I am completely in love with this quilt. The pinwheels are half-square triangles (ie, I could quick piece them), and this would be a great GREAT way to use 30s reproduction prints.
I wonder if I can find fat quarters or a charm pack of 30s prints?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
A little bean recipe for fun
I've been trying to stay in more, and cook more, because of lots of reasons. Not least of which? Sheep and Wool is NEXT weekend. Oh dear.
I have a splendid recipe to share for today, though. It's vegan, more out of happenstance than intention, and it has been boyfriend approved as quite tasty and quite filling. I didn't make the whole thing up, by any means, but I think we'll call it the descriptive if pedestrian
Sweet Potato with Bean and Veggie Stew
First, the original recipe would have you bake two sweet potatoes for an hour to an hour and a half. Puh-leeze. Wash two of them, get rid of any nasty bits, poke a few times on multiple sides to prevent explosion, and nuke them in the microwave for four minutes, then turn and cook for another four minutes. An hour and a half? Posh! I usually start the potatoes after the stew is already simmering. Here's that part:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed (I like the little garlic press for this)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 14oz can chopped tomatoes (I like diced with no salt added)
1 cup vegetable stock (or water, if you have no stock on hand)
1 large zucchini, cut into half inch cubes
1 green pepper, cut into half inch cubes
small can of corn (drained)
2 cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (I used one can tonight, it was fine)
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, if you're into that sort of thing
Heat the oil in a big saucepan (think pot not skillet) and cook the onion over medium heat until it's soft and gold-colored. Add the garlic and spices and cook for a minute or two.
Add the tomatoes and stock (or water) and stir. Then add all the vegetables and beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer partially covered for 20 minutes.
Uncover, increase heat to medium, and cook for 10-15 minutes more until the liquid has thickened. Stir in the cilantro immediately before serving, if you choose.
Serve the stew over half a sweet potato (cut in half lengthwise). Add sour cream if you're not going for the vegan option, and you happen to have any.
---------------------
Easy peasy, and delicious. Not very spicy, though I think the original recipe calls it "Spicy Beans". Mm.
I'd take a picture but I ate it too fast. Maybe I'll get a picture of the leftovers? For me, this recipe serves three, or more generally one or two with plenty left for lunch the next day.
I received Veganomicon in the mail today, and am finding it uproariously funny so far. I can't wait to get to the recipes- hopefully this cookbook will aid me in my search for bean-based delicious healthy options. Among other things. I still have hamburger to defrost for tomorrow, but I do try to eat vegetarian at home the vast majority of the time. Who knows, maybe someday I'll make the switch- but I find it unlikely with my secret adoration for steak on at least a monthly basis. Mm food!
I have a splendid recipe to share for today, though. It's vegan, more out of happenstance than intention, and it has been boyfriend approved as quite tasty and quite filling. I didn't make the whole thing up, by any means, but I think we'll call it the descriptive if pedestrian
Sweet Potato with Bean and Veggie Stew
First, the original recipe would have you bake two sweet potatoes for an hour to an hour and a half. Puh-leeze. Wash two of them, get rid of any nasty bits, poke a few times on multiple sides to prevent explosion, and nuke them in the microwave for four minutes, then turn and cook for another four minutes. An hour and a half? Posh! I usually start the potatoes after the stew is already simmering. Here's that part:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed (I like the little garlic press for this)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 14oz can chopped tomatoes (I like diced with no salt added)
1 cup vegetable stock (or water, if you have no stock on hand)
1 large zucchini, cut into half inch cubes
1 green pepper, cut into half inch cubes
small can of corn (drained)
2 cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (I used one can tonight, it was fine)
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, if you're into that sort of thing
Heat the oil in a big saucepan (think pot not skillet) and cook the onion over medium heat until it's soft and gold-colored. Add the garlic and spices and cook for a minute or two.
Add the tomatoes and stock (or water) and stir. Then add all the vegetables and beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer partially covered for 20 minutes.
