fog and cookies

Its been a week of fog .....
I know I am crazy but I like fog,
it softens the harsh edges of the world and makes a pretty picture
but horrible to drive in and makes you want to just stay home and ..well.... bake !

I was just craving cookies ..so I did 2 new cookies this week
Mint chip cookies,
and Nutella Biscotti ..

the mint chip were no brainers..sugar cookie mix, mint extrace ..not peppermin but the mint, grated dark chocolate..and then I fussed to get just the right color...they were tasty!...

the biscotti was a result of getting some great Biscotti as a gift from Kelley and Michael..and I wanted to try ..alas I had 6 different recipies all that needed some ingredient that I didint have avalible so I just smosshed them all together and winged it ....

word to the wise ..in baking winging it is frought with peril and discovery.

well the nutellea biscotti were not bad in the long run ..
I didnt bake long enough for the first baking
( 15 min and should have baked for 20 or 25)
so when I cut for the 2nd baking
( 8 min each side)
they were still squishy in the center ..
and even then I turned off the oven and let them sit overnight..
and then accidentally baked them for another 5 min
 (dont preheat the oven the day after leaving cookies in there overnight)..
not bad tasting ..but a learning experience ...

also this week I finished the green pineapple shawl ..I will add pics as soon as I finish blocking ..I added more rows to make it longer/wider..and truly the longest I have ever continually worked on a project..

food and fiber

Well this week didnt have anything completed ..but 3 new fun things that we did on our 4 day weekend
On Saturday
we saw Nathan and Tayla perform ( www.nathantemby.com ) this is the first time I have seen their caberet act, and it was such fun ..they had a full house and I had a great time greeting people at the door .

On Sunday

we went to SF to the Fancy Food Show where I got to meet Duff of Charm City Cakes ( and the show ace of cakes) super nice of him to take time to let me have a pic with him (and of course had to call mom right away and brag!)

The food show was fun, lots of interesting products, nibbled lots of yummy cheese ( did I add I LOVE cheese) we did a sampling of 5 different Gruyere..you never know the differences in cheese untill you try 5 of the same type in a row !

  .. tons of yummo olives...

but 5 nonstop hours of walking ( the entire moscone center) ..

and afterward Nathan cooked us a great dinner and Kathyanne hosted
( and made fresh fudge and P nut brittle )

On Monday
we went to visit Tatjana and the Family ( like Alex ..Tat and Sara Reily give me lots of insperation for projects)

On Tuesday  I started the pop top purse ...I.. a while back started collectiong pop tops ( ya know off of soda cans)  and then asked everyone to save them for me also ( and I still collecting if anyone wants to save for me !) to copy a purse I had seen in Haute Handbags Magazine..My coworker Jessica had helped me find some instructions on the internet ( and a cool pop top corset!) but I was trying various ways to assemble as single units
and a group.. but I didnt like the look of any of these

so I actually read the tutorial and figured out how to make it like this

This is going to take a while but it looks so cool and its fun to do ...
wondering what else I could assemble like this...

I worked on the Pineapple Shawl..and am at the end of the pattern ..but I really think it needs one more pattern repeat ( and I have a lot of yarn left )..it is supposed to have thick fringe but I am not fure if it adds anything to it as I think its kinda pretty as is

photos

Alex noted that I had not added any photos

So here is the insperation chain ..note: I did this at work and just used some old photos I had on my bookshelf

it is just a chain and some single crochet with clips that I bought on clearance from staples( I bough 3 huge bags of them with no real purpose other than thay looked cool and were cheap)

I have seen several versions of flag banners arounds some of fabric some of yarn ( knit versions and crochet) and though this could work for this also ..a good use of of all the scrap yarns I have collected)

It could be used for an advent calendar or a Happy Birthday banner

back to work

after a wonderful and busy vacation it was back to work this week...not that it was all that busy, the semester hasnt started yet..but it was a time to clean and reorganise..and i got a lot of new ideas for all sorts of projects

the newest project this week was gaining inspiration..i gathered pics from all over to add visuals to my desk..not just food..but lots of color..I think it will keep my creative self a bit more focused...I also made an Inspiration chain...I crotcheted 31 clips in a banner like chain..so I have one new image a day i can print and display..My friend Tatjana does a photo a day.. i tried ths once and it is real dedication to keep up with..

I tried new seasonings this week..Alex mad spice mixes for christmas..and i am in love with beau monde seasoning...it add a nifty level to soups..and really perks up chicken...she also made greek seasoning ( went well with greenbeans) and montreal steak seasoning ( also layered in soup)

I started a new shawl pattern,to use the koolaid dyed lace weight wool..alas i got 13 rows in and realized that the pattern needed a bit more oomph (heavier weight yarn)..I tried 4 patterns

new year new project

So my goal for the new year is....
ta dah!
to get out of the house and do more. !

Easily said of course..

add this to actually using the gym membership that I pay for monthly but don't use
( goal is 2 days a week..that's not so bad)..

and to top it of i want to do something new ( insert here a new project/recipe/book) each week...
and it means me actually finishing projects..

as you have probably figured out i have too many things going all at one ..this blog is to keep tract of what I actually do...

for the new year i have already started a shawl ( ok so started it yesterday..but close enough)..I love laceweight yarn and figured i could made a few to sell this year to support the yarn habit.

and made a new recipie.
.swiss roll cake
..it was from the Tea and Sympathy cookbooks..that my dear friend alex gave me...a
las my swiss roll turned into a swiss stack..as the sponge  was a bit too firm...
basic idea is to make a sponge (egg/sugar/flour) bake untill ..well spongy..and top with jam..roll up and volia!..instant dessert...
well it was far to..eggy ( is eggy a word?)....
and not what i had in mind..but a noble effort on my part..
i am realising my oven run HOT....i need to remember this for the future!