tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62896684422693794202024-03-05T09:13:57.054-06:00It be Fascinating...because Lydia told me so...msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-51894904822284103302011-01-04T21:47:00.000-06:002011-01-11T21:47:56.540-06:00On Reading and Recipes 2011<p>I’m happy to report that on both the reading and writing front, the year has started out swimmingly. For the past two years, Anne Tyler’s Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant has been staring at me from my bookshelf. At long last, I took her off the shelf and had my way with her. I don’t  believe it is her best work, but I did enjoy the story enough to be interested in finishing the book within two days. The characters were fascinating; the interactions and family dynamics riveting; the plot dynamic,  but the ending was definitely phoned in. Still, all in all I gave it 3.5 stars out of 4.</p> <p>The recipe --- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farro" target="_blank">Farro</a> with Roasted Asparagus was a result of a New Year’s resolution to try new and a more varied menu. It was delicious, healthy, and easy to make. I found the recipe on the <a href="http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/roasted-broccoli-farro-salad-feta.aspx" target="_blank">Fine Cooking</a> website.  I’m including the recipe here so that I’ll  never – ever – ever – forget. If you try it, I’m sure you’ll never – ever - ever want to forget either. I wish I had a great picture to post, but the Farro was gone before I could whip the camera out.</p> <h4><font color="#a5a5a5">Roasted Broccoli and Farro Salad with Feta</font></h4> <p>Kosher salt <br />3/4 cup farro (either pearled or whole-grain) <br />1 lb. broccoli <br />3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil <br />1/2 cup crumbled feta <br />2 scallions, thinly sliced <br />Pinch crushed red pepper flakes <br />2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley <br />1 Tbs. red wine vinegar; more as needed</p> <p>Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 2 quarts of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Boil the farro in the water until tender, 20 to 30 minutes for pearled and 45 to 60 minutes for whole grain. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. <br />Meanwhile, remove the broccoli crown from the stem and cut into bitesize florets. Peel and halve the stem lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the broccoli florets and stems with 2 Tbs. of the olive oil. Roast until tender and browned in spots, about 20 minutes. <br />Add the broccoli, feta, scallions, red pepper flakes, and parsley to the farro. Sprinkle with the vinegar and 1 tsp. salt and toss. Drizzle with the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil and toss. Season to taste with more vinegar and salt. Serve warm or at room temperature.</p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-64364372273997530182010-02-02T20:38:00.001-06:002010-02-02T20:38:52.982-06:00Happy 2010… Wait a Second… it’s February?<p>So we had a great new year, toasted the old year, welcomed the new and went to bed giggling and sleepy dreaming of a better 2010. One thing led to another and  bada bing bada boom next thing I knew it was February. So far this year has been wonderful, and I’m hoping it will continue. This year’s resolutions have kept us on a great creative track, <br />culinary-ly and creatively. We have continued our Sunday dinners with a twist – we are trying to use all of our cookbooks/magazines at least once. Those that have not been used by the end of the year will be donated. Since I love each one of my books, and I’d rather rip my nails out then give one away, we have been diligent in using as many books as possible since the beginning of the year. As a result, we’ve been having the most marvelous dinners. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/S2jhukevXlI/AAAAAAAAAfo/vDkp02yW-qQ/s1600-h/weebcok%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="weebcok" border="0" alt="weebcok" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/S2jhvFsyRqI/AAAAAAAAAfs/8KswuO0Yl-s/weebcok_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="400" /></a>Other resolutions include: filling my moleskin with illustrations, working on my knitting and sewing, selling stuff at the etsy shop – and of course writing in my blog more often. </p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-69618814849098050532009-11-16T18:41:00.001-06:002009-11-16T18:41:14.299-06:00And So It Begins….<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwHxKI9LtnI/AAAAAAAAAdk/7gOTSt5a-mk/s1600-h/thanksgiving%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwHxKSnH5QI/AAAAAAAAAdo/XR8h12Tvs7Y/thanksgiving_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="325" /></a> </p> <p>Can you hear the gobble, gobble in the distance? Yes fellow foodies -- it’s almost here – Thanksgiving that is -- and this year we’re hosting. The research has begun and the menu almost finalized. Some dishes being bandied around are Barefoot Contessa’s stuffed mushrooms, Cooks Illustrated stuffed turkey breast, creamy parsnip soup, spicy jalapeno carrots, rustic bread, roasted root vegetable gratin, green bean with bread crumbs and parmesan,  mashed potatoes, apple tart, cranberry-white chocolate cookies, and Fine Cooking peach pie. We’re still finalizing the menu and some eliminations, substitutions and subtractions will need to be made. This Wednesday is “M” day and the menu will then be finalized but for now we’re having fun planning. Can’t wait to see you there!</p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-28523192038394433442009-11-15T09:22:00.000-06:002009-11-17T09:34:51.708-06:00Gone, Gone, Gone I’ve Been Gone So Long…<p>Yes it’s true, I’ve been gone a long time from blog-land but in my defense there’s been soo many thing going on that it’s been hard to document them all. </p> <p>So let me give you a visual taste of what’s been going on.</p> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" width="1293" align="center"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="middle" width="160"> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_4Q1WXHI/AAAAAAAAAd0/INVaPADtVes/s1600-h/chicken%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="chicken" border="0" alt="chicken" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_4z8cbHI/AAAAAAAAAd4/u_2CB3nkV3E/chicken_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="237" /></a></p> </td> <td valign="middle" width="160"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="chicago" border="0" alt="chicago" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_3xVWKTI/AAAAAAAAAdw/LUbus-kq4g8/chicago_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </td> <td valign="middle" width="160"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_5dTrcsI/AAAAAAAAAd8/iHW8UxwE97M/s1600-h/churros%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="churros" border="0" alt="churros" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFjiJsbsvPtC9Oinrr8DlksCACZ16XRxf4xTeUpAmfh7IScjCAYM2bHbJTv2July4REw1atxSVO6xQ4CgfJUNXyiTl3iOA8KGiwakcPBbxFVSmLu-QlzhyCkAve8PsBPeZjuu4XRuLLaD/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="156"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_6GFv-wI/AAAAAAAAAeE/-UZqsZR_yD8/s1600-h/dinner%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dinner" border="0" alt="dinner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_6fWrtPI/AAAAAAAAAeI/pBxTyrxLsPk/dinner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="643"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_67NOdKI/AAAAAAAAAeM/Li9FmQoVArQ/s1600-h/door%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="door" border="0" alt="door" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_7GuHUGI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/rlJJPb3hXhg/door_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="middle" width="160"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_7S79GHI/AAAAAAAAAeU/76Y0XKRnRAU/s1600-h/fishy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="fishy" border="0" alt="fishy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_7_WxzQI/AAAAAAAAAeY/_ZbAV-uQanY/fishy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="176" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="160"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkE54LIiWgFllbOgQ8Mrm1Yo1qfrTUQvh-Q9EYsujNSkf1_F5wBpk9fL57fZ8VvL7pwto_0d2jbrucf0evNdVY0nsRa41hKQdJhSPXlgJrBwtZghlInO-L161h0wZBiPoeYEqvLhaEvVC/s1600-h/greenmkt%