Time: 1 1/2 hours
Listening to: I pretty much listened to this on repeat.
I worked on a secret Valentine's day present for my husband! He is (probably) my blog's biggest fan so I'll have to keep it a secret for a while longer! Probably until Valentine's day, actually. Unless I convince him to open it sooner which I usually can do...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Day 29: Baking
Time: Two hours
Listening to: Nothing! With friends.
I had some pretzels leftover from fondue night and some white chocolate in the fridge! So I melted and dipped! And sprinkled. For Valentine's day, of course. Too bad they are almost gone already.
I also worked on a secret project that was inspired by this. I can't wait to share it! While I worked on this, I pretty much played this song on repeat. I first heard it in church over the summer and just found it so beautiful! I finally tracked down the song yesterday so I decided it was a good idea to play it over and over and over and over...
Listening to: Nothing! With friends.
I had some pretzels leftover from fondue night and some white chocolate in the fridge! So I melted and dipped! And sprinkled. For Valentine's day, of course. Too bad they are almost gone already.
I also worked on a secret project that was inspired by this. I can't wait to share it! While I worked on this, I pretty much played this song on repeat. I first heard it in church over the summer and just found it so beautiful! I finally tracked down the song yesterday so I decided it was a good idea to play it over and over and over and over...
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Day 28: Writing
Time: 2 1/2 hours
Listening to: Fleet Foxes, SAG awards for a bit
I wrote an abundance of letters this evening. I enjoy writing letters but don't do it enough! Also, in case you are wondering, Fleet Foxes is the perfect group to listen to while writing letters!
Listening to: Fleet Foxes, SAG awards for a bit
I wrote an abundance of letters this evening. I enjoy writing letters but don't do it enough! Also, in case you are wondering, Fleet Foxes is the perfect group to listen to while writing letters!
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| Could you be a lucky recipient?! |
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Day 27: Cooking Classic Cheese Fondue
Time: One hour (does not include eating time)
Listening to: Fleet Foxes
My husband and I were given a fondue set for our wedding from our friends Justin and Joy--and have loved every fondue experience we've had yet!
The first time I had fondue was in Switzerland. My friend, Calah, and I took a train from southern Switzerland up to northern Switzerland to visit a woman her family knew. She was one of the most hospitable people I've met. She welcomed us into her home and had Swiss chocolate laying on our pillows. The next morning we woke up bright and early and had a traditional cheese fondue with her. We also had champagne---at 9 in the morning! Ever since that morning, I've been a firm believer in fondue! There is something about everyone dipping into the same pot that just adds to the commeraderie!
We had my parents and brother and sister-in-law over this evening for both a cheese and chocolate fondue. Here is the recipe we used this evening:
Classic Cheese Fondue
8 oz. Emmenthal cheese
8 oz. Gruyere cheese
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 C dry white wine
3 T. Kirsch (optional)
1 T. lemon juice
3 T. flour
pepper and nutmeg, to taste
Shred and combine cheeses. Mix in the flour.
Rub fondue pot and cooking pot with cut garlic clove.
Pour wine and Kirsch (we didn't use the Kirsch) into a saucepan and heat over medium flame until warm, but not boiling.
Add the lemon juice.
Add cheese (by handfuls) and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until cheese is melted and mixture has the consistency of a creamy sauce.
Add pepper and nutmeg to taste.
Let boil once.
Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot and keep warm.
We dipped a variety of delicious food! My mom brought a homemade loaf of herb bread and flat bread. My sister-in-law brought a variety of different fruits. My personal favorites were the pineapple and the apples! None of us were too crazy about the bananas....
Later on we had a chocolate fondue, as well! Strawberries, oranges, blackberries, and pretzels were a few of our delicious options. The bananas also worked a lot better with the chocolate!
I wish I had taken more pictures once all of the food was on the table--it was quite the spread! And to my amazement, almost everything was eaten up! I guess that is what happens when you eat a meal over a three hour time span! It was a fun and delicious night!
Listening to: Fleet Foxes
My husband and I were given a fondue set for our wedding from our friends Justin and Joy--and have loved every fondue experience we've had yet!
The first time I had fondue was in Switzerland. My friend, Calah, and I took a train from southern Switzerland up to northern Switzerland to visit a woman her family knew. She was one of the most hospitable people I've met. She welcomed us into her home and had Swiss chocolate laying on our pillows. The next morning we woke up bright and early and had a traditional cheese fondue with her. We also had champagne---at 9 in the morning! Ever since that morning, I've been a firm believer in fondue! There is something about everyone dipping into the same pot that just adds to the commeraderie!
We had my parents and brother and sister-in-law over this evening for both a cheese and chocolate fondue. Here is the recipe we used this evening:
Classic Cheese Fondue
8 oz. Emmenthal cheese
8 oz. Gruyere cheese
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 C dry white wine
3 T. Kirsch (optional)
1 T. lemon juice
3 T. flour
pepper and nutmeg, to taste
Shred and combine cheeses. Mix in the flour.
Rub fondue pot and cooking pot with cut garlic clove.
Pour wine and Kirsch (we didn't use the Kirsch) into a saucepan and heat over medium flame until warm, but not boiling.
Add the lemon juice.
Add cheese (by handfuls) and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until cheese is melted and mixture has the consistency of a creamy sauce.
Add pepper and nutmeg to taste.
Let boil once.
Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot and keep warm.
