lulabelle's view

Choices

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Dare I say I've kicked the coffee habit? I've been down this road a handful of times before. Coffee doesn't serve me well. It's been a couple of months since my last cup. I don't miss it, until I smell a freshly brewed cup. I like to take one slow, deep breath to enjoy the aroma. That's enough, and then I move on.

I was minding my own business this morning, sipping on a cup of Pau d'Arco and listening to Dr. Neil Barnard share his beliefs about the benefits of a vegan diet. And then I noticed this message:

Funny how six little words can stop you in your tracks. "Your choices will change the world". I've never been an activist, or even a leader. I'm just one person trying to quietly live a good and healthy life. I do have passions. And I love to share. I've been known to encourage friends and family to join me on this journey to nourish our bodies with real food. But certainly, my choices aren't powerful enough to change the world. Or are they? Here's an excerpt from my 25-year-old son's Facebook page:

"Just made my first green smoothie and it actually wasn't that bad. Maybe my mom is on to something........"

Ah....so that's how it works. Yes. We have the ability, with the choices we make and the examples we set, to inspire one another and ultimately change the world. A mother's work is never done. :)

Living In Snippets

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:57:00 +0000

In the knitting basket is baby alpaca. I do believe this is my favorite yarn in the world. It's light as a feather, incredibly soft, and toasty warm on the lap.

I'm living in snippets right now, fitting it all in while still finding time for the things that make me smile (see above reference to baby alpaca).

Throw in a load of laundry, study for thirty minutes, iron two articles of clothing, study for thirty minutes, run the vacuum, knit a couple of rows, study for thirty minutes, browse Pintrest (must set limits here), make something healthy in the kitchen, knit a few rows, study for thirty minutes. You get the idea. I'm grateful for snippets of time.

Soup, Soup and More Soup

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:11:00 +0000

This soup is a conglomeration of ingredients we had in the kitchen yesterday. I'm going to call it Colorful Coconut Curry Stoup. Rachel Ray uses the term stoup and it's fitting here. It's thicker than soup and chock full of beautiful veggies. It was dinner last night, lunch today, and I'll happily eat it tomorrow too.

It's a little damp outside and I can't seem to keep warm. I was never a soup girl before, but this year a warm bowlful is the first thing that comes to mind. The second thing coming to my mind today is baked apples. This recipe sounds delicious :: organic vanilla will make it special, I think. I'll omit the sugar since there's no room for it in my diet these days. No gluten either. Or dairy. It's been surprisingly manageable....as long as we prepare our food at home.

Reorganizing :: It Feels Good

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:43:00 +0000

It seemed like a good day to reorganize. So that's what I did.

This is our medicine cabinet. It has a full length mirror on the outside and lots of glass shelves on the inside. Since we have pedestal sinks, all of our daily necessities call this medicine cabinet home.

Things had gotten a little out of control in here. A growing number of products ~~we weren't~~ I wasn't using anymore were taking up space, and it just felt unpleasant. I weeded out, and then gathered up an assortment of pretty thrifted trays and dishes.

Hubby has two shelves and I have...more than two. We don't agree on toothpaste (tea tree oil's not his thing) so he got his own dental hygiene tray. The big plastic bottle of mouthwash wasn't doing it for me, so into the mason jar it went. I'm not sure he'll like this arrangement. Do you think he'll forgive me when he sees the lipstick love note?

Reorganizing :: It sure feels good.

Study Break

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:28:00 +0000

The halfway point has come and gone and today I'm studying for exam number two. I'm learning how to listen to my body instead of feeling stuck in the confusion of nutrition information that surrounds us. Our bodies know :: we just need to be present and listen.

At times, I feel like a kid in a candy shop. I want to take it all in and then share the goodness with others. It's like buying penny candy. You don't have to commit to one school of thought, you can take a little bit of each and create your own assortment :: one that's specifically designed for you.

It's essential, for me, to work in a soothing environment. A lighted candle is one of my staples. There's always a lighted candle when it's time to study.

I'm slightly mismatched today. Fuzzy socks, pajama pants, a sweatshirt, and my three-dollar thrifted coat-length sweater. Warm and comfortable is the goal and nothing else matters.

Mason jars are my beverage glass of choice when studying. Add a pretty china plate and a fun glass straw and I'm ready for whatever comes my way.

I'm wondering, are you struggling with health and lifestyle goals or do you feel as though you're in a place of balance? I'd love it if you'd take a moment to share.

