar went in... but no worries it was wonderful anyway. After the peaches came to a boil we sprinkled a box of yellow cake mix on the top (to make the crust ).

Once the ingredients were all added to the mix we simply arranged the coals around the Dutch Oven and waited.

And here is the finished product. I found a similar recipe online for anyone who is interested. You can find it here.

After this meal fit for a king class it was time to head to dinner. Yikes! I ate a big salad and then waddled back to my room.

Cheers,
Jenn