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.

Orange Spice Soap

December 3, 2014

I have a major citrus lover in my family: my younger sister. She simply cannot get enough of the tangy scent of oranges, lemons, tangerines...you name it. Her cocktails of choice? A limey margarita or an orangey Italian spritz of course! This comes as no surprise since she makes her living in Italy turning these citrus peels into fruit leather for her art and jewelry creations!

Keeping all this in mind, I simply cannot talk about making holiday gifts without whipping up some orange spice soap for the citrus lovers in our lives. This soap is full of cinnamon and clove essential oils that are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. The shea butter in the soap adds that extra moisturizing power our skin often needs during the harsh winter months.

Ingredients:

1 lb shea butter soap base

30 drops orange essential oil

30 drops cinnamon essential oil

10 drops clove oil

1 heaping tablespoon cinnamon powder, sifted

Chop shea butter soap base into half inch chunks and place in the microwave safe bowl. Heat for one minute and stir. Then continue to melt base in the microwave in 20-second increments, stirring between each heating until liquefied, about 5 minutes. Once the soap is melted stir in essential oils and sifted powder. Pour into muffin tins and allow to set, about an hour. (You can speed this up by placing them in the fridge for about 20 minutes.) Remove soap from molds by gently inserting a butter knife around the edges of the muffin tin. until the soap pops out. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or tuck multiples in an airtight container. Store in a cool dry place indefinitely. Makes about 4 soaps. 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!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Soap

December 2, 2014

Peppermint. Hot. Chocolate.

Really, there's nothing more to say. (Except maybe "All. Over." but that might be taking things to an uncomfortable level.) Every holiday season I have to indulge in at least one peppermint hot chocolate latte because nothing says seasonal cheer like a hot cup of this minty goodness!

Last year, I adapted this heaven-in-a-cup into a perfect body scrub and this year got to thinking that this combo would make a great soap--and a delicious prelude to slathering your body in my candy cane body butter. Who needs the actual hot chocolate when you can pamper yourself with these beauty treats?

Ingredients:

1 lb shea butter soap base

30 drops peppermint essential oil

30 drops spearmint essential oil

1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder, sifted

Chop shea butter soap base into half -inch chunks and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for one minute and stir. Then continue to melt base in the microwave in 20-second increments, stirring between each heating until liquefied, about 5 minutes. Once soap is melted stir in essential oils and sifted cocoa powder. Pour into muffin tins and allow to set, about an hour. (You can speed this up by placing them in the fridge for about 20 minutes.) Remove soap from molds by gently inserting a butter knife around the edges of the muffin tin until the soap pops out. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or tuck multiples in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place indefinitely. Makes about 4 soaps. Enjoy!

Candy Cane Body Butter

December 1, 2014

Nothing says the holidays like those red and white striped candy canes. While those candies with always evoke a nostalgic twinge in my heart, I am now more drawn to the scent of this holiday treat than the actual sugary taste, which is why I reach for a jar of this Candy Cane Body Butter rather than its confectionery namesake.

I use both peppermint and spearmint oil in my recipe to round out the minty smell. The spearmint adds a fruity softness to the scent while the peppermint brings a clean sharpness. This body butter pairs perfecting with my Peppermint Hot Chocolate Body Scrub, so make both and indulge in a decadent home spa day!

Special Tools:

Clean tin can

Old saucepan

Blender

Spatula

Ingredients:

3/4 cup olive oil

1/3 cup coconut oil

4 tablespoons beeswax, roughly chopped into small pieces

1 cup distilled water

30 drops peppermint oil

30 drops spearmint oil

1. Place the saucepan on low heat and fill halfway with water. Then place the clean tin can in the center of the saucepan. Put the beeswax in the tin can and let melt slowly. When beeswax is melted, remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature (but not to solidify) about 5-10 minutes.

2. While beeswax is cooling, mix together olive oil and coconut oil in a small bowl. Heat for two minutes in microwave and let cool about 5 minutes.

3. Heat the distilled water (still in a microwave safe measuring cup) for two minutes in the microwave and let cool about five minutes. Pour the last of the melted beeswax into the blender while it mixes ingredients on medium speed.

4. Blend your ingredients in a blender. First add half of the oil mixture and begin to mix it on medium. Once the oils begin to thicken, add half the water, then half the beeswax. Blend for another 10-15 seconds or until first half of your ingredient are blended and being to thicken. Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the blender and then begin blending on medium again. Add remaining ingredients (oils, water, beeswax) one at a time until fully incorporated together. Scrape down the sides one last time and blend for another 10-15 seconds. The mixture should be thick.

5. Turn off blender and add essential oils, stirring them in manually with your spatula, then blend completely on medium for another 10 seconds.

