2013 meant a lot of change for me.  I started writing poetry!  I should add "again" to the end of that last sentence, but this time it seems for real.

I took a week long writing course in the summer and it turn out - tah dah! - I quite like this craft. 

Here is one of the poems I have been working on.  Hope you like it!

Tiny Lady

Grey wet day, cold, unrelenting rain,

Gloved hands like saturated sponges grip bicycle handlebars.

Homeward bound I tackle my nemesis—the last long hill—

watch the rainwater stream downhill against my steady climb.

I often see an elderly woman along this road.

Very short, hunched back makes her look even older and smaller,

today she is standing by the bus stop beneath a large blue umbrella.

When I get closer it seems she is flagging me down—

her arm is waving and she is shouting something I cannot understand—

the tiny lady is soon beside me as I push upwards.

Her wrinkled face frames a toothless excited smile;

she gives me a thumbs up.

Pumpkin Apple Muffins for Spring

It is rainy and grey here in Vancouver and doesn't feel much like spring.  We've had over two inches of rain since last night.

I decided to make muffins when I came across a recipe on a cooking store website.  The fact that I had two cans of pumpkin in the pantry left from Thanksgiving and some Granny Smith apples left by Max on his last trip home made the decision a natural one.

In assembling the ingredients, I also remembered that I had some of those fancy muffin tin paper liners that you see in bakeries these days.

Someone was trying to tell me something!

Here's my version of the recipe (only slightly changed from the original):

Pumpkin Apple Muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2cups all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar )

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon   )

                                              1/2 tsp nutmeg      ) OR 1 T. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp ginger           )

1/4 tsp allspice       )

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Mix together and set aside.

2 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2cup canola oil

Mix together and add to the above dry ingredients

2 cups peeled and chopped apples

Stir into batter.

Streusel Topping

2 T flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp butter/margarine

Mix with fork or clean fingers (YES!) until crumbly.

Spoon apple batter into muffin cups and sprinkle with streusel topping.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Your Mum's Creations Cake Tester should come out clean!  Makes about 18 muffins.

Note:  I found these muffins a bit too sweet for my taste.  Next time I will try to cut back the sugar.

Kitchen Wrapping Cloth Supports Textile Recycling Intiative

Yikes!  2013 is here and I finally get to reveal my latest project.  I got this little idea from similar products being sold in the United States. 

These delicious Kitchen Wrapping Cloths are a fantastic solution to easing plastic wrap and bags out of my kitchen.  I've always loved fabric.  In fact my first business venture was in the textile area and I drifted away ten or more years ago.  Well, baby, it seems I'm back!

The concept is simple and based upon Japanese culture where fabric cloths are used for wrapping food, gifts or virtually anything.  It is called "furoshiki" and more information can be viewed here.

A while back a friend gave me a gift wrapped in a beautiful piece of floral fabric which I turned into a napkin by hemming the edges.  Maybe that's where the seed was planted.

The idea really sprouted when I happened upon a Vancouver textile recycling intiative called Our Social Fabric.  A link to their website is here where you can learn more about their work and admirable goals.

Attending one of the monthly sales OSF hosts was all I needed to get this new project underway.

Have a browse through my web pages and let me know what you think!  I'm excited by this and am hoping to be so darn busy......

Lots of love and happy fabric-ing!

Persistence Pays Off

Folks often confuse Mum's Creations for a giant company.  I consider that a tribute to my marketing.

Let's face it; we all have strengths and weaknesses and I am well aware of mine.

With a background in campaigns and elections, I have a wealth of experience in what is more commonly called marketing.  Advertising, social media and direct mail are all part of this tiny business's arsenal.

I have a large database of small businesses that I think may be interested in my creations.  I have spent hours, months and years researching and curating this list.

My "Masterfile" is Mum's Creations chief asset.

You know, at times, it feels like I'm sending out newsletters, catalogues and e-mails into a black hole.  In my darkest moments I visualize thousands of pieces of direct mail going directly into the recycle bin.

Then a gem appears.  Persistence pays off.

A business I have been targeting for years comes through with an inquiry or an order.

I equate it to being a fisherman.   Baiting the line with products new and old, casting into the Masterfile pool, waiting for a nibble and sometimes even landing a beautiful fish!

