le petit hibou

a note to my dear readers regarding my original patterns...

2011-11-28T12:40:00.000-05:00

A few of you have contacted me asking why I have started to charge a nominal fee for my original patterns. I feel that that is a valid question, and one that I'd love to discuss...

Most of the patterns have been available for free on the web for the last two years. In that time I've had the honor of them being downloaded (in some cases) several thousand times! What a compliment to my designs! However, I've been working on a few new patterns that I'd like to release over the coming months and while looking at other patterns available online, I realized that the for the amount of effort that goes in to designing these little gems as well as the quality of the project/pattern/graphic design itself - it seemed more than fair to charge a nominal fee to cover both the time and effort that goes into such an endeavor.

Keeping that in mind, I've kept my prices very low. Personally, I'm choosy with which patterns I pay for, and you can rest assured that any pattern I put out there for purchase is well worth the nominal fee attached. Any research for knitting patterns on the web will show that most of them are more expensive than mine, so I hope that is noted as well.

As always, I thank you for your sweet comments and enthusiasm regarding my designs and I look forward to sharing more of them with you in the coming months!

Happy Knitting...

well, lookee there!

2011-11-16T23:04:00.000-05:00

My company got some press! Butter + Love's Jam Sandwich Cookies are featured in Time Out New York's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! They're listed first in the "50 Food & Drink Gifts under $10," to be specific. That's kind of fun, right? I'm pretty excited about it, so I had to share it with you, my lovely Le Petit Hibou readers...

Click here to check it out...

lassoing the moon...

2011-11-14T00:16:00.001-05:00

Guess what? I'll be back on the boards soon. This time in a musical version of the Holiday Classic, It's a Wonderful Life. I'll be playing "Mary Hatch," the Donna Reed role from the movie, wife of "George Bailey."

This musical version isn't very well known although written by Sheldon Harnick, the lyricist of Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello!, She Loves Me, just to name a few. The music is truly beautiful, and if I may say so, I get to sing some of the best numbers in the show. The other thing I love about this role is that in this adaptation "Mary" is written with so much strength... so much grace... so much grounded lovliness. It's been a long time since I've seen the movie, and no offense to Ms. Reed, but I didn't quite remember her that way. I like this strong Mary, this "stage Mary" - she's going to be fun to play for the next two months. And although I'm sure this comes as no surprise, I suppose I should also admit that I've long since wanted to be Donna Reed, so really, this is perfect. (Smile)

We're in rehearsals now, and will open just after Thanksgiving on November 26th. So if you find yourself on or around Long Island, you should stop in to Northport and take in a show. We'll be at The John W. Engeman Theatre, the same theatre where I did The Sound of Music last year. It's a lovely, little theatre in a idyllic town, much like the town of Bedford Falls...

Post Script: Working out at The Engeman means lots of time spent on a train commuting to and from which means... lots of forced down time that can be spent knitting. (Happy Dance.) That's right, ladies and gents, the knitting needles are coming out of storage. Well, they've not really been in storage, per se... they've just been hidden behind boxes and boxes of cookies... (Smile)

recipe: candy corn trail mix

2011-10-31T09:59:00.000-04:00

I love Candy Corn. It's no secret. Every year, for about two weeks, I am completely addicted to them. I keep a bag handy at all times. (Please to click here and read this post.) However, they can eventually get to be... a bit much. At first wonderfully honeyed and chewy, and then eventually sickeningly sweet chalky. I go from wanting them all the time to being unable to stand the sight of them... until next the Fall and I can be found stuffing my face with them all over again. (I'm a classy lady.)

In an effort to prolong the "wonderfully honeyed and chewy" phase I posture this recipe of sorts:

Candy Corn Trail Mix

Walla Family Recipe (... although surely we're not the first to have thought of this.)

Candy Corn

Raisins

Peanuts

M&Ms

It's quite simple: Take equal parts of each ingredients and mix them together in a bowl... and then try not to eat the entire bowl in one sitting.

Four simple, yet magical ingredients that create the perfect mix of salty, sweet, crunchy, and chewy. This time of year Mother Dearest keeps little bowls of this all over the house... but they don't last very long. Plus it's a great, healthy(ish) alternative to eating mounds of Snickers, Kit Kats, and Butterfingers.

i'm alive...

2011-09-28T13:16:00.000-04:00

Hello, lovelies! I've been MIA as of late. I am alive, I am just preoccupied with my new business, Butter + Love. Things are going quite well, though, and I'm excited to see how it grows in the coming months. So far my delectable baked goods are available at five shops around Brooklyn, with new purveyors being added by the week!

I've recently started blogging about my growing company (and other baking related things!) over at Butter + Love on Blogger. If you get a minute, I'd love for you take a gander and if you were to even start following me there, well, I would just be pleased as punch! Plus, I plan on doing lots of give-aways and fun promotions, so there might even be some fresh baked goods in your future. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'...

Of course, if following along on Blogger isn't enough for you - you could even "Like" us on Facebook! Now wouldn't that just be grand?!?!

There is much more to be said about my life and the crafty-craftiness I have been up to as of late (in the very little spare time I have), and even a Le Petit Hibou blog makeover, but more on that later.

In the meantime, friends, I hope that you are enjoy these first days of Autumn. I know that I am. I find myself exhausted and grateful and blessed and loved. May I wish you the same... xo

hand made: infinity scarf

2011-08-19T12:24:00.001-04:00

I made this this morning. It's an infinity scarf. I used vintage cotton fabric found at an Antique Mall and then I hand knit the lace panel out of a soft merino wool. Imagine this with the perfect trench coat come Autumn. Perhaps something like this:

I'm sort of loving this lil' number. I think I shall make more of them and see if people like them. Then I think I shall post a tutorial/pattern for it. Hmm... yes, let's add that to the list of things to do, shall we?

dr. pepper-blackberry pie (or, a farmer made me do it...)

2011-08-15T10:12:00.000-04:00

Yes, you read that right. I have made a pie using all-natural, farm fresh blackberries and all-unnatural, choc-full o' 26 flavors soda pop. And it's surprisingly tasty, if I do say so myself.

The inspiration for this pie came about something like this: I was roaming around a small, friendly Farmer's Market in Overland Park, KS (where I purchased the necessities for this post and this post) when I spied a booth with the most luscious looking blackberries. I love blackberries! They are, in fact, my preferred berry. Seeing as how they had free samples, I popped one of the little beauties in my mouth and just as I did so, I heard the guy behind the table say, "You ever follow one o' them up with a swig of Dr. Pepper?" I gave him a quizzical look and replied, "Uhm... no. I can't say that I have." His only response was a mischievous smile, so I asked, "... Should I?" Then he winked at me, smiled again, and said "Well, all's I'm sayin' is that of the 26 flavors that go into the stuff, blackberry is one o' them. So you pop one o' these in yer mouth and follow it up with a swig of Dr. Pepper - just try it!"

So try it, I did. He was absolutely right - following one with the other did bring out a pronounced blackberry taste in the Dr. Pepper. How interesting!

(The author of this blog would like to take a moment to laugh at herself for just writing the sentence, "... a pronounced blackberry taste in the Dr. Pepper." Good Night! What am I trying to sound like? A carbonated connoisseur?)

Now, I'm not a big fan of soda or "pop" - depending on your particular regional colloquialism - and to me all carbonated beverages pretty much taste like chemicals and liquid sugar - not the sort of thing I would normally bake into a pie and post about on the great wide interwebnets for people to read about, but there was something about this idea that intrigued me - it just seemed fun! Plus, I had been jonesing to make a pie and one had even been requested of me by the lovely Miss Jane, so... voila! The experiment commenced...

Just look at that filling! Perfectly luscious, n'est-ce pas? I added a bit of lime juice to the fruit mixture and a bit of zest on top before I placed the lattice crust over the filling. Blackberry and Lime is a classic combination in my book, and I felt that the lime helped to round out the flavors of the blackberries and the Dr. Pepper.

So how does the pie taste, you ask? Quite good! The Dr. Pepper taste is not overwhelming, and for someone who doesn't know what had been added to the fruit filling, I'm not sure they'd be able to guess that the mystery ingredient is Dr. Pepper. However, I found the filling to be super flavorful (if not a tad on the sweet side), and it certainly didn't last very long around my apartment. My roommate, my Beau, and I made good work of it.

To conclude: It's hard to top a simple, old-fashioned blackberry pie, in my opinion. They are my favorite kind of fruit pie. But if you're someone like me who makes a lot of pie and is therefore intrigued by something new and/or interesting or you simply love Dr. Pepper - it's a fun one to make! There's also a fair amount of novelty in making a pie with "pop." (Smile)

Dr. Pepper Blackberry Pie

Recipe by Alison Walla

Ingredients:
Your favorite pie crust, enough for a 9-inch double crust (I use a pate brisee, like this one)

6 cups fresh blackberries

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup, 1 tbsp. cornstarch

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (Option: Lightly brown the butter - adds a bit of depth)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons Dr. Pepper

Bit of lime zest

1 egg white, lightly beaten

coarse sanding sugar

Place a baking sheet in the oven and preheat it to 400 degrees.

Gently combine blackberries, both sugars, cornstarch, melted butter, lime juice, and Dr. Pepper in a large bowl, being careful not to smoosh the berries too much. Let stand at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.

Roll out one piece of dough to fit a 9-inch pie place. Trim dough, leaving a 1/2-inch around the edge. Chill. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out second piece of dough into a large rectangle. Cut strips about an 3/4" - 1" wide with a fluted pastry wheel or a knife. Place strips on parchment and chill in the fridge for about 10 minutes. Let them stand at room temperature for 3-5 minutes before trying to assemble the lattice top. You want them slightly cool to the touch, but pliable enough that they won't break when handled.

Gently stir the berry mixture and then spoon it into the chilled pastry shell. Sprinkle lime zest over filling. Arrange strips in a lattice pattern on top (Click here for some tips!) and trim to the edge of the pie plate. Roll up and crimp the edge. Brush the rest of the crust with egg white and sprinkle generously with coarse sanding sugar.

Place pie on preheated baking sheet for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to bake until the pie crust is golden and the filling looks thick and bubbly - about an hour longer. 1 hour, 20 minutes total. Baking time may vary with your oven, though, so I always make sure to check in periodically. If the pie crust edge is getting too brown, cover it with foil and all should be well.

Let the pie cool completely before serving.

earl grey peach preserves

2011-08-12T16:04:00.001-04:00

I am a die-hard coffee drinker, but on occasion I will cross over to the more refined side of things and have a "spot of tea" - always Earl Grey, and always with a dram of milk and raw sugar. 'Tis the British way of having one's tea, I've been told. Lingering over a steaming teacup of tea is a lovely way to spend an afternoon, and what better accompaniment to this than a few slices of baguette or a warm scone slathered with butter or clotted cream and tea infused preserves? (Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is.)

Part of my canning marathon last week included another recipe from Kevin West, but this one was for Earl Grey infused peach preserves. Just imagine naturally sweet, summery peaches blended together with the comforting, smokey smell and taste of Earl Grey tea. Heaven. It's a perfect pairing and frankly, one that I'm surprised I haven't seen more of! I use a lot of jam and preserves for my cookie business, and am always scouting out new and interesting flavors. As soon as I spied this recipe I was dying to try it.

I followed the recipe exactly as printed, save for the fact that I didn't have a scale and had no idea how many pounds of peaches I picked up from the Farmer's Market. When I tasted the preserves midway through, I felt that the Earl Grey wasn't prominent enough, so I opened up an additional tea bag to add to the bubbling mixture. Judging from the number of half pint jars I wound up with, I think I had about twice the amount of peaches called for, so that would make sense why I had to ramp up the tea... as well as why my preserves were taking twice as long to set up.

I feel that canning can be sort of a ~~pain in the butt~~ tricky process for a novice or casual canner, so I'm actually glad that I accidentally doubled the peaches in the recipe. Unless one cans on a frequent basis, it's a lot of trouble to go to for only 2 pints (which is what the recipe originally called for). Instead I wound up with about 8 half pint jars - perfect for gifts!

Blanching and peeling the peaches is always my favorite part. I'm not sure why, but I just love peeling the dull, fuzzy skin back to reveal that absolutely perfectly colored, juicy fruit...

This was my first time making preserves without pectin, as well as my first time testing the "doneness" of the preserves using a Chilled Plate. I've always tested jam using my Great Grandmother's method, the Double Drip. She would dip a spoon in the preserves and then hold it horizontally over the pot. When two drips would form and then run to the middle of the spoon to form one drip, the preserves were done. As you can imagine, both of these methods are terribly scientific... in that wonderfully, old fashioned "Granny knows best" way. (Smile)

When the preserves successfully formed a Double-to-Single Drip and didn't "run" on the chilled plate, they had become this almost caramely color and smelled like Heaven! Truly, they did! I highly recommend that you make them yourself... and then come back and tell me just how divinely they made your kitchen smell.

As previous mentioned these preserves are very good with a bit of soft butter and a baguette or clotted cream and a scone, and although I'm not an ice cream lover, I can imagine this would be lovely warmed up and spooned over a big bowl of vanilla bean ice cream. Of course, if you're impatient or desperate for a fruit fix, you could always just spoon it from the jar. Not that the author of this blog has done that... very often...

Lord Grey's Peach Preserves

Adapted from a recipe by Kevin West, via Bon Appétit August 2011

** Note: I accidentally doubled the peaches in this recipe, which is why the ratios may seem off. However, I was really pleased with the result and would do the same thing over again. The peaches I bought were so naturally sweet that I think doubling the sugar to match the amount of peaches would have produced an overly-sweet jam. Instead, it was subtly sweet - just how I like preserves. Should you like a sweeter jam, then I would recommend adding a bit more sugar, but depending on the sweetness of your peaches I would add it in increments of 1/2 cups until you get the taste you like.

10 lbs. ripe peaches
4 cups sugar
2-3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
5 Earl Grey tea bags, divided

Cut a small, shallow X in the bottom of each peach. Working in batches, blanch in a large pot of boiling water until skin loosens, about 1 minute. Transfer to a large bowl of ice water; let cool. Peel, halve, and pit. Cut into 1/3" slices. Combine with sugar and juice in a large bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes.

Place a small plate in freezer. Transfer fruit mixture and 4 tea bags to a large heavy pot. Open the remaining 2 tea bags; crumble leaves slightly; add to pot. Bring to a boil, stirring gently, and cook for 30-40 minutes. (** Cooking times will vary. Just be sure that your jam is not burning on the bottom and make sure to check doneness regularly with your preferred method of testing!**) Test doneness by scooping a small spoonful onto chilled plate and tilting plate. (Preserves are ready if they don't run.) Remove tea bags. Skim foam from the surface of jam. Ladle jam into hot jars. Wipe rims, seal, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

... a moment where life styled itself

2011-08-11T12:06:00.000-04:00

I was sitting in my comfy corner chair this morning, slowly waking up and thinking over the many things I have to do today, when I looked over and spied this lovely, little view...

It was one of those moments where life styled itself. I love those moments. I live for those moments. I usually don't have my camera with me when those moments happen... save for this morning.

Observe how my vintage Eiffel Tower picture is perfectly framed in the mirror! Le sigh...

The zinnias are from my garden. I can't tell you how much I enjoy having fresh zinnias in the house every few days. I still can't quite understand how they're doing so well in my busted Brooklyn soil, but I'll take it! They just might be the best garden flower ever.

The ring was a Christmas gift from my roommate. Doesn't she have the best taste? Simple and elegant.

Anyway, I find myself with an unexpected three day weekend, and with this gorgeous weather we're having there's a laundry list of things I'd like to do:

Go on a bike ride with my Beau
Bake a pie (as per Jane's request)
Experiment with some fall flavors for butter + love
Sit in the park reading Nancy Drew (I'm working my way through the series - for nostalgia's sake.)
Sweet talk my Beau into making me one of his amazing Strawberry-Lemonade cocktails, and then sit on the porch in the evening and chat. We've both been so busy we haven't had much time to simply sit and talk and be. I crave those times.
Catch up on a few blog posts pour vous...
Work on a couple of side projects I've been meaning to get to. There's never enough time, is there?
Brunch at an outdoor cafe or garden with friends. What say you, friends? Are any of you in town this weekend and jonesing for some brunch?

