Long time, no see.. random, random

Mountains, sky, and strip in the distance

It's been weeks hasn't it?  We've survived the Mayan apocalypse and the holiday season (well there is still New Years I guess)- I can't be the only one relieved, can I? 

The holidays were really stressful for me this year and I'm not sure why.  Oh yeah-- it's because I procrastinated until 2 weeks before before xmas to start making handmade gifts!
 
Consequently I really crapped out on the dinner (thanks to my awesome sis and sis-in-law for the potluck; sorry I burnt the rolls).




Yoko!

I might not have posted anything in almost a month, but I've kept the blogger mentality. I've taken photos of most of the stuff I made and some of the noteworthy food I've cooked--  so there's no shortage of material!

But some of my presents haven't reached their recipients yet (did I mention I procrastinated this year?) so I think I will wait on the show and tell....






Instead, lets talk kolaches!!

ricotta cheese kolaches

What is a kolache?  Well if you are from the Czech republic or Texas-- who ever thought a sentence would start like that?-- then you know they are a delicious sort of danish pastry thing. 

I am neither from the Czech republic or Texas, but I am an avid reader of America's Test Kitchen, and when I saw the kolache recipe in the newest Cooks Country I knew I wanted to make them.

Mixed berry kolaches

This is just the type of thing I love to bake.  Complicated and delicate.  Precise and impressive.  Because in general, you can't rationalize the act of baking, so if you are going to bother with the time and expense it might as well be something amazing!

Ricotta cheese kolache

The recipe makes 16 pastries, and they stay fresh for about 3 days.... perfect for two people right?  Half are a lemon ricotta cheese, and half are a mixed berry filling.  They are dusted with a streusel.  The dough has a fine, firm crumb and a slightly sweet taste.

You can get the recipe here (you must sign up for a free trial).  Happy baking!





Frida!

Random stuff

I've spent all my free time finishing the last blocks for my afghan sampler.  I've been crocheting along with Blair at Wisecraft for months, and am so excited to see this project finished!  I think it's going to be a shame to fold it up on a chair, I might hang mine on the wall!  (I'll be sharing photos this week) 

It's still triple digits here in the desert, but I can feel summer losing it's grip.  There's something in the air that feels like fall..

Over the next few weeks I'll be working on several projects for my sewing room; a new ironing board cover, sewing machine cover, and a few pincushions.  Of course I'll be sharing! 

But until then, time for another random compilation of photos! 

Thomcord grapes- these were delicious, tasted like grape juice

Set of little notebooks from target

Frida girl!

Cuban sandwich and tortilla soup

scraps from a lino block (printmaking)

Random stuff, mostly food related

Though we normally keep our distance,
we like to watch the ground squirrels and california quail together

My husband brought me some homegrown heirloom tomatoes.  They were delicious!  Juicy but firm and so flavorful!

Heirloom tomatoes; sprinkled with sea salt mmm..

I had a shock when I cut into an 'on the vine' tomato.  It wasn't rotten, in fact it was still very firm, but every seed had sprouted inside it!  There are always new experiences in the kitchen. ;)

Tomato with sprouting seeds

I fixed a sheet pizza for dinner tonight.  I am a pizza making maniac.  I have five pizza recipes I use regularly, from pan to thin crust to margherita to tart.  I love to make pizza!  This was the first time I made this recipe.  It feeds 12 people, so naturally I thought it was a good recipe for two! 
Tangy sauce, thick crust with a crispy bottom, and lots of cheese...


You can get the recipe here with a 14 day free trial.

I recommend checking out America's Test Kitchen's site, where you can get a 14 day free trial of all their recipes. I cook almost exclusively with Test Kitchen recipes, as they are always spot on.

Sheet pan pizza

Frida girl!

Frida Girl

Frida Girl

Frida:

Wandered into our lives one night,
hungry and underfed
Took up residence in our barn
brought me dead mice in appreciation
for the food and affection

We decided to bring her
into our home
She had attracted the attention
Of rabbit hunters who told us
They shoot strays on sight

She is sweet and grateful
She wakes me up in the morning
And purrs while napping
She hates to be scolded
And always wants to be loved.

Blue jean quilt and cats

Yoko on my mouse pad.  She loves to hang out with me while I blog. :)  She's a siamese tabby and too smart for her own good.


And I wanted to share a project I've been working on this week for my stitch-love-project. 

It's a lap quilt made from blue jeans.  I have finished the top and am getting ready to tie it and bind it!  I've love the results, and will of course be sharing the finished project on my stitch love blog. :)

Granny square afghan sampler stitch along, week 3 and cats

I finished week 3 of WiseCraft's afghan stitch along.  I can't wait to see it finished!  The beige yarn is really working on me!  I might start using this more as my dominant color...




Frida girl! 

New table runner, and kitties

So, this past week I have been working on a table runner.  The pattern is taken from Stitch magazine, and you can find pics of it on my blog, stitch-love-project.blogspot.com.

While taking pictures, both cats had already been scolded about jumping up on the runner.  Yoko jumped up anyways and made herself comfortable, to the great chagrin of Frida.

So cute!!

This affront of course could not go unpunished, so Frida jumped on the table and started a fight. 

Oh, the drama of living with two cats!

New Blog and Kitties

I recently started a new blog called: stitch-love-project 

This new blog is a place where I will share as many projects from Stitch magazine that I can complete, until I get too overwhelmed/bored to try.  Either way, I should have my xmas list finished early this year!

I am currently working on two pot holders, one for my grandmother and one for myself.  The pattern is from the newest issue of Stitch.  Frida was a big help..

Frida girl

Yoko looks kind of ticked but she isn't.  Aren't her little paws cute?

Tudor Flowers supplement

I had to add this photo of Frida girl laying on Flowers and Trees of Tudor England.  She is the sweetest old barn cat you will ever meet. 

And yes, she has a goatee that is completely adorable! 

Kitties

Here is Yoko and Frida! 
Yoko (in the foreground) is a siamese tabby and has been with us since a kitten.  Frida (in the background) is an old barn cat of mysterious origin. 

They have lived together for about 6 years, and have grown to love each other!

Pointy Kitty is so cute!



Pointy Kitty is adorable!

A few months ago, I was searching for something to make a little girl for her first birthday.  I was looking for a plush that was relatively easy to make, since I do not have much experience sewing stuffed animals.  I quickly found this amazingly cute (and free) pattern for the Pointy Kitty.  Pointy kitty is the design of Hillary Lang of Wee Wonderfuls.  

It was very nice of Ms. Lang to offer this pattern online, and many people have made a Point Kitty of their own!  (google image search to see for yourself)

I used a contrasting gusset for the inner legs.  I also stuffed
Point Kitty very firm.

I could not believe how cute Point Kitty turned out!  I'm not really a stuffed animal person, but I want one of my own.  I think she would look just as good on a bookshelf as on a toy shelf!

I left off the appliqued pieces, and used pearl snap fasteners instead
of embroidery or buttons.

I think part of the appeal of Pointy Kitty (besides exuding adorable) is that she's so customizable.  The face can be stitched or appliqued or left blank completely.  The head (which is sewn on by hand) can be placed in many positions for different effects.  And of course fabric choices are almost limitless!  I recommend this pattern, even for beginner toy makers (like myself).  Happy crafting!