Woodland Bouquets {tokens of affection}

Tokens of affection...imaginary bouquets composed of freshly plucked mushrooms, lilies, ferns, and a little feathered friend...my idea of a lovely bouquet! Or any little thing that comes straight from the heart...like the pretty necklace with rosy colored jewels that Hub suprised me with today. I've told you he's the best, oui? It's certainly not the gift itself but the thought that counts. And he's oh so thoughtful.

This papercut I did the other night, dangling inside via fishing line, is my latest attempt at figuring out just what in the world do with this pink birdcage (remember?) I bought awhile back. Any other recommendations are highly welcomed.

Watermelon Hearts

While cutting into a juicy watermelon the other day, I noticed that there almost appeared to be a trio of hearts in its cross-section. I'm not sure why I've never noticed this before?

As I was slicing it into pieces, I was inspired to pull out my heart cookie cutter and make some actual heart slices with a couple tiny basil leaves from my garden tucked alongside. How pretty would these be at a very lady-like lunch or tea party? I haven't seen this before but I'm sure I can't be the first one to use a cookie cutter on a watermelon, right?

So simple and sweet!

Oh July...

July is quickly slipping away from me. Lately, I can scarcely bring myself inside, out of the garden. Making dinner, or just eating in general, has become a low priority as I'd rather be outside. These were some spent flowers I deadheaded from a pink Pincushion perennial I just bought. Even spent, I think they are pretty little specimens though. You see, here in my northern neck of the woods, things are really just starting to come into their own. Combine our location with a cooler Summer and that makes for some slow growing.

This Spring, Hub said he heard that some places in the U.S. were not going to get Summer this year. I thought, Not get Summer? That's like saying there won't be Christmas this year! I thought he was teasing... But rarely has it been warm enough to wear shorts. Personally, I don't really like shorts (on me), so actually that's just fine. And we've had some really beautiful sunny weather. Just not very much hot weather. But despite that, my Chamomile planted from seed months ago finally decided to bloom!

And a few lovely blueberries are just beginning to ripen. Berries remind me of an ongoing mental checklist of sorts of little traditions and other things that I like to accomplish each Summer...I guess to feel like I've had a well-rounded Summer or something? But I often think in "lists" so this is nothing new. A few things on my mental "Summer To Do" list involve berries...go strawberry picking, make strawberry jam, get blueberries from the same guy at the Farmer's Market as last year, pick wild raspberries along the creek... Some other "to do's" include spending time at the cabin, biking along the North Shore, going to the malt shop, eating outside as often as possible, growing basil and making a few batches of basil pesto, learning to golf, etc etc...

Is this making you insane yet? It's making me a bit insane too. Like when I've read one too many blogs and suddenly I end up feeling overwhelmed and under-productive. It's just not healthy for me. So I guess I'm okay with soaking up what precious warm weather we've had so far and wait, no...hope, that Summer does come to my town this year. At least the Bluebells are thriving. A hopeful sign. I know there's still a lot of time left...so no need to be so dramatic, right?

Oh look! An afternoon thunderstorm threatened to roll through, right in the midst of my gardening...forcing me to come inside...to share some random thoughts and a few of my flowers with you.

Petite Dwellings...

Just wanted to share some new things I've been making lately:

Petite homes for the budget-mindful...wrapped in sweet messages. I think these would be quite charming atop a freshly baked muffin to welcome a new neighbor. Or upon a pretty cake at a house-warming party. Visit the shop to see more photos.

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P.S. Eek! I was so excited to see my tiny terrarium tags on the lovely Creature Comforts site earlier this week. Take a peak right here! :)

~Wishing you a happy weekend!~

Strawberry Fields & Picket Fences

Last weekend was a busy one where I felt very much like a tourist in my own backyard. Since moving here 2 summers ago, we haven't really explored much outside of our own little sphere of familiar spots. But on Saturday we planned to go strawberry picking, something not all that unusual except for the fact that I hadn't gone since we moved here...so we went to a farm that a guy at Hub's work told us about. I was also surprised to learn that Hub had never ever been strawberry picking before. How could we be married this long & I only just find that out? On the way there we drove along quaint, single lane back roads winding our way into the town of Cloquet in order to find an ATM. Although I'm all too familiar with the exit sign for Cloquet while zipping past it on the highway, I'd never actually been there before even though it is only 15 or 20 miles or so from where we live. While searching for the ATM we drove past the one and only gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright...perhaps one of his lesser known designs. I'd seen it once on TV and was surprised to see it so unexpectedly here.

Then we drove past the biggest dala horse I'd ever seen. So I just had to peak inside the Swedish store very quickly too. The sign in the background reads "Not only am I perfect, I'm Swedish too." Hmm...those Swedes have quite the ego. ;)

After all our "small town" distractions, we finally made it to the farm to gather these lovely little gems. I once worked on a strawberry farm for a couple of summers and whenever I go picking I always think of the hours spent in the sun, straightening the strawberry runners...so they grow in perfect little rows. And strawberry stained clothing. And happy people. Because I've never seen a grumpy person, or child for that matter, at a strawberry farm.