That's a recipe for a great weekend! I shall keep you posted...

bread & butter pickles

2011-08-09T12:38:00.001-04:00

Historically, I'm not a magazine person. I've had a few subscriptions in my life - Martha Stewart for a year or two and then Opera News when I was younger and thinking of pursuing the glamourous life of an opera singer. Now a days the only time I buy them is when I travel. There's something about passing all those mini-stores from the security line to my gate and knowing that I've got time to waste that drives me to buy a hand full of publications I'll probably thumb through in 20 minutes and be done with forever. My recent trip to Kansas was no exception. While at LaGuardia I picked up the recent issues of Lucky (meh) and Bon Appétit (lovely), and happily, there were several intriguing recipes in Bon Appétit to keep me interested during my flight - particularly the article on canning and preserving.

I've been wanting to do some canning all summer, but it's something that I most enjoy doing with Mother Dearest. How perfect that I was on my way home to see her! As soon as I landed I sent her a text, asking if we could stop by the farmer's market on the way home for canning and preserving supplies. My poor mother. I'm not even on the ground five minutes and I've already got plans for projects to fill our time with. This is why she calls me the "Brooklyn Tornado." A week at home? Let's make a quilt! Only three days at home? Plenty 'o time! Let's make curtains for every window in my house! Two days? Let's can everything in sight! Yay!

(Smile)

First order of business was to make some pickles using the Bread & Butter Pickle recipe by Kevin West. The ingredients were rather simple and a quick trip to the local Farmer's Market and grocery store gave us everything we needed.

First, we sliced up some red onions...

Using my Grandmother's old vegetable slicer (similar to this one) we sliced up the cucumbers, added those to the onions, and then tossed in some salt and ice and let the mixture sit a bit...

Next we made the brine. It smelled perfectly pickly...

... and then we added the cucumber/onion mixture. Isn't it pretty?!

... and then we canned it. Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy.

They turned out really well and I would highly recommend this recipe. The only adjustment I made to it was to omit the chiles/jalapenos. Ever since I accepted a bet in high school to eat an entire, mounded plate of sliced jalapenos in exchange for a Dave Matthew's Band concert ticket, I'm not a big jalapeno fan. The concert was great, but still... that's a lot of pepper. Honestly, though, I don't miss the extra spice in this recipe. They're perfect without them.

Bread & Butter Pickles

Adapted from a recipe by Kevin West, via Bon Appétit August 2011

2 1/2 lbs. kirby cucumbers, cut crosswise into 1/4" rounds (I used the small cucumbers available at my local Farmer's Market)
2 cups thinly sliced red onions
1/3 cup pickling salt (I found this at my regular grocery store, near the canning supplies)
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 1/4 cups (packed) light brown sugar
1 tbsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
1 tbsp. turmeric
1 tbsp. yellow mustard seeds
1 1/2 tsp. coriander seeds
1 tsp. celery seeds

Toss together cucumbers, onions, and salt in a large bowl. Add 3 cups ice; set aside for 2 hours. Drain; rinse well and drain again.

Combine vinegar and the remaining ingredients with 1 cup water in a large pot; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add cucumbers and onions; return to a boil.

Ladle hot vegetables and pickling liquid into 4 clean, hot 1-pint jars, dividing equally. Press vegetables to completely submerge in liquid, leaving 1/2" space on top. Wipe rims, seal, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Remove jars from hot water and turn upside down on a towel. Let cool completely, several hours or overnight. Turn right side up. Press down on the lid: If the jar is properly sealed, the button top will be concave and the lid will not move.

Keep unopened jars in a cool, dark place for up to one year.

framed lace

2011-08-03T11:37:00.001-04:00

What do you do when you find yourself with a beautiful vintage picture frame (with no glass or back) and a few bits of gorgeous, hand-sewn lace? Well, you frame the lace, naturally.

I love the look of empty frames as art, but with those vintage prints of Paris on either side, it looked just a bit too bare. So after some rummaging around my stash of vintage bits and baubles I found these two hand-sewn/crocheted bits of lace and thought I'd display them in the frame.

I experimented with more bits of lace and then with that long piece in various formations, but in the end I liked the simplicity of just one piece across and another draped in the top corner. The beauty of something like this is how easily you could change it up, should you so choose. You can make it as fussy or as simple as you'd like...

lazy sunday morning

2011-07-31T11:13:00.001-04:00

I made some progress on my quilting project this morning. Sunday mornings are usually quiet for me - it's the calm before the storm, so to speak. Sunday afternoons and evenings are a whirlwind of frantic activity and work, so it was really nice to spend the morning lazing around, drinking coffee, listening to the Mendelssohn String Quartets, and playing with the Beau's kitties. Please to observe...

Wishing you a lazy weekend morning and a restful Sabbath as well...

stitching & musing

2011-07-27T12:59:00.001-04:00

I started a new project last night - another quilted top pillow. I spied this fabric at Purl Soho awhile back and have been itchin' to start it for quite some time. So last night I holed myself up in my room with the A/C on, turned on a couple of films and stitched away...

Far From Heaven and Howard's End were the movies of choice last night. The former was chosen for some audition research and the latter was chosen because, well... hand stitching and Merchant Ivory Films go together about as well as salt and caramel... or a good cup of coffee and interesting conversation... or a moonlit stroll and a charming companion... or bacon, and well... everything.

Each one of the Domestic Arts I dabble in - and I dabble in, well, most of them -gives me a distinct sense of satisfaction. Knitting feels differently than crochet, which feels different than machine sewing, which feels vastly different than hand stitching - all of which are nothing like baking or entertaining. But each one of them recalls to me my childhood or Mother Dearest or my grandmother or time spent creating things with friends... memories of learning how to do a whip stitch, laughing/crying over boys while simultaneously trying to knit a sock toe-up, or perusing antique malls and marveling at the handmade expertise of the women in times past. Perhaps that's why I enjoy so many different crafts - I get to infuse each project, each stitch, each meticulously and deliciously baked good with a unique sense of satisfaction and nostalgia... and perhaps a bit of romantic whimsy as well. I'm pretty convinced that the handcrafting revolution going on now-a-days is due to some nostalgia and romantic whimsy...

My current plan for this project is that I have no immediate plan. (Smile) I think I'd like to make a hand full of these - lovely accent pillows and whatnot - and then put them in my Etsy shop for anyone who may fancy them. I have so many lovely, lovely textiles and notions and simply don't have room for them all! New York City living doesn't allow for textile/notion hoarding... despite my very best efforts to the contrary. So, I'd like to share them with people; people who may have just the place (and space!) for a handmade spot of color. Wouldn't a pair of these look lovely on an all white bed - or comfy couch? Perhaps one of them tucked into the corner of a lovely wingback chair?

three new yorks

2011-07-24T10:44:00.001-04:00

"There are roughly three New Yorks.

There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born here, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size and turbulence as natural and inevitable.

Second, there is the New York of the commuter—the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night.

Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. Of these three trembling cities the greatest is the last—the city of final destination, the city that is a goal. It is this third city that accounts for New York’s high-strung disposition, its poetical deportment, its dedication to the arts, and its incomparable achievements. Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness; natives give it solidity and continuity; but the settlers give it passion. And whether it is a farmer arriving from Italy to set up a small grocery store in a slum, or a young girl arriving from a small town in Mississippi to escape the indignity of being observed by her neighbors, or a boy arriving from the Corn Belt with a manuscript in his suitcase and a pain in his heart, it makes no difference: each embraces New York with the intense excitement of first love, each absorbs New York with the fresh eyes of an adventurer, each generates heat and light to dwarf the Consolidated Edison Company."

Here is New York, E. B. White, 1949

too hot to bake? then make peanut butter. naturally.

2011-07-23T17:17:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine recently referred to the current heat wave in New York City as an "8 million person walking Bikram Yoga class." Ha! That's how all of us New Yorkers look about now - like we've been through a 48 hour hot yoga class. Tired. Red faced. Dripping sweat. Mildly cranky despite all those toxins being pumped out of our systems - involuntarily, I might add. But much like a Bikram class, maybe when it's all over we'll look back and be grateful we went through it...

... Nah, probably not. We'll be grateful it's all over.

Anyway, I was just itching to make something this afternoon, but the aforementioned heat makes the very idea of turning on an oven inconceivable. No way will I add a 350 degree oven to my already sweltering apartment. So to scratch the itch to create, I decided to make peanut butter. As ya do...

I experimented with this one, so I'm not sure how spot on this peanut butter is. All I know is that it tastes good! I gathered what I thought to be the necessary ingredients (peanuts, salt, honey, and peanut oil) and here is what I did:

I took about a pound of unsalted peanuts (raw, it was too hot to roast them and aren't raw food items supposed to be better for you, anyhow?!) and poured them into a food processor...

... added a few teaspoons of raw honey (I LOVE a very honeyed peanut butter!), a scant teaspoon of Kosher salt and ran the processor for about a minute, or until everything was pretty well chopped and combined. Then while the machine was running, I slowly poured in a total of three tablespoons of peanut oil - I know that sounds like a lot, but I wanted a creamier texture.

What I wound up with was a soft, slightly crunchy, light peanut butter with a hint of honey. Despite the (what I think to be a) hefty amount of peanut oil, I am a bit worried that it may dry out in the jar, so I drizzled the faintest bit of oil on top before sealing the jar...

A pound of peanuts gave me about two 13 oz. jars of peanut butter. I've been eating on the go a lot lately, so PB&Js are a common lunch choice for me...

Of course, it's also good slathered on a piece of sour dough bread with an extra drizzle of honey, too...

(Post Script: I'd like to try roasting the peanuts before putting them in the food processor next time - when it's not so darn hot outside. I'm not entirely sure how this will change the result - perhaps a darker, richer texture? I may do more research on peanut butter making and revisit this in the fall. In the meantime, if any of you dear Le Petit Hibou readers have tips or tricks for homemade peanut butter - please do comment below! Merci!)

just too pretty to use...

2011-07-22T15:54:00.002-04:00

If you're wondering if the red & lacy creation above is a doily -- it's not. It's a washcloth! I know I may be a bit late to the knitted/crocheted washcloth bandwagon (Is there such a bandwagon, I wonder?), but I'm fully on board now. I can't believe it took me so long! (Smile) I'm not sure that this pretty, little thing is up to the task of heavy duty dishwashing, but the thick, sturdy cotton fiber and stitch pattern is sure to do some light scrubbing at least.

I made this pair for Mother Dearest. Reusable washcloths are just the sort of thing she can get behind, and she was thrilled when I handed them to her. The pattern is the Cream Circle Washcloth by Lion Brand. It's a free pattern and quite a quick project at that. I've got my (rudimentary) crochet skillz down now, so although I still get stuck from time to time, I managed to get through it with little problem.

The red and white yarn below is an old yarn, one frogged from this post just over a year ago. Originally, I had the intention of knitting it into a washcloth, but as is often the case with yarn, it didn't want to be knit into anything just then. I tried multiple stitch patterns, but nothing look quite right. Yarn will often let you know if it doesn't care for the project or pattern. I was bound and determined to make into a washcloth, though, so apparently I just needed to give it some time to get used to the idea... and then had to further coax it with a little crochet action.

I wish I could remember the name of this yarn - I bought it at Purl Soho, and it's just a little thing. 47 yards of un-dyed cotton with some sort of red string wrapped around it. Believe it or not, 47 yards wasn't enough to finish off this project - even taking out Round 8 of the pattern. I had to pop on over to Michael's for some solid red cotton to finish off the edging. I think it turned out rather cute, though. It has that homespun, country feel to it -- a perfect fit for Mother Dearest's newly remodeled kitchen.

I'm so happy with how they came out, I just may need to make myself a few. If one must wash the dishes (and one must!), one might as well wash them with something lovely and pretty, n'est-ce pas?

snapshots of my mother's garden

2011-07-18T14:05:00.000-04:00

I was back home in Kansas this past week. It was, in a word, heavenly. The last few trips I've made back to the Midwest have been super short and very busy, so it was quite nice to have absolutely nothing planned. I was in great need of the rest and TLC from Mother Dearest. We talked and cooked and drank coffee and walked about the garden and went to four antique malls in as many days.Yes, please!

The morning I left, I awoke rather early - about 5:30am. Rather than try and go back to sleep, I made myself some coffee, grabbed the camera, and headed outside to catch the first light and fresh dew on the garden. Please to observe...

These next two were taken later, hence the different light. I think they're lovely, though, so I've included them...

wonderfully known...

2011-07-09T15:41:00.001-04:00

New York City: Where the rent is too damn high, and so is the heat. I took the pup out this morning to walk about The Flea. We got about two blocks from my apartment before we were both panting and partially dehydrated. I picked us up a couple of water bottles, though, and we forged on. Despite having spied some lovely things, I didn't buy anything... well, aside from a chocolate Earl Grey doughnut from Dough. Yum. It was too hot to be able to focus on anything. So after a quick chat with Anna (of The Good Batch), the pup and I headed back to irresponsibly blast the A/C, turn on a Franco Zeffirelli film, and knit. Well, I'm knitting - he's lazily lounging at the foot of my bed - spread eagle - with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Rough life, huh?

I must say, it's lovely to be knitting again. I've been so busy with the million and one things one has to do in order to start/run a small business that I haven't been very crafty as of late. It's good to (force myself to) spend a little bit of time doing something that's easy... and relaxing... and known to me. Starting/running a small business? Although exciting, it is decidedly not known to me. Repeatedly wrapping some fiber around a couple of metal sticks? That is both comfortably and wonderfully known to me.

This is my own pattern - something that's been swimming 'round in my head for a while now. A beret -- I love a beret. And I think I like this one. Jury's still out. I'll try to finish it this afternoon and get back to you. Oh, and this yarn is lovely to knit with, by the way - and I'm not usually a fan of cotton yarn. I seemed to have lost the tag for it, so I'm not sure what it is -- well, other than a lovely heathered violet...

I hope you are having lovely weekends, friends, and that you can also find a bit of time to spend doing something that's wonderfully known to you. There's something about the familiar that is both calming and energizing at the same time, n'est-ce pas?

scenes from my kitchen

2011-07-07T14:23:00.000-04:00

backyard bounty

2011-07-06T10:22:00.016-04:00

My walk about the garden this morning yielded some beautiful posies for my desk. You know, there's something to be said for ordinary garden flowers like zinnias, lavender, geranium, and celosia. They're not quite wild flowers, but not quite florist flowers either. They're simple... and easy... and just lovely.

a radish grows in brooklyn

2011-06-28T18:43:00.000-04:00

I was able to harvest two of my radishes this morning! Mother Dearest and I took our coffee out and did a walk about my garden this morning. It's one of my favorite things to do with her. We slowly walked from flower bed to flower bed, pot to pot and I was able to ask her gardening advice on each plant. It was heaven - and so helpful! If there are two things I'm learning from gardening it's grace and patience. Extend grace to yourself for the things you don't know and the mistakes you make, and have patience while you learn the things you need to know and wait for your garden to grow. I often comfort myself with the knowledge that even my Mother didn't know everything when she started gardening. Grace & Patience. Oh! And a nice rosé pairs well with weeding. So... three things, actually.

We pruned a fair number of plants that needed it and piled the bounty on my sun drenched cafe table out back...

We cut zinnias, deadheaded marigolds, cut back coleus and basil, and then while pruning the petunias in my windowboxes, we discovered a colony of "little beasties" (as my Mother calls them) hidden under the bottom-most leaves. Good thing we caught them - they couldn't have eventually taken down my entire window box! So after we cut them back we made ourselves a plastic pail of posies to set outside. I hadn't thought of petunias as display flowers, but they look quite lovely, n'est-ce pas?

meh. it's alright...

2011-06-24T22:47:00.002-04:00

I mean, as far as houses go...

In Washington D.C. for the weekend with Mother Dearest and my niece. While walking around the monuments this evening, I was surprised with how happy I was to be a tourist - a sentiment I rarely feel. I haven't "toured" a city in at least a couple of years - all of my travel has been to familiar places with a goal in mind, usually to spend time with family. So, it's kinda nice to block the sidewalk in order to get the perfect picture of a building I won't remember the name of once I'm back in Brooklyn.

Sorry Washatonians. I promise to be nice to you when you block my sidewalk in Times Square...

... on second thought, I really shouldn't promise that. I really like sidewalk traffic to keep moving while I'm walking down Broadway. I'll just be mindful of my own sidewalk-blocking tomorrow...

and just like that she cut off seven inches of her hair...

2011-06-23T22:22:00.008-04:00

... because that's what she does when she is feeling the need to "change it up" and feel like she's being productive in the world... she drastically alters her hair.

