I’m not gonna lie. The mister has been gone for going on 6 days now and I am in over my head. #SendHelpNow. He’s on a tour withNathan Rogers, playing all the songs he grew up with in his dad’s studio – from Nathan’s dad, the late great Stan Rogers.

Some of you may not know who that is, so Ima going to school you. Because Stan is a Canadian folk icon and you’ll be the better for knowing. He was a legend really, a voice of and for the people. He sang of ships and hard-working people, the Great Lakes and Ontario.

A maritimer himself, he sang greatly of the East. Stan died a tragic death on Air Canada flight 797 at Cincinnati, Ohio airport on June 2nd, 1983. He was coming home from the Kerrville Folk festival in Texas. His death did not bring an end end to the inspiration his music brought to people from all walks of life. It only solidified it, as is often the case with musical legends…read the rest of this post on the Babbles!

Ever road-tripped 7 hours, (that’s one way my friends), with two littles in the car? Sure, some of you may have, with perhaps even more, (children/babies). It is not for the weak of heart. Naye.

However. We survived. Rez bound, towards a most lovely place – Winneway, Quebec. The home of one of our very best friends, the band leader of the one in which (the band), that the mister plays bass in. This is a community that we all visit together at least once a year, largely for the community.

Also? It was dang cold in Winneway. Minus 30. That’s some chilly.

This didn’t stop the littles (and the even bigger littles), from partaking in some outdoor snow frolick and fort making.

See that little badge over there? The Blissdom one?

14 days.

2 weeks until I attend my first blogging conference.

Blissdom.

I’m just giving that one it’s own line. Room to breathe and stretch out in all of it’s sparkly magnificence.

Not just any blogging conference. The one where I exhibit at my first show in the U.S. (Y’all cross your fingers for me regarding all things ornery custom officials). It’s the one where I am one of the very few Newbie Community Leaders. It’s the one where I will come together with amazing women. Wonderful mamas. Top-notch business women.

There is so much feeling right now, that I am over-flowing with, concerning attending this conference – that it’s hard to put into words.

So bear with me.

I suppose I should start with how it is I began blogging. It was only a few years ago (2009), just after the birth of my son Wyndham. My posts were long (still are?) and infrequent. I was (still am?) a complete novice regarding it all. I had no idea how huge the blogging world was. The mom-blogging world specifically. Or whatever label you want to give it, as I know of many (I am one of them), who are not overly fond of the term.

I wrote for myself, without much concern for audience, or analytics, or sponsors. Any of it. Nothing but the pure learning and cleansing, uplifting experience of it. If you’ve been following me here, family, friend or foe – then you will know this: much has changed. As is often the case when one starts up a project, things grow, evolve and bloom. If you are decent at what you do? They have a tendency to take on a mind of their own, molded and defined by what one does when opportunity knocks. Which is a part of my bloggy story. I’ve written about her before, how I made her a tutu because Tutus for Tanner - and how none of this, pretty much, would be happening had she not seen something in the way that I write words.

Something worth a recommendation. The her being Catherine and the recommendation being my writing gig at Babble. What has happened since then has been nothing sort of BOOM, WHAM, POW! I need  not delve into all the technological, business blogging geekery that came forth (BIG learning curves), because this post is about relationships.

Friendships forged in the online world, where women fight, laugh and cry – sure. But above all else? Support and empower one another. Run businesses and pave the way in many an industry. A big one being the handmade world (my niche!) blogging and social media and technology. World rulers, these women I tell you. Leaders. Which brings to me to more shout outs.

I ‘met’ Arianne when I started writing for Babble’s, ‘Being Pregnant’ blog – she was a colleague and still is. Now that we’ve had our babes, battled colic and are about to hug each-other to the ground at Blissdom, we write for Baby’s 1st Year. I was drawn to Arianne by her eyes first. there was some sparkle, depth and lightness/darkness there. Visible in even her tiny thumbnail bio pic. I am drawn to women like that. It didn’t take long to connect with her through our various commonalities in parenting, vintage style, indie-art love affairs and values.  I was definitely smitten upon reading her personal blog, To Think Is To Create.  I had no idea, back then – that she was (is), the community manager of Blissdom (US chapter).

