Enchantment Learning & Living Blog

Welcome to Enchantment Learning & Living, the inspirational space where I write about the simple pleasures, radical self-care, and everyday magic that make life delicious.

On Fairy Tales

Of course, there are the well-known ones: no one can open up an old book of fairy tales without reading about Snow White or Cinderella.  Then there are the ones you will find if you venture deep enough into that realm--the original stories not meant for children, the grim gothic tales later made more palatable to a wider audience. 

And yet what you love most about these stories is their timelessness, how you can pick up a collection, open it to a random page and once again be immersed in a world of magic and mystery and possibility.  You grew up on these stories and turn to them still for comfort and wisdom. 

Even now, when you think of these tales, memories of reading "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" or "The Brave Little Tailor" with your parents flood your heart.  You can remember you and your siblings piled into their bed for stories before sleep so that these tales would inform your dreams--a tradition no doubt that your little nice will carry on with her parents. 

You couldn't get enough of those two stories--the splendor of the glittering dance hall the princesses spirited off to night after night, the ever-changing gowns and silks shoes they wore to dance with princes in another land.  And then there was your ultimately favorite about the brave little tailor who embarked on an adventure, defeated a giant, won a princess and all manner of riches, simply by being clever.  Not the loudest.  Not the fiercest.  Not the strongest.  Just the cleverest.  It makes sense now, where your love of dancing and finery and wit come from.  Those stories seeped into your dreams and made their home in your blood.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

On Henry Miller and How I Learned to Write

He taught me that living was more important than writing, that, after a certain point, the thought of gluing myself to my writing desk would be an act of violence, rather than one of love.  Two hours, he said.  Two hours a day are all you need.  The rest of your time must be spent walking and visiting with friends in cafes and making love.  Seemed like the ideal schedule for a full-time writer or, in my case, a full time burgeoning writer.  Not yet out of braces, I was determined to learn everything and anything about this elusive art (and, admittedly, I was more than a little titillated by reading Henry Miller in my math class, feeling oh-so-sophisticated and adult in the face of algebra problems).

Over the years I have adapted his prescription to suit my own needs--twenty minutes a day when I teach; just enough to feel my fingers glide along my keyboard, enough to tickle the words.  Then on those long glorious days of summer or sweet, lush weekends, I can indulge in my two hours just as I can indulge in my long walks and life living.

Writing should be an act of joyfulness, an expression of the fullness of your life, not a ball and chain that keeps you from this world.  Thank you, Henry Miller, thank you for this lesson.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Cinnamon-Orange Chocolate Cups

Orange Spice is one of the classic holiday flavors that I begin to crave this time of year; I can't get enough of the bright citrus flavor and rich heat of cinnamon and clove.  This recipe is a riff on my Peppermint Chocolate Cups, with a little extra coconut oil in the filling to balance out the addition of the dry spices.

Like its minty sister, these cups need to be stored in the fridge until ready to consume so that the coconut oil doesn't begin to melt at room temp.  I love to whip up a batch of these to have on hand for impromptu afternoon tea or as a low-maintenance no bake dessert to bring for family dinner.

Ingredients:

For chocolate cups:

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

1/2 dark cocoa powder

6 tbsp maple syrup

For filling:

1/2 cup coconut butter

4 tbsp melted coconut oil

2 tbsp maple syrup

2 tsp orange flavoring (or more if you want a stronger flavor)

1 tsp powdered cinnamon

1/4 tsp powdered clove

Combine coconut oil, cocoa powder and maple syrup in a bowl.  Using a mini-muffin tin, spoon about 1 tablespoon into each mold.  Let chill in fridge about 5 minutes or until the chocolate has solidified. 

Meanwhile, combine ingredients for filling.  Spread 1/2 tablespoon of filling evenly across solidified chocolate in each mold.  Then place remaining chocolate mixture on top of filling, about 1 tablespoon for each mold.  Allow to solidify in fridge for another 5-10 minutes.  Remove cups from mold and store in fridge for up to a month.  Makes about 16 cups. Enjoy!