Winter Garden

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:29:00 +0000

We're making progress on our Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt. This photo shows our final layout, with the green garden path placed but not yet sewn. It's been a joy to watch each and every flower "grow".

We've begun the next step :: distributing individual flowers to our members, along with twenty-four of the green hexagons to be added to the outside edge. Each flower has a numbered piece of blue painter's tape in the center, reminding us how to put this puzzle back together again. There are no deadlines for this quilt :: just a group of like-minded women, a needle and thread, and a little bit of vision.

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The Wee Hours

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:35:00 +0000

I wake up early now. Really early. Like, the first number usually begins with a three. It feels like a gift at times :: a few extra hours added to my day.

This morning was a special treat. I hopped back in bed with my knitting and my favorite quilt. I carry that quilt around with me. It keeps me warm and makes me happy. It didn't take but a minute before Butterscotch decided this was a very good idea.

This is a quick-fix project to keep my hands busy until I get to the yarn shop. I've made a few already and love how fast and easy they are. The yarn is super chunky and the needles large so you can do this in the movie theatre. I know because I sometimes knit in the theatre to stay awake. I usually fall asleep when the lights go down. Does that happen to anyone else?

This Annie Cowl is the reason I'd like to go to the yarn shop. It's my next knitting project. I love the design, the texture, and the color too. I'm on a scarf and cowl kick.

A few minutes...a few rows...a very satisfying way to start the day. Happy Wednesday, friends.

Natural Home :: Slow Changes

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0000

Tiny changes, one at a time, are happening in our home. Almost one year ago we replaced paper towels with cloth :: just as a trial to see if it would work for us. We haven't looked back.

When I stumbled upon this set of wool dryer balls at Laundry Tree, I hoped they would be the answer to the chemical-laden sheets we've been using for far too long. In addition to being healthier for our family and the environment, I knew they'd make me smile with every load.

Holiday company's given these little wool treasures quite a workout. In fact, one guest slept for two nights with a dryer ball in her pillowcase (I was wondering what happened to number six). She didn't complain.

I can safely say we've made another small change in our quest for a healthier home. No more store-bought dryer sheets for us. These whimsical works of art are here to stay.

Wishing you peace and health in 2012.

Liberty, Linen and Love

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:50:00 +0000

Small projects are the best. You know, the kind that take just one quiet afternoon to complete from beginning to end. Well, minus the dreaming and planning that occurs ahead of time. That part's fun too.

This project was a gift for my friend. It's a dish mat, made with Liberty of London Tana Lawn, natural linen, and a bath towel. I followed this tutorial loosely, changing the layout a bit and reworking the dimensions so the size was similar to this store-bought version. I think the smaller size will better accommodate her counter space.

While shopping online for Christmas gifts, I stumbled upon these Clover Wonder Clips (Merry Christmas to me). They'll be great when binding a quilt, but also came in handy here :: a nice change from pins and easy to remove as you go.

I love the feel of this dish mat. Very substantial yet soft and floppy too. I'm planning to make a set for my kitchen using different print and linen combinations. I'll probably make the larger size, as there is plenty of space beside my sink and a slew of vintage Pyrex that requires hand washing.

Made with Liberty, Linen and Love.

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Christmas Auction Success

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:35:00 +0000

The weekend passed so quickly. It was good. Very good. The kids arrived on Saturday morning and we spent the day together in the kitchen. Everyone had their own task to complete :: preparing something special for our Christmas Eve Gathering.

The auction gift exchange was a huge success. There was lots of interaction and laughter. Everyone started the evening with twenty-five Santa bucks. If you could recall all of the gifts from the Twelve Days of Christmas you earned extra bucks :: even more for knowing all of Santa's reindeer. There were other ways to increase your financial standing. Here are just a few:

If you made your bed this morning
If you knew the birthday month of the person on your left
If you were wearing a holiday article of clothing
If you brought a coat to donate to the local coat drive

I hit the Christmas auction jackpot. This beautiful cutting board, handmade by my eighteen-year-old nephew, Kevin. He says it's constructed with end grain and I can use it without worry. Maybe some day but, for now, displaying it proudly feels like the right thing to do. I'm in love.

