Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Cake Stand {Make One Instead}

Have you noticed that most of those lovely photos of cakes in magazines and on Pinterest include a cake stand?  At my other site, Swirls and Spice, I share recipes that I develop and try to make the food look enticing in the photos. But my budget is rather limited, so I don't own a lot of fancy props. I've contemplated buying a cake stand, but it just does not seem worth the money.  So I have done without and endeavored to avoid coveting cake stands and other lovely dishes I see.

Still, there are occasions where a pretty cake stand would come in handy, like the baby shower pictured above.  At the top left of the photo, if you look closely, you can see half of the Boston cream cupcakes I made sitting on a glass stand.  The rest are on a matching glass platter.

Instead of buying a rather expensive one-piece cake stand, I found two bowls and platters at the (Canadian) dollar store that I though would work.  And they did.  I spent less than $5.00 and I now have two convertible "cake stands" that double as bowls and serving plates.  I've used them frequently in the few two months for parties, family meals, and potlucks.  Below are some of the recipe photos that have included my bargain serveware.

Cranberry Salsa

at Swirls and Spice

Pomegranate and Pesto Bites

at Swirls and Spice

If you've ever wished for a cake stand but lacked the money or space to have one in your kitchen, be not dismayed.  Simply find a fancy bowl and platter, invert the bowl under the platter, and voila!  You have a convertible cake stand!

10 Easy-to-Satisfy Summer Cravings

1. Fresh lemonade


2. Playing in the sand


3. Freshly picked (foraged) berries


4. Picnics


5. Watermelon


6. Visits to farmers markets


7. Firefly watching at twilight


8. S'mores*


9. Ice cream


10.  Locally grown corn on the cob*

* We're still looking forward to fulfilling these wishes, hopefully quite soon!

Summertime Pursuits: Gardening and Sketching

Nature’s rhapsodic effect on me is evident the moment I step outdoors.  My anxiety level plummets almost instantly.  When I return indoors, I may be inspired to write about the pleasures of gardening or the satisfaction gained by sitting and sketching a leaf.  And I have, in truth, written about both.  You will find my thoughts in these pieces at AC:

• What Remains: A Gardening Poem

• Sketching Nature as a Summer Hobby:  The Art of Seeing

My version of outdoor living doesn’t require owning a cushy patio set.  Blades of green grass beneath my feet are enough.  Line drying my clothes in the warm breeze (preferably barefoot) and picking fresh berries are what I savor doing the summertime months.  How about you?  What are you looking forward to in these months ahead?

Simply Celebrating Christmas: Ten Traditions

We decided to keep packaged gifts to a minimum this year, which left me wondering: how are we celebrating the season?  Yet as I reflected further, a number of our family traditions came to mind.  Coming up with a list Christmastime traditions we've developed (instead of a wish list) was a valuable exercise.  It helped me see that taking the focus off of stuff and celebrating the season in other simple, memorable ways truly is possible.


Here are some of the traditions we enjoyed this year:

1.  We chose new ornaments.

My ornament this year was inspired by passages in Isaiah.

2.  We performed a dramatic reading from Luke 2.  Our 7-year-old was the director and assigned the parts.  This year she was Mary, her little brother was Joseph, and Mama and her younger sister were angels.  Daddy was the donkey (and a shepherd).

3.  We took family portraits (and sent them as gifts).

4.  We sang Christmas carols at home and at church.

5.  We watched Christmas movies and specials, such as:

6.  We opened our time capsule ornament again (from 2001).

7. We made gingerbread cookies.

8. I savored a sample of my mom's fruitcake.

9. We connected with parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and siblings via phone calls.

10. We enjoyed spaghetti made from scratch by my husband.

What was a meaningful way for you to celebrate Christmas this year?

 

Words to Ponder this Season

Image credit

In this season of Advent, I want to quiet my heart and focus on what matters most.  The wisdom in these words is encouraging me to do that.

• Lay It Down: Can You Be Fully Present This Holiday Season? @ Sorta Crunchy

• White Envelope Giving @ the Goodlife

• He Said She Said: I wanted Christmas to be peaceful @ Kyria

And finally, here's a new favorite I recently discovered, "The Wexford Carol":

I'm linking this up to Saturday Stumbles today.

Looking Back: Things I Learned, Loved and Miss from Asia

As my husband and I contemplate our ten years of marriage this summer, I was reminded of the importance of looking back to some of the formative experiences he and I have shared so far. In a new multi-part series, Looking Back, I am unpacking several episodes that influenced us from the time he and I met until now. Today, Part 1 offers glimpses of what we loved and learned during our years in China and Vietnam.