**********

I was in a bit of shock at first, but it's been a couple days and... I love it. Love, love, love it. I haven't had my hair this short since "The Disaster of '99," which, trust me, wasn't pretty. I've held on to my long locks for dear life ever since. Think of an obviously natural brunette who looks about twelve years old with an obviously fake blonde Meg-Ryan-from-You've-Got-Mail/Soccer Mom with five boys bob. I wore a hat for months. But what is most surprising about cutting off 7+ inches of hair (Which is a big deal, y'all!) was how much I feel more like myself, instead of like a part of me is missing. I have a lot going on right now and I was desperately in need of something new - something lighter, something confident and sassy - and that was just what I got. Impulse hair cut, for the win!

It's amazing what a good haircut can do for a gal. I mean, am I right, or am I right?

visiting my best friend...

2011-06-18T14:30:00.000-04:00

Morning coffee on the stoop. Cambridge, MA.

A prettyish sort of wilderness in front of me...

Baking in a kitchen with a big kitchen sink window that overlooks a charming vegetable garden. Heaven. Some girls want a white picket fence - I want a bay window and a sun-drenched kitchen sink window that overlooks a garden. I'm glad I get to visit this one for the weekend...

i grew a snow pea

2011-06-17T14:52:00.000-04:00

I grew a snow pea. Well, two really, but this one is the prettier one. It doesn't look like I'll get any more, but at least I got two, which is two more than I've ever grown before.

I know in the grand scheme of all that's going on in the world this isn't that important, but... lil' urban me is quite proud of herself and I wanted to show you. It's a satisfying thing watching something grow from nothing. Maybe I have more of Mother Dearest's green thumb in me than I had originally thought. One can hope.

Oh, the radishes are doing well, but I don't think they're quite done yet. I'm going to let 'em cook a little longer. I know you're waiting with bated breath.

TGIF, my sweet friends! Have a lovely weekend...

"for you to smile... just 'cause i like you."

2011-06-15T18:31:00.001-04:00

I was walking past Stem today and stopped for a few minutes to chat with the delightful owner. After catching each other up on our lives, work, his family, and the weather, Miss B (my delightful charge) was getting rather impatient, so we said our goodbyes and walked on. But he called me back and handed me this gorgeous flower - "For you to smile... just 'cause I like you."

An unexpected kindness from a friend is a blessing, indeed...

a quiet cup...

2011-06-14T14:28:00.000-04:00

I have a lot going on right now, some of which I'd like to talk about and most of which I don't. You know how it goes. In an attempt to sift through it all, though, this morning I made sure to brew a piping hot pot of French Press, find a comfy chair near an open window and a charming tea cup from which to sip, and a few undisturbed moments to check in with myself. I find that making time for "a quiet cup" is essential to me. Otherwise, the noise of the city or the demands of the day or the countless things I convince myself I need to worry about drown out the calm, peaceful undercurrent that keeps me going. And that undercurrent is also essential to me.

I hope that you find time for "a quiet cup" yourself. I promise you'll be glad you did. And even if you're someone who doesn't think you need to check in with yourself... well, you probably do, you just haven't realized it yet. (Smile)

karma. or, lord have mercy...

2011-06-07T22:43:00.001-04:00

Remember a few posts back when I admitted to you all that I hunt and dispose of snails and slugs that attack my garden? Well, they're coming for me. I kid you not, because...

I found a slug crawling across my bed last night.

Let me explain...

Last night I met up with some lovely new friends at a French establishment in my neighborhood. It shall remain nameless because I wouldn't want what I'm about to tell you to hinder any impulse to dine there. Truly. The service was attentive and friendly yet relaxed, the cocktails and wine were perfect, and our main courses were all quite, quite good. Plus, they have a great outdoor space complete with white picket fences and lights strung in the large trees that cover the porch... which is where I believe they found me.

You see, my purse kept falling off the back of my chair so my well-meaning Beau took it upon himself to remove my purse from my chair and place it on the ground behind his chair... which just so happened to be against the back-most fence of the restaurant's outdoor space. We didn't think anything of it, finished our meal, walked back to my place hand-in-hand discussing the night's various topics of conversation. I went in my apartment, placed my purse and cardigan on the edge of my bed, and went about cleaning up the kitchen and chatting with my roommate. At one point I walked back into my room to grab my phone out of my purse and that's when I saw it - about two inches long - slimily shimmying across the small blanket that lays across the end of my bed. I proceeded to shriek and run into the living room - completely grossed out and utterly paralyzed, unable to explain to my roommate or my Beau just what was wrong with me. Eventually I explained and it was quickly disposed of. Then the slime covered blanket was folded up, removed from my room, and placed in a plastic bag to be taken to the cleaners. A very thorough inspection of my room followed, and soon after my room was pronounced secure and pest free.

All three of us went over and over how that could have possibly happened and the only thing we can come up with is that it must have crawled into my purse while it was on the ground at the restaurant. There really is no other way for it to have wound up on my bed. I still shudder to think of it.

I still don't know how they found me at the restaurant, but they did. For all I know they sent that lil' guy as a warning: You mess with us, we'll mess with you. This is Brooklyn, after all. That's how they do it here. Regardless, I can't help but find it sort of funny... and totally disgusting... and terribly karmic.

watching my garden grow...

2011-06-06T11:31:00.000-04:00

I planted an entire seed packet of radishes awhile back. They aren't kidding when they say that radish seeds have a 100% germination rate. I wound up with more radish sprouts than I know how to handle and I'm turning just about any container I can get my hands on into a planter. Cans, bowls, oatmeal tins - if holes can be drilled in the bottom and it can contain a decent amount of soil, I'm using it.

I found the original green plastic tub (on the right in the photo below) at Target for $2.99. I drilled holes in the bottom (Be sure not to be too forceful or you will split the plastic!), added about an inch of pebbles for drainage and filled her up with soil. I spread the seed packet all over and then patiently waited for the sprouts to grow... and grow they did! The other brightly colored plastic containers are bowls bought at a dollar store near my Beau's apartment, and that charming square basil pot is an old metal tin found at a flea market. Ah, containers - an urban gardener's best friends. Sure, I don't mind planting flowers or shrubs in my busted Brooklyn soil, but anything edible? Absolutely not.

It may sound silly, but I haven't yet lost that childlike wonder at watching my garden grow. I suppose I have Mother Dearest to thank for that. Even though I understand that if one plants a seed in soil and tends to it daily that seed will most certainly grow into a flower, an herb, or some radishes, I'm always pleasantly surprised - delighted, really - when it does. It feels good. And I can only imagine that it will be even more satisfying when these wee sprouts grow into actual radishes for me to thinly slice, sprinkle with Fleur de Sel and nibble on...

This was the first batch of radishes that I transplanted (photo below) and they're doing quite well! I have no idea how long this whole process takes, but I'm willing to wait patiently... at least for another week. (Smile) In the meantime, I'm transplanting more and plan on giving the rest away to friends with sunny windowsills. I have no idea if one can grow radishes on their windowsill, but I don't see why not. Pot, soil, sun, water - they should be good to go. Oh, and see those two lettuce sprouts on the bottom left hand corner there? Those are the only two that survived from this post. I think they'll need a bigger pot eventually, but right now they seem quite happy.

Here are a few more snapshots of my garden....

... not exactly the Garden of Eden, but if you had seen this place when I first got my hands on it, you'd be amazed I'm able to grow anything at all!

Speaking of, I keep threatening to do a before and after post for you, but I want to wait a bit longer for my flowers to really take off. Perhaps in a few weeks she'll be ready for her close-up...

snapshots of memorial day

2011-05-31T12:32:00.000-04:00

I am plumb tuckered out. Due to a considerably ambitious DIY landscaping project in the backyard on Saturday and Sunday and a small (Thank Heavens!) Memorial Day BBQ yesterday afternoon, I find myself thoroughly exhausted and unable to compose coherent sentences with any sort of ease. So, instead of telling you about my lovely Memorial Day, I shall show it to you in snapshots taken by the ever-amazing husband and wife duo known as Kate & Geoff...

Steamy, muggy 95 degree weather. Blech. Where did Spring go?!

Luckily, we were situated under the branches of the big tree out back, providing the most beautiful, dappled sunlight over my garden...

Although not an outdoor pillow, my functionless yet cute pillow made a lovely accent to our new cushions...

I've had this antique key bottle opener for a long time, and am glad to finally have a picture of it. I find it so charming... and befitting of my outdoor space. I tend to use a lot of objects that one wouldn't normally find outside and somehow make them gardeny...

Although my roommate couldn't join us for the actual BBQ (she was otherwise engaged, being the social butterfly that she is), she graciously made us some homemade basil lemonade. Soooooo good...

Cucumbers, radishes, Fleur de Sel. Simple, light, delicious.

This is my current favorite salad: chopped romaine, corn, cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, red peppers (roasted or raw, both work), goat cheese, grilled chicken, and a lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for summer...

Sweet Italian Sausages, freshly made by the experts at The Greene Grape...

Lest we forget the master of Fort Greene Gardens, Rupert got a serious amount of Bro Time...

So precious...

Despite my plumb tuckered-ness, looking back over these pictures gives me sense of satisfaction and gratefulness. Not all of my favourites were there, but everyone there was a favourite. And being such a small group, we got to simply sit around and talk, and tell stories, and laugh, and lounge on the bench under the tree, and eat good food, and learn new things about each other, and encourage one another in various upcoming endeavors, and plan summer trips, and just... enjoy each other's company. It was a great way to end May - and to end Spring - and ring in the coming months!

warby parker

2011-05-28T10:00:00.007-04:00

You may have heard about this amazing company called Warby Parker already (they have been featured on many blogs as of late), but just in case you haven't, here's my lil' plug...

I was in need of a new pair of glasses. When the eyeglass repair man won't even hold your glasses because he can tell just by looking at them that they're about to fall apart at any moment, it's time to get new frames. If you also take into account that my eyeglass prescription was almost six years old - it's amazing I was able to see anything at all. As I mentioned, I read about Warby Parker on a couple of my daily blogging reads and was immediately intrigued - all frames, all prescriptions are only $95/pair and for every pair of eyeglasses that you buy, they donate a pair of glasses to someone in need. That alone is reason enough to buy a pair of glasses from this company, in my opinion. Add to it that their customer service is rivaled only by the customer service at JetBlue, and you've got a win-win.

Quite conveniently, they have three ways for you to try their frames:

Make an appointment at one of their showrooms. I went to their main location in Union Square. Not only are their employees incredible helpful, but they have several kiosks set up where you can take pictures of yourself wearing various frames and then send them to your friends. They even have Skype capabilities if you want to have a friend or family member help you choose.
If your computer has webcam capabilities, check out the "Virtual Try On" on their website, or...
Choose the "At Home Try On" where you pick out five frames from their website, they send them to you, you try them out for a week, then you send them back and indicate which pair you'd like to order.

Amazing, right? AND I had my showroom appointment at 11am on a Wednesday. I got my glasses in the mail at 6pm the following Friday - two days later. Doubly amazing.

My particular frames are "Finn" in the Sandalwood Matte finish and I heart them. They've got the touch of the "Sexy Librarian" thing I was looking for without too much of the "Annoying Hipster" I was trying to avoid.

Yay for cute glasses... and up-to-date, accurate prescriptions.

filigree bowl: finished

2011-05-27T10:34:00.000-04:00

Well, I finally finished it - the Filigree Bowl by Coats & Clark. (Pat on the back) I decided to debut it this past weekend during brunch. I mean, what better occasion to inaugurate a pretty crocheted lace bowl than at a brunch when it can be filled with warm, flaky homemade buttermilk biscuits?!

You may remember my first attempt at making this bowl - ugh. Well, as I told you in this post I tried again with a different fiber and actual fabric stiffener. It worked like a charm! The product I used is called Stiffy's Fabric Stiffener and is available at Michaels. Although I'm sure you could get it at just about any craft supply store...

I really liked this project and even plan on making a few more in varying sizes. However, I did learn that the lace became less stiff when filled with something warm, e.g., the warm, flaky buttermilk biscuits mentioned above. Once warmed, the initial shape of the bowl sunk a bit. Now, it probably wasn't the best idea to fill the bowl with something warm, but the bowl actually settled down into a much more practical shape as far as holding things like apples or lemons or bits of yarn. Once the biscuits cooled, the lace went back to being rock hard again, so... no harm, no foul.

All in all, it was a lovely, easy to follow pattern and would highly recommend it!

... and the battle rages on

2011-05-26T17:46:00.000-04:00

There's no delicate way of admitting this, so I'm just going to come right out and say it.

I am a snail hunter. That's right. I hunt and kill snails (and slugs) daily - as many of them as I can find, whenever I can find them. And believe you me, I find a lot. We're talking a lot, a lot.

Due the neglected condition of my backyard when I moved in, as well as the supposed "infestation" my entire block suffers from, it seems to be a never-ending battle. Sometimes I feel as though it's taken over my life, this obsession with rooting out every last one of the little buggers, but I can't help it. I find it highly unfair, not to mention just so gosh darn rude, that while I sleep soundly in my bed at night, the ever increasing lot of 'em are having a grand ol' time in my backyard chomping up every last bit of plant life I have managed to grow in my busted Brooklyn soil. That ain't right y'all... it just. ain't. right.

I tried the snail/slug repellant available at Lowe's. It didn't seem to work and even molded on the top layer of soil. I then tried the old-fashioned method of setting beer traps. Either my particular clan of snails don't drink, or they don't care for Brooklyn Lager... which is just silly, if you ask me. I then heard that they detest marigolds, so I planted this pungent flower all over my garden. (Exhale) I can't tell you how many mornings I've come outside only to find two or three of the wee beasties feasting on a bright yellow Marigold. That's when I started picking them off one by one and drowning them in a small bucket of salt water. This is a less-than-pleasent job, though, so my search for the perfect solution continued...

After some Google magic I found a product called Sluggo and just last night put a fresh coat of that about the flower beds... and although I did find a few when I came outside this morning, it was only a few - as opposed the 12+ I find most mornings... and evenings... and afternoons when I have time to look.

Google magic also brought copper tape to my attention and after a few clicks a roll of it was it's way to me. It arrived this afternoon and no sooner did I open the package than I was outside arming my flower beds...

It was really easy to apply, just peel and stick... just be careful when you handle it! I sliced my finger with it when I wasn't paying attention. Ouch! Apparently, that's how committed I am to my garden - I am willing to bleed for it.

I put it every possible place I could...

The tape works best on potted plants, however my potted plants haven't really been where the problem lies, so I decided to see if the tape might work on my flower beds too. I had been planning on pulling out the big copper guns on the beds (aka: copper sheeting), but I figured I might as well try the tape first, as it was in my hand...

... and if that wasn't enough to keep 'em at bay, I decided to follow the suggestion of another piece of advice from the interwebnets and wrap certain, precious buds with it...

No sooner had I armed my garden, than I found two of them attempting to run for cover. (Sigh) They wound up taking a salt water bath. Poor lil' guys.

So, yes... I hunt for snails... and slugs... and those pale pink, little grubby looking things. Naturally I feel a hint of remorse at killing another life form and I do apologize to them each time I pick them up with my shovel and drop them in the bucket, but at the end of the day it's either me or the snails. One of us has got to go. And I am far too smitten with the borough of Brooklyn to give up without a ~~massacre~~ fight. So unless they collectively decide to lay off my hostas (and marigolds and petunias and strawberries and snap dragons and $20 baby Purple Japanese Fern) I shall continue to surprise attack them with a flashlight and my shovel at midnight each night.

brunch. or, enjoying the first day of sunshine after entirely too much rain

2011-05-24T17:14:00.004-04:00

Stephen came into town last weekend, and if you've been a Le Petit Hibou reader for even a short amount of time, you know that whenever he arrives a party will soon follow. It is his custom. Or rather, it is my custom that every time he comes in town I ~~bribe~~ ~~blackmail~~ ~~sweet talk~~ ~~beg~~ convince him to help me throw a party - which means I usually do the baking and table setting and he does all the cooking... and talking me off the ledge when I get overwhelmed with all there is to do. We make a good team, my BFFL and me, and as far as Best Friends go, he's tops. He's also adorably handsome. Soooo... there's that.

Due to our low-key-yet-splendid evening out the night before, and the fact that our original Brunch For Eight had turned into Brunch For Four, we decided to take it easy and not do anything too fancy. Phew! Our menu? Cheddar-scrambled eggs and maple bacon on homemade buttermilk biscuits, with a spicy 'n sweet fruit salad, and sauteed greens. Bloody Mary's and French Press rounded out the meal, making for four very happy brunchers...

