What to bring:
*glue
*scissors
*stickers
*lace
*paper
*card stock
*tape
*glitter
*old cards
*rubber stamps & ink
*accessories
*other
*snacks

We’ll be exchanging valentines at February’s lunch again this year. This craft party is the perfect time to make those cards!

When: Wednesday February 10th, 7 – 9pm

Where: 1814 W. 11th Ave

RSVP on Facebook

Questions? Email shrinkingvioletsociety [at] gmail [dot] com

This celebration will feature:

A Local Vendor Fair including artisans, nonprofits and businesses of interest.

Are you, or someone you know interested in tabling at the event?
Email mariah[dot]mckay[at]gmail[dot]com for details. Spots are going fast, so reserve your table today!

Eclectic live music and entertainment.

Interested in strutting your stuff be it music, poetry, dance, comedy or some other kind of performance?
Get in touch with Jane Silver through the Facebook Call for Entertainers.

An art exhibit of local work produced in the past year.

If you made something interesting to look at, let Tiffany Patterson know!
Submission guidelines are on the Facebook Call for Artists.

Refreshments and champagne to toast.

Free on-site child care.

Violet Gaia Borgias Brown is graciously coordinating child care for the night.
Contact her on Facebook if you’d like to volunteer.

The fine ladies of the greater Spokane area along with all of their friends and family.

This means YOU!

Tickets are only $5 online and in select stores before Feb. 20th, and are $7 thereafter and at the door. Tickets will first be offered by cash and check only at Atticus Coffee on 222 N. Howard. Release date TBA. The public is welcome to RSVP to the event.

Purchase your tickets online today!  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/97327

• RSVP and invite your friends to the Shrinking Violets Birthday Bash on Facebook
• Purchase your tickets online (recommended) through Brown Paper Tickets
• RSVP and invite your friends to the Shrinking Violets Birthday Bash on Crusher

Eden Brightspirit Hendrix addresses a circle of attentive farmers, families, and rag-tag twenty-somethings. The vision she describes brings the frost-bitten landscape to life.

“We’re in the orchard. Just past those horses, we’ll have a mobile chicken coop that travels around the property, providing valuable nutrients to rotating crops. As the hens lay, fresh eggs will be gathered and sold. Some of the birds will be raised for meat. In that field you’ll find a set of beds for garden greens and starts. The compost heap just past that fence will turn additional animal, vegetable, and residential green-waste into fertilizer. Right now you’re looking at six truckloads of fall leaves gathered from homes on the South Hill.”

The winter wind blows and steam from the boiling pot tempts the crowd to seek warmth. Chattering teeth emit murmurs of awe and excitement. A small voice, “Can we see the goats?”

Enthusiasm mounts as the group shuffles into a massive barn. It’s silent and empty… Almost empty.

“Those stalls were once home to 24 thoroughbred horses. Now we have 2 goat pens, three farmhand apprentice apartments, and a plan to add an industrial kitchen, a creamery, a butchery and additional livestock. We also have Chrys Ostrander. His 30 years of experience will stay on-site over the next few years as we transform this space into a working farm. Chrys, will you please introduce the goats?”

At Chrys’ signal, a cute girl in sturdy boots leads a pair of goats into the barn. The silents erupts into a cloud of tails, and giggles. Some people watch, some explore…

When the dust settles, Brightspirit takes the tour back outside, describing the future as she walks.

“We’ve partnered with a number of programs and organizations to get this project off the ground. The list includes: DOC, Career Path Services, Nextgen at Worksource, Spokane Regional Health District, YMCA, VOICES, YES, Conservation District, Spokane County Extension, Pioneering a Healthy Spokane and Second Harvest Food Bank. By 2010 we’ll be ready to approach the community with apprenticeship opportunities and regular weekend workshops… Today, we commemorate our commitment to this venture by planting the very first tree with you. It’s a P.E.A.C.H tree.”

Small hands lift big shovels and firm ground relents. Brightspirit steps back and addresses the group once more.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s important work. We have to find a way to make local, organic, sustainable foods affordable and accessible for ALL the people of Spokane. This is the first step.”

—

The P.E.A.C.H. Community Farm will bring their first harvest to market this coming summer. Visit http://peachlocal.blogspot.com for information and updates.

Last Friday night a good number of Violets came together to play, converse, eat and sleep. We then woke up to eat some more before getting down to the business of creating our Mission and planning for the celebration of our first year together. Violet member Jane Silver offered up a cozy place for us to stay. We gathered around the fireplace taking turns indulging in one of the two massage chairs, snacked on pizza, played a silly picture game, laughed, chatted and finished the evening up with a hot tub followed by a sauna.  After a surprisingly good sleep (in true slumber party style most of us slept on the floor) we created a full spread of breakfast delights including pumpkin waffles, fresh fruits, cheeses and more.

