Kitchen Goodness...

 This year's batch of vanilla extract is bottled and "brewing". I'll be

giving them as gifts for the girls at Paneras, and I'll even tuck a bottle in

here or there with other gifts I've already selected for family and friends.

 Each four ounce bottle has one and a half vanilla beans inside.

They've already "brewed" nearly two weeks, but won't be fully

steeped until February. All the recipient needs to do is shake the

bottle once a week, and resist the urge to use the vanilla until then.

I've written about how to make your own vanilla before. If you'd

like to try to make your own batch, here's the link to my "how to" post.

I purchase the bottles from Specialty Bottle online. Here's a link to

purchase the 4 ounce bottles, but their 2 ounce bottles would be great, too. 

I purchase the vanilla beans from Arizona Vanilla Company. Their

company name is the link to purchase beans for your own use. I prefer 

their Madagascar beans, but they have Tahitian and Mexican, too.

I'm almost finished with my projects for this year. Woo hoo!

Paint, Planning and Playing...

You might have noticed that I've been in a redecorating mood lately. Heck, if you've been on my blog at random times during the day, you'll find me experimenting with color, margins, gadgets and what-have-you.  I guess it's the desire for something different to begin the new year, whether it be on my blog or in our home.

I've been cleaning rooms, tossing, painting and re-thinking the amount of clutter stuff I have. It has always been a mixed blessing for me. So many things I care for and move from home to home, across hundreds of miles. Yet, there are times I feel more that those things own me than the other way around. I'm really getting better at moving things out of here, but it's a daily challenge.

I love the newly painted guest bathroom and I'm slowly sorting my way through paint chips as I try to decide on a new color in the guest bedroom. I want something as quiet and restful as the color we chose for the bathroom. Not the same color, but something that will coordinate with it. I plan to share it with you when I finally make my decision and start putting paint on the walls.

I forgot to tell you the trick I read about on a blog I found through Pinterest. Add a tablespoon of pure vanilla extract to your gallon of paint and you won't have a paint smell permeating the house when you're finished painting. I did this and it really works! (It doesn't affect the color of the paint, either.) All that fresh paint, with none of the yucky paint smell. Magic, I tell you!

Oh, and let me say something about Pinterest. I'm still finding my way around, but it's a great resource. You can bookmark anything you find on the internet into one handy place. (Dang! Like I needed one more place to kill time.) There's a lot I don't know about the site yet (someone told me that she'd seen some of my Brynwood photos "pinned", but I can't find any), but I'll be rationing my time there as I try to figure out how to navigate all the cool places you can get to through them. I have a lot of projects I want to do this year, so I can't be spending all my time there (and believe me, it wouldn't be hard to do).

Last night was Handsome's spotlight solo as he played the main percussion rhythm for Ravel's Bolera with the North Port Concert Band. He was wonderful, so I want you to see him play, too! I haven't downloaded and edited the video yet, but I'll do that today and share it with you tomorrow.

Oh, TOMORROW!!! TAG COMES HOME TOMORROW! As I told my friend, Troy at Junk Exchange yesterday..."There will be rejoicing throughout the land".

Loving Hartfield And The Vanilla Extract Winner...

I have this wonderful assortment of fabrics...yet another collection calling to me. I'm nearly finished adding the borders to the Love Birds Applique' quilt, and already, I'm itchy to start another.

Perhaps, I should find out if there is a vaccination for this affliction? I know it doesn't help to just lie down and hope that "it" goes away. The feeling never passes. I love sewing. I love creating quilts. I love the color play of fabrics. I could roll around in them all day. Well, maybe not roll. I'd have to refold everything...and get the dog hair off them...and rearrange the cabinets, color coordinated and all... No, I don't really mean roll, but you get the idea.
This is the pattern that came in the kit with all those gorgeous fabrics. I'm really loving Hartfield, the quilt. I know I'll have to add this project to my list. Gee. I guess I need to make a list. You know, a schedule so I know which one I'll be working on next. Would that be too...oh, I don't know...anal? Should I be more spontaneous? I guess I'll just try lying down again for a while. I'll let you know if it helps.

Time for me to reveal the name I drew for the Vanilla Extract.
The Winner of my Vanilla Extract Giveaway is...
#27
Natalie of Hungry Hippie
Congratulations, Natalie!
Your vanilla will be on its way next week!

