enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

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Thank you so much for your kind words on yesterday's post. The deep stuff is difficult to publish (I wake up the mornings the post goes live with a knot in my stomach), but it's always worth it to write through it (I'm trying to live by this quote). Our little bug is three months old today. She's practically ready for college (with a major in eating). I am still wrapping my brain around the fact that she's a real human who lives with us. One of these months it's sure to click.

Tomorrow we enter autumn. I really hope someone tells Southern California so at least we can pretend we have such things as seasons and break out our scarves, pour some tea & make some soup. I told myself I would hold off decorating for fall until it actually was fall, but yesterday Trader Joe's had their pumpkins out and I bought two. Maybe this is the year I'll try to bake pumpkin pie. It's for sure the year I am going to decorate for Halloween. I have a feeling that holidays are going to be 10x more fun with a little one in the mix.

Before the heat (hopefully) fades, I am taking another shot at making my own sourdough bread starter. I got an email from a sweet reader (thanks Ophelia!) with a link and photos of this recipe and I was encouraged to try again. This is my third attempt to create the right environment for a starter and we'll see if this is the time it works. I've felt a bit like a scientist and a bit like an artist as I've "fed" the mixture every morning this past week and I must admit, that's pretty rad. I am going to try baking my first loaf this weekend. If I'm successful, watch out Tartine Bread book, I am coming for you. Results will be shared here, of course.

Fun (work) facts…

Blog (Design) Love, the e-course I wrote with Elsie of A Beautiful Mess is currently available for 25% off with coupon code HAPPYAUTUMN. Full promotion details are here and class details are here.

I'm hosting a Project Life crop with Paper Tales, a San Diego scrapbook store, on October 19th. This is the first time I've done something like this and am so looking forward to it! More info here and you can call Paper Tales at 619.222.2510 to sign up.

Retired workshop PDFs are still on sale here through the end of the month.

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36 responses to “around here.”

  1. Ffion Avatar

    Hehe, Ellerie’s suspicious stare at the camera in the last photo is adorable.

    Like

  2. PaulaC Avatar
    PaulaC

    I think the deep stuff that you are brave enough to share with us is why we keep coming back. It is refreshing to read a blog written with such honesty. You keep it real and we can relate to that.

    Like

  3. Debra Avatar

    I would put a bet on you making pumpkin pie this year. There’s something about having children that makes you suddenly feel all traditional. Christmas becomes extra exciting again too 🙂

    Like

  4. Kendra Avatar
    Kendra

    I still am trying to process the fact that I produced 2 humans and that they live with me daily…..and they are 9 and 13! Still amazes me everyday that these “people” are mine:)

    Like

  5. joy Avatar
    joy

    Oh man, Christmas and birthdays with a 3 year old are BIG….they get so so excited once they learn to anticipate. Holidays with kids are AMAZING!

    Like

  6. Leah Noble Avatar

    That’s so interesting that you should say that it’s still sinking in, that she is a human who lives with you… I don’t have kids but I feel similarly about me and my boyfriend. I think because I wanted a boyfriend for so long, and dreamed about what it would be like to live with someone and think long term with someone, that sometimes it feels super surreal. I’d love to know if you felt that way about you and Paul, or about being married?

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  7. Mandi Avatar

    She is getting cuter as the days go by! I was thinking about making pumpkin pie from scratch this year too. My family’s always made their crusts from scratch, but not their pumpkin puree. Also, just wanted to say that I, in addition to many other women, I see, really related to your last post! The time following having a baby is such a weird time, especially when you are just in love with being a mom, and that’s all you want to do for the time being. 🙂 Pretty soon people will be watching you with wonder and thinking that they’re watching a magic show too! (They probably already are, in fact!)

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  8. Emma Jones Avatar
    Emma Jones

    http://www.hermanthegermanfriendshipcake.com/how-to-make-your-own-sourdough-starter-for-a-herman-the-german-friendship-cake/
    Thought I must share with you if you’re enjoying ‘feeding’ a recipe. Last autumn and winter, we had this going round at work and it was amazing to share and make. One of the best things about it was when someone bought in their finished baked cakes because of the freedom you have with adding in what you like to your taste, and it smells amazing when it cooks. Another great thing about it was that you usually go a section back to grow from someone else’s Herman. We’re planning on starting it again soon now that the weather has turned colder.

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  9. Jenny Mom Avatar
    Jenny Mom

    I was given this book as a wedding gift and it is my favorite. I has beautiful pictures and stories and great recipes. You would probably like it.
    http://www.amazon.com/Home-Baking-Savory-Traditions-around/dp/1579651747

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  10. elise blaha Avatar

    this made me smile. 🙂

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  11. elise blaha Avatar

    interesting question! It doesn’t hit me everyday anymore. But sometimes, in a group setting, I’ll catch a glance at Paul or hear him say something and I’m blown away that he’s “mine” if that makes sense.

    Like

  12. Michelle Avatar

    Oh Elise. I am SO not an Etsy shopper. I think I have bought one item there, ever.
    But when I went to look at the quote, I clicked on her other quotes, and the 2nd one I saw was like a blade thru my heart. A blade of light. I almost fell off my chair scrambling to get my cc. Of course I could have just typed the quote up on my computer in a nice font, designed it, and printed it but there was something there that screamed at me “This must be mine mine mine!”
    So now it soon will be.
    Enabler. 🙂

    Like

  13. Michelle Avatar

    awwwww.
    Your husband IS very cute. 🙂

    Like

  14. Diana Avatar

    Whenever I think about having children, I always think about how much more special the holidays would be with a child around. Spending good vibes…
    xo
    Diana
    http://unusuallylovely.com

    Like

  15. Whitney Avatar

    Yesterday my two year olds asked for an apple, got the apple, let me wash it, and then held it and ate it! I told my husband I just watched them in awe because they are actual humans! He started cracking up, but yes sometimes it just hits me that I share my house with two more humans! Haha!