Uncover, increase heat to medium, and cook for 10-15 minutes more until the liquid has thickened. Stir in the cilantro immediately before serving, if you choose.
Serve the stew over half a sweet potato (cut in half lengthwise). Add sour cream if you're not going for the vegan option, and you happen to have any.
---------------------
Easy peasy, and delicious. Not very spicy, though I think the original recipe calls it "Spicy Beans". Mm.
I'd take a picture but I ate it too fast. Maybe I'll get a picture of the leftovers? For me, this recipe serves three, or more generally one or two with plenty left for lunch the next day.
I received Veganomicon in the mail today, and am finding it uproariously funny so far. I can't wait to get to the recipes- hopefully this cookbook will aid me in my search for bean-based delicious healthy options. Among other things. I still have hamburger to defrost for tomorrow, but I do try to eat vegetarian at home the vast majority of the time. Who knows, maybe someday I'll make the switch- but I find it unlikely with my secret adoration for steak on at least a monthly basis. Mm food!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
H is for Home.
Ignore the fact that my apartment went from looking like I just moved in... to looking just messy. It's still halfway in between, though I better tidy like crazy shortly, since my mother is coming up for a visit! These photos are a bit old already, but they do show my typical choices- wine rack is already on the wall, but I haven't hung the mirror or any other art. Heh. My sofa will not be delivered until June, so I am living on wooden chairs. Conveniently I can see the TV from bed, so long as I have my glasses on.
A quick tour of my messy but delightful efficiency:
The view from my balcony:
A quick tour of my messy but delightful efficiency:
The view from my balcony:
Monday, April 07, 2008
ah, Project Spectrum
The Fire portion of our project has ended. Good as time as any for a recap!
I had some goals for this section of Project Spectrum. I wanted to reevaluate old stagnant projects and decide whether toburn them completely frog them, or rebuild. I did manage this- I frogged a pair of socks that just weren't working out, and more recently I frogged 1/3 of a baby blanket, bringing it back to just the moss-stitch border and ready to start over again. I realized after a few sets of cables that I had made an error... and then a few more repeats after that, I noticed the more glaring error that I had been reading the charts wrong the whole blanket. Also, the entire blanket I already knit from the pattern was wrong! What's past is past, and can't be undone... but I took the second mistake as a sign, and finally took out almost all of the knitting on the last day of the Fire segment. I do feel better, having those massive cabling errors out of my life. It's a small thing, but it helps!
I set my goals for Autumn Rose low- I said I wanted to swatch it. And I did! I even knit the first few inches! I did NOT start the rust-colored sweater, however. And I didn't even look at the menorah pillow I wanted to make for myself. On the plus side, I finished and blocked Hanami, and got to take some photos of her in all her pink glory in front of the pale pink cherry blossoms.
I would hardly call this unqualified success, but it's a start! I also made stews, focusing on the sweet potato as my newfound friendly ingredient. That's nice and fiery, and wintery, to boot. I may not have accomplished all of my goals, but I am quite pleased with the results of my Fire explorations, for my first attempt at Project Spectrum.
Next up is Earth. Green, brown, and metallics. I'd like to set a few goals for this, as well! The most key, I think, is that I want to start a small container herb garden on my new, lovely balcony. I am a notorious black thumb, but the inspiration of friends who garden and the gorgeous community garden I can see out my windows is really striking. I can watch people hoe and weed when I walk home from the metro, and it makes me sad that I am not doing my bit to grow a little something of my own. I also find spending 3-4 dollars for fresh herbs ridiculous, so there's a money-saving aspect to this! If I can only grow a few terribly basic herbs, I'd be quite happy.
In addition to my pseudo-outdoor gardening hope, I would like to focus a bit more on greens and browns. The rust-colored sweater is not such an ill choice for the season (rust is still as much brown as red). I have green socks just waiting to be knitted, and even the Kaffe's are made beautiful by their little emerald stripes. So I'll set that as a goal to finish the second Kaffe sock, and create another pair of socks as well. My feet will appreciate them next fall, when the weather cools again (or even this month, if I knit fast enough).
