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Testing Out Tofu

February 24, 2009 in cooking, drafting, family, food, sewing | 1 comment

I didn’t realize how cheap tofu is! I think it was around $1.25 for all this tofu! Crazy. I really wanted to make this recipe, but I couldn’t find coconut at Trader Joe’s. So I asked around and was too impatient for a response and made it my way. I dried the tofu between some paper towels and coated it in Soy Vey Very Very Teriyaki.

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Here’s the Teriyaki bottle. Yum, it is local to San Francisco too.

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I popped them in the oven at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Thank God, I read the part about putting Pam on the cookie sheet.

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Um, yeah. It is as bad as it looks. Thankfully, the tofu came up fine and tasted okay, but the cookie sheet is nasty. I’m hoping the dishwashing fairies have pity on me and that soaking this in water and dish soap will loosen up everything. We’ll see.

Sarai, sent me this tofu suggestion. I definitely plan on trying this out.

In other news, I’ve been devouring Shane Claiborne’s books. I read Irresistible Revolution last week and finished it yesterday. I started Jesus for President, but haven’t gotten too far. I’ve made it to the gym two afternoons in a row, and been heading to bed earlier because of it.

I’m also determined to get moving on some of my UFOs (unfinished objects). There are too many to count. Here is the lay out for the denim skirt muslin. Yay!

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Not much to look at, but closer to a skirt! Also, my parents are finally coming to visit in March. They had tickets to come in December, but my grandfather’s stroke happened. I’m excited to introduce my dad to my new home and work on further home decorating with my mom. There is also the obligatory visit to the Winchester Mystery House. Eric has already opted out of this. He says it is all just too mysterious. I love it. What a fun, crazy, silly story and weird house to go with it.

Since I started knitting socks on the unplanned trip to Texas in December, I figured I needed to get them at least to the point where I can work on the heel with my mom in town. She’s a pro–having made 2 or 3 pairs already. I got out my knitting for the first time since I’ve been back tonight. I’ve never knitted at home. I’m quickly realizing why. There is nary a moment when the yarn isn’t flossing Scotch’s teeth, or he’s using a knitting needle like a toothpick. What a nut. It is too cute, but not conducive to knitting. Here’s how far I’ve come so far.

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I’m relieved that I remembered how to knit/purl okay. I’ll just have to figure out how to knit without Scotch’s “help.”

I’m enjoying a glass of wine, but not the hiccups I’ve had for the past thirty minutes. I haven’t given something up for lent in a long time. This year, I plan to forgo alcohol and sodas. Should be interesting–It always is.

Peace,

Katy ^_^

Maybe I Need a Food Processor

February 8, 2009 in cooking | No comments

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I’ve been eyeing a recipe for Energy/Granola Bars for a bit now by Ellie Krieger. Since I don’t have a food processor , I used my trusty blender. Um, I don’t think it works quite the same. Here’s the ingredient line-up.

Someone got into the dried apricots. Hmm…

100_0509 The tray on the left I made with the blender. The one on the right, I just chopped the fruit and hand mixed it. The chopped and mixed variety was like home-made granola. Eric approved and has eaten half of it so far.

100_0512 Here’s my little serving sized baggies.

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My bars weren’t as thick as these, so I doubled the serving size. I really think a food processor would help tremendously. My blender got a bit overheated and was a bit too small for all the goodness. Regardless, of how they look, they tasted really good.

Peace,

Katy

Cleaning, Cooking and Cloth Napkins

February 3, 2009 in cooking, food, sewing | 2 comments

Here’s the Cleaning Part

I must be becoming a little Martha Stewart. Here’s a new year’s resolution to mark off the list. I went through my undergarments. Which may sound racy, but tights with no stretch left and slips from when I was eight don’t really count as racy. For some reason I hoard these things. Probably because I wear tights/hose and use slips rarely. But I shove them all in this little plastic drawer thingie and it isn’t pretty. Here’s the after shot. Yay, I feel much better about what I have.

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Here’s the Cooking Part

My friend Tiffany came over and we made jam-filled, heart-shaped cookies. Yum. She is definitely a pro at the cookie cutting.

100_0499 100_0502 They taste as good as they look. I wrapped up all the hearts to sell at a bake sale benefitting the kitties I help care for on Tuesday nights. That leaves some bars for the person I borrowed the cookie cutters from, and some for us. Yum!

Here’s the Cloth Napkin Part

I’m working on a simple sewing project. The fabric is cool, because Eric picked it out when we first got married. He wanted me to teach him how to sew and was going to make me a skirt. Since it has been over four and a half years, he decided I could use the fabric in another way. I’m making some cloth napkins. I’ll post a photo when I finish. I found this site, and want to try this for the corners. Looks so simple, but we’ll see.