Christmas Eve :: It's Here

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:18:00 +0000

Well here we are. It's Christmas Eve. Our family will begin celebrating in about five hours and I'm kicking my feet up for a bit. A few things that seemed important yesterday, have fallen off the To-Do list today. I'm good with it. During this holiday season I .......

sewed one gift (details to come)

discovered these fun little treats (great for topping off mini-chocolate mousse desserts)

spent a day baking with my niece who's home from college

Used the last of our gift wrap and turned to my vintage linen stash

The kids are on their way and we'll spend some time in the kitchen before heading to our family gathering. We changed things up a bit this year, asking each person to bring an appetizer or some type of finger food. I'm making these warm and comforting sandwiches on potato rolls. The guys like them.

Our family members range in age from fifteen to ninety-four so we try to keep the evening fun for all. This year our gift exchange will be held auction style. We're making our own rules, but found lots of great ideas here. I'm adding one silly gift to the mix, just to keep everyone laughing. Mums the word.

Thank you for visiting, friends.

Happy Holidays!

Keeping Christmas Simple

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:01:00 +0000

The older I get, the more I crave order, peace, and simplicity. For the last few years, I've been eliminating things on my Christmas To-Do List. It feels good.

Our tree is artificial and not too big. The ornaments are sentimental, ones we've collected or been gifted over the years. Most of our decorations fit into one box now.

I no longer send Christmas cards. I stopped that several years ago when I noticed I was feeling burdened by the task. Yesterday I had a conversation with my friend about this. She sends beautiful, heartfelt cards every year. It fuels her soul and makes her happy. I appreciate the time and thought and feel grateful to be a recipient. I'm happy to be okay with removing that task from my list. No guilty feelings.

I took advantage of a mild day last week and snipped some greens from our bushes and trees. Dried yarrow from our summer harvest was in the shed. It all worked together nicely and brings a little of the outside in.

I've been thinking about gift exchanging and how I might like to change that too. Not just at Christmas, but birthdays too. Handmade feels right, and maybe it could be given "just because", without the pressure of a date on the calendar. A surprise package that arrives in the mail on an average, ordinary day to say I'm thinking of you. That would be nice, wouldn't it? Your favorite birthday cake, homemade. An afternoon together at the coffee shop to chat. The newest movie you've both been wanting to see. A walk in the park on a beautiful day. Lunch on the patio. Still pondering this and feeling like it's time to make a change.

December Magic

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:26:00 +0000

This simple little Christmas accessory is, without a doubt, my favorite. I know the magic that happens, but seem to forget from year to year. Between seven forty-five and eight o'clock in the morning :: that's the window of time. It takes my breath away.

There's a birthday in our family today and I'm trying my hand at making cake balls. The birthday boy's mentioned them several times since he first tasted one over a year ago. These are strawberry and cream cheese and they'll be dipped in semi-sweet chocolate and drizzled with a little white for fun.

Good thing birthdays happen only once per year.

The Decorating Puzzle

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:58:00 +0000

We brought the Christmas tree up from the basement on Saturday. It's not trimmed yet but the soft white lights are bringing me lots of joy. It's the first thing I do each morning before the sun comes up :: plug in the tree and watch it sparkle.

The tree sits in front of our Great Room window and replaces a table that usually calls that space home. The table was moved to the dining room where it will live during the Christmas season. There was a bench in the dining room where the table now sits. The bench found a new home at the dining room table. I had to move two chairs in order for the bench to fit in. All this excitement inspired me to play with the fireplace mantle. An old thrifted suitcase and a featherweight sewing machine seemed like a good fit for now. Decorating's just like piecing a puzzle, isn't it? One thing leads to another.........

Pumpkin - Of Course

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:34:00 +0000

Pumpkin-Gingersnap Tiramisu is assembled and ready to go. That's mascarpone cheese, getting whisked into a thickened pumpkin mixture. Certainly not a recipe we'd make everyday, but a festive and decadent addition to our Thanksgiving meal.

It's a beautiful day to be in the kitchen. The sun's shining and I can hear the wind whipping. While fiddling in the kitchen this morning I'm:

drinking Kate's Latte
watching Rachel Ray make Leftover Stuffing Waffles
feeling warm and cozy thanks to the heat from the fireplace
noticing the light that's dancing around on the floor
thinking about how excited the kids must be to host their very first Thanksgiving dinner and realizing what an honor it is to be a guest on the list

Diamonds Are Overrated

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:42:00 +0000

A few weeks ago two large rolls of fabric were delivered to my door. It was a birthday gift from hubby :: one that was definitely thoughtful and heartfelt. You see, two years ago I hung these sample cards on my design wall. I got them in New York at one of my favorite stores. I buy a few yards at a time, whenever I'm lucky enough to travel into the city. They're like precious jewels to me, much better than diamonds and pearls.