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="greenmkt" border="0" alt="greenmkt" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_8g78v9I/AAAAAAAAAeg/L5180o4tMZk/greenmkt_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="183" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="160"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_9OXxTTI/AAAAAAAAAek/0L9PrDRE8MQ/s1600-h/icecream%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="icecream" border="0" alt="icecream" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yFR3xLvCAvnurpGsG7qSVwsFFv2BTDzArYONi3gvagFmFgTKvEb4_7qnJ2PM3yrWX9ZNEtxKBcqIiLWqN3QxouM_IoWeY7JplHr_CXZPoNqFj48YRFkbaT4m3cRnxeYKuwWcGVPMFK99/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="156"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_9nMN59I/AAAAAAAAAes/utE4hQqCFP4/s1600-h/logo%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="logo" border="0" alt="logo" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_937HrbI/AAAAAAAAAew/iGu56PUFCW8/logo_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="208" height="199" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="643"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwLAB1QVMgI/AAAAAAAAAfc/tJNgpMslhfY/s1600-h/tomato%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="tomato" border="0" alt="tomato" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwLACCXCa6I/AAAAAAAAAfk/IUbAXLqXyt0/tomato_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="middle" width="160"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_-504lqI/AAAAAAAAAe8/W_8S6fD3uG8/s1600-h/naan%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="naan" border="0" alt="naan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbOIw0giRcw-MVHG6pfYWr2E1IBCP6V8-7-knlfjPloWhIBCXnF4CeFrukli3Is9CKPH_JrO978idVoGJ1RXpbo2PKWwyc9J7IiTr1Ra_ZI5oD7ytUHxsPsaD5PRSLu8GH5nAeQBfwMJp/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="234" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="160"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK__8PK0BI/AAAAAAAAAfE/p2UiMa4I5Uw/s1600-h/obscenetree%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="obscenetree" border="0" alt="obscenetree" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwLAAOUkp1I/AAAAAAAAAfI/jBG8ke-t1Jc/obscenetree_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="205" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="160"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwLAAqXA5lI/AAAAAAAAAfM/cVUupVozZEE/s1600-h/pumpkin%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="pumpkin" border="0" alt="pumpkin" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwLAA7YG_II/AAAAAAAAAfQ/rK5jZSHeplI/pumpkin_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="156"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQEWEXMEm_SZR742T_Qi-tPeXR9x2WlUQW_LzA7lU_fiWssVbUn8k79wR1nbVnGsytYF1ACflrQtEtnxApFpA5xBlc7-uW8_y9I4CBttZuBtqch1RrYkkyPCvTyWTk384t6FfVt_qmx9B/s1600-h/puppy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="puppy" border="0" alt="puppy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwLABZoQHJI/AAAAAAAAAfY/vPPzneanrjQ/puppy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="172" /></a> </td> <td valign="middle" width="643"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_-IN3pWI/AAAAAAAAAe0/Y3Z1QSWo8dc/s1600-h/museum%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="museum" border="0" alt="museum" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SwK_-bqCtgI/AAAAAAAAAe4/CjchJe-NHVI/museum_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="208" height="244" /></a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-85559548938647377492009-09-05T20:58:00.000-05:002009-09-24T21:12:07.273-05:00Death of an Oven<p>It is with a lump in my throat and a deep pain in my wallet that I tell you my friends… that  our  Thermador oven  is morte, defunct, past-tense, kaput. This Sunday after making a delicious  (and I mean delicious) <a href="http://itbefascinating.blogspot.com/2009/08/33rd-sunday-its-dinner-with-slaws.html" target="_blank">Ratatouille- Tomato Tart</a> for our dinner with the  s’laws, our oven baked its last bake. Sure she had been sick on and off, but I never knew that she was  that sick… she looked so good and shiny. Since that terrible moment we’ve been looking for a replacement and after much deliberation we found the lucky oven… the Kitchenaid Architect Series Microwave/Oven combination plus warming drawer. In two weeks the nice folks at <a href="http://www.abt.com/" target="_blank">ABT</a> will be delivering  and installing our new baby -- in the meantime we’ll be doing a bunch of grilling, stove top cooking and dreaming. </p> <p>Here is the new one… can’t wait to see the new one in the kitchen.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/Srwm9SWol8I/AAAAAAAAAdc/l7LQ1NTCGMY/s1600-h/oven%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="oven" border="0" alt="oven" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/Srwm9v6GKRI/AAAAAAAAAdg/jIrwjFA77Is/oven_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="224" /></a>  </p> <p> </p> <p>P.S. During my research for a new oven -- I found out that our late, great  Thermador model was hated by most of its owners –because they require the most repairs – never again will I be fooled by looks over  functionality (I think). </p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-4656174195101684162009-08-17T23:34:00.000-05:002009-08-22T23:38:42.304-05:0033rd Sunday It’s Dinner with the S’laws<p>What an amazingly delicious Sunday was had today… and the best part… we hardly had any clean-up afterwards. Dinner this time was with my wonderful s’laws.  We packed up our contribution a --Ratatouille Tart and took a little road trip out to Seneca. The food was delicious and of course the company scintillating. When we got there we were greeted by a very wet mother-in-law who had been grilling her heart out in the rain and huge basketfuls of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97791576@N00/sets/72157621991289641/" target="_blank">home grown organic vegetables</a>. After suitable drying time we gathered round the table for an extravaganza of amazing veggie dishes including the ratatouille tart, stuffed goat cheese mushrooms, stuffed peppers with polenta and cheese and a delicious salad with turnip. Though all this would have been more than enough to satisfy any gourmand my s’laws  had one more finger-licking dish up their sleeves -- grilled organic pork ribs marinated in MIL and FIL’s home-made barbecue sauce.  The sauce was truly a perfect combination of sweet and spicy. With so much deliciousness all around -- we ate and talked -- laughed and watched the beautiful birds flitting all around the porch.   We got up to stretch and to try to make room for the finale --- a home-made peach pie. MIL and FIL even made the ultimate sacrifice and broke out the last of the Schwann’s triple lemon frozen yogurt. </p> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="804" align="center"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="261"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDG66--GMI/AAAAAAAAAcU/2ojZ13qNCX8/s1600-h/DSCN2704%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN2704" border="0" alt="DSCN2704" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDG7fBemUI/AAAAAAAAAcY/_Rlf9YszovE/DSCN2704_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="261"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDG71ihzaI/AAAAAAAAAcc/-WrrgeMwcyY/s1600-h/DSCN2698%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN2698" border="0" alt="DSCN2698" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDG8ZYOipI/AAAAAAAAAcg/brd_IRCKAOU/DSCN2698_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="16"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDHdeCdu6I/AAAAAAAAAdU/cEOlzwXVyb4/s1600-h/DSCN2695%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN2695" border="0" alt="DSCN2695" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpOXIJosA4BdV1YLYepFAJweCZlHHGmgAm2iS7VkYs_PsKUOmCZ-1lC-887VF7RKeS9M30uYikTbziDqgcQcrMFZ1ceo2zYJszJzwKV0WwzumrdIWNjKfO3U8QnQMJGkVduhwcLD8WFa9/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="264"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDG9-Z9vkI/AAAAAAAAAcs/QOFh6T5kk3U/s1600-h/DSCN2675%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDG-A4ajSI/AAAAAAAAAcw/zxu55LbSJRA/DSCN2675_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p>Not to be too vain… but our contribution was beautiful, yummy … and here’s the kicker ….  