The metallic idea of the Earth segment is a pretty obvious link to the beading and jewelry-making I've been getting interested in. I would like to try just one project, to see if I like it- probably a crocheted bracelet or necklace. I can't wear much in the way of non-precious metals, but if what I make turns out well enough, I can invest in some sterling silver wire. And give away the trial runs to people with less sensitive skin!
I'm very ready for some Earth exploration. What a good time to schedule a few hikes, as well....
I had some goals for this section of Project Spectrum. I wanted to reevaluate old stagnant projects and decide whether to
I set my goals for Autumn Rose low- I said I wanted to swatch it. And I did! I even knit the first few inches! I did NOT start the rust-colored sweater, however. And I didn't even look at the menorah pillow I wanted to make for myself. On the plus side, I finished and blocked Hanami, and got to take some photos of her in all her pink glory in front of the pale pink cherry blossoms.
I would hardly call this unqualified success, but it's a start! I also made stews, focusing on the sweet potato as my newfound friendly ingredient. That's nice and fiery, and wintery, to boot. I may not have accomplished all of my goals, but I am quite pleased with the results of my Fire explorations, for my first attempt at Project Spectrum.
Next up is Earth. Green, brown, and metallics. I'd like to set a few goals for this, as well! The most key, I think, is that I want to start a small container herb garden on my new, lovely balcony. I am a notorious black thumb, but the inspiration of friends who garden and the gorgeous community garden I can see out my windows is really striking. I can watch people hoe and weed when I walk home from the metro, and it makes me sad that I am not doing my bit to grow a little something of my own. I also find spending 3-4 dollars for fresh herbs ridiculous, so there's a money-saving aspect to this! If I can only grow a few terribly basic herbs, I'd be quite happy.
In addition to my pseudo-outdoor gardening hope, I would like to focus a bit more on greens and browns. The rust-colored sweater is not such an ill choice for the season (rust is still as much brown as red). I have green socks just waiting to be knitted, and even the Kaffe's are made beautiful by their little emerald stripes. So I'll set that as a goal to finish the second Kaffe sock, and create another pair of socks as well. My feet will appreciate them next fall, when the weather cools again (or even this month, if I knit fast enough).
The metallic idea of the Earth segment is a pretty obvious link to the beading and jewelry-making I've been getting interested in. I would like to try just one project, to see if I like it- probably a crocheted bracelet or necklace. I can't wear much in the way of non-precious metals, but if what I make turns out well enough, I can invest in some sterling silver wire. And give away the trial runs to people with less sensitive skin!
I'm very ready for some Earth exploration. What a good time to schedule a few hikes, as well....
G is for Grins: a pictoral.
All my favorite people grin lots.
This one, of course:
Dea, who is coming out this weekend to visit from med school in Detroit:
Kevin, one of my four boys from college:
Eric and Sharyn at her wedding:
After my kid sister's six years of college, you bet we're all grinning in this photo (just kidding, kiddo):
Former Roommie, champion grinner:
Now I am caught up, and I promise something a bit more unique for H. And it won't even be Hanami (though the temptation is strong!)
This one, of course:
Dea, who is coming out this weekend to visit from med school in Detroit:
Kevin, one of my four boys from college:
Eric and Sharyn at her wedding:
After my kid sister's six years of college, you bet we're all grinning in this photo (just kidding, kiddo):
Former Roommie, champion grinner:
Now I am caught up, and I promise something a bit more unique for H. And it won't even be Hanami (though the temptation is strong!)
F is for
dysFunctional... just kidding! I was out of the loop, what with the moving/computer death thing. But I wanted to catch up a bit.
F is, of course, for family. And especially, my father. I feature my mom and sister on occasion here, and I love them dearly... but you know how it is with a girl and her dad. He's the coolest man I've ever known.