After nearly a solid week of rain and mist and humidity, it felt so nice to be able to just sit outside with good friends and soak up some Vitamin-D. I was in dire need of it. Also, this marked the first of my outdoor entertaining of the year! I've been hard at work - and I mean hard at work - in my backyard trying to make a sorely neglected space into something enjoyable. I tell ya, when an urban outdoor space has been used and abused and then neglected for years? It's a rough time trying to whip it back into shape. I'm getting there, though... slowly but surely.

Historically I do most of the baking when Stephen and I entertain, however this time he was jonesing to make some biscuits. Who am I to turn down the chance to sit back and watch someone else get covered in flour whilst I sit out of doors sipping a Bloody Mary?

Le sigh. Here's to many more brunches and garden parties and outdoor fêtes!

Post Script: If the idea of maple bacon sounds good to you (... and it should because it's a-ma-zing) check out the recipe here. It's super simple and super delicious.

local italian establishment for the win

2011-05-23T10:08:00.002-04:00

My Best Friend Stephen, my Beau, and myself treated ourselves to fantastic night out last Friday at a fabulous, little 103-year old pharmacy turned restaurant, Locanda Vini e Olii. It's owned by three people - the chef, the sommelier, and the general manager - all of whom are bustling about the restaurant tending to your every need and giving the restaurant a very local, almost small town vibe. And the food? Well, I don't know about you, but I find that Italian food can often be sort of overwhelming - "Gut-busting" as my Beau describes it - but that's not the case here. At Locanda Vini e Olii the food is fresh, flavorful without being overwhelming, authentic, inventive, and just... wonderful. Our waiter (who was also the bartender - it's a small operation!) was attentive and helpful and pointed us in the direction of two lovely bottles of wine - which we sipped and savored over a couple of hours of great conversation.

My current need for budgetary consideration doesn't allow for many nights out on the town, but this was worth it. So if you find yourself in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill areas of Brooklyn, jonesing for some authentic, flavorful Italian cuisine - I would highly recommend this neighborhood gem!

banana cream pie

2011-05-16T09:57:00.000-04:00

A dear, dear friend of mine got married a while back and instead of having wedding cake, she and her now-husband decided to have a pie bake off with their parents as the judges. Cute idea, right? Especially for a wedding on a budget. I was asked to bake a couple of pies and the first one that came to mind was this banana cream pie, aka: The Most Amazing Banana Cream Pie Ever... as in Ever-Ever. It's far too decadent to make with any sort of frequency, but it's perfectly decadent enough to make one dream about it during the interim.

The banana cream pie I grew up with had a regular pie crust and was made with vanilla pudding, and although I do have a special place in my heart for that pie, I consider this one the much fussier and slightly more fancy version. A buttery banana-graham cracker crust surrounding fresh, ripe bananas in a decadent home made custard sprinkled with a million tiny vanilla beans and topped with freshly whipped cream? Yes, please.

Note: The photos I have were taken before I piled a huge mound of freshly whipped cream on top. You see, I was running a bit late for the wedding - a wedding where I would undoubtedly see a lot of people I hadn't seen in a million years, so I opted for making sure I looked ~~drop-dead gorgeous~~ ~~amazing~~ presentable over taking a final photo of the pie. Living in New York has made me an expert at putting on make-up in moving vehicles, but I was already stressed out - I didn't need to accidentally use my eyeliner as lip liner. Not that I've ever done that or anything...

That being said - Make this pie. It's delightful, decadent, and truly delicious... with or without freshly whipped cream.

Banana Cream Pie

adapted from Bon Appétit via Epicurious.com

Ingredients:

Crust

2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup mashed banana (1/2 large banana)

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Filling

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups whipping cream

1 1/2 cups whole milk

3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup masked banana (1/2 large banana)

1/2 vanilla bean, split length wise (If you're feeling truly indulgent, cut the vanilla bean length wise and soak it in a bit of bourbon before opening it up and scraping out the vanilla beans.)

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 ripe bananas, peeled, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices

Topping

1/2-3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon sugar

dash of vanilla

Preparation:

For crust

Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and mashed banana in large bowl to blend. Add unsalted butter and stir to moisten evenly. Press onto bottom and up sides of 10-inch-diameter glass pie dish - a deep pie dish is ideal. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

Bake crust until set and pale golden, about 15 minutes. Cool completely.

For filling
Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt in heavy medium saucepan to blend. Gradually whisk in whipping cream and whole milk, then egg yolks. Add the mashed banana and whisk until combined. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add vanilla bean. Whisk over medium-high heat until custard thickens and boils, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in unsalted butter and vanilla extract. Discard vanilla bean. Transfer custard to large bowl; cool completely, whisking occasionally, about 1 hour.

Stir custard to loosen, if necessary. Spread 1 cup custard over bottom of prepared crust. Top with half of sliced bananas, then 1 cup custard, covering bananas completely. Repeat layering with remaining bananas and remaining custard. Chill banana cream pie until filling is set and crust softens slightly, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.

Before serving, make the topping. In a medium bowl (I like to use a chilled, metal bowl) beat the heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar and dash of vanilla and continue to beat until the cream is just a bit more stiff (about 20-30 seconds more). Chill again for another ten minutes or so, then cut the pie into wedges and serve.

marigolds

2011-05-11T11:43:00.000-04:00

In an effort to combat the overcast, gloomy weather outside I decided to make a marigold garland. It took me all of two minutes to make, so if you can get your hands on a hand full of marigold blooms, a needle, and some thread, I highly encourage you to make one for your own home.

The construction was rather simple: Thread a needle with a double strand of brightly colored thread, run the needle through the base of the flower, tie a little knot, and repeat with the other flowers - keeping them about an inch or two apart. The result was just enough to brighten my weather-induced gloomy mood...

I have to say, I've never really been a fan of this particular flower - they sort of feel like the carnation of garden plants - but as I've recently found out that they keep snails and slugs away from other, more tasty plants such as my hostas and dahlias, I've planted them all over my garden. No, their pungent odor isn't the most pleasant thing in the world, but due to their more beneficial qualities, I'm giving them a second thought. Plus, these bright, gold colored blooms are thought to bring good luck in some parts of the world. I don't know about you, but I could really use some good luck in the coming months!

progress

2011-05-10T19:55:00.000-04:00

The bad news is that most of the seeds I planted a couple of weeks ago were duds. The good news is that the ones showing signs of life are growing like gangbusters! Well, the nasturtiums and snow peas are. The lettuce sprouts - of which there are only three wee ones - are struggling to really take off. I'm giving them lots of TLC, though, so... fingers crossed.

Nasturtiums are a new thing for me. Are they new for you? Aside from enjoy their charming, whimsical leaves, what does one do with them? Would anyone care to share a recipe or two?

filigree bowl: take two

2011-05-05T13:12:00.000-04:00

Remember my recent crafting fail? The Filigree Bowl by Coats & Clark? Well, I have decided to try, try again. I believe my mostly acrylic yarn and sugar + water mixture were the culprits during my first attempt, so this time I've armed myself with 100% cotton yarn and actual fabric stiffener. Wish me luck!

slowly but surely

2011-05-03T10:09:00.001-04:00

I was able to sit outside the other day and lazily enjoy my morning cup of coffee for the first time this year. It was lovely. As I sat on the veranda, I could see my perennials slowly but surely coming back to life, which is always a welcome sight! I know it shouldn't be surprising to me, they're perennials. They come back every year - it's what they do! But I don't have enough confidence in my Green Thumb yet to rest, knowing that they will show up for another summer at Fort Greene Gardens. In fact, when I see a bit of life coming from my thyme or see the first, small shoot of one of my hostas, I am a little shocked. Shocked, but delighted... and relieved. It seems like Early Spring is having a hard time giving way to Late Spring here in Brooklyn, and consequently my plants have been a bit late to "wake up" this year. They seem content to stay all curled up and tucked under the surface of the soil... whilst I have an anxiety attack over how I managed to kill one of the easiest, most stress free plants ever. Ah well, at least they're peaceful. (Smile)

Speaking of being curled up and tucked under, I went inside for a refill on my coffee and I spied the wee mongrel indulging in a lazy morning as well...

I couldn't help myself - I had to snap a picture of him, all contented and peaceful looking. So sweet.

What's your favorite way to spend a lazy, spring morning?

happy easter

2011-04-23T08:09:00.000-04:00

My Easter weekend? Well, us lucky folk in the Northeast are supposed to get rain, rain, and more rain. So that backyard Easter Egg hunt I had planned for tomorrow? Most likely not going to happen. Ah, well. I shall be surrounded by good friends and good food, which will distract from the dreary weather. And hopefully I'll be able to find a tricky spot or two in which to hide some Easter Eggs within my apartment... and then forget about them until July. (Smile)

Have a blessed Easter Weekend, friends!

"put on your big girl panties and deal with it."

2011-04-17T19:39:00.001-04:00

That's what my Uncle Jimmy says. I'm not entirely sure where he got it from, but he says it to whomever, whenever it applies. "Awww... come on! Put on your big girl panties and deal with it!!" Although it may not be the kindest or gentlest adage known to man, I like it because it makes me smile and laugh a little bit before I take a deep breath and force myself to deal with whatever unpleasant thing is before me. I said it to myself repeatedly this afternoon as I went about the garden, doing my first planting of the season. Not because I don't like gardening or see it as a tedious chore, but because... well... because I have a phobia that directly affects my desire to garden: worms.

(Side Note: For an amusing, old post about this admittedly ridiculous phobia of mine, please click here.)

I know they're harmless. I know they're good for the soil. I know they keep my flowers happy, but they. also. terrify. me. For example, last year after my roommate and I first moved in to our apartment we had the arduous task of cleaning out our much-neglected back yard. The place was a dump - quite literally. It was littered with broken beer bottles, bottle caps, styrofoam, broken lawn furniture, old carpets, a rusted old smoker, a greasy deep fryer, and the like. It was bad. And during this process of cleaning out the backyard I had to pull down spider webs, reach my hands into small crevices crawling with spiders and bugs, scrub old, fatty grease off of paving stones, even dispose of a dead rat carcass or two - and I did all of those things without so much as flinching. They didn't bother me at all. However, when I had to remove a cinder block that was wedged into the ground and found a whole host of pinkish, whitish, slimy, squirming worms - I screamed like a little girl, dropped the cinder block, threw off my gardening gloves and bolted back into my apartment faster than you would believe. I didn't go back outside for at least a day. I wish I could say that I was exaggerating, but sadly, I am not. However, seeing as how I am a grown woman, and a grown woman who loves to throw garden parties surrounded by flowers and herbs of all kinds, I occasionally find it necessary to, put on my big girl panties, and deal with them - the worms that inhabit my Brooklyn soil. And so this afternoon I took many deep breaths, stifled many terrified squeals, and slowly worked my way through my first planting of the season.

I got my flowers in the flower beds first - that was the worst. After the huge rain storm we had yesterday, they were out in droves. I'm sure they lingered towards the surface on purpose. I believe they - as a collective species - have it out for me. After those few flowers were in, I had to take some soil from the flower beds to mix with my potting soil for the pots. This wasn't as bad, but still - I had to run away a few times in order to collect myself before proceeding. After that, I was able to focus on my beloved potted plants. (Exhale) Ah, sweet little flower pots - housing savory herbs and delicate fleurs, filled to just below the brim with store-bought, worm free soil. How I love thee!

So, I did some potting (lemon thyme, sage, basil) and some repotting (last year's thyme and rosemary - hanging on by a thread, both of 'em) and then some seeding (radishes, edible nasturtium, lettuce, haricot vert, and snow peas). I don't trust vegetables in my Brooklyn soil - not after seeing everything I had to clean out last year - but Mother Dearest, Gardener Extraordinaire, gave me a book on potted vegetable gardens and some seeds, so... I'm going to try my hand at it. There's something quite romantic about the idea of stepping out on to one's deck to pick radishes and green beans to make for supper. Don't you agree?

a little bit of time, a little bit of patience, and some help from google.

2011-04-15T14:51:00.000-04:00

Is it odd that I really like to knit baby sweaters? Or rather, is it odd that I really like to knit baby sweaters when I neither have a baby myself, nor do I have any immediate plans of having a baby... nor do I even know of anyone who has or will have a baby anytime soon and therefore be in need of a baby sweater? I think it's a little strange, myself, but not strange enough to keep me from knitting them. After all, I've knit this one, this one, this, this, and this one. Apparently I'm okay with it.

Oh, who am I kidding - I'm more than okay with it, I love knitting them. I might as well admit it. It probably has something to do with the near-instant gratification I get from them - they take next to no time and are a fraction of the cost of an adult sized sweater. Plus, there's the Universal Rule that anything mini-sized is just so darn cute, you have to have it. Or, in this case, make it.

I first saw this pattern, the Candy Cardigan by Pickles, last summer and just fell in love with it. Simple, sweet, and just interesting enough - my idea of the perfect baby sweater. After rummaging through my yarn stash I found a few skeins of a yarn from Norway called Sandnes Garn Mandarin Classic - bought on sale at Knitty City. I had two skeins of a natural/tan color and one skein of green. I figured that was enough - it was a baby sweater for goodness' sake. How much yarn could it take? So without giving it much more thought, I cast on and started knitting this sweet, little baby cardi. (You can read the original blog post here.) I got through the yoke and the body of the sweater pretty quickly, but by the time I got to the sleeves, I realized that I had used up my two skeins of the natural color and had nothing left to knit the sleeves. Curses! I ran back to Knitty City, but as it was a sale yarn it was gone. Double curses!

Someone suggested that I do a Ravelry search for someone who may have the yarn in their stash. Fantastic idea. My search produced only two results, so emailed them both and then crossed my fingers. One of the ladies got back to me that the yarn was gone - probably given away for some charity function. The other woman was from Norway, but had no idea where it was. She said she'd get back to me. Cut to: two months later and still no word, so I sent her another message gently asking if she had found it yet and even offered to send her the sweater if she had any need for it - I was just desperate to finish the darn thing. She got back to me that no, she hadn't. Life had gotten busy and she was pregnant, but she would try to get around to it after having the baby. Needless to say, I never heard back from her. Totally understandable. If I were about to give birth for the first time the last thing on my brain would be going through my yarn stash to find one skein of yarn to ship to an impatient, crazy woman in the United States who failed Knitting 101 by not checking her yardage before starting a project. Oy.

After I hit that dead-end, I would occasionally do a Google or Ravelry search for the yarn - hoping that someday I would find a skein. It never produced much of a result, though. If I did find an online store that carried the yarn, no one had the color I needed. Then about a month and a half ago, a Google search led me to a company based out of North Carolina called Swedish Yarn Imports. They not only carried the yarn I was looking for, but they had the color I needed! I knew the color may be slightly different, as the yarn would be from a different dye lot, but I didn't care. I needed that yarn! I ordered it, it came in the mail a week later, and I finished off the sweater... over seven months after I started it. So much for "near-instant gratification," huh? (Smile)

At the end of the day, though, I'm pleased with the sweater. I think it's adorable and highly recommend the pattern. I followed the patten exactly, except for the instructions for picking up under the arm. The pattern says: "Pick up six stitches from under the armpit of the body piece. Knit the garter stitch until the sleeve is 14cm. Make sure you decrease two stitches under the sleeve when the sleeve is 4cm, 7cm, 10cm, and 13cm." The instructions seemed slightly confusing, mildly vague, and by only picking up six stitches of the 8 cast on for the under arm, I wound up with gaping holes on either side of the armpit. So... what I did was this:

* Round One: With DPNs, pick up 8 stitches under the arm, six from under the arm and one in each of the "corners" on either side of the cast on stitches. This will be Needle #1. Then knitting in stockinette (I have no idea why it says garter, as the picture of the sweater clearly indicates that the sleeves are knit in stockinette.), pick up and knit the stitches that were placed on the stitch holder using Needles #2 and #3. Do not knit the very last stitch. Place that stitch on Needle #1 for Round Two.

* Round Two: Knitting the last stitch of Round One and the first stitch of Round 2, K2tog, K6, K2Tog. Knit the rest of the way around.

* Round Three: Knit all stitches.

* Repeat Rounds Two and Three, three more times. 8 sts decreased.

* Continue knitting in the round, decreasing (K2tog) under the arm at 6cm and 12cm, from Round One. Knit until the arm measures 13cm. Switch to Garter Stitch (Knit one round, purl one round. Repeat those two rows.) for six rounds. Cast off, purlwise.

Voila! The result was a slightly more narrow arm than the pattern called for, but it's more to my liking. I think it looks cleaner.

