For Today

Outside my window I hope for rain for the garden.

I am wishing desperately to go to the Decemberists concert in Vancouver this August.

I am thankful for quiet moments.

I am learning to reprioritize.

I am sipping a cup of Rat tea from tea farm and wondering if anyone I know is year of the rat.

I am being inspired by fairy tales and the Fables graphic novels.

I am going to Tall Tales Bookshop to get a monthly book membership with the hope the store won’t have to close.

I am smiling at the most beautiful wee girl in the whole wide world.

I am hearing the call of chickens announcing eggs have been laid.

Around the house lay ruins of what once was tidy.

One of my favourite things is my new mug from the market!

A few moments from my week:

What a Blur

Where did I go? What has become of me? These are all legitimate questions, with simple answers. Long story short, we finally got the basement finished and rented out, though it did take a bit longer than we thought, we finished in May. Let me tell you I thought we would never be done with it.

But you may ask if it has been finished all this time, why have I not found the time to blog? Well, even longer story short, Matt and I are having a baby! We found out around April, before the suite was done (talk about extra pressure) and it has been a whirlwind ever since. We've got about 2 and a half months to go and I've been suffering bed rest these last few day and after twiddling my thumbs for hours on end, thought of my blog and how I missed it.

Yes, we have been doing the market this year, however my energy is not what it once was. Bread by Matt has been more of the focus for us, and Matt and I did start up a second blog for our joint business, called Taste and Texture (get it he's all about food, and I'm all about fabric...). Other news? We have 4 wonderful chickens squawking about in the back yard, who are encouraging me for childbirth. If these ladies can lay and egg every day, how hard can it be? GULP.

So, I promise to blog once a week, at least until the baby comes. And I am sorry it's been so long.

Something From the Store: Lentils

These Cote D'Azur Lentils are one of the may things I've brought home from Plenty. I like their simple no nonsence black and white lable. Lentils du Puy are green french lentils, they were originally grown in the volcanic soils of Puy in France...thus the name. These babies are a product of Canada and I have no idea where they're grown. What did we do with them? We've cooked these twice now and mostly just winged it.

1 1/2 Cups Lentils du Puy
1/2 Cup Each Chopped Onion, Cellery and Carrots
3-4 Garlic Cloves
Red Wine of Choice
3-4 Cups (ish) Veg Stock
3 Bay Leaves
4 Cloves

Saute the carrots, cellery, onions and garlic in olice oil until they are cooked and soft and then pour in a rather generous glass of red wine. Once the veg is mixed up with the wine dump in the lentils. We didn't pre-rinse or anything, however I did search them for stones and such but these were great quality. Stir to coat them and then pour in some veg stock until everything is under the stock but not drowning in it. Toss in a few bay leaves and cloves and leave to a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper while it's cooking. Watch the liquid level and as it becomes absorbed pour in a little more as needed until the lentils are soft but not mush. Make sure to pull out the bay and cloves before serving.Beautiful color to them, hey?We served ours with hazelnut brocolli and cauliflower, sauteed beets and roast yams, as this was what was in the cupboards at the time. I have since made this with without having stock in the house or wine, I justed used water and added dried orange peel, fennel seeds, and cinnimon sticks, but I got to tell you, the stock and wine really give the lentils that extra umph.

Old and Beautiful

I'm going through more of the pictures we took in France and could probably publish one of those jumbo coffee table books just with the pictures I took of old, withered cracking signs.

Procrastinating

Today marks the start of what I have dubbed packing week and what do I find myself doing? Drinking tea and pouring over old desiretoinspire posts, dreaming of future projects for our first home. Sure none o these projects will happen for years to come, but I like to be prepared.

In other news I'm going to be in this month Poppytalk Handmade Market starting Monday. Wish me luck and go check it out!

Remember?

Oh, I remember when we went to France for 2 months and had nothing to think about except what wine to drink that day... It all feels like a long, long time ago.

New Goods for Becoming Smitten?

Yes, it's true! I'm still truckin along with Becoming Smitten and have even found the time to create a few new little badges. No two are alike each is a different organic shape and a fine addition to a jacket, bag or stuffed best friend.

For Today

FOR TODAY August 30, 2009
Outside my window there’s not a cloud in the sky.
I am thinking of having an animal give away for September.
I am thankful for friends that let you drag them to an outdoor picture show in the dark and cold that none of you really want to see.
From the kitchen we will be making a tart today.
I am wearing my polka dot red and white skirt I made for my first day at the market.
I am creating 10 new animals for my etsy shop.
I am going to a picnic party in a van at the beach tonight… FUN!!!
I am reading River Cottage Handbook #2… Preserves.
I am hoping to make some pickles soon.
I am hearing Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Around the house are lovely flowers my sweetheart brought home for me.
One of my favourite things would be warm bread smothered with butter.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Make a few traveling companions for Late Summer Vantasy
Start a new Becoming Smitten project involving wood
Have a photo session with animals for etsy.
Here is a picture of a custom fox I am sharing...

Sticks and Stones: The Beauty of French Homes

I have become somewhat obsessed with the old stone walls, painted shutters and worn wood. I’ve managed to create a whole series all the doors, windows and walls we have seen.