a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 12

Spending Time with Family and Friends

Clearly, this is what i was doing yesterday as i didn't get around to post! I love Christmas, because it means good quality time with loved ones. Even though J and i see our families throughout the year, visits typically are shorter and not as jovial. Maybe it's the opening of presents that makes us feel jovial, or maybe it's because everyone is together, or maybe it's because it's tradition. All of the above works!

Yesterday was no exception - we spent time with both our families, talking and sharing stories. I also love Christmas because it means spoiling and treating our families to gifts, something my parents especially do for me all year long. It's good to let them know i appreciate that and want to give back, as a way of saying thanks and i love you.

The rest of the week, we'll be getting to catch up with other friends and i'm looking forward to that too - some friends who i haven't seen in months and Christmas allows us that.

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 11

Holiday Songs

I love Christmas songs, both old classics and new ones, but really prefer the classics. I can't say i was quite fond of hearing them back in October and early November, but now it's fitting. We've been listening to a good mix on my IPod, that my partner (aka DJ Kalm) put together. It's so good to listen to when cooking, reading, sipping Soy Nog, wrapping presents, making presents - you name it!

Here are just some of the songs on the mix:

1) We're Going to the Country - Sufjan Stevens
2) Christmas Eve - Sugarcubes
3) White Christmas- Bright Eyes
4) The Christmas Song - Sammy Davis Jr.
5) O Little Town of Bethlehem - Belle and Sebastian
6) Silver Bells - Ray Connif
7) Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming - Feist
8) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Frank Sinatra
9) It's Christmas Time - Yo La Tengo
10) Just Like Christmas - Low
11) Let it Snow! - Dean Martin

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 10

Creamy Holiday Dips: Eating Well Over the Holidays

I love eating food that i seem to reserve for the holidays - things that are loaded a bit more in calories and are otherwise decadent and delectable treats. As i'm off work for 2 weeks starting yesterday, it has already happened! But, another great part of the holidays are all the parties and get-togethers to have with friends. Bringing a dip like this with chips or veggies is an instant success! Of course, all the snow we've had lately is an instant way to walk off the added weight and calories - each lift of a leg seems to be weighed down by all the snow!

Creamy Artichoke Dip

Now, i have no idea what the traditional non-vegan version tastes like, but this is mine:

6 oz silken tofu, medium consistency preferred
1/4 cup vegan mayo
2 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 cup pickled artichokes, diced
6 fresh mushrooms, small dices
1 garlic clove, minced
dash of salt and pepper

1) Cream tofu and mayo in food processor, until smooth.
2) Add other ingredients, mix until combined
3) Enjoy! This is good for about 6 servings, but it is easy to double for a larger party.

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 9

Wrapping Paper

I love thinking of new ways to wrap presents each year - in the past, i once used only fabric, and another year, i used 'non-traditional wrapping' like unused popcorn bags. This year, in keeping with my love for re-using, recycling, and reducing, and my all around love for Mother Earth, i am re-using old flip chart paper from work and this year's calendar. Most of the flip chart was barely used, but some sheets come from my co-worker's workshop series on anger management - an added gift for anyone, i'd say!

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 8

Happy Winter Solstice

I love this day as part of my holiday season - it's one tradition that my partner and i have made all our own. We usually do some special things together, and luckily this year, the day falls on a Sunday! We are planning to watch Christmas movies at home, and possibly open 1 present each. But, most importantly is a trek down to Kensington Market for their annual Solstice celebration - Festival of Light. Everyone who comes participates in some way - either marching in the parade itself or observing the many skits along the way. I love both the family feel and Pagan dedication that brings people together. Quite wonderful.

Now, all we have to do is work up the strength to walk out of our cozy li'l house and conquer the snow - even more fell overnight!

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 7

Ornaments!

Over the years, i have collected quite specific tree ornaments - ballerinas and mermaids. Can't really explain why but that i love both. Lately, we have been adding a new ornament to the tree each year, but i haven't been able to do that yet this year - i wanted to make one but am stuck on what to make. I'm thinking maybe knitting small sweaters or something? Anyway, here is this year's tree - standing proudly in our new home and new location.

