Buttonwood Cottage

Gratitude

2013-06-17T19:30:00.000-04:00

A few times a week, sometimes more, I write down the things I'm thankful for and a few little details about my day. It's usually a small moment for me to reflect and if I have more time maybe meditate a little.

I look forward to every opportunity to write in this little book. I especially look forward to the days when I can enjoy a full cup of coffee and really think about what I'm going to write on my single page. I like the limitation of having only one page per day.

First 5k!

2013-06-16T09:05:00.002-04:00

I ran my first 5k yesterday!!!

And today I am sore. More on this story later. Right now, I'm off to go spend time with Dad (2nd from the left above). Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day

2013-06-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

In case you were wondering, my dad is pretty awesome. And a pretty good sport too.

Runner

2013-06-13T19:25:00.000-04:00

That's the most I've run in one training session to date. Kind of proud of myself. I'm running my first 5k this Saturday with my family.

Still Around

2013-06-12T19:19:00.001-04:00

This is not a real post. This post is just to let you know I'm alive and that I haven't forgotten this blog completely. I'm just not here right now. Last week I was on vacation with my family. This week...this week it's just too nice outside to sit inside and blog. Apologies. Anyway some humor from my recent vacation.

...


It's 8:00 AM, this cup is empty.


Like magic I have a second cup of coffee. And a book to read while I sip it.

Oh dear...Now I just have a caffeine addiction.

When I came back from a morning run I noticed a missed call from Mom and Dad. They weren't in the townhouse we were all sharing for vacation so I tried to call them and when they couldn't be reached I assumed they went to the club house. I made a large pot of coffee and didn't think anything else of it.

Except that the cups in our townhouse were clearly too small. Ahem.

Next thing I know I'm on my second cup of coffee. Right after I pour my cup and sit down Mom returns with Starbucks.I'll let you guess what I did about this "new problem."

Finished Booties and a New Project

2013-05-29T19:17:00.000-04:00

Now that I’ve finished my fourth pair of Boot Scootin’ Cowboy Booties…

And of course the matching cowgirl hat…

It’s time for a new project! So this time I’ll be making the Simply Summer Sandals pattern by Two Girl Patterns.

Sample Pattern Photo from Two Girl Patterns

This was another custom request from my cousin Kelly for her daughter Riley. You might remember Riley’s Hoot Hat or Onesie Appliqués. Riley is tons of fun to crochet for and it doesn’t hurt that she hams it up for the camera.

Kelly couldn’t decide which colors might go best with Riley’s summer wardrobe so we decided to keep it simple and recreate the exact sandals from the photo. So I’ve got my stash of Caron Simply Soft yarn ready (using sand and off white colored yarn) and two pearl look-alike buttons from Wal-Mart.

I’m pretty confident this will be an easy pattern to work with. I’ve already made two other patterns from Two Girl Patterns (confusing sentence, I know) including the Lazy Day Loafers, which I made for HBs birthday, and the Easy on Baby Loafers, which are the base for my Clawed Monster Booties.

Gluten Free: Chipotle Chicken Tacos

2013-05-25T19:32:00.000-04:00

For 2013 HB and I have decided to team up for a 52 project. It's like the 365 photography challenge, but instead we're committing to share one recipe a week.

If you’re new here you might be surprised to find out that HB is gluten intolerant. Basically, gluten sensitivity is a spectrum of sensitivity to gluten including celiac disease and wheat allergy. If HB accidentally eats gluten he experiences a variety of reactions which won’t kill him, but they make him VERY uncomfortable and have been getting worse over time. I have no gluten sensitivity what-so-ever, but to keep things simple we keep our home gluten free. (Except those rare occasion where I have to have chocolate chip cookies RIGHT NOW.)

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What You'll Need:

Olive Oil
Chicken
GF Corn Tortillas
Onion
Cilantro

What You'll Do:

??? Who knows - this was ALSO sitting in my drafts file. (Bad Kasey, bad blogger).

Gluten Free: Tortilla Breaded Chicken

2013-05-25T19:30:00.001-04:00

Oops...Ever take a photo of your amazing dinner and forget to write down the recipe so you can blog it? Yeah that would be this girl.

Things I know...that's sautéed orange pepper, cauliflower, and asparagus on the left. The chicken was breaded with crushed tortilla chips. But what was in the sauce (the amazing sauce!) I haven't a clue. Maybe HB will remember...

50 km!

2013-05-21T10:20:00.001-04:00

Personal milestone here...