This Arainne mama? She’s the reason I’m going to Blissdom. It was she who asked me to bring my crafty wares to the Handmade Marketplace which launches the conference. It was she who encouraged me to apply to be a Community Leader. It was she who hooked me up with roommates. For all of this, and what’s to come, I thank-you Arianne. From the bottom of my cracked, well worn and travelled; heart.

Not just any roommates. Oh no, women who make my heart go pitter patter. Fluttering in admiration of their brilliance. Writers, artists, mothers, lovers, mentors, teachers. Arianne connected me with women, into a circle – that I feel distinctly electric in. On fire with possibilities, soul-feeding, business savvy learning possibilities. Not to mention the magnificence of the key-note spekers, sessions panelists, workshops…oh they THINGS they have planned for us. Again. BOOM! WHAM! POW!

It is with my great pleasure that I shall bunk-up, frolic and foray about Blissdom with Sara Sophia, poet-artist-writer and Amy Turn Sharp, writer and the wooden toy queen of Little Alouette. And they like me! They adore my creations! Hooray for art and creativity. In all of their vast, unique mediums, they truly draw people together.

So, here I type – one-handed while I nurse my darling babe and call out to all of you crafty, creative queens of the internets. If you are going to Blissdom, and are of the craft niche – sign on up on this list here. I want to make sure I connect with each and every one of you. Besides, I have to track all of you lovelies somehow…I’ve got some crafty swag bags to share! Just a little extra magic for your weekend, especially if you are a newbie like me. Pretty, shiny things make the heart happy.

Yes, I’m nice like that. Only sometimes. Keep that on the DL, k?

All vixens mentioned in this post? I hope you like hugs because Ima gonna bowl you over. If you are not into the hugs, tooshie spanks can be arranged. Please specify in the spreadsheet or in the comments section here if you are not of the craft niche. See you in T-14 days in Nashville yo!

Because it’s that time of year. Fresh off the cookie, chocolate, decadent, savory / sweet train. Aka: the holidays. As you may know, I am a firm subscriber to the mantra of moderation. Which means that when it’s the holidays? One indulges in (not vacuums up – but it happens), the treats. The fat-laden savoury goodness that is the celebratory, feast and entertainment cuisine of the season. G’won, go for it. I did. That and fatty mc-fatterson Bailey’s too.

Which all went directly to my….face. Not my ass. Oh how I wish it all went to my butt. I’m a fan of some junk in the trunk. On myself and other women. It’s true. All hail the curves. Boo hiss to weight gain in the face. At the drop of a dime. Woe is me. Does that stop me from sampling life’s finer pleasures? Uhm no, I’m not that vain. I just partake in some extra diligent, healthy eating come the New Year. Like countless others.

So. Join me in my quest for creating heathy, yet damn tasty dishes. This time of year begs for warm soups and stews, rich in colour, texture and taste. Brimming with the root vegetable bounty of the season. Oh, c’mere. It’ll be good. I promise.

What You Need:

• 3 large celery stalks, cut ‘em up however. Although I do suggest some smaller symmetry, because that’s good for presentation and fitting spoonfuls into your mouth. Same goes for the rest of the things you need to chop up. Think stew, mmk?
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 3 cups of organic baby spinach, (sounds like a lot but spinach reduces immensely)
• 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunk-ola’s (use half and freeze the other half for your next stew…any stew or soup will welcome this sweet addition with open arms)
• 6 medium carrots, peeled and halved and diced
• 1 small turnip, diced into 1-inch chunkers (if you can only get a medium or large turnip, save half of the chunks to bag and freeze with that butternut squash)
• 1 carnival squash peeled (oh yes all this squash peeling s a bitch, but so #worthit) and diced into 1-inch chunk-quita’s (use half and freeze the other half for your next stew)
• 2 cups of this. Tru Roots organic sprouted bean trio. Which is a delicious mix of lentils, mung and adzuki beans. We get ours (as well as their pasta and quinoa), from Costco
• 1 cup of organic quinoa. Whatever kind you dig, you already know what we like. No one says you have to choose organic either. That’s just our preference, as often as our pocket-books allow
• 1 cup of frozen corn (peaches & cream but of course)
• 2 cup(s) water
• 1 large can(s)  of organic whole plum tomatoes (or diced). Just know that you want them to end up diced. Or squashed through your fists all Jamie Oliver rustico-styles
• 1 large mason jar or 1 carton of organic vegetable stock. Or chicken stock
• 2 kashmir chili’s
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 6 generous glugs of worchetershire sauce
• 6 generous glugs of Frank’s hot sauce (optional)
• About 20 (more or less, as you wish) peppercorns tied up in a little cheesecloth sack. (To avoid picking them all out lest you want to bite into them repetitively)
• 2 bay leaves
• Sea salt and pepper to taste
• 1 ounce(s) shave or grated Parmesan or Romano or Asiago cheese, shaved
  

