Elizabeth Carls: Works with paper, mostly

Happy Holidays Y'all

This photo was taken last year. We're not having a white Christmas this year. But rather an unseasonable warm and snow-free December. Doesn't much matter though, it's still Christmas and a new year is glistening brightly on the very near horizon...

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today we moved into this old house in south Minneapolis. Which means one year ago yesterday we had finished our 1600 mile trek and were eating greek take-out in a hotel room with the three dogs. And one year ago Sunday we were here in MN to celebrate my Dad's 70th birthday. 

Over the course of one year in this old house we have painted every room except the kitchen, we discovered that the foundation needs to be replaced, we planted a vegetable garden, revived the pond, had the dining room ceiling cave in spilling gallons of water on the dining room floor, and generally settled into the house quiet nicely. 

We have also fallen completely and madly in love with our neighborhood. We've meet and become friends with some pretty awesome neighbors. We've enjoyed the creek and the lake, and the park in all four seasons. And generally settled into the neighborhood quiet nicely.

Over the course of this past year we have run, raced, and cross country skied. We have spent quality time with our families and been reunited with old friends. We've enjoyed our farmer's market, and joined a CSA. I got my old job back. We've returned to Austin to  visit the friends we left there. We've shoveled snow. We've been to baseball games, a Pride Parade, the Zoo, and the Conservatory. Over the course of this year we have been thoroughly reminded and convinced that Minneapolis is a great city.

One year ago today, this old house with its fabulous front porch and its creaky floors became our home.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

It's the dawning of a new year and I, like many of you, find myself looking back and looking ahead. 2010 was a year full of changes, and growth, and accomplishments.

The biggest change  of 2010 was The Move. In July Dale and I and our three dogs moved back  home to Minneapolis from Austin TX. We moved into a 100-year-old house that sits across the street from the creek and the running path. The house needed work, in fact it still needs work. It has been a love/hate relationship with the house, mostly love, but a house this old presents its own unique challenges.

When we left Austin we said goodbye to a handful of great friends, a change I wasn't one bit fond of, but being back in Minneapolis meant being reunited with a handful of great friends.

Our return to Minneapolis also meant being near family again. We celebrated my Dad's 70th birthday, we grieved Dale's Dad's fight with pancreatic cancer and passing, we welcomed Antonio Miguel Dominguez Johnson into the world, we hosted our first Thanksgiving, and spent the first Christmas in 5 years with family. 

In May of 2010 I launched this new blog and website. It has been a fabulous venue for free tutorials like Needle Felting Basics, for knitting patterns like the Cozies Felted Wool Mittens, and for my Photo of the Week project. Most importantly, my little blog has provided me with innumerable connections to the crafting community, connections I am grateful to have.

2010 was the year of the Farmer's Market. Moving in July meant I didn't plant a garden. But I did take advantage of the abundance of farmer's markets in Minneapolis. 

In February of 2010 we vacationed in Colorado and I took a few Nordic Skiing lessons. I loved it. Which is convenient seeing as winters are long here in Minneapolis. I got skis of my own for Christmas and have taken advantage of the fact that I live across the street from the creek -- I can walk out my door and ski.

I continued to run in 2010, of course. In August I ran a personal best 10k and in October I ran my third half marathon filled with doubts about my training and my feet. I somehow managed another personal best at that half marathon, an achievement I'm very proud of. 

Looking ahead to 2011... We will continue to work on this old house and I suspect learn to love it more with each project and each creek  and crack and quirk we discover. And we will continue to cherish the time we spend with loved ones near and far.

I will continue this blog, and continue to nurture my place in the crafting community. I've got notebooks full of sketches and ideas, which I hope to publish in the coming year.

A garden. I've got big plans to put in a small vegetable garden, a few fruit trees, and a raspberry patch this year. Of course I will also continue to spend my Saturday mornings at the farmer's market if for no other reason than because it's fun.

With three big athletic dogs in the house and piles of snow out my door my interest  has been piqued by skijoring. Perhaps, maybe, 2011 will bring a new sport to my life. 

