Back to Business!

Thought we'd forgotten about you I bet? 

No way, friends!  Ms. Rabbit and I have been busy, busy, busy little bunnies over the past few months with family, school, work, training, children, gardens, canning and ... you know ... life!  With the cool weather rolling in and the gardens winding down there seems to be a little more time in the day and, naturally, I chose to spend it here catching up with all of you.

This summer was a summer of learning for both Amber and I in many ways.  Amber continues to expand her already massive brain with research, assignments, proposal writing, reading, reading, reading, reading, and cutting through the red tape that seems to firmly envelop academia.  She also found time to do attend some amazing antique shows and auctions, work on her home, and be an all around super-woman!  Maybe if we ask nicely, she will be able to find some time between homework, teaching, and family to share some of her treasures with us! In the meantime, you'll have to make do with my backyard shenanigans!

Other than going back to work full-time (for the first time in about ten years!) my summer has been dedicated to two pursuits: Reiki and gardening.  In the past 6 months or so I have successfully completed my training and practice hours and am happy to say I am a certified Reiki Practitioner!  (Feel free to check me out at www.thehealinghouseschool.com/jennifer-avis.php) As someone who has always been somewhat curious about, if not in-tune with, the energy that surrounds us all this is a first step on what I hope to be a long journey of self-discovery.  It is also a step towards self-employment which has been a goal for some time.  In news more relevant to the world of DIY, crafting, and creating my second pastime this summer has been my vegetable garden.

Ms. Bumble and her hoard of green tomatoes!

Mr. Bumble playing Farmer Jon and his Gentleman Corn

 It was our first garden and my goodness have we learned a lot!  We were a little overzealous in our planting and ended up putting in 4 different typed of heirloom tomatoes (see http://urbantomato.blogspot.ca/ for an amazing blog created and maintained by the fabulous Jillian Bishop, a Peterborough native) for a total of 18 plants, rainbow chard, corn, cucumbers, beets, a variety of herbs, sweet peppers, hot peppers, rhubarb, sweet peas, 3 types of lettuce, and marigolds for good measure.  The garden grew...and grew... and grew!  


It was a wild year and resulted in an epic haul of tomatoes which we have been pickling, canning, dehydrating, making into sauce and salsa, and stuffing into our mouths at break-neck speeds!  Next year the lay out will be different, the supports/cages will be larger and stronger, the soil will be lighter, the compost tea will be applied more liberally, and we will not -- I repeat, WILL NOT -- spook at the first sign of frost and pull everything out of the garden in a fit of madness at midnight in our pajamas with headlamps on. (Yes... that happened.) 

All of that being said, cool weather and darkness are on the way which means more time for crocheting and creating as well as some house renovations for Ms. Bumble. In the meantime, happy creating to you all  xx

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Chocolate-Whisky Cookies (aka. Bliss)

Off we went to glorious Wolfe Island in search of the majestic Snowy Owl but, as every good adventurer knows, keeping warm and fuelled up is of the utmost importance.  With that in mind, I buzzed off to the kitchen and to my particular delight, I came across a bottle of 40 Creek Whisky and got to work.

These cookies are chewy with a nice crumb.  The classic combination of chocolate and whisky is subtle but really does the trick on a cold winter day with a piping hot cup of tea!  Easy to make, fast to bake, and I promise they won't linger on the plate either.  Enjoy!




 Chocolate-Whisky Cookies
(The base for this recipe was inspired by the Mocha Mamas found in Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero's Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar p. 86-87)

1/2 cup melted Earth Balance
3/4 cup sugar (raw, but not too coarse)
1/4 cup water (or non-dairy milk)
1 tbsp tapioca flour
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp 40 Creek Whisky (you could change the flavour profile by using a different liqueur!)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1.5 cups brown rice flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp xanthan gum

Combine the Earth Balance, sugar, and vanilla.  Mix well until as smooth as possible.  In a separate bowl, combine the flours, cocoa powder, salt, xanthan gum and baking soda.  Begin mixing the "butter" mixture and the flour mixture, adding the water and whisky a little bit at a time.  You will end up with a thick cookie dough.  Form into ping pong sized balls and flatten slightly.  Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350F for 10-12 minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow to firm up before placing them on a cooling wrack.

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Nuts! Date & Nut Bars and a Healthy, Hearty Nut-Bread

After the frenzy that was the holiday season, we have been laying low and taking stock.  2012 was an amazing year for us!  We made so many new friends, participated in some great local events, and -- most importantly -- we had a whole lot of fun doing it.  Thank you for all the support and inspiration!

Craft rooms have been cleaned out and we are gearing up for a new year of creativity.  But, before any great endeavor, it is always advisable to fuel up with some healthy and tasty food!

These breakfast bars were simple to make and really fill you up!  Boil your dates until they are soft and can be blended into a smooth paste.  To this, simply add 1/4 cup each of cashews, almonds, walnuts, coconut, and dried cherries (I used sour cherries for an extra twist), some cinnamon, some vanilla, and a touch of nutmeg.  Mix until well combined and spread into a pan lined with parchment paper.  Set in the fridge to set!  Voila-- these ooey-gooey bars are tops with a hot mug of tea before heading out to work.

