Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Rain and Artichokes...

Dear Country Mouse,

I absolutely LOVE the ornament! You should sell those, they would be appreciated by so many people and add a little fun and color to a Christmas tree. Seriously.

I am on a week off from the truck, which you would think would put me in the best mood possible, but instead I am finding myself trying to tie in loose ends, one of which is to apply for passports. Aghh, I am such a procrastinator when it comes to those kind of details. It always feels like a run around when dealing with the DMV or other agencies that process paperwork that has to be so incredibly precise.

As I mentioned last letter, it has been raining everyday. I like it, it adds such a calm to the world. I took the dogs out this morning because there was one of those really bright, high-cloud downpours. I thought we could walk and play in it, but of course it stopped the second I got outside. I did however come across this beast of an artichoke plant. I wish I had caught it in bloom earlier this year—I bet it was magnificent. It's quite a bit bigger then the pictures portray:






Anyway, love you and miss you!

XXOO
City Mouse

Monday, December 21, 2015

Feliz Navidad


Dear City Mouse,

    Your recipes are so wonderful and your food truck looks so cool!
I wish I was there with you now.

   I made this Dia De Los Muertos Christmas ornament for my favorite customers from the pub. They have a pink tree with an all Day of the Dead theme, so I know they will love it.

   I made the skeleton sculpture from Sculpey clay over wire with a skull bead for the head. I was thrilled when I found the tiny wood coffin at Michaels and painted it with acrylic paint.

   I will photograph some other ornaments and send you photos soon.
I hope you have the Merriest Christmas.
I love and miss you all.

Love, Country Mouse


Friday, December 18, 2015

Making Stockings from Sweaters

Dear Country Mouse,

Missing you and wishing we could play together soon.

I am writing you a quick post because I thought this project I've been working on might be right up your ally. I've been making stockings from sweaters. Pictures to explain themselves:









Sending so much love!!!


City Mouse

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Vegan Sweet Potato and Lime Soup Recipe

Dear Country Mouse,

Oh my gosh it is so dark and rainy up here. I do love it, but seriously it is rain, rain, rain right now. I'm trying to send some of this dripping, wet, goodness southward, but I have yet to succeed.

Your succulents are so wonderful! How fun to find the old pieces of ceramic-ware to turn into pots. Come spring, I think I will do that with a couple of my cracked tea pots I've been holding on to.

I made a nice sweet potato and lime soup today. Just note, I kept it vegan for the sake of some of my regular customers that I was expecting, though it would be lovely with chicken stock instead. You'd think my food truck was vegan as lately all the recipes I send you tend to be vegan. But truth is, as you know, we are far from it. 

food truck, swwet potato soup


Vegan Cream of Sweet Potato Soup

Bake at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes or until soft:
2 lbs sweet potatoes

In a decent size pot sauté for several minutes:
1 teaspoon safflower oil
1 large sweet yellow onion chopped

Add and continue to sauté for several more minutes:
2 cloves garlic chopped

Add and simmer for 20 minutes:
4 cups vegetable stock

Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel and blend with:
1 14-ounce can coconut milk

Continue to blend adding the soup stock and add:
2 limes zest and juice
3 tablespoons molasses
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper 

Return to the pot and bring to a desired temperature.

Also, I liked it with tabasco and  fresh parsley or cilantro on top. 


Anyway, I love you to pieces! Thanks for the cool idea on plant pots, I will be on that soon.

Hugs and hugs again,

City Mouse



Monday, November 23, 2015

Succulent Pots

Dear City Mouse,

  Those muffins were amazing, thank you.
I have been working on my dolls, all 11 are nearly finished, then it's onto sets and props. I will soon be sending more photos.

  I have been on a succulent CRAZE.
I recently bought a bunch of mid century vintage vases, and drilled drainage holes in them, to turn them into pots.  I used a ceramic drill bit I purchased at the hardware store.  The trick is to start it at a 45 degree angle, then once you get an indentation, drill straight.  I've also been starting succulents successfully from their leaves alone.
 
  I can't wait to see you all soon.
We love and miss you.

Love, Country Mouse.

