Adventures in Fabric...

Several months ago, I decided to go on a trip to the store to start brainstorming wedding colors. Because, while we have nothing but time, I was excited, and hey, why not?

So, I got several 1/8 yard pieces of fabric. All in greens and yellows. (Because green is my favorite color, and yellow both looks nice with it and is very springy.)

In the process, I stumbled across the fabric shown, kind of shown, below. (You might recognize it from the centerpiece ideas...) At any rate. I fell hard for this fabric, and when B's mom and my mom saw it, they both approved. B's mom asked me, "Can we make something for the humans to wear with it?" And the decision was made. Humans will wear the pistachio brocade.

The fabric is not available for purchase online. It's also seasonal, going to be discontinued, and there are eight yards or less at each store that has any in stock in a 55 mile radius. (Yikes!)

So, we went on a quest, B's mom and I. (In real life, I refer to her as my future-C-in-law because B doesn't call her mom, he calls her by her first name. Henceforth: FCIL.)

Before heading to the cutting counter where they were holding the fabric I needed, we decided to find a lining. Leave it to me. Not only did I choose an impossibile to find in large enough sections pieces fabric, I also managed to pick the ONLY fabric in the universe that does not have a matching piece of lining (or a compliment in its print, or a matching satin, velvet, spandex, cotton...). NOTHING. Nothing in that store matched this fabric. NOTHING. And what makes it worse, is that it almost matches almost every green and every yellow and every peachy gold. Almost. Not close enough or far enough to pair it though. Woops. (Also, when the fabric is horizontal it looks one way, and when it's vertical it looks different. In other words, I couldn't have picked a more difficult or irritating fabric.

Thankfully, we did manage to find some thread. Two spools. Total. (Because I chose the most difficult fabric ever. At least it's pretty, right?) Also, the store had enough fabric in stock that we'll be able to make self-facing wraps and sashes. (Huzzah!)

(The fabric, which, is also impossible to photograph.)

Faux Florals...a quest.

So, round one of attempts at making centerpieces was not 100% successful.

The issues being 1. Too dark, and 2. Not enough white. Also, my major concern is that the green flowers don't really match the green of the dresses I'm trying to force on my BMs.

Here are a few angles.























On Sunday, while I was between church and a movie with my horror ladies (that IS a term borne out of love), I got some more white flowers, and some lighter daffodils.





While I am still working my way toward the correct balance, I am not where near convinced I have a solid plan yet. (Which is okay, I still have over a year!)

I am a CHILD

No, seriously.
Case in point:
Last night roommate D went out. So, I vandalized his room. That's the Hoff on the back of his door, a giant stuffed creature in his bed, Crime Scene Tape, and last, but not least, Ben's Gorilla mask.

Rainy Days and Mondays

THE CARPENTERS! Right? Right.
It's pouring in Boston, my clothes are wet, and I am coming off of a lovely weekend filled with people I love and things I like to do that aren't giant spreadsheets that apply to math books.
As you can imagine, my mood has not been 100% great this morning (also, daylight savings time really messes with me for more than a day). I am exhausted.
Imagine my delight though, when B emailed me and said his work was slow. Okay, I'm not delighted that his borderline bored over there. But, I (mostly jokingly) told him if he was looking for things to do, he could research a photographer for the wedding. Here's the surprise: he agreed to do it!
This is not to say I didn't think he'd be willing to help (he's super like that), but after the morning I've been wading through (spreadsheets in unreal quantity), I am overjoyed.
In conclusion, the day may get me down, but it can't KEEP me down.

Morris = My little helper

Yes. He enjoys the finer things in life. Sleeping, lounging, butter.
Most cooking scenarios in my kitchen end up with some iteration of this scene. I laugh every time.

Do you have a special kitchen helper?

Pretty sure I NEED these in my wedding colors.

Cute, right?

Turkey Burger Soup.

Most nights when I cook, we each have maybe one plate or one bowl full of dinner. (Okay, B and D eat one; I eat one plus one or two extra servings of bread, noodles, rice, etc. I like carbs.) However, when I make this soup (always a little different, and you'll see why), it pretty much evaporates. (Be aware, this is not a particularly low fat recipe, but you can substitute here and there to make it healthier.)

Here is the how to:

You will need: ground turkey, chicken/beef/veggie broth, potatoes, flour, milk, cheese (whatever kind you like on a cheeseburger), onions (or onion powder), ricotta cheese, brown mustard, pepper, garlic (or garlic powder), parsley, rosemary, and Worcestershire sauce.

First, you're going to need to cut some potatoes. I like them to be the size of home fries, and I leave the skins on. (If you have leftover cooked potatoes, you can use those. This recipe was actually borne out of leftover home fries.)



Next, throw said cut potatoes into a pot of boiling broth that JUST COVERS the potatoes and cook them until they’re almost soft. (If you’re using leftovers, put them in hot water and simmer until they’re hot all the way through…maybe eight minutes? Bigger pieces stay cold in the middle for a while if they’ve been in the fridge.)



While your potatoes are taking their bath, brown some ground turkey in a frying pan. (I was in a butter mood, so tonight I used about a tablespoon of butter instead of spray or oil.) Once it’s browned, put the meaty goodness into the potato and broth. (Add a little water/broth if the meat isn’t in the water.)

(Mmm…delicious melty butter.)

Don’t do set aside your frying pan; don’t even turn off the heat. Instead, put in your onions (strips, cubes, or whatever iteration suits your fancy)…yes, directly into whatever meat fat is still in there (as I said: not low in fat). Sometimes, I also add celery. Cook whatever veggies you’re using until they’re soft, and then, throw those in the potato and broth, and meat pan.

Now, you’re definitely going to need a little butter or margarine. Melt about a tablespoon in the pan (yes, you’re still using your frying pan here). Once it’s melted, throw in some flour and mix it until there are no lