kidding around

Last week I hosted bookclub.

Every year I remind myself to keep it simple and just buy some cheese and call it a day.

Well, then I start scheming in my mind and start scouring my cookbooks and Epicurious and I changed my plan! It’s not like I entertain routinely…I’m not sewing…I NEED TO DO SOMETHING CREATIVELY…and on goes my justification.

SO what did I serve?

Corn fritters with chili lime mayo.

Carmelized onion dip with blue cheese (served it with vegetables…broccoli from our garden!)

Edamame and Arugula Crositini (photo above)

Cheese Straws (from Smitten Kitchen)

Ice Box Cupcakes (from Smitten Kitchen)

I have to say, it was all so delicious and totally enjoyable to prepare all these treats. Now next year, just chips and salsa…’cause everyone likes that, right? Maybe I’ll add a trilogy of homemade salsas, make my own chips…uh oh…

Ellie and Penny have been gone for the past 10 days. And so we will celebrate with pie!

I thought I would share with you all one of my very favorite ways to use up all the pie dough scraps. They are so easy to make and it totally makes my family go wild when they see me braiding up strips of pie dough.

So, after trimming your pie, gather up the scraps and create a rectangular shape. Roll it out fairly thin (the bigger you roll it out, the more twists you get!)

Now this may drive some of you nuts, but I eyeball rectangles and cut them out (2″x5or6″? you can make them bigger, of course depending how much dough you have on hand.)

Then just create 2 slits, evenly cut and braid like you would on someone’s hair…that’s why I call them “Ellie braids”, they remind me so much of her cute piggy tails she wore daily when she was younger.

Now just sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, I also like to add a touch of nutmeg and bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes. Eat warm or let them cool and drizzle a powdered sugar frosting.

So now you all know I am serious with my pie twists. What started it?

When Nathan and I were first married and lived in Whittier, CA I frequented a local bakery that made THE BEST TWISTS EVER. They would sell out pretty quick and I would seriously be totally disappointed if I couldn’t get one- I know, really…there are other things to attach such disappointment to that needs attention, but you know…

After Ellie’s birth, I used her as an excuse to watch the cake decorating lady. Fun for Ellie to watch and I could get my fill of twists as well. When we moved, I was heartsick- I know I know I know.

So now, each Thanksgiving after we make dozens of homemade pies at Moveable Feast, I have the honor of making twists for the staff and to sell. It’s a fun tradition and many can relate to their Grandmas “never wasting” and making these delectable treats.

When you make a pie next, try these twists. Heck, make pie dough and just create a bunch of twists- that’s what my family hopes I do!

More circled-felt ornaments! I suspect these will be popular and easy for our party. I may just be insane and already have the zillion circles already cut. Am I nuts? All I need is a few good movies to get me through.

After reading this post some time ago, I have been wanting to make re-usable sandwich/snack bags. This past school year, I was very aware of the sandwich bags that left this house. Although I like to say we reduced our usage, I do think we could do better.

I know school is not starting for another 5 weeks, but man, summer is speeding by and I feel a little out of control…and did you see Target? Back to school supplies! Ellie’s eyes were as big as saucers when she was checking out the notebooks. I would love to make a bunch for this upcoming school year. Not only wraps for sandwiches, but maybe pouches for pretzels and cookies. Thankfully my kids are pretty used to me sending them to school with food in other things besides plastic bags.

ANYWAY, what are your thoughts on using PVC/vinyl coated fabric? I have read this site’s information…I’m not overly nutty about that sort of stuff (maybe I should be). But I am nutty about wasting water, using a trillion plastic bags, and leaving lights on…

Okay, thanks for your help. On with summer living!

Currently, my favorite meal to make is this delicious pizza…homemade crust, pesto made with basil from my garden, goat cheese, red onion and a nice topping of arugula (also from my garden) with a bit of olive oil…be sure to add the arugula AFTER baking the pizza.

Summer is speeding by, isn’t it?

I need to take a break this week.

My week of made gifts will be hopefully next week. Sorry for mentioning something and then totally fizzling, but life has taken over and I just don’t have it in me. Thanks for all the enthusiasm and sweet comments- love them. always.

A trip to the city was a thrill for the Shackelford family. It was just what we needed- a day away from the everyday and a reminder that we live near one of the coolest cities in the country. One of the greatest gems, in my opinion, is the Art Institute of Chicago. It is full of famous art that I doubt is taken for granted, given the crowds we endured on Saturday.

A train ride was fun for the kids- a little long, a car ride would be much faster, but the gas we saved was worth the time. Plus, arriving at the station and being apart of the bustle is so fun and something I want my kids to experience.

As always, it’s fun to discuss art with children. This has always been a long time interest of mine and my kids did not disappoint. Especially when they were questioning a lot of the Modern Art. My husband and I explained the art processes of most artists and showed them specific examples of our explanations…I think we got through! Since Nathan is an art teacher and brings his students to the museum fairly regularly he was also our personal GPS system- perfect.

Of course looking at the many antiquities always blows me away. The kids picked up on my enthusiasm- hurrah.

A trip to nearby Millenium Park was also a treat. Simon was smittened by “Cloud Gate” the famous sculpture that so many love to visit and photograph.

Guess what I learned?

Family outings are so much easier now! No more strollers, diapers, diaper bag, nursing baby, stash of snacks/sippy cups or…here’s the big one…a napping child that needs to take a nap or a meltdown will surely ruin the day! Yes!

I realized that this has been my life for 9.5 years and it is so nice to be in a different stage. Sure, I liked that time and now I am dealing with bickering kids, rolling of the eyes and general sassiness…I think I’m ready!

Yesterday was the first day of Spring Break. We are one of the lucky ones and sticking around the house for the week (I swear more people LEAVE than stay). I don’t blame people for leaving, the winter we have had is making me seriously consider that Spring will be non-existent.

So although some VERY UNWELCOMED activity was occurring yesterday OUTSIDE, I decided to bake it up.

It was good therapy. Did I mention that sugar has been off my list as a major food group? I gave in- it was either impulsively booking tickets to Mexico or a slice of cake to get me out of my state of mind.

By the way, my little etsy shop will open next week. All my “dots” are complete, there are some photography issues being worked on…so check here and I’ll give the heads up. Sorry for all the unbroken promises…it’s kind of like the weather. It says SPRING on the calendar, but man, I have to remind myself we are celebrating Easter on Sunday and not Thanksgiving.

As I was dutifully changing 3 bed’s worth of sheets yesterday morning, I heard the first of this season’s Cardinal chirps. I immediately sunk into my bed and happily mimicked my favorite winged friend…I was quickly brought back to reality with hungry kids, but nevertheless I was taken to a very happy place. Thank you sir, for your happy song.

I love February (well, not REALLY) with the slight signs of a changing season. I’m anticipating a Robin sighting in a week or 2…What have you noticed?

Here’s to new week. Hopefully I will get to my dressmaking!

I’ve been tagged by my pal Allison.

7 randoms things about me:

1. Every night before going to sleep, I ask my husband if he will make sure he locks all the doors. Even if I have checked them…If I forget to ask him and I am in bed all snug and he is still awake, I still need to get up and ask him.

2. I prefer a huge bowl of vegetables over fruit. I’ll eat any kind of vegetable, but the texture of most fruit makes me sort of gag. I am totally ashamed by this and it’s a big deal for me to admit this to the world. Oh- give me a fruit pie and I will forget my bias, but not quite the healthy choice, huh?

3. I could listen to the same CD weeks on end. Changing disks or radio stations drives me crazy.

4. Remember watching Schoolhouse Rock on Saturday mornings? This isn’t anything about me, but my Uncle did a number of the illustrations.

I didn’t really understand what this really meant as a 5 year old, but it was really fun as I grew older to see his name flash on the screen. Now, when my kids watch the DVD they are impressed with our family celebrity.

5. At stop lights, I add up the numbers on people’s license plates. Not just once, but in different combinations making sure I come up with the correct sum. OCD?

6. I’m the driver in the family. My husband doesn’t care if I drive when our family goes somewhere- in fact, I drive all of the time. Not because he is a bad driver, but because I totally like to strategize my route and keep busy. He, on the other hand navigates and keeps me entertained and just relaxes (something I don’t do well).

I think there is a good trade off here. His manhood is not being stripped away and my femininity isn’t when he cooks dinner. We work well together.

7. I love love love to get 7-9 hours of sleep at night! I also prefer to get up at the crack of dawn and enjoy the calm.

So what’s up with all of the random photos? I got my furniture I mentioned last Friday. I love it! This past week has been crazy with tearing up my whole house. I moved my sewing space to a smaller space (photos to come), I cleaned out the photo closet to make room for my sewing space, cleaned under couches and closets…just for my cool loveseat and chair. I feel like we moved- so much work!

I’m supposed to tag someone with this list, but I have never been good at being “it”. So- if you would like to play, let me know and I would love to read your list! Hopefully I haven’t scared people off- this list is a funny reflection of me.