Confessions From the Chaos

Dear Hyperemesis:

I  know you and I have a sordid, tumultuous relationship.  

I know we have a history and the odds were high we'd meet again at some point if the situation warranted.

I know your presence typically indicates everything is going as planned.

I know you are not prepared to cede just yet, nor am I asking for such conditions.

All I ask is that this week, in light of everything else going on (C traveling for work, family medical concerns) that you choose to lessen or remain unwavering in your stance instead of heightening with the added stress.

It's not a huge request, is it?

Thanks,

Plant Girl

Decision Made

The votes were really a landslide -- toronto blue won out without any competition.  Which is good because it's the color that I really liked and wanted to order anyway.

Thanks for the suggestions!  Now on to find something for rehearsal dinner...

Another Fashion Request

So there's this wedding C and I are going to the beginning of August.  My original plan to make myself a dress was foiled when I realized the fabrics I found online, I didn't like in person (I had ordered swatches to be on the safe side).  Plus, I decided it wasn't worth the time and frustration to make a dress when I could find a fairly inexpensive alternative.

I haven't even attempted to head out and look around town to see what's available yet.  But my shopping choices around here are typically limited.

Here's a link to the dress I like.  (You can see more views of the dress through the website.)

These are the 2 colors I'm torn between.  Toronto blue and fuschia rose:

I found out that the bridesmaids are in "royal purple" and the groomsmen (ie. my husband) will be in a purple vest and tie.  Which do you think is the better choice for me?

Like Father, Like Son

For those of you who know my father-in-law, you'll fully appreciate this post.

We bought a new barbecue grill over the weekend.  The one we were using had served us well -- 10 years, thousands of meals cooked and many winters weathered -- but I had been wanting one that could actually hold enough food to have company over for dinner. 

After the grill was assembled, C got "the look" on his face and pulled the old one out into the middle of the yard.  I know based on his expression that I was in for some form of entertainment.

Last night after dark this is what I looked out the back window to see.

Apparently there's no need for a paper shredder when you have a spare grill in the backyard.  Silly boy.

Sourdough Donuts

Today is National Donut Day so I decided to try my hand and make my own.  This is the first time I've ever made donuts so aesthetically they're not the prettiest, but holy moly, are they tasty!

SOURDOUGH DOUGHNUTS

2 c. sifted flour
1/2 c. white sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon or nutmeg (I usually put in a bit of both!)
1 egg
1/2 c. sourdough starter
1/4 c. milk
2 tsp. oil (+ additional oil for frying)

Resift flour with baking powder, soda, salt and spice. Beat egg, beat in sugar. Combine with starter, milk and oil. Add sifted dry ingredients and mix to moderately stiff dough. On floured surface, knead to smooth out and round up dough. (I usually knead less than 5 minutes or so.) Roll out to 3/8" thickness. Cut with doughnut cutter. Place on a cookie sheet and let rise for about 30-45 minutes. Drop in heated oil (~370F). Fry til golden brown. Let drip onto paper towel and then roll in sugar.

Spring Blooms

This is one of my favorite times of the year.

Opening Delay

My original intent was to have my Etsy store launched and open for sales today.  It didn't happen.  Surprisingly though, I'm okay with it.

About 10 days ago I made the decision to push the Grand Opening back to June 1st.  I was sitting at the sewing machine one day fretting over how I was going to get it all done and ready.  I had dresses, skirts, shirts and pants to get sewn; I had pictures to take of all the items; I had listings to write and post on Etsy.  Add to that my day to day housework, laundry, tending to KT, trying to get my garden prepped and planted and the camper put back in order (i.e. curtains and cushion covers sewn).  When I looked at all of the pieces it just felt like too much.  I didn't want to go into my opening being overwhelmed.

 So that's what I've been doing lately -- housework, yardwork, sewing and more sewing.  I'm enjoying it all.

My Secret Life, Part II

I'm taking the leap.

Walking to the edge,
holding my breath,
closing my eyes and
taking that step off into the unknown.

I'm opening an online store on Etsy.

Right now I'm shooting for an opening date of May 15th.  This could be pushed back to June 1st depending on how much stuff I get sewn in the next couple of weeks.  (When I thought about doing this I neglected to remember the launch would coincide with getting my garden planted, spring yard work, getting the trailer open for the summer camping season, etc. After a couple of days of internal struggle I decided to start anyways while the ideas were still fresh.)

I'm excited, nervous and excited.  Very excited.  And nervous.

I love seeing pieces come together.  I love seeing the recipient's reaction.  But it terrifies me as well that they won't like what I made, that they will only see the imperfections.

If I step off and it turns out disastrously, at least I'll have gifts for all my favorite little girls on hand.

My Secret Life

If you can't tell by what's written here, I usually have half a dozen projects going on at any given time.  Often times they don't get finished and get tucked away in a box/bin/corner somewhere (I'm really trying to work on that) but I love seeing things come to fruition.  I love creating stuff with my hands and see it transform before my eyes.

One of my problems is that I have many hobbies including sewing, quilting and scrapbooking (as well as baking bread, gardening...).  I flit from one project to another as time warrants -- making quilts for new babies, sewing gifts for birthdays, scrapbooking 10 years of our life together.  It is a stress relief for me; it makes me happy to work on projects.  The thing is though, that when I start on something, I immerse myself in it completely at first.  All of my free waking time is spent laboring over the newest obsession.

This results in a dirty house, an inbox full of messages that need replies and seclusion from friends, both in real life ones and my internet buddies.  As my project nears completion I reemerge and resume my (somewhat) normal activities.

I guess this explanation is my way of helping to explain my absence for the last few weeks.  You see, my friends, I have a new love in my life.

Emerald 203

I bought it a few weeks ago and it has consumed me.

I've made dresses for KT:

And items for friends:

Currently I'm trying to finish up projects that were started eons ago and organizing my sewing space.  My hope is to open an online store and start selling my stuff.

Don't worry though, I'm snacking on yummy sourdough baked goods as I go along...

Sourdough rolls

Last week I had a very successful venture in sourdough baking!  (Finally, thank goodness!)  I opted to make dinner rolls and they turned out beautifully -- great sourdough flavor, the trademark slightly chewy crust and a good internal texture.

Ingredients (makes 12 large dinner rolls)

• 1 cup sourdough starter
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3-4 cups flour (I used 100% unbleached bread flour)

Directions

1. Mix starter, 1 cup warm water and 1 cup flour in medium sized bowl to create the "sponge".  Let sit for 20-30 minutes, cover tightly and put in fridge for 10-24 hours.
2. Bring to room temperature.
3. Proof yeast in 1/4 cup warm water, using 1-2 teaspoons of sugar.
4. Combine sponge and yeast mixture in bowl, then add remaining water and sugar, salt and olive oil.
5. Stir in flour, adding 1/2 cup at a time until dough begins to pull away from sides of bowl and is manageable.
6. Turn onto floured counter and knead well.
7. Place in oiled container, cover and let rise in warm area until double in size.
8. When doubled, punch dough down gently and form into rolls with floured hands.
9. Arrange formed rolls on greased or parchment-lined 9x13" pan and let rise again until double.  (I covered mine with a slightly damp flour sack towel and misted the tops of the rolls periodically to ensure they didn't dry out and form a "skin" that would prevent rising.)
10. Bake in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.
11. Brush with melted butter and bake another 5-10 minutes until golden brown. 

**As hard as it is, these rolls are best baked the day before they are served to let them cool completely so the flavor can fully develop.**