I you haven't visited Natalie's blog before, you need to stop over and explore. I recently found out that Natalie is my partner in the Victorian Cuff Swap and I'm currently creating my cuff for her. She is a seamstress extraordinaire...and a pretty lass to boot! Click on her name above to stop in and say "hello".

My sister, Diana and I had contemplated putting a little of my vanilla into a small bottle for everyone who left a comment, but as the numbers grew, we knew it might get a little expensive to do. I really wish that I could have shared this with each and every one of you for leaving such kind and thoughtful messages for me. I hope you're all able to make a bit of your own vanilla from my tutorial, and that you might think of it as a gift from my heart to yours.

It's Been So Hot Lately...

"You said we're going for a ride, right? Yippee! Where are we goin' today, Mom? I hope we're going somewhere fun. I'm wearing my traveling necklace. Don't forget my water."
"Did you say "vet"? Seriously? You said it's been so hot lately that I couldn't ride along in the car, and then you finally tell me I can go with you...and you're taking me to the vet?! And she's gonna give me shots?!!! Dude! Grrrrr!" (Pssst, Kessie. You've got water on your nose - and I hate it when you call me "Dude"!)
"Fine! The vet's it is. I'd like to know where I can go to lodge a complaint. Tell me I'm gonna at least get a treat while I'm there. I'm just sayin'...."
Don't forget! Today is the last day to comment for a chance to win the bottle of Brynwood Vanilla Extract. Click here if you haven't entered the drawing yet. I'll choose a winner at midnight and announce the winner tomorrow. Good Luck!

Dreaming Of Martinique...

I finished a project today, but because it's a gift, I can't show it to you quite yet. I'm sure you do what I do when you're in between projects, or have just finished one and are too scattered to start another. We dream on our stash! Today, I'm dreaming of Martinique. Beautiful fabrics reminiscent of a romantic Caribbean island. Cool ocean breezes, coral reefs and fragrant blossoms.
I can dream on this collection, assembled for the applique' quilt I'll be finishing soon, with all of its soft and feminine colors, or perhaps...
those French General fabrics I've been contemplating for a table runner for our antique oak table?
I always return to these soft colors...restful, quiet, subtle...they all speak to me, each with their own voices. Calming my mind. Focusing my thoughts. Preparing me to start anew with a sense of purpose. Excited for a fresh start. Where will I go next? Where will you go next?
Don't forget to enter the Vanilla Extract Giveaway if you haven't yet. You can read the tutorial and, just by leaving a comment, be entered for the bottle I made in the tutorial. The giveaway button is near the top of my left sidebar. Good luck, Girlfriends!

I Love Surprises...

Sharing some Blogland love today. I recently received this scissors fob as a thank you from Sherry at Createology blog. A sweet gift in appreciation for the 400th Follower Ltd. Ed. artist trading card I sent her. Shades of green and brown, with those sweet acorns hanging from the last bead. I love it! Thanks, Sherry! I really appreciate your thoughtful gift.
Lucky me! I recently won Kate's giveaway at Chronicles of a Country Girl. The winner was able to choose two (TWO!) of her prints. You had to know that I'd choose the acorn, right? The white blooms are beautiful, too. I'm looking forward to framing these and displaying Kate's beautiful work in our home. Thank you, Kate! I love 'em!
I received one other wonderful package this past week. I placed an order from the talented and generous Michelle Palmer and she enclosed these gifts for me. An apron embroidered with oak trees, acorns, leaves and an owl on it, and one large acorn button.

The apron is long, like the ones I remember the nuns wearing when I was a girl. (We lived just down the block from a huge convent when I was growing up.) It's all done in a single-color thread and it's old. Michelle cleaned it after she found it on one of her vintage linen hunts, and there are a few age/wear holes in it. I'm going to think about how I can conceal the damage and highlight the embroideries. It's really beautiful and I love it!

But look at this big, honkin' button! It's about 3" in diameter with a metal plate, featuring my favorite little gift from nature. Michelle, I'm just enthralled with this button and can't wait to figure out what I'm going to do with it. Thank you so much for both of your generous gifts!
Finally, I'd like to share the fabrics that I'm using in my newest project. A gift from my hands to a friend. I'll share more when it's finished and on its way to a new home.

I love surprises! When they're received, I am filled with gratitude, and humbled by the gesture. When they're given, I give with an attitude of love and appreciation for the recipient. I'm so grateful for the friends who share their talents with me...and glad that I'm able to share with them, too.