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Snowy Days

We are indoors today, as the snow is coming down a LOT today. Toronto is expecting 20 more cm after another day of 15 cm or so. Just in time for Christmas. And so nice to see from inside, when i'm busy knitting, wrapping presents, and otherwise feeling all warm and cozy inside!

Now, all i have to do is go out there and buy us some crazy carpets!

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 5

Cupcakes and Chocolate

Nothing says holiday quite like chocolate and sweets for me, and this year is no exception. Here are some recent baked goods i made for various pot luck parties - Hazelnut Mousse Cupcakes, Chocolate Mint Cupcakes (both from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World), and a lovely chocolate layered cake from Get it Ripe - i think it's called The New Classic Chocoate Cake. Really good, and i think the best cake we've made that you really can't tell it's vegan. Not that that is a concern for me, but it's a winner at potucks with non-vegan friends. Moist, rich, creamy, and decadent!

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 4

Decorations

Unlike some of my neighbours, who started putting up lights and other Christmas decorations the day after Halloween, i rebel and wait until December 1. As this year marks my first Christmas in my own house, it was fun to put my usual suspects of decorations up in a whole new way. Unfortunately, i don't have a fireplace anymore, but i do have staircases!
Nothing says holiday season for me more than a few good decorations placed all over the house. I just love walking in the front door to a warm greeting and cozy feel of home. We also have a tree, that we bought last week, but that's a whole other 12 days entry so stay tuned!

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 3

Cookies and Icing

We had a holiday party a week ago, where we met with our close group of friends for our monthly pizza dinner night. Since we wanted to make it festive, i also made some Vegan Sugar Cookies. Now, there are oodles of recipes on-line and in your various cookbooks, but i really wanted ones this year that were crisp, and the icing was able to harden - not always the case with me. Here is one such recipe for cookies, and i customized the various simple icing recipes to make my very own. Here it is:

Egg Nog Icing

• 4 tablespoons vegan margarine
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• dash of salt
  
• 2 tbsp of vegan eggnog, or enough to combine

1. Beat ingredients until fluffy. If too runny, add more sugar, and if too dry, add more eggnog.
2. Spread on cookies, once cookies are nice and cooled. As icing is starting to harden, add sprinkles of your choice. I also stacked smaller cookies on top of bigger ones, for added flair!
3. Enjoy

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 2

Buy Handmade or Local

Unfortunately, i will not have a lot of time to make gifts this year - don't ask! - but i have been able to keep my promise to buy local and/or handmade. It is easy for some of my gift recipients like my sister, who is just as crafty as me, but others prove a bit more of challenge. Like some kitchen supply wants for someone, books for others, etc. But only a small challenge, as living in a big city allows me to go to independent stores for such things - the goods may not be local necessarily, but we fill good buying in smaller stores and not the (ahem) big box ones!

There's nothing i love more than shopping for a few hours for loved ones and then carrying all the goods home, only to reopen the presents and wrap them up. Such a warm feeling!

Another holiday season love of mine are the various craft fairs in the city. Most are done now, but one or two more can still spring up. This year, i did the One of a Kind Show, The Workroom's Trunk Sale, and City of Craft. At each event, i was able to stock up on some gifts. One of me as well!

If you are interested in buying handmade, here are some great sources on-line, if you don't already know of them:
- GoodEGG Industries
- Etsy
- Buy Handmade
- Buy Olympia
- Bust Boobtique

a crafty vegan's 12 Days of Christmas - Day 1

The Wreath
I just realized that today marks 12 days before the big day, and luckily my most recent absence from here is that i've been busy working on things for the holidays. So, in dedication to this month's fine holiday, here are my 12 days and 12 celebrations!

This is our first year at our very own house. It was fun to decorate it, and this month marks the final month before we can celebrate being home-owners for one year! While our budget its tight (see last sentence - wow home-ownership comes at a price!), we have still been able to fill our sweet little house with festive goodness.About a week ago, i was out looking at my front garden and realized my lovely Holly bush would be a great salvation to my wonderings about how to decorate my house. I had bought a wooden wreath circle a month ago, and sat with it, not sure what to do. A morning of inspiration, enabled me to craft a simple, reuseable, and sustainable wreath - just add new Holly next year! The cute little wooden paintings come from my talented mom who made them for me as tree ornaments a few years ago.