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| On each plate I put a little fondue fork that has different colored Nordic elves! |
Later on we had a chocolate fondue, as well! Strawberries, oranges, blackberries, and pretzels were a few of our delicious options. The bananas also worked a lot better with the chocolate!
I wish I had taken more pictures once all of the food was on the table--it was quite the spread! And to my amazement, almost everything was eaten up! I guess that is what happens when you eat a meal over a three hour time span! It was a fun and delicious night!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Day 26: Sewing
Time: 2 1/2 hours
Listening to: Project Runway, New Girl
I'm busy working on some secret projects! Here is a preview of my latest:
I can't wait to share the rest!
Listening to: Project Runway, New Girl
I'm busy working on some secret projects! Here is a preview of my latest:
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I can't wait to share the rest!
Day 25: Knitting
Time: 99 minutes
Listening to: My Week with Marilyn
My husband and I are on a quest to watch all of the nominated movies before the Oscars, thus most of our evenings from here on out will involve watching a movie. This is great news for my afghan! It takes a bit longer to knit in the darkness but with 99 minutes I can make some great headway! Also, I am always cold in movie theaters so knitting a blanket for myself while I'm there is genius, if I do say so myself!
Listening to: My Week with Marilyn
My husband and I are on a quest to watch all of the nominated movies before the Oscars, thus most of our evenings from here on out will involve watching a movie. This is great news for my afghan! It takes a bit longer to knit in the darkness but with 99 minutes I can make some great headway! Also, I am always cold in movie theaters so knitting a blanket for myself while I'm there is genius, if I do say so myself!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Day 24: Secret Project
Time: 2 Hours
Listening to: Chatting with friends
Tonight I worked on a special present for a friend! I want it to be a surprise, though, so I can't say another word...until later!
So instead of a project, I wanted to share some pictures of my creative space!
I got this great old teacher's desk off of Craiglists earlier this year and love the storage and work space. I can fit my computer and sewing machine comfortably on it and also a few of my favorite things (like wine, chocolate, Nerds, etc...!).
On the side of my desk, I keep my favorite glass elephant, my Best Wife trophy, a card from a friend, and my cutest little Craft Angel that my mom gave me for Christmas!
And here is a close up of my sewing machine cover that I made in December. Simple but gets the job done! Plus I think it is adorable!
Listening to: Chatting with friends
Tonight I worked on a special present for a friend! I want it to be a surprise, though, so I can't say another word...until later!
So instead of a project, I wanted to share some pictures of my creative space!
I got this great old teacher's desk off of Craiglists earlier this year and love the storage and work space. I can fit my computer and sewing machine comfortably on it and also a few of my favorite things (like wine, chocolate, Nerds, etc...!).
On the side of my desk, I keep my favorite glass elephant, my Best Wife trophy, a card from a friend, and my cutest little Craft Angel that my mom gave me for Christmas!
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Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Day 23: Rug Making
Time: 1.5 hours
Listening to: Owls and watched a bit of The Bachelor
I finished my rug! Woohoo!
Listening to: Owls and watched a bit of The Bachelor
I finished my rug! Woohoo!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Day 22: Rug Making
Time: 2 1/2 hours
Listening to: Modern Family
I'm loaning my loom to a friend on Wednesday so I thought I'd get one last rug in before we part. I had a pink sheet and a red sheet just begging to be used...so a Valentine's day rug it is!
Listening to: Modern Family
I'm loaning my loom to a friend on Wednesday so I thought I'd get one last rug in before we part. I had a pink sheet and a red sheet just begging to be used...so a Valentine's day rug it is!
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| My Valentine's Day rug! |
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Day 21: Sewing a Simple Skirt
Time: An hour and fifteen minutes
Listening to: Simon and Garfunkel
My friend, Bethany, and I went to the fabric store yesterday which is probably a bad idea. I think both of us left with more fabric than we intended to get!
I decided to make a skirt today with one of the fabrics that I got. I made an easy elastic skirt! I used 2 inch elastic and about a yard and a half (maybe 1/4) of fabric. It ended up being more fabric than I wanted when I tried the skirt on so I hacked some off and resewed a bit. This skirt took me longer than necessary but that was mostly due to my lack of planning!
Listening to: Simon and Garfunkel
My friend, Bethany, and I went to the fabric store yesterday which is probably a bad idea. I think both of us left with more fabric than we intended to get!
I decided to make a skirt today with one of the fabrics that I got. I made an easy elastic skirt! I used 2 inch elastic and about a yard and a half (maybe 1/4) of fabric. It ended up being more fabric than I wanted when I tried the skirt on so I hacked some off and resewed a bit. This skirt took me longer than necessary but that was mostly due to my lack of planning!
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| My summery skirt to get me through the winter! |
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| My photographer (husband) wasn't home so this is the best shot of me wearing it! |
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| Yes, I did hang it on the wall. I like this idea....clothes as art, right?! |
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Day 20: Cooking (and miscellaneous)
Time: 45 minutes for cooking, the rest of the day for miscellaneous craft projects
Listening to: Miami Ink and also watching Jewel the bear
These sweet potato fries are delicious! I've had this recipe on my to make list for a while now and finally got them made today! Mmm.
Listening to: Miami Ink and also watching Jewel the bear
These sweet potato fries are delicious! I've had this recipe on my to make list for a while now and finally got them made today! Mmm.
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| Head over here for the recipe! |