low calorie. The recipe came from Ellie Krieger’s book -- <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nn972j" target="_blank">The Food  You Crave</a>. The book is truly wonderful. We’ve tried two or three recipes and have marked at least a dozen to try.   I’d seen her show on <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nr8saj" target="_blank">Food Network</a> and her features in <a href="http://tinyurl.com/no7zdu" target="_blank">Fine Cooking</a> and was already a fan, but the tart made me a believer. I made some adjustments but here is the recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have! </p> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="873" align="center"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZu2TOlaxvWzuhCK4N2mSuFI2LybFIDA_Kq65Ki8NaQLVOylnSs51Rxg8D-H_blm8DIo1sVcD-FmGiS26EIv9YHnMyqvFOqT4AZQokip6rnv2u6MB4cJFuQZ_DZND3m2Ze2D-0zd3JN76/s1600-h/DSCN2630%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN2630" border="0" alt="DSCN2630" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDG-9W3xeI/AAAAAAAAAc4/9B6inQ8s70w/DSCN2630_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="213"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDG_Q7IUVI/AAAAAAAAAc8/tItnRmPtaH0/s1600-h/DSCN2634%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN2634" border="0" alt="DSCN2634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhygpIFqEz32HM718iqW5LaBZbow_sVLiswca9sTMGscizW_7bPZ9yvxkiFp1CibGz4smLEqEiklC1AdCU20AU4AwGDRTBRQ2yk_wUYmqgyjByo7eOD_d4AFC89-qeSm7tX6JGX3zvn-J/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="224"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDHAI4cXzI/AAAAAAAAAdE/ibSMZefHkCs/s1600-h/DSCN2667%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN2667" border="0" alt="DSCN2667" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDHATl00RI/AAAAAAAAAdI/a2qFpf2OW4k/DSCN2667_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="234"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDHBTjEAbI/AAAAAAAAAdM/t6SQssgP6t4/s1600-h/DSCN2702%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN2702" border="0" alt="DSCN2702" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SpDHBitOpmI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/zbzHHhEnGZ0/DSCN2702_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  </p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p><strong>Cornmeal-Crusted Roasted Ratatouille Tart <br />For the crust: <br /></strong>2/3 C yellow cornmeal (medium grind) <br />1/3 C whole-grain pastry flour <br />1/4 t salt <br />2 T unsalted butter <br />2 T olive oil <br />3 T water</p> <p><strong>For the Filling: <br /></strong>2 T plus 1t olive oil <br />2 shallots diced <br />5 sprigs fresh thyme <br />1 small eggplant cut into thin even rounds <br />1 small zucchini cut into thin even rounds <br />2 medium ripe tomatoes thinly sliced <br />1/4 t each salt and freshly ground pepper <br />3/4 C shredded part-skim mozzarella <br />1/4 C shredded basil <br />1/4 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese <br /></p> <p>Preheat oven to 350 and start the crust. In a food processor combine the cornmeal, flour and salt and pulse to combine. Add the butter, oil and pulse until the mixture resembles small pebbles. Add water and pulse until the mixture forms a loose dough. Remove the dough and press into the bottom and sides of a 9” tart plan about 1/8 up the sides of the tart pan. Dock the crust and add aluminum foil plus pie weights or rice. Bake for 10 minutes and remove the weights. Remove the foil and weights and cook for another 10 minutes. Let it cool and start with the filling. Turn up the oven to 400. Wrap a cookie sheet with foil, spray with cooking spray and  place the sliced tomato, zucchini and eggplants. Use 2 T olive oil and brush the veggies and salt and pepper them to taste. Roast for about 15 minutes until the veggies are soft but not brown. Remove the veggies  from the oven and let cool then turn the oven down to 350. In a separate pan add the remaining oil and sauté the shallots and thyme until soft.  Layer the eggplant overlapping as necessary on the cornmeal crust; cover with 1/3 of the mozzarella and some of the shredded basil. Add the zucchini and shallots and top with another third of the mozzarella and the remaining basil. Add the zucchini and the rest of the mozzerella , top with the tomatoes and more basil. Top with the parmesan. Bake until the cheese is melted and the vegetables have further wilted about 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 minutes and cut into 8 slices, serve warm. You’re not going to believe it but ,each slice is only 225 calories!</p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-54769102340214674622009-08-10T22:59:00.001-05:002009-08-10T22:59:55.657-05:00I Can Grow Love!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SoDsudr-juI/AAAAAAAAAbk/umFQ1nuYo-Q/s1600-h/love3%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="love3" border="0" alt="love3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SoDsu8TdtYI/AAAAAAAAAbo/MgDdK6Nydxc/love3_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="419" /></a> </p> <p>Many people can grow plants but I can do one better… I can grow love, and to prove it I have the pictures. I’m not quite sure how I do it, but I think it has something to do with my dulcet tones and imaginative dialogue. If you’re real good, maybe one day I might teach you to grow love just like me.</p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-12229711041555689722009-07-20T23:20:00.000-05:002009-08-10T23:25:15.517-05:00Lemon Balm Cuppa Review<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SoDxffhpBSI/AAAAAAAAAbs/Ds_kOvYvMP8/s1600-h/lemontisane%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="lemontisane" border="0" alt="lemontisane" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGb6k9hnvl3eY-Vh-MURqlk5QV98sRWGqs_Se4WWis6WRSX2ubbDUiT7xbgqhdLWaSWtQ9EWmUpLrIKIq12dC4QUvnKzH0Tf0ArRXr8W4ouX2nuhABfOouiAG_M53IK71PnnE2QEmqfhHN/?imgmax=800" width="383" height="296" /></a> </p> <p>The tisane recipe was a definite two thumbs up – delicious,  and I have no reservations about recommending the recipe -- but I have a couple of pointers that I’ve learned from experience.</p> <p><strong>Pointer No. 1:</strong>  The water temperature should be very hot but <strong>not</strong> boiling. Don’t make a giant pot with cold water and bring it to a boil – the resulting grass stew is horrible. Make an individual cup – much tastier!</p> <p><strong>Pointer No. 2:</strong> Rough up the leaves before putting the lemon balm into the cup and adding the hot water. The oils from the lemon balm are released and make for a very fragrant cup.</p> <p><strong>Pointer No. 3:</strong> Don’t forget to rinse the lemon balm leaves before adding to the cup. (The first cup had a friendly little critter that floated to the top and winked right at me.)</p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-33525760643487014362009-07-17T23:56:00.001-05:002009-07-17T23:56:47.386-05:00When Life Hands You Lemon Balm, Make Tisane<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZO7tAedEj1JcyYLd7LWWatR9aF2J2G57XBrjyezzMcRBbKkrV0cKaJrv_sxb7TFJFV8f9fPKi-i5JwxsXRYrUeWUF0XLrS5cLMU1Ihdb_-oenGzeGZ1gaPB1PNvEiFKKM3fNaVHrHKA2x/s1600-h/DSCN2246%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN2246" border="0" alt="DSCN2246" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SmFWDgPzLjI/AAAAAAAAAbg/1EO_E8BE0n8/DSCN2246_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="300" /></a> </p> <p>It’s been taking over huge portions of my garden, and though I love it and love the smell of it--  my lemon balm has been driving me well… balmy. Of course, I know of all the ways you can use it, but today wandering through <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">twitter</a>, I happened upon someone saying that they had lemon balm <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tisane">tisane</a> in their fridge. Aha! But of course… I thought to myself…  I haven’t been using my little grey cells. <a href="http://www.poirot.us/">Hercule Poirot</a> could have clued me in on this. This famous imbiber of hot chocolate and tisanes would be rolling around in his grave, knowing that just today I had composted a large bunch of lemon balm.</p> <p>But things have changed Hercule!  