As of 8:00 PM on Monday May 20^th I have run over 50 km! Not all in one shot mind you, it was over the course of ten runs which averages out to 5 km per run. Getting ready for that 5k on June 15^th!

Gluten Free: Pasta Salad

2013-05-21T09:57:00.001-04:00

What You’ll Need:

· Gluten Free Macaroni

· Feta Cheese

· Chickpeas

· Sun Dried Tomatoes

· Avocado

· Baby Spinach Leaves

· ½ cup Lemon Juice

· ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

· Table spoon Dijon Mustard

What You’ll Do:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

2. Drain chickpeas and combine in large bowl with sundried tomatoes, one chopped avocado and two big handfuls of spinach.

3. Stir in pasta.

4. Top with sundried tomato.

5. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, and mustard in a jar – shake to combine.

6. Pour dressing over your pasta salad, stir and serve.

HB and I find that gluten free noodles get pretty firm when they are cold so this pasta salad is best served warm or at room temperature, but not straight from your refrigerator. (darn)

Boot Scootin' Boots - In Purple!

2013-05-16T09:54:00.001-04:00

In case you thought all the running posts meant I’ve stopped crafting I have this to share…

It’s the beginning of the FOURTH pair of Boot Scootin’ Booties I will make this spring. The first set was an all tan pair I made for a girlfriend’s son, Landen. The second and third set I made EXACTLY like those pictured for a co-worker who’s friends are expecting babies later this summer (I made larger sizes that will fit those babies in the fall/winter). And now I’m making this purple pair for some out of town family.

After this I have an adorable pair of sandals to finish, some scarbella scarves to make for another co-worker, a layette set, a baby blanket, …who knows what will be next in queue. Anyway time to start stitching!

Am I the only person who ends up with a request that ways snowballs into multiple requests for the same pattern? Last time it was Hoot Hats. No complaints, I love a good pattern and by the time I’m done this pair I’m not sure I’ll need the instructions anymore. (Just kidding – every size is slightly different).

Week Three Run One

2013-05-16T09:08:00.001-04:00

I took a look at the calendar yesterday. If I run every other day from now until my 5k I’ll meet my training goals. I think I can miss 1 maybe 2 days and still make it. No more slacking off for this girl.

I finished my first Week III workout yesterday using the Zombies, Run! app. It totally kicked my butt. It had the longest running drills and I’ve done so far and a lot more straight out running. On top of that, it’s starting to get hot around here. It was probably about 75 degrees during my run. The slight breeze saved me, but my face was beat red when I finished anyway.

One fun thing about running, I’m meeting people in my town. Yesterday, I woman was out front watering her plants as I was finishing my run. She called out and asked me if I wanted a water bottle (again, my face was beat red) and we had a brief little chat while I jogged in place. I’m typically a bit on an introvert and small talk with strangers isn’t my strong suit, but next time I see her she’s not a stranger.

PS All the calories I burned during my run I got right back afterward. HB and I went out for ice cream at a little shop nearby where I got a small chocolate with peanut butter ripple and brownie topping. That’s right, I topped my ice cream with gluten meaning I didn’t have to share.

Free Sewing Class Featuring Zippers

2013-05-13T13:22:00.001-04:00

This is a public service announcement for all aspiring sewistas! Craftsy is offering a free online course for sewing zippers into your garments! Check that out here:http://www.craftsy.com/instructors/sunni-standing.

I am nowhere near ready for the class, but I’ve enrolled anyway. Why? Because myCraftsy classes never expire. I’m joining in now so that I have the resource when I’m ready for it! Hip hip – hooray!

In case you can’t tell, I really love Craftsy! You can connect with me and check my finished projects here:http://www.craftsy.com/user/619364

Life Lately

2013-05-09T20:24:00.001-04:00

Between work, taking an online course, and working out I'm not getting a whole lot of crafting time in lately. I mind, because I'd like to be more productive, and I don't because training for the 5k has actually been a lot of fun.

So far I've been lucky. The weather is good and the Zombie Run app I use is entertaining. Hopefully, I'll find a way to incorporate more crafting into my routine soon. Acutally, I'm sure I will so stick around.

Pretty Bridge Photo

2013-05-03T13:51:00.001-04:00

Remember when you got the giggles as a kid? I laughed so hard last night that I woke up with a sore throat this morning. And no, I’m not complaining.