What's so special about this gift is that hubby notices. He notices the joy I get from creating. He pays attention to my interests. He pauses his television show to look at the project I just can't wait to share with him. He searched through old blog posts to learn the exact weight of linen I use most often. He called the store and ordered one yard of every color.

I'm well aware that this fabric really isn't the gift at all. I'm already thoroughly enjoying it (the sorting, laundering and folding) but the true gift is the love that's behind it.

Diamonds are overrated. I'm a "material" girl. :)

What's New And Good?

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:40:00 +0000

I love that question. It redirects negative conversation and opens the door to positivity. Funny how something so simple can change the tone of an interaction and bring about a smile. So here's what's been new and good with me.

Witnessing the beauty of an unusual October snowfall in the early morning hours with hubby by my side. That's new and good.

Spending a fun afternoon in the sewing room creating a Three Bears' Sleeping Bag. That's new and good too.

Celebrating yet another year on this earth and sharing birthday meals and visits with friends and family. Now that's definitely new and good.

This photo deserves a post of it's own...another day.

Traveling to New York for a school convention and a little play time too. New and good without a doubt.

Our weekend coincided with the NYC marathon. Geoffrey Mutai was the top finisher with a time of 2:05:05. Not only is that new and good :: it's astonishing. What's new and good with you?

Scarecrow Stroll

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:26:00 +0000

Hubby and I took a stroll through town yesterday, photographing the entries in this year's community scarecrow contest. There were sweet scarecrows and funny scarecrows and a few somewhat gory ones too.

Think hot apple cider, your favorite wool sweater, and beautiful bright blue skies.....

**Click on "You Tube" for larger image.**

Happy Things

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:30:00 +0000

This little face makes me happy. It's very serious and intense. If he were human he'd be lacking a sense of humor but would be extremely kind and sensitive. He's adamant the bed should never be made and somehow appears at the exact moment I try. Today was no exception.

Pumpkins, gourds, and sunlight are happy things as is this beautiful season called Fall.

Studying under a quilt with a kitty at my feet makes me happy. This one doesn't have a serious bone in her body. She's super-sweet, a little clumsy, and definitely Daddy's girl.

And you know what else is happy? The process of making a quilt. Another quilt. Even though you already have quite a few in progress. Yes, sometimes starting a new project...and working on it in little snippets of time when you need a break from studying...is a very happy thing.

Notes From My Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:06:00 +0000

Each morning, the view from my kitchen is a bit more beautiful :: the crisp colors of fall more vivid than the day before. Today there was a layer of fog lingering and a sense of calm was in the air. I've been cooking more, trying some new recipes and finding comfort in the tried and true.

I have a huge collection of cookbooks but am reaching for this one most often these days. Karen's Sesame Noodles has just become a staple in our home. It's subtle, comforting, and versatile. In addition to the noodles, I've made the following recipes and we haven't been disappointed yet:

Quick Lemon and Garlic Quinoa Salad
Red Bean and Quinoa Chili
Coconut Peanut Sauce
Massaged Kale and Currant Salad

I like to keep this sweet potato puree in the refrigerator for snacking. It's two good-sized sweet potatoes baked and pureed (while still piping hot from the oven) with one egg. I don't worry about the raw egg. I think it gets cooked by the heat of the potatoes but you may not agree. I find this to be a perfect snack when I'm hankering for a little something sweet.

Also from my kitchen this week :: Chia Pudding and Fantastic Granola (again).

Mini Room Re-Do

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:15:00 +0000

Life's been full at our house and a sorta-kinda room re-do was part of the mix. This is our basement guest room. It used to look like this, but I wanted a more gender-neutral feel. I decided to give it a bit of an Asian flair, adding a few new pieces and gathering others from my stash of accessories. Do most people have accessory stashes or is it just me? Linens, pillows, quilts, decorative plates, lamps, even pieces of furniture.

The bedside chest of drawers was pulled from the stash and given a quick coat of Gettysburg Grey. I purchased it secondhand twenty-six years ago (for our son's nursery) and have painted it three times since then. Today it seems fresh and new. Love that. Lots of different styles are meshed together here but it feels tranquil and orderly. That's what I was hoping for. I never follow decorating rules, I just mix things together until it feels good to me. That's the key :: it has to feel good.