6. Pour body butter into containers (I use mason jars) and let cool for at least half an hour before capping. If you find your water separating from your oils, don't worry, that's normal. It just means that the water temp and the oil temp weren't the same when you blended them. I've noticed the more I make this recipe (or variations of it!), the less that happens, so just keep practicing. Store in a cool, dry place for up to one month or in the fridge for six months--that is the advice the book I adapted the recipe from gives. Personally, I have stored this body butter in my bathroom sink for a couple months and it has been fine sans fridge.

7. To use, apply after bathing or showering. Use only a little at a time--a little goes a long way!

Winter Solstice Body Butter

November 30, 2014

This body butter is for the loved ones in your life that don't necessarily like the more floral or softer scents of other creams and lotions. I use a mixture of pine and eucalyptus oils here to evoke the smell of a crisp winter morning with the scent of fresh pine in the air. Both oils have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities, while the pine oil soothes dry skin and the eucalyptus oil eases the tension in tired muscles.

Every time I use this body butter, I feel like I'm being wrapped in a warm blanket of wintery goodness! I think of freshly cut holiday trees, tramping through the woods (or in my case, parents' yard) collecting pine cones, the promise of snow in the air...who doesn't want to wrapped in those memories all winter long?

Special Tools:

Clean tin can

Old saucepan

Blender

Spatula

Ingredients:

3/4 cup olive oil

1/3 cup coconut oil

4 tablespoons beeswax, roughly chopped into small pieces

1 cup distilled water

30 drops pine oil

15 drops eucalyptus oil

2. While beeswax is cooling, mix together olive oil and coconut oil in a small bowl. Heat for two minutes in microwave and let cool about 5 minutes.

4. Blend your ingredients in a blender. First, add half of the oil mixture and begin to mix it on medium. Once the oils begin to thicken, add half the water, then half the beeswax. Blend for another 10-15 seconds or until first half of your ingredient are blended and being to thicken. Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the blender and then begin blending on medium again. Add remaining ingredients (oils, water, beeswax) one at a time until fully incorporated together. Scrape down the sides one last time and blend for another 10-15 seconds. The mixture should be thick.

5. Turn off blender and add essential oils, stirring them in manually with your spatula, then blend completely on medium for another 10 seconds.

6. Pour body butter into containers (I use mason jars) and let cool for at least half an hour before capping. If you find your water separating from your oils, don't worry, that's normal. It just means that the water temp and the oil temp weren't the same when you blended them. I've noticed the more I make this recipe (or variations of it!), the less that happens, so just keep practicing. Store in a cool, dry place for up to one month or in the fridge for six months--that is the advice the book I adapted the recipe from give. Personally, I have stored this body butter in my bathroom sink for a couple months and it has been fine sans fridge.

7. To use, apply after bathing or showering. Use only a little at a time--a little goes a long way!

Orange Spice Body Butter

November 29, 2014

One of the most decadent and delicious gifts you can give someone is homemade body butter. Rather than gifting people yet another tray of cookies they have to finish by the end of the holiday season, why not treat them to a festive body butter they can use long after the last ornament has been put away?

I especially love this orange spice body butter because it soothes the skin and, with the help of beeswax, locks in moisture and protects your tender outer shell from the elements. The cinnamon and orange oils are anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.

Making your own body butter is a lot easier than people think; it's also better for your skin that mainstream lotions with bad-for-you ingredients--and less expensive! In fact, the only really trick to making your own body butter is having patience while the beeswax melts and then waiting for the other oils to liquefy when added to the wax.

Special Tools:

Clean tin can

Old saucepan

Blender

Spatula

Ingredients:

3/4 cup olive oil

1/3 cup coconut oil

4 tablespoons beeswax, roughly chopped into small pieces

1 cup distilled water

30 drops orange oil

30 drops cinnamon oil

2. While beeswax is cooling, mix together olive oil and coconut oil in a small bowl. Heat for two minutes in microwave and let cool about 5 minutes.

5. Turn off blender and add essential oils, stirring them in manually with your spatula, then blend completely on medium for another 10 seconds.

6. Pour body butter into containers (I use mason jars) and let cool for at least half an hour before capping. If you find your water separating from your oils, don't worry, that's normal. It just means that the water temp and the oil temp weren't the same when you blended them. I've noticed the more I make this recipe (or variations of it!), the less that happens, so just keep practicing. Store in a cool, dry place for up to one month or in the fridge for six months--that is the advice the book I adapted the recipe from give. Personally, I have stored this body butter in my bathroom sink for a couple months and it has been fine sans fridge.

7. To use, apply after bathing or showering. Use only a little at a time--a little goes a long way!

Gifts from the Kitchen, Gifts from the Heart

November 28, 2014

As we all know, today is Black Friday--that scary day in which the whole world runs mad trying to to be the first one into whatever shopping mall to purchase whatever super-sale items. Just the thought of the crush of people and the insanity of trying to buy as much as possible in one day is enough for me to want to retreat into my hobbit hole and not come out until this day is over--which is exactly what my family ends up doing!

