Under a Red Roof

Strawberry Fields Quilt

September 1, 2010 in Making by Colleen | 3 comments

Here it is, my friends, quilt number two, aptly named Strawberry Fields.

I am so very, very pleased with the way this turned out. I love the combination of colors – the deep red paired with the acid green is so darn cheery, a sunny country morning in a field of strawberries, not to mention all the cute polka dots. Have I ever shared my love for the polka dot with you? Zowie! It is ever so true. I fretted a bit over the arrangement of the squares, wondering if I should try for random or the highly organized fashion that is the end result. I just don’t think I have that in my genes. I am an ordered person, so I’m glad I did it this way. It’s very pleasing to follow lines of strawberries, dots, and greens. The fact that I got the binding right this time (many thanks to the Connecting Threads tutorial on YouTube) is the juicy sweet strawberry on top!

If you’re wondering, I didn’t use a pattern. I had a particular size of batting left over from my first quilt, so the size was determined. When I looked through my stash, I loved the combination of the mixed greens, polka dots, and strawberries, but it wasn’t nearly enough fabric. So I went to Fabric Depot, samples in hand, and found the right combination to tie it all together. Rather than have the back be entirely polka dotted, I decided to really tie it in with the front, so it’s almost a continuation. I like it!

Speaking of liking, sweet Paris likes it too, so much so that I think she believes it is HERS. As I was tying it, she tried to get up on my lap, not once, but four times, eventually lying on a corner on the floor, not budging. I got up to turn the music down, and she immediately took her place upon it, growling when I moved her back to her little spot. See that menacing look up there? Very real! Once I finished, we shared it, me happily, Paris somewhat grudgingly.

It should come as no surprise that I think I am a quilter now and kind of wish I had discovered it sooner. It is such pleasing work!

Emmy Fare

August 30, 2010 in Cooking + Baking, Watching by Colleen | 3 comments

Good Morning!

Jimmy Fallon, cutie patootie of my television set, you did a terrific job as host of the Emmy Awards last night (I like your show, too). I’d go so far as to say that Billy Crystal probably thought you looked mahvelous, and that’s saying a lot. What a hoot that was, especially seeing Jimmy’s imitations – he’s good! Not to mention the belly tickling humor, all the touching speeches, and the great opening number. Jon Hamm, let’s be square dance partners some time. You can toss me up in the air. Yes? Okay!

Of course, the handsomeness of the tuxedos and the gorgeous gowns made me swoon. And they were mostly good too, pretty and sparkly and fine. Save a few, of course. I don’t think ladies should look like they are draped in blue plastic or are in the process of imitating a Victorian lamp, no, no, no. But who am I to judge, really? If you feel pretty and your boat is afloat, I should keep my lip buttoned. It’s not like I’ve ever had to choose a dress for the world to see.

As I am well aware that I become rather like a child once an award show comes on (as in, do not talk or distract me in any way unless there is a commercial), I thought ahead and made a simple supper that could easily be eaten directly in front of the television – Cauliflower cheese soup and our go-to green snack, crispy kale (recipe here). This soup is good, my friends, and for it’s mind boggling simplicity, it’s truly hard to beat. How about that crazy cauliflower color, too? Orange like cheetos, but totally natural, certified organic even. Mmm hmm. Here’s the recipe –

Cauliflower Cheese Soup

1 head cauliflower florets

1 quart vegetable stock

4 ounces cheese, grated fine – I used colby jack, but cheddar or gruyere would work nicely, too

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

dash cayenne pepper

salt, to taste

Place the florets in a soup pot (mine is 3 1/2 quarts) and add the stock. Unless your florets come from a very small head of cabbage, the stock won’t cover them all, so don’t fret. Turn the heat to medium-high, and cook, covered, for about 30 minutes, until very soft. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth – or you could leave some of the floret pieces whole if you like it chunky. Taste and add salt as necessary. Add the cheese, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir until cheese is melted and well incorporated, about one minute. Serve. We had ours with the kale, rye crisp and a little butter, but crusty bread would be nice, too.