  Home-made stock yo. Made 24 jars of this after Thanksgiving from the big0ass turkey carcass. Simmer that bad boy for eons with a truckload of herbs and veggies. Boom! Delicious stock.

They key to many a luxuriant stew.

Carrots; by the truck-load, get eaten over here.

How You Do:

Get you a cast iron pan. Sauté those chopped onions in a drizzle of olive oil and dollop of butter till translucent. Sprinkle with salt, add garlic. Stir and sauté for a couple more minutes till things starts to get sticky and you need to de-glaze. So use some beer or wine for that. Be generous with it. I don’t suggest cocktails however, but hey. Wouldn’t kill it. Beer and wine however would enhance it. Add the chopped celery.

Look at that. Onions that saute.

Stir and sauté till it all smells lovely and looks brown and starts to caramelize and crisp up ever so delicately here and there. This is key to starting up any good soup base, also known as a mirepoix. Some say carrots should be part of this mirepoix business. And bacon fat. (!!!) To each their own mirepoix business I say. Besides, we’re adding chunks of carrots in the stew. Although I do add in the bacon fat when I’m making a meaty stew. So.

Now that we’re clear on that myriad of things…you’ve got a good thing going on. Scrape and scoop all of that goodness into your dutch oven or crock pot. Me? I crock this action up. Start it mid morning and let it simmer on low all day. Sometimes, if I’ve got my shit together extra BOOM POW that day, I put my bread maker in action. Or I started a loaf of dough – the night before all, ‘Mark Bittman no knead styles’. (Takes mere seconds that turn into a couple of minutes people. Serious). Which brings me to a key point. If you are baking your bread this way, you should be using a crock for the stew and saving your dutch for the bread.

Bread-maker Styles

Mark Bittman No Knead Styles

Moving right along…now that everything’s been prepped, (the real time is in the washing, cutting and peeling). Basically you can dump the ingredients into your crock willy nilly. Nothing will combust. Cover and simmer on low for about 6 hours, 8 will only make it better, 4-5 will be just fine. This stew is an easy lay. In that it can be had at various times and is always willing and ready. So enjoy!

The Grand Hoopla

And for heaven’s sake. Slop it up with *a piece, mayyyybe 2* of fresh baked bread, it’s really not as hard as y’all think. Top it off with modest (remember there is point to this healthy stew), shavings of one of those 3 cheese choices up there. Lastly don’t forget the beer. Yes beer is fattening, but again. I’m all about moderation, not complete denial. Something crisp, blonde and imported – to compliment the sweet heat that this stew begs for. Crack a Labatt product and I’ll kick your arse.

a la YUM

(I’m only a snob when it comes to the important stuff. Like wine, beer and chocolate. Never Coach,  Burberry or fancy diamonds shall I yearn for.)

Meat Lover Approved. Be jealous of my hunk of a man. G'won.

I’ve noticed quite a few, “Top Posts of 2011″ and the like from writers in the blogging community.

I however have decided to choose from the much smaller collection from whence this blog began.

Why? Because I started out as an irregular, complete novice. Who still does not post everyday. However, come this year a whole lot of things are changing. The face of this site for one. Come February it’s going to be shiny and new, a hub for all that I do. More on that later.

This collection here? Is for me to share with those whom want to get to know me better, or those whom I really, really, like and want them to know me better. The awesome part about that is that it’s often a combo of the two.

It’s also a source of inspiration, for me – to come back to and meander over how I’ve evolved as a writer, found my voice and developed my mad blogging skillz. Because. Like I said. I plan on doing much more of this. In many ways. As an advocate, as a story-teller, as an ambassador and paid writer. But most importantly, for me and other women like me out there. Because the writing stuff? It heals. It empowers. It unites.

