The Warmth of Kith & Kin

Park County Aspen

  Fall is in full swing out here in the West, and Winter is already rearing its white head in the high country.  Have I mentioned how much I love this time of year?!?  Autumn has a smell- a sensation: the sweet, wet scent of decaying leaves, wisps of campfire and smoke, crisp air that cools on into the evening.  This season of death reminds us of the cyclical timeline of nature.  From marveling at the splendidly white, snow-capped peaks, to coaxing the first tender shoots out of the ground, to cooing over delicate wildflower blossoms, and then soaking in the vibrant golds, reds and oranges of the changing leaves.

  Last weekend we attended the wonderful wedding of one of my very best friends, Megan.  She and her husband Chris were married in Asheville, North Carolina in the Swannanoa Valley, surrounded by over 200 of their family and friends.  It was such a joyful occasion, and an opportunity to visit with friends that I hadn't seen in quite a while.  Probably the most heartwarming thing about this wedding was how everyone came together to help and make it happen.  All out of love for the bride and groom!
  Dunce that I am, I forgot to bring my camera.  I know, I know, I was continually kicking myself.  But let's just say that I threw my meat free, dairy free and egg free diet completely out the window!  Maybe it's better that I didn't document the absolutely uncontrolled feasting I was doing in the Cackalack...everything from pulled pork to pimento cheese!  Apparently the pimento cheese is a 'Southern Thing.'  NPR did a good story about it a few years back.
  Despite the backsliding, I did eat some other delicious things that are completely vegan...

North Carolina Muscadines

  A member of the grapevine species, muscadines have been cultivated since the 16th century and are native to the Southeastern United States.  You might also see them used to make wine, juice or jam.  They have a sweet, jelly-like consistency.  To eat just bite a hole in the tough skin and suck out the insides.  Watch out for the seeds!

Salad made from local tomatoes, greens and raw baby turnips

Vegan Tofu Scramble @ Early Girl Eatery in Asheville

  However, since I really wanted to include a yummy vegan recipe for this blog post, I've decided to share something I made recently that perfectly captures the warm feeling that being around all of those wonderful people gave me:

Super Easy Creamy "Chicken" and Gravy Stew  

         
  I love comfort food, and it's not something I'm willing to give up just because those foods are normally made from the flesh and excretions of animals.  The Skinny Bitch cookbooks have been a great place to start when putting together vegan meals.  They tend to be heavy on vegan cheese and meat substitutes- not my favorite and not really necessary- but the basic flavors are there and you can make subtle changes to suit your palate.
  The changes I made to this recipe are:

• Cubed, extra firm tofu 
• Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders served on the side (In place of vegan chicken strips)

  Clicking on the title of the recipe will take you to Google Books, where you can view the recipe along with the entire Skinny Bitch in the Kitch cookbook- but you can't print so don't even try.  I didn't post the recipe here because of copyright laws.

  Moment of zen:

Sweet terrarium w/ Red Leaf Maple Tree 

  

Vegan Chili & a Craft!

Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

~George Eliot

And here enters Fall, with leaves o' fire and cleanly crisped air.  After one of the hottest summers in history, I think we can safely say that the state of Colorado is ready for a new season!  The days have turned from witheringly hot to mild, with a slight tang of coolness in the breeze.  

This is my absolute favorite time of year.  As the days begin to shorten in duration, I find myself taking a little more time for things: stopping outside to feel the chill of the air across my skin, admiring the swirl of misty clouds sweetly curled around the mountains.  Once the cold deepens and comes to stay, long periods of contemplation outside are few or require a bit of outfitting!  Let's not rush winter.  Although I know the ski bums are getting anxious for the real stuff...

The cooler weather has been inspirational for both cooking and crafting.  Labor Day weekend had me itching to make something with my own two hands.  I had been sitting on the materials for a project for quite some time, and finally I had a chance to see it to fruition!  

First things first, the FOOD.   

Black Bean Chili w/ Butternut Squash and Swiss Chard

 I enjoy this chili for its simplicity and versatility.  You can find the recipe in its original form by clicking on the link beneath the picture.  I would recommend using only 2 cans of black beans (or the equivalent), as nearly 3 lbs of beans could be a bit overwhelming.  Don't feel limited to Swiss chard- this chili would taste great with a variety of dark, leafy greens.  Try some kale for extra heartiness.  Some soy crumbles, perhaps?  Top with shredded vegan cheese and chopped red onion. 

And now that your palate is sated, on to the handmade creation!  I first found this Do-It-Yourself craft on one of my favorite websites, Recyclart.  This amazing website compiles recycled art, home furnishings, you name it.  Mostly everything featured has been re-purposed to become something else.  With all of the waste in our society it is encouraging to know that so many people are dedicated to reusing and re-imagining objects.  As they say, One man's trash...  To learn more about Recyclart, check out the upper right corner of this blog. 

This craft takes a completely unassuming and everyday item and makes it into a piece of art for your wall. 

Here is the first one I made:

 

Guessed the material?  Yep, toilet paper rolls!  (Paper towel rolls work too.)  Smash the rolls, cut them into strips, glue the points together and there you have it!  For detailed instructions, go here. 

 

 A peek at the process:

Of course, I couldn't have done any of it without my helpful muses.

And now there's another pretty something on the wall to look at!

I like the fluid, organic form of this piece.

I'm always on the hunt for more good and easy projects like this one.  Share share share! 

Once again, a flower until next time. 

Quintana Roo, Mexico