More Mailbox Love

I received the most wonderful thing in the mail this weekend.  It was from my sweet cousin, who not only has a heart as big as a river is wide, but who also has an eye for design anyone would envy.  When she puts the two together, this is what happens, and when I am the recipient I am so overwhelmed with gratitude that I must share it with all of you.

You may recognize the honeycomb screen print from here.  I'm drooling!  I can't believe I own this!  In it was wrapped the most rapturously delicious tea from Townshend's Tea in Portland.  I even let a friend take a whiff of my Rooibos Cinnnamon Spice at craft night this weekend and she immediately went home and ordered seven (7!!) different blends of chai tea for only $2.50 each.

Antique Bee Pin also from Cecily last year.  I love her thoughtful heart.

I opened every tiny gift as if it were Christmas, savoring each item...I even took it back into a corner of my bedroom to unwrap just so I could do it as slowly as I wanted.  An eclectic group of little tags and bakers twine greeted me cheerily, as did the delightfully simple necklace that was attached to the ribbon.  Of course I put it on right away and haven't taken it off.

For the loose leaf tea, she was thoughtful enough to include a precious little ceramic cup with an infuser tucked inside, and let me be honest, I'm drinking it again right now.

Honey Dipper and hand thrown honey jar from Arts Fair in SLC, sent by my parents several years ago.

This is a wonderful way to start off a week.  I am blessed beyond words.  We have remarked to each other many times how lucky we are to have such a bond as cousins.  We thought it was normal. 

So, I'm interested, who in your life do you feel blessed to be bonded to, cousin or otherwise?

Oh, Honey

I always preferred a Peanut Butter and Honey sandwich over PB&J.
My uncle's family started Miller's Honey.  When I was little, my aunt would mail my mom a tub of Whipped Cinnamon Honey, sometimes even the stuff with a bit of the comb still in it.

I've never been afraid of bees, and I suppose their stings don't affect me as much as the average Jill.

Honeycomb screenprint by amazing artist, Cecily Sakrison

I think this all set me up for a love of bees.  A few years ago when I learned about the severity of hive collapse I called my cousin to see how easy it would be to raise a hive.  We decided it was more work than I could afford, but the dream is still there.  Maybe one day I'll get to raise some, and then I'll surely be consulting this great resource (with a lovely cover design...yes, I judge a book by its cover sometimes).

And how about this sister title on Canning and Preserving...that's a one day endeavor too.

For now, I'll have to settle for a bee hotel like this one and try to passively help the bee population in my neighborhood.  Before I do this, I'll have to take our neighbors into account, as we don't have much property, and I don't want to put anyone with allergies or real aversions at risk.

Simple Thing

We've all heard it said that it's the simple things in life that really count. But only if we take the time so appreciate them.


Mom called this week while I was looking at recipes to make some freezer jam and she said, "No, don't do that! It's time you inherited my canner and made some real jam!"

That immediately reminded me of the narrow pantry of my childhood, filled with Ball jars that sparkled with shimmery peaches, homemade applesauce, and spicy grape jelly. Mom learned to can from her mom who had the very best pantry, which was perfect for one chair that held a little girl and all her imagination. I used to sit in there when I just wanted to smell the canned goodness, make up songs or plays, or listen to Bobby McFerrin on my walkman.


Grandpa had a cherry tree over his workshop out back, and us cousins would climb up and pick cherries all day while the adults would cheer us on, pointing out the biggest clumps. Mom and Grandma canned those too.


One summer, Mom and I picked peas from Grandma's garden. Now, I hated peas, I still do. I think it's because mom served them, from a frozen bag, almost every night. But there's something about sweet fresh peas from the garden, warm in the morning sun, like candy in your mouth, that can turn a girl to a pea-lover in no time.

I don't have a garden yet, nor a cherry tree (my lemon tree looks promising, though), but as far as appreciating the simple things, the sparkling golden sun from our sky light on my very own hardwood floors really just sent me over the edge today, so I thought I'd share.

That's my simple thing. What's yours?

Winter Citrus Salad with Endive and Red Onion

Here's what my fabulous Aunt Zaurie made.

She is famous for her cooking.
And here's my version of it. I prefer the watercolor version of things.

Sweet Korean Pancakes from a Sweet Korean

Image here

When a foreign exchange student comes to visit, one thing they do is go by an Americanized version of their name. This past year I had an AMAZING girl who went by Katie; she was quiet but always smiling, had a great sense of humor, and was an incredible artist. It wasn't until the end of the year that we got any personal info out of Katie, and come to find out she was only a 10th grader who was graduating this year.Another thing she told us was her real name, Eun-Ji. That's so much more original than Katie...so we got to call her this for the last week of school.

One day we asked Eun-Ji what her favorite Korean food was and she had a hard time explaining to us what Korean Pancakes were, so the next time she went to the Korean market, she brought some back for the class. She wasn't too pleased with the authenticity of them, so at our end-of-the-year party she made some from scratch and let me tell you...