Photo from last night’s run. It was the same park as my second run, but this time instead of running around the fields I took the trail through the woods. On the other side of that bridge there is a MONSTER hill, but I made it. I’m enjoying running way more than I thought I would. I’m glad I finally got sucked into this trend.

Another Run

2013-05-01T21:15:00.000-04:00

I'm training for a 5k in June so there will be a lot of this going on...

Screen Capture from ZombiesRunGame.com

Those are my current training records. As you can see I'm 2 runs into my 8 weeks of training (27 runs). And today I ran in this lovely park:

Pardon whatever was in front of the camera lens. After this I started my run and didn't stop to take another pictures. Each time I've done a run so far I've used a different location - I like it, but I don't know that I could find 27 suitable running locations nearby. Might be an interesting challenge. For now I'll stick to the challenge of my training schedule.

Crocheted Cowboy Boots

2013-04-30T20:46:00.002-04:00

There was no running or going to the gym last night (I was so tired & achy from Sunday) so I had some time to work on a project for a coworker. Behold the beginning of a Boot Scootin’ Cowboy Boot:

This will be my third pair of these little booties. The pattern is pretty straight forward, comes in lots of sizes, and works up fairly quickly. Oh and the pattern pages are pretty and easy to follow. That’s important to me when I’m going to spend $6.00 (almost) on a pattern. I got my pattern for the boots and cowboy hat on Ravelry, but the links here are to Craftsy since you don’t need a Craftsy account to see them. The combo deal I purchased on Ravelry was about $11.00, so if you’re looking to buy the pattern you may want to purchase it there. I highly recommend the pattern(s) if you crochet and you’re looking for a cute baby gift. Anyway…

I hated this ball of Caron Simply Soft yarn. I have at least five colors of this yarn in my stash and haven’t had problems with the brown, cream, hot pink, or baby pink. The machine must have been having a bad day the day my blue was made. I’ve found lumpy, fuzzy spots mid-thread and split/torn/frayed thread all in one ball. And I’m working from the center of the skein! For the most part I’ve managed to work around the imperfections, but on a few occasions I’ve had to cut the yarn and tie in again. Caron yarn is so cheap that it may not stop me from using the yarn again. But then again, it just might.

The quality of the boot hasn’t been impacted (if it was, I’d get new yarn after all I’m spending hours making these) but having to weave in extra ends from cutting the imperfections out of my yarn is a hassle I’d rather avoid. I think when it comes down to it if the quality of my final project were impacted I would stop using Caron, but it’s not so we’re still on good terms. Also, the issue seems to be a one off – probably just a bad ball. However, if the next time I buy the yarn I find more of the same issues I’ll probably switch.

Oh well, sometimes our supplies disappoint us. At least the boots are cute so far!

This Weekend Was For...

2013-04-28T18:53:00.000-04:00

Top Row: Pedicure, New Cactus, Herbs
Bottom Row: Zombies, Run! 5k training stats

This weekend was for regrouping. I'm not sure why, but last week took a lot out of me so this weekend it was time to get back on track. Saturday morning HB and I went to my parents to help out around the house. You know lugging cinder block around (HB) and mowing the yard (me) before going on a family trip to the dump and Home Depot. When that was done we broke for lunch and then HB and I left to do our errands which included getting ice cream and visiting a few nursery's to buy herbs for a project.

Saturday night I found some time to start my 5k training. In retrospect I'm not sure how I had energy for that, but I did. HB stayed home to work on his portfolio for grad school applications. After the run I grabbed a quick shower and rewarded myself for all my hard work with a pedicure. And that was our fun filled Saturday night.

Today, HB left early to go golfing with his brother and I headed to the gym. We signed up for a gym in March and I've been lifting several times a week. I didn't mention it on the blog before because I was afraid I'd fall off the wagon the second I did and look like a big failure. I'm trying to move away from that mentality now, so yes, this morning I went to the gym to lift. Then came home to shower, head to the flea and farmers market, do some cleaning, and then went for a walk with HB before going out to do my first "official" Zombies, Run! workout. Apparently the first one I did didn't actually count, which is disappointing because I ran 6.27km yesterday and only 3.79 km today. Luckily I get tomorrow off from running (and lifting). I think my body might rebel if I didn't take the day off.

Anyway, I'm off to crochet. And maybe pet Calvin - he's practically pushing the laptop off my knees trying to get my attention now!

Restless

2013-04-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

I’m having such a restless week. I need to practice mindfulness. I am so full of inspiration and motivation, but I’m having trouble feeling accomplished when I’ve gotten ~~something~~ many things done. Instead, I feel frustrated with how much I still want to do.