I have decided to try my hand at making a tisane. To whit, I have gone online and found several recipes, and many a site purporting that once I start drinking lemon balm tisane my memory issues may be resolved. This site seems to have the best <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/beverage/hot-drink-for-summer-evenings-lemon-verbena-tisane-087353">lemon balm tisane</a> recipe. So bottoms up everybody, I’ll give you a review when I’ve created the lemon balm tisane myself. </p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-79399737743261627252009-07-14T13:07:00.002-05:002009-07-14T13:11:54.703-05:00Dog Park Fascination<p>Yes, I know what you are thinking… am I really <em>that</em> kind of person? The short answer is “kinda.” No I don’t necessarily think my dog is the end all and be all -- and she doesn’t eat dinner with us at the table (maybe underneath the table…), but I do love her, and as such I clothe her in winter (sometimes for Halloween too) and I take her to the dog park. She loves it okay? She’s not too social, but she loves the smells, the dog-raderie , the ability to run free and wild amongst her peers, and the <a href="http://www.pupperoni.com/products.html">Pupperoni</a> her delighted owners feed her whenever she does something cute. She, however, <strong>does not</strong>, enjoy the ride to the dog park. The shining rolling metal box that takes us to the park is a trial and tribulation that all must live through. We have tried every technique in the world to get her to enjoy the car ride, but nothing works. She squeaks, she pants and she squirms to get under my seat and there she remains for the 5 minute ride.</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlzJTvW9n9I/AAAAAAAAAa0/Kxi6CsGpnWU/s1600-h/wlydiaundone%5B15%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlzJUFk_deI/AAAAAAAAAa4/AlFaCS_X2bM/wlydiaundone_thumb%5B13%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="415" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p>This is as calms as doggy can get. Once she gets to the park it’s a different story. She is the queen of the park and every blade must be christened. Take a gander at her in the park and you’ll see why most every Sunday “we go to there.”</p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" align="center"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="200"><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlzJUpMlY2I/AAAAAAAAAa8/-dJj0nfoRIA/s1600-h/DSCN2156%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN2156" border="0" alt="DSCN2156" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlzJVMRmiMI/AAAAAAAAAbA/sFFgjy__XLg/DSCN2156_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p></td><td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlzJVquEo5I/AAAAAAAAAbE/cEiXpdriMJI/s1600-h/DSCN2176%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlzJWSdGf6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/UVrkhBbFcs4/DSCN2176_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlzJXKbzw6I/AAAAAAAAAbM/pyOkOMOlB6I/s1600-h/DSCN2165%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0yFv84lFCGD8vjf9d-J1DFQkQCgykJIf2VHkT_DW0o1Csvm8_lBhTbjuzQCNWX0-LDgfTrgPGnOwzDrWnxV9XAUgIAsZAC3K71DIQhGz_iYZ0Hy8JoXZJw4G4qDXN6T4Gz9Oh5dkjLwy/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlzJYJpncyI/AAAAAAAAAbU/S39doV2Y54w/s1600-h/DSCN2174%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlzJYr6Mb-I/AAAAAAAAAbY/fRqGEbfxliw/DSCN2174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td></tr></tbody></table></div>msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-80103798728318006682009-07-13T23:51:00.003-05:002009-07-14T08:15:21.576-05:00Tiptoe Through My Summer Garden With Me and My Crocs…<p>Dorothy had her ruby slippers, the Sex in the City girl her Manolo Blahniks, Nancy Sinatra her boots and I… I have my red crocs. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97791576@N00/?saved=1"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="summercrocs" border="0" alt="summercrocs" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LFKQji_ph5iG0TSTxnyRAZKAkWU56mk2ja0yA0KhXnoPwWTIFlCg_PYcEEvgKKmG16d0I5hSdffEbzTCyTzHZXxoSRqeS1awryQ2s77UAEfxY3O_wQ16BBluOe_xVp-NmzGDd8FnUub1/?imgmax=800" width="712" height="541" /></a> </p><p>Can you see how shiny my crocs are? My red crocs and I are inseparable in the garden – they keep my feet so comfy, so deliciously wrapped in foamy-goodness that I can focus on all the garden has to offer. Sometimes I wish my crocs could come out with me to the real concrete world – but I’ve been told by Tim Gunn (no less) that this would be an enormous fashion mistake so we stay together only in the backyard where my crocs and I weed and propagate, prune and survey all in comfortable (sometimes squeaky) silence. In the early morning we walk together through the wet grass making witty observations on the conditions in the garden. Come see with us what we’ve been up to – click on my crocs to see my summer garden.</p>msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-84036551158753539282009-07-02T10:35:00.000-05:002009-07-14T08:16:55.786-05:00Tomato Thief – CSI<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlS-qIK7PLI/AAAAAAAAAXk/3c-rp-HQm5Q/s1600-h/webtomatothief%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="webtomatothief" border="0" alt="webtomatothief" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlS-qSHIoPI/AAAAAAAAAXo/_VqWxnXn8bU/webtomatothief_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="491" /></a></p> <p>Recently our resident tomato gardener rushed into the house, face pale, arm raised clasping a tomato in his trembling hand. “Someone has stolen our first tomato and bitten it,” he exclaimed. We all turned simultaneously and looked at the suspect. Shamefaced she refused to look up or even to answer some simple inquiries as to her whereabouts. It should be known that last year she was caught red-pawed with a Mr. Stripey in her mouth. Her guilty look certainly makes it hard to believe in her innocence.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlS-q96UNmI/AAAAAAAAAXs/5TywzI2DH8Q/s1600-h/webguiltylydia%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="webguiltylydia" border="0" alt="webguiltylydia" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7Xouk2K9IN-3vmBi60ZYzOkBlIXTcc8fcXkIGDfL8OaT_F11QGFRazbZRmFQGzpuDFXb3gQ9iIwCvUCl5IXZmdP_0atTKuL1LBmv1zpOIr2aEHHlkrUmFODC4oe_5sPrh4mNzLPVQESS/?imgmax=800" width="558" height="521" /></a> <p>As of today, the house stands divided; one camp insisting that Lydia is to blame, the other blaming miscellaneous tomato-vore squirrels. For now, Lydia is not allowed the freedom of the garden without a warden on constant watch. It seems to be working since no further tomato thefts have been recorded, but I’m worried…. yes I’m worried. </p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-64374691441709941202009-06-27T22:56:00.002-05:002009-07-14T08:17:42.648-05:00Emmaline, Emmaline Bluer Eyes I’ve Never Seen or Project 4<p> </p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SkbpzchTJoI/AAAAAAAAAXU/v8g4cO456T4/s1600-h/webproject4%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="webproject4" border="0" alt="webproject4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SkbpzreRX8I/AAAAAAAAAXY/iks7jFNRKa4/webproject4_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="481" /></a> </p><p>Yes, I’ve continued with the Ravely challenge and this little pin-up girl is Project 4. We have named her Emmaline. I plan to knit her up a small dress and other goodies for Project 5. Project 2 and 3 were socks for my little muse. Though small, they caused me many a headache as the heels were particularly difficult to knit. Still the results are quite cute -- don't you think?