As for the old sports in my life, 2011 will be big. My plans include 2 indoor triathlons this winter, and the YWCA Women's Triathlon in August. I may or may not get talked into doing the Lifetime  Fitness Triathlon again in July. I've already registered for the Minneapolis Duathlon, the largest duathlon in the nation, it will be my first du. And I'll start the New Year this morning by running the Polar Dash 10k, a fine beginning to a fine new year.

Happy New Year!

    

Christmas 2010

The long holiday weekend has come to a close and it was just as it should have been. I spent the long weekend doing all the things I love: I crafted. I cooked. I ran. I spent time with family. I ate (but not too much). And I took long walks by the creek with Dale and the dogs. The holiday was truly all I could have asked for.  I hope your's was pleasant and memorable also.  

A White Christmas...?

A White Christmas? You bethcha! I moved back to Minneapolis this year after 4 years in Austin TX. In my time away I missed a lot of things, and a white wintery Christmas was among them. 

This past weekend we here in Minneapolis got 17-20" of snow. Pure, white, dry, cold snow.

It's beautiful! And it most certainly makes for a white Christmas.

Tips for Shopping at the Farmer's Market

 It's National Farmer's Market Week! Farmer's markets aren't just a good place to buy fresh, seasonal fruit and veggies. Most larger urban markets also have farmers offering healthy meats, fresh cheese and dairy, fresh baked goods, and eggs from pasture-raised hens. Many also offer a selection of value-added foods like homemade pastas, and various sauces, salsas, and preserves. In other words, it is possible to do the majority of your shopping at your local farmer's market.

Following are some tips and suggestions for a satisfying market experience.

> Bring bags from home and be sure to bring several, that way fragile, and easily bruised items like berries or tomatoes can have their own bag and stand a better chance of arriving home in good shape.

> Spend a little time before you go planning a few meals, looking over a selection of recipes, and thinking about what you'd like to cook this week. You stand a better chance of getting what you need, and using what you buy if do a little planning. But plan with the season in mind - don't go to the market looking for butternut squash in the middle of June. And keep an open mind while you shop, be prepared to be flexible with your plans.

 > Talk to the farmer's and get to know them. This is actually one of my most favorite aspects of shopping at the farmer's market. You'll know where your food comes from, and you'll have a more enjoyable shopping experience. Also, the farmers and growers well let you know what's coming in soon and what's almost gone, which will make it easier to plan and allow you to take full advantage of foods with a short season.

> Remember that not all farmer's are "certified organic" because it is costly to maintain certification. Ask your growers about their growing methods and standards, you may be pleasantly surprised. If you're buying meat ask if the animals are pastured and how they live. Most farmer's are more than happy to share, and actually like to talk about their farm and their animals. Many will even invite you to visit.

> Expect to pay a fair price - remember farming and selling at market takes tons of hard work, special skills, and business know-how. The farmers and growers deserve to earn a fair wage. Often farmers will offer a quantity discount if you are buying a whole bunch of something. When the strawberries were in and I wanted to make jam I bought a huge flat a berries which the farmer discounted. On the other hand, if something has been in short supply this year because of growing conditions or weather mishaps, I am always more than happy to pay full price even for quantity.

 
> Reuse and recycle. Return things like egg cartons and berry baskets to the farmer/grower, it will save them money, and it's good for the environment. It is always better to reuse before you recycle.

> Try something new. Challenge yourself to buy something you're unfamiliar with and ask the grower for ideas about how to cook it or use it. You'll learn something.

 
> Get a good cookbook or two that focus on seasonal and local cooking. Fresh from the Farmers' Market (Reissue): Year-Round Recipes for the Pick of the Crop
and Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America's Farmers' Markets are both excellent choices. Also a good book on canning and preserving like The Big Book of Preserving The Harvest. These books will help you take full advantage of seasonal produce, and to preserve the harvest.

Make shopping at your local farmer's market a part of your weekly routine and a family event - it's a lot of fun, it gets you in touch with your community, and the food tastes better.

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I'm blessed to live in Minneapolis which has a huge farmer's market that is open 7 days a week. There are also several other smaller neighborhood markets scattered around the city. Most are opened on Saturdays. Of these smaller markets, I personally like the Mill City Market. 

Road Weary and Absent But Home Now

 Last week I  spent three days in a VW Rabbit with these three dogs. To say that we were all a little road weary, cranky, stinky and stiff would be an understatement of epic proportions. The cure for what ailed us? Movement of course. 

