We continued with our theme of making and creating with our own hands by having make-your-own pizzas for dinner. We started with store bought naan as our base and topped it with whatever our hearts desired – pesto, pizza sauce, mozzarella, prosciutto, pepperoni, onions, peppers, tomato, arugula… You get the idea.
We wrapped up the crafting by making homemade vanilla extract, which is also super easy. Notice the trend here?
To make your own vanilla extract you only need three things – vodka, vanilla beans, and a clear, glass jar with a non-porous lid. First we carefully cut a slit lengthwise into three vanilla beans. Note: Do not slice all the way through the vanilla bean. You are just cutting into the bean to expose its insides. Pardon the squeamish analogy, but I equate it to cutting open an earthworm in high school biology class all those years ago.
Once properly sliced, place the three vanilla beans in the clean, glass jars then top off the jar with vodka and screw on the lid. Done. Now all you have to do is put the jar on your counter and in about three months you will have your very own vanilla extract.
Over time, the liquid in the jar will go from clear to amber to dark brown. When it is finally dark brown, it is ready for use. Even better, Stephanie has been working off of the same three vanilla beans for over a year now. She pours some of the extract into smaller jars and then tops off the “mother” jar with more vodka.
By now it was getting pretty late. Stephanie led us through calming yin yoga, which helped us all sleep like babies. It is worth pointing out that we did not sleep in sleeping bags on the living room floor. I mean, we are adults now so we slept in guest rooms and on air mattresses.
Come morning, breakfast was served. We enjoyed scones, apple strudel, and mini egg soufflés. (I cannot take credit for the food here yet again.) For the ultimate sendoff, Stephanie led us through a round of yang yoga to energize and awaken us for the day ahead.
Craft Camp was a success. Looking back, it just occurred me that total Craft Camp time was less than 24 hours. In that short span of time, we made pallet wood signs, mason jar oil lamps, vanilla extract, and we ate very well, among other things. This will not be our last Craft Camp. In fact, I believe it is the start of many more to come.
Crafting is something that brings me joy. Couple that with spending quality time with quality people, and I am firing on all cylinders. What brings you joy? How do you make time for yourself?