Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Food Fermentation and Aging
Regan has been making sauerkraut lately. The reports of it as a digestive aid and immune builder outweighed the years of him being nauseated by the smell of it that he associates with childhood. Every few weeks he’ll chop up a cabbage with some carrots, lightly salt and place in a Ball jar, letting it…
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Rowlf, the Hat
About a month ago a friend asked if I would make a hat for his fiance. A Muppet hat. He sent me this link to the Wattlebird blog for inspiration. I’m wildly glad that I have friends in their thirties who give gifts like this on Valentines Day. Clearly I’ve chosen my pals well. This…
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Camilla Babe by Quince & Co.
Upon first glance at this baby sweater I was sold. Upon knitting it I finally know what pattern love truly is. Now I’m contemplating an adult-sized sweater in the same style for me. I love everything about this pattern. I really do. This is knit from Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed, a yarn mix made…
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Work, Life and Fashion
The last four months have been interesting. I didn’t really know what to expect when going from the world of a struggling not-for-profit into the world of fashion and small business, but what I’m learning is better than anticipated. Beyond fashion and creativity, I’m learning things about living. The daily lessons in slowing down, taking…
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DIY Deodorant
If 14-year-old Claire knew I was now making my own deodorant she’d be appalled. There was a day when I couldn’t get enough of the aluminum-based stuff. I’d reapply at least six times a day, worried that there wasn’t enough I could possibly do to cover up the smell of being human. I was definitely…
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Rye and Molasses Black Bread
Lately I’ve been doing really well with having fewer grains, but every so often I see a recipe that haunts me until I make it. Heidi Swanson’s Black Bread was one of those recipes. She’s really said all there is to say about it. Her recipe is perfect and I hardly changed a thing, but…
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Leather Wallet
When Christmas rolled around I decided Regan needed something as manly as he is. So naturally I made him a cowboy wallet. This tooled leather is really terrific and I know it’s been in my employer’s stash for years, just waiting to come out again for the perfect project. She’s made her fair share of…
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Leather Laptop Portfolio
Let me just tell you how lovely it is to have access to a sewing machine that is not made entirely of plastic. Very lovely. For Christmas I usually stick to making gifts for the girls — knitting and sewing flimsy fabrics that don’t cause my machine to throw a tantrum (or cause me to…
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Knit T-Shirt Rug
It’s storming outside. In January. Even more than snow, rain makes me want to curl up with a good book or a cozy project, and so it seems appropriate today to share a knitted rug. Even though this throw rug didn’t become anything beautiful, there’s a certain charm in its imperfections. Its knottiness and uneven…
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Date and Nut Truffles
Yeah. I know. Date and Nut Truffles isn’t a headline that grabs me either, but I’m trying really hard to be a little healthier so this is what we have to work with. Attempting to be healthier means I’m not baking bread as much. I’ve started saving great cookie, cake and brownie recipes to experiment…
Got any book recommendations?