My girls. <3

I’ve been putting off blogging for several weeks now, due to stomach bugs/laundry/craftiness/summer cooking/etc, and now all my blogging topics have piled up. I don’t even know where to start!

So I’ve decided to load you down with happy, list-y goodness.

Thing 1:

Indian Food.

Nate ordered a couple of Indian cookbooks, and we’ve been taking turns trying out new dishes. It meets all the criteria our familly collectively needs: Spicy? Check! Exotic? Check! Frugal and plenty of it? Double check! Veg-friendly and adaptable? Checkity checkaroni.

So far, we’ve tried our (somewhat capable) hands at different breads (chipati, naan and layered bread), yogurt with cucumber and mint (yum.), cauliflower with onion and tomato (so freakin’ delicious, and I’m a cauliflower hater), mughlai beef with turnips, beef with spinach, black eyed beans and mushrooms, fried eggplant (drool…), tandoori chicken and red lentils with cabbage.

Manjula’s Kitchen has some excellent tutorials…Nate found her on YouTube.

The kiddos like it, which is a plus, and obviously, so do the adults in the house. Last night I made a really amazing (says Nate, who actually does a good chunk of the cooking) veg meal, and calculated that it came out to $1.65 per adult sized plate. Nice.

Thing 2:

I’ve been yardsaling and thrifting for craft project materials, and having a lovely time. Here are a few of my endeavors:

Chef Hat

It was actually super, super easy! I was a little daunted looking at it online, (I’m not the world’s best instructions follower…somehow, my brain screens out boring looking process how-to as white noise. ) but it was truly very simple to churn out. I made two in the time I’d originally allotted myself for one.

They’re totally adjustable in the back, too. How cool is that?!

It also has binding instructions for those of us who don’t have sergers, which greatly extends the life of garments around here.

I think I may endeavor to make several for Esther’s cooking themed birthday party in October, for the kids to use and take home as party favors.

Also, birthday bunting:

Thing #3:

Three artists I now admire:

Bon Iver, Animal Collective and Lyyke Li.

I don’t explore new music much, but every once in a while I poke my head out of my shell and find something truly lovely. These qualify as honest ear candy.

I might be a little in love with Animal Collective.

Thing 4:

I’m learning to knit, and nearly done with my first funny, simplistic little project.

Thing 5:

I love swapping and bartering. Seriously, peeps, this is THE best way to save money and recycle. For used maternity clothes, I got boots to wear with my enwrapture skirts this winter. For exercise dvds and mama cloth, a 50 oz jar of coconut oil, and a book, which brings me to thing 6….

Thing 6:
I’ve finally gotten my hands on a copy of Sacred Birth. I’m excited about carving out a little time to browse it with a cup of tea or two. It might be next week, but I’m excited about it. :O)