In response to this buying frenzy that often seems to take the pleasure out of gift giving, I'm dedicating this coming month to blog on homemade gifts--simple gestures of love conjured in the kitchen.

Too often this time of year we can get caught in this whirlwind energy of spending, buying, doing more until the essence of this season--rest, introspection, and celebrations with loved ones--gets overshadowed by the glitz and noise of the outside world. In reality, it feels wondrous to escape the busyness of the city and immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of your own home.

There is no better way to spend a cozy winter morning that in the kitchen whipping up beauty treats and gourmet kitchen staples for your loved ones to enjoy all year round. So let's unplug from that tinsel town vision of the holidays and reground ourselves in what matters most: family and the gentle turning inward that the season originally inspired.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 27, 2014

Wishing you and yours a wonderful day of thanks!

Thoughts on Thankfulness

November 26, 2014

As I get ready to meet my mom, sister, and baby niece for a day of cooking for the big feast tomorrow, I am once again struck by the abundance of my life: family, love, joyfulness all manifesting itself in the time and energy we put into a wonderful meal shared with those we love.

I have come to see these celebrations as an essential part of life; we must take the time to pause and celebrate this wonderful abundance, to honor it and invite more of it into our lives. This joyous celebration also recognizes the hard work we put into cultivating fullness and intimacy in our lives.

So, as I head out for a day in the kitchen with my own loved ones, I leave you to mull over the importance thankfulness and gratitude.

On Why I Read Fantasy Novels

November 25, 2014

Because dragons are awesome. And, let's face it, so are wizards. And epic adventures.

They remind me that life is one sweeping adventure, that foes can be conquered, that hope wins out against the darkness. They remind me that the deepest magic is belief in our own abilities to take charge of our lives.

They are a waking dream transcribed to the page, pure inspiration, and imagination--a promise of other worlds and other times that exist alongside our own if only we take the time to pick up a book.

Even when these novels take place on the urban streets of today--dragons and other creatures no longer hidden in deep caves or dark forests, but in the subways and alleys of our industrialized lands--they show us the many layers that make up the world, the importance of seeing beyond brick and mortar and into the soul of a city.

Fantasy novels are, and always will be, books of hope and adventure, dreams and bottled magic, inspiration, and dragon scales.

Why I Read Cozy Mysteries

November 24, 2014

Because the town is like its own character. You look forward to strolling down the main street and seeing the local cafe or the favorite watering hole, the lovely neighborhoods lined with historic houses. Or, in the case of your well-loved Coffee House Mysteries, how the author turns a place as big as New York City into tiny little villages. You favorite of these villages, of course, is the ever inviting coffee house, The Village Blend. It's like a little town in its own right, a familiar place you long to linger in, to savor a rich espresso and people watch.

You even love how particular spaces, like the coffee house, become their own entities, none more so than the kitchen in the Domestic Diva Series. When you are tired after a long day of work or are looking forward to a lazy weekend afternoon, you can snuggle into your own home, fat mug of tea in hand, and read about the gorgeous kitchen and imagine yourself sitting before its fireplace, cooking and chatting with the characters.

The mystery matters, sure, but more than that you look forward to the small cast of characters you can return to again and again, that sooth you with their everydayness. These small glimpses of lives that revolve around family and close friends help wash away the noise of the outside world and remind you that life is in the kitchen, enjoying cooking and conversation with family. Life is the stroll through your neighborhood where you unexpectedly run into loved ones. Life is in the time spent with the small cast of characters in your own corner of the world.

The recipes at the back of the books don't hurt either. They court me with their very focus on creature comforts and the little things in life that make it delicious. Therein lies the magic of the c ozy mystery.

Almond Chocolate Cups

November 23, 2014

I'm a sucker for a good almond dessert; when I was in Italy two summers ago, I indulged in the almond tarts and cakes that country had perfected, not to mention the marzipan!

By using coconut butter and almond flavoring, I've created a similar texture to marzipan without the excess sugar. Of course, I can't make any dessert without adding a little chocolate for the chocolate lovers in my family. Don't forget that these cups needs to be refrigerated until ready to enjoy because the coconut oil will begin to melt in warmer temps.

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 teaspoons almond 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. Remove cups from mold and store in fridge for up to a month. Makes about 16 cups. Enjoy!

On Fairy Tales

November 22, 2014

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.

On Henry Miller and How I Learned to Write

November 21, 2014

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.

Cinnamon-Orange Chocolate Cups

November 20, 2014

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

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!

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

November 19, 2014

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.

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.

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!

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!

Chocolate Peppermint Cups

November 18, 2014

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)

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!

On Louis L'Amour

November 17, 2014

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.

Cranberry Sauce

November 16, 2014

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!

Stories I Want to Read to My Niece

November 15, 2014

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.

On Why I Love Steampunk Heroines

November 14, 2014

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.