Knot Sew Crafty

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Cool idea.

I'm joining up.

November in Black and White

As October draws to a close, I'm going to take some inspiration from Springtree Road's November in Black and White.

I hope that taking pictures in black and white for the month will encourage me to look at things in a different way. For some unknown reason, I haven't felt like taking pictures for a while, and I don't like to post without a photograph. I'm counting on Maya's idea to drag me out of my downward blogging spiral! Come join in, if you want. It starts this Saturday, November 1st.

Happy Birthday V!

If you have a minute, stop by Springtree Road and see the super-cool thing that Maya posted.

Don't forget to wish V a happy third birthday!

Jessica's Soup Swap 2

Jessica from Turkey Cookies is back with her soup swap!

This recipe comes from Culinate, and I should say that while I intended to make it yesterday, it just didn't happen. I can't wait to add it to my repertoire, though, because I am always on the look-out for good kale recipes and healthy comfort foods. I think it will be dinner tonight.

Potato-Kale Soup
By Carrie, from the Culinate Kitchen collection

Serves 6
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients:
~ Extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red or yellow onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
~ Pinch of red chile flakes
1 lb. Yukon gold or red potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
6 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 bunch kale, washed, stems discarded, leaves finely chopped
~ Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Pour enough olive oil into a large soup pot to cover the bottom.
Over medium heat cook the onion, garlic, and chile flakes for several minutes, until the onion begins to soften.
Add the potatoes, broth, and bay leaf and bring to a boil.
Add the kale, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the kale is tender and the potatoes are soft.
Remove the bay leaf and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
(If you like a smoother texture, you can also purée, or partially purée, the soup once the vegetables are cooked.)

Brilliant

I had never heard of this brilliant idea until I saw it on Handmade, but it has apparently been sweeping across Europe. Citizens send in their complaints, someone sets them to music and a "Complaints Choir" sings them.

Anyone want to start one with me?

Helsinki Complaints Choir

40 Things Before 41

I saw this at doobleh-vay and Simple Lovely and I thought it would be a good idea for me to write down some goals I have for the next eight months or so.

Here is my list of 40 things to do before I turn 41:

1. Walk five days a week. No excuses. (Unless it's raining or my toe hurts or it's too darn cold.)
2. Master the Granny Square, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
3. Learn to knit. (Get over embarrassment at my ineptitude and ask Amy for help!)
4. Make freezer paper stencils.
5. Make my first quilt.
6. See if I can set up a compost situation in our backyard that is not smelly or gross.
7. YOGA!
8. Learn basic Spanish.
9. Be a better correspondent.
10. Strive to be more like Pip.
11. Socialize more. (And commenting on blogs doesn't count!)
12. Don't eat fake food.
13. Go to a doctor about my wrist.
14. Do not visit Amazon.com. Just say no!
15. Learn the Hebrew Alphabet.
16. Keep the blackboard in the kitchen orderly.
17. Set up a designated craft area.
18. Learn to take better photographs. (Maybe hire Maya to be my tutor? I will pay her in cookies...)
19. Learn Photoshop and Illustrator.
20. Get rid of books that are over five years old that I haven't looked at yet, or have looked at and didn't particularly care for.
21. Write thank you letters.
22. Read biographies of Winston Churchill.
23. Eat at the new Mario Batali restaurant in Port Chester.
24. Eat more vegan meals (--although, probably not at the Mario Batali restaurant.)
25. Bake an impressive birthday cake for Willa's birthday. (Bea and India can have nice cakes, too, but I'll be 41 by then.)
26. Make a fabric bunting.
27. Make a mix of slow songs as a lullaby CD for the kids.
28. Homeschool showtunes!
29. Frame all the pictures that are waiting around to be framed.
30. Make my inspiration board more inspiring.
31. Leave more interesting comments on the blogs I read.
32. Convince Auntie J and Kate to start blogs for my amusement and edification.
33. Embrace my inner hippie. (She's in there and she needs a hug.)
34. Drink a large glass of water every morning.
35. Read "Buddhism for Mothers" and "Blessings of the Skinned Knee" as often as necessary and try to live by them.
36. Organize the attic. (That might take until I'm 45.)
37. Travel with Mario Batali and Gwyneth Paltrow.
38. Go to a retreat at the Omega Institute.
39. Write longer and more involved posts.
40. Do all of the above, and remain relaxed. Perhaps take up drinking?

DV Friday

Again, in the spirit of Diana Vreeland, why don't you?:

--Take a look at Pudlar & Pelargoner, a site that seems to consist of pictures of people and their poodles, and sometimes pictures of flowers. I find it strangely hypnotic.

--Imagine how much fun it would be to be friends with Jim and Pam, and what you might get them as a wedding present.

--Pop over and say "Hi" to Beefy.

--Test your Color IQ.

--"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Sir Matthew James Barrie
(thanks to the little collection for the quote.)

--Visit Operation Nice.

--Watch this video that I found at Write On! Anyone who has ever seen an episode of Law & Order or one of the other Law & Order shows will love it!

--Have a lovely weekend!

Brilliant

A little bit more of the genius that is Ze Frank.

I think he may be the Willy Wonka of bloggers.

A Little Political

Bee Handmade is having a giveaway of her super-cute Obama tote-bags. I already got one on etsy, but I'm entering to win another one. They are just that cute.

The Auction has Ended

Thanks to Zuzu for the highest bid!

Please go check out Design Mom for auctions that are still running.