</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/Skbp0HWkO8I/AAAAAAAAAXc/opIzo2WZtD4/s1600-h/websocks%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="websocks" border="0" alt="websocks" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGwQUvgVno6SvdkzAMHdFtKt-1SgLUWqyzlXQH303VqhDDRNlEGhx4z6ZDaIjNgNwBIAS4DwOqELQW5q9G_zZ5ae0ugw1zPgPSq83WPRKfJTQauCSzlfg_TUqOD3rHJRm94G00JOLEKOC/?imgmax=800" width="370" height="283" /></a></p>msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-285796617456684542009-06-27T17:07:00.001-05:002009-07-14T08:19:23.192-05:00The Invisible Zipper Foot and I Run Amuck<p>You might be wondering what’s been happening, why I haven’t been updating as often. Well dear reader, I have been bitten hard by the creative mosquito. So hard in fact, that I find it hard to focus on important things like, work and the like. And though I have scratched it hard, the creative itch continues. It has led me to retry things I thought were out of my reach. So today I’m extra proud to say that after countless tears and frustrated projects, the invisible zipper foot and I have come to a definite understanding. Since the Eureka moment occurred (early Thursday morning) I have been running amuck and this is the result. </p> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" align="center"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SkaYFKIiD3I/AAAAAAAAAXE/1KlgJ4jb85E/s1600-h/webrunamuck1%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="webrunamuck1" border="0" alt="webrunamuck1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8e9mmg3sIkwmTSPTaB9-uatHOmtXo64eFpjdykuniDgpeB7I4ecAk9qNTmbrrQM-4mVTlAk3XVvGR6-49Fjk2tOkLSN8vaF9kYTBLD3dZbBsJXrJi31d3M7Qnrap7-qDTZZugqVzCfl3/?imgmax=800" width="488" height="500" /></a> </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SkaYFlI1ExI/AAAAAAAAAXM/6aUujJg3WpQ/s1600-h/webgoodlookingzipper%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="webgoodlookingzipper" border="0" alt="webgoodlookingzipper" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SkaYGK89BhI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/CHfP1FDlPDA/webgoodlookingzipper_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" height="517" /></a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p>Yes, FOUR pillows! I laugh with (and at)  invisible zippers now… thanks invisible zipper foot. </p> <p> Now if I could only get the bias foot to submit to my will… </p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-47547859330874896482009-06-27T16:53:00.002-05:002009-06-27T16:58:52.329-05:00I Call It Death Corner…<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SkaWGjrjhhI/AAAAAAAAAW8/k3CcYzRySW4/s1600-h/webdeathcorner%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SkaWG8yEJ8I/AAAAAAAAAXA/JBA02jTs_FQ/webdeathcorner_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="695" /></a> </p> <p>It lasted eight long years. We grew it from a bulb. It got too big for our room, so I put it in the hallway. I changed the pot, I gave it fresh dirt and placed it in a sunny cornerI didn’t know it was “<em><strong>Death Corner</strong></em>.” Rest in peace Elephant Ear, you will be missed.</p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-47728244357010522492009-06-23T10:03:00.001-05:002009-08-05T07:35:19.590-05:0025th Sunday It’s Father’s Day!<div align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" align="center"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SltL9QdB41I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/phInxX0CmFM/s1600-h/webtableset%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="webtableset" border="0" alt="webtableset" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SltL96zRNCI/AAAAAAAAAaU/LW_YtgENhGk/webtableset_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="242" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoBPesVvi61EYnX9Y_Kw8UnyO3af4nCSTXqvdl6DhQSUekmf9G4l0KBRH1cBchVZJDws5hAE-ITLMEUYXOwUOQSHKC3ipd6cpTfdYAjNkE9wTO2mkwoBdvHiIsCyHu2Oaj5ZatpYQJh_A/s1600-h/webgreens%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="webgreens" border="0" alt="webgreens" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SltL-vSrYpI/AAAAAAAAAac/BcNeC6h21tk/webgreens_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="242" /></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SltL_Hu1yxI/AAAAAAAAAag/apIKvh_m8z8/s1600-h/webpork%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="webpork" border="0" alt="webpork" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SltL_p1GKdI/AAAAAAAAAak/CYaaA2oFeJs/webpork_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="242" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SltMANJ7kFI/AAAAAAAAAao/PlQjWRHl_60/s1600-h/webchoccake%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="webchoccake" border="0" alt="webchoccake" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SltMAbJ5NYI/AAAAAAAAAas/0QNHmz0gwpc/webchoccake_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="242" /></a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p>Oh Daddy -- what a meal was had on Sunday! The menu was not too ambitious -- but boy it was delicious. I wish you could have been there (and you just might have…) . The grill was put into overdrive with boneless pork country ribs marinated with mushroom soy and sake, potato packets with asparagus, corn on the cob, fresh bread, refried black beans, beet salad with goat cheese and walnuts, fresh grilled green onions, fresh salsa, dark-chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. The usual suspects cooked and cleaned for the meal and a merry time was had by all. Unexpectedly and very happily we were joined by our favorite tired and very parched s’laws for dessert. Although everything was quite good, to me the star of the meal was of course the dark chocolate cake suggested by my favorite penguin. The cake recipe can be found here at this <a href="http://inncuisine.com/decadent-desserts/have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too-recipe-deep-dark-chocolate-cake/" target="_blank">link</a>. My one change was in the frosting where I added 1/4 cup of cream cheese to add a little “sumpin sumpin.” YUMMY!</p> <p>I guess I should mention the guests of honor for whom I have only the greatest admiration, love and respect. Here’s to the Dads! Hip Hip Hooray! Below is the current favorite salad recipe of the resident Dad. Happy Father’s Day all!</p> <p><strong>Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese: <br /></strong>2 small roasted beets peeled and cubed <br />1/4 cup toasted walnuts halves (chopped) -- use a sauté pan on low heat <br />2 small heads bib greens ( I like the butter lettuce best) <br />4 ounces goat cheese crumbled <br /><strong>Dressing: <br /></strong>1.5 tablespoons olive oil <br />1 teaspoon red wine vinegar <br />salt and pepper to taste</p> <p>Combine the salad ingredients then add the dressing… I know it’s hard to believe but that’s it… delicious.</p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-55769496246881288592009-06-15T22:27:00.000-05:002009-08-05T07:30:03.025-05:0024th Sunday – Just Another Fishy Sunday!<div align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" align="center"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/Slqpbw3VtBI/AAAAAAAAAZM/wj83HKd8nu4/s1600-h/webrecipe%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="webrecipe" border="0" alt="webrecipe" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlqpcK5rU1I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/MwFLhHDeJuA/webrecipe_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/Slqpc2Q4dgI/AAAAAAAAAZU/ebaV031zxpc/s1600-h/webkohlrabi%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="webkohlrabi" border="0" alt="webkohlrabi" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlqpdER41-I/AAAAAAAAAZY/qxrgUJl9ohw/webkohlrabi_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlqpdrnxFHI/AAAAAAAAAZc/97-CiI6J3EU/s1600-h/websalad%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="websalad" border="0" alt="websalad" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/Slqpd2pPV0I/AAAAAAAAAZg/DhKneZ8Bl7k/websalad_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpbDYi1D_mE4w_rdhH18w1I-1cBIgBua58muT3Ahfc3lRc-9jghuJ6_aK1_H6cE6fxmFEG8wKmbcE12TowJEM8N_AAMI89hxrlS38utBpbsw0owsd_rc0X4jYyK7hKbID6881j2lNwoi7/s1600-h/webdinner%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="webdinner" border="0" alt="webdinner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlqpeubdTrI/AAAAAAAAAZo/VBTK-FPWk_I/webdinner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHo4tpbpR1x8j27pt1G2-3eoygkD6nxOg-2mVYHir63ivMD6M5fOqd5OgYRpjsRLc-6mY1IgpVVRAn_5KCdsigXpSwJ9FY6aqfaRxxEI_sCiw7FBtxr9KbTEJJss2gXeXXIJMi9D4sOM7/s1600-h/websoda%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="websoda" border="0" alt="websoda" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlqpfdOZB4I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/jiQ9hB4NBEY/websoda_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/Slqpf6mWQVI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/UyYwNArS_4s/s1600-h/webblueberry%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="webblueberry" border="0" alt="webblueberry" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlqpgE0eyqI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/OQ_StKrVous/webblueberry_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlqpgmaRvaI/AAAAAAAAAaA/vWYg5jPsEW0/s1600-h/webcookie%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="webcookie" border="0" alt="webcookie" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/Slqpgz25w8I/AAAAAAAAAaE/9Ng54MVRuv4/webcookie_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTG8XX2KN7RZwB_ji9cKNBLQzsK2bt4zhiTENM9CLtWfuc9McnwQtG-GvTk-uwoitrnO-4TJ6Y9j-GUpdKrNnjAFmvc9jndNOc-z5jSsVfRx8t-CXBsex9WNnNojBJbvsNWKKkD2dFQQX/s1600-h/webcobbler%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="webcobbler" border="0" alt="webcobbler" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlqphyMT8hI/AAAAAAAAAaM/rXOuHrtn_rU/webcobbler_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p>We’ve been on a fish-roll lately but no one here is complaining! Tuna was the fish called up for duty this Sunday prepared our favorite way, rolled in sesame seeds  and pan seared. We tried a new recipe  from <a href="http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/kohlrabi-radish-slaw-cumin-cilantro.aspx">Fine Cooking</a> with a new vegetable -- kohlrabi. Our final judgment - kohlrabi is a  funny little vegetable with a very light radish taste and we give it a thumbs up. The kohlrabi salad was delicious, the brown rice was rice-nificent and the sweet potato fries with chipotle seasonings were just right. A red wine (sorry don’t remember what but it was good) was served for the adults and for the local soda-addict a new flavor and a new soda.  