    Like

  16. JC Avatar
    JC

    Please do tell about that 5th photo — did you make that paper?! So gorgeous!
    And YES, oh yes, to your and others’ sentiments that sometimes the fact that I had anything to do with these amazing little humans that live in my house…well, it just bowls me over some days. Mine are 7 and almost 12 and their smiles are like a new, amazing gift every day.

    Like

  17. Martha Avatar
    Martha

    Oh no! I can’t believe I will be out of town for your crop. I wish I could attend.
    Also, I appreciate you posting it on your blog so far in advance. Sometimes I see other scrapbookers host a crop like the day before in the area and by then it is sold out. Please continue to let the readers know if you have another.
    Sweet baby pictures. Love seeing your family transform.

    Like

  18. Elle Avatar

    I’ve noticed the slightest weather change here in San Diego.. the weather is cooling off just a little.. at least here at the beach anyway.
    I’ve even found some changing leaves! Can’t wait to see your holiday decor.. I’m with you.. the holidays seem way more fun to go crazy over when you have a little one!

    Like

  19. Emily Avatar

    Hi there! Happy Friday 🙂 I just discovered your blog as we are fellow typepad users and wanted to say hiii! Can’t wait to follow along with your blog and get to know more – I had baby #2 in April so I am in newborn/infant life right along with you. Have a great weekend!

    Like

  20. Lara Avatar
    Lara

    Oh, thank you for your pancakes and perspectives post. I just had our first baby 16 days ago, and wow, I was raising my hand with each sentence. She is precious and amazing, but I too, have wondered how in the world I will ever be me again. It is encouraging to hear the perspective from 3 months out. Meanwhile, I shall keep taking walks with her snuggled up in the Moby, continue to eat the meals sweet friends still bring, return to the store to buy more breast pads to soak the ever constant leak, and HOPE. Thanks, Elise. 🙂

    Like

  21. elise blaha Avatar

    Yes! hang in there, friend. You’ve got this. 🙂

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  22. elise blaha Avatar

    I didn’t! It’s a rad marbled paper I bought at a local art shop a few years ago. 🙂

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  23. elise blaha Avatar

    I do hope there will be more and I will be sure to keep the blog posted. 🙂

    Like

  24. Deborah Avatar
    Deborah

    I don’t know why, but I keep forgetting that you probably live a stone’s throw away from me. So, whenever I am reading along, and then you mention something San Diego related, I always mentally freak out! 🙂 And, oh, the holidays. You have now entered an entirely whole other realm of crazy. 🙂 There will be a billion more awesome things you will want to do, see, experience, make, and eat now that you have a child during the holidays, and absolutely zero time to do all those billion awesome things because you have a child! It took me years to finally embrace the fact that if my kids and I could mange to squeeze in ONE special activity during the holidays, then it was indeed something to celebrate. You, too, will learn to cherish the concept of managed expectations!

    Like

  25. Patchouly Avatar
    Patchouly

    Just signed up for your crop, I’ve never done one, but I am excited!!!

    Like

  26. Justine Thompson Avatar
    Justine Thompson

    Typically a sourdough culture takes about 3 or 4 weeks to become “healthy” enough to give rise to the bread. So don’t be discouraged if your bread doesn’t have the oomph you are looking for. Along with the feed give it a tablespoon of diastatic malt powder or rye flour if you can’t find the other. This will make your starter really happy and kick start the fermentation process 😀
    Happy baking
    – bread baker from Ontario

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  27. Justine Thompson Avatar
    Justine Thompson

    Also! Another great book to check out is Jeffrey Hamelmans Bread book. The most indispensable book I have read on bread. It’s a little more in depth, yet still approachable.
    http://www.amazon.ca/Bread-Bakers-Book-Techniques-Recipes/dp/0471168572

    Like

  28. Leah Noble Avatar

    Yes, that makes complete sense to me! I feel that way a fair bit! And Adam and I have been together for almost 3 years.

    Like

  29. Carrievandelac Avatar

    Is that wrapping paper in the 5th photo? That design is so, so cool!

    Like

  30. Amanda Avatar

    Elise, please share which books you’ve been borrowing from the library!

    Like

  31. Jenny A Avatar
    Jenny A

    I love reading your blog! Even though my babies are 13 and 10 now, I still every once in a while can’t believe that they are not babies anymore 🙂
    Do you know approximately how long you will be at the PaperTales crop? I would love to go but I don’t think I can make it the whole day. TIA!

    Like

  32. Cynthia Avatar

    Elise, I am taking your current course over at big picture and am so inspired! Then I came over here to vist your blog and have been so blown away by your authentic content and honesty. Thank you for sharing that Ernest Hemongway quote too:)

    Like

  33. CiJi Sims Avatar
    CiJi Sims

    I have already signed up for the crop….I am so excited! I am amazed that I have an 8 yr old. I still look at her in amazement sometimes. 🙂 I made a tiny human!

    Like

  34. Caroline Avatar

    She seems to have more and more personality with every photo you post:)
    On another note, I just pre ordered the Studio Calico DD kit and noticed your stamps are in there, I’m even more excited now!

    Like

  35. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    Aw I miss Paper Tales. I know those ladies will be ecstatic to have you. I do hope you post some pix of the crop 😉

    Like

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