 

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Vegan Banana Muffins Recipe

Dear Country Mouse,

I want to pass on this recipe that I think might be nice for the cold weather coming up. I already posted in on Wasabi Honey Bee, so sorry if you stopped over there and it is duplicate information. Anyway, it's a vegan banana muffin recipe that I have been making at the truck, and thought maybe all the kids in your world would be excited about. It's a little healthier than some muffin recipes as it has ground walnuts in addition to flour.

VEGAN BANANA MUFFINS
In a large bowl mix:
3 ripe bananas 
1 cup orange juice 
1/2 cup grape seed oil
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup ground walnuts
In a separate bowl sift together:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
 
Mix both sets of ingredients together. Pour into an oiled muffin pan and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes and then rotate the the pan and bake for another 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

muffins, vegan, banana, recipes

Anyway, how has everything been going? Have the doll faces you are working on been coming out as you are wanting? I can't wait to see pictures when you are done... hint...hint!

As always, I love you and miss you and send hugs a thousand miles over mountains and hills, rivers and valleys, and—uggg—dust bowl deserts. Hope the rain is on its way and that I see you before too long.

XXOO
City Mouse

P.S. What will we do if Henry and I decide to move out to the wilderness to homestead. Will it be country mouse and field mouse then?

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

A Much Needed Hug

Dear City Mouse,

   There really are no words for how much I needed that hug.  It really was short but so sweet.  Your pies were also so amazing.  I so miss the days where we were able to spend them crafting, baking
and watching our kids grow together.

  I really need to make an effort to spend more time with Genevieve, among so many of my other wonderful female friends.  The fact that life is moving so fast is really the proof of that.

   I'm working on my little dolls.  I can't wait to show you the others.  

  I love you, and hope you are doing well.
Love, Country Mouse



Monday, October 19, 2015

A real hug... Finally!

Dear Country Mouse,

It was so nice to hug you in person, FINALLY!!!

I really enjoyed the bit of time we had together and wanted to send on these pictures I took of your work:





I was seriously blown away by how detailed and incredible these dolls are. I can't wait to see more!

Anyway, hugs and love,

City Mouse

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Russian Ballerina

Dear City Mouse,

   That photo just melted me!  What happened to my babies? I miss those days so much, spending so much time with you, the kids still being young kids.

  I know there were hard things going on, but all I feel is total nostalgia for that era.
I guess it really affirms that I need to live in the moment.  

  I too am so busy, I barely have time to recouperate from one thing, before the other begins.  I have however been carving a bit of time at the expense of chores and housework, to do some art projects.  

  The Ballerina for my book is complete.
She is dedicated to you, as you are her inspiration.  I think it's fitting that she is Fall colored, since the Fall is here now.
The nights are cooling, and there's that magical crisp feeling of anticipation in the air.

   Are you dancing still?  You must have some great ingredients for pies with the changing seasons?  I wish we could pick apples in the canyon at your parents house.  I just miss you so terribly, and I love you so dearly.

  Love, Country Mouse

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Pillows for the Dojo, and Happiness.


Dear City Mouse,

I want those muffins!!!!!

 In the midst of my crazy schedule last week I managed to help Alena make these pillows for her Dojo.
They were a very belated gift to honor her Jr. black belt, as is tradition in Aikido.
Alena chose the fabric, and did half the sewing too.

 I was thinking a lot as we made them, about stress, and where I'm at in general.
I was remembering how I used to tell myself, "if only my relationship wasn't such a mess I could he happy.
If only I wasn't so broke and struggling I could be happy. If only my dad weren't dying I could be happy. If only. If only."

I remember how it occurred to me one day, that although these were real struggles, important pieces were missing, and my feelings were valid, what if I never came to a place where all those pieces were present?

Maybe my life would always be a puzzle with a fundamental missing piece?
I know it sounds kind of morbid, and I promise I did count my blessings, however they were counted with a sense of desperation, like I was always throwing myself a life preserver.

It occurred to me there was a real chance I would never find land.
This realization shook me deeply, not because I felt sorry for myself, but because there was a strong chance I would never find true happiness.

Never finding true happiness in life is like never finding love, like never having children, never traveling.
Of course people can be whole without those components, but for me it felt like a true tragedy.

It was at that moment I vowed to let go.
I vowed to stop searching for myself and lose myself. To lose all the fear and need.
Being happy became a choice.
I had found that puzzle piece.
My dad was dying, but I was happy.
I carried this gift around for months.
I felt like a Zen Master.