The verdict on the soda – a thumbs up. To please the man of the house I made a blueberry cobbler with a twist -- instead of a biscuit topping I make a sugar cookie topping. The cobbler was served with ice cream and within seconds it was gone. Have I told you how much I love our Sundays? Well  in case I haven’t -- I do.</p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-84746607733261882442009-06-09T23:11:00.000-05:002009-07-14T08:37:30.347-05:00Clickety-Clackety Climb Aboard the Knitting Train … It’s Project One<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHVc28x4cI/AAAAAAAAAWU/0rl9MNQmT-g/s1600-h/gnomeyhat%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gnomeyhat" border="0" alt="gnomeyhat" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHGvcSx9_phBdQDGDQMeUJtL3DvTsTQrIsO7yo4T1F3XX7_n52eOVdqpqWt_MNzRygbUfNXt1zxkw8RMrcpu7xTSGZ55f31h949G-sFUo8jlE5Wci4SD1cTyIRzY95vdV_utG4Ux2g8Lc/?imgmax=800" width="341" height="400" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>My young muse is coming to visit me soon  -- so I’m dedicating the next knitting projects from my 52 Projects in 52 Weeks to her. First up was the gnomey hat. The lovely green color is not translating well in the picture. Doesn’t it make you think of forest glens, ferns and little gnomey creatures hiding in the bushes?</p> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-17590862522710209272009-06-05T23:02:00.000-05:002009-06-11T23:03:12.125-05:00A Project, an Injury and a Satisfied Client<div align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" align="center"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="266"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHTbw3LtnI/AAAAAAAAAVk/pb5MJSPnYd8/s1600-h/injury%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="injury" border="0" alt="injury" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHTcP2aeyI/AAAAAAAAAVo/L3llCmkXQ7U/injury_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="266"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHTctQnKRI/AAAAAAAAAVs/_3fZey4CH_k/s1600-h/readymadeclosed%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="readymadeclosed" border="0" alt="readymadeclosed" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHTc9-B67I/AAAAAAAAAVw/r2qSnIAjifA/readymadeclosed_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="266"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHTdSzHjFI/AAAAAAAAAV0/_V2KbPyMqPI/s1600-h/readymadeopen%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="readymadeopen" border="0" alt="readymadeopen" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHTdgHVtlI/AAAAAAAAAV4/f4xL14L0R7Q/readymadeopen_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="266"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFumwrvhsJw_7Cyb_ADLmqvmU-BWyZyqoB6hHrQvBCML-CGWkClNGiemXuf7uYz8TCz9aV_E7tUQOf3dC0fOOsqEvyIfA_TuX4xWca4w5m6YMxooDaSodtmxLwcmHL5ExSLRme4CY2zjXI/s1600-h/dogbed%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dogbed" border="0" alt="dogbed" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8lKEmBOKL0kKbbOkweSkLuSN-DaqJtaNsCSe5tzHrVdN2z8xHMKPbID8Nnc3Pe87Z9-297QNB48-CYiz4nbRBLAqrq3l8cTSENtZjjZtosNoOKU0uRKuEV3d1k0V8JyRU9LQBqhiElW5/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="266"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHTe_g9siI/AAAAAAAAAWE/UrIH4zX34mY/s1600-h/lydiainbed%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="lydiainbed" border="0" alt="lydiainbed" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHTfGo2myI/AAAAAAAAAWI/2APctHe_eJc/lydiainbed_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="266"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5-dPSsjOKVYOa23_7T56b4thKSJ6Ig6P4uoDamc7tffJGJmJlOdoTZ41STwhIwgHu8cuQsWn1i0YK3eJyU5VIB842gwyyKXgmkUYuVCwDmddls3KCNNg26nzYbh6y-4A3q8h5Ob1Nske/s1600-h/lydia2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="lydia2" border="0" alt="lydia2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHTfxYvQII/AAAAAAAAAWQ/1fwR82tNFZE/lydia2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="170" /></a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p>Last week I took a book out of the library called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ReadyMade-Almost-Everything-Do-Yourself/dp/1400081076/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244778984&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><strong>Ready Made</strong></a>. The book contains projects that allow you to “reuse” items that may have been winging there way to the trash. Two projects stood out  -- one a dog bed made out of recycled jeans and the other making a messenger bag from fused plastic bags. Each project has a very clear picture followed by a short set of instructions. Having a surplus of jeans and a very outspoken puppy-princess demanding a new bed… I decided to try the jean bed. On the page, the project looked very easy – however, one very sore finger later and three pairs of jeans later I can attest that the instructions were not very good. I did manage to finish not one but -- <strong>TWO</strong> beds and I have tips to pass on.</p> <ol> <li>Make a  straight tube from each pant leg.  Cut the triangle fabric at the but section </li> <li>The bigger the jean, the bigger the tube, the happier the puppy. </li> <li>It’s easy to overstuff the bottom and cause the puppy not to fit into said bed. </li> <li>Cut out the big seams on the jeans before sewing the tubes together. </li> </ol> msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-58595287629965859682009-05-30T09:20:00.003-05:002009-07-14T08:22:01.440-05:0052 Projects in 52 Weeks<p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SiFAvv0T7SI/AAAAAAAAAVc/r2mnAbIc1aU/s1600-h/webchoices%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="webchoices" border="0" alt="webchoices" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SiFAwajJUUI/AAAAAAAAAVg/A7yGcuXFESw/webchoices_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="462" /></a> </p><p align="center"><em>Just some of the patterns I’ve researched.</em></p><p>I joined a little group in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> that is going to attempt to finish 52 projects in 52 weeks. Wait… I know what you’re thinking… she must have mad knitting skills to be able to accomplish so much but unfortunately, I don’t. What I have is mad magical thinking. I don’t know how I’m going to do it but I’m going to give it my knitting all. I’ve gone to the library, I’ve researched patterns and I’ve got my yarn all ready to get started on June 1st our official starting date. As the beginning date has loomed ever closer, I've noticed myself starting to hedge my bets. At the beginning of my research -- sometime in mid May-- I was thinking I could probably finish a baby sweater a week, maybe even a blanket. Now I’ve started telling myself that each sock should count for two projects so that a pair of socks should equal 4 projects. (toe and heel count for one, leg and cuff for the second –see?) but I think my heart is in the right place -- lets just hope my hands and needles are there too. Wish me luck, I'll be posting my work right here.