They were to DIE for! So I thought I'd share this little recipe, in her own words, all the way from the bottom of Eun-Ji's heart.

Sweet Korean Pancakes

Ingredients:
Flour- 100g
Glutinous Rice Flour- 60g (from the Korean market)
Yeast- 1/2 teaspoon
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
Warm water- 1/2 cup
Green Tea Powder - 1 teaspoon
Vegetable Oil

For the sauce:
Brown Sugar- 3 teaspoons
Cinnamon- 1/2 teaspoon
Chopped walnut and peanut

Soak yeast in bowl with the warm water for about 5 minutes. Add flour and glutinous rice flour. Add warm water if needed and mix so it is thick. Cover bowl and let ferment for 30-60 minutes. In a separate bowl mix sugar, cinnamon, and nuts for the sauce; set aside.

In your hands, widen the dough with your hands and put a spoonful of sauce on it. Seal the dough. Repeat it for the rest of the dough, making sure there are no holes for the sauce to escape. Fry in oil on low heat, turning like a regular pancake.Also visit this site for more explanation.

I mentioned that Eun-Ji is a great artist, well check out this, one of her last projects: it's a little picture book of a group of little sheep who get creative in how to escape the clutches of imminent danger....all those wolves had to eat was a measley sunflower as the herd spent the night stargazing. Thanks, Katie! Miss you!

Also, be sure to check our student blog, the Drying Rack, for more amazing art from my class. We're building it slowly, but the art is sure to impress.

And let me know if any of you try this!

Hot Dog, & Me in 7

There's this great little place in Buena Park called Portillo's where hot dogs are gourmet meals and even a grilled cheese with pickles becomes a delicacy over which a girl's mouth waters and taste buds are tickled.
Jon gets the dogs, but grilled cheese is such the way to go, especially for a vegetarian!

Oh, and I was tagged by Gaia, my sweet Italian amici:

a Picture

Image via A Cup of Jo

a Poem

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight...

a Song

she sings hallelujah
when all has become nothing
her hope in the savior, has colored all she does
and taints the way she loves
she sings hallelujah, and falls to the ground again
with hands stretched up to the sky
waiting for the day, she'll hear the father say...
-Newsboys, Hallelujah

a Phrase

It is what it is.

an Item of Clothing

The ubiquitous flip flop.
A staple for every So Cal girl and any girl who loves summer.

a Place

The West Bank of Israel...
where my brother-in-law's recently stolen car now waits for a ransom.
Read the story here.

a Princess

I'm not really the Princessy type,
but if I had to pick, I'd be Aurora (Sleeping Beauty).

Rabbit Rolls n' Bunny Buns Recipe

When we first moved into the neighborhood where I spent my late childhood, we wanted to make an Easter gift for the neighbors, so Mom and I made these little sheep rolls and made fast friends with all the houses on the block. They all wanted the recipe, and I have such fond memories of making and sharing them, I'd love to share with you.
Pull Apart Rabbit Rolls and Bunny Buns

1 pkg each Rhodes or Bridgford Bake and serve rolls, or equivalent (don't get the loaf, get the rolls)
1 Egg
Raisins, currants, or nuts for the eyes

With kitchen sheers, cut each roll in half or quarters (depending on the finished size) and begin to form the body, starting at the center, and adding to the outside. Use larger pieces for the feet and tail, using an entire piece for the head, even combining more than one roll. With extra pieces mold the nose and mouth, placing a currant on the eye.

Brush with egg and bake according to package instructions

I'd love to know if you tried this super easy and highly impressive Easter treat. Send me some pics if you do!

Happy April Fool's Day!

Bet you never had sushi like this before!
These were made from Rice Krispy Treats, dried fruit, Mike and Ikes, and Fruit by the Foot. Bon Appetite!
Here's the husband with a hankie-'stache (in lieu of his regular one...'stache, that is). I've seen these all over Etsy, and instead of buying one, I thought I could make one for free!
And I sent off my package for Dionne's first annual Springtime Swap! Hope you love it, Stacey! I can't tell you what's inside, in case she might be reading, so I'll let her do that when she gets it.

Firecracker Cornbread; Watermelon Bowl

I am so head over heels for this simple recipe from 101cookbooks called Firecracker Cornbread. Heidi calls for red pepper flakes to be baked into the bottom of the loaf, but I never have those. What I do have is tabasco...works just as well, and man this stuff has bite! You also use fresh or frozen corn to make it different than the rest, and just a bit heartier. I can't get enough of it.

...And no, that won't fit in this...I've also been itching to make something new with my felted wool trickery, so I opted for a little bowl. My cute husband just saws logs all night long and I keep losing my earplugs as they swim around in my night stand drawer. This tiny bowl does just the trick! I listed it on Etsy just in case someone else likes it as much as I do. (Edit: just hours after posting Peridot Design purchased it! So I've made another and reposted it for sale.) I also felted 3 other new pouches/purses, but I have yet to post them. Be sure to check out the shop regularly for updates.