My dads suffering eventually increased to the point where that Zen became sand slipping between my fingers until it was lost.

My father died. I found myself searching 
again. Luckily, all the while I remembered the trick to it all I had discovered.
I knew that Zen was waiting patiently for me to decide to lose it all again and be happy. I just couldn't make that decision.
I guess I just needed to process so much loss.

Things are ramping up again with the start of school. Two jobs, the constant taxiing of kids all over the county.
I'm missing some fundamental pieces to this puzzle of life. I could easily go crazy.

I feel like I'm ready to be happy.
I remember how. I think I'll stop looking and lose it all.

Love, Country Mouse.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Monster Pillow

Dear City Mouse,

 The rain was a life saver, I can only hope we get the El Niño they are predicting.
I wish we had a serious river like that.
I miss not hoarding water in buckets.

 We went to Rincon Beach a couple weeks ago with Paul, the  water was warm and the weather was lovely.
It made me think of you.

 I haven't been working much on my book, but I have lots of new ideas to set into motion. I have however made a few things to share soon. Most recently I made this Monster pillow for Heather's son Owen. He was pretty happy with it.

 I miss you so very much.
Love, Country Mouse

 

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Hello Lovely Lady

Dear Country Mouse,

I love the elephant, so sweet!

How have you been? I heard rain was pouring for a couple of days, I can't believe how wonderful that is! My parents measured an inch plus from Sunday night. (I think it was Sunday night.) 

It has been horribly hot here, just yuck yuck heat and more yuck! No one has been happy about it at all; sleeping is never fun when it's hot. But, swimming in the river does help…







I came across a blog today that had the most wonderful cottage interiors: Vicky's Home. I think when you need a little splash of house inspiration it might be fun to take a look : )

How is your book coming, have you been working on it, or too busy? I can't wait to see more characters!

Missing you so much!

Give the kids hugs for me…

               Love,
                    City Mouse



Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Surprise For Ivy

Dear City Mouse,

 I haven't written you in so long, and for that I am sorry. I have been caught up chasing my tail, and off on marvelous adventures.

I plan to visit my great friend Heather, and give her some belated birthday gifts.
Rahel helped be design the pattern for this little elephant.  It was really easy to make.

 We used to make so many baby gifts.
It was really sort of bittersweet.
Bodhi's beach birthday is Monday, and I believe he's going to be 18.  To me it was just yesterday he was a tender little toddler with long golden curls.

He now stands very much taller than me, and his voice is so deep it's alarming.  I wish they would all stop growing up so fast.

I miss you so very much.

Love, Country Mouse

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Hello and garden things…

 Dear Country Mouse,

May is already here. May! I cannot believe we have whipped through this year so quickly. At this rate we'll be old ladies in English cottages remembering when… before we can blink and look again.

I've had a few over-tired lazy days where I couldn't get my self going. Mother's Day Weekend took too much out of me and I haven't quite caught up since—I need to learn pacing, although as you struggle with as well, that's hard when you are in the food world and it's busy. You can't very well say "go home, I'm too tired to feed for you!" 

I took a few pictures of the spring growth in my yard, the hollyhocks I planted last year are finely budding. I planted them from seed and they only became tiny plants with no flowers. This year they are much more vigorous. I vaguely remember hearing they are biennials, so this would make sense, although in California I recall them being vigorous every year right from the start. I looked it up and found in some warmer climates they do flower the first year. Ahhh, I am learning this area step-by-step, it is quite exciting finding out what grows and when around here. For example geraniums are annuals unless you take them indoors. Hearty geraniums, I wouldn't have guessed.




Sending hugs and hope to talk soon!

       
       City Mouse


       XXOO

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Dear Country Mouse,

      I drew us a picture:



           Love,

           City Mouse

P.S. I love your tea party pictures! Every time I am in our local Goodwill I scour for perfect tea cups… Tea parties are my favorite!
       

           XXOO

Monday, May 4, 2015

Tea with Red

Dear City Mouse,
 I love all your letters. I love the whole premise, of taking troubled kids into the wilderness. I've been involved in a few programs like that. I'll have to tell you more about them later.