I haven't sewn on any buttons yet - as is my custom, I leave off buttons on baby sweaters until I know who it's for. I find that mothers have different preferences on the subject. Some like buttons, others want snaps, and still others like little ties. Personally, I think this sweater would look adorable with three, little brown woven leather buttons for a boy, or a couple of ribbons on either side to tie into bows for a little girl. Regardless, it's finished and I love it. It was totally worth the wait.

functionless yet cute

2011-04-12T10:06:00.002-04:00

I finished my quilted pillow. (Exhale) I promised myself a couple of weeks ago that I would finally bang out a few projects that have lingered for far too long, and much to my surprise I've actually done it! Let me tell you, it feels great. But, now to the task of posting about them all...

Having the entirety of Sunday to myself afforded me the immense pleasure of finally sitting down and figuring out how to work my new(ish) sewing machine. The lovely, vintage one still needs a tune up in the shop before it's project worthy, but the new(ish) one works like a charm. Just a few minutes with the owner's manual and I was stitching away. Bliss.

Now, as this project was mostly improvised, let me break it down for you. It went something like this:

Ages ago, I found a cloth napkin with a great silhouetted flower pattern at Crate & Barrel on sale for $.99, so I bought it and took it home. (This project is ideal for any sort of cute fabric you have on hand - a cloth napkin, an article of old clothing you want to repurpose, vintage linens that are stained or damaged, etc. A thrift store would offer you limitless, cheap options!)
I ripped out the seams and using a pencil and quilting ruler, I traced a 12"x12" square over the center of the fabric (or over the area of the fabric I wanted to quilt).
I added an equal sized layer of both batting and muslin to the back and basted all three together, working from the center of the square out.
Using a quilt hoop and bright, contrasting thread I hand quilted around the large flowers, making sure to both spread them out (I didn't want the entire surface area to be quilted!), and yet still cover the center and four corners of the pillow.
Once the quilting was completed, I trimmed the piece down to a 13"x13" square making it a little easier to manage.
Using a contrasting back fabric, I cut out two rectangles, 13"x11" each. With wrong side up, I then folded and pressed the long edge of each piece twice, folding the fabric back 1/2" each time, creating a hem. I then sewed the hem on each piece. (In retrospect, I wish I would have used the bright, contrasting fabric for this, adding just a lil' somethin' extra. Lesson learned for next time.)
With right sides facing, I placed the two back pieces on top of the quilted piece, overlapping the hemmed edges of the back pieces (creating an opening for the pillow insert), and pinning in place. With just under a one inch seam allowance, I sewed the four edges, removing the pins along the way (of course!). I then trimmed the excess fabric as well as the corners and turned the pillow slipcover inside out.
Voilà! An adorable, wee hand-quilted pillow that serves no other function than to simply sit on your bed or couch or chair and look cute. Yay for functionless, yet fun craft projects!

And now for some pictures...

The back of the pillow cover, inside out.

The front, inside out.

Quilted flowers.

The opening on the back of the pillow.

Functionless, yet cute accent pillow.

premières fleurs!

2011-04-11T14:33:00.000-04:00

I had to go to Millburn, NJ early this morning for an audition, so on my way home I stopped by the Union Square Green Market to peruse the annuals. I try to buy most of my annuals from the sweet old man at the Fort Greene Farmer's Market (Keep it local!), but it's only on Saturdays and I confess I'm feeling rather impatient! The weather outside is just too perfect to wait to whole week to start my garden!

These sweet things need to be potted (I'm thinking window boxes?), but for the time being I think they look rather charming on the old ladder I picked up this past weekend at The Flea. Oh, and those charming, wooden bird houses? They were a closing night gift from Megan, my amazing dresser on The Sound of Music. She gave them to me in January, knowing that I would put good use to them once the weather warmed up a bit. I love them. They're a natural, untreated wood and I can't decide whether or not to leave them that way or to paint/stain them. What do you think?

second sock syndrome

2011-04-08T11:42:00.001-04:00

The above photo was taken yesterday afternoon during a brief break in my workday, which would put that at... April 7, 2011. Guess when I started this pair of socks? Well, according to my Ravelry project details, that would be November 1, 2009. Yup. Almost a year and a half after starting it. Sheesh. Second sock syndrome, much?

Ah well... at least I'm working on it. I've knit up to the ankle so I don't have much further to go. I've decided to keep these socks pretty anklet-ish, which means that after I finish this one, I'll have to go back and rip out the first sock to match the second. That's okay. I don't think it will be that big of a deal. I rarely wear knit lace socks, but I think I could rock these as anklets with a cute pair of heels. And after all this time and effort, I do want to get some wear out of them.

Next time I get a hankering to buy some gorgeous sock yarn and wrap it 'round several, tiny needles in a slightly complicated lace pattern - would someone please remind me that I hate knitting socks? Pretty please?

Thank you.

**********

Post Script: While Googling "second sock syndrome" I came across this fitting and funny post, from the old blog of Laura from Cafe au Laine. It pretty much describes what I've gone through... if you add another seven months to the timeline.

les fleurs

2011-04-04T13:14:00.000-04:00

I took this picture this morning, and it brings such delight to my heart that I wanted to share it with you...

May you find something about your home (office, commute) that brings your heart delight today. Happy Monday, mes amis!

free form quilting

2011-04-03T12:27:00.000-04:00

My crafty-craftiness of late has been dedicated to finishing projects that I started ages ago and, for whatever reason, had abandoned. As troublesome as it can be to remember exactly what or how you were doing something, it feels good to finish things. For example, soon after I completed my very first quilting project, I started another. At that point I had successfully executed hand quilting in straight lines, but after seeing this project, I was inspired to try my hand (no pun intended) at what I've been calling "free form hand quilting."

I found the fabric, oddly enough, at Crate & Barrel. It was originally a cloth napkin and I found it on sale for $.99. I liked the bright, bold colors and wanted to outline the flowers in an equally bright and bold contrasting color. So, I bought the napkin, ripped out the seams, added a layer of batting and muslin to the wrong side of the fabric and started stitching.

I can't quite remember why I abandoned the project, to be honest, but I'm glad I picked it up again. I spend most of my crafting time baking or working with yarn, and I seem to easily forget how wonderful it feels to have a needle and thread in hand. The hand quilting is finished now and the contrasting fabric for the back on the pillow is purchased - I just need to sit down with my new sewing machine and figure out how to work it so that I can sew up the back. I shall keep you posted...

the wee mongrel

2011-03-30T12:54:00.027-04:00

I think Rupert somehow knows that I haven't mentioned him on here in awhile because he's made a point to be ridiculously adorable and photogenic lately. Sometimes I think he looks up at me with those big, dark eyes as if to say, "Come on. Look at me! I dare you - just dare you NOT to document this cuteness." So if you will be so kind as to indulge me, allow me to take a brief break in crafty-craftiness to share with you a few recent photos of the Wee Mongrel...

Oh, that little nose! Love it.

Gettin' all up in m'camera's face!

Here he is snuggling with his Minions. That's what I call the three little, stuffed animal squirrels he's snuggling because he keeps them close at his side at all times, and I just know they're up to no good whenever I'm not home... or when I'm in the next room... or when I turn my back. Call it pet owner's intuition...

He is most decidedly a photogenic puppy, yes?

And lastly, my puppy spooning his puppy. Sweetness.

Le sigh. I love this little guy. He has my heart... even when he and his minions are up to no good.

hammerpress

2011-03-23T21:05:00.004-04:00

I was in Kansas City this past weekend for a dear friend's wedding. It was a short trip - just the weekend - and I was lucky enough to bring my Beau along as my "Plus One." He'd never been to Kansas City, so we took advantage of what little free time we had and explored the city.

We started the day off with a tour of The Roasterie, Kansas City's own specialty coffee company. The coffee was excellent and the tour was really great - informative and fun. We followed that up with some "sustainable & local" brunch fare at Blue Bird Bistro, one of my regular stops whenever I'm home. Oh, I dream about their biscuits! From there we drove down to the Power & Light district of KC and hit up a few really fantastic shops: Architectural Salvage and Hammerpress. There is much to be said of both, but I only documented the latter, so... that is what the remainder of this post will be about. (Smile)

If you're not already aware of the amazing things coming out of this letterpress and design shop in Kansas City, then you best be Googling it as soon as you're done reading about it here! It was started back in 1994 by a guy and his printing press, and although it's still a small(ish) company run by a handful of people, it's become quite well known in the design world. I often find their greeting cards in shops and boutiques here in Brooklyn, and I almost always buy one - just to give my own, little shout of of support for my hometown.

When my Beau and I walked in to the shop last weekend, I was happy to find my friend Matt working! Not only is he one of the nicest people on earth, he's one of the three main designers. I'd hoped to see him, but I didn't think he'd be working on a weekend. Lucky us! It was great to see him and catch up a bit, and then he spoiled us by letting us head to the back room to see where all the magic happens...

It was really, really cool to see behind the scenes - the antique printing presses, drawer after drawer of type, mock ups of various projects, paper scraps lying about the floor, stacks of paper and cardboard, etc. There was just so much to see...

(Gasp!) I want this antique stationary sign. It's amazing. Although, as you can see by that Tall Drink of Water standing underneath it - it is a bit large. And my concern doesn't lie in the possibility of it overwhelming my "quaint" urban-sized living room, so much as how exactly I could run off with it. Not that I would, of course, but still... it's amazing, n'est-ce pas?

I encourage you to take a gander at their online shop - their prices are affordable and they usually have some great stuff on sale, too. And if you're a music lover - their collection of concert posters for artists such as Belle & Sebastian, Bright Eyes, Lucinda Williams, Sufjan Stevens, and even Ira Glass (!!!!!) is pretty cool. Of course, if you live in the Kansas City area you should most definitely stop in! They have a great shop in the front of the building with most of their collection for sale as well as a barber shop (random, sure, but somehow still cool) in case you need a trim after picking up your Mother's Day card. Because... why not, right?

If you stop in, be sure to ask for Matt - tell him Alison over at Le Petit Hibou says, "Hello!"

cabled cowl

2011-03-21T03:13:00.000-04:00

After my last post about a recent crafting fail, I am quite pleased to post about a project that turned out well, the Cabled Cowl by Lion Brand. It's been done for about a month now, but I only just recently got around to snapping a few pictures. The day I took them was mostly overcast with brief bouts of sun, so the cowl is a different color in almost every shot. I tried my darndest to fix that in iPhoto, but to no avail. The first shot in this post is the most accurate colorwise, but the other photos show the cowl's pattern and wearability. Please to observe...

The pattern - sections of seed stitch and a honeycomb pattern betwixt cabled columns. Pretty, n'est-ce pas?

There's no shaping to the cowl, leaving it a bit big and boxy, but personally I think that's what allows for the cowl to be gender neutral. The lack of shape and structure distract from the intricacy of the pattern (and the luxuriousness of this yarn!), giving it a more casual and, in my opinion, masculine feel...

This next photo is sun-drenched to an extreme, but I love how the cowl looks when worn with something as simple as a hoodie. And when the weather gets a bit warmer, I think it will look even better with just a plain, white t-shirt...

Now, as for my adjustments, they were few. The pattern calls for Lion Brand's Fisherman's Wool and Size US9 needles. Instead, I used the delicious and luxurious Suri Merino yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas on Size US7 needles. This, of course, made for a much different gauge than the pattern called for, so in order for the dimensions of my cowl to match those of the pattern I added one entire 50 stitch repeat. Instead of three 50 stitch repeats, I knit four of them. Instead of casting on 152 stitches, I cast on 202 stitches. Also, I skipped the whole felting nonsense. I liked it just as it was. So, aside from the eventual tediousness of all the cabling, it was a great project! Not bad for a free pattern, eh? And the result is beautiful, if I do say so myself. I couldn't be more pleased with it.

**********

After seeing these pictures, a friend of mine sent me a hilarious link that I just have to share with you:

20 Sad Etsy Boyfriends

(Make sure you click on the link at the very bottom, the one for the Saddest Boyfriend of All!)

If you enjoy that, be sure to follow it up with another hilarious assortment:

22 Examples of Etsy Child Abuse

For the record, I would like to point out that my Beau was in no way sad during the taking of these photos, nor will they be used to sell anything on Etsy. Thank you. (Smile)

blergh.

2011-03-16T03:06:00.000-04:00

So... remember that lovely project I showed you a few posts ago, the crocheted Filigree Bowl? No? Allow me remind you...

Well, after I let it dry for nearly eight days, this is what happened when I tried to remove the metal bowl it was shaped over...

Massive. Crafting. Fail.

It was only supposed to take three to five days to dry and become hard a rock. After eight, mine was still sticky and soft. I used the stiffening method described in the pattern - the sugar/water one. Most of the people on Ravelry who made this project used that method with glowing reviews! But mine was a complete failure. Blergh. The only thing I can think of that would have contributed to this was that I used acrylic yarn, not the cotton called for the pattern. Perhaps the sugar/water solution only works on natural fibers? That's my only guess. It wasn't remotely salvageable, so it went into the trash this evening. Boo. I refuse to let it defeat me, though, and when I get my hands on some cotton yarn, I'll surely give it second go.

Ah well... we can't win 'em all, can we?

saturdays are for brunching

2011-03-14T18:07:00.001-04:00

My big brother came in town this past weekend. I hadn't seen him in what felt like ages, so it was really nice to have him here for awhile. Five whole days! He'd been to New York City before, so this time we kept things pretty low-key: hung out with the wee mongrel, walked around Brooklyn, watched movies, talked for hours upon hours, and the like. My family doesn't visit me as often as I'd like (Hint, hint.) so it was really nice. I'd missed him.

Friday night the Beau and I took him The General Greene for a simple and lovely meal, after which my brother and I headed back to my place only to sit on the couch for a couple of hours and play Angry Birds. It was quite the scene - to be playing Angry Birds while sitting next to someone who is playing Angry Birds... and for the both of us to be sitting in a room next to someone who is playing Angry Birds - my roommate. To add to the ridiculousness of it all, while playing our independent games we were also talking about playing Angry Birds from room to room and loudly cursing at the little, green pigs. (Oh, those lil' buggers. I can't stand 'em!)

Slightly embarrassing confession? Sure. Was a fun night had by all? Sure was.

The next morning, we found ourselves sleepy and hungry - the gaming went on into the wee hours of the morning, and it's exhausting hurling little, angry birds at oinking green pigs! We wanted a fabulous brunch, but didn't want to get out of our pajamas. Good thing my roommate happens to be the queen of brunch! She volunteered - we accepted... and then invited three more people over enjoy the fruits of her labor.

As is my way, I set the table all pretty-like. This is what I came up with on the fly...

And here is my Beau inserting his handsome mug into my shot...

The fancy napkins made an appearance... as did the fancy plates and the pink depression glass juice glasses...

I had set the table with the silver-rimmed white plates, but needed some more color. So, I grabbed these little dishes and ran out to the bodega for some fruit. I filled the dishes with a tiny plum, a bunch of blueberries, and a lime wedge... then squeezed a bit of lime juice into some honey (just enough to thin it out) and drizzled that on top of the fruit. It not only looked pretty, but it was a great addition to our very-simple-yet-delicious brunch.

The Beau picked up some flowers at the corner bodega. He has a thing for daisies lately... and I am okay with that.

No recipes to share with you this week - we took it really easy this time. The roommate whipped up some scrambled eggs with lox and cream cheese and sauteed spinach - yum. Kate and Geoff brought mimosas. They are, after all, a necessity for a lazy Saturday morning brunch. It was perfect. As per usual, there was much hanging out and talking, as well as the requisite "Bro Time" between my Beau and the wee mongrel.

I feel like this picture should really be an oil painting with a plaque which reads,

"Contemplative Hipster with Small Fluffy Dog"

2011

oil on canvas

Brooklyn, New York

My roommate and I keep cooking these wonderful brunches on accident. Or, at the very least, on the fly. We're thinking of starting to do them on purpose. We both love brunch, but believe that you shouldn't have to waste hours standing in line for a table only to spend an ungodly amount of money on something you can very well make at home for yourself and those lucky enough to brunch with you. Plus, if you brunch at home you don't have anyone rushing you in order to turn over your table. You can linger... talk... engage your friends... relax! That's what Saturdays are for, n'est-ce pas? Saturdays are for brunching.

new lisette patterns from simplicity

2011-03-10T20:15:00.000-05:00

Ever since my birthday I've been thinking about what I'd like to make for my sewing machine's inaugural project. Oh, the possibilities! You see, it used to be that I would have to be very selective about the sewing projects I chose to do because, well, I was only ever near a sewing machine when I was home in the Kansas visiting my folks. That limited my projects to items that could be done on my own in my few spare moments alone, or projects that were "easy yet interesting enough with an heirloom like quality" in order to entice Mother Dearest into spending our quality time together over glasses of wine, gabbing and laughing and listening to Mozart while figuring out a pattern. But now! Oh, now I have not one, but two sewing machines about three feet to my left!

