I Heart Martha!

I am an unabashed admirer of Martha Stewart.

I have noticed in recent years that cooking shows have evolved from shows that used to actually teach you to cook into shows that are competitions. I have nothing against a cooking contest--some of them, like Master Chef Junior, are very entertaining. But I want to learn something! And Martha is my favorite teacher. 

I love her delivery. I usually try to imitate her speech as I'm listening to her. Those crazy dark vowels! 

But all that aside, this woman knows her shit. If I am looking online for a basic crepe or demiglace or bread or pie crust or you-name-it recipe, she is my go to person. I know that Martha's instructions will be tested and reliable.

The fact that she's been to prison just elevates her to a total BADASS status in my book. She is smart, successful and resilient.

The Land of Unfinished Crafts!

I am not content unless I am obsessed with making things. My most current obsession is quilting. It was only a matter of time until that happened, as I come from a family who quilts. I have a quilt started by my grandmother, finished by my mother (well, she paid some body else to finish it) and given to me for the next step (embroidery?) which is never going to happen. 

I have made several quilts by now, and I am getting better and braver with it, but I have amassed a stash of fabric now that is reminiscent of the yarn stash that I had when I was doing felted handbags. I am posting some pictures of projects I've actually finished in the last couple of years:

Vintage hankie quilt! So girly:

Men's shirting quilt for my hubs: He wanted it "extra puffy" so for once I obeyed him:

flying geese quilt--this is more my style:

Quilt with no theme, just pretty. Gave this to my neighbor:

Steak Tacos and Mole Verde, Y'all!

We have been getting Blue Apron for about 2 months now, and we love it. Cooking dinner together is the most enjoyable part of our day, but we dread the daily discussion about what's for dinner, and if the groceries get dropped on our doorstep, well, bonus! I like that each recipe is on a card that can be kept, so you can recreate any dishes that you really want again. We have not had a duplicate yet, and we have ended up trying lots of ideas for dishes that we would not have bothered with on our own. 

I wish I could say that I am that cook who plans menus out a week at a time and does all the shopping, all the while maximizing in-season vegetables and saving money, but I am not that cook. Andy isn't either--he is the type that goes to the grocery every day and will not eat anything that is more than a couple of days old. So Blue Apron is especially good for this purpose--they send you exactly the ingredients you need, no more, no less. You don't have a whole bottle of some weird ingredient that you won't use again for another decade.

Tonight's tacos were pretty tasty. The salsa was made of tomatillos and flavored with pan roasted pepitas, which I quite liked. The dish lacked a couple of notes in my opinion. If I made it again I would add orange zest and smoked paprika to the salsa to add a smoky note and a sweet note.

The whole thing came together very quickly, about 25 minutes! And it costs the same every week. It's 60 bucks, 3 complete meals that generously feed 2 people, delivered to your door. If you need to skip a week because you won't be home or you're too skint to spend the $60, you just go online and cross out that delivery. We have also never had any food arrive that was stale or damaged. We give it high marks overall!

Back in the Saddle

I have really missed writing. I have been having a long-term affair with Facebook, which has led to many fruitless hours spent on posts no longer than 3 or 4 sentences, with no arc but too much snark. I am resolved to throttle back on my Facebook activity and spend some quality time writing and getting reacquainted with the blogosphere and, more importantly, my own voice.

A catalyst in all this was being faced with the task of writing my father's eulogy. He died on January 2, and his funeral is next weekend. I was crazy about my dad, and though this task caused all my waterworks to burst open anew, I typed and edited through tears and in the end it was really cleansing for me.

So here it is, along with a picture of my dad, handsome and debonair as he was:

I want to begin by thanking all of you so much for being here. Our family is so touched by the outpouring of support and comfort we’ve received. And thanks to modern technology, there have been many people who have been able to reach out from all over to let us know how special Dad was to them. Your kind words have meant the world to us.