So. This curated list will be the first step into my second coming. A more frequent, constantly learning, embracing the everyday that is me. As a writer.  Gone the name acronyms will be, it’s about to get straight-up – the edgy that is me, REAL in here.

Without further ado…to serve as reminder to me. Kicks in the pants to me and FYI’s for you. So pull up a chair. Pour yourself a glass of vino. (I’m publishing this in the eveing people, as I pour myself a glass). Dig in.

BSM: Big Strapping Man (To always remember this is how I truly love HIM)

Bison Stew (Because I love to cook and you all NEED to cook this recipe)

To Have & Have Not (Of Infertility & Blessed Miracles)

Black Cherry Raw Chocolate Pie (Because obviously)

9 Month Old Wee Strappin’ Lad: Aka – WSL (How my heart bursts and still does)

No No Keshagesh… (My thoughts on many things First Nations, Native American, Christopher Columbus and then some)

Ghosts of Christmas Past (To remind me to share, and share unabashedly – more often. Because there are those who need to read my sort of stories. Heck, I need to write out my stories. Good and bad.)

Watch Them Undead Get Groovy See? (Because I’ll always be a little bit wild and that’s OK)

To Be Young & Wild & Free. A Love Story (Of How The Mister & I Met. Also, on valuing oneself)

A Day in The Life (All Wyndham, All Awesome)

The Naming Ceremony (For those who ask me about my beliefs & practices)

Abigail’s Birth Vlory (A vlog, yo’)

2 Years Old…Wyndham (Image heavy and completely necessary)

Very Beautiful Things (a look at where I’ve been & where I’m going with my business)

Tour of My Holiday Home (Because I love Christmastime and there are pictures of the siblings! Together! Not crying!)

Yesterday, one of my editors from the Babbles tweeted, ‘Today is the worst kind of day. Praying for one of my dear, dear bloggers.’

I had no idea what was going on, but I was worried. Now that I know, I am spreading the word over on the Babble’s today. Please visit this post and do what you can to help the Bielanko family pick up the pieces.

The Bielanko Family: Monika, Serge, Violet & Henry. All Safe, Thank the Creator.

Because babies are wriggly. And it’s dang cold outside. If you live in a cold climate like me. Even if not, those babies are famous for wanting to be all cozy and wrapped up. So demanding, I know!

So. There are woombies and sleep-sacks galore out there that you can parouse over on the internets. Most of them also cost about the price of a small goat. The organic ones? 2 goats. That’s crazy talk. If you’ve babies and a wallet to tend to, I’ve got your back. Avails in 0-18 months, you can custom order organic or vintage fabrics – or a combo of both.

Whatever floats your boat. Lined with high pile, warm and soft organic sherpa, fleece or flannel. (Flannel is a great light-weight choice, for those who don’t live in a cold climate, but still want to provide something cozy for their baby that they can’t kick off at night.) Check ‘em out…

Custom Order Your Own! 0-6 Months....

Featuring Inverted Zipper (Safety) & Hidden Double Top-Stitching (Durability & Looks!)

Wide Array of Vintage & Organic Fabrics Available...

View Matching Mobiles, Plush Toys & Quilts! (Great Baby Shower Items). View the 6-12 Months...(Click on Picture).

Baby Not Included. (Mine)

Happy looking!

Welcome. Mayhaps you found your way here from the Babbles, as I peaked your interest and you wanted more. More Holiday Home Tour action. Because that coffee and Bailey’s I told you to pour yourself is not quite finished and if you’re like me, you find small pleasure in A. Christmas and all things decor related and, B. Pilfering your time away on the internets 2 days before said holiday C. Drinking bailey’s during the holidays. ICed or on coffee. (I should be the Holiday spokesperson for Bailey’s with the amount that i go on about it. Seriously. Uhm, hello Gilbey’s of Ireland? Or Diageo? I’m right here. I’m your woman for 2012.

Anyhoo…behold! My nerdly, blitzed out splendour…

First Nations Crafted Ornament Collection: Nutman Elder in a Canoe

Wyndahm's First Self Crafted Ornament! (With a Little Help).

That's Right. It's Cartooney Us.