This Nut-Bread is the very same bread recipe that I have posted time and time again, but to it I have added an additional *light* 1/4 cup of tapioca starch and 3/4 cups of mixed chopped nuts.  Dense, chewy, and nutty-good, this bread is the BEST breakast toast I have had since going gluten-free.

Until next time,

Enjoy xx
Ms. Bumble

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New Ideas for a New Year!

Another Christmas has come and gone!  Can you believe it?  Wow. 

Mrs. Rabbit and I both had a wonderful time with our friends and family sharing and eating, and eating and sharing and we hope you did too!  With Christmas comes gifts and this year I was the happy recipient of a number of GREAT crafting books and magazines but this one really takes the cake:



A gift from my family: Crafting with Cat Hair: Cute Handicrafts to Make with Your Cat
By: Kaori Tsutaya
Translated from the Japanese by Amy Hirschman

That's right: CAT HAIR!  Could anyone get me a more spot-on gift?  I think not.  As anyone who knows me in 'real life' knows, I am a certifiable Crazy Cat Lady.  I love me some kitties and since the hubby has been relatively insistent that I keep my feline possy to one, I chose the BIGGEST most gorgeous kitty I could find.  You've seen him before, but give him a warm welcome anyways:  The Magnificent Lord Aslan

 

 

 

 

With great tips on how to clean his fur, felt with it, care for it AND a couple of really sweet little craft ideas, this book promises to be a source of significant entertainment over the coming winter months.  I'll be sure to share whatever Aslan and I come up with and hope that you will do the same.

Until next time, Kitty-Wranglers

 

Mrs. Bumble (and Appa *meow*)

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DIY Alert~ Felt Masks!

Our table at the Peterborough
30 Craft-Market!

Well, we made it through the Christmas handicraft-show season successfully and with both new lessons learned and new friends made!  Thank you to everyone who came out to support us and all of the other awesome local vendors in Peterborough on December 8th: we had a great time and hope you did too!


Now, Ms. Rabbit and I have turned our attention to other projects.  First off, a little bunny told me that YOU may very well see Rabbit and Bumble on Etsy in the new year!  Check in with us here, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@RabbitandBumble) for more details!  I am pretty excited about this: note the excessive use of punctuation --->  !!!!

Other than opening an online store, we have both been putting our hands and hearts to work making some homemade gifties for OUR loved ones and I thought that I would share this little project with you all.  Originally the idea for these amazing(ly simple) felt masks came from a GREAT felt wolf mask which my husband found online with good-old Etsy.  Little Bit: Creative Felt Designs is a wonderfully whimsical Etsy shop run by a woman from Canada's beautiful west coast!  Check them out here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlebitdesignshop?section_id=11311988)  He was participating in a costume contest at work and one of his costume wearing colleagues asked if I could make her a mask for the event.  I said, "sure!"  I had such a good time making the first one that I kept right on going.

In fact, I had SUCH a good time making them that I decided to make some less detailed, slightly more vibrant and impressionistic masks for the kids in my life!  Made simply from coloured felt, ribbon, and hot glue these were cheap, easy, and fun to make.  So, without further delay, I introduce to you my Lazy-Woman's Circus.... Enjoy!

To be honest, this was MEANT to be an owl but, to me, looks more like a hawk!
Whatever he is, I had a HOOT making him!

Cats and Birds: Hope these don't start a sibbling rivalry!

Someone is going to look FOXY this holiday season!

Fish Kiss, anyone?  Oh, Hello, Ms. Butterfly!

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Peterborough 30 Craft Market ... One more sleep!

If you are from Peterborough or the surrounding area, make sure to come on out and see up tomorrow at the Peterborough 30 Craft Market (downtown at the Public Library from 12 - 5 pm)!  Everything is handmade and less than 30$ so you are sure to find some amazing bargains and some unique holiday gift ideas for your loved ones, or maybe even yourself?

Rabbit and Bumble will have a wide selection of Christmas Tree Decorations from felt and origami ornaments to garlands as well as seasonal banners, gift tags, and upcycled tin lanterns!  We make everything with as many found, natural, and reused materials as possible and always, always with love *wink*

Some of the many felt ornaments that will be available tomorrow!

Jumbo Banners: An Homage to National Geographic

Let'em Glow, Let'em Glow, Let'em Glow!

More banners and Woodland Animal felted puppets to live in your tree!

Don't know what to do with all those T.P. rolls?
We made some crafty holiday banners for your home or tree!

We would love to thank you for your support and we extend a heartfelt invitation from us to you to come out, shop local, and say hello!

Hope to see you soon!
Love,

Ms. Rabbit and Ms. Bumble

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New Lovelies for the Peterborough Under 30 Craft Show!

We will be offering a large selection of gift tags and tree ornaments at the Peterborough Under 30 Craft Show on December 8th at the Peterborough Public Library. Come and have a look!

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