All posts by Blueberry Girl

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Neighborhood Rocks + Found Poetry

I love seeing all the fun painted rocks around the neighborhoods, giving walkers something to do and a treasure hunt when there aren’t a lot of places to go, and we stay close to home.

As I was cleaning up some of my spaces, I came upon the supplies from my Found Poetry kits – which i quickly repurposed to be easy to drop parcels, hoping to inspire friends, neighbors and strangers when I tuck them into any little lending library I might see.

If you happened upon one of these treasures you can find out how to get started on found poetry here.

Mindfulness, Uncategorized

Time Spent: Wonderment of weeds

 

Salmonberries

Weeds are a matter of opinion. Your weed is my garden.

Whenever I see new plants popping up where we purpousfully removed others, despite the tendancy to pluck them again, I can’t help but stop and smile and have a moment of wonder about how amazing it that nature can take hold like that.

Some day this little salmonberry plant might have berries to feed me and the bears, and yet today I consider it a weed that needs to be removed to make way for another plant of our choosing.

Another day I might see chamomile weeds that I am shocked would be mowed, I see milkweed weeds being pulled that I would love to put in a vase. It always makes me pause with wonder.

Metal, Time Spent

Time Spent: Metal Messages

The fun in the metal shop continues with the draft version of this shelf for the entryway, hung just above a charging outlet.

You have our permission to leave your phone and relax.

Not surprisingly a lot of people laugh and say something along the lines of ‘I wish’….

Time Spent, You can do this.

Time Spent: Loafin’ around

My second attempt with the Yeaster Bunn created a reasonably good loaf, given all the mistakes I made. This time I forgot to cover the top during the rise and while it doubled in size (yay), the top got a bit dried out preventing it from growing, and even when splitting the top to allow for some oven spring, it only rose a bit. But – that is progress! It was tasty and I got two loaves of pretty good sandwiches from this week’s attempt.

If you don’t know what a sourdough starter is or how to use it – I like this process because it is slow. You can’t rush the natural yeast and fermentation, and I think the bread (even when not perfect) is tastier and more filling than the quicker rise of commercial yeast.  I love that the bread can be as simple as just water and flour on the ingredients list. I have only found one bakery that produces a loaf that is nearly as good as homemade – but that is hard for me to get and requires bridges, tunnels and tolls.

I could list a hundred different websites that tell you a bunch of variations on the process, but this link is a good overview with photos that are helpful.

The entire sourdough process is slow, patient and generally pretty forgiving, which is why I love to keep trying. Even when the results are not photo worthy, the steps are pleasant, relaxing and enjoyable. The skill of owning and baking with a sourdough starter is often referred to as both an art and a science.

I have tried the ‘science’ way of doing everything on a schedule and by measured amounts and I grew frustrated as my pet grew limp – so determined to try again, I am going with the ‘art’ approach this time.  I eyeball and play with it – and pretend I am baking back in the day before nutrition labels and measure cups. So far the Yeaster Bunn and I are much happier finding our way together with the occasional web search or book reference.

Two of my favorite books that I reference are:

King Arthur Whole Grain Baking – a great resource for flour and baking

Forgotten Skills of Cooking – probably available used, but that is the best because you benefit from the notes of the previous owner!

 

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Time Spent: Building a Sourdough Starter

Third time’s a charm, or three strikes and you are out. Either way – it is fun to try again to make a sourdough starter from scratch. Named the Yeaster Bunn – we hope it will bring many warm loaves of goodness.

The Yeaster Bunn is born. The beginning of a beautiful friendship?

 

The first attempt with it yielded some dense bread that made incredible croutons – and a reminder that city water filled with chlorine is not a friend in this situation so we eagerly await the next cycle.

Poem for today

Poetry on Metal

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Its fun to mix up mediums when you are in a creative spirit – and recently I was playing with some of my poetry and decided to print it out on sheet metal.  I am very glad that I was talked out of making it a full magnet board, because that would tempt me to stick mementos on it rather than enjoying the poetry. 

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TanglePod – Found Poetry and Zentangle

In the latest episode of TanglePod – Juliette and I discuss how found poetry and Zentangle fit perfectly together.   I’ve been away from Charming Blueberries a while as we build up our podcast, but I hope that will change as we settle into our podcasting routines!

Found Poetry has been around for a very long time, and is a great way to combine a love of words with art. Zentangle pairs really well with it, becasue the spaces on the page between the words can easily guide your pen strokes.

When I find a poem, often I need time to think about it – and using Zentangle as a process to meditate on the words popping out of the page is a perfect way to spend some time thinking.  Often the words have deeper meaning and intention and it is a lovely break to just let them marinate in my thoughts while letting my pen and breath flow quietly filling the spaces between.

On my found poetry page of CharmingBlueberries I go into detail about how to create with Found Poetry.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out our podcast, today is a perfect day to give it a try!  We have several free episodes, and lots of archived episodes for subscribers.  www.tanglepod.com

 

Kellie

Holiday Fun, Simple Solutions, You can do this.

Wreath Emergency

Last year we were scrambling to get all the boxes and bags and decoration wrapping cleaned up – and I admit – shoved back into the closet unorganized – as some friends were coming for dinner.

After everything was tucked away, I realized that we had three very pretty, but really plain green wreaths.  The only thing left out was wrapping supplies, and when I opened the box – to my surprise I found about 50 6″ pieces of random holiday ribbon.  I don’t know why they were there, if in this long forgotten box I had stashed these dozens of book marks? Cinnamon stick ties? Reminders for my finger? I have no idea why I had so many, so short pieces of ribbon.

But – they soon were added to my wreaths on the door, and over the fireplace for a very simple, casual solution to my naked greens. One easy knot on each, and there we are.  A simple, easy, fun solution.

wreath-emergency