"Two?" you ask. "Isn't that a bit overkill? The Beau gave you the antique one, right? So... what? Did he give you TWO vintage sewing machines? Because honestly, that's just weird. Amazing and generous, sure, but... still. It's a little weird. One amazing, vintage, working sewing machine is sweet and thoughtful and generous and totally unexpected from a handsome, charming, twenty-something man in New York City. But two? (Roll of the eyes) Come on, don't you think that's trying a little too hard? And why IS he trying so hard? Hmm? Didja think about that?"

Okay, so maybe you're not asking that - but my roommate totally did. (Smile) Yes, yes, the Beau gave me two sewing machines, but he got a two-fer! You see, his boss helped him by delivering the gorgeous, old antique one and when he dropped it off he gave my Beau his wife's electric sewing machine (circa 1995?) that she never uses and has no intention of ever using. On the off-chance the vintage beauty didn't work as well as we hoped, he wanted me to at least have something to work with. Hence - two sewing machines. But, I digress...

Cut to: the other morning when I was procrastinating on doing the seven loads of laundry. I was perusing various blogs and came across the blog for Lisette + Co, the company of Liesl Gibson, of Oliver + S fame. If you haven't heard of her ridiculously adorable children's patterns, then you should do some Googling. I have often wished I had a little one of my own to sew her precious, little things for. My "little one" is a 9 lb. white fluffball of a dog. As of right now I don't believe she has patterns for dog clothes and even if she did... well... if I were to ever make one, I think I might be single again... and he'd probably take the sewing machines with him, just to teach me a lesson. And I can't say that I'd blame him.

Anyhoo, she recently came out with some patterns for Simplicity, and I instantly fell in love with them. Take a gander...

These next two are from Pattern Set 2245, and I think they're going to be my first project! The shirt looks super comfy, totally doable, and perfect for spring/summer, and the pants! Oh, the pants make me so happy...

Adorable, n'est-ce pas? I can absolutely see myself sporting this outfit this spring with a pair of ballet flats and my favorite summer carry-all. Perhaps I'm wearing a floppy straw hat, perhaps not. I'm most likely wearing that fabulous scarf my girlfriend brought me back from Lebanon. And perhaps my favorite summer carry-all is filled with flowers and vegetables from the farmer's market and is lying in a wire basket attached to the front of a gorgeous, old bike I'll find at the Brooklyn Flea one of these weekends. Perhaps...

dear knitting...

2011-03-09T12:13:00.003-05:00

Dear Knitting,

I have to be honest with you; to come clean about something. As you know, we decided to "take a break" after the whole cabled cowl situation. Don't get me wrong, it was a great project and it turned out beautifully, but all those knits and purls and cable lefts and cable rights! I'm not gonna lie, it was a lot. There were times when I felt like we were going in circles - literally and figuratively. I would finish one repeat, only to find that I had to do another - I mean, hadn't we already done that?! Did we really have to address it again? (Sigh) Anyway, I do want you to know that I really appreciate and treasure the quality time we had together over those 200 stitches for 16 inches. At the end of the day, we made something beautiful together. Something that someone will get to enjoy for years to come. However, when the dust settled and my hands were no longer achy and cramped, I found that I just... couldn't let it go. In the end it proved to be too much, and I needed to take a step back. Please know that it wasn't you so much as it was me. I just needed a little space and you were gracious enough to give it to me. That speaks volumes about your strength and excellence as a craft. We have such a long history together, and you are my first love. No one can take that away.

However, while we were on the break I... I... uh, well... I started to crochet.

I know, I know! How could I? Why couldn't I have just worked on my perpetually unfinished embroidery project? Or the needlepoint that I haven't touched in over a year? I don't know... I just don't know. I feel awful, but well, I've been curious about crochet for awhile now - you know that. I'd always stayed away from it because you and I had such a wonderful working relationship - why would I flirt with another craft that also uses yarn? I didn't need it. Besides, it always seemed so passé, so confusing and unattainable, so 1970s... so not my type. But... well, truthfully... I wanted to make a doily.

(Sigh)

It's amazing to me how something so innocent - something that is usually attributed to sweet, little, old ladies with an affinity for Victoria Magazine - could lead me astray, but it's true. I - a young, modern, urban, (hopefully) fashionable, artistic, progressive woman - wanted to make a doily. Generally speaking, when one wants to make a doily, one must crochet a doily, so I decided that I would take advantage of this break that we're on and learn how. I holed myself up in my room one weekend with a number of YouTube video tutorials, books, and blogs and didn't come out until I had mastered making chains, single, double, half-double, and triple crochet stitches. It wasn't easy, but somehow I managed to make this..

... and this...

... and then this...

... and then this, too (although I haven't blocked it yet)...

... and I may or may not be working on this (which will eventually, hopefully be this)...

I'm sure this is difficult to see - so many projects finished in such a little amount of time using a surprisingly little amount of yarn, but that's kind of the nature of crochet. I've often heard people describe crochet as "fast and easy," and apparently not even I am immune to it's draw. I bought it hook, line, and sinker.

It's almost too hard to believe that I have become "that girl," you know? I am entirely too young and modern to make doilies, but it's true and I have to be honest about that, regardless of the outcome or of what it may do to my reputation. If it makes you feel any better, though, my fingers are so cramped from making doilies that I can hardly type this confession. Honestly, I'm not even sure if I enjoy it! But I can't seem to stop. I've tried - I spend hours searching for new knitting projects on Ravelry or staring at a blank piece of paper to write my own, but it's no use. I just keep crocheting doilies.

Please know that, at the end of the day, I know it's not good for me. You are. You are timeless and complex and calming and limitless. We're a good fit for each and as I said before, you are my first love. Maybe this is just a phase I need to go through. I promise I'll come back soon...

I just need to make one more doily...

xoxo,

Alison

**********

Post Script: The free pattern for this easy and adorable doily can be found here.

birthday brunch & dinner with my favorites

2011-03-08T00:52:00.000-05:00

Would you like to know the key to a pretty fantastic birthday? I can sum it up in five words: braised short ribs for breakfast. Well, brunch, really, but still... Braised. Short. Ribs.

Of course, one needs to have someone in one's life to make said ribs for you, which in my case was my amazing roommate. As if that wasn't enough, she also made horseradish cheese grits with roasted poblano peppers, poached eggs, southern-style chard, and a citrus mint salad! The Beau supplied unlimited mimosas with freshly squeezed orange juice and Stumptown coffee for our beverage options. I kid you not. That was my birthday morning feast. I still can't entirely believe it. It was heaven.

Now, one would think that while all this was happening I was taking advantage of my Birthday Girl status by lazily reading the paper whilst sitting in the sun-drenched corner chair of my bedroom, lifting a finger only to ding a bell signaling my need for a fresh cup of coffee (Ha!), but apparently I seem to be unable to sit still and let people spoil me. I need to contribute. It's something I get from Mother Dearest, I'm sure. Since it was going to be a small group, and we were going to be able to fit around the kitchen table (a luxury in an urban apartment!), I decided add some ambiance to the occasion by properly setting the table all pretty-like before whipping up a fresh batch of buttermilk biscuits to add to the feast. Speaking of... I had never made biscuits before. Can you believe it?!?! I couldn't. Nor could my roommate. Nor my Beau. They were ridiculously easy, though, and so divinely flakey my mouth is watering just thinking about them! I highly encourage you to make biscuits as soon as possible. But, back to the table...

A fancy brunch calls for the fancy napkins...

My favorite place setting...

The aforementioned citrus-mint salad. Yumm....

The main course(s) sans biscuits because I, uh... I mean, we ate them all...

When I woke up and found out just what was on the menu, I asked there was going to be enough food for two more: Kate & Geoff, my favorites. As it turns out, we had enough food to feed a small army. Typical. I wasn't sure they'd be up for the trek from Sunnyside, but I thought it was worth a shot. After a quick text to Kate, she responded with, "You had Geoff at "braised short ribs. We'd love to!" I was really happy to have them here. We had such a great time - talking, drinking coffee, playing with the wee mongrel, helping with the food prep, taking pictures, drinking mimosas, laughing - it was the perfect way to spend my birthday morning. I felt very blessed - very blessed, indeed!

After the meal, we all sat around the table talking and telling stories. Rupert hopped up in my Beau's lap for some much needed "Bro time" and made himself quite comfortable. I think it's adorable how Rupert always finds just the right spot to wedge his wee head...

My wonderful brunch was followed by the already-posted-about vintage sewing machine/amazing bouquet of flowers incident, which left me so floored I was barely able to focus on getting ready for the other part of my Birthday Extravaganza, dinner at Vinegar Hill House.

There is much to be said of the evening, but I am already overdue on this already long post. Suffice it to say that it was a lovely evening. If you're ever near Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn, please check out this restaurant. The ambiance was perfect, the service was great, and the food was spectacular. Truly. I couldn't have imagined a better way to finish up a pretty spectacular day.

cabled cowl: progress

2011-03-01T20:16:00.001-05:00

So, I've finished the cabled cowl, and I love it. I absolutely love it. The written pattern was easy to follow, the yarn is smooshy and warm and decadent, the knitted pattern itself turned out beautifully, and most importantly, the recipient is thrilled with it. Phew!

I haven't yet had time (or proper light!) for a photo shoot, but I did snap an iPhone picture when I was a few inches into the cabled pattern...

More pictures soon!

the flower man

2011-02-27T19:55:00.005-05:00

It all started with a cellophane bag of gingerbread men on Christmas Eve. I had made several little bags of this Christmas cookie staple with plans to deliver them to my friends in the neighborhood. After making most of my deliveries, I ducked in one of the most delightful and magical little shops in Fort Greene, Stem, to visit with Rado, the owner, and wish him a Happy Christmas. I handed him a little bag of goodies and much to my surprise he was so grateful for the gift that he insisted I take a flower or two in exchange - one random act of kindness, returned with another. Well, twist my arm! (Smile) I am not one to turn down flowers, particularly if they come from his shop. He carries some of the most beautiful blossoms my eyes have ever beheld! Please to observe:

I give The Flower Man some gingerbread men, he gives me some gerbera daisies, rosemary, and my absolute favorite, a ranunculus...

A few weeks later I made banana bread. I had an extra, little loaf, so I thought I'd pop into Stem and see if Rado was jonesing for some more home baked goodness. As it turns out, he was, and in exchange I received another flower.

I give The Flower Man some banana bread, he gives me a ranunculus in the palest of pinks...

Then just before Valentine's Day I made that batch of the salted honey lavender shortbread I recently told you about. At this point, Rado and his shop had become a regular stop on the Petit Hibou baked goodness neighborhood delivery route...

I give The Flower Man some lavender shortbread, he gives me the most stunning, small red rose I have ever beheld...

And then came my birthday. There is much that can be said about the day as it was amazing all around (and shall be blogged about shortly!), but for the purposes of this post I shall keep with the posies involved. At one point in the afternoon, my roommate looked at me and said, "We have to leave. Now. Get your coat and come with me." I really had no idea what to make of it, but the twinkle in her eye (as well as my Beau's) convinced me that I should do as I was told. Forty-five minutes later I was allowed to come back to my apartment, where I discovered this...

... an antique (pre-1900!), working, Hudson Special sewing machine. (The sewing machine part is tucked under, hidden away - one of my favorite aspects of antique sewing machines.) !!!!!!!!! And if that wasn't gift enough, my Beau even conspired with The Flower Man to create one of the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I have ever received to place atop of this vintage gem...

(Swoon)

... and here we are, several days later, and they're still as gorgeous as they were when I first got them...

I could faint over how pretty they are... or over how wonderful and thoughtful my Beau is! I have often walked past Rado's shop, dreaming of someone buying me one of his bouquets for my very own - I never thought it would actually happen! But Mother Dearest taught me never to brag, so that's not what I'm doing, I swear. Seriously, I'm not. Cross my heart. I'm just merely giving a hearty and thorough shout out to Rado and his magical flower shop - for if you live in Brooklyn (or Manhattan - he delivers!) or whether you want a single bloom or an enormous bouquet, I'm not sure you could find a better place, or nicer Flower Man, to purchase your posies. They're worth every, single penny!

But seriously, did you SEE the vintage sewing machine? Complete with flowers? And did I mention that my beau is also devastatingly handsome? And funny?

Ahem... uh... sorry, Mom. I just couldn't help it this time.

morning coffee and other various musings...

2011-02-25T11:04:00.000-05:00

It's a dreary, dreary morning here in Brooklyn. Overcast, rainy, temperature in the 40s. It's the perfect sort of morning to brew a full pot of (Stumptown) coffee, stay in your pajamas, and camp out in your favorite spot, which, for me, is my over-sized comfy chair in the corner of my room. It's situated by the window that affords the best view of my pitiful garden out back. And oh, is it ever pitiful! I was so busy last fall with The Sound of Music that I didn't get a chance to really "close up shop" out there, and so my pots, planters, window boxes, and flower beds are overflowing with droopy, dead plants. Ugh. As a result, I've had various gardening and landscape-type things on my mind as of late, and I can't tell you how anxious I am for warmer weather and the chance to start anew!

In the last several months, the view out back has gone from looking like this...

... to this...

Yes, something must be done. Soon, though, right? Soon...

thithleth

2011-02-24T14:13:00.000-05:00

Thithleth. Come on... thay, I mean, say it. It's fun. Thithleth. See? Honestly, I can't say the word without a lisp. I think I get it from Mother Dearest... or maybe from my Grandma. Either way, I grew up calling them that. I think it wasn't until I was 10 or 12 before I knew how to correctly pronounce it. And to this day whenever I see them I immediately hear my Scottish grandmother calling them "Thithleth" with a twinkle in her eye.

While on the lookout for "manly flowers" (structurally interesting, unique, and striking) at the corner bodega for a Valentine's Day bouquet for my Beau, I came across these - all spiky and cone-like and Scottish looking. As luck would have it, right next to them were one of my other current favorite flowers: Craspedia, aka Billy Balls, the small yellow ball shaped flower. They're usually obscenely over-priced, but not that day. That day they were a downright bargain! Thusly, my new favorite bouquet was formed...

I've been doing all sorts of searches on the interwebnets for exactly what kind of thistle this is, but I can't figure it out. Perhaps there's a botanist who reads this blog and can chime in in the comments section. I really would love to know what these are exactly...

salted honey lavender shortbread (or, edible heaven)

2011-02-20T13:55:00.000-05:00

I meant to post this before Valentine's Day and it's now February 20th. Whoops. Well, to be completely honest, I did have a very witty and informative post written sometime around the 11th or 12th, but before I clicked "Publish" I wanted to double check the layout, so instead I hit "Preview." Blogger decided that meant "Delete" and I lost the post I had so painstakingly worked on for hours. Ugh.

(Lesson learned? Compose posts in Word and then cut and paste into Blogger.)

The last week has been a whirlwind of parties (... a birthday party for the Beau as well as a Valentine's Day soiree for some of my favorites), auditions, work, the Beau's actual birthday, and a nasty cold. You can understand, then, why I'm only just now getting around to posting. And so, despite the slight Valentine's Day-esque photos, I've decided to post this anyway... if for no other reason than to share this recipe. It is too good for me to keep it under wraps any longer.

Salted Honey Lavender Shortbread

via: Evil Shenanigans

(Click on each link above to be directed to the recipe and home website, respectively.)

I've made the recipe twice now and have a few things to say about it:

I feel that the teaspoon of salt used in the dough in addition to the salt sprinkled on top after it's done baking is a tad overkill. Don't get me wrong, I love salt on just about anything, but it almost overpowered the delicate flavor of the lavender and honey. I feel that when one "salts" a dessert, one needs to be careful that it's only a hint used to enhance the other flavors. My second go 'round was made with just over a half a teaspoon of salt in the shortbread, and then sprinkled with coarse salt on top. To me, that seemed to be the winning combo.
I used a teaspoon and a half of lavender. That may sound like a lot, but I like lavender, so... there you have it.
I don't have a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, so put all the ingredients in a bowl and mixed using a pastry cutter. The result was a crumbly dough - almost like a pie dough. I then used my hands to gently knead it together, making the dough smooth enough to press into the baking pan. You could used softened butter and mix together in the traditional way (cream the butter and sugar, and then add the dry ingredients), but almost every shortbread recipe I've found insists on cold butter, so... choose your own adventure, I say.
In order to more evenly distribute the lavender, I put the sugar and teaspoon and a half of lavender in a mini-food processor and pulsed it a few times...