 First I took this one for a run.

 And Dale took this one for a run.

Then together we took this one for a nice long walk.

We're all feeling much better, thank you. After 1200 miles on our asses, a few miles on our feet was exactly what we needed. 

 We felt so good in fact we drove another 400 miles this weekend to celebrate my Dad's 70th birthday. I've noted it before, but will note it again; my dad had his first heart attack and coronary bypass surgery when he was 46, and his second exactly 10 years later. The fact that he is now 70 and healthy is a thing worth celebrating for sure. 

 Finally we have landed, here, in this old house. Where we are faced with  so many projects and so much renovation it is enough to make our heads spin. 

 But we are also home. And soon, very very soon, I will be reunited with my crafting supplies and therefore reunited with all of you and the subject of crafts.

Let the regular posting begin... 

Meet the New Garden

Alright, I've introduced you to the new house, now I want to give you a sneak peak into the new garden. 

 

To say that I'm a little bit excited about the projects that await me there would be an understatement. We leave Tuesday morning to make our trek north to our new home in Minneapolis. I'll be away from this space until we are moved into the new house on Friday.     

   

If a bird shits on your skirt, does it bring you good luck?

Yesterday went something like this: Started the day with lots of dog vomit, followed by a trip to the vet, and more dog vomit, and a trip to the pharmacy for the dog, some dog poo, and a second trip to the vet... 

Somewhere in all of this running around I was shat on by a bird. As I rushed out the door for a farewell lunch with a friend Dale asked "honey what's that on your skirt?" And I answered "bird shit, but I don't have time to change."

Later someone told me they believed being shat on by a bird was good luck. And I replied that I did indeed feel sort of lucky. After all, the bird had shat on my skirt and not on my arm or face or something truly horrible.

Through it all I was cheerful and maintained a pretty good mood.

Today so far has gone something like this: Up at 6:30 AM-which is way too early-to deal with more dog vomit, and a third trip to the vet, dressed in the same shat on skirt. 

And my cheerful attitude crumbled under the pressure. And so apparently did my immune system. And tears were shed. And today I can say this:  Moving is hard. And having a sinus infection is hard. And having a sick dog is the hardest thing ever. And being shat on by a bird may or may not bring you good luck.

Things I'll Miss and Have Missed

 

There has not been a whole lotta crafting going on in this house. In fact there has been almost none, only that which is necessary to maintain a reasonable level of sanity. 

Here's a partial list of what has been going on... packing, list making, yard sale prepping, phone calling, not sleeping... you get the idea. We have less than two weeks to prepare to make a 1600  mile move, without the help of professional movers, and in the company of three large dogs. The thought of it is almost enough to make this lady a bit nuts. Almost.

Here's what else has been happening a lot around here... A lot of reminiscence about the things I'll miss in Austin. And a lot of daydreaming about the things I have been missing and am looking forward to in Minneapolis. I'll make you a list, partial, of course...

Things I'll miss about Austin: 1) Friends, of course the top of the list is friends. I have some pretty great friends here in Austin, and they will be missed. 2) Zinger Hardware. 3) Taco Deli. 4) Kerby Lane Cafe's sweet potato fries. 5) My every-other-Sunday date with my stitching ladies. 6) This cute little house. 7) Hill Country Weavers. 8) Flip flops year round. 9) Local peaches. 10) The Turkey Trot. 11) The East Side cafe.

Things I'm looking forward to in Minneapolis: 1) Friends. Friends tops this list also, I have some pretty great friends in Minneapolis and I'm looking forward to spending time with them again. 2) Running the parkway and the lake. 3) Cooler weather. This is actually pretty huge, the heat has been killing me. 4) Family. Enough said. 5) The State Fair, the Renaissance Festival, and The Winter Carnival. 6) Having five yarn stores within a five mile radius. 7)Tulips. And Lilacs. 8) That charming old house. 9) Snow. White Christmases especially. 10) Fall colors. 11) Local apples. 12) The Farmer's Market. 13) The Birchwood Cafe. 

The Minneapolis List could end up decidedly longer than the Austin list. Mostly this is because I lived my entire life in Minneapolis, and spent just four years in Austin. And while I enjoyed my time here in Austin, Minneapolis is home.