Today we say goodbye and sweet dreams to my beloved dad. It was such an honor to know him. Where do I begin to sum up Frank Serresseque? He was so many things—Father, husband, teacher, singer, actor, director, bon vivante. raconteur, son of French immigrants.

I’m sure most of you will remember that Dad was an amazing host. A dear friend mentioned recently that being at 306 West Midland Street was like being at the Round Table at the Algonquin. Our household was rich with a steady stream of lively, intelligent, creative people. Dad loved a good party. If you were a guest in his home he would never let your beverage reach the empty level. He would say “Let me freshen your drink my dear” and if you said "oh no just a half a drink!" He would level his gaze at you and say, “I don't make half drinks. If you want to drink half that's your business.” On warm summer nights he’d hold court on the front porch. Friends and neighbors would pass by, popping in for a quick hello, and slinking home hours later.

And no gathering was complete without music. It poured out of the piano and the giant speakers in the living room. Dad’s taste in music was extremely eclectic—and his record collection was—and still is-- massive!

   He had a passion for travel and culture. He created the Humanities program at Central High School. He was brave enough to take groups of teenagers on trips to places like Washington DC and Colonial Williamsburg. He would have been so delighted to read all the online comments last month from scores of people whom he’d taught. He would have loved knowing that he instilled a sense of curiosity and a love of travel in so many of his students. He and my mom went on many wonderful trips to Europe with friends and family.  One memorable summer, he lugged the four of us, plus his parents and his sister all over France, taking on the roles of tour guide, interpreter, chauffeur and activities coordinator. All this in a VW bus that had to be pushed down a hill to start. It's a wonder he didn't need another month’s vacation after all that. But he loved travelling and especially loved France with all his heart! He was so proud of his French heritage.

Never was there a man with more exemplary manners. One could almost say that he was obsessed with good manners. Even at 88 years old, He would stand at an open door and wait until hell froze over rather than walk through that door before a lady. He would even insist on walking on the outside of the sidewalk, towards the street, and if you didn’t oblige he would stop and move you over to the correct side of the sidewalk. Dinner time was a nightly test of our p’s and q’s. While it was sometimes challenging to grow up under the watchful eye of “Politeness Man”, we kids have gone on to be forever grateful for such good training.

For a man who made an honest but fairly modest living as a teacher and a church musician, Dad had a love of beautiful and expensive objects. Where he got his taste for Waterford crystal and Rolex watches, I will never know. But he had a love for fine and beautiful things. He lavished wonderful presents upon my mom. In his later years he ended up giving away a lot of those wonderful and shiny things, because his taste for fine objects was only surpassed by his generosity. Being generous gave Dad a great deal of joy.

   I would be completely remiss in this eulogy if I did not speak to what a spectacular singer my father was.  He didn't just sing a song. He would build a song in layers like a painting with color and direction and emotion. He had so much soul when he sang. He had the sort of gift that could not be taught. It was hard wired in him and he shared it widely, filling theatres and concert halls with his rich bass baritone. We will never forget his Emile deBecque, his Tevye, his Don Quixote, his Gianni Schicchi. He brought the world to us with his voice.

   We will miss Frank Serresseque immensely, but we carry him in our hearts. All the very best of him lives on in all of us who knew him. Dad, you put on a great show! This is your final curtain call. Thank you for gracing us with your presence. Now take a much deserved bow!

Paint!

I managed to finish painting yesterday at about 10 p.m. I love the color! It is going to look beautiful with the new fabric.

But there is a fly in the ointment, and that is the very damaged wall that was previously so cleverly hidden by all the purple sponged texture. 

My plan is to get a piece of plexiglass, paint one side of it with the matching paint, and affix it to the wall as a splash guard. If this works, I will be well chuffed. 

If it doesn't, I'll have to patch, sand, prime and paint, which will require some back pedaling and patience. I do not have an ample supply of patience.