The first time I baked it as instructed (parchment lined square baking pan), but while antiquing a few weekends ago, I found this AMAZING vintage shortbread mold...

... so for my second go 'round I decided to try my hand at using that. I lightly sprayed the mold with cooking spray and then dusted it with powered sugar. (In retrospect, I would only dust with powdered sugar. I think that would be enough.) The dough is rather crumbly, so I really had to pack it in there - in fact, I took out a small rolling pin and rolled over the dough to make sure it got in all the wee cracks. After baking, I let it cool slightly, inverted it onto a cooling rack, sprinkled it with coarse salt and some more lavender, cut alone the lines (to create 8 wedges), and then it cool completely.

They turned out rather well, didn't they? The only down side to using a mold, is that due to the packing and rolling of the dough, the shortbread turned out really dense. They were still delectable, mind you, but I think I prefer the lighter, crumblier texture and bite sized squares you get when using a simple baking pan.

I did have fun wrapping them, though, using a simple combo of parchment paper and baker's twine...

So, there you have it! I hope you try the recipe. If you like butter, honey, lavender, or salt - you won't be disappointed!

Post Script: Happy (belated) Valentine's Day, mes amis!

knitting is a labor of love

2011-02-08T12:04:00.000-05:00

I've started a new knitting project, the Cabled Cowl from Lion Brand. In my last post, I told you how wearing a cowl will provoke all sorts of requests for one. This project is the result of one such request.

I'm knitting this cowl to match a hat given as a Christmas present, so I've had to adjust the pattern a bit to suit the yarn (Blue Sky Alpaca Suri Merino). The gauge called for is 4.5 stitches to the inch and I get 6 stitches to the inch, so I'm having to add a cool 50 stitches to the pattern. As you can see, I'm still working on the ribbing, so I'll let you know how I fair with my adjustments.

In other news, you may have noticed the heart-shaped stitch marker I'm using. I picked up a wee bag of these last time I was at Purl Soho. (You can find them here.) Sweet, aren't they? As knitting for someone truly is a labor of love, I find them to be sweetly apropos... and just the little sort of thing to get me in the mood for Valentine's Day.

my (new) favorite cowl, revisited

2011-02-07T09:52:00.002-05:00

I followed up on my promise to knit myself a cowl - the same one I knit for my friend Laurén. It took next to no time to work up and I absolutely love it! It's a little remarkable to me that something so simple can look so fantastic...

I made the same adjustments as last time (Cast on 30 stitches on US 15 circulars and knit 64 ridges). The trickiest part of this project is using the Kitchener Stitch to create an invisible seam. Most knitters may not find that tricky, but I find that I really have to concentrate and adjust the tension just so each time I pass the needle through to make it look perfect. I'm a stickler about those things.

I did do two things differently this time 'round, though:

A) I used the crochet provisional cast on, instead of any of the other knitting provisional cast on methods. I find that the crochet provisional cast on is the easiest to make and take out, and leaves a row of perfectly even stitches to pick up. You can find a great video tutorial for the crochet provisional cast on by clicking here.

2) Weaving in the ends of bulky yarn can be tricky and often leaves unsightly yarn lumps in your project. Unsightly lumps are an unwelcome thing in any facet of life, and particularly so with one's handknit treasures. So in order to avoid this, I carefully separated the strand of yarn in half (which was easy with this particular yarn as it's a four strands twisted together) and weaved each half in opposite directions along the edge of my cowl. This worked really well, and any extra bulk was hidden along the edge, making it virtually invisible.

Should you decide to whip up one of these for yourself, I ask you to be prepared for anyone who sees it to immediately exclaim, "I want one!!" Man, woman, child - doesn't matter. Apparently, people dig cowls. Don't say I didn't warn you.

(Photos taken by: Michael Phillips, Esq.)

looking up

2011-01-26T12:36:00.000-05:00

Did I ever show you this? It's a mobile I found in Chinatown one afternoon made up of tiny, delicate, paper umbrellas. I find them impossibly charming; winsome, if you will. I placed it in the corner of my room where there are windows on either side, and somehow there's just enough of a draft to keep the umbrellas in a dreamy, random, perpetual motion. I like to watch them swirl around each other when I first wake up in the morning, or while I'm sitting at my desk lost in thought, contemplating what to do/write/make next...

The other day, I was sitting in a chair in that corner of my room, trying to write a blog post. I was feeling generally uninspired and specifically stuck on how to word a certain sentence. (I can turn these things 'round in my head for what seems like hours, sometimes. It's the curse of being a perfectionist... and a grammar nerd.) In frustration, I let out a big sigh and threw my head back, looking up. This is what I saw...

The image struck me as beautiful and simple and so very interesting. I've had this mobile for months, but had no idea that's what my tiny, delicate umbrellas looked like from below. So I sat there, looking up and snapping shot after shot - the umbrellas making all sorts of random configurations and each one as pretty as the one before. After that brief respite from the pressure of grammatical perfection and blogging greatness, I felt newly inspired and able to focus and finish my writing.

Now, not to wax philosophical about some crepe paper, sticks, and string, but as I got to thinking about that brief upward interlude it struck me as funny how I, as a seasoned New Yorker, have grown accustomed to never looking up. Looking up is for tourists. Looking up is for people who walk too slow, don't know where they're going, or are purposely trying to irritate a very determined, busy New Yorker such as myself. And although I don't plan on becoming one of those people who stands on 8th Avenue looking up at the big, tall buildings and stopping all pedestrian sidewalk traffic around them anytime soon, I think I may - in the comfort of my own home or at the very least, out of the way of other New Yorkers - try to start looking up... or over... or under... or sideways... or anywhere unexpected.

One never knows when and where inspiration will strike.

musical inspiration

2011-01-25T21:02:00.000-05:00

I can't really put my finger on it, but this documentary that I happened to stumble upon this morning on the great, mysterious interwebnet is one of the most inspirational and just fantastic things that I've seen in quite some time. A bold statement, sure, but true nonetheless.

I've long been a fan of Swedish pop, but after this documentary I'm pretty convinced that I should just up and move to Stockholm. The design, creativity, inspiration, taste, aesthetic (both visual and aural), and vibe of these artist is just... right up my alley. If you love good, indie music, and have an hour to revel in some great tunes, check this out...

Sounds Of Stockholm from valerie toumayan on Vimeo.

simplicity

2011-01-24T13:12:00.000-05:00

I took this picture this morning, soon after I woke up. I absolutely love the light that softly filters through my windows in the morning. It makes everything look calm, simple, quiet, beautiful. It was a lovely way to wake up to my week.

May your week be full of unexpected, beautiful simplicities...

my (new) favorite cowl and an RAK...

2011-01-23T12:20:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure what it's like where you are, but here in the Northeast it's been COLD. We're talking a couple of wool sweaters with tights under leggings under acceptable-to-wear-in-public sweats under wool pants, and three pairs of socks with snow boots cold. And although I know it's January, and one should really be looking forward to spring with all it's light 'n breezy floralness, I can't help but pile on as many warm layers as possible. One might even go so far as to say that my current fashion style is "Stay Puft Marshmallow Man meets Eskimo meets every single item in my wardrobe."

Living in the Fashion Capitol of the World - and the oh-so-hip Brooklyn, to boot - I do feel some sense of ~~peer pressure~~ obligation to find fashionable cold weather attire. And although "Abominable Snowman Chic" is in (according to Chanel), petite ladies such as myself can't quite pull all that off, in my opinion. The most fur I feel that I can get away with is this, and even then I look a little like a Russian snow bunny... or "Chava" in Fiddler on the Roof, the role I played in the most recent National Tour. No, I have to be careful about the amount (and style) of voluminous, oversized or chunky knit clothing I wear, lest I lose all shape or look costumey.

Now, when I saw the Dobbs Ferry Cowl on Martha Stewart's Website, my interest was piqued. Not only was it the sort of thing I feel I could pull off, it was also very close to what I had envisioned - what I was looking for as the perfect wintertime accessory. After a bit more perusing on Ravely I found the My Kind of Town Cowl. It was more along the lines what I wanted and seemed a super easy, quick project to pull off. So after a quick trip to a new-to-me LYS to pick up some yarn, I got to knitting...

I altered the pattern a bit:

I used US 15 circular needles, because that's all I had.
I cast on 30 stitches.
I wanted a really big, shmooshy, warm thing to wrap 'round my neck, so I knit something like 60 or 64 ridges.

As I had suspected, it was a super easy, quick knit - even with my adjustments to the pattern. What I wound up with was something like this...

(My apologies for the grainy iPhone photo!)

Cute, n'est-ce pas? Around the time that I started to knit this cowl, one of the fabulous dressers at The John Engeman Theatre - the sweet and impossibly fashionable Laurén - gave me a hand-crocheted hat...

I LOVE this hat! Apart from a single chain to finish off an edge to a knitted something, I can't crochet to save my life. It confuses me - profoundly confuses me. So when she gave me this amazing, slouchy, perfect hat I was over the moon about it! It's my first crocheted accessory, in fact. It seemed fitting to return Laurén's RAK (Random Act of Knitting) with another RAK... so I gave her the cowl. [Please to see the first photo in this post.] Luckily, she loved it and it looks fantastic on her... so fantastic, in fact, that I really do want one for myself. I think it's adorable and it looks (and feels!) incredibly warm - perfect for a Northeastern winter.

Speaking of, it's currently 13 degrees outside so I better get crackin' on it. I'm going to need it...

a life in the theatre: it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

2010-12-24T15:02:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas Eve, mes amis! It's been a busy few weeks for me! My life is pretty much all Sound of Music, all the time. It's great, but exhausting... but great! And in other news, My folks came in town for a long weekend to see the show! It was really fun to see them - it makes the fact that I'll be alone on Christmas a little easier. Oh! And they brought me all sorts of "brown paper packages tied up with string" to set under my tree for Christmas morning. So cute. So fun.

Then in the very limited down time I have, I've been busy decorating and baking and shopping and wrapping and knitting - it's that time of year, you know. We're all busy, busy, busy! Since I practically live at the theatre, it's been fun to see how everyone is chipping in and decorating. Ornament contests, Secret Santa, a surplus of baked goods. It's been fun...

In our dressing room, Linda took the reigns and decked the halls. She's amazing like that. I thought I'd give you a little tour:

She started with our door...

Then added the wall Christmas Tree (she went with a sparkle & fuchsia theme)...

She made sure to get Felicia's dressing table...

... and then our area...

Pretty, sparkly pink garland...

Felicia contributed some of the ornaments... and then this little, angry nun. When wound up, she marches around with that angry look on her face and spits fire. (Beat) How many of us feel that way around the holidays?? Particularly if we find ourselves anywhere near Macy's on 34th Street or Times Square? (Smile)

Lovely, n'est-ce pas? It makes me just want to sit and share stories and drink tea and laugh... but, there's no rest for the weary! We have to put on a show. So we don our costumes and head up to the stage to sing about raindrops on roses and warm woolen mittens...

it's that time for last minute gifts!

2010-12-19T12:14:00.000-05:00

There's only six more days until Christmas, and if you're anything like me, you're still looking for a few last minute gifts. The gifts that slipped your mind; the gifts you put on your "To Buy" list forever ago, but never got around to buying; the gifts that are terribly perfect for [insert recipient here], but the idea didn't come to you... until now!

Might I suggest my lovely, little Conductive Embroidery Kit as an option for you? I've sold quite a few already, but luckily still have some kits left. So if you've got some tech savvy friends still to buy for, please stop on by my Etsy Shop and purchase a kit or two... or three.

Each kit can make 8-10 stitches, depending on which stitch you choose, and take just a few minutes each! If you order by Tuesday, I'm pretty sure I can get them to you by Christmas Eve, leaving you plenty of time to wrap them up to stick under the tree! Of course, you could always sit by the fire with a nice, hot cup of cocoa (or Hot Toddy, which has been my indulgence as of late) and whip out a few pairs of gloves in time for Christmas morning as well!

Regardless, I hope you are having a lovely and merry Holiday Season, mes amis!

a life in the theatre

2010-12-04T13:29:00.001-05:00

Bonjour, mes amis! I've been absent from you as of late, it's true. You see, I've been busy roaming about the rolling, green hills of Austria whilst wearing a nun's habit and singing about raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens to a bunch of children in lederhosen. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

The month of November sped by, oui? I can't hardly believe that Thanksgiving is over, Hanukkah is here, and Christmas is just around the corner. But I suppose that's what happens when you stage and tech a two and a half hour musical in 14 days! We've been "open" for nearly two weeks, but it feels as if we just started rehearsals the other day...

It's nice to be "back on the boards" again, and this time in a new-to-me show. Playing "Maria" is a wonderful, challenging, and fulfilling experience. I liken it to riding a roller coaster: Each night I wonder how I'm going to muster up the energy to do it, and my whole routine up to "Places!" (when we actors set ourselves backstage to start the show) feels like that initial climb up to the first, gigantic hill. When you're finally warmed up and costumed and you're standing in the wings, you realize there's no going back - it's going to happen whether you're ready or not - and you wonder if you have the whole "ride" in you! But for me, as soon as I hear the opening bars of the title song it's like going over the very tip top of that first hill and as soon as I start singing I forget about all that came before and the rest of the show is a fast, fun, exhilarating, albeit exhausting ride.

I'm not one to read reviews (Keeps me confident if they're bad, and humble if they're good!), but rumor has it that our show was very well received by critics and audiences alike! I admit that makes me happy. When you pour your heart and soul into something, it's nice to know that people are enjoying it.

Should you be curious to see some snapshots from the production, feel free to take a gander at the Playbill.com photo gallery. They got some fun shots. And I spent my down time in between shows last weekend taking a few snapshots of my own...

I've decided to start including pictures from my life in the theatre here on my blog. I know it's not the crafty-craftiness that I aim for, but my life is very much about balancing opposites: my career and my love of domesticity, small town and big city, traditional and modern... I figure my blog is as good a place as any to flesh all that out. (Smile) And hopefully, you'll find it interesting as well.

'Tis a crazy life, a life on the stage... but I wouldn't have it any other way.

the brilliance of friends

2010-11-09T07:26:00.002-05:00

Have I ever told you about my lovely, incredibly kind, and crazy talented friend Janet Kim? No? Well, yes... come to think of it, I have mentioned her before - on a number of occasions, actually. There's this post, and this post... and let's certainly not forget this one! But I don't think that I have ever written a post solely dedicated to her or her many talents...

For starters, she has the most impeccable taste in all things. Impeccable. She gets embarrassed when I tell people that, however, so I shall move on. (Smile.) Secondly, she is the graphic designer responsible for this here blog and the immeasurable adorableness of that lil' fella at the top there - Monsieur Le Petit Hibou, himself. She is also a dear, dear friend and the lady I turn to when I need a calming, level-headed voice... or someone to be in my corner with enthusiasm, encouragement, and honesty... or someone to politely inform me that in modern layout it is now acceptable (and preferred, apparently) to use a single space between sentences instead of two. What?! When did that happen? I believe she said something like, "They've done away with the double space between sentences. Double spacing is how we all grew up learning how to type, but now it's more a novelty of a bygone era of typewriters." Did you know that? I didn't know that. I'm glad I do now, though. She keeps me up to date, Janet Kim does. Someone has to!

She is also one of my favorite people simply to share ideas with or talk about our dreams... or our obsession with pies, Andrew Bird, Anthropologie, faux bois, the ridiculousness of hipsters, and anything pertaining to crafty-craftiness. She is a kindred spirit, and I feel privileged to call her friend.

But before I get carried away with compliments and flowery-ness (however deserved they may be!), let me simply say a heartfelt Thank You to Janet for not only designing my logo (and all designy things I may need in the future), but also for encouraging me to pursue my creative gut instincts when I'm perhaps a bit shy about it. Janet, you are a dear.

** If you like what you see here, please take a minute to check out her portfolio here. I'm sure she'd be pleased to have you stop by... **

diy: conductive embroidery kit

2010-10-26T13:15:00.006-04:00

I've gone and done it. I've opened an Etsy Shop. While that may not be the most unexpected move in the world of craft blogging, it's something I've been wanting to do for quite sometime now and I am pleased as punch that it's finally a reality. I'm also quite pleased to introduce my first item for sale, a little thing I came up with called the DIY: Conductive Embroidery Kit...