                         photo by Viajar24h.com 

Three months after I graduated with my bachelor's degree, I got my first passport and headed across the ocean to work as a university EFL teacher in China.  Many Americans and even a few Asians said they admired that I was willing to give up so much.  However, by living abroad for seven years, I came to admire and relish the simpler way of life surrounding me each day.

A majority of the college students I knew mostly lived without:

1. Refrigerators
2. Washing machines
3. Electric dryers
4. Hot water
5. Different outfits for each day of the week
6. Ovens
7. Cars
8. Personal computers
9. Cell phones
10. Air conditioners

In the years since I taught in China and Vietnam, things have changed quickly, with technology becoming more available to the masses.  Many students now have their own cell phones and computers, especially in the big cities like Hanoi and Changchun.  But I doubt that the overall ease of living has changed that much, as you can see here.

As a foreign teacher (and then a stay-at-home mom) in Asia, I possessed many things that many local people did not.  I had a computer, a refrigerator, a toaster oven, and a passport.  However, I also learned that I could live with hot water just four nights a week, no car, line drying clothes in my apartment all year, and teach with only a chalkboard and CD player.  I came to enjoy my frequent trips to the open air markets, my visits to the dorm rooms (which sometimes held ten to twelve girls each), and the amazingly authentic local Chinese and Vietnamese food that sprang from just a wok, a gas burner, and an electric rice cooker.

In both China and Vietnam, it was true that babies didn't wear diapers, not every family had a refrigerator, and electricity was not a 24/7 guarantee.  But once I learned some of the local language, shopping was a true pleasure--even without coupons!  Each outing was a chance to chat with the shopkeeper or seller about what I needed and answer a few personal questions.  Admittedly, my fair skin and blue eyes meant I was not just another face in the crowd, but there were plenty of regular customers who would sometimes linger to chat before leaving with their purchase.  It wasn't "just business," it was personal.  And that familiarity is one of many aspects I miss still.

I wonder, whatever happened to the kind old man who stood outside guarding motorbikes across from the rose sellers?  He would often run to the pile of discarded but still-beautiful fresh flowers (which were too short to sell in the standard bundle) and give a floral bloom to my daughter as we passed by that day.  And what about the Vietnamese English teachers who met with me and my American friends for an intercultural play group?  Do they ever recall our conversations about differences in child rearing and family life?  And I wonder what has become of the student who spent so much time with me that she once said (in amazement) that she forgot for a moment I was not Chinese.  It is a little painful to bring back those precious moments, knowing how far away they are from my current life in the American midwest.

While I am still sad about the faces I left behind, I remain thankful to have seen how millions of people can get along just fine without all the trappings most Americans now deem essential.  I wish I were not so swept up in the busyness and the possessions that can sometimes crowd out even casual friendships.  To have meaningful, personal, face-to-face connections, one has to make room.

So when I think back to the people and places I knew in Asia, I did not see abject poverty at every turn. Most people had their daily needs met.  What I mainly remember is the rugged simplicity and the time that ordinary people had (and took) for relationships.  When I don't keep things simple and I allow relationships to be neglected, it is I who am the impoverished one.

A simpler life and more time for friendships--these are two things my husband and I miss and seek to create in our current context.  How do you pursue these goals in your current season of life?  Have you been able to simplify and make time for people?  If so, I would love to know how.

Living Small: Spending According to Our Values

During this lean season of graduate school we are working hard to live on less. However, this does not mean we never spend money on things beyond the basics for survival. Investing in our family's intellectual, physical, and mental health is important to us. We consider time and energy to be precious commodities as well.  Below are 10 ways that we invest in what matters to us.

10 "Extra" Expenses We Believe are Worth the Cost:

1. Babysitting costs when we attend our small group meeting, go out on a date, or I need someone to watch the kids
2. Eating out every Sunday so I don't have to cook
3. Oil changes done by a mechanic
4. High speed internet service
5. Certain convenience foods, like whole grain bread loaves and frozen pizzas
6. Disposable items like paper plates, since we don't have an automatic dishwasher
7. Travel
8. Sending each of our children to a year of part-time preschool
9. Books and DVDs from Amazon.com
10. Seafood, quality meats, and some organic produce

What priorities do you think are worth the additional cost for your family?

Wordless Wednesday: Backyard Fun Without a Swing Set

This invention by my kids works for me !

To see other snapshots of life, visit Wordless Wednesday.
This post is also linked to Steady Mom's 30-Minute Blog Challenge.

Hanging Out Day and Why I Love to Line Dry (Re-post)

In honor of National Hanging Out Day, here is a re-post from May 2009.