Later, I popped over to my Sunday place of worship, which some people like call Lowe's. The nice man--who was the size of a Sherman tank--found a piece of plexy and cut it to size for me!

It worked great! It now looks nice and sleek and like I meant to do that.

Next, I will make my shower curtain. 

I don't mind splurging a bit on fabric that I really love. A custom made curtain and window shade can really elevate the look of your modest little bathroom. Not that this was an enormous splurge--the fabric was discounted 75%. It would have cost me $280.00 plus the labor to sew, but I invested $70.00. Curtains are very easy to make. It's all in the measuring! The sewing is all just straight lines.

The shower curtain came together very easily because the fabric has a square pattern. I just used the squares as my guidelines for the curtain. I rigged it with these tidy little loops and some inexpensive lucite rings. 

Tomorrow, I will tackle the window shade. Now for a nice hot shower, a glass of wine and PBS.

The Purple Bathroom Makeover

My little house has just one bathroom, and, while it seemed like a fine idea 15 years ago, I am very tired of the purple. What was I thinking? 

I am changing the palette to a much calmer and neutral collection of soft tans, grays and greens, inspired by this beautiful Waverly "Quadrants" fabric from a great discount site www.newtoto.com.

I will post my progress!

Meet Madeline!

One of the million things that has happened since I last paid attention to this blog is that Andy's son And daughter-in-law have had a baby. This makes me a step-nannah. Andy has called us Grandy and Grannine, but look at this kid! She is so cute, I don't care what she calls me! She can call me Old Gray Mare and totally get away with it. She's cuter than humans should be allowed to be and I look forward to many years of spoiling!

This is a test!

I am learning to blog from my new iPad mini!

Robyn's Bag

I made this for My Favorite Girlfriend, Robyn O'Neill. Robyn is a most extraordinary friend. I treasure the shorthand we have together. Our friendship is nourishing. When I get to see Robyn, I am assured of getting 100% of that day's requirement of good friendship.

This bag has a nice long strap on it, which can be slung across your torso diagonally so you can be free to engage in debauchery without fear of your purse falling by the wayside! And, per Robyn's input, it is plenty big enough to hold an iPad.

The stripy trim was applied with a needle felting tool that Andy's mum and sister gave me for my birthday. It's really fun! You lay some wool on the surface and then just poke it into the felt. Eventually, after the repeated stabbing is complete, the fibers all glom onto each other and they become one. I might get carpal tunnel syndrome from it, but it is therapeutic too. Sort of like a (insert the name of the politician you dislike) voodoo doll.

The Triskele Bag

My friend Kelly has done so many nice things for me over the years...She introduced me to Andy Cleveland, she and her husband Paul have fed us dinner too many times to count, and they even were gracious enough to host our wedding at their house. Kelly was definitely high up on my list of people I want to make something pretty for. With its celtic motif, I think this bag suits her to a T. I lined it with a cheery polka dot fabric so she'll feel happy when she looks inside it.

L is for Scrumptious!

I made this cutie-pie bag ages ago--I think it may have been one of the first ones I felted.  It's finally going to a proper home. My co-worker is going to give it to his niece for her birthday. She's just a little girl of four or so, and she may very well color all over it with magic marker and drag it through puke. I just hope she enjoys it and learns to make a pretty cursive "L."

And no, I did not make this bag with the "L" thinking that someday I would meet a really sweet guy with a niece whose name begins with "L." The green accents were an add-on!

The Thinque Bag!

This bag is a collaborative effort between my friend Bridget Gethins and myself. I call it the Thinque bag because that is the name of the Etsy shop we started together--THIN for the last part of her name and QUE for the last part of mine. I have since moved on from Etsy, but Bridget is still going strong with it, adding new and wonderful creations to the shop all the time!

Bridget did all the beadwork on this bag and I did the knitting, felting and finishing. I love the delicate tree design, and how the pearls remind me of when the buds on the trees are nice and fat in the spring. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I had this stored in an unfinished state for well over a year. I was so happy to finish it today and I can't wait to give it to Bridget!

