If you're on Facebook and want to follow along with my sewing adventures. I've started a page for my fledgling business. There isn't much there yet but I'll be posting new things soon.
You can check it out here.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Where??
Where did the weekend go?? It is Sunday evening. I had a three day weekend. I don't feel like I got anything accomplished. Aack!
Ok, Ok... I did get a few things done. I did dishes, and did laundry, and cooked some wonderful meals. I ran lots of errands on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and this afternoon. That equals lots of running around. Oh, things got done but it doesn't feel like there's much to show for it. I tried to group errands but still feel like I was from one side of town to the other... oh, wait, I was! But I15 got new shoes, the boys got some new shirts, I picked up some fabric for a coat, we got needed stuff from the hardware store, I went grocery shopping, I paid a few bills, mailed a package to Justine and picked up prescriptions at the pharmacy.
But I didn't have much time to sew. I spent a few hours Saturday afternoon working on the current jacket but didn't finish it like I'd hoped. This one is taking me extra time because of all the customization going into it. But I'm rapidly running out of time. Justine will be home March 2nd for spring break and I'm tentatively planning the photo shoot for the website on the 9th. And right now it looks like I'll only have things for 5 or 6 of my models. Plus I need to worry about accessorizing to make them look good. So much to do, so little time.
So, if it seems like I'm AWOL in the next few weeks, you know why.
Ok, Ok... I did get a few things done. I did dishes, and did laundry, and cooked some wonderful meals. I ran lots of errands on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and this afternoon. That equals lots of running around. Oh, things got done but it doesn't feel like there's much to show for it. I tried to group errands but still feel like I was from one side of town to the other... oh, wait, I was! But I15 got new shoes, the boys got some new shirts, I picked up some fabric for a coat, we got needed stuff from the hardware store, I went grocery shopping, I paid a few bills, mailed a package to Justine and picked up prescriptions at the pharmacy.
But I didn't have much time to sew. I spent a few hours Saturday afternoon working on the current jacket but didn't finish it like I'd hoped. This one is taking me extra time because of all the customization going into it. But I'm rapidly running out of time. Justine will be home March 2nd for spring break and I'm tentatively planning the photo shoot for the website on the 9th. And right now it looks like I'll only have things for 5 or 6 of my models. Plus I need to worry about accessorizing to make them look good. So much to do, so little time.
So, if it seems like I'm AWOL in the next few weeks, you know why.
Monday, February 11, 2013
A new twist
on an old favorite. Pizza and breadsticks gone wild!
Mmm... cheese filled tentacles! Yum!
Can't you tell I had the day off today?!
Can't you tell I had the day off today?!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Tea and scones
The perfect combination for a cold, rainy, February day?
This:
Hot tea, a freshly baked scone (already missing a bite!) and seed catalogs. Perfect!
I discovered this scone recipe last month and have fallen in love, as have the boys.
Scones
Sift together:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Into this cut in:
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
I've found that they actually turn out better if you mix the last of the butter in with your hands until it looks a bit like cornmeal.
Beat together:
1 egg
3/4 cup heavy cream ***
Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until mostly moistened.
Mix in your choice of goodies (maybe half a cup? I don't measure). I've used chocolate chunks, blueberries and roughly chopped cranberries with some orange peel so far. All delicious. I think currants and diced dried apricots will soon be on the list.
Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead gently until it all comes together. Pat into a circle on a greased baking sheet. With a knife, score into 12 wedges. I lightly sprinkle the top with coarse raw sugar for a little crunch and sparkle.
Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.
Cut into wedges following the scored lines while still warm.
Enjoy!
*** I don't generally have heavy cream on hand. But I discovered that these work equally well using evaporated milk (NOT sweetened condensed milk!). One can of evaporated milk will make 2 batches of scones. I even used the fat free evaporated milk and they were wonderful. Of course, with a full stick of butter in these, who is counting calories.
This:
I discovered this scone recipe last month and have fallen in love, as have the boys.
Scones
Sift together:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Into this cut in:
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
I've found that they actually turn out better if you mix the last of the butter in with your hands until it looks a bit like cornmeal.
Beat together:
1 egg
3/4 cup heavy cream ***
Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until mostly moistened.
Mix in your choice of goodies (maybe half a cup? I don't measure). I've used chocolate chunks, blueberries and roughly chopped cranberries with some orange peel so far. All delicious. I think currants and diced dried apricots will soon be on the list.
Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead gently until it all comes together. Pat into a circle on a greased baking sheet. With a knife, score into 12 wedges. I lightly sprinkle the top with coarse raw sugar for a little crunch and sparkle.
Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.
Cut into wedges following the scored lines while still warm.
Enjoy!
*** I don't generally have heavy cream on hand. But I discovered that these work equally well using evaporated milk (NOT sweetened condensed milk!). One can of evaporated milk will make 2 batches of scones. I even used the fat free evaporated milk and they were wonderful. Of course, with a full stick of butter in these, who is counting calories.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Delighted
Not that I really NEED seeds this year. I'm not even placing an order. Shocking, I know! But there are only a few things that I need this year and I've selected things from Seed Savers Exchange. Lucky for me that since they are a "local" company I can get their seeds at several local stores- including the grocery store we generally shop at.
But today I was totally surprised and delighted and picked up a few seeds that I wasn't really planning on. You see, V had some things to pick up at the local home store (Menards, if you're curious) so he picked me up after work to go along. They have their seed displays all set up. The usual Burpee's stuff and some other cheap, unknown origin seeds. But imagine my delight at turning around and seeing two display racks from Seeds of Change organics. Woot! So, I picked up some butternut squash seeds (one of my 'new things' for the year- I'm planning to do 3 sisters plantings) and a couple of other packets (some sunflowers and some bok choy). And I had a delightful conversation with an elderly couple selecting seeds for their garden.
All in all, a good trip for me. It really brightened my day. Now I just need to get some Black Aztec corn and I'm all set for the year.
So, for my Three Sisters I'm doing Black Aztec corn, Scarlet Runner beans and Butternut squash. I've always wanted to do this but for some reason haven't. This is the year!
But today I was totally surprised and delighted and picked up a few seeds that I wasn't really planning on. You see, V had some things to pick up at the local home store (Menards, if you're curious) so he picked me up after work to go along. They have their seed displays all set up. The usual Burpee's stuff and some other cheap, unknown origin seeds. But imagine my delight at turning around and seeing two display racks from Seeds of Change organics. Woot! So, I picked up some butternut squash seeds (one of my 'new things' for the year- I'm planning to do 3 sisters plantings) and a couple of other packets (some sunflowers and some bok choy). And I had a delightful conversation with an elderly couple selecting seeds for their garden.
All in all, a good trip for me. It really brightened my day. Now I just need to get some Black Aztec corn and I'm all set for the year.
So, for my Three Sisters I'm doing Black Aztec corn, Scarlet Runner beans and Butternut squash. I've always wanted to do this but for some reason haven't. This is the year!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Today
Today marks the midway point between Winter and Spring, one of the cross-quarters of the seasons.
Whether you call it Groundhog's Day or Candlemas, Brigid's Day or Imbolc we can all celebrate the return of light as we wait for the coming of Spring.
I, for one, am ready for longer days and warmer weather.
Whether you call it Groundhog's Day or Candlemas, Brigid's Day or Imbolc we can all celebrate the return of light as we wait for the coming of Spring.
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