Under the Tulip Tree

What I Noticed About My House

A few weeks ago, when I was taking pictures of things for my shop and lamenting the lack of knick-knacks and photo props around, I also noticed something I hadn't noticed before: My house does not reflect who I am. In terms of importance in the world, I realize this is a very unimportant development. But I also care what my house looks like and I am very affected by the visual spaces around me. I like to be inspired. And I'm not sure when or how it happened because I usually pay more attention to these things but… my house is not inspiring. Somewhere along the line I let practicality and ease of cleaning get in the way of loving my space.

It's a small start but I added some of my ceramic things to this previously blank mantle. And I'm thinking about making new pillows for the couch. Or maybe I'll start looking for a couch that won't give people backaches when they sit in it. No, I won't be able to do that but maybe I'll make some new bookshelves. Maybe I'll frame some of the kids' artwork. Maybe I'll bring in some of the stuff that's been packed away in the garage. What I won't be doing is buying new things because they are cheap and fit the space (like I usually do). I want my house to be cozier, homier, warmer, and filled with things I love, on a budget of $0. Okay, let's say less than $100. Is that even possible?

ANY

Banana Crumb Muffins

The kids and I got creamed with back-to-school colds last week—all particularly unwelcome in their own particularly unawesome ways. After making everyone eat lots of homemade chicken soup and drink lots of herbal syrup, I figured we could all use something a little yummier and decided to do some baking. I had three overripe bananas on my counter so I knew it would involve bananas. And I felt like having muffins so I knew it would involve muffins. And I didn't want to go to the store so I knew it would involve what I had in my cupboard. And guess what? I know I tend to exaggerate how good or bad something is but holy shish kabob, these are the best banana muffins I've ever had! I noticed that this recipe has had over 6,500 reviewers giving it five stars so I can't be the only one who thinks so.

The outside and the top have a lovely crisp to them, and the inside is soft and scrumptious with a few moist bits of banana here and there. Yumm, yumm. If you have overripe bananas on your counter, I suggest you give this recipe some serious consideration.

ANY

Banana Crumb Muffins
Recipe found here

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.

2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

ANY

Oh, and I did my usual substitution of spelt flour for all-purpose flour, and I didn't add all of the sugar. I also added 1/2 tsp. vanilla to the bananas and a dash of nutmeg to the flour mixture. I don't know why, it just seemed like the right thing to do.

ANY

Autumn Skyline

We've had some amazing moons this month. Lots of reds and oranges and great big saucers in the sky. The other night I was out running errands and the sky was a very, very dark blue-violet and I saw the moon behind me and it was glowing red. I called home to have Michael take a picture of it for me because it was that beautiful. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to capture it but I think he totally did.

The color of the sky that night inspired these new earrings for my shop this week. And that color also reminds me that crisp autumn nights are here to stay, and pretty soon the leaves will be turning orange and gold against them.

With that, I wish you a wonderful first weekend of autumn…

ANY

Mid-Life Moccasins

How does that saying go? Something like, "If you wore something the first time it was in fashion then you're too old to wear it the second time?" Now when it comes to acid-wash jeans and side ponytails, I wholeheartedly agree. But Minnetonka moccasins? No way. That might be because I don't want to wear acid-wash jeans or a side ponytail…

In any case, I wore Minnetonka moccasins every day when I was in eighth grade. Yes, about the same age as my daughter if you're wondering. Every year growing up, our family took a summer vacation to Michigan or Door County, Wisconsin, and every year I'd buy another pair of moccasins. I'd wear them even in the Chicago snow, until the bottoms were worn through and I had to layer them with duct tape. They had terrible arch support even for a 13-year-old so you can imagine the lack of support they give me now. But, again, do I care? No I do not.

When we went to Rockaway Beach a few weeks ago and I saw a sign for Minnetonka moccasins, I knew we'd be stopping. The rest of the family hit the gag gifts and the seashells and I bee-lined for the moccasin wall. I tried on a few slightly more fashionable pairs but I wanted the beads and the fringe and the no-soles. (I would have freaked if they had the camel-colored suede like I had in eighth grade.) So I got these. When my husband saw them he told me they had mid-life crisis written all over them. But when I wore them the other day to pick Perry up from school, what did the first person who saw them say? "Those shoes are so cute! I want a pair!"

So go figure.

ANY

My Handmade Shop Is Open

It really hit me out of the blue, this shop. I didn't plan it, it just sort of happened.

ANY

And I'm not sure where it's headed. Right now, I'm very into jewelry and purses, but in the future? Who knows. I could start making prints or hand knit sweaters. (I can't knit so I probably won't be making hand knit sweaters…)

ANY

Right now, it feels good to have a house and a home for the things that I am making—a place to share what I'm doing.

ANY

Of course, I have no idea what I'm doing. But putting stuff out in the world is pretty good motivation to keep doing something, at least, and seeing where it goes. I like seeing where things go.

ANY

Once again, I'd like to thank you for bearing witness to my fury and foibles. It's always so much better when I share my work with friends. Always.

If you are so inclined, have a look at my shop and let me know what you think.

ANY

Things I Would Say to Myself on This Day, 17 Years Ago

Oak Park, Illinois, September 17, 1994

ANY

Don't move across the country three days after you get married.

Go on a honeymoon instead.

The first year will be harder than you think, in spite of how well you already know each other.

You'll underestimate how much you'll miss everyone.

You'll want everything to be in place right away and you'll hate how unsettled your life is at first.

Don't be in such a rush.

Sometimes you'll think your new husband is the most fantastic thing in the whole world.

Sometimes you won't.

Sometimes he won't think you are either.

You'll want to live in the city and he'll want to live in the country.

You'll want to live in the country and he'll want to live in the city.

You'll do the worrying.

He won't.

Be nice to him because he'll give you his dinner when you don't like what you've ordered.

And he'll watch your movies with you even though you won't watch his with him.

Sometimes you'll be a good wife.

Sometimes you won't.

He'll make you laugh till your face hurts.

Sometimes you'll make him laugh, too.

One day you'll look at your husband's face in this picture and it will almost make you cry.

And then it will.

One day you'll look back at your old, young self and wonder how in the world you managed to find this guy.

But you'll never figure that out.

You'll never, ever know what you did to deserve such a thoughtful, patient, and extraordinary man.

ANY

Backyard Harvest 9/15/11

Russian Black plum tomatoes, Stupice tomatoes, and Valencia onions for Filo Tomato Tart (a family favorite for years), Bolero Hybrid Carrots for the bunnies (not a fan of this variety, maybe some will turn into carrot cake), Purple Beauty pepper (mutant, probably won't be used for anything), and Dark Green zucchini for what has quickly become my hubby's favorite cookie, Zucchini-Nut-Bread Cookie Sandwiches.

Russian Fingerling potatoes for everything potato. As long as these babies stay fresh in a cardboard box in the garage, I'll be set through winter!

ANY