The Peru Bag

This little number is called The Peru Bag because that's where the yarn is from. The yarn luckily made its way to Bay City, Michigan, where I bought it in a very nice little shop called A Piece of Ewe. 

When the yarn was not yet felted, it was a clownish mix of really bright colors, but once felted, it turned into this beautifully muted piece that reminds me of a landscape. The "sky" bit across the top is an alpaca and merino wool blend. It's lined in a similar azure blue fabric I trimmed it with some cute wooden buttons that I found in a drawer at my mom's house. To give credit where credit is due, I must mention that using the buttons was Andy's idea. 

My friend Jenny is having a birthday in a couple of weeks, and I am looking forward to giving this to her. Don't you dare tell! 

Sunshine Day Bag!

Finished this yummy little bag this morning! Doesn't it just make you want to sing "Sunshine Day" by the Brady Bunch? This purse is all happy inside, as is illustrated in the picture below.

The craft use-up challenge is still going strong, and my yarn pile is getting smaller! I am having fun with these projects, and not planning them out too carefully. The bag tells me when it's done. It says, "Don't sew any more stuff onto me--I've had enough." I sound like the Psycho Craft Lady.

The Miss Priss Clutch

This is another bag I began so long ago that I literally don't recall knitting it at all! Ah, the joys of menopause brain. Everything looks new again if you ignore it for a few months!

Before my dear co-worker Emily Cole moved away, she gave me some pretty yarns in rosy and purple hues. I knitted the small leftover bits into rectangles and felted them so I could cut them up and make little flowers out of them.

This little clutch bag is just big enough for the essentials when you're out for an evening. Credit card, lipstick, iPhone, Virginia Rep Theatre tickets.

I embellished it with teensy glass iridescent beads. This was a very fussy and fiddly process that I must say I enjoyed. It's lined in a pink and silver micro-animal print.

Don't know who I will give or sell it to yet. I'm waiting for the right prissy person to come along and claim it.

Hot Fun in the Summertime Bag

The craft challenge marches on...

It is 105 degrees outside today. Great day to stay indoors and finish this bag that I don't even remember starting! I unearthed it, in its unfelted state, from my knitting box a couple of days ago and just put the finishing touches on it today! I'm going to send it to Emma for her birthday--she loves orange. I like the splashy lining fabric. It makes me think of when you take a bite of sun ripened summer fruit.

Now I'm hungry.

The Great Craft Use-Up Challenge of 2012

I am a chronic starter of craft projects. I am not a chronic finisher, unfortunately.

I was poking through my ever-growing box of yarn--well, now it's two boxes of yarn--well, I have a third box upstairs in the attic but we don't talk about that box--and I was overwhelmed by the number of projects I have in various stages of incompletion.

I hereby challenge myself to come up with a creative solution. The object of the game is to use up all this yarn by making all sorts of pretty things. I will spend zero to little money on these projects, as to assuage my guilt about accumulating and procrastinating.

I will then use these pretty things, sell them or give them away as gifts. Everything must get used! I am not allowed to buy any more yarn until I use all of what I have on hand.

This is the first fruit of my challenge. It is beautiful, if I do say so myself. When I knitted it, it was probably a third again this size. It looked like a baggy sweater, but it felted down to a perfectly sized purse. I lined it in a recycled tablecloth. The swirly designs on each side are made of scraps that were cut off the shoulder strap, which was too long at first. No scraps of wool were harmed or wasted in the making of this bag.

I am almost finished with another bag as well--I will post pics of everything to generate excitement and draw undue attention to myself. Just want to see if you are reading!

Yammycakes.

I'm always looking for new vegan recipes, even though Andy and I are no longer doing the vegan thing. I really miss being vegan, and I try to sneak in as many vegan dinners as I can! Between all the bacon sandwiches.