Wyndham's First Ornament From 2009! He is Bear Clan, Hence the Bear Paw Drum.

Mah Tree!

Sunroom Entrance

Nutcracker Watch

My sweethearts. The best decor items yet.

Bows Belong Everywhere

Miracle of 7th Varden Crescent

NOM

Attack of the Baby Reindeer

About to Whip an Ornament at Daddy

Passed Down From My Mama...a Little Worse For Wear & Me No Care.

First Nations Crafted: Little Nutty Santa

Made For Me By My Polish Step G-MA when I was a Little Girl. Which is a Story For Another Post.

OMG Shoes

OMG Tranny Fish Who Loves Shoes

Playroom Tree

Shiny Balls

Smiley Baby

That’s it that’s all loverlies. Now go wrap your brains out or whatever it is that you gots to do. Just remember to enjoy the Holidays if you can and ignore all the crazies. (You know, your extended family).

As in Abby made her first trifle with me today. Truthfully, it was my first trifle, and Abby did not do much except act a perfect angel and watch me while I trifled. (The puns just can’t be helped). I will say that she was very interested in the whole process, her interest in food in general is huge at the moment. She tries to grab it out of our hands and her eyes follow it wherever it goes. The drooling she does may or may not be in relation to salivating for a tasty morsel, I’d like to amuse myself with the notion that it does.

The trifle was the dessert for our out of hand pot luck feast last night, in celebration of Winter Solstice. Yesterday and today being for ceremony, lighting fires, giving thanks, praying, smudging, gathering with loved ones and feasting on traditional, seasonal food . The trifle is not seasonal except for the fact that it’s a Christmas trifle, and well – it is that time of year…

Everything else though, is all about wild meat and fish and  roasted caramelized root veggies. Back to the trifle. I messed up the layers, created it totally off the top of my head and am lacking a proper trifle bowl. Chalk up one more item for the Wedding Registry. Here’s what you’ll need:

• a batch of chocolate pudding (homemade or boxed – whatever you have time for/fancy
• 250 ml of whipping cream
• 225 grams of mascarpone cheese (soft)
• 3/4 cup of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of cane sugar
• 2 pints of blackberries  (whole)
• 2 pints of strawberries (sliced)
• 6 bananas (halved and sliced)
• 2 pears (cored and sliced)
• marbled angel food cake (boughten or baked yourself)
• Crushed (to a fine powder), peppermint candies
• Fresh mint sprigs and red maraschino cherries, (for holly berry like garnish).
• Trifle bowl, (which I did not have so I used a clear glass salad bowl…not as good. Try your luck at the Goodwill or Value Village for a trifle bowl if you don’t have one, before hitting up Winners, or Target…before an actual kitchen supply store. That’s a good order of operation for the thrifty of heart my friends).

Your assembly line, minus the strawberry jam with the addition of: sugary lemon juice.

How You Do:

1. If you are making the cake and pudding yourself, you could do it the day before putting your trifle together. Admittedly I did not. Now, those of you who know me – know that this is near sacrilege to me. To not make everything from scratch. However. I am making large quantities of canned and baked goods for Holiday gifts and since I’m up to my eyeballs to it already, that’s my excuse and I’m stickin’ to it.
2. So. There are varying opinions on whether or not one should put their trifle the day before serving or not. I did mine the day of, 6 hours before it was devoured, which happened swiftly.
3. Even when I had put all of my different ingredients in their own bowl in an assembly line, I messed up the layers, which has much to do with the fact that I was multi-tasking far too much. Still. It tasted bomb diggs, so whateve’s. You however, yours should be perfect. Especially if you make an assembly line out of all of your ingredients. i’ll take the opportunity to use every last last one of my vintage pyrex bowl collection every chance I can get. Ima nerd like that. Aside from the fruit slicing (one should need no instruction there, if you do – then perhaps you should start leaning some basics before this), the preparation will take you more time than actually putting it together. That part will take but minutes.
4. In a large mixing bowl whip your cream on high speed with vanilla and sugar to taste till fluffy. Add in the mascarpone cheese and whip together. Boom! Instant cheescakey-like sinning. Next, whisk the lemon juice and sugar together in a large glass measuring cup or carafe with a spout for easy drizzling. Dice up the angel cake to resemble lady-fingers.
5. Once you have your entire assembly line all sorted and ready to pile on up…on you get. Start with a layer of  cake, press down firmly and evenly drizzle with sugary lemon juice.
6. Next 2 layers: strawberries and blackberries followed by a layer of whip cream mascarpone concoction, pressing down firmly with your spatula. You don’t have to get fancy with this.
7. Repeat step 5, (cake).
8. Layers 3, 4 & 5: pears, bananas and chocolate pudding. Press.
9. Repeat step 5, (cake)
10. Repeat step 6. This should have you at the top of your bowl. If not, keep layering, making sure to finish with the mascarpone whip creamy goodness. Because, you know – it looks like snow.
11. Sprinkle evenly with crushed peppermint powder. Not to much, just a delicate, even sprinkle. You don’t want this flavour to be overwhelming throughout as it’s scooped up and plated.
12. Garnish with maraschino cherries and mint sprigs! I chose to make mine look like holly berries. Because obviously. It’s Christmas.

