I’m feeling a bit down today. I decided yesterday that I am not going to Africa this summer. My job has become increasingly demanding in the last few months, plus apparently I have the inability to mutter the word, “No.” I’ve taken on two new freelance writing/editing gigs this week, along with a new coaching position for a masters swim program.
Don’t get me wrong — I love being busy. It is who I am. I love my job, to write and all things swimming. These new tasks make me smile, and really, I don’t sit still very well unless I am sleeping. And I like my sleep in the 8-10 hour varieties. But when I’m awake, I am living life at warp speed. Lisa sums all of this up so much better than I can here.
Alas, my summer schedule quickly became booked with other foreign travel (Nicaragua, Bolivia) and social opportunities I simply don’t want to miss. I am planning a trip to California to see some friends in the House of Plenty for their outdoor movie series. (My baking has been requested, leaving me a touch smitten.) My brother is living alone in a giant house in Colorado. Giant house + one boy = little to no furniture, curtains, or food in the fridge, although I hear he has found a good local bar. As a Type A controlling sister, I simply cannot stand the thought of my brother living without the basics — ie casserole dishes, moisturizer and pots of pretty flowers by the front door. And really, doesn’t a road trip to Colorado sound like too much fun? [Note to self: A vacation that doesn't require malaria pills. I could be on to something here.]
So, I told my much relieved boss yesterday that I simply cannot plan a trip to Africa in July as I’d been hoping. He was pleased because the trip hadn’t been budgeted. (An entirely different post I’m avoiding.) I felt immediate relief because I suddenly had a month of my summer back to see friends, get assignments done, teach my summer swim lessons to friends’ children, and water my garden. Try traveling from Arizona during the summer while keeping a garden alive. My plants require daily attention from April - October if I want to keep even one leaf green.
But today I feel like a bit of a sell out. I’ve made other things in my life a higher priority than my work in Africa, when I know fundamentally nothing makes me happier. Nothing makes me feel more alive, worthwhile and satisfied. It isn’t easy work, but I simply love it. And if it weren’t so expensive I’d love to be in Mozambique several times of year.
Alas, it is not meant to be this fiscal year. Perhaps November.

~

In happier news, I’ve been thinking a bit about what I create that I truly love. I feel like I’m surrounded by women who’ve found their muse — their medium. For Amy, it’s aprons. Jane makes a jelly bean cushion look edible. Lisa’s log cabin pillows are nothing short of incredible. Di’s box bags make me wish I was a gazillionaire living in Australia so I could have a different one for each day. Me? Sure, I knit, bake and sew, but none of my stuff stands out as incredible. None of it is original. I follow patterns, I get inspired by other artists and I mimic with enthusiasm.
This weekend, though, I think I found my thing — wristlets. Granted, this isn’t my pattern, but it was my energy and creativity that put this second crop together. Plus, I’ve tweaked it here and there and made it my own. I’ve embroidered some of these and have filled others with CDs, chocolates and notes. The first crop went out during Lent for CAOK. These are going to be given away during the next month for birthdays, graduations, etc. I’m getting pretty good with my zipper foot and even better at coming up with excellent treats to hide inside these pouches to make the gift personal. And really, who doesn’t want a wristlet?

~K

My second entry for the Nordicware bundt cake contest:
Sweet Sedona is a white cake with a butterscotch pudding swirl, to create and reddish-orange earthy tone. In lieu of frosting, the moist cake is instead dusted with cocoa powder, cardamom and cinnamon, and then sprinkled generously with a handful of dark chocolate chips. The earthy tones in these spices and sweets were selected to represent those that similarly make Sedona, Arizona’s red rocks renowned. People travel internationally to visit Sedona – a peaceful sanctuary surrounded by burnt orange towering rock formations. This cake pairs sweet and savory to perfectly describe a visit to Sedona.

~
The cake will be served this evening at my women’s guild meeting, along with a new batch of orange-cardamom madeleines. I actually found cardamom this weekend at a high-end grocery store — although I thought twice about buying it. It was $10 for a teeny tiny container. Regardless, I put it to good use and the flavor is interesting. It is indeed savory.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup of unsalted butter
1 tablespoon good quality honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs

For glaze:
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest, plus two tablespoons strained orange juice

1. Brush molds with butter (or use PAM), set aside. Make the batter: Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in honey and vanilla. Let cool 10 minutes.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, cardamom, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
3. Stir together sugar and eggs in a medium bowl. Gently fold in flour mixture until combined. Add butter mixture and fold until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes. (Set timer for 20 minutes, then turn on your oven to 325 degrees. 10 minutes later, your oven should be warm and your batter will be ready to come out of the fridge.)
4. Spoon batter into prepared tins, filling each mold halfway. Tap pan on work surface to eliminate air bubbles. Bake until cookies are puffed and edges are golden, 7-8 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool slightly. Unmold cookies on rack and let cool completely.
5. Make the orange glaze: stir together sugar and orange zest and juice in a small bowl until glaze is smooth, thick, and opaque. Using a small pastry brush, coat ridged side of each cookie with glaze. Let set 15 minutes. Cookies can be stored in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

As if these suckers are going to be around in 3 days. And I haven’t quite gotten around to glazing these babies yet. Soon enough!
Source: Martha Stewart Living, May 2006

I am hosting a women’s guild meeting tomorrow night at my home. I have been a member of this volunteer group for several years. About a dozen women work to fundraise and gather supplies for various health projects to benefit the poor.
I spent a bit of time this weekend thinking about what I’ll serve and what I should provide for the meeting. We are going to encourage the guild members to gather dental supplies this summer, which I will distribute to children attending one of the poorer school districts in Phoenix. The supplies are matched with an oral health curriculum that teaches children how to brush their teeth and why it is important. This public health issue seems so silly, and it is often overlooked by funders. However, we all know how terribly you feel with a toothache, and how dental insurance is quickly become a luxury of the upper class.
(You wouldn’t believe how many children tell me they’ve never had their own toothbrush when I’m teaching this curriculum. It is heartbreaking and makes me want to go out and hunt down their parents. Instead, we have adult health classes too.)
Without proper oral health from an early age (Moms — No Kool Aid in those baby bottles, please!) kids are set up for a lifetime of health issues.
I enjoy teaching this curriculum and distributing the toothbrushes and toothpaste. They are such fundamental public health tools that most of us use everyday without thought. And yet, one day without them and we are a slimy mess.
I had the idea to distribute a tote bag to each of the members to encourage them to pick up dental supplies during the summer. I thought if they kept these bags in their cars, it would be a regular reminder to keep our guild’s work in mind. I headed out to one of our local craft stores only to find the very basic canvas tote was $5.99 each. With 10 women attending, I knew this wasn’t an option. Thankfully, I’d clipped a 40% off coupon from the paper earlier in the week and was able to purchase 4 yards of heavy duck cloth for $12.
I paired this with some African fabric, grosgrain ribbon and spent about two hours making my vision come to light.
Voila — le African tote bag:

I used some fabric Robin sent me from Mali. I’ve been putting it to great use!

I hope these babies are returned to me brimming with Colgate, Crest and Mentadent by the end of the summer.

~K