Author Archives: vairarenbeth

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About vairarenbeth

Just another person on the planet earth. My name is Claudia, but I am also known as teacatweaver. An escapee from the corporate grind, my husband and I are in a new phase of life. Now I read, weave, spin, urban hike, knit, make bread and pasta from scratch, and discover new and exciting things to my heart's content. One sweet dream is a reference to the Beatles - "...Soon we'll be away from here, step on the gas and wipe that tear away. One sweet dream - be true..."

Got Goat?

Posted on July 5, 2012 by vairarenbeth

One of the truly wonderful things about living in the Phoenix area is that there is no shortage of farms and dairies.  These places are such a source of inspiration for eating light and healthy, and along with that is … Continue reading →

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Fish in a Pan – Sear it Up!

Posted on June 16, 2012 by vairarenbeth

Some of us take a long time to work up the bravado to try new cooking techniques.  Fir the longest time I have been playing around with different pans and pre-heat versus no rpe-heat with no real success.  I really … Continue reading →

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‘Tis a Gift to be Simple….

Posted on June 14, 2012 by vairarenbeth

Today I finally checked out the Simple Farm in Scottsdale. At 9:30AM then temperatures were already in the upper 90’s, but that did not deter devotees!  Fresh tomatoes were their feature for the day.  I picked up a gorgeous eggplant, … Continue reading →

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There’s Something about a Root Beer Float…

Posted on June 2, 2012 by vairarenbeth

Living in Arizona, the heat is just going to be what the heat is.  Right now there is a heat wave on the falling side of the crest.  Enough to keep the quails and bunnies in the shade and out … Continue reading →

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Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Posted on May 26, 2012 by vairarenbeth

What a day – the temperature dropped to the lower 80’s, so it was time to hit the trails!  We got there just after 10AM – so it was in the upper 70’s when we hit Superior, Arizona to visit … Continue reading →

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Eat Hearty Kale!

Posted on May 25, 2012 by vairarenbeth

Ok – I get on a jag, and there it is.  Got tangled up in a tangled mess of yarn, which distracted me from my weaving, so I concentrated on food instead! First, my husband and I went out in … Continue reading →

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Support Your Local Culinary School!

Posted on May 24, 2012 by vairarenbeth

As part of my assimilation into my new environment, I joined a social club that organizes a luncheon each month, at a different venue.  Well, May’s selection could not be resisted –  a limited-seat engagement at the Arizona Culinary School in … Continue reading →

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Tessendo nel Momento

Posted on May 21, 2012 by vairarenbeth

After many false tries, I have gotten the blue cotton warp on the loom, with a shed, and it’s all working (finally).  I had it all ready to go, but could not get a shed, because the alternate yarn I … Continue reading →

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Sotto Voce – Solar Eclipse

Posted on May 21, 2012 by vairarenbeth

Today there was a solar eclipse, and what a spectacular sight it was!  We didn’t get the full impact until the pictures were downloaded – nice to have a camera view to diffuse the brutal effects on eyes.  Retina burnout … Continue reading →

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Fiber Friday – May 11, 2012

Posted on May 11, 2012 by vairarenbeth

Taking stock of where you are from where you’ve been always gives you a good perspective of where you really are!  In my new state of mind I usually end up mentally languishing over what I have or haven’t accomplished. … Continue reading →

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