Birdseye Trifle

One day I shall get better at taking more pictures of my dishes plated and being devoured, one day. Until then, you’ll have to satisfy yourself with The Pioneer Woman if that’s what you are looking for.

Bottom's Up

It’s around that time that I ask you – my loyal readers, to have a little visit to the Babbles and parouse over some of my posts on life with Lil’ Abner….

Babies in Ugly Christmas Sweaters: Top 10

Last Minute Baby Daddy Gifts on a Budget

Creative Ways to Get Great Holiday Shots of Your Baby

The 16 Strongest Babies in the World

I got a phone call this morning that made me feel so darn good. It was a friend, whose little one has an intense, shall we say – diaper rash. She was calling me because this is upsetting. For both mama and tot. Understandably, I’ve been there. She had called her sister in-law who told her to call me. Me? Me! It feels good to know that other mama’s respect and admire me the way that I do them. That my salve is making the rounds amongst family and friends as this sort of miracle product? Sweet.

I’ve put so much research, time and care into mastering this salve. People are telling me to get it certified, (as I use all organic ingredients). It’s an expensive, paper crunching, timely process – but Ima thinkin’ I will. That and my plush toy certification, thingy. Whatever that’s called. Sandy? (<The afore mentioned mama) Sandy also has an Etsy shop and a blog – both of which are awesome and you should check out. Her sister in-law is also a kick-ass business woman, mama and a dear friend – my son Wyndham’s sponsor in fact. She’s a guru baker babe and mighty fine writer. Here and here.

That was an immediate digression from the true nature of this post. Shout out’s were necessary though because phone calls and texts from women like these? They make my sleepy head day. Onto my show and tell. As you may know, I was part of an art show collective this past weekend with Thunderbird Arts in Toronto. What an inspiring and rewarding experience. I shared a gallery room with leather and woodworking artist Mike Birdman Bomberry of Rad Leatherworks. He had his lovely girlfiend with him and boy did those two make me laugh. His creations are lovely and I’m thinking of ordering a custom eagle feather and medicine box for my elder for Solstice. SHhh! The set-up at the Gladstone was clean and profesh, the perfect gallery setting for an art show.

There were so many amazing Anishinaabe artists there, both as a part of the show and the exhibit. (Which is still running until November 30th, so you still have time to check it out!) Jason Jenkins, the curator of the VBT show is also a supah talented photographer and was on site all weekend snapping shots. He’s uploading onto the Flickr group, organically over the next few days, here a some of the Opening Ceremonies. Ancestral Teachings: Contemporary Perspectives.

I didn’t have much time to parouse to the other rooms, but you can bet I slid out to do some Holiday shopping. A couple of my favourite fellow artists…

Shaun Hedican: www.facebook.com/hedicanart

David R. Maracle: Stone Sculptor & Musician: www.DavidRMaracle.com

Barb Nahwegahbow: Jewellery Design

That necklace up there? Heavy WANT for Xmas. Mama LIKE. Someone…tell the mister, mmk?

I leave you this fine Thursday with this, I hear tell the Disney Store is 60% off tomorrow morning starting at 7am. I have a young lad who loves him some Jungle Book. Should I brave it?

Huzzah

Peace out loverlies.