</p>msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-11469979368765591272009-05-30T08:35:00.003-05:002009-07-14T08:22:21.648-05:00Showering with Satan<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SiE2CFDDR8I/AAAAAAAAAVU/YZ3a3PpKzLw/s1600-h/showerwsatan%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SiE2CQDRztI/AAAAAAAAAVY/8MZMHuiJGJg/showerwsatan_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="430" /></a> </p><p>Having grown up in a large family I learned early on the trials and tribulations of sharing everything. My parents were loving but pretty strict. They emphasized the importance of family, education and economy. It was my parents belief that we would develop stronger ties if we shared rooms and everything else. Accordingly we were paired up with a sibling of the same gender and closest in age. In my case, I shared a room, a bed, clothes (unwillingly) and even the shower with my little sister. We got along as most sisters do, with what my mom called “tiger” love. Loosely translated, we loved, and bickered, and laughed, and hated each other in equal amounts every day. </p><p>For most of our childhood we went to Catholic school and religion class was something I enjoyed very much. The majority of the classroom time was filled with high drama. Our young minds were fed highly-colored stories of saints, martyrs, miracles, heaven and hell. Being a very imaginative child with a flare for the dramatic, the class suited me to a tee. Each nun or priest had a different style of teaching – one nun was particularly good at capturing our imaginations. Her specialty was gory detail, and as a result her classes were very scary and fascinating. If you ever wanted to know how many whips the devil carried or how much pain a person could suffer in purgatory – she was the one to go to. She never tired of telling us stories and I absorbed everything she said with mouth wide open. As a result I was scared out of my pants about everything. </p><p>One story that really stuck to me was about “junior devils.” Junior devils spent their time on earth trying to turn you into one of them. They started out as ordinary people but became possessed by the devil because they had opened the door to evil. According to her, just about anything -- from being selfish, to not praying, to swearing to telling lies opened the door to evil. In the playground we discussed ways that we could tell an evil possessed person (junior devil) from a “good” person. We all agreed that a j.d. would not be able to handle holy water (sizzling would be a dead give away), would not be able to say prayers for longer than a minute and would definitely not survive in church without horrible pain. As a matter of fact, if you stared hard enough into their eyes you might be able to see hell fires dancing deep within. (That particular tidbit was my own concoction.) By the time I left 5th grade, I felt holy and pretty prepared to identify evil doers. I even had a little altar complete with bath crystal “incense” in my room to help me pray for the souls in purgatory. I wasn’t sure about the whole becoming a martyr thing, but I felt my perfect prayer hands and holy head position (eyes slightly lowered with faraway holy-thoughts middle distance focus) might help make up for that.</p><p>One evening as my sister started washing my hair it occurred to me that she was a classic no-goodnick, a sinner really, and thus was open to becoming a junior devil-- if she was not one already. But what could I do there in the shower? I couldn’t really check her eyes for hell fire (my own were closed tight against the shampoo) and would be unable to for at least 5 minutes. I had no holy water on hand to check the sizzle-factor and the shower was no church. What if at that moment she was thinking of ways to make me like her and take me to hell? I thought about my poor parents, and the hell fires as I searched through my mental catalog for ways to identify j.d.’s. Then I hit upon it… singing church songs. It was practically like being in church, singing hymns was like praying in rhythm. Quickly I suggested that we both sing one of our favorite hymns “Hallelujah” and we both began to sing. When she didn’t start shrieking out in pain, I knew we were okay. From that day forward, whenever it came time to wash our hair, I would begin to sing the hymn of the day and she would join in thus ensuring that Satan was not in the shower. </p><p>Having dinner with her recently we began to reminisce about the old times and I told her my suspicions of her junior devil status in the shower. She couldn’t believe that I had thought she was the devil. Junior devil, I corrected her and she got a little miffed then started laughing. It was dark outside so we got up, paid the the check, got in the car and started the long drive home. We were both quiet, a little too quiet… if you know what I mean… so I began to sing “Hail Mary.” </p>msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-71957095872582739872009-05-25T07:37:00.001-05:002009-08-05T07:56:12.335-05:0021st Sunday It’s A Birthday!<p>This birthday was so special we had to celebrate it twice -- this time with the grandparents. Last week was all about the fish and cake, this week the young master requested meat and pie and so it was. A delicious flank steak was prepared by the father of the lucky boy with an Emeril-inspired marinade. To round out the meal, fennel rice (a Williams Sonoma recipe) a spring salad with goat cheese, refried brown beans and guacamole. For dessert a Key Lime pie from Cooks Illustrated was quickly scarfed down so quickly in fact, that the pie disappeared before a picture could be taken. This particular pie recipe has been a favorite since the first time I made it. The pie is easy to make, appears complicated and it’s really scrumptious -- what more could one ask for? Suffice it to say it is amazing. Below is the recipe for the Cooks Illustrated Key Lime Pie. I’m licking my lips just looking at it.</p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" align="center"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="266"><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlnXEEmaBxI/AAAAAAAAAX0/w9v16K07-gY/s1600-h/webflank%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="flank" border="0" alt="flank" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqjXMnsbrBZN1nZNB5QGT3m_9FyNkuHdyAk1IxeHeQj6aYHf683cHAB157PNsV7YF11XbJk560A_d7mMzQXb60SYSBegA_1GC8GO27cRTZvFCikScCq1bldWYOF6Cp9ej2R05Xi_t8rAj/?imgmax=800" width="353" height="269" /></a> </p></td><td valign="top" width="266"><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlnXFdqyTUI/AAAAAAAAAX8/z_LU5s4wd6Q/s1600-h/webfennelrice%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="fennelrice" border="0" alt="fennelrice" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwPWCUpWPmGON3cYt9wSC-uCpraQcGJJQ0caImPl0nYrk9neqiLyt1py4CM9vwFirOZnp9DOQb5_NrEGyXjvdxH7XHgBOyy8kbA_Rzhyphenhyphen3zz6EJDMRVd6UnZ3Ay2KQ6zPKfJz-5VtRf2qA/?imgmax=800" width="353" height="269" /></a> </p></td><td valign="top" width="266"><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlnXGjVQu2I/AAAAAAAAAYM/YA_lTnQHS-Y/s1600-h/websalad%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="spring salad" border="0" alt="spring salad" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SlnXGz0GPSI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/G3DfAmy_3sg/websalad_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="269" /></a> </p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h3><br /></h3><p><strong>Cooks Illustrated Key Lime Pie<br />Key Lime Filling<br /></strong>4 teaspoons grated lime zest<br />1/2 cup lime juice from 3 to 4 limes<br />4 large egg yolks<br />1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk </p><p><strong>Graham Cracker Crust<br /></strong>11 graham crackers , processed to fine crumbs (1 1/4 cups)<br />3 tablespoons granulated sugar<br />5 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted</p><p><strong>Whipped Cream Topping<br /></strong>3/4 cup heavy cream<br />1/4 cup confectioners' sugar<br />2 teaspoons vanilla<br />1/2 lime , sliced paper thin and dipped in sugar (optional)</p><p><strong>Instructions<br /></strong><b>For the Filling:</b> Whisk zest and yolks in medium bowl until tinted light green, about 2 minutes. Beat in milk, then juice; and set aside at room temperature to thicken. The process takes about 40 minutes.<br /><b>For the Crust:</b> Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix crumbs and sugar in medium bowl. Add butter; stir with fork until well blended. Pour mixture into 9-inch pie pan; press crumbs over bottom and up sides of pan to form even crust. I use a glass to press it in well. Bake until lightly browned and fragrant, about 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.