Squirrel!

I got a phone call from Jeff last night, he is at deer camp in Upper Michigan with his cousin Paul. Up near Hermansville, this 40 was once part of Jeff and Paul's grandparents farm. Paul bought it years ago, and for the last few years, Jeff has been going there to hunt, but mostly to spend time with family, his cousins, aunts and uncles. Anyway, a squirrel chewed a hole in the wall and went zipping past Jeff and Paul! Jeff said they were calling around looking for someone to lend a live trap so they could bring the squirrel back outside, but weren't having much luck. For safety reasons, they thought it prudent to keep the food in the truck, they bought a nice pumpkin pie and didn't intend to share with their new friend.

Roosevelt Holiday Home Tour, Neenah, Wisconsin

On Saturday, December 6 the 7th annual holiday home tour is planned for 4 beautiful Neenah homes. This tour is to benefit Roosevelt Elementary School, Alliance Student Enrichment Fund, and various community programs as well. The homes are decorated inside and out, tours are from 10 am to 2 pm and at 4 pm to 8 pm. I have the honor of being a part of this fundraiser and am decorating the Kotchen home, a beautiful 3 story circa 1885 Queen Anne Victorian home on East Forest Avenue. Plans include welcoming guests to the front entry with large ornate urns filled with a variety of evergreens, both short and long needle pine. Height will be attained by incorporating curly willow for grace and drama. I also plan on urns to flank the steps in the back, where guests will exit. Inside, a drop dead gorgeous balastrade leading to the 2nd floor will be embraced with fresh evergreen roping, adding that delicious pine scent. At each swoop will be clusters of pinecones. Mantels will be adorned with more fresh greenery, and 3 dimensional orbs of evergreen will highlight 3 leaded glass windows in the dining room. I am really excited about this and cannot wait to add that Kindred Spirits Organics touch!

Crazy Wisconsin weather

On Monday and Tuesday I hung laundry outside to dry...it was 75 degrees and breaking records. Tomorrow, Friday, 3 days later we are expecting snow.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Last night we had a class about herbal blends, and at the end of the class, I showed how easy it is to make your own vanilla extract. All you need is one or two vanilla beans, and liquor. You can use brandy, whiskey or bourbon. Take a sharp knife (careful!) and make a slit down the vanilla bean. Put it in a quart jar or a clean mayo jar - it needs to have a lid. Pour the booze into the jar, cover, label and place in the pantry. After a couple of weeks, voila! You have vanilla extract, ready to flavor cookies, cakes, and pastries. Or....hint, hint, hint, the holidays are coming. Placed in a pretty bottle, with a bit of ribbon tied into a bowl, what a cool gift! Once you have used up all of the vanilla extract, remove the beans and place in a sugar bowl, the sugar will become vanilla flavored. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving - my favorite holiday

Just a few words about my all time favorite holiday - Thanksgiving. Its not about "stuff". In fact, its all about traditions, family and friends, good food in abundance, celebrating the harvest, giving genuine thanks for the past year, including the ups and downs, and reflections on the future. Its good smells, and warmth, sharing. But most of all, its not about "stuff".

Crudite tips for holiday gatherings

I love the holidays, and before we know it, they will be here. Here's a few ideas to help serve tasty raw veggies at your next gathering.
*Choosing a tray or platter is easy to hold the veggies is easy, just look for broad, flat serving pieces.
*Using veggies as containers for dips. Hollowed out red, yellow and green bell peppers look great stuffed full of dip and placed in the center of the crudite tray.
*For Thanksgiving, how about a small squash or pumpkin, hollowed and fitted with a small plastic container to hold the dip.
*Allow for an abundance of veggies, the leftovers can always be made into soup.
*Also look for a variety of colors, reds, greens, yellows, oranges for drama and appeal.
*Arranging in separate clumps and making sure that larger pieces are cut into easy to enjoy pieces, slices or strips.
*Garnishes such as parsley, herbs, chive blossoms or edible flowers make a WOW! statement.
*Enjoy!

Please vote

This is just a reminder, to please vote tomorrow, Nov 4, 2008 for the candidate of your choice. We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to help select the next leader. I wish everyone in the world could be so blessed.