Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Pineapples

Saturday we had some new friends stop in with their charming family.  They presented us with a lovely and delicious pineapple.   

I quickly pulled out one of my favorite books "The Gentle Art of Domesticity" by Jane Brocket.  In it she writes about her first experience with being gifted with this lovely jewel of a fruit.  Not only does she discuss the symbolism of "hospitality" that it carries with it but she also discusses it as an art form and how we see it in crochet, prints on fabric, carved on furniture, in architecture, etc.  Interesting. 

On the web I found this description "The princess of fruits and the symbol of hospitality".  I like that. 

Dave loves, loves, loves, Pineapple Upside Down Cake and I make it for him every March 17th for his birthday as any smart wife would! Please enjoy this recipe.  I bake ours in a round cast iron skillet!    

  Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
  • 1/4 cup margarine or butter
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 can (16 ounces) sliced pineapple, drained
  • Maraschino cherries,if desired
  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granluated sugar
  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 egg
Heat oven to 350. Heat margarine in 10" ovenproof skillet or square pan, 9x9x2 inches, in oven until melted. Sprinkle brown sugar over margarine. Arrange pineapple slices in skillet. Place cherry in center of each pineapple slice.

Beat remaining ingredients on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour over fruit in skillet. Bake skillet 45 to 50 minutes, square 50 to 55 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately invert onto heatproof plate. Let skillet ramin over cake a few minutes. Serve warm and, if desired with Whipped Cream!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Art & Tea

"Homeward Bound" by A.J. Elsley"
My husband and I found this print at an antique shop on one of our outings.  I just love this print.  It has so much to say.  I could sit down with a good cup of hot tea and contemplate the scenario being played out over and over. 

I love to think about the rich and fulfilling life this couple has shared together because they obviously are very close to each other.

Married couple? Brother and sister? Neighbors?  Not sure.  They are certainly both totally involved in whatever it is they're reading.  Is there a newborn great-grandchild coming to visit?  Is it a loved one coming home from war?

And her knitting.  What a sense of calm that gives off just seeing it sitting on her lap.  What's she making?  A baby blanket? Socks? A shawl? 

There is a heart shaped card board cutout taped to the back of the photo.  A handwritten note says "Exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists". 

I'd love to see one of your favorite pieces of art that you have around the house!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Red Velvet Revisited

You may recall my suggesting earlier that Red Velvet Cake got its original red color from the acid in buttermilk or vinegar reacting with cocoa - not food coloring. I thought for sure I heard that on some food channel. After mixing the two, I found this not to be the case. So, extensive web research lead me to some interesting info. It turns out that the orignal recipe is from the Waldorf-Astoria in New York and was first made in the 1920's. Wow! The orginal or "traditional" recipes have very little food coloring yet make a cake with that rich, burgundy color by using beet puree - yum! We are going to visit my son and his family in Georgia this coming week and I plan to bring the recipes with me to try. I will report back on how that goes! Until then, enjoy the spring thaw if you are in the Midwest

Saturday, February 12, 2011

From Drab To Fab!


This is my Nantucket Basket...at least I think that's what it's called.  It was a basket kit where you could finish the top so I embroidered, on my machine, this old sewing machine and it says "Only God is perfect, our quilts don't need to be".  It just reminds me to lighten up!


This is the inside of my basket.  A pocket for all the necessities: needle, thread, scissors, tea and of course "pin" money! 

Here is the "DRAB".  A purse I sewed out of wool with a "crazy quilt" top.  Cute enough but I just didn't like it.  It didn't "pop" for me.  I bought the kit at the Paducah Quilt Festival 2010.  My dear friend Susan offered to take me with her and her husband Roy to the show.  I didn't think I'd ever get there.  It was a blast!




So....anyway, I got around to putting the mix and match button on the handles and I just wanted to sing.  It was exactly what it needed to go to "Fab".  I use it all the time now because I love it and because my Ipad fits in it!!!!
I must start sewing some more.  Those UFO's I have around!  I don't think I'd have to buy a kit for 2 years and I'd still have kits to put together.  Note to self: Finish exisiting projects!!!!


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Country Fair

 When we moved to Galena 10 years ago I decided to enter things in the County Fair.  It's something I would have probably enjoyed doing as a child...like 4H but it just wasn't meant to be at the time.

I attended a hat making class at a museum in Freeport, IL.  This is where I made my first bonnet. Pre Civil War bonnet and you can tell by how deep the crown is.  You cannot see left or right unless you move your head in that direction.  Modesty was everything!

We used materials from the lady giving the class and buckram.  It is a hard, sand paper like foundation for these hats. I liked this striped fabric because it is satin and has a nice shine.  It was quite fun but my fingers were sore by the end of the day!

On the picture above you can see the little rosette I patterened after a bonnet they were displaying at the museum.

Now comes the interesting part.  I had to choose feathers and a ribbon for my hat.  I was instructed to pick something that purposely didn't match because in those days people used what they had and they did not give a lot of consideration to what went with what.  Same for the feathers.  My instructor was very proud of my creation.  The underside is gathered satin.

