Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Our Summer Kitchen

The heat and humidity finally seemed to break the past two days...I didn't realize how much
I've missed cooking & creating in our kitchen!
Yesterday, we made this easy Strawberry Refrigerator Jam.
We used organic berries and very little sugar. It's nice and tart and
delicious. Can't wait to put it on my toast tomorrow morning...or later this evening!
I think I'll use this recipe again to experiment with other fruits, too.
Wow, we really can make our own jam without turning our kitchen upside
down with the crazy canning process!
Last week we recieved a kohlrabi in our CSA harvest.
My eastern euro roots must be the reason I love it so much.
It's an interesting cross between a potato and a turnip.
I wanted to try something new and found a delicious recipe over at Farmgirl Fare.
Kohlrabi puree is yummy! I added a red potato and some parsley, too.
For this evening, I'm finally getting around to making Indian Plum Chutney.
We picked up some beautiful red plums on the drive home from upstate last weekend, so
I'm excited to get started. I am loving the idea of plum combined with spices.


Can't take credit for the photo above. Photo and recipe are from
...There have been many homemade popcicles & fruit granitas for dessert.
On a less exotic note, I've been experimenting with making my own healthier versions of the icky foods my girl seems to love and want to eat a lot of...like Chef Boyardee
and Hamburger Helper. Both contain chemicals and tons of suspicious ingredients.
Chicken in the Road has been a great resource for cooking
to the taste of my cub...plus she has
an amazing story to tell about life on her family farm.
Someday...

Monday, July 19, 2010

Summer Color

Nothing like the bright colors of summer to make you smile...
Here is Cub modeling the latest sundress I made her. Super easy 'cause
the material was already smocked when I bought it...Just sew up the sides and add ribbon.
I really need to make her another one of these. She loves it so.


While cleaning out the closets, we found a huge stash of playdough.
I enjoy my girl's interesting scuptures!
She calls this her "summer snowman!"



In preparation for our camping trip, I picked up some great reads this afternoon.
Hopefully, I'll finish them by the end of summer!
Enjoying the bright sunlight streaming through the windows.


Leaving for the woods in a few days...
We can not wait!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tangled Up in Blue

I've been staring at a pile of old jeans for too long now.
So, today I went on a search for some cute projects to whip-up fast.
Denim is so durable and easy to work with, too.
I love the above apron tutorial by Betz White. I'm going to make a version for myself later and trim the edge with some red pom-poms.
Right now, I'm making my girl this longish apron by the fabulous Threadbanger people.
It's a fast and fun way to use up the old denim.
Some other things I'm planning to make with the same pair of jeans:
oven mitt, bibs, and if I'm feeling ambitious...
I would absolutely love to make a pair of these!
It's been a great way to spend a rainy morning.
I love being creatively productive.
Now, if I could only get the other stuff on my to-do list done!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Summer 2010 So Far...

A List
1. Grieving
2. Graduations
3. Close-knit time spent with our beautiful family
4. The Try-Out costumes
5. Adventures across the water...Battery Park days
5. And portraits, too.

6. Absolutely shameless Starbucks coffee runs & late-night eats with a certain someone
7. Outdoor movies at night, riverside...
8. Fancy hair salons
9. Mani-Pedi's - Already too many to count!
10. Many meals at our favorite restaurants, like this one.
(Photo taken by my girl!)

11. Westhampton Beach and all the time spent together as a family
12. Fourth of July & a private fireworks display.
13. The most wonderful achievement...my girl overcoming every fear
of the water and swimming like a fish. This is one of my all-time favorites
of my girl and wonderful brother. So cute together...



14. Making my version of meal planning for summer (Eh-hem- too many restaurants had to end sometime!!). Using this amazing website to make a long list of foods & ideas...So far, so good.
15. Enjoying every morsel of our farm share.
16. Homemade Popcicles- For kids (& some for grown-ups, too!)


16. Lots of crafting, cooking, sewing, indoor camping, picnics,
and a lot of travel in the near future.
17. Both of us joining the NYPL Summer Reading Program.
18. Reading Philosophy & Literature and The Emperor of Scent & loving both!

Still to Come: Camping in the Woods, Vacation Bible School, and a very special wedding.



A Peaceful & Blessed Summer, Everyone.
May you find a little bit of bliss each day.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The Try-Out

At 7:00 am this morning I reported to a baseball field underneath the
Manhattan Bridge. I have to say it was a pretty nifty sight, the only problem was the weather.
Today, it hit 96 and factoring the humidity the heat index was up around 101.
Boy, did I feel sorry for all the guys in their wool baseball uniforms.
This was my second time working on a film crew for costume/wardrobe.
The Try-Out is a short film made by the talented (and adorable)

This time I was more of a seamstress, refashioning baseball uniforms and caps and altering a pair of pants worn by Gibson's character, Felix.



The dugout scene was filmed under the bleachers...a relief from the sun.




Almost looks like a real team, huh?


What a blessing to experience the process of filmmaking from the inside with
such a talented and professional group of people.