Yogurt and Granola

I started making yogurt and granola a couple of months ago. I bought myself a yogurt maker, with high hopes of it being a magical ticket to perfect yogurt every time. In reality, I just finally made a batch that I like, both in flavor and consistency. After scalding the milk, I let it cool to incubation temperature, and I add my starter (other yogurt with active cultures). I put it in my yogurt maker for 8-9 hours. Then I strain the yogurt in my yogurt-cheese-making bag for a couple of hours, and add vanilla extract and stevia to taste. I use the strained liquid to make homemade bread (in place of the water)-yum!
The granola is something my mom always made when we were growing up. I always hated it. I don't follow a recipe, just rolled oats, some salt, some wheat germ, and coconut flakes, mix in some oil and honey and possibly almonds. Bake in a baking pan at 350 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes, until cooked to your desired doneness. Add dried fruit if you like, store in a container, and enjoy. Even my 2 year old loves it! She calls it "vanola".

Sunshine, bikes, gardens, SPRING

Once again, I've been neglecting this blog. I have been swamped with school work, and trying to get into my studio to keep myself a little sane from time to time.
We are moving along with our family bike build, the next step is the girls' seats. Tray and I went out for a date the other night, and I got to sit on the back! It was so much fun.

We are helping with weeding and planting flowers and general upkeep at our community garden. My friend Lois is the boss lady, and she has already put in a ton of work organizing, helping, digging, and working to make it awesome. There are about 5 or 6 raised beds that people are growing veggies in, and some benches and tables and a periphery area to be filled with flowers. Exiting! Last night we had a picnic there, which was a bit of a whine fest for our girls, but in the end was good:

It's been too long

Well, my daughter Fern had her kidney surgery yesterday. It went splendid, and she's already home and recovering with lots of vegging in front of the computer with movies.
I was sick all last weekend, and going a bit crazy in my head because I wasn't able to get anything accomplished. Once I was feeling better, I set to work on a couple of projects that had been brewing in my head.
We ran out of toothpaste the other day, and since I watched 'No Impact Man', I have really been going crazy with the eco-movement. I also watched 'Food, Inc.' while I was sick, so that also spurred me on. I recommend both films, and if you have Netflix, they are both on instant watch. I don't know if it was the pregnancy hormones or what, but I cried a LOT watching Food, Inc. Especially the parts about Polyface Farms.
So to some pictures:
first, toothpaste, made with my friend Lois' recipe:

and the progress on the bike:

and lastly, the rain barrel I made at a demo put on by Sustainable 19125 the other night:

Completed Knitting Project

I finished this vest the other day, pattern here. It was fun to knit, even considering I don't really like to follow patterns. There weren't any steps that were too difficult, and it was done quickly!

I also made some more recycled bike tube pouches:
Customers from the bike shop that Tray works at have been giving me a consistent flow of orders. At this point in time, consistent is like 2 hours a week, as I am either exhausted or doing school or housework. But I love the time spent in my studio!
I am also working on some Very Baby One Size Diapers, pictures to follow as I start to stitch them up. It seems like cutting took ages.

Woh this thing is cozy.

 

in the Etsy shop

My First Rebourne Backpack

Friends to Play in the Sunshine

Madeline came over yesterday for some fun riding bikes and doing sidewalk chalk in the sunshine. What a glorious day.