For about 7 years, I spent part of every day outdoors and never had to load an electric dryer with clothes. I lived among millions of people who probably never considered owning such a power-gobbling machine. Lately I’ve been revisiting a simpler past with my solar-powered clothes dryer.

Not only does it reduce our carbon footprint, this drying mechanism also gets me outside in the fresh air, which is where I thrive. My clothes smell fresher than when they are tumble dried, too.

And the best thing is, I was able to make this energy efficient contraption with a $5 investment in some wooden clothespins and nylon clothesline. What a deal!

Now admittedly, since we are a family of five and every day is not so sunny, I still use my electric dryer. In the colder months, I go off solar power almost entirely.

But now that the sun is warm and bright, I have the perfect excuse, and three little assistants to help dry our clothes with the natural power of the sun and wind. And if my forgetful self happens to leave the clothes on the “dryer” overnight and it rains? Then that load gets an extra rinse cycle with no further energy expended.

These clothes, for instance, were rinsed twice before making their way back inside.

Going out to the line is also the perfect excuse to let cool green grass squish beneath my bare feet.


Outdoor bliss.

Creative Ways to Have Fun with Toilet Paper

No, we're not into teenage mischief yet, thank goodness.  We like to play with our toilet paper while it's still in the package.  The four-packs work for us as super stackable building blocks (along with cardboard boxes).  And if some rolls get squished, we do not fret. Why not?  Because from a WFMW link earlier this month, I learned that squished toilet paper rolls last longer!

Savings Opportunities This Week: Free Book from Amazon

Did you know that Amazon has thousands of items that are sporting their "4-for-3" offer?  After exploring second-hand options (which are usually my first choice cost-wise and environmentally), I decided to put my Swagbucks to use this weekend at Amazon.  Between the 4-for-3 promotion, free shipping, and my Swagbucks gift cards, I can receive a book I've been wanting for a long time for free!

We also needed to replace our tea kettle and a saucepan; these were my original shopping impetus and they helped qualify the order for free shipping.  Here's how the savings added up:

1 Tea kettle
1 Sauce pan
Trees in the Pavement book
Preschooler's Busy Book
_______________________________________________
Total before discounts: $60.43 + 9.92 for shipping = $70.35

Discounts: -7.99 (4-for-3 promotion)
                -9.92 (free super saver shipping)
               -15.00 (Swagbucks Amazon gift codes)

Total out-of-pocket expense:  $37.44, which is a savings of up to 47%!

Discovering that this Amazon promotion includes Jennifer Grosser's Trees In the Pavement made me gleeful.  The author and I were actually college contemporaries, acquainted through singing in a choir together.  From the alumni grapevine, I learned that she published this book last year.  Since then, I have been eager to delve into her insights about immigrant perceptions of a new land.

Thus, although I did once say I'd "leave deal blogging to the pros", I do make rare exceptions.  Whether it is a book or Band-aids, getting free items that I will use is a blessing.  Nonetheless, I want to guard against encouraging myself or others toward the wanton pursuit of more stuff. To consume less and leave a smaller ecological impact in our wake are still important considerations.

This Competitive, Reflective Season

I've been rather oblivious to what's been going on in Vancouver until very recently.  Yesterday I was finally able to catch some of the Olympic Games on the T.V. at the laundromat, between loading washers and tracking down my toddler son.  Our T.V. at home is not connected to cable or an antenna, so it was a special treat to sit and watch a few events as the clothes spun round.

Meanwhile, I have been contemplating the Lenten season.  Our church doesn't do anything liturgical besides communion, so I'm in the same boat with Megan, at Sorta Crunchy.  I've nearly decided what I will do to mark the season this year.   For Lent I would like to give up my endless quests for novel recipes and simplify our meals.  This should free me to focus on other priorities, like preparing my heart to celebrate the resurrection and spending focused time with my three fast-growing children.

And how about you?  Are you planning anything for the Lenten season?  Or does your congregation join in remembering Lent together in some way?  I love to learn about the different ways people express their faith.  Diversity is invigorating, don't you think?

A Worthwhile Journey

Winter travel intimidates me. So why would we risk an 800 mile trip in the middle of winter? Our love for my grandparents compels us.

Through the time shared with my grandparents and the stories of the more distant past, I want my children to understand that wisdom and simplicity are admirable goals. Growing older is not really something to fear, so long as a person lives life to the full by continuing enrich the mind and spirit and by seeking to contribute to the lives of others.

Most of my grandparents' lives have not been spent in the spotlight. What has amazed me is their faithfulness in the ordinary tasks of each day. They have been ordinary folks, devoted to God, living with quiet grace.