What is a DIY: Conductive Embroidery Kit, you ask? Well, allow me to share a snippet from my shop's page:

Have you ever been caught outside in the dead of winter, shivering your tuchus off while trying to navigate [insert fabulous urban domain here]? You’re desperate to check Google Maps or call your dinner date for directions, but the very thought of removing your gloves and exposing your fingers to the elements in order to use your touch screen device is enough to convince you that the hip restaurant du jour which you seek is surely just... one... more... block. Cut to: 20 blocks later and you’re still lost... not to mention well on your way to losing all bodily function due to frostbite. Don’t you wish you could have had a pair of magic gloves to have kept you both warm and directionally savvy?

Well, now you can! Our DIY Conductive Embroidery Kit will give you the tools you need and some pretty handy instructions for how to turn your favorite pair of fabric/knit gloves into touch screen compatible gloves, thus allowing you touch, tap, type, and scroll away – all while staying toasty warm!

Kit Includes:

(2) yards conductive thread
(1) size 5 embroidery needle
(1) popsicle stick
scrap fabric
tissue paper
templates

instructions

Now, I'm sure you're curious about the final result and what your conductive stitches will look like. Although we give you several different stitches - or templates - they could look like this:

Cute, n'est-ce pas? And it works, folks! Works like a charm, actually. I'm not sure if you've seen other touch screen compatible gloves for sale on the web, but, well... they're not exactly the most fashion forward accessory on the planet, in my humble opinion. This kit allows you transform that gorgeous pair of mitts you picked up at Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters into touch screen compatible ones! To be fashionable and tech savvy? That's a win-win, that's what that is.

You could even use this on that pair of gloves you so painstakingly hand knit and want to show off to the world. 'Twould be a shame for those to go to waste! Other stitches include a star, the more sensible and basic square - for the more classic or masculine types - or whatever your crafty self is itching to stitch!

Now, if you're not exactly the DIY type, that's okay! It is remarkably easy to do (Cross my heart!). It's easier than sewing a button, actually. But if you'd rather leave it to the crafty folks, I understand. And I'm sure that a lil' sweet talking will get you a long way with your crafty girlfriend/boyfriend/bestie/Mom/Great Aunt Bessie. And if sweet talking doesn't work, just bribe 'em. (Smile.) I'm not above bribing my tech savvy friends with a batch of cookies for computer assistance, so I know I'd be willing to return the favor.

So, please do take a gander at my little shop - I'd love for you stop by and, of course, purchase a kit for your very own!

(Please to click below to be directed to my shop.)

Le Petit Hibou: Etsy Shop

one, two, three, four, five... five plates spinning.

2010-10-24T00:50:00.000-04:00

Bonjour, mes amis... or rather, Bonsoir as it is rather late here in the beautiful borough of Brooklyn. I have been absent as of late and I've missed you. Is that strange - for one to miss a mysterious and largely anonymous collection of blog readers? Hmmm... well, if 'tis weird, then weird may it be. I am happy to be spending an evening writing to you...

I feel as though I have a zillion plates spinning simultaneously these days. Well, perhaps not a zillion, but at least five that I can think of right now. You see, I find that quite a few of the people in my life are either out of the city or, like me, trying to balance the many, many things requiring their attention, leaving me with quite a bit of time by myself. I wish I could say that I've been spending my alone time dining at a fancy restaurant or dancing the night away (see previous post), but instead I have been filling my time with work. Lots of work. Three different kinds of work, to be exact. Geez, good thing I like to work, eh?

I won't tire you with the minute details of the my life, but I will take a moment to tell you about a couple of things I'm rather excited about: The picture at the beginning of this post gives you a hint of what has been occupying most of my time. Late nights, scurrying about the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, countless emails to friends all the way across the country - it's an exciting new venture for me. One that I will be happy to tell you about in a day or two... once I've caught my breath.

The other bit of news I'd like to share with you has to do with my actual profession, not one of the many ways actors find ways of supporting themselves in between gigs. I have managed to book another gig - a fantastic role that I've been in love with ever since I was a child and have literally dreamt of the day when I would be able to play it...

Yes, yes... the hills of Northport, Long Island will be alive with the sounds of Walla soon enough. Consider yourselves warned. (Smile.) I'll be working at the same theatre where I recently played "Hodel" in Fiddler on the Roof. Apparently, they liked me enough to bring me back a second time in the same season - and this time in the lead role of "Maria." (Squeal of delight) We start rehearsals at the beginning of November and will run November 18, 2010 - January 16, 2011. The Engeman is doing really great productions - impressive for a relatively young theatre. I'm excited to be a part of this show and can't wait to sink my teeth into all of the amazing music I'll get to sing.

So, if you happen to find yourself out on Long Island and hankering for a bit of musical theatre magic, please do stop by. I promise to keep the yodeling to a minimum. (Smile.)

how to be alone.

2010-10-15T09:31:00.000-04:00

Not much needs to be said for this video, by way of introduction. I came upon it this morning through my dear friend Kara Lee and I think it's beautiful in its inventiveness, simplicity, and honesty. I also find it brave.

"Cause if you're happy in your head, then solitude is blessed..."

meet peppers, alfred, and herbert... or, "how an ordinary tree branch went from being a super secret magical sword to the perfect home for some handmade birdies."

2010-10-10T19:41:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in this post, I recently started nannying again, and so most of my creative energy has been put toward finding fun and interesting projects that capture the attention, creativity, and capability of a five and an eight year old. I'll be honest, it's been a bit of a shift in thinking - intricate lace shawls on Size US2 needles or fig bars that are made with dried figs soaked in port and pomegranate juice aren't exactly a child's cup of tea. One of my favorite projects we worked on recently came about in a wonderfully unexpected way...

If there's one thing I have learned about little Miss B (5) in the time I've gotten to know her is that she is a champion of nature. Hardly a day goes by where I don't pick her up from school and almost as soon as she says hello, she proudly shows me a bouquet of leaves, or twigs, or rocks, or acorns, or a teensy-tiny flower that she found while at recess, and each one is more precious than the one the day before. Mostly, I'm able to convince her to leave her "precious bit of nature" somewhere on the grounds of the school, but sometimes she insists on keeping them.

For example, the other day she came bounding up to me after school with a rather large twig in her little hands. It appeared to be just an ordinary branch, but not to Miss B. No, after exclaiming, "Guess what I found today!" she immediately informed me, rather dramatically, that this was no ordinary twig - it was her "super special secret magical sword that protects [her] from the Evil Queen." She asked if she could bring it home with her. I started to protest, but she went on to tell me that there "no other like it in all the world" and she simply must keep it, because it was the only thing that was powerful enough to keep the Queen away, and the Queen was "a tricky one." (Smile.) Well, how on earth can you say no to that?! In fact, her argument was so convincing that I almost wanted her to find me a super secret magical sword. So... despite a few parents looking at me like I was crazy for allowing such a thing, the twig came home with us.

And as is usually the case with Miss B's bits of nature, it was forgotten about soon after we got in the door of their house. Naturally. It was a rainy day, however, and all three of us were in need of something bright and interesting and fun to do... so I took one look at that sad, old, abandoned branch and I told the little ones to follow me to the craft area. We were going to make some birdies and give them a home!

They loved it! I cut out a bird for them to trace onto paper. Then they then colored and cut out their birds. I couldn't find any feathers, so we improvised by using crepe paper for their feathers and tails. After they finished their birds, we gently taped them to the branch. It was then that the creative juices really started flowing ... they were given names: Peppers (Miss B), Alfred (Mr. A), and Herbert (Yours Truly)... tiny, red pom-poms were added to the branch for berries... leaves were cut our of green construction paper...

... and while Miss B was making a baby birdie for Peppers...

... Mr. A decided to make a bird's nest - complete with two eggs, yet to be hatched.

After the bird's nest was complete, Miss B set to making a solar system out of construction paper - because she felt the birdies needed to know the names of the planets, or at least the names of the five planets she could remember - Mr. A decided write a story about the adventures of Peppers, Alfred, and Herbert. Such grand adventures, they had!

One of my favorite exchanges of the day was when Mr. A was recapping his story thus far and Miss B yelled from one end of the house, "I know! I'll make a caterpillar and he can be climbing up to the top of the branch to steal a berry away from the birdies!!!" to which Mr. A yelled back, "B! Nooooooo! That's so dramatic!" Her response, simply and daintily put, "I know. That's why I love it so much."

I think Miss B has in her countenance the makings of an actress, n'est-ce pas?

girls' brunch

2010-10-06T10:40:00.003-04:00

I had the distinct privilege of hosting a brunch for some of my closest (and oldest!) girlfriends in the city. We used to get together every two to three weeks for brunch, but now-a-days what with jobs, budgets, husbands, babies, boyfriends, dogs - we're lucky if we get together once every few months! Somehow I managed to convince everyone to trek all the way out to Brooklyn for the occasion, so I felt compelled to make the morning as lovely as possible...

Okay, okay... so maybe I bribed them all with the promise of a homemade pie, but we won't get hung up on the particulars. They all came to my apartment from various locations in Manhattan and Queens, and for that I am eternally grateful to each of them. Kate wrote a wonderful post about our brunch (You can read it here), and since she did such a wonderful job recapping the loveliness of it all, I think I'll focus on my main contribution to the event - the food!

I made Quiche Lorraine using a recipe I found at Smitten Kitchen. I've made it several times before, but it had been a while. I was crossing my fingers that it was as good as I remembered. Man, am I happy to have rediscovered it! I followed the recipe (even used her tart crust recipe!), making only two small adjustments: I added an extra egg, and a little extra ham. It was divine. We devoured the whole thing... and I believe we even spooned up the crumbs left in the pie dish. Perhaps not the classiest move, but hey, what's a brunch amongst your closest girlfriends for if not to indulge your every whim? I think even Emily Post would agree.

Kate whipped up a really great mustard-shallot vinaigrette. I believe she links the recipe in her post - it's really, quite good. I had picked up some adorable, little tomatoes on the vine at the Farmer's Market the day before, so I heated up some olive oil in a skillet and pan roasted them until they were hot and juicy. It was a near perfect meal, if I do say so myself.

We had a new addition to the group: Amanda brought her 7 month old, Miss Laura Mackenzie. Yes, the very same precious, little one that we threw a baby shower for just about a year ago. (You can read that post here.) It's amazing how time flies, isn't it? She's already the picture of her mother with her gorgeous, big blue eyes and proclivity for dancing...

Not to be outdone by the ridiculously adorable baby, Rupert made sure he also struck a few ridiculously adorable poses. Here he is cuddling up to Megan...

And because I just can't help myself, I made a pie. (Smile.) I'm really starting to think I have a problem... are there groups for people who bake pies too much? (Beat.) What a glorious group of people that would be...

This was my first apple pie of the season, but I'll tell you more about it in another post. I've made it a couple more times since and have some thoughts about it. Until next time, mes amies...

one last summery pie

2010-10-02T10:59:00.002-04:00

Remember last year when I made cucumber-lychee martinis in September? I thought making such a summery beverage in the early fall was stretchin' summer a bit too far, but here I am about to post about a peach pie... in October. 'Tis the season of apples and pumpkins not peaches and blueberries, but I just can't help but share one more summery pie recipe with you. It's just too good not to.

This recipe was inspired by Smitten Kitchen's Bourbon Peach Hand Pies recipe. Although I love peaches, I'm not one for a plain peach pie. I like my fruit pies to have a bit of kick to them; that lil' somethin'-somethin' that makes you linger over each bite, wondering what magical concoction produced such yumminess. As is often the case with me, I couldn't find just the right recipe for such a peach pie. I wanted bits and pieces of a few recipes with some touches of my own. So, after a few test pies, I finally found that magical concoction - all the elements that made what, to me, is the Perfect Peach Berry Pie. Enjoy!

Perfect Peach Berry Pie

Pate Brisee, enough for one 8 or 9 inch double crust pie (This is my favorite pate brisee recipe.)

3 3/4 pounds fresh, ripe peaches

1/4 cup, 2 teaspoons sugar (These 2 teaspoons are optional, depending on the sweetness of the peaches.)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 vanilla bean, cut crosswise into 1/2 inch pieces

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon cardamom ****

Handfull of blueberries (You don't need them, but I had them lying around and happen to love the combo of peach and blueberry.)

1-2 teaspoons Bourbon or whatever kind of whiskey you have around (I used Maker's Mark)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

1 egg

Coarse sanding sugar, for sprinkling on the crust

**** Please, oh please make sure that your cardamom is somewhat fresh. As with most spices, ground cardamom can lose it's freshness after time. I made this pie with less than fresh cardamom (I swear Mother Dearest bought it in 1977) and it did not make for a pleasant smell/taste. My advice is to give it ol' nose test - if it smells at all musty, don't use it. Just omit the spice completely, or use cinnamon instead.

---------------------------------------------------------

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Roll out one disk of pate brisee to line a pie dish, leaving 1/2 inch overhang, and place the pie dish in the fridge to chill. Roll out the second disk of dough to 1/8 inch thickness and cut either strips for a lattice crust or using a cookie cutter, cut out a bunch of designs - you want to make sure you cover your pie, so be generous with the amount of shapes you cut out. Place the strips or cut outs on a cookie sheet and chill in the fridge for just a few minutes.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. In the meantime, prepare an ice-bath to blanch the peaches: Empty a tray of ice cubes into a large bowl, fill with cold water, and set aside. Gently score the bottom on your peaches with a knife. Once the water has come to a boil, drop the peaches into the water (2-3 at a time) and blanch for 10-12 seconds, or until the skin at the bottom of the peach just starts to peel back. With a slotted spoon, remove the peaches to the ice water and repeat with the remaining peaches. Remove the peaches from the ice water - gently remove the skins and then pits. Slice the peaches and set aside.

Combine sugars and vanilla bean in a food processor; blend until the vanilla bean is finely minced. Sift vanilla sugar through a strainer into a large bowl. Discard any bits of vanilla bean left. Mix flour and cardamom into vanilla sugar. Add the peaches, hand-full of blueberries, and Bourbon to the flour-sugar mixture and gently stir to coat.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pie dish. Top your pie as you like (If you're using shapes, "glue" the overlapped pieces together with the egg wash), placing the bits of butter in the open spaces of the top crust. Whisk the egg in a small bowl and then using a pastry brush, gently brush with the egg wash. Generously sprinkle coarse sanding sugar on top.

Bake the pie at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees and continue baking until filling is slightly thick and bubbly and crust is golden brown, about an hour more.

A shot of the filling. This test pie had a couple of nectarines thrown in...

Look at all that gorgeous vanilla bean!

An unbaked pie shot...

aaaaaaaand... i'm back.

2010-10-01T13:22:00.000-04:00

Somehow it's October 1st. I'm not entirely sure how that happened, but it did. I'm also not entirely sure how the month of September passed by without my posting anything here on the ol' blog. Hmmm... I must have been distracted by my nephew Duncan's visit - his 8 year old trip, in fact...

My amazing and super fun nephew just chillin' with a meteorite at The Natural History Museum.

... on the Brooklyn Bridge...

I love these two shots of the Brooklyn Bridge I got with my iPhone...

... courtside seats at the U.S. Open...

Nadal. He's absolutely amazing to watch play...

Due to our close proximity to the court, my father and I made it on TV! Yup, that's me in the straw Fedora, seemingly taking a picture of Nadal's derrier. (Smile.) I assure you, I was not...

... a whirlwind trip back to Kansas City for a high school friend's wedding...

It was held at Terrace on Grand, in the Power & Light District of downtown Kansas City. It was beautiful. I love the funky, little skyline of KC...

Ladies and gentleman, the charming and handsome Stephen Gire. Best friend and gracious "Plus One" for the weekend. We had a ball, as per usual.

... getting a handle on my new nanny gig. Yes, actual nannying. No, I didn't book Mary Poppins... although that would be a good part for me. (Smile.) Curly haired Miss B, mugging for the camera...

... hosting a girl's brunch (more on that later!)...

... my mostly often sometimes unruly puppy being rushed to the vet after eating an entire bar of my favorite dark chocolate - a $5 bar of chocolate that wound up costing me $178! My dog does prefer a nice, aged Spanish Manchego though, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised he'd get his mitts on artisnal hand stone-ground Mexican cocoa beans. Good thing he's so cute... the wee mongrel.

... a nasty, nasty head cold which left me bed ridden for days...

... and finally, rushing up to Waterbury, CT to see the launch of the new National Tour of Spamalot. I'd never seen the show before and loved it! You should check out the tour dates and locations, because if it's coming to your town, it's worth the ticket price!

Phew! Surprisingly (or not-so-surprisingly), I managed to make a few pies somewhere along the way, but I shall save that for another post. I have to admit that it's a bit intimidating to blog after such a long break, but... it's good to be back.