All that socializing proved to be great inspiration for our Mission-statement-brainstorming-session because we ended up crafting a statement that we all were excited about in less than an hour! With only a few more hours before we would tie things up we decided to focus our attention on planning for our First Annual Event where we plan to celebrate our first year together and vote in our newly proposed Mission Statement. We pulled together the main details and timeline of our event and assigned roles to those present. Other items we had originally wanted to discuss like better ways to streamline our communications or what other events we might host in 2010 were put on hold as we decided it made more sense to do this after our annual event so that new members could be included.

Please take a look at the notes from our retreat  (click on link in page) and please, please don’t feel shy about letting us know if you would like to participate in any way. We will be meeting at Atticus Coffee House at 10:00am tomorrow morning before Ladies Who Lunch to discuss merchandise and the party; we would love to have more people join us.

I’ll end by sharing the Mission Statement we created and will be presenting for a vote at our Annual Event:

 
The Shrinking Violet Society is a Dynamic Social Co-Op of Fresh-Minded Individuals Sustaining Creative Endeavors.
 
A Saucy Social Co-Op!
 
We are dedicated to:

• Promoting Localism
• Building Intentional Friendships
• Affirming Sass & Independence
• Nurturing Artistic Abundance
• And Circulating Our Passion

The idea is to get the young, civic-minded 20-30 somethings of Spokane out to the MAC in full force and realize what an amazing public space it truly is. What a better way to do it then to throw a raucous after-work party with booze, music, and food, each of which supports local business and sustainability, (the event will feature recyclable cups, plates, napkins, etc.). The first event will be this Friday December 11 from 6-8pm. The event is free to museum members and for the rest of us it’s only $7 which includes one free drink and drinking there will be. Wine will be supplied by Spokane’s own Arbor Crest. The beer will be from Golden Hills, the new brewery out in Airway Heights. Those looking for something a little stronger can taste a unique concoction made with what else other than the infamous “gin” itself. Hungry? This event will be catered by Luna from the South Hill. Throw in local music from Six-Foot Swing and two exhibit openings anyone attending is welcome to peruse, including “Art and People: Spokane Art Center and the Great Depression” and “Jumpin’ with the Big Bands”, both of which are fantastic additions to the MAC gallery space. Really, the whole event is a complete win-win situation for anyone who can brave the cold and come out. Most of all it’s a chance to bring awareness to the Spokane community that places like the MAC must be supported, especially in times like these. So please come out, drink, eat, dance and support the arts!

What: Eat, Drink, Dance, Art!

When: Friday 12/11 @ 6pm

Where: The MAC 2316 W. First Ave

Cost: $7, or FREE with MAC membership

This post was written by Liz Jackson, an intern at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and published by Crystal Clark. Inquiries about this event series should be directed to Liz Jackson via email at lizj [at] northwestmuseum [dot] org.

Left: Elizabeth, Amy & Leah baking for the SpoVegan Bake Sale. Right: Crystal's son, Ben & Becky at the KYRS Bake Sale.

Shrinking Violets members, Crystal Clark and Leah Preston organize a local group called the Spokane Vegans. You may have seen the Spokane Vegans around town this past summer selling baked goods to benefit various causes.  Besides, Leah and Crystal, there are always a few other Violets in attendance at their events. The great thing about this group, just like the Violets, is that it is not exclusive. Anyone and everyone is welcome at their events, regardless of food philosophies.

Although the Spokane Vegans are well-known for their baked goods, they’re taking things in a more savory direction this fall. On November 16th they are bringing best-selling cookbook author, Sarah Kramer to Spokane. The Spokane Vegans have organized a seasonal four course vegan meal to benefit the Violets’ favorite organic cafe, One World Spokane and Sarah Kramer will be there to sign books and talk a little about veganism. The night is set to be filled with good food and lots of fun. Flip through any one of Kramer’s books or take a peak at her website, govegan.net and you’ll see what we mean. This Canadian vegan is all about fun and good food (and maybe shoes). In fact, we’re sure that if Sarah Kramer lived in Spokane, she’d already be a Violet.

Poster design by Hairline Media

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An Evening with Sarah Kramer: A Benefit for One World Spokane

Presented by the Spokane Vegans

Monday Nov 16th 5:30pm

Tickets: $20 ($30 at the door) and $15 (children 10 and under)

order online at www.spokanevegans.wordpress.com/benefit

]]> http://www.diamondinthebasalt.com/vegan-violets/feed/ 1 http://www.diamondinthebasalt.com/ladies-who-lunch-november/ http://www.diamondinthebasalt.com/ladies-who-lunch-november/#comments Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:49:37 +0000 Dawn http://www.diamondinthebasalt.com/?p=340 Happy November Violets! The invite for the November “Ladies Who Lunch” is finally up on our FB page. Just a reminder that the November planning party will be held at One World following the lunch. A few of the things on the agenda include: creating a mission statement (makin’ things more official), ideas for a retreat in December to hash out the mission statement as well as planning for an annual event in January to celebrate our one year anniversary! My, my how time flies! Can you believe it’s been a year?