We really loved Annalisa's art, it's really unique and inspiring, thank you for sharing. I really must try your recipe, too, it sounds amazing.

Alena has always loved tea parties, since she was a toddler, she's been obsessed with trying to get Rahel to participate. Rahel has no interest in drawing out the eating and drinking with a slow pace and tiny portions.

When Alena was about 7, she made an invitation to a "Tea Potty," and woke Rahel on his Birthday to invite him. Rahel was upset, for having his sleep interrupted, but more angered when he saw the invitation. He mistook  the illustration of him sitting at the table, for a toilette. He grumpily tore up the the childlike drawing, along with Alena's little heart.

Recently, Alena's heart has been shredded up, like those little bits of paper. It's so painful having to witness anyone hurt your kids, and be helpless to stop it.


She mentioned that she would love to have a fancy tea party, and invite some of her girl friends. I told her she was welcome to use my grandmothers tea set. She said she was afraid her teenage friends might break it. I assured her that it would honor my Zadie (grandfather) to let them use the tea set.

My Zadie would hold grand tea parties with me when I was a toddler, using my Bubbie's (grandmother's) fancy tea set.mHe would crawl on the floor with me, and laugh while we sipped the make believe tea, and ate make believe desserts. He was the most gentle and loving man any child could wish for. As I grew older, and began to understand, how uptight my Bubbie could be about her belongings, and everything being clean and presentable, I was quite surprised, that she had tolerated his use of her finest china. There was however, nothing make believe about their love for each other. 

Alena still felt too afraid, for the tea set to enjoy partying with it, so she asked me to buy her a new one.

I'm afraid I may have spent quite a bit more on this tea set, than I had intended to. There's something so intriguing about all the different floral patterns, prints and colors. In a way they remind me of a patchwork quilt.  I must admit that I got a bit carried away, like a child in a candy shop.

I know of all people, you will appreciate the tea set, but more so, the entire party plan. For no reason, other than to indulge her childlike desire, to have a fancy tea party, I'm going to throw a grand event.
We will make quiches and finger sandwiches, fancy desserts and have make believe adventures.

For Alena, the best part is Rahel has agreed he is indebted to her, and will attend. I will however, let him use a regular coffee mug.

These photos are of Alena, with our friend Red, (the blue Scrub Jay), and Freya, our cat, having a make believe tea party. I imagined my Zadie in the seat on the left.

I can't wait till you can join us. 
I love and miss you always,

Country Mouse






Thursday, April 30, 2015

Strawberries and Biscuits… a recipe…

Dear Country Mouse,

Today I realized strawberries taste like springtime. I was making salad at the pie-truck, our seasonal salad which is  made up of mixed baby greens, candied walnuts and bright, red sliced strawberries, when I couldn't help but pop a slice in my mouth. We did the same salad last year for as long as decent strawberries held out and then moved on to autumn and winter fruits. Later on when winter was gearing up for spring I cheated—impatient me—I couldn't wait and started our strawberry salad before the season was abundant. I should have waited. This morning as I sneaked that slice of strawberry, I tasted true, brilliant, vibrant flavor so different and so much more definable than it's cardboard counterpart that I had been wasting my time with. My tongue shouted SPRING. And, the best part, we aren't even onto my favorite variety yet. I like the little button-like strawberries, so almost pungent and deeply determined to carry through.  With a quick cut of the stem, the whole berry gets added to the salad. 




So Dear Country Mouse, we should have strawberry short cake soon. I have truly found a wonderful biscuit recipe, it has been honed over this years time, and after three hundred and fifty-five  days of making biscuits, I do want to share it with you.

Biscuit Recipe (copyrighted Paiku 2015)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit

In a food processor pulse, or if you don't have one simply combine: 
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder

Slice then add and pulse until resembles crumbs (or if using your hands crumble with your fingers until it looks like a coarse crumb-like texture)
12 tablespoons cold butter


Add and pulse until combined:
1 + 1/2 cups sour cream

Add and pulse until combined:
1/2 cup water

Press into a one-inch thick rectangle and cut into twelve equal squares.
Place on a buttered cookie-sheet. Bake at 375 for ten minutes, rotate pan and bake ten more.


Hope you are well and write soon!!!

Love,
   City Mouse


   XXOO