Fun photos of my father:
On the fake safari he said was almost as good as his real one:
Dressed up- my Dad looks great in a tux:
Dad taught me how to boogie:
My father is the youngest of four (sadly, three living) brothers:
Hanging out in Vegas with the fish:
Mustache on or off, this is my favorite kind of Dad photo- with Mom, and a Hawaiian shirt:
F is for flamingos, too- and my dad is a huge fan. Well, actually not so much, but it's been a family in-joke since forever!
The only thing wrong with these photos? He's not smiling enough. You can tell my Dad a mile away from his allergy cough (it's loud) and his infectious smile and laugh. I can't say as to the quality of his jokes, but they're great in quantity!
F is, of course, for family. And especially, my father. I feature my mom and sister on occasion here, and I love them dearly... but you know how it is with a girl and her dad. He's the coolest man I've ever known.
Fun photos of my father:
On the fake safari he said was almost as good as his real one:
Dressed up- my Dad looks great in a tux:
Dad taught me how to boogie:
My father is the youngest of four (sadly, three living) brothers:
Hanging out in Vegas with the fish:
Mustache on or off, this is my favorite kind of Dad photo- with Mom, and a Hawaiian shirt:
F is for flamingos, too- and my dad is a huge fan. Well, actually not so much, but it's been a family in-joke since forever!
The only thing wrong with these photos? He's not smiling enough. You can tell my Dad a mile away from his allergy cough (it's loud) and his infectious smile and laugh. I can't say as to the quality of his jokes, but they're great in quantity!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
A few thoughts I've been thinking
I skipped out on an event today for no particularly good reason- I could have planned better, left earlier, started laundry earlier, woken up earlier, decided it was important and made way for it.
But I didn't. And I'm kind of glad. I needed this sort of afternoon to myself- I have been in and out of the house so much lately, only here to sleep, and I missed my little spot of home! It's small. But plenty big enough for me and my things, if I ever put away the last piles of junk near the bed. And it's dark. But my handy electrician boyfriend said he would look at my lamps (both of my standing lamps stopped working after the move, and I destroyed my desk lamp, too). In the meantime, I do have overhead lights in the kitchen, by the front door, and over the kitchen table. You would think that would be enough, but this is a surprisingly difficult-to-light apartment!
The reason I ended up getting home too late to go into the city? I was shopping for fabric. I'm not certain if I will keep this fabric all the way until September, for my quilting retreat. It is seriously adorable, manly and nautical, and hopefully it will turn into a lovely lap blanket for the boy. G Street is having a sale starting Thursday (wish they'd mentioned it BEFORE cutting 4 of the 6 fabrics), so I will probably go back to get the fabric for my first large quilt then. It will be a lot cheaper with the discounts, and then I can wash and put all that fabric away for the retreat- I suspect cutting out and piecing a queen-size quilt will take up most of that!
They say to bring your own sewing machine, but don't mention if you should bring an ironing board and an iron. I guess that we can all share. As for the sewing machine, my mom and I are both scoping out old reliable Featherweight Singers on eBay. Because obviously, what we really need? More sewing machines... I will probably just give in and bring my Athena, to save money, but it sure is heavy.
Still no knitting news. I haven't worked on the lace shawl in a week, and I've only knit a few more rows of the socks. I haven't touched Autumn Rose, nor any of the other bazillion projects. I'm hoping to get some knitting done at Jamie's tonight while he raids. In between bouts of Wii games, of course.
But I didn't. And I'm kind of glad. I needed this sort of afternoon to myself- I have been in and out of the house so much lately, only here to sleep, and I missed my little spot of home! It's small. But plenty big enough for me and my things, if I ever put away the last piles of junk near the bed. And it's dark. But my handy electrician boyfriend said he would look at my lamps (both of my standing lamps stopped working after the move, and I destroyed my desk lamp, too). In the meantime, I do have overhead lights in the kitchen, by the front door, and over the kitchen table. You would think that would be enough, but this is a surprisingly difficult-to-light apartment!