Enjoy!

Tags: Cooking and Baking, Recipes

On Yoga

August 27, 2010 in Admiring, Being, Practicing, Spotlighting by Colleen | 3 comments

As many of you know, from this space and my life in the physical world, I practice yoga. What initially began as neat way to get exercise has become a deeply invigorating physical and spiritual practice. By God’s (or maybe Buddha’s or Shiva Nataraja’s) grace, I have the privilege to be led through asanas that bring me closer to what I believe is most important in this world: body, mind, and spirit connecting and strengthening, not just within me, but to human consciousness, and all that lives, breathes, and moves. As a result, I have changed. I am more integrated, physically stronger yet softer, more understanding, caring, and connected. I still have a long way to go, but the journey, with yoga, is far more joyous and centered.

At the center of this is Shiva Rea. I have had other teachers, but none has inspired me or encouraged me to continue as she has (despite never having met!). Were it not for the discovery of the brilliant Yoga Shakti DVD more than five years ago, I don’t know that I would still be practicing. It’s not only Shiva’s way of teaching, of leading, but the steady evolution of her yoga, rooted in the ebb and flow of life, not to mention those fabulous matrices that allow me to mix it up according to my needs and time.

These four DVDs are my favorites and are the foundation of my practice. They are challenging, fun, beautiful, and as ever changing as I am. Difficult one day, a breeze the next, they enable me to be exactly where I am and embrace it.

As for each video – Yoga Shakti is closest to what I would call a traditional vinyasa practice. I think, too, if you are new to yoga, it is the best place to start, as she offers some basic postures and forms. As you progress, it can be very challenging, too. Even after more than five years, I can, by no means, complete all the postures as shown. Shiva is strong and incredibly flexible! My goal is to have this video mastered in 2013. The body and mind open slowly, over time.

Trance Dance – I’ve written about this before, and my love for it is simple. Dance! Invigorating, fluid, sacred, and totally fun!

Daily Energy – I was so jazzed when she made this DVD! Sometimes I don’t have a lot of time. With this video, I can have a complete practice in as little as twenty minutes, which is pretty awesome. Since it also has a yoga matrix, I can make it a whole lot longer, add some core work, forward bends, and a complete shavasana, too.

Creative Core + Upper Body – Though the practice is centered around 108 push-ups (not all at once – thank goodness!), it is definitely not just for the upper body. The legs and core get a terrific workout, too. Speaking of the core – in all of the DVDs except Trance, she offers core cultivation in very creative and fun ways. I’d never seen or felt anything like it – very good! Oh, and this one is also pretty short, running at 35 minutes.

Tags: Shiva Rea, Yoga

Marvelous

August 26, 2010 in Quoting by Colleen | Permalink

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

Aristotle

Under the Same Moon

August 25, 2010 in Admiring, Celebrating, Reading by Colleen | 3 comments

Exciting news everyone!

My friend Kelli, of African Kelli, has just had her first book published, and last night, her very first reading. I can only imagine the butterflies, joy, and magic in Phoenix! A dream come true.

This moment is even more special for me because it gives me hope that my book will one day be out there, too. As well, my good friend Colleen designed the cover, and rather beautifully, don’t you think?

I am hoping we can all make it a bit sweeter by buying our own copies (mine is on the way). Let’s get her to the top of the Amazon list!

Under the Same Moon, by Kelli Donley

Abena Udate was selling mangoes on a humid market day in her Mozambican village when she caught the eye of a wandering foreigner. Kidnapped and brought to live in suburban America, the African teenager struggles with the glaring cultural and social differences of her new life. Abena is expected to play along with her kidnapper’s story — she’s just another hungry child plucked from a desolate country and saved by foreign adoption — or else. As her younger brother Kupela searches for clues to explain her disappearance, Abena must decide whether to remain with a family she doesn’t love for a life of luxury, or find a way home to those she loves in a world of despair.

Support an emerging writer – buy it here!

Tags: Books