I'm really happy with this mini re-do....but I think that little white cabinet needs some color. Don't you?

Another Honey Cowl

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:47:00 +0000

Another honey cowl. Oh how I love the honey cowl. This is number three for me :: knit in Madeline Tosh DK once again. I'm not new to knitting but I'm a novice knitter. This pattern is safe. It only involves three different stitches and I've learned to spot mistakes and fix them. Well, most of the time.

The yarn on my needles is Baltic. The other is called Dahlia. When loading the photos I noticed just how beautifully these two yarns coordinate with the Liberty of London fabric I picked up in New York a couple of weekends ago. Hmmmmm.

I've always loved tiny little dresses with a knitted (or crocheted) bodice and cotton skirt. Something like this Jane Austen dress. I can totally imagine the Dahlia yarn with the print above (the one with the purple, dahlia and green flowers). Can you? Or the Baltic yarn with that gorgeous blue print on the end. That would be pretty too.

Or how about Alicia's little Heartwarmer shrug and dress combination? Have you seen the collection of baby clothing she made and tucked away for a special someone? Just lovely.

There aren't any little girls in my near future but I do have a cedar chest and it's really fun to dream.

Chop Chop

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:14:00 +0000

The UPS man's been visiting lately, with stacks of books in hand. It's impossible to choose a favorite (every book's a good book in my humble opinion) but I must say this one's pretty high on the list.

I'm making a conscious effort to eat more greens so the Massaged Kale and Currant Salad looked like a great recipe to try. Paired with Butternut Squash Soup, hubby and I had a super-delicious, super-nutritious dinner the night before last.

A teaspoon of salt gets sprinkled on the kale and these strips of green leafy goodness are then treated to a massage. Seriously. Add some apples, sunflower seeds, red onion, and currants and you've got yourself a bowl full of wholesome nutrition.

My camera and I were accidentally separated, so these photos were taken with my iPhone in not-so-great light. The end result was really much more beautiful. I get excited when making new recipes and urge those around me to taste a sample. On this particular night my brother was visiting. He liked the kale so much he asked for instructions. Hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed it too.

You can find this recipe on Cynthia's website, Cookus Interruptus. There you'll find a wealth of information and a good bit of entertainment too. And by the way, I picked up this knife at a nearby discount store several years ago and it's become one of my all-time favorite kitchen tools.

Girls' Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:10:00 +0000

I just returned from an annual girls' weekend. It's a tradition my friend Dawn and I began a few years ago and one that we thoroughly enjoy. This year was a little different. We combined our girls' weekend with a school convention that was happening in New York City.

We stayed :: at this hotel. It couldn't have been nicer. Let's just say my friend and I are a tad squeamish when it comes to hotels and cleanliness. There may or may not have been squeals of excitement when we laid eyes on our lovely room.

We ate :: whatever we wanted and didn't feel guilty, not one little bit. It's part of girls' weekend you know.

We walked :: for hours on end, proving to ourselves that we could navigate the city (we're both a little challenged when it comes to reading maps) and taking in the beauty that's so different from our world at home.

We listened :: to inspiring words from Joel Fuhrman, David Katz, Mark Hyman, Sally Fallon, and Deepak Chopra.

One of us :: was over-the-top excited about the L'occitane products supplied each day at the hotel.

And the other :: was in her glory here, browsing the 182 Liberty of London prints and coming home with a few in her bag. That was me, in case you didn't know.

Growing Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (lulabellesview) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:51:00 +0000

Our quilt is growing by leaps and bounds. There are thirty completed flowers now :: just twenty-two shy of our goal.

We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in the hall of a little church nearby. It's a small group of twenty-six ladies, each one adding something special to the mix.

It's such a treat to see the progress we're making. One month a baggie full of supplies is handed over and the following month a unique and beautiful flower arrives. Some members have a sparkle in their eye and are anxious to pick up their next kit. Others admit that "hand sewing's really not my thing" and we happily accept their one and only contribution.

Pretty soon we'll surround each flower with green, making the garden path and joining the pieces together. This quilt will be raffled in the community and the proceeds added to our treasury for future charitable efforts and maybe some workshops too. I consider myself lucky to be the keeper of these works of art as our Grandmother's Flower Garden grows. My design wall's prettier than ever and I find myself making a few extra visits to the sewing room each day, just to appreciate the view.