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

5 Things I've Learned from Miss Phryne Fisher, Lady Detective

One of my new favorite book (and TV) series is the Phryne Fisher Mysteries, about a saucy well-dressed 1920s lady out to enjoy the world and try her hand at sleuthing.  She's smart; she's glamorous; she's always ready for her next adventure. She knows her way around the dance floor and a crime scene and isn't afraid to do a little undercover work or ruffle some feathers, especially if it means making sure justice is done--with tons of style no less!  As I've been making my way through the books and the show, I find myself looking to this thoroughly modern woman for a little life inspiration.  Here are the top 5 things I've learned from this wickedly wonderful lady detective:

1.  Always pack the heat.  Miss Fisher knows that you should be prepared for anything (or anyone) to happen, whether you are actively working on a case or not.  You never know when you'll walk into the middle of an opium war in Chinatown or find yourself in a compromising position by the docks--or who you might meet there.  Whether it's Detective Inspector Jack Robinson on the same hunch you are or dashing but dangerous Russian dancer, it pays to pack the heat.

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2.  When in doubt, dance.  This one is important.  Sometimes there is nothing but a twirl around the dance floor to turn a boring night into a magical one or use the tango as a pretext for grilling your next suspect.  Either way, you'll look good doing it.

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3. "A woman should dress first and foremost for her own pleasure," so say this lady detective to her maid and good friend, Dot, in season two.  And she's right.  There is something so empowering and satisfying about dawning a perfectly cut dress and your favorite pair of heels--the fact that they might appeal to others is beside the point!

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4. A good man is one who knows how to use his weapon.  As great as Miss Fisher is, she is nothing without the strong and capable Inspector Jack Robinson at her side--and she knows it.  Sure, she's seen her fair share of men (and their weaponry), but at the end of the day, she knows Jack is one of the good ones.

5.  Always dress for success.  Whether you are posing as an exotic dancer for your latest sting operation or simply hoping to endure lunch with your stuffy Aunt Prudence, dressing well is living well--and makes life just a little more delicious!

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Chocolate Peppermint Cups

Lately, my family has had a hankering for more health-conscious chocolate desserts that don't overload us with sugar.  After some kitchen experimentation (and lots of taste-testing on my family's part!) I've come up with these chocolate peppermint cups that rely on coconut butter and coconut oil--two of the healthiest fats around. 

It is important to store this dessert in the fridge; since the cups are made up of coconut oil, they will begin to melt if left at room temp for too long.  My suggestion is to pull them from the fridge right before you are ready to enjoy dessert. 

This dessert is especially festive for the holidays, as it mirrors the flavor of peppermint hot chocolate or candy canes without the sugar rush.  This way you can enjoy the holiday cheer without the added calories or saccharine hangover.

Ingredients:

For chocolate cups:

1/2 cup melted coconut oil,

1/2 dark cocoa powder

6 tbsp maple syrup

For filling:

1/2 cup coconut butter

3 tbsp melted coconut oil

2 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp peppermint flavoring (or more if you want a stronger flavor)

Combine coconut oil, cocoa powder and maple syrup in a bowl.  Using a mini-muffin tin, spoon about 1 tablespoon into each mold.  Let chill in fridge about 5 minutes or until the chocolate has solidified. 

Meanwhile, combine ingredients for filling.  Spread 1/2 tablespoon of filling evenly acrosssolidified chocolate in each mold.  Then place remaining chocolate mixture on top of filling, about 1 tablespoon for each mold.  Allow to solidify in fridge for another 5-10 minutes.  To remove cups from mold, gently run knife along the edges until they pop out.  Store in fridge for up to a month.  Makes about 16 cups. Enjoy!

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

On Louis L'Amour

He was responsible for my first and only pair of cowboy boots--a rich purple-brown leather found at Dan's Boots and Saddles on 4th street, picked out with my father on my 16th birthday.  I'd spent the past six months filling my head with stories of vaqueros and rogue frontiersmen, dreamers, and entrepreneurs making their way in the Wild West, Indigenous people fighting for their freedom and their land…and knowing that those stories were often at odds.

My clearest memory of reading novels like Flint and Lonesome Gods was underneath the desk in the back row of my high school English class.  I thought I was clever, getting lost in land grant feuds and railroad robberies as my teacher droned on about parallelism.  Occasionally I would raise my hand and answer a question or make a comment, keeping up the illusion of being an attentive, good little student.  I thought I was so clever, sticking it to the system reading what amounted to western dime novels in the heart of the Institution.