Looking forward to seeing some familiar and new faces on Nov. 14th.

See you there!

Early the next morning (at the crack of 11am), two drooping violets made the journey to Carol Bryan’s little red house down in Peaceful Valley. There they were greeted with warm coffee, home made salsa and blue corn chips, and a nicely arranged assortment of canning jars, lids, rings, pots and cook books.

We kicked off the event by walking out in back of the house to pick a pot full of grapes from a large vine growing in the neighborhood. Pure, local and organic grape juice is one of Carol’s canning specialties. You simply heat the grapes over a pot of boiling water, the grapes burst and the juice is collected in a funnel that drains into a collection chamber with a spigot. The juice is divine and is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. No corn syrup or even sugar is added! Carol mentioned that she’d be willing to let the Violets borrow her equipment if they ever got an inkling to replicate the process.

“Raw Pack” Canned Tomato Recipe

Optional step: To remove skins, wash tomatoes and dip in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds or until the skins begin to split. Then dip in cold water, slip off skins, core and remove any blemished or discolored parts. If leaving skins on, you can choose to leave the tomatoes whole or cut them in any way you like.

Pack hot jars with prepared tomatoes and press down until the spaces between them fill with juice. Leave ½-inch head space. Remove air bubbles. Before or after packing a jar full of tomatoes, add 1 tbsp. lemon juice or citric acid along with 1/2 teaspoon salt to each quart jar.  Wipe rim and screw threads and adjust lids and screw bands.

Process completed jars in a boiling water bath canner for 85 minutes. Remove from water bath and let cool until sealed. Ideal for use in soups, stews, casseroles and sauces.

Pears in Light Syrup Recipe

Choose ripe, mature fruits of ideal quality for eating fresh or cooking. Wash and peel pears. Cut lengthwise into halves and remove cores. (A melon baller or metal measuring spoon is suitable for coring pears.) To prevent discoloration, keep pear slices in an ascorbic acid solution.

Prepare a light syrup or pack pears in apple juice, white grape juice or water. For light syrup (20 percent sugar), use 5 3/4 cups of water and 1 1/2 cups sugar. This will be enough sugar for 9 pints or 4 quarts. Boil drained pears 5 minutes in syrup, juice or water. Fill hot jars with hot fruit and cooking liquid, leaving 1/2 inch head space.

Adjust lids and process in a boiling water canner, 20 minutes for pint jars or 25 minutes for quart jars.

The fridge of a proud Violets supporter.

There were two take home messages for this event:

1. Canning does not have to be intimidating or overly complex! It it actually quite fun and simple.
2. The cost savings really come into play when you are buying in bulk direct from a local producer, or are growing your own crops. That is the way to go if you want to be thrifty.

Wednesday night last week* we gathered to make our own deodorant, lip balm and body scrub. We had  a great turnout (with 7 first-timers showing up) and we’ve already heard comments from a few attendees that yes, it’s true, the deodorant really does work- if you’ve ever tried finding a ‘natural’ deodorant that works you’ll understand our cynicism.

As is typical of our events there was interesting conversation, tasty treats and in this case, great teamwork. Many people brought essential oils to share which offered a huge variety of fancy smells to create. Where space was available people squeezed in to zest lemon, melt ingredients and/or help bring it all together.

If you’ve been curious about or interested in making homemade versions of other household or personal care products leave a note in the comments section and we may just end up hosting another of these to make more goodies.

Thanks to everyone who attended, for a fun and pleasant evening.

Without further ado, here are the recipes:

Creamy Deodorant

• 3 T shea butter
• 3 T baking soda
• 2 T corn starch
• 2 T cocoa butter
• 2 vitamin e oil gel caps (puncture and squeeze out oil)
• essential oil

Stir and melt the butters together then add baking soda, corn starch and vitamin e oil. We made a huge batch and then poured the mix into individual jars. Each person then customized their deodorant with the plethora of essential oils that were brought to share.

Lemon Sugar Scrub

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 T lemon zest

Mix together, scoop into jar, top with lid. Enjoy.

Lip Balm

I was given a great recipe by a friend but when it came time to make the lip balm I couldn’t find where I had safely stored the coconut oil I purchased. So, thanks to the internet we came across this general formula and winged it.

• 20% beeswax
• 25% shea butter
• 15% cocoa butter
• 40% olive oil
• and just a teensy honey

*Also, please let me apologize for the delay in getting this post up. My computer crashed and also took with it many of the pictures taken at the party. I was able to get a few my husband took.