This is where I falter. In my longing for extraordinary experiences, I would rather skip the mundane parts. Yet these rather unremarkable actions are essential to living well, to the glory of God. As I think of my grandparents, I realize I need to alter my course and not squander the rich heritage of faith they have given me. I will never regret the moments I've spent with my grandparents. There are few gifts I treasure more.

Together in 2007

This post is linked to Steady Mom's 30-minute blog challenge.

Craft of the Week: Ribbon Wrapped Ring Toss Game

One of my holiday aspirations is to make rather than buy some of our gifts. This ring toss game game is something we played at my daughter's birthday party with glow necklaces. By covering the rings with yarn or ribbon, I found that it looks nice enough to be a gift.

My mother taught me the basic chain stitch as a girl, but I haven't picked up a crochet hook since. I decided to try again with my fingers since I don't own a crochet hook. Though younger children may not be able to crochet the yarn, they can probably still help wrap the rings.

To save time, you can also skip the crochet step and wrap the rings with flat ribbon (or yarn) for a swift and simple route to completion. In the game pictured above, two rings were simply wrapped with ribbon yarn, while three were wrapped with the crocheted ribbon yarn.


Materials:

• Yarn

[I used a flat novelty ribbon yarn, but regular yarn also works]

• Plastic containers and lids (approx. 4-inch diameter or larger)
• Sharp knife
• Scissors
• Clear plastic bottle

Directions:

1. Using a sharp knife to puncture the first slit, cut the top rim off of the containers. Trim and smooth out any rough edges with strong scissors or shears. Cut the center out from the lids and trim to make smooth-edged rings.

2. Optional: Using your fingers or a crochet hook, make a chain stitch until you have a crocheted length of yarn that is 5 times the circumference for each ring. Make sure the ends are knotted so they do not unravel.

3. Wrap the crocheted yarn (or plain yarn or ribbon) around each rim until all of the plastic is covered. Tie ends together and tuck under the wrapped yarn so they are not visible.

Make sure to avoid scraping or snagging the yarn as you pull it around the ring. You might find it helpful to contain the extra yarn in a small sock like this:







4. If you prefer a more durable target for your ring toss game, use a small round water bottle, which you can decorate as shown here.

Otherwise, form a cone (around 4 inches high) by cutting off the conical top portion from an empty plastic bottle. Wrap flat yarn under and over repeatedly until the plastic is covered completely. Tie loose ends and tuck into the open bottom. Tie a short length of yarn very tightly around the bottle's neck to secure the vertically wrapped yarn in place.


Looking for more craft ideas? Head to DIY day and Get Your Craft On for inspiration.

Simple Tip of the Week: Improvise with Mayonnaise

This week's tip comes in two parts since I did not post a tip last week. Read and you will discover why I always keep an extra jar of real mayonnaise on hand.

1. Macaroni and Cheese Solution

If we run out of milk or the milk has gone sour, what's a parent of Macaroni-and-Cheese loving children to do? We improvise. With some cholesterol free mayonnaise and a little water, we found a perfectly acceptable, creamier version of our beloved pasta dish. Though not essential, adding pureed cauliflower along with the mayonnaise makes the sauce even better.

Macaroni in a Pinch:
Just add mayo and water.

2. Ranch Dressing Made Simple

Mayonnaise and plain yogurt can be combined and seasoned into homemade ranch dressing. This creamy cucumber version stemmed from my original simpler creation. This first homemade version was born when I decided to mix up my own ranch dressing while on vacation; I did not want to buy anything else that we couldn't finish before leaving.

This week's tip is linked to Tuesday's Tip Jar and Works for Me Wednesday.

Simple Tip of the Week: DIY Edible Air Fresheners

I don't believe in buying commercially produced air freshener. But it isn't hard to diffuse my own non-toxic aromas to freshen my kitchen and the rest of my house. Here are two strategies:

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

1. Using citrus peels

Instead of tossing my clementine orange peels in the trash, I put them in the empty garbage disposal and partially grind them. Suddenly my kitchen smells citrus-y fresh! My mother-in-law also advised me to drop an already-juiced lemon half in the disposal, which lasts even longer.

2. Baking my own aromas

I have enjoyed waking up to the smell of fresh bread in the morning, thanks to my programmable bread machine. Furthermore, I would rather bake some fresh cinnamon rolls or banana bread than buy a food-fragranced wax candle. What better way to greet my daughter when she comes home from school than with a home-baked snack? It beats a package of Twinkies, and even edges out a bowl of Easy Mac. The mere aroma wafting from the kitchen is convincing enough.

This tip is linked to Works for Me Wednesday, a great place for gathering helpful ideas.