Here's the honest truth.  Mum's Creations is operated by one person.  I am the devious marketer, creative mind, intrepid accountant and callused hands behind this endeavour.  My family has supported me every step of the way with my requests for time, assistance and ignored advice.

The Masterfile rules.  And so do my customers!

Vintage Finds!

Browsing thrift and antique stores has not always been a favourite thing, but recently I find myself going through withdrawal if I haven't stopped at the local haunts for a few weeks.  It seems the treasure hunt grows on you!

I've noticed that when looking for old teacups, saucers, sugar bowls, plates and cutlery I often seen other items that I love.  Other than buying them for myself and watching my house become a facsimile of something seen on a reality TV show I have had to pass up so many delightful and nostalgic objects.

Recently I had a thought.  I've decided to set up a section of my website to showcase some of these finds and offer to pass them on to others.  Yes, I will make a bit of cash by doing this!

I hope it goes well, because it is so much fun looking around with a different discerning eye than I have to date.

The website page is:  http://www.mumscreations.com/vintagefinds.html  . 

I have tried to put an eclectic mix together to start and will be fascinated to see what interests others.

Like this one:

So sixties!

Farewell My Little Friend

We said good-bye this weekend to our cat, Roo.

We really don't know how old she was.  A calico, my son Max and I adopted her from the Animal Shelter in 2003.  She was a stray who had been adopted out before and returned because she did not get along with other cats.

We had to promise she would be in a "single cat" home, and not be allowed to be an outdoor cat.  No problem (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

Roo was a very shy, skittish cat.  She spent her first two weeks here hiding under the bed.  She agreed to trust us at about the same time I found out that I was severely allergic to her.  Further, her teeth needed immediate veterinarian attention (to the tune of $700!).

Roo was the kind of cat who did not like to cuddle, was afraid of the wind, loved to chase dragonflies (seldom catching one), brought home the occasional rodent to play with (not to consume) and was extremely fussy about her food.

She made nests around the house, sleeping in each one for two or three weeks at a time before moving on to another.  The nests were inside sleeping bags, behind Max's bed, on his futon or the dining room chair.

Roo reported to work each morning, curling up on my work chair and leaving copious quantities of fur where she nested.  I've never known a cat who shed so much fur.  When I was travelling to trade shows I would arrive at various locations in North America to find Roo's fur attached to my displays, floor and clothes!

When I went out to the garden she would follow me around the yard for a while and then return to the house to watch me from the safety of the inside.  If I was out longer than she wanted, she would cry from the doorway until I came in.

In the evening as I settled into my chair to read, watch TV or work she would make a galloping B-line to my side and demand that the "blankie" be placed on my lap before she curled up, holding me captive for hours.

Three years ago new neighbours with cats moved in next door.  She was not happy with the new "infidels" in the hood.  She and Jack would scrap and fur would fly.  Nelson was a transient cat and she had little to do with him.  Surprisingly, she tolerated Sig, playing coy and slying feasting on  green grass while Sig watched from 10 feet away.

Last fall Roo began to go downhill.  She slowed down and at times refused to eat.  We took her to the vet numerous times and were unable to get any real diagnosis. Usually she bounced back from these bouts of sluggishness.  This month she didn't.

When we saw the vet for the last time Saturday, the doctor thought she may have had a stroke.  She had become aggressive and had a "vacant" look about her.

Farewell, my little friend.  We have lots of great stories and already miss you.  It was great to have you on board.

xxoxx

Always a Big Job

I don't necessarily dread it, but revising my catalogue twice a year always seems to take much more time than I think it will.

I no longer mail full catalogues en masse to customers.  The cost is just so high.  Instead I send out a twice yearly booklet to everyone on my list (yup, by real mail!), hoping something will catch someone's fancy.  It usually does.

The full catalogue can be downloaded from the website:  www.mumscreations.com/prca.html
I still have to update it regularly so that part of the job remains.  I do include a copy with every order shipped and also upon request, so it must be kept up to date.

This spring's booklet update has just been delivered to the Post Office.  I always feel a "whoosh" of satisfaction when I deposit my lettermail trails on the loading dock at the downtown Canada Post location.

Watch you mailbox for this spring's updates.  Hoping something will catch your fancy.