Now, of course, I know the dangers in romanticizing the Wild West and glossing over the history of those historically marginalized—including my ancestors. But I can’t deny how these stories influenced me as a writer. And I also know that there was no way my teacher didn't see me reading my battered paperbacks under the desk while we should have been reading Brave New World (I had already read that the first week he assigned it, but I kept it open on top of my desk all the same).  He saw me all right, but as a teacher myself now, I realize that my high school self was the least of his classroom worries.  I did my work and, after that, I was my own keeper.

Still, every time I wear those boots--almost fifteen years of history worn into their soles--I feel the thrill of that subversive reader, intoxicated on popular novels about her beloved Southwest, the heady promise of being one such a writer fictionalizing her own future adventures still fresh in her heart—only with better representation.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Cranberry Sauce

When I was growing up, cranberry sauce was one my favorite things to help make for Thanksgiving.  I loved adding extra ginger and citrus--both the zest and the juice--and letting the tangy scent of cranberries and sugar perfume the kitchen as we cooked for the big feast.

Even now, I often whip up a batch of this cranberry sauce to have on hand during the winter months; it is great on pancakes or as a thick jam on toast and pairs well with cheeses like sharp cheddar or manchego. 

I don't like a lot of sugar in my cranberry sauce, so I usually start with 1/4 cup of sugar and taste test my way to the perfect balance between tart and sweet which can vary from batch to batch depending on how sweet the citrus is.  I use three kinds of ginger (candied, fresh, and powdered)--a trick I learned from my mom--to lend depth to the heat of this root.  I use the zest of the lemon and orange so it is important to use only organic fruits.  If you want a thicker sauce, let it simmer on the stove longer.

Ingredients:

12 oz (one bag) of organic cranberries

1 cup water

1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar

1 organic lemon, juiced and zested

1 organic orange or grapefruit

1 tbsp candied ginger, minced

1-inch fresh ginger, grated

Pinch of cinnamon

Pinch of clove

Place cranberries and water in a saucepan and let simmer on medium heat until the berries begin to soften about 10-15 minutes.  Then add sugar, three gingers, cinnamon, and clove.  Stir until sugar has dissolved and reduce heat to medium-low heat. Add zest of citrus and juice of lemon.  Cut the pith from the zested orange or grapefruit and slice the citrus segments.  Squeeze any remaining citrus juice into the sauce along with the segments.  Stir and let sauce simmer on low for 5-15 minutes.  Cool completely before storing in fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for several months (I store the sauce using ice cube trays so I can defrost the exact amount I was for a particular dish).  Makes about 2 cups.  Enjoy!

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Stories I Want to Read to My Niece

There are so many really, each of them full of their own wisdom.  First, I must fill her full of fairy tales for they are the foundation of any good reader. She will know the grim originals as well as the various retellings.  They will teach her that there is more to this world than what we can see and that the unseen is often more powerful, more beautiful. 

Of course, she cannot go through her life without reading The Hobbit (and, if I had my way, the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy--but I will settle for its prequel).  This will be a joint effort between me, her father, and my mother--the devout hobbit lovers in her daily life.  This story will teach her the value of bravery and adventuring and a well-tended hobbit hole.  She will discover that true heroes are often the people we least expect them to be.

And let us not forget the power of the Witchcraft Mysteries so that she may understand that she creates her own magic, that no matter what comes her way in this wild and wonderful world, she is more than capable of handling it--with style and zest, no less.  The lessons found within the pages of this series will reinforce those found in the Nancy Drew books her mother and I will read to her. 

Ah, the Nancy Drew series, it is like a young woman's guidebook for negotiating the world.  They will teach her to be quick on her feet and sharp of mind, always thinking critically and thoughtfully about what she sees.  She will learn to be independent and strong--and well dressed in the vintage inspired fashion of Miss Drew.  She will learn to love penny loafers and Peter Pan collared dresses.  She will discover the importance of curiosity and caring for others, of relishing the mysteries of life.

