Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Garden in Bloom

    This is the first year we haven’t turned to my in-law’s established yard to thin their perennials and cart them back to our in-progress yard. Mostly it’s because 17 inches of snow fell in Illinois when we headed over for our annual spring visit this year, but our yard is also finally filling in a…

  • Just the Basics

    If you visit my site regularly or pay any attention to my Flickr feed, you may have noticed lots of pictures of food cropping up on the right. Not images of luscious cupcakes or steaming loaves of bread. Not styled images of fine dining or carefully crafted cocktails made to please my palate. Just straight…

  • Towards the Sun

    Lately I’ve been feeling down about the state of farming in America. And down is an understatement. Our reliance on big agriculture, lack of crop diversity, our acceptance and support of GMOs (check out the recently signed Farmer’s Assurance Act) and the disappearing bees and butterflies all make me feel pretty helpless. Normally this would…

  • Box Bag Tutorial

    One of my best friends just had baby number two. Baby number one is no longer a baby, but is still young enough to be a bit confused by all the change going on around her and so I wanted to make something special for her. She is into organizing, stacking and carrying things with…

  • Vitamin C Serum

    I come from a long line of soft-skinned, creamy-complected women. As a kid I used to sit on the arm of my great grandmother’s cushioned chair, my body curled along her left side and head rested on her shoulder as I listened to her read to me. I’d absentmindedly play with the silky skin that…

  • Amy Butler Cosmo Bag

    February is a busy time. It’s full of grant deadlines and collection deadlines. And the flu. February is also filled with the flu. So I’ve been quiet here, but wanted to pop in to post the bag I made for Indianapolis International Film Festival’s silent auction and Oscar viewing party this Sunday, February 24th at…

  • Do Scary Stuff

    I am not an adventurous type, but I really wish I were. I see the (made up) repercussions of things well before I attempt anything, harmless or otherwise. It’s always been that way. Get a tattoo, get disowned by my parents. Have fun like most high school students, get my father fired because someone he…

  • Gloomy & Grey January

    I feel like January should be recorded, not by days or weeks or projects accomplished, but simply by cups of tea consumed by me. That’s what I’ve been up to. I’ve been fighting the gloom wrapped in a blanket, drinking tea and writing grants. I’ve taken some breaks to make some pasta. Okay. Actually, I’ve…

  • Baby Gifts

    I’m the first to admit I’m a very bad consumer. If I think I can make something I will avoid buying it, even when it makes a lot more sense to just spend the money. But I’m stubborn. Earlier this month I hosted a baby shower and, even though we were working on the house…

  • Echino Zippered Clutch

    I have a thing about zippers. And it’s  more than just a thing, it’s pure disdain. But this echino laminate sat in my fabric stash for years, waiting for the perfect project. And it turns out all reasonable contenders for the perfect project involved zippers. So with Christmas nearing and my younger sister having commented…

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