For the past two months (almost to the day), I’ve been keeping a daily journal. I’ve skipped a few days, but since I didn’t start out thinking, “I’m going to do this every day,” those missed days don’t feel like a failure and I never got derailed. The journal has been a great tool for keeping perspective despite the highs and lows in my week. Typically, I jot down three things I’m thankful for and whatever other tidbits I feel moved to record. So even when Monday is lousy day I go to write in the journal and before I get to Monday the things I wrote Sunday stare back and me, and that was a great day.

Current Project - Crochet Cowboy Booties

I thought about starting to record things I crossed off my check list each day as a way to feel a sense of accomplishment, but that just doesn’t excite me. And really the last thing I want to do is turn the journal writing into a chore or take some of the power out of it by demanding too much of the short time I spend writing in it. Can a daily journal really provide consistent perspective AND accomplishment? So I may try a few other tactics like photographing finished projects and adding mini posts to the blog when I think I need to pause and soak up an achievement no matter how small.

I’ll try to spare you from things like, “Look, I went to the gym” or “Look, I made dinner,” but no promises. I don’t want to be a person who has too much left to do and doesn’t realize how much I’ve done, am doing, and hopefully how consistent my progress really is.

What do you do when you feel restless?

Indoor Garden

2013-04-24T10:26:00.001-04:00

Just popping in quickly to give an update on the indoor gardening.

As you can see the Hens and Chicks have been replanted. And they’ve got a friend. That little worm actually helps gauge how much water is in the soil. He’s made out of terracotta so as the soil dries up he gets a bit lighter and lets me know when it’s time to give my plant a drink. I’ve only got succulents in the house which google tells me need to be watered about once every week or two in the growing season (now) and less in the dormant season (winter).

Do house plants go dormant during winter? Maybe I should just keep watering them normally all year round? Or maybe it’s the quality of the sunlight that lets them know it’s time to go dormant not the actual temperature? Clearly I am a plant novice. I should call Mom Mom, my grandmother is a plant guru and has kept MANY house plants alive since before I was born. Including one GIANT succulent that I’ve always thought was very cool looking (despite previous disdain for house plants).

This little window garden is turning into my favorite place in the apartment. I’m going to be really sad when we leave here. And excited. We wouldn’t move without good reason. I really like our first little home with its huge closet and room for the cats. Sure the carpet is old, the windows are drafty, and the bathroom is YELLOW, but we’ve got a lot of really fun memories here.

Look I got all sentimental. Must be the season. Spring is all about new beginnings and growth, isn’t it? Anyway, I’m loving this little window. And the plants. And yes Mom, Calvin was interested in all the dirt surrounding the Hens and Chicks but a little sea glass solved that pretty quickly!

Spring Has Arrived!

2013-04-23T10:05:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time I HATED house plants. Once a year Mom would drag me to the local nursery to choose plants and then we’d spend a day re-potting them and dragging them around trying to determine where Mom liked them best. Then they had to be watered.

Now I’m living in my first apartment and I have not one, but three plants. I was so excited about my recent plant purchase that I text this picture to HB. I’m taking this as a sign that I’m turning into an adult. And yes, this days I feel more than a little bit guilty about all the grief I game Mom over her plant love. I would be happy to spend a few hours in the nursery picking out plants with her these days.

Isn’t growing up strange?

Gluten Free: Sausage Soup

2013-04-20T13:19:00.000-04:00

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This is a meal I had absolutely nothing to do with preparing. I came home from the gym and found HB cooking, the laundry folded, and a new load in the wash. It was one heck of a night let me tell you! Anyway, this soup was great for chilly spring night and breakfast the following morning.

What You'll Need:

2 tb garlic
2 tb oil
2 sausage links
1/2 c apple sauce
1/4 c diced tomatoes
1/4 c half and half
can chickpeas
2 tb dried rosemary
2 tsp salt
tsp pepper

What You'll Do:

Saute garlic in oil over medium heat until fragrant. Add sausage links and brown.
Add apple sauce, tomatoes, and half and half to pan. Cook covered on low for 20 minutes.
Add can of drained chickpeas. Cook for 10 minutes on medium heat.
Add rosemary, salt, and pepper. Reduce over medium heat until you have a thick stew. Feel free to add additional applesauce, salt, or pepper to taste.