Sure, there are other books, other stories I want her to read--no childhood is complete with Dr. Seuss nor Gaiman's Coraline, no woman's education finished without the Brontes or Austen.  Then there are the stories she will find all on her own and want to share with her family, with me.  Like her mother, she will be a woman of words; her stories tattooed on her heart and body.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

 

 

On Why I Love Steampunk Heroines

I will never say no to a book that includes swashbuckling adventure, some imagination, and more than a little magic. That goes double for one that features a heroine who uses her intellect, her strength, her powers (or all three) to fight the forces of darkness and still be home in time for tea, impeccably dressed, and ready to attend to the shortbread and potential suitors.

They reflect the two parts of me: the first, a woman who loves a good cup of tea and a spin around the dance floor.  The other, a woman more at home between the covers of a book (or manning a dirigible inside its pages) than within the confines of her proverbial corset (no matter how good she knows it makes her look).

 

They find their way through this clockwork world one gear at a time, unwilling to be stuffed into stories without magic, without imagination. For they are made up of enchantments and emotion, science and rational thought, each piece making the other whole. 

 

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Pumpkin Pie Body Scrub

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Remember that wonderful pumpkin face mask I wrote about in October?  Well, meet its mate, my pumpkin pie body scrub!  It's made with actual pumpkin--in this case, powdered pumpkin I purchased from amazon.com--which means it has the same complexion nourishing ingredients like magnesium, iron, and a host of vitamins that bring back your natural glow during these colder months.  The touch of pumpkin pie spices bring anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities of your scrub.

It's also a great easy-to-make holiday gift for your loved ones in need of a little extra self-care this upcoming holiday season.  What better way to indulge in a little TLC than to enjoy the exfoliating effects of this scrub that perfumes your bathroom with the smell of pumpkin pie?

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar (or Epsom salts)

1/2 cup powdered pumpkin

3/4 cup coconut oil or olive oil

1/4 cup pumpkin spice (or cinnamon)

Mix all dry ingredients together first and then slowly add in oil until fully combined.  Store in a mason jar.  Enjoy!

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

On Being the Heroine of Your Own Life

We are all like Catherine Morland in our own way, wanting to be the heroines of our own story--not necessarily the lead of a Gothic Romance nor the Damsel in Distress of another story, but a Heroine nonetheless.  But what does it mean to be a heroine?  To pluck her from the novel pages you devour and find her in your waking life? 

She is a woman who is at once both graceful yet flawed; otherworldly in her strength but utterly human, full of heart and full of might.  She takes charge of her life, learns to negotiate the pitfalls and relish the pleasures, as any good heroine must. She is most certainly is not the sidekick that lives in the corners of her experiences, silently looking on as others make mistakes, dream big, learn lessons.  No, a woman must always be the key player in her own story.  That other role is too safe, too tame for the life you want to live, for the life you look for between the covers of a book.

Being a heroine is about hope: the hope for change, the hope to stay the same, and yes, the hope for a little romance.  You must greet each day as if you are always on the brink of a marvelous adventure, the promise of something new to dazzle your senses and inform your mind.  It is about greeting the world with curiosity and refusing to be cowed by the villains that cross your path; about making friends and leaving enemies in the dust; about recognizing that we have the unique ability to craft our own story.

And what a story it is.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Sweet Potato & Kale Medley

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Lately, I have been in need of a light but hearty satisfying dinner that is easy to fix during a busy workweek.  This recipe came about as I tried to figure out what to do with some extra roasted sweet potatoes and a large handful of kale.  My empty tummy decided it would be the makings of a perfect quick dinner--and it was SO right!

The trick to elevating the flavors of this dish (and removing some of the bitterness of the kale) is in browning the slices of roasted sweet potato in ghee and then sautéing the rest of the ingredients in more ghee and spices.  After trying some variations on this recipe, I still prefer roasting the potatoes first before sautéing because it ensures they are fully cooked through and lends a richness to their flavor.  I think this dish is perfect on its own, but if you feel like you need a little more substance to it, it tastes equally great as a side to sausage or a good pork chop.