A Whirlind Christmas

Our Christmas seemed like a whirlwind and what time of year do more pictures get taken? So as to not overload you, but to just give you a taste, I've posted some highlights of this Jesus Birthday Celebration. Come to think of it, I'm not sure how much Jesus got mentioned, except the three minutes of Bible-reading at church. Anyway, here are the pics that made it...







I made 4 pies: Cherry and Pumpkin
I also made a Baked Brie,
and snowman rolls


On Christmas Eve we had my mom-in-law's fam over for some hot soup,
video games, a little church and one raucous white elephant auction followed by real presents:









Christmas morning was quiet, but God reminded us of his promise and his presence with a beautiful Christmas morning rainbow.


That evening we had The Hornkohl side of the family over and afterwards we all crashed into our beds, bloated and tired, happy and content, blessed and grateful.

I am Thankful

While there are far too many things to name, I'll list the biggies and try to thereby encompass the small things too.

Christ's death on the cross for me and for my sins: If I am truly grateful, I won't take this for granted. I recently was told that Christians assume that since it was a free gift (grace, not works) we easily take it for granted, assuming that we can be sinful and it's all been paid for. Lord, help me show you how truly thankful for your gift I am by not taking your death for my sins for granted. And may they know we are Christians by our love.

My family: Jon especially, but then also my family in Utah, Arizona, Oregon, Florida, Israel and California. I love them all and miss being home at this time of year.

A place to stay: you may know that Jon's folks have opened up their house for us to live for a while. But it's not just a roof...it's all the accommodations and pure selflessness that has been shown to us. May we be nothing but a blessing to them.

My friends: I have been especially blessed by my friends this week. I love my girls and wouldn't trade the bond I have with them for anything. I love how God loves me by giving me girlfriends.

Our jobs, our income, our health, our pets, our freedom, our church, our gifts...there is just too much, I am overwhelmed with how God shows his love for us!

Gingerbread and Pomegranites, not related

I love the idea of making a gingerbread house fit for Hansel and Gretel, but am completely dissatisfied with the little kits that you can buy at the store. Does anyone have a good recipe for gingerbread that is suitable for four walls and a roof? If not, little men dressed in white icing buttons will have to do. I know I can get one online, but I'd like to know if any of you have any tried and true experiences.

Also, the pomegranate is as beautiful as it is delicious. I love the hard crack of the rind and each and every ruby-red jewel hidden inside, each in it's own little pocket. It's like a heart, or a honeycomb, or a treasure chest. I almost love the experience of eating a pomegranate more than the taste itself. So I am looking for a recipe in which the pom takes center stage, rather than as a garnish, such as in a salad or a syrup. As a side note, I fell in love with the fruit as Israel's symbol when I went a few years ago and am completely enchanted with its color and form, as well as its story. Let me know if you have anything to share.

Poached pears with Mascarpone cheese

To further my creative ventures in the kitchen, this morning I had the poached pears with mascarpone I made last night. It was way too sweet for breakfast, but sooooo delicious.
I made a syrup of H20, white wine, vanilla bean, and honey, then poached the pears in it, reduced and chilled it all. The cheese was whipped up with the syrup (after 8 hours of chilling) and a bit more sugar. It was truly amazing, and I was very proud of this success. I wish you could all taste it. This is certainly one to impress.

My seasonal infatuation

So to go along with this temporary pumpkin infatuation, I indulged myself a bit in the last few days, just as a way to be creative since I haven't been able to paint much lately. I fell in love with this recipe on 101cookbooks.com, as recommended by a wizard of a cook, and personal friend/precious lamb of Jesus, Jessie Jansen. Anyway, the recipe is for a pumpkin salad with butternut squash, shallots, and wild rice. Check it out, it's amazingly autumnal and delicious.

I also couldn't pass up the pumpkins at Trader Joe's the other day, I had a serious craving for toasted seeds. So I brought home my new friend, and while I was cleaning and carving this one, I toasted yesterday's butternut seeds (which were actually better than the pumpkin seeds). I hate not using everything up, so after harvesting the little white treasures from the pumpkin's mysterious center, I carved a little cat (using my own black Halloween cat, Mowgli, as a model) and made sure I had the most negative space as possible, yielding lots of pumpkin meat to make soup with. I used the leftover onions, put it all in the microwave under veggie broth and pureed it when it came out. Delish!

As far as the jack-o-lantern went, I don't usually do it, but I couldn't help it this year. I hadn't done it since Sara Astle's birthday party in 6th grade. I had a bulb that I inserted in the back in lieu of a candle...much brighter and safer in these neck of the woods, which seem to be fire-threatened regularly. I rather like the effect. And feel quite satisfied with my recent pumpkin indulgence.