Peace,

Katy

Warp Speed

November 11, 2008 in cooking, drafting, family, Musings, photos | 1 comment

It feels like days are flying by. Here’s the low-down for the past few. I’m trying out some new skins for WordPress. I hope you like the new style.

We went for a walk yesterday. I’m obsessing about purple and greens. Like these beauties.

No news on Eric’s test results. Still waiting…

I got a physical at the doctor–it’d been a few years. I am totally healthy, which is something to celebrate. The doctor did say I could stand to lose 10 pounds. So far so good. We joined a gym and I’ve made it to two 5:50 am classes so far. Eric and I go two nights a week too. Here’s a delicious salad I made. Eric is being a sport. It means he’s lost his nightly wine-buddy.

We purchased our first Christmas tree today. It is a wee thing. Here’s the trimmings. We hope to get it up soon. I realize that is WAY early, but I’m beyond excited. We’ve never really had room for a tree before. We chose a blue theme.

An added bonus is the fact that we have a fireplace and mantle! Here’s the current look. I hope to make it festive too!

Jill created a Flicker group for our photos with the draft a long. I will post my progress later this evening. I plan to spend the rest of the day (it is already 3:30!!) drafting and working on sketches to apply for graduate school. I also want to use them in a portfolio I intend to send blindly to a few fashion companies around here. I’m not sure if I’ll do the school thing, but I do want to have everything ready so I can.

If you need a laugh, check out Cute Overload. I don’t think I can repeat this video too many times. Amazing.

Peace,

Katy ^_^

Catching Up

October 28, 2008 in Contest, cooking, food, self care | 3 comments

Here’s me working on a Frida-inspired something special for Kelli.

I’m putting it in the mail tomorrow. Really!

Tonight’s dinner is one of my favorite meals!

Cabbage Salad

Cabbage, Red Bell Pepper, Mandarin Oranges, Avocado, Toasted Almonds, and a dressing of Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil, and Fresh Ground Pepper. Yummy!

In other news, Eric and I joined a gym today! We’re planning on our first class–spin–tomorrow evening!

Peace,

^_^

Chocolate Croissants–Yummy!!

September 29, 2008 in cooking | No comments

I had my first chocolate croissant during my first summer in France–2002. I’m not sure if I’ve ever found a version in the states that was up to the tastiness of French chocolate croissants. That was, until I found these. How I love thee, Trader Joe’s. Check out the freezer section.

Here’s how they look when you take them out of the box. They are supposed to sit out for several hours.

Here’s how much they grew overnight!

And after a bit in the oven they turn golden brown.

Eric took his and left for church before I was able to take the “after” shot.

Since I was in the kitchen already, I took a photo of our new dishwasher. So far, it has not disappointed at all. Yay! for soap-free dishes.

Peace,

Katy ^_^

How I Pass My Days–Part 7–Rinsing Out Soapy Glasses

September 23, 2008 in cooking | No comments

Soon I will be relieved of my duties.

Soon this will be out of my life forever…

And this…

…and I’m sooo excited. It isn’t anything personal–but the dishwasher has past her prime–and no longer works.

Did I mention I’m tired of washing dishes by hand.

I don’t mind the task itself. I am just terrible at it. Growing up my job was dish-dryer at my grandma’s house. I was a pretty darn good dish dryer.

As a washer, I have this problem of not rinsing well enough. This leads to getting a soapy tasting bite because of my fork or a soapy tasting drink because of my glass. And well, people are supposed to wash their mouths out with soap for a reason. It suuuuucks. There is nothing positive about it.

Peace,

Katy

How I Pass My Days-Part 3

August 18, 2008 in artist way, body for life, cooking, how i pass my days, Musings, self care | 2 comments

I spent one and a half hours making lunch. I’m not quite sure why it took so long, but it did. I was making Gazpacho thanks to this post. Ironically, the post is called Something Other Than Sauce. I used waaaaay to much onion and after lunch Eric and I decided it would be a great pasta sauce because it’d cut the spiciness of the onion.

I even used canned tomatoes because they were waaaaaay cheaper than fresh and easier. How in the world did that take me so long? Clearly I was day-dreaming in the process. Day dreaming or stalling. Why? Read on.

I took a job as a part-time aide for the third grade teacher at the church where Eric works. I’m extremely bummed about the lack of a job situation with this move. I am taking it really hard. The aide position will be good for me because I’ll get to hang out with people for a bit during the day. But I’m not sure it is something I want long term. That being said, I’m not sure if anything will make me happy. Sigh.