Ingredients:

1 medium roasted sweet potato

1 cup shredded kale

1/2 sweet onion, sliced into half-moons

1 glove garlic, minced

1 tsp ground cumin

About 4 tbsp ghee

Salt to taste

Preheat saucepan on medium, adding 2 tbsp ghee to melt.  Slice roasted sweet potato in half longways and then slice each half into half-moons.  Place half-moons in saucepan and let cook until brown on one side, about 2-3 minutes; flip the half-moons and let cook on the other side another 2-3 minutes.  When the potato is browned, add onion slices, garlic, and cumin and sauté for 2 minutes, until onions begin to soften.   Then add more ghee and kale.  Reduce heat and let simmer on medium-low until kale begins to wilt, about 5-7 minutes more.  Add salt taste.  Serves one (so double the recipe for you and your loved one!).  Enjoy!

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

On 'Waking Up in the Land of Glitter'

Thank you for bringing glitter back into my life.

I was beginning to forget that every day could sparkle like the German glass dust in your books, be full of as much color and excitement as your next DIY session.  You lured me in with your warmth and heart--and, let's be honest, crafting projects.  I didn't have to be good at them, just enthusiastic--a welcome relief from over-work and the desire to live a life beyond my dissertation.

You were how I first found chica lit, the genre of mestizas and our quest for a vibrant, passionate life.  You gave me permission to get cheesy and corny and all around touchy feely about who I wanted to be. Above all, you were about hope, a reminder that life was more than just A to B; between your pages, I found the courage to break myself out of that linear path with zest and style.

You were my road map back to my native Southwest, a lifeline between me and my sister as we found our way back to glitter.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Oatstraw Tea

We are all familiar with the delights of a good morning oatmeal--personally, my weekdays aren't the same without it!  Lately, I've brought the joys of oatmeal into my tea blending with oatstaw which gives me the same satisfying nourishment a good bowl of oatmeal does and that comforting taste of earthy grains.

Oatstraw is the leftover part of the oat plant that gets harvested and dried after the grain has been removed.  It's great for the skin and works well as the base for a soothing bath or as a tincture to soothe irritated skin.  Of course, it also makes an excellent tea!  You can find oatstraw at your local health foods store, herb store, or online at Rose Mountain Herbs.

I love drinking this at work because it keeps me fueled and energized through the day more naturally than sugars or caffeine do.  It regulates blood sugar, reduces cholesterol, and is chock full of vitamins A, D, and E; zinc; and magnesium.  Its flavor is slightly sweet in a grassy way. 

Ingredients:

1 heaping tablespoon oatstraw

To brew, pour 8 oz hot water over oatstraw (in strainer or tea bag) and let steep for 3-5 minutes.  Remove strainer and enjoy!  Makes one serving. 

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

A Conversation with Wollstonecraft & Austen

Last night I dreamed that I was at the table with Jane Austen and Mary Wollstonecraft.  Perhaps it was over dinner, perhaps tea.  To my left sat Wollstonecraft, canonical mother of feminism and Mary Shelley, a woman consumed by human darkness and her own fears.  To my right, sat Austen, this enigmatic figure whose history is shrouded in wit and speculation, mother of nothing other than chic lit has and the breezy style synonymous with the novel heroines we model ourselves after.  With the former, we know too much, the latter, too little.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Mary Wollstonecraft

They are two sides of me, these women.  One is devoured by her passions and her fury.  She can burn too hot, crushed by social censure and her own shadows; she was buried alive under the tomb of her memoir, laying bare the heart of a revolutionary woman in a world not yet ready for her.  And yet, despite all this, despite the fact that her public words were tainted by her private life exposed, she retained the hope of a more empowered way of living, a more compassionate one equal parts heart and mind.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen

Austen is the soothing balm to the frayed woman's soul Wollstonecraft laid bare.  There is hope, she tells us, there is hope.  We do not need to sink under the weight of social pressures nor commit ourselves to a less authentic version of ourselves.  No, we must simply be patient, live softly and deeply, crafting a new world through our intimate bonds.  We do not need to dwell on the darkness in order to see the light.  She pushes these matters off stage; they serve only as the background to the immediate story of home and intimacy and the happiness built on the day in, day out.