I found this recipe for sweet potato veggie burgers on a sexy vegan blog called Healthy Happy Life. I was completely sucked in by Kathy Patalsky's beautiful photographs. She also has a lot of pictures of her cat, and that makes me feel less geeky for doing the same thing on my blog.

I made some burgers out of a baked sweet potato, a can of cannellini beans, a dollop of tahini, a tablespoon of fine cornmeal, a few chopped scallions, salt, pepper and smoked paprika. I put the mixture in the fridge to firm it up, then formed it into patties and coated the patties in panko. If you don't have panko in your pantry, go get some right now. Coat something with it, fry it and eat it. You will thank me profusely.

I made a tasty vinaigrette of olive oil, lime juice, honey, cilantro and a splash of vinegar.

Fried the patties in some canola oil until they were golden brown, and then served them on a bed of butter lettuce, topped with avocado slices, and drizzled with the vinaigrette.

They were really delicious! But not perfect. I needed to have a firmer texture, as they were very floppy when forming them into patties and cooking them. Any suggestions? Bulghur? Rice? Anybody? Anybody?

I will definitely try these again with some tweaks to improve the sturdiness, but I give them an A+ for flavor and presentation. They are so pretty when you dig into a patty and it's all orange and yammy!

Lemon and Parmesan Penne with Stolen Asparagus!

It is Thursday, the day before I get paid, so you know I am skint. "Skint" means "broke" in Andy vernacular. I just like the sound of it, don't you?

You need a good go-to dish after a long day's work. Something cheap, delicious, fast, and reasonably healthy. Something you can substitute ingredients with when you are out of stuff. I think this fits the bill quite nicely! It's made entirely of things we pretty much always have on hand--lemons, pasta, parmesan cheese, olive oil.

The variables are fresh veggies and herbs. Tonight we had some asparagus on hand, and I nipped across the street and stole some gorgeous fresh mint from my neighbors. And you better swear not to tell them.

While we blanched about 20 stalks of asparagus and boiled enough pasta for two, I used a little food processor to make a pesto of:

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (not shredded, but grated)
1/4 cup olive oil
a generous handful of freshly stolen mint leaves (!)
zest and juice of half a lemon
fresh cracked pepper

Drain the blanched veg and pasta and toss it with the pesto.

And that's all there is to it! This is really a 15 minute dish, including prep time.

I have made this with peas instead of asparagus and basil instead of mint. Use your imagination! I like to use enough veggies to bulk up the dish so it's not too pasta-heavy. The lemon, cheese and olive oil complement one another really well.

Ooh La la, it's a Galette!

I have never made anything with rhubarb before this weekend. I saw this great looking recipe for Indian spiced lentils with rhubarb in an email from Vegetarian Times, so I went on a hunt for some rhubarb on Saturday. Literally five stores later, I finally found it at Kroger. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find, considering it is in season right now. When we were kids in Michigan, it grew wild all over the place and we would yank the tart and juicy stalks out of the yard and chew on them. The lentil dish was really tasty, but I still had a few stalks of rhubarb left. After what I went through to procure them, I did not want them to go to waste. There was gonna be pie, dammit.

I have pie anxiety. Especially when it comes to rolling out the crust. This is a perfect way to have all the deliciousness and praise that comes with a freshly baked pie, and none of the stress. The shape should be  imperfect and it should look homey and rustic. And then you give it a slightly snooty sounding name and you have a success on your hands.

I just used half a recipe for the lovely rustic crust. That was about a cup of flour, 3/4 of a stick of very cold butter, zest of half a lemon, pinch of salt and sugar, and just enough ice cold water to bring it together.  The filling was 2 big stalks of rhubarb and a whole lotta sugar (maybe 2/3 cup), a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of cornstarch. I baked it at 400 for about 35 minutes.

I recommend this for anybody who's afraid of making pie! It is a very pretty and forgiving dessert. You don't have to shape it perfectly at all--in fact it looks even better if it's irregular.