The reason I ended up getting home too late to go into the city? I was shopping for fabric. I'm not certain if I will keep this fabric all the way until September, for my quilting retreat. It is seriously adorable, manly and nautical, and hopefully it will turn into a lovely lap blanket for the boy. G Street is having a sale starting Thursday (wish they'd mentioned it BEFORE cutting 4 of the 6 fabrics), so I will probably go back to get the fabric for my first large quilt then. It will be a lot cheaper with the discounts, and then I can wash and put all that fabric away for the retreat- I suspect cutting out and piecing a queen-size quilt will take up most of that!
They say to bring your own sewing machine, but don't mention if you should bring an ironing board and an iron. I guess that we can all share. As for the sewing machine, my mom and I are both scoping out old reliable Featherweight Singers on eBay. Because obviously, what we really need? More sewing machines... I will probably just give in and bring my Athena, to save money, but it sure is heavy.
Still no knitting news. I haven't worked on the lace shawl in a week, and I've only knit a few more rows of the socks. I haven't touched Autumn Rose, nor any of the other bazillion projects. I'm hoping to get some knitting done at Jamie's tonight while he raids. In between bouts of Wii games, of course.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Pine Trees
The examples I've seen before use a great number of different shades for the leaves. I rather like this version, which is much simpler.
Simpler is good when you have no stash.
Simpler is good when you have no stash.
I have this new hobby
And I think it's going to become addictive. Since I'm hardly knitting lately, and I have no comfy couch, I've been thinking and dreaming quilts. A great deal.
I signed up for a quilting retreat in September, about a week of quilting fun with my mom and aunt. It should be fun, and we are to bring a project (projects?) and a machine. I don't have a particularly portable sewing machine, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it- I'm sure I can lug my Athena around somehow, even without a special case. Even if it is bloody heavy. As I think on this, maybe the Rocketeer would be a better choice!
At any rate, I did my first quilt project as an adult last spring break- the wallhanging I posted about on this blog. It's cute, and I will be hanging it behind the kitchen table part of the studio very shortly. So far the only thing on the walls is the wine rack- I have my priorities. I didn't really do any reading for that, though I did pick up a few tips and tricks. Now that I've done some piecing, I thought I should maybe do a little reading about it. And of course, some things I learned the hard way are written up very beautifully in my new quilting books. I still think it was better to learn hands-on though- like any craft, making mistakes is usually the easiest way to remember how to do it right the next time! One of the little books I purchased is "More Quilts from the Quiltmaker's Gift." It contains patterns that were illustrated in the children's book The Quiltmaker's Gift. The first book of patterns was cute, and I really fell in love with one they called Robbing Peter to Pay Paul- though it was not a traditional version of the quilt by that name. This second one has LOTS of patterns I love, though. Namely, the ever-popular Spools pattern, the omnipresent baby quilt pattern Tumbling Blocks (it looks like Qbert!), a Drunkard's Path variant called Trail of Friendship... pretty. Best of all are the two that I aim to make in the near future. One is called Tree of Paradise, and they off-set the blocks so it looks very modern and chic. The blocks are something like this. I would REALLY love to make that one in a bed-size quilt. Which means I don't think I'll be attempting it quite yet. I also adore the Storm at Sea- one beautiful version is here. I want to make a lap-quilt sized version of that for the boy. He loves blue, and I am always freezing at his place when we watch movies or when I'm playing Wii.
Another pattern that I'm totally into right now are the variations on Cathedral Windows, or Tea Leaf. But again, that is a bit beyond my current skillset (and I have zero desire to hand piece or quilt at the moment).
I think I'll blog a few more patterns I'm in love with. But I'm thinking of popping by G Street in the next day or two to pick out fabrics for Storm at Sea. They also have some gorgeous fall-color Moda fabric that I NEED.
