kidding around

I have recently discovered a cookbook that I absolutely love- you know when the book is necessary to own yourself when you make 5 recipes out of it AND you constantly are checking it out from the library!

Anyway, living outside Chicago, I have been to Rick Bayless’ restaurant a few times for dinner and brunch (even saw Julia Child there!) and dream about meals from that place…so, this book makes me really happy.

I made a “Fire roasted Chiptole/Tomatillo Salsa” 2 times this week and really CAN NOT get enough of it. It is so simple and fun to roast tomatillos- a vegetable/fruit (?) that I have not personally used, but LOVE.

All you do is place 8oz of tomatillos (sliced in half, face down) in a dry skillet along with four garlic cloves. Cook until fragrant and the tomatillos are soft. Add them to a blender, add 2 Chiptole peppers (in a can) with some adobo sauce, salt, 1/4 cup of water and give it a whirl. You’ve got yourself some hot, complex, and tasty salsa! Easy and GOOD.

Make sure you do not do what I did and wipe off your blender with the lid off and 4 cups of salsa in the pitcher- you got it, a mess.

I was hoping to share my new shirt I have been working on, but there was a mishap and I am doing what every good sewer does from time to time…I tore out a lot of stitches.

Yesterday afternoon I had a nice chunk of time to finish up the neckline and gathers…I was so close to the end! As I was ironing, pinning and trimming I was keeping my fingers crossed that everything would work out perfectly (or adequate to me!).

I was horrified to discover that the marks I made had disappeared and I also was lazy and didn’t do other marking as well. You guessed it- it turned out all crazy looking.

So to punish myself for not being detailed I tore out all the gathering stitches AND neck band. I just finished with my markings and hope to work on the shirt later today.

One optimistic thing is that when I did try it on, I could tell it was going to be one of those patterns I will make a few of…I like that kind of pattern.

Although I could be frustrated because I do have limited patience when things don’t work out- I am taking this as part of my self-taught sewing lesson. Who knows, perhaps in a year I will be whipping things out with no problems!

Well, I finally managed to sit down and do some sewing! It’s funny, because with every project I gain more confidence in my sewing, but then walk away beating myself up for not being a perfectionist (I wish I had it in me).

My brother and sister-in-law found a stack of old, “vintage” patterns for me in Bend, OR at a thrift store…boy, did they make me happy! I actually got this stack in the thick of holiday work and craziness so I am sure you can imagine my eagerness to tackle at least one of the patterns. I think it is so nice when people find something they know you would like, especially at a thrift store and mail it for no reason! Thank you David and Heather.

The pattern I chose for Ellie was of a simple dress that I just think is adorable. The shape and style is simple and perfect for an 8 year old that is a bit too old for some styles, but definitely too young for others…

The problem? The pattern was for a size 8, all cut out…great, right? I cut out the fabric without thinking that my 8.5 year old is really a size 6. Oops.

I ended up having to do a lot of altering and learning. Not bad. Next time I will know.

Before I could start sewing, however, I absolutely HAD to organize my space. I never call my sewing space my “studio” because quite frankly I have no organized/regular time to dedicate to my sewing AND the space is also a playroom for my kids…I’m sure most of you can relate. Perhaps some time I will have my own space and find the regular time I crave. Anyway, just wanted to show off what I did last week. Perfect for how I work.

So anyway, this is my next project I am working on- a shirt for me. Hopefully it will go well- no buttons or zippers, so it should be cinch.

I finished my second piece in the silhouette series I am doing of my kids. Of course I still need to figure out the details of mounting them…not sure why this shot has gray splots on the silhouette, it doesn’t “in person”.

This weekend I was given big chunks of time to sew and can’t wait to show you what I have made!

I am 34. It’s always nice to buy yourself flowers, isn’t it?

I don’t know why, but this past week I have been wildly contemplative. Perhaps it’s because my birthday is in a few days, or the holiday chaos is now finally over OR I find myself in silence while I am alone (thankfully Penelope hasn’t deserted her naps yet!).

The time I do spend by myself I often find myself thinking of obscure memories from my childhood.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and my family would often take trips to New York/Connecticut or Iowa to visit with family (on both sides). The word “road trip” brings up memories of peeing in coffee cans, black licorice, having my older sisters laying all over me in the back seat and anticipation. I loved reunions with the welcoming family…living far from relatives wasn’t a big deal. In fact, I really have to say that this strengthened my love for connection, family, and independence.

So- anyway, the ferry trip…right…Last week, while I was leafing through this book-I stumbled upon this crumb cake recipe. It was like a flash- the image of me on a ferry eating crumb cake was as clear as a day! I was about 8years old and remember puttering about around the Statue of Liberty with a big slice of this cake in my hand. I undeniably thought this was the best bit of “sweetness” I had ever tasted…so, this morning with Penelope by my side, I re-created a memory.

Can I just tell you all how incredibly wonderful this is? If you have the cookbook- GO MAKE IT THIS WEEKEND!