<br /><strong>Putting it Together:</strong> Pour lime filling into crust; then return to oven. Bake until center is set, yet wiggly when jiggled, 15 to 17 minutes. Put pie to cool on wire rack; cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours. (Can be covered with lightly oiled or oil-sprayed plastic wrap laid directly on filling and refrigerated up to 1 day.)<br /><b>For the Whipped Cream:</b> Up to 2 hours before serving, whip cream in medium bowl to very soft peaks. Adding confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, vanilla, and continue whipping to just-stiff peaks. Pipe the whip cream over the filling and garnish with optional sugared lime slices.</p>msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-56818930198778166312009-05-21T11:30:00.001-05:002009-05-21T11:38:32.215-05:00Rub My Belly or Winning Fascination<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97791576@N00/sets/72157618580403016/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338315567287977042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvKUly9lUzHLcJB_vCwTXZNMv7PUDrDhSP1TzRfONabUTDpU2rXMKP1kwLqQxzEcXXieTnKqU0iK1bi3UXfMrR8vQJqyC9O6SrXvj6egiRCLFXLOLIkOkF4G6KpZJXW9-UrzluAMev5v7/s400/ravelrywin2.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Rub my belly or just rub yours and pretend its mine. I'm officially lucky. I've competed (really just been assigned randomly) in two <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> pools and have won two.<strong>*</strong> </div><div> </div><div>My second win -- Dancing with the Stars ,with an underdog no less, <a href="http://www.shawnjohnson.net/">Shawn Johnson</a>, just occurred on Tuesday. Do I sound smug? It might just be that the enormous smile on my face distorts my voice or it really might just be smugness. In fact, I feel very smuggy, and I don't feel like apologizing. I got more gifts yesterday from my original win. In case you want to know, the brown long yarn is made from llama fur. Please feel free to drool again. If you want to see more of my winnings click on the picture.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>* <span style="font-size:85%;">In the interest of the complete truth - I've also lost two pools, (American Idol, and Top Chef) but I don't really count those and neither should you.</span></em></div>msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-87988532369448308202009-05-20T13:38:00.004-05:002009-07-14T08:23:34.081-05:00Yes -- I am A Pod Person, Take Me to Your Leader<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0FQA1m0C8k-zZ_8Jfahs5y2GKwIVWx2yrOo696VDzzfYLRa3OH51dMetv8DjjD9A6tum3wTyfRvTTUr705hfaztWzvXWMDVwHivjX-LE5wokYW9rmCzJ5seRQiVbh7CfBWTFkYhYgHa5/s1600-h/granola.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338046435663523938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0FQA1m0C8k-zZ_8Jfahs5y2GKwIVWx2yrOo696VDzzfYLRa3OH51dMetv8DjjD9A6tum3wTyfRvTTUr705hfaztWzvXWMDVwHivjX-LE5wokYW9rmCzJ5seRQiVbh7CfBWTFkYhYgHa5/s400/granola.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Growing up there were very few things that I would not try or eat, one them was yogurt and the other granola. It helped my cause that both my parents thought that one was bird food and the other <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">hippy</span></span>-food. If anyone had told me that I was to become a granola-eating, yogurt lover, I'd have laughed (maybe even <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hysterically</span>) right in his/her face. However, about two years ago, I just up and decided (after watching husband do it for years and years and feeding it to my kids too...) to give it a whirl. It wasn't love at first taste, but it was not bad. Now I love it -- plain yogurt with fruit granola and a dab of honey, well, it's the bomb!<br /><br />Not to toot my horn too much, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">TOOOT</span></span>... I make a lovely granola using Kathleen <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Daelemans</span>'</span> recipe as a base and adding a couple of tweaks here and there. I make a double batch which usually lasts about a month and a half but only because I add a ton of healthy cereals to the granola base. It gives us much needed fiber into all of our diets and makes a handy healthy snack to boot. I've added the recipe for your review. Try it, I think you'll like it.<br /><br /><strong>Kathleen's Granola Recipe with my Tweaks</strong> <em>(which make it that much better)</em><br />1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar<br />1/2 cup water<br />3 teaspoons cinnamon<br />5 generous teaspoons vanilla extract<br />1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">teaspoon</span> salt<br />8 cups old fashioned rolled oats<br />4 cups chopped pecans, walnuts, slivered almonds<br />1/4 cup flax seed<br />dried raisins, fruit to taste<br />Healthy cereals to taste<br /><br />Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Combine the brown sugar and water in a large microwave-proof glass measuring cup or bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes or until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from the microwave, add vanilla, salt and cinnamon and stir to combine. Set aside. Grind the flax seed and combine with nuts, and rolled oats in a large bowl. Add the sugar syrup to the oatmeal mixture and mix until thoroughly combined. Spread the mixture on the cookie sheets and bake for 6o minutes until golden and crunchy. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. You can add dried fruit and store in an airtight container or you can take the base granola and combine it with healthy sugar-free, high-fiber cereals to add more fiber and grains to our diet. I use cheerios, bran flakes and others of that ilk. This stuff is darn good!</div>msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289668442269379420.post-48192298829110817642009-05-18T00:02:00.001-05:002009-08-05T07:55:12.950-05:0020th Sunday is Really a Saturday and a Pre-Birthday Dinner<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOOKvr2lVBqLuKQpJQOp1KSUbTQhgzTwCBIE8xugh-wAFNfDcbi9YuRTdlQvWk78eW1sLECvmYll_lPlVb1pjgI7LQhKdZPXfNyXlP3WeuRYkdHFjO9QAcpkmLu8xt5iA99OIrzw1QWcw/s1600-h/tablesetting%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="tablesetting" border="0" alt="tablesetting" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bOKecXyarQnzijY1iPeSPol7-suw4uQnGAYEvZHOf2YBmzdtaq16AtNlUxXRdleUngUNZX-BieAih06KYu0WWI_DnUKdYce_wapYkBFd2BmmRcgdFRMGIIYp3I3GQ0Lz0jD0bjoS3LDn/?imgmax=800" width="456" height="347" /></a> </p><p align="center"> </p><div align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHhwUkixbI/AAAAAAAAAWk/7R2qfM4ZMbk/s1600-h/loadedplate%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="loadedplate" border="0" alt="loadedplate" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHhw_QLJ5I/AAAAAAAAAWo/aYv-_UR07NY/loadedplate_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="365" /></a> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHhxPQyVfI/AAAAAAAAAWs/gfVlz-B7Q7E/s1600-h/cake%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="cake" border="0" alt="cake" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLGyzKbhSdc/SjHhxYYqAyI/AAAAAAAAAWw/fZ9uh5KeNh0/cake_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="529" /></a> </div><p>This delicious gathering was a pre-celebration for a very special someone who was born to a <em>very </em>young couple on a stormy evening in May. Our beautiful, blue-eyed boy with the lopsided grin, who for the most part has made his parents very proud, was of course the guest of honor. His younger brother carefully decorated the cake and set out a special table setting for this most momentous occasion. Having a special engagement on Sunday we moved our usual Sunday dinner to Saturday and prepared some of the boy’s favorites. Dinner was a joint effort with many hands on board for prep (including the birthday boy’s). On the plate – Cedar Plank Salmon with a miso-ginger glaze (specialty of the Pater), green rice, refried beans, roasted asparagus with parmesan and lemon, and fresh roasted corn. (I’m not a huge fan of salmon, but this salmon was incredibly delicious. Maybe the creator of the miso-glazed salmon will honor us with a glaze recipe.) Despite the heaping amounts of food consumed, a chocolate cake with strawberry preserves and cream cheese frosting was dispatched within minutes. A well-fed group then toasted the birthday boy and presents were opened. Huzzah, Huzzah, another year under the belt! </p>msmpthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638763425763084244noreply@blogger.com1