Here's a question, fellow quilter peeps: how much fabric do you buy when you're in love, but have no pattern in mind? Do you just get a yard, for the taste? Or do you get a few yards, so you can use it as a major feature in a quilt? Not that I need to be stashing, but you know.
I'd like to note finally that there is no way I can survive this month without being a consumer. I'm going to North Carolina on vacation with the parents. And I forsee that to be a week of quilting and knitting on their comfy couches. And in their delicious screened back porch. I just don't have the fabric stash to see me through! My vow, however, is to do the non-craft portions of this challenge. No spa treatments (not that I do those much). No haircuts, no dying of the hair. No buying of makeup. Hmm... so far these are all things I avoid like the plague as it is. To make it a bit more of a challenge- No buying yarn until Sheep and Wool. No buying clothes. No buying shoes. No purchasing of house goods beyond cleaning and personal care supplies. I will have to think of any more!
I signed up for a quilting retreat in September, about a week of quilting fun with my mom and aunt. It should be fun, and we are to bring a project (projects?) and a machine. I don't have a particularly portable sewing machine, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it- I'm sure I can lug my Athena around somehow, even without a special case. Even if it is bloody heavy. As I think on this, maybe the Rocketeer would be a better choice!
At any rate, I did my first quilt project as an adult last spring break- the wallhanging I posted about on this blog. It's cute, and I will be hanging it behind the kitchen table part of the studio very shortly. So far the only thing on the walls is the wine rack- I have my priorities. I didn't really do any reading for that, though I did pick up a few tips and tricks. Now that I've done some piecing, I thought I should maybe do a little reading about it. And of course, some things I learned the hard way are written up very beautifully in my new quilting books. I still think it was better to learn hands-on though- like any craft, making mistakes is usually the easiest way to remember how to do it right the next time! One of the little books I purchased is "More Quilts from the Quiltmaker's Gift." It contains patterns that were illustrated in the children's book The Quiltmaker's Gift. The first book of patterns was cute, and I really fell in love with one they called Robbing Peter to Pay Paul- though it was not a traditional version of the quilt by that name. This second one has LOTS of patterns I love, though. Namely, the ever-popular Spools pattern, the omnipresent baby quilt pattern Tumbling Blocks (it looks like Qbert!), a Drunkard's Path variant called Trail of Friendship... pretty. Best of all are the two that I aim to make in the near future. One is called Tree of Paradise, and they off-set the blocks so it looks very modern and chic. The blocks are something like this. I would REALLY love to make that one in a bed-size quilt. Which means I don't think I'll be attempting it quite yet. I also adore the Storm at Sea- one beautiful version is here. I want to make a lap-quilt sized version of that for the boy. He loves blue, and I am always freezing at his place when we watch movies or when I'm playing Wii.
Another pattern that I'm totally into right now are the variations on Cathedral Windows, or Tea Leaf. But again, that is a bit beyond my current skillset (and I have zero desire to hand piece or quilt at the moment).
I think I'll blog a few more patterns I'm in love with. But I'm thinking of popping by G Street in the next day or two to pick out fabrics for Storm at Sea. They also have some gorgeous fall-color Moda fabric that I NEED.
Here's a question, fellow quilter peeps: how much fabric do you buy when you're in love, but have no pattern in mind? Do you just get a yard, for the taste? Or do you get a few yards, so you can use it as a major feature in a quilt? Not that I need to be stashing, but you know.
I'd like to note finally that there is no way I can survive this month without being a consumer. I'm going to North Carolina on vacation with the parents. And I forsee that to be a week of quilting and knitting on their comfy couches. And in their delicious screened back porch. I just don't have the fabric stash to see me through! My vow, however, is to do the non-craft portions of this challenge. No spa treatments (not that I do those much). No haircuts, no dying of the hair. No buying of makeup. Hmm... so far these are all things I avoid like the plague as it is. To make it a bit more of a challenge- No buying yarn until Sheep and Wool. No buying clothes. No buying shoes. No purchasing of house goods beyond cleaning and personal care supplies. I will have to think of any more!
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