Coasters

This holiday I only made two gifts, a set of four coasters for my mother-in-law from Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts and a cross stitched bookmark for Ashley (which I forgot to take a picture of before I sent it).  Other than quilts (who doesn’t love homemade quilts?), I don’t know if everyone enjoys homemade gifts.  But I love the idea of a handmade pledge and the ensuing creativity, ingenious and wackiness.

Winter Reading

Should we read the book about Stalingrad that has nothing to do with the movie with Jude Law and Joseph Fiennes?  Or should we read Death Note, an introspective into the classic juxtaposition of good versus evil and the inherent meaning of life and being human.  Oh, and its manga.

Kitty chooses.  Death Note it is.

Poppy Seed Cookies

I probably only bake about 6-7 times a year.  I think so far this year, I maybe made rhubarb crumble, gingerbread, persimmion pudding, banana muffins and, well, that’s probably it.  Baking is so needy.  You have to measure and time things exactly right.  I feel like its all a big test and I haven’t really studied, so its, you know, hard.  Enter freezer cookies.  Easy!  Well, except for the part where I wasn’t entirely sure when they were done and at the 12 minutes the recipe said, they were still raw.  Anywho, Almond Poppy Seed Ice Box cookies are off to tomorrow’s work pitch-in.

Also?  I am reading my first manga.  Death Note.

Plotting

I love making lists, having projects, planning and organizing.  Several years ago I started the 101 Things in 1001 Days List.  I didn’t finish the list, but it was fun to push myself to do some things that I had always meant to do.  Now that 2009 is approaching, I have been thinking about another project.  I know people starting another 101 in 1001, or 365 portrait project.  One of my teen program volunteers is reading and blogging a Les Mis in 4 Pages a Day, which should get her through the 1,000+ page book in about a year.  So I am planning…something fun that would make me push myself, but not take terribly seriously either.

Snail for #404

This little guy has been a long time in the making.  Can I claim that the heat of summer bogged me down?  Anyway, he is on his way to Alexandria, to chill at a new home.

Baby Isa’s quilt is also done as of this morning.  Just needs a wash and a photo session, then it will be on its way to Houston.  Next up?  Mom’s quilt.

I am about 1/2 way through Breaking Dawn.  I feel like I know what is going to happen, but will continue!

Peachy

Does it make me a horrible person that I sometimes forget what fab kitchen implements I actually own? Like an ice cream maker? Earlier this week, I made green tea ice cream for a program at the library and it was delicious and a big hit. The same night I realized I had a bag full of fresh peaches from the farmer’s market. What to do? Make ice cream! Well, actually sorbet. So I peeled and blended on Monday and made this today, Wednesday. And while it was quite good, I can’t help thinking that it tasted a little, well, like old peaches. Next time I’ll peel, blend and freeze all in the same day.

1.2 million dollars later, our BelNeLux rail passes are purchased! Low countries here we come. Too bad this looks a little complicated, and possibly sold out, the lineup looks fantastic!

Robo Quilt

Just so you know it isn’t all fabric auditions around here, there is actual sewing going on.  I also think I figured out a pattern for my mom’s quilt.  Maybe some stacking and maybe some whacking.

As part of my facebook icon, I recently added that I was in the Jacob Camp and I’ve had a lot of questions about what that means, but it is so lame and both Tim and I are so into them, its sort of embarassing.  I should just update my book list, but if you’ve read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (or really book two, New Moon) and can seriously make a case for Edward, let me know.  I’m the captain of Team Jacob.

Really Slow

Spring birthday packages are super slow this year.  I don’t even really have a good excuse, but this little guy should be in Texas by now.

I am also moving slowly since yesterday afternoon after being struck down by a mystery foot ailment.  Good thing the internet is there to self-diagnose, and in the end?  I just might get a new pair of sandals.  Thanks internet!

I am in the initial planning stages for a quilt for my mom, so I want that to be just right.  I made my very first quilt for her back in 2002 maybe?  In addition to that one, there are several baby quilts that will need to be done by the end of the year.  Also, books.  And yes, I probably need a break from all the food themed ones.

Red Stalks

I’ve been reading food books again, and its got me thinking.  About food.  About nutrition.  About sustainability.  But not enough to motivate me to go out and cut some of this beautiful rhubarb to eat.  I don’t have a big rhubarb history, so not really sure what to do with this except for putting it in a pie.  Strawberries are coming in the same area, but a little slower. Can I just saute it in some butter?

I’m off tomorrow for Memorial day.  Have a few sewing things planned, also maybe reading.  But depends on the weather.  In the RARE chance it doesn’t rain, I will only be found OUTSIDE.

Rabbit Proof Fence

Er, yes, the garden got planted last week.  Sorry for the lack of updates.  Tim has started Summer I classes and work is busybusybusy.  But I am reading about happiness (wow, that sounds cheesy, its not.  I swear), and would still count myself fairly high on a happiness scale.  You know, in general.  8?  8.5?  That’s pretty good! Maybe higher if I lived in Iceland, but certainly lower if I lived in Moldova.

Hope all moms had good Mother’s Day out there!