Gluten Free Easter

2013-04-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, those rolls aren't gluten free. But there was a gluten free bread which somehow didn't make it into the picture.

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This week's Gluten Free recipe is on hold. It seems I spent so much time relaxing and enjoying my family that I haven't been able to edit photos or write up a recipe for you yet. But, as you can see above, there has clearly been a bit of cooking going on. Don't worry the recipes will be coming soon.

PS Dessert was almost too cute to eat. Almost.

Some bunny was gluten free - and delicious!

A Crafty Update

2013-04-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

So I did something fun and new this weekend. I signed up for two Craftsy online classes. If you’re not familiar with Craftsy here’s the gist: Craftsy is a online community of makers/crafters. Craftsy contains online classes (like the ones I signed up for), workshops, patterns for sale, a place to catalog your projects, the Craftsy Blog, and an online Shop (think materials).

Until recently, I’d primarily used Craftsy to buy crocheting patterns and to upload a few photos of some of my finished projects on my profile. Because I also use Ravelry I didn’t find myself on Craftsy very often.

But, I’ve got a sewing class coming up this weekend and I had a credit for a free online course so I decided to see which sewing classes were available. I chose Sewing with Knits, a $24.99 course, that I’d heard was pretty good for beginners like myself. Also, I’m TERRIFIED of sewing with knits, but I love to wear knits so I figured I would take all the help I can get.

I spent all day Sunday watching & listening to the course. I wasn’t ready to start any of the projects, but I really wanted to know what sort of “deal” I’d gotten so I figured I’d just watch the first few lessons. I ended up leaving the course running all day. I enjoyed it that much! Here’s why: I’m not terrified of knits anymore. The instructor, Meg McElwee, was just so genuine and down to Earth. Ok and I say that having only watched video of her, but I feel like I met her! She didn’t overwhelm me with information. She didn’t gloss over things that made me feel like a complete novice, and the lessons built on each other, so once I learned how to cut out the pattern in one lesson that wasn’t repeated in later lessons (but she did tell you where to go back and watch those portions if you are a student who likes to jump around).

I like the Craftsy platform too. I can learn at my own pace, so if I’m feeling obsessive, like yesterday, I can watch all of the lessons. But if over the next few months I want to slowly work on a project or two I can go back to those lessons and just watch the portions I want. Oh and I have access to the class FOREVER.

Surplice Dress - a pattern included in the course

There’s a forum too for asking questions when you get stuck, Meg McElwee even monitors the forum from what I understand, but since I haven’t started any of the projects I can’t really comment on how effective the tool is.

More great stuff you get as part of the class, patterns! I’m a new sewista so I didn’t realize how expensive patterns can be. As part of enrolling in the course I received the PDF patterns for: a fleece hoodie, a t-shirt, yoga shorts and pants, a skirt, and a surplice dress!

I’m so excited to buy fabric and notions for one of the projects and get started. I’ll be sure to update you with a new review once I’ve started a garment. Wish me luck!

PS I wasn’t perked at all to write this post. I had a credit for this course for sign up for the Brooklyn Craft Camp, so these opinions are all my own and I would certainly pay for the course for myself – or even gift it to someone else!

Gluten Free: Red Pepper Soup

2013-03-28T17:00:00.000-04:00

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What You'll Need (for the soup):

Two chopped tomatoes
One large can roasted red peppers (chopped)
Two large red peppers
Chipolte base
Onions
Salt
Pepper
Chicken stock
Heavy cream

What You'll Do:

Roast chopped red peppers for 15 minutes in oven.
In a large sauce pan mix two tomatoes, roasted red peppers (jar & oven roasted), chipotle base, chopped onions, salt, and pepper. Cook down until ingredients are very soft.
Add chicken stock and heavy cream. Reduce by 1/3.
Blend with immersion blender.

What You'll Need (for the grilled cheese):

GF bread
A sliced apple (preferably green)
Butternut squash
Caramelized Red Onion
Feta Cheese
Honey Mustard
Honey

What You'll Do:

Preheat oven to 350.
Peel butternut squash and slice into thin pieces. Arrange on greased baking sheet and cook until squash has softened (about 10 - 15 minutes).
Butter the outside of your bread, then lay butter side down on a plate. Spread honey mustard on one side of bread, sprinkle with feta cheese, and add caramelized red onion.
On the other slice of bread arrange apple slices and butternut squash. Drizzle with honey and close sandwich.
Pan fry or grill until outside is browned and cheese has melted.