I took the Myers-Briggs test again–I forgot my previous results. I am ENFJ. It totally describes me perfectly. I know very well how to do for others but I’m terrible at taking care of myself. Why do I find so much importance in “being employeed?”

I definitely have time now–I will only work for 3.5 hours in the mornings when there is school as an aide. So I am forging onward in an effort to get better at self-care with out losing humility. You should have seen the responses to a fellow blogger’s comments on humility!

Anyway, my goals are to complete Body for Life and The Artist’s Way in the next few months. These are my only to do list items. If you’ve ever seen my to do lists–you’ll understand why that is such a big deal. Amazingly, first thing I wanted to do when I got up this morning was to get the title changed on the car and get my driver’s license. Things that need to get done, but that if I focused on first would prevent me from accomplishing my goals and ultimately caring for me.

Anyway, I know this will be a tough thing for me. I’ve made it most of the way through the The Artist’s Way before, but didn’t do half of the questions or projects. I purchased the Body for Life book when I was a freshman in college. Eight years ago! I got a week and a half through the program last fall. Then I quit.

I’d love for any or all of you to come along, I could sure use the support.

Peace and Success,

Katy ^_^

$#%* Cancer

April 16, 2008 in cooking, family, food, leukemia, Musings | No comments

I hate cancer. In fact, there are coffee mugs that say $#%* cancer and I’m almost to the point I’d buy one of those. In case you don’t know in about two months my husband will be a interning for a year then officially ordained as a pastor. Society, and my mother, keep telling us that cussing and church don’t mix. Though I’d be the first to admit more than sometimes I say bad words.

A co-worker’s mother has been battling cancer. Things were not going well, but hope always seemed to be lurking in the corner. Now she is in hospice. No freaking fair! My co-worker isn’t old-she is 25.

I just heard of another co-worker who has a brother with terminal cancer. And friend of a friend–though we’ve eatten a meal together so we’re closer than that–who has a dad with stage 3 colon cancer and a mom with stage 4 breast cancer. I’m so sad for them. I wish I could say the “right” things–at least something real and honest. Cancer sucks. We all hope for the best, sometimes it doesn’t happen. Makes me think of tentatio. A term I’ve found much comfort in. Here’s my better half-explaining the meaning.

Tonight we are eating and hanging out with a dear friend. The photos on my site are of her. She was bribed with wine and happily amused when she found out we were going to use them!

Peace,

^_^

Alabama Chanin Weekend Workshop Thoughts

March 29, 2008 in cooking, food, Musings, self care, sewing | 1 comment

First off, Alabama Chanin recently posted the upcoming dates and locations for future workshops. I highly, highly recommend making it to one of them if you are able.

I really enjoyed the entire weekend. Even the 6-hour drive there and the 6-hour drive back. Since I made it through 4 states, it really felt like I had accomplished something! Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama if you are curious.

Friday Night Reception~Friday night there was a cocktail reception. It was low-key and laid back. We got to meet Natalie, Angie, and the other participants. I took one picture that night. Here’s a coffee table spread from the evening with flowers made from fabric scrapes. Yes, they are that gorgeous in person. The gossip that night was Billy Bob Thorton was in town. I tried to go see him, but the venue was full. I enjoyed my walk around the downtown. It was really cold and even managed to snow on Friday night!

The Stay~While in Florence, I ~~stayed~~ slept at a Bed and Breakfast. I say slept, because I spent very few waking moments there. The time I was there was great. Their breakfast was fabulous, the room was spacious and clean. And it was walking distance from the main few streets in Florence and The University of North Alabama. I got to make the first footprints in the snow that dusted the campus on my Saturday morning run. I love B&B’s but must say I felt slightly odd staying there alone. It is definitely less awkward going down to breakfast if you have someone to go with.

The owner said her daughter called the room I stayed in the treehouse room. I think it must have been added on to the house at some point. It was so restful there. I really did feel like royalty.

Saturday~Saturday was one very, very long day. Not in the terrible it wouldn’t end way, but more in the oh my gosh, I got to do what? And for how long? With really cool people? Really? Wow!

Everything happened at GAS Studios. It is gorgeous. And the owner and his family are gorgeous too–and saying they are hospitable, is a major understatement.

So Saturday and Sunday we worked on our projects and chatted and generally just enjoyed the process and people. We were also spoiled silly by the cooking workshop participants. The food was just amazing and steeped in Southern tradition.

Here’s a ton more photos. These are food related.