On our way home, we stopped at this greasy spoon (in Cloquet again)...because Hub has always wanted to go there. Another favorite spot among some of his co-workers. I'll just say that the shake was superb (but skip the onion rings)!
Our last stop on the way home was in the tiny nearby town of Adolph...where Hub recently found his idea of the perfect meat market. I preferred to wait in the car this time while he stocked up on his meat. I noticed that they do have a cute little meat-chopper sign though.
Once home I couldn't wait to make some strawberry freezer jam. Our freezer has been nearly emptied of jam for a few weeks. Unacceptable! Last year I made a small batch of raspberry jam since I didn't get out to pick strawberries, so we were desperately in need. I made a few batches...so yes family, strawberry freezer jam just may soon be in your future! :)
Speaking of family, on Sunday we were back in the car again, this time driving down to the Twin Cities for a family reunion picnic. It was a gorgeous day spent in my 92 year-old Grandma's yard. I think she was loving every minute of it.
The highlight of the day? I'm fairly certain it was the wee baby bunnies found along the picket fence...poor things. All the little ones just couldn't get enough of them. But they were rather cute.

Hope your weekend was just as sweet!

Unintentional Stamp Collecting

The other night, while cleaning off and reorganizing my "inspiration/bulletin/everything" board above my desk (as it has a tendency to become quite the catchall for most any little piece of paper), I realized I have a variety of stamps I've liked and tucked into places on my board in random fashion. Pulling them out and piling them up, I recalled why I'd kept these various stamps. I remember the "bird" stamp was one that Hub had given to me after work one day, shortly after we'd been married. He said he tore it off an envelope simply because it had a bird on it and he thought of me. Sweet memory. Then there are those I've kept simply for the neat design, like the "bee" and "love" ones. Or the recent "MN" stamp for our state. One from my cousin who lives in Israel...and a couple from my Japanese friend who sent a card from back home. Obviously these stamps are worth keeping since they come from foreign places.

Oh, and I'm often surprised to see what stamps come in the mail on envelopes from my mom & dad...being that my dad has quite a stamp collection of his own, it's not at all unusual for me to find tucked inside the envelope of a lovely handmade card from mum, a little note on a scrap of paper, written in my dad's scrawl saying, "save the stamps!"

A good reminder indeed.

Rainier Cherries & Veggie Burgers

I've searched high and low looking for a good veggie burger recipe...but all too often revert to the frozen Gardenburgers found in the grocery store for sake of ease. Last summer I devised my own veggie burgers that turned out to be rather bland and far too crumbly...much to Hub's chagrin every time he had to flip one on the grill.

Last weekend I made another attempt at concocting my own recipe for a tasty, satisfying veggie burger that holds together well when grilled. And this recipe I think is worth sharing. Even Hub with his carnivorous tendencies tried a bite and was impressed. I called on morel mushrooms and toasted walnuts to impart depth and flavor. A few garlic cloves and lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese provided even more of a flavor boost. Using more egg this time around and a bit of olive oil helped to hold things together much better and I found that bread crumbs were an essential building block...adding them gradually as needed to get the right consistency at the end. So without further ado, I offer you my veggie burger recipe:

• 1/4 cup wild rice
• 1/3 cup white rice
• 1 cup (approx.) whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted & roughly chopped
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 4 morel mushrooms (I'm sure other woodsy mushrooms would work well too)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1/4 cup red pepper, diced
• 2 eggs
• olive oil (a few drizzles)
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp parsley (fresh would be good but I didn't have any)
  -1/8 tsp garlic powder

Cook white rice and wild rice as directed. Soak dried morels in hot water for 30 minutes and then dice into rough chunks. Saute garlic, onion, and red pepper in butter along with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (season to your liking) for about 8-10 minutes (until veggies are tender and onion translucent), adding morels in at the end to saute for the last few minutes. Process bread in a food processor until finely ground along with parsley and garlic powder. Once the rice and sauteed veggies are cooled, begin mixing all ingredients together in a bowl, adding the eggs and olive oil at the very end. Press mixture together firmly to form burgers (makes about 6 or 7). Wrap individually or section between sheets of parchment and freeze in a baggie for future grilling! I like to top mine with some lettuce, onion, and sharp cheddar. :)

P.S. Rainier cherries are in season and I had to splurge on these lovelies...I'm always captivated by their pretty peachy pink color and their perfect summer sweetness. But even on sale they're still a bit of a splurge! Yet entirely worth it, oui?

Summer Firsts...

A recent evening enjoying some "firsts of Summer"...

{a tourist-priced "caribou caramel hot fudge" malt to be exact...but quite worth it!}
{worn soft by the rugged lake, glass pieces in greens, whites, browns, 1 rare pale aqua sea-colored piece and a few agates too!}
{I haven't worn these in years, basically brand new, so why not now? they are perfect for tromping around rocky shores looking for sea glass.}
{the (over-priced) malt shop's message on the door...but I'm sure we'll be back for seconds and thirds and fourths later on this summer.}
.....
P.S. A special little freedom deal going on in my shop...(freedom from shipping costs!).
Happy Independence Day! We'll miss being with you all this year dear family...last year was so much fun!
~xoxo~