If you haven't read my Vanilla Extract Tutorial yet, please be sure to click on the giveaway button under my August Celebrations at the top of my left sidebar. I'm offering a bottle of my homemade extract in a drawing for one of my friends.

I hope you have something relaxing, fun and/or creative planned for this weekend. You know, I always wish the best for you. See you tomorrow.

Vanilla Extract Tutorial...

Today, I'm sharing my promised tutorial for homemade vanilla extract. When you find out how easy it is to make your own, you're going to wish you'd done this a long time ago! There really is nothing quite like homemade vanilla. You'll need to gather your ingredients and supplies first.

You'll need to purchase quality vanilla beans, which you can find online through eBay. I buy Madascar/Bourbon vanilla beans. (Here's a link for one of the US suppliers.) This one has a "Buy it Now" option, so you don't have to bid to make a purchase. You also want to be sure that the seller has a 100% feedback rating to ensure that they're reputable. I store my unused beans in a ziploc bag inside an airtight container to keep them fresh.

You'll also need a bottle of vodka. I use Fleishmanns, but any inexpensive vodka will do. (Edited 8/20/10 9:30 pm: Two of my blog friends suggested that you can also use brandy, and one of them also suggested cognac! I'll be trying those, too! Thanks, Maggie B. and Patricia!!) And you'll need empty bottles. I like to use the empty bottles from Starbucks Frappuccinos. I wash them thoroughly when they're empty and the labels remove easily. Then, I put them into the dishwasher to be sure they're sanitized.
Take about 8 vanilla beans for one batch of extract. You'll be using them as is. No need to rinse them. I always slit 2 or 3 beans to open them up and expose the seeds inside. They'll mix in with the extract as it ages.
See what the seeds look like? When you eat French vanilla ice cream, these are the little dark spots you see in the ice cream. I'll warn you that your hands and the kitchen are starting to smell really good already!
Place all of the vanilla beans into the empty bottle. Make sure that there is at least an inch head room from the top of the beans to the neck of the bottle. You're going to need to cover them completely with the liquid. (FYI, the good vanilla beans are usually between 6" and 7" long.)
Now, pour the straight vodka into the bottle and be sure to completely cover the vanilla beans. Resist the temptation to dab a little behind your ears, and I don't recommend taking a sip either. If you do, you might forget to make dinner tonight!
At this point, I take the knife I used to slice open the beans and stir it into the liquid. I want to make sure that all the seeds on the knife end up in the mix!
Put the lid on the bottle and then place a label on the bottle. I'll also add today's date on the label so I know when it's "ready". You'll want to shake up the bottle a couple of times a day for at least two weeks before you use the extract. It will darken, day by day, until it becomes the pure vanilla extract that will add that special touch to your recipes.

I finish packaging my bottles by adding a circle of fabric, tied with kitchen twine, raffia or a ribbon. You can add a little recipe, or instructions on the "care and feeding" for your extract. As you use it, if you just top it off with the equivalent amount of vodka, it will last for years! My bottle in the background was made at least two years ago. I always top mine off and it's just as delicious as when I first made it. In fact, it really gets better and better with age.

From time to time, we make our own ice cream around here. When we do, I take one of the vanilla beans out of the extract, slice it open and scrape the seeds into the ice cream mix. Then you can put the rest of the bean right back into the extract! It's a gift that keeps on giving.
So there you have it. Didn't I tell you it was simple? I made my labels in a program called Print Shop 2 on my mac, but if you don't have such a program, I can steer you to Karen's website, The Graphics Fairy, where she has some really great label frames that you can use to make your own. Click here for a link to her labels. Pick one you like and personalize it to suit your own style.
Now, just for reading all the way through my tutorial, I'm going to have a little giveaway. One lucky reader will receive the bottle of extract I made for this lesson! All you have to do is leave a message on this post. I'm going to leave the drawing open for two weeks, because the vanilla won't be ready to try before then.

So, leave a comment and you'll automatically be entered. That's all you have to do. Giveaway will end on September 3rd, and I'll announce the winner on September 4th. Thanks for stopping by again, and Good Luck!
UPDATE: 09/04/10 - DRAWING IS CLOSED. The winner is Natalie of Hungry Hippie blog. Thank you to everyone who left a comment and entered the drawing.