I entered this in the County Fair - so proud was I!  You can imagine how I felt when I read the judges comments.  I did win a blue ribbon which was worth $1 but she actually said "You should have used a ribbon and feathers that matched better".  WHAT??????!!!!  That is all I'm going to say because I do not want her job.

We used to dress
up more because this is Galena after all and everyone has a civil war outfit but since I finished this hat we haven't been dressing up so unfortunately I haven't worn it out.  Actually it would be in the wrong period.  In any case, it was fun and the guests enjoy seeing it!

Enjoy

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Basil Pesto


This is our private kitchen at the Inn.  Also, I'm wearing
my first home spun and knitted Alpaca skirt from
local Alpacas.  Seems like everyone in Galena
has Alpacas these days!
 Speaking of Parsley, I have also had great success, outdoors, with Basil.  I haven't tried growing it indoors but it seems this plant likes a lot of sunshine and my windows only get late afternoon sun.

All summer I can clip away at my wonderful potted specimen and use it fresh to make many things but most of all Basil Pesto.  Here's the recipe I use most often but I usually end up adding all kinds of strange things in pinches and dashes.

Basil Pesto
4 cups loosely packed basil leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, halved
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted or not
1/2 cup olive oil (or however much you need to get the consistency you are looking for)

Place the basil, cheese, garlic and salt into a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add nuts; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a stead steam.

That's it!  In the fall I harvest the rest of the Basil and make one huge batch of Basil Pesto, freeze it in ice cube trays, place about 6 cubes each in a freezer bags and when I need it I just pull it out to thaw...all winter long! 

Ways to use your Pesto
Toss with pasta or roasted vegetables
Spread on toasted baguette slices
Blend with mayo for a sandwich spread
Mix into mashed potatoes, meat loaf, casseroles or salads
Coat your favorite meat or fish with it, dip into bread crumbs and pan fry
Stuff pesto into chicken breasts, steak or burgers

This is a "Guilt Blog". I kept thinking of how I used a BOX MIX to make red velvet cupcakes and thought that's not quite where I wanted to go with the Lost Art of Domesticity.  So, I had to reign myself back in!  No more boxed cake mixes...I promise...except the occasional pineapple upside down cake mix, that is just too wonderful!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Andreas in Kenosha WI

 Every time I go to visit my Mom I just love taking her to "Andreas" in Kenosha.  It's a store/Cafe and it's as quaint as can be.  Better be there by 11am because they fill up!

My sister Joanne and her daughter Rachael joined us on this day.  After eating a fabulous chicken salad sandwich, burger or salad we get to shop in the store.  Lots of unique gift ideas and terrific chocolate covered pretzels.

This last visit they had "FRESH RED VELVET CUPCAKES".  They were so delicious.  See the picture below.  I've been craving them ever since!

I went to "Cooking Something Up" in Dubuque Iowa today (http://www.cookingsomething.com/) and found a red velvet cupcake mix by "Barefoot Contessa".  It was $15 for what will be 10 cupcakes.  They are cooling on my stove and smell so wonderful RIGHT NOW! 

I could have started from scratch but this was just so much easier!  When I retire I will have to make some for the coffee/tea shop downtown Galena.  Come visit and I'll make you some!

 The Cafe inside of Andrea's is called Jack's Cafe.  Cute as a button it is.



Thursday, February 3, 2011

Parlsey, Lavender & Fiber Milling

I am so jealous...Bernadine has her Parsley plant in the house and it is thriving! I love Parsley...use it in a lot of cooking like lasagna, marinated mushrooms, chicken stuffing.. and am going to have to try it in the house next year. I brought Aloe and Lavender plants in this year - Aloe doing great but over watered the Lavender...died right before my eyes..boo-hoo! But there are two more out there, under five feet of drifted snow from our recent blizzard and I look forward to making sachets to protect all my natural animal fibers. We have some Alpaca fiber and recently got some Llama fiber that I'm taking over to the Illinois Wool and Fiber Mill to have cleaned and carded and ready for spinning. Plan to make a car coat out of it - I'll be pretty toasty next year in that!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Tea In Grandmothers Garden Quilt


Me and my hexagons & box!
The crocheted throw with lace trim was made by Mom!
  I'm embarassed to say how long ago I started this project.  It's been untouched for most of that time but it's now time to tackle it again.

I purchased a hexagon paper piecing kit from Jo Quilter in Bellevue.  The little box contained all the stuff you need to do this quilt "on the go" including an old soap box with a circle cut out of the top of it so you have a place to put your garbage!  It included a tiny pin cusion hot glued to the inside of the lid with pins and needles in it, a pair of small scissions, scrap squares of cotton fabrics to begin with tied neatly with a rafia bow and 1 1/2"  white card stock hexagons to paper piece with. I added Thread Heaven to the box...and ended up making my own box, of course. It's a wood box from Hobby Lobby.


This takes forever but it's really quite relaxing!
I'm thinking of changed all the centers to a darker color.  What do you think?


I used all scraps except the fussy cut ladies - in the garden! 
You can see the hexagon with the tea pot. There are berries
in my garden, birds, butterflies, and thanks to Dawn - a peacock!