Day 12 - Merry Christmas Tree

Every year, i look forward to decorating the tree, and have fallen in love with using a real tree. This year, i brought out the ornaments and used a 'craft' vibe. I also have a collection of ballerina ornaments as well as mermaid, so i mismatch and play with the theme each year. I annually add a new ornament to the tree, whether it's something i bought, or more appropriately, make.This year, i made some birds out of knitted squares. Here are the simple steps to make your own:
1) Knit a small square, and fold in half on the diagonal.
2) Mattress-stitch 3/4 of it closed, and add cotton batting as the stuffing. Can also insert a small stick of pipe cleaner to mimic legs.
3) Close the seam and then add outside features: some wings, beak and eyes. For the wings, i knit even smaller triangular pieces. And, for the beak, i cut a small diamond shape out of felt, and i cross-stitched the eyes on. I also added a tail from the left-over yarn. Once done, i added a piece of ribbon to attach to to attach the tree.

I'll be off from blogland for a few days, so have a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year. See in in 2008!

Day 11 - Learning New Crafts

I am a creature of habit, and the crafts i make fall into this category as well. I wanted to broaden my craft skills and adventures this year, so i spent some time looking through my Readymade magazines and book for gift inspirations.

My sister is also very crafty, and while we share some craft mediums, she also does amazing work with cross-stitch and resin jewellry. So, since she's so creative, i wanted to make her something that stepped out of my craft realm.

I decided on a great lace bowl from the Readymade book. I had to use epoxy to make a mould, and it was a fun project that included rubber gloves - something that typically is not in my repertoire. This was a good challenge, and while it required a few steps and improvization, i'm happy with how it turned out. Sis was a bit confused at first what it was for, but after i explained it was a bowl with separate holes, we got on a roll that it could be for fruit, muffins, and of course, cupcakes!

Day 10 - Being with Friends

December marks holiday parties with friends, let alone family. We've gone to some now, and still have a couple more for just after Christmas day. One thing i truly love is the commitment my friends have to my vegan ways. Thought and care is put into ensuring that i can eat something, and not just salad, but something similar to the non-vegan dish othes are enjoying. That's what the holiday sentiment is about for me - being accepted and included.

Last night was no exception, where were were invited to a traditional Danish 6-course feast, complete with a fish and a cheese course. I made my vegan tuna salad and brought along some vegan herbed creme cheese. The rest of the dishes were lovingly put together by our hosts, and were vegan-friendly (and stretched the Danish menu to be inclusive).
Mock Tuna Salad
1 cup TVP (large chunks), rehydrated as per package
1/2 cup of vegan mayo
2 sticks of celery
1 small onion, diced (optional)
2 pickles, diced (optional)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp kelp powder
1/2 tsp seafood seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
squeeze of lemon juice
sprinkle of wasabi powder

1) Place rehydrated TVP in a medium sized bowl. Add diced veggies.
2) In a small bowl, mix mayo with spices until thoroughly combined. Add to tvp mix. Finish with splash of lemon and wasabi.
3) Chill in fridge for up to one hour and serve!

Another part of holiday parties are the gift exchanges. Dear Santa, in such an UNcompromising (right??) position here was won by my sweet partner. He actually lept up over the table to get it in his madness to win it, even. We played what is called (to us, anyway) Bingo Plus where 2 rounds of dice are played, and people who get a 6 can pick a price. The second round involves stealing other people's gifts. And this, J stole happily. I'm not so sure....

Day 9 - Wrapping Presents

I love wrapping presents, and i love doing them as soon as i get home or finish making the gift. I also love reusing other things as gift wrap. This year, as i'm trying to cut costs both for me and for Mother Earth, i had fun with unique ways to wrap things.

Here are some of the highlights, i think. The round white things are sand dollars that i made into rings - costume jewellry/gift decorations.

Day 8 - Happy Winter Solstice!

My partner and i celebrate this day and love our new tradition for it. It started out in honour of my pagan sisters, and then it became our own ritual to go to Kensington Market's Festival of Lights extravaganza.