I consider these two women as I sit at their table (or perhaps they sit at mine, as it was my mother's mica teapot we poured from, as I now recall, and my own table spread with a fresh cloth and my own adobe home).  At one point, I can't help noticing how dark my hands are compared to theirs. Strange, since we are all made up of the stories, the hopes, the fears of women readers who want at once to live in this world and create our own, to feel passionately but sensibly, to find our truth and live it out with unabashed pleasure. 

What would I tell them, I wonder?  What did I tell them?  That is for another dream, another story.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

On the Witchcraft Mysteries

You brought fashion back into my life and more than a little magic.

I found you one rainy day when I took refuge in my favorite Seattle Mystery Bookshop; the drizzle and damp were getting to me as much as my studies were, making me long for my dry desert home and more warmth in my life.  There you were, the perfect respite from the world: your soft blue cover featuring a woman who is now one of my favorite heroines, locking up what I now know is her vintage clothing store.  The pink glitter--wisps of magic?--didn't hurt things, either.

I returned home, wanting nothing more than a bubble bath, a glass of wine, and this book.  I devoured this story and the next and the next, feeding my soul with the trials and triumphs of Lily Ivory, the powerful witch in search of a normal life. I looked to her to find my balance, my normal in the midst of graduate school, and still do now, as I learn what it means to teach, write, and conjure up the type of life I choose to live...

...and even as I discover normal is overrated--magic is always at the heart of the best things. 

From Lily, I remembered the magic of fashion--the power of a dress to lift your spirits and make you a little more daring.  I discovered the enjoyment of a potted herb garden and the gentle art of making yourself a part of your chosen home even when your knees tremble and your heart skips a beat, for there will always be a Bronwyn or an Oscar ready to welcome you.  And I learned that though you might find yourself in the midst of old ghosts or freshly raised demons, you know you are strong enough to banish them.  I also realized the practical pleasures of wearing keds with my vintage inspired dresses (all the better to look fashionable while on your feet all day) and how to properly deflect hexes--and brew a spell or a good gumbo.  I have even been known to crave a toasted bagel with cream cheese, jalapenos, and avocados--a Lily Ivory go-to breakfast.

But perhaps most of all, I've found that Lily's greatest power lies not in her ability to vanquish demons or cast out mischievous spirits, or even in her knack for reading the vibes of old clothes.  Her power is in her resilient vulnerability, her indefatigable openness to the good in life and her relentless pursuit of everyday enjoyment.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Chocolate Dipped Seckel Pears

I've been on a quest lately to develop healthy dessert recipes that satisfy my sweet tooth without loading me down with sugars and bad fats.  I don't need a big piece of cake or a large bowl of ice cream; instead, I like diminutive nibbles that allow me to enjoy the pleasures of a dessert to close a nice meal on the weekend.  I also don't want cookies and brownies hanging around during the week, so my goal in crafting my sweet treats has been to develop easy, healthy, and bite-sized desserts for a nice dinner.

The Seckel pear, a tiny little fruit no bigger than a golf ball, became the perfect canvas for chocolate and nuts for this treat.  Although I love my pumpkin and peanut butter fudges (and my chia seed pudding for that matter), I find that some of the best desserts are the ones that highlight the gorgeousness of in-season fruit.  You can adapt this recipe to suit your tastes or what you already have on hand, swapping white chocolate for caramel, for example, or pecans for peanuts.  Look for pears that still have their top; it makes dipping easier.  If they don't have one, stick a toothpick in them.

Ingredients:

5 Seckel pears

1/2 cup white chocolate

1/2 cup dark chocolate

1/2 chopped pecans

Melt white chocolate in 20-second increments in microwave until melted (about one minute), making sure to stir the chocolate between heating.  Dip pears into white chocolate until completely coated and let dry on wax paper in fridge for about 10 minutes.  In the meantime, melt dark chocolate just as you did the white chocolate and pour pecans into a shallow bowl for dipping. When white chocolate has hardened, remove pears from fridge and dip them halfway in dark chocolate and then immediately roll them a fourth of the way in the nuts to coat their bottoms.  Return to fridge and let set for about 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

On Finding Happiness in Your Own Way

It was hard at first, understanding what Happiness meant for you, that mercurial combination of feeling both grounded and ready to take flight.  Sometimes it still is.

You had read books and heard stories and watched others as they found their way to Happiness.  And you spent many years in search of their version of that elusive creature.  You went out and did the things that seemed to brighten other lives, but they did not quite do so for you.  You found no satisfaction in giving yourself over to a life of solitude and studies, nor much fun in late night carousing--that was loneliness of a different sort.  Neither gave you the roots and the wings you wanted.

So you stayed in and did the things that brought you past enjoyment, but they did not fill your heart with the deep gladness you were searching for.  They began to feel like an old film reel that you kept looping through, out of habit, any sense of love worn away when you began to feel trapped in this spent spool.  No, the Happiness you were looking for was something altogether new, something you hadn't dared yet to live. 

You wanted a new way of experiencing your life: adventures, harmless frivolity to carry away the heaviness that had filled your shoes like rocks weighing you to this earth.  And yes, something that pulled you away from your books, your thoughts (although this last part is written furtively so as not to offend your words or your library that hovers over you as you scribble this).  You love them dearly; they are often more real to you than the world you live in.  But that's just it: your happiness must also come from the here and now as well as the dreams and what-may-comes.

Slowly, you set about courting your Happiness, gently calling it toward you each day as you took one step and then another towards a new way of being, allowing your roots to cradle you as you flexed your wings, so long unused.  You are ready to taste the world, savor its sweetness as you would a thick spool of honey, what now replaced your old worn real.  There, in that small promise of fuller living, you found it: Happiness in your own way.  It was books and words, but life and living too.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Pumpkin Spice Blend

Ahhhhh, pumpkin spice!  That heady mixture of cinnamon and other spices is the perfect embodiment of autumn goodness.  Happily for non-pumpkin lovers, it contains none of that squash. I love using it not just for Thanksgiving pies, put in my coffee for a festive kick (a trick I learned from my mom!) or on pancakes to make them just a little yummier.

This spice blend is surprisingly easy to make and less expensive if you mix it on your own.  A small 2-ounce jar will run you anywhere from two to four dollars whereas if you buy the spices in bulk, you can get the same spice mix for half the cost and you are guaranteed fresher ingredients.  I like to make mine in small batches, but the beauty of this recipe is that it is easy to double or triple depending on your pumpkin spice needs.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp ground ginger

3/4 tsp ground allspice

1/2 tsp ground clove

Mix ingredients together and store in a small spice jar.  Makes about 1/4 cup.  Enjoy!

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

November is Dedicated to Stories & Hero(in)es that Inspire!

I once told someone--in the flagrant cockiness that is youth--that fictional characters are far more interesting than actual people.  I said this mostly to shock the person, a droll fellow who had a set way of looking at the world which certainly didn't include the zest and magic I look for in my everyday life. 

To him, fiction was fiction and the people who occupied it were flights of fancy; but Real Life and Real People were more interesting because they had Real Problems and Real Issues that didn't always get resolved with a Happy Ending.  No, to him, Real People were Complicated, simply because they chose to go through the cycles of their day in, day out life silently struggling with their Issues.

To which I say: BOR-ING!!!

And thus I told him that Fictional Characters are more interesting than Real People.  They go on adventures.  They take risks.  They fall in love.  They fall out of love.  They don't settle for the daily grind or the bleakness of unresolved conflicts. They operate under an abundance of Hope. They allow their lives to get a little messy and, as a result, learn and grow.  Stories and the heroes and heroines that occupy them will always be to me daily inspiration for a more epic way of living.  The aim of our lives, after all, should be to become the hero or heroine of our own story.

I've been mulling this over the past week or so as I've realized that, in the midst of grading papers and taking care of my day-to-day obligations, I'd forgotten how to be the heroine of my own Life, or as I like to think of it, My Swashbuckling-Spontaneous-Shenanigans-Having-Magic-Conjuring-Epic-Adventure.  Forgetting to be a Heroine of your own Life, now that is a scary thought, particularly because if you can't think of yourself as a Heroine in your daily adventures, it means you've lost your sense of imagination and playfulness that is absolutely required to feel as exciting and wonderful as a fictional character capable of anything.

So to honor this necessary levity in our lives (a healthy balance to my October everyday gothic series!), I am dedicating the month of November to the wonder and magic of stories in all forms, highbrow and lowbrow, that inspire us to live epically.
 

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!