I really can't do this fun evening justice except to say it's full of street theatre, music, participatory audiences, a march, and cold feet. We take a lantern with us each year, promising to make our own one year, but so far it hasn't happened. I had every intention to make this one from Bust's current issue, but alas, life got in the way. Next year, for sure, i promise myself!

Traditionally, we took this day to have as a special occassion for just ourselves, and open one present each. Because, we're carefully watching our present spending and making this year (and therefore have less presents to open), i think what we'll do instead is enjoy some nice eggnog by the fire, with my sister who will be visiting is. Bless her for coming to see us.

Day 7 - Make and Buy Handmade

I have always grown up making gifts for friends and family, even when being crafty wasn't so 'in.' These days, we can read articles even in the New York Times about making handmade gifts, to mark how far we've come, i guess. A couple of years ago, there was even a discussion on CBC radio about the idea of making gifts vs buying, though times were a bit different then - someone had the audacity to say that making gifts is cheap and insensitive to those that can't return them to a store to get something 'better.' Grrrr to that. I'm much happier living in a world that's crafter-friendly.

I love making gifts and spending time to think of exactly what the recipient might want, and how to make it. I go through my supply of craft books and blogs to look up ideas as early as September. I have a notebook filled with craft ideas that i regularly check over. My dining room table turns into crafter central until oh about Christmas Eve. Good fun, i promise!

This year, i vowed to Buy Handmade and it's been a great challenge. I've also vowed to make gifts for everyone, but also to cut down on gifts - my little change purse is stretched thin these days! It may be too close to buy things on-line now due to mail travel (especially from the States) , but sources like Etsy or Poppytalk Handmade, let alone some great blogger stores, and the onslaught of crafter fairs are great places to go. Other great stores in Toronto include MADE, Fresh Collective, Nathelie-Roze, and my favourite hat maker Wildhagen, whose bird hat i wear is a great conversation starter!

Day 6 - Holiday Potluck Salad

Tis the season for holiday potluck parties, both at work and with friends. If you're busy with buying and/or making presents, the idea of making something to eat can be taxing, especially if it's for co-workers who are not vegan, or even vegan-friendly. What's a grrl to do?

I created this wheatberry and tempeh salad, inspired by Super Natural Food's book; her chapter on healthy pantry cooking is especially good. I thought it was a nice, festive dish, so i wanted to share it here.

Festive Salad
2 cups wheatberries, cooked as directed
1 block tempeh, small cubes
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup vegan mozzerella cheeze
1 small apple, cubed
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 cup dried cranberries
handful of greens - spinach, endives or leaf lettuce

Fig Citrus Dressing
1/4 cup orange juice
zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp fig syrup
1/2 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
cracked pepper, to taste

1. Saute tempeh cubes until golden brown. Place on napkin to soak up excess oil and set aside.
2. Make dressing - grate lemon into measuring cup and add wet ingredients. Whisk together so that oil is emulsified, at least in part. Add garlic and pepper at end. Set aside.
3. Mix wheatberries, cheeze and apple in large bowl. Add dressing, seeds and berries. Mix thoroughly. Right before serving, add tempeh and greens. Transfer to a fun party plate or container to take to the potluck.

Day 5 - Book Wish List

I love books and i love having books on my shelves. I also love sitting on my couch and looking over books - craft books, cookbooks, textbooks, design books, you name it! I also love getting books as gifts, and have gotten some great ones over the years. I put some books on my Christmas Wish List this year, but i have more on an extended list - this may be where going to my local library comes in handy.

So, in no particular order, here's my wish list for this year, including craft books, cookbooks, house help, work-related texts, and novels:

* My Sweet Vegan by Hannah Kaminsky - got it, yea!
* Amy Butler's Midwest Modern - check!
* Simple Gifts to Stitch by Jocelyn Worrall
* You Grow Girl by G. Trail - check!
* Dare to Repair by Julie Sussman and Stephanie Glaskas-tenet - check!
* The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
* A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini
* Wherever You Go, There you Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
* Knitting Nature - 39 Designs by Norah Gaughan
* Lying in Weight by Trisha Gura

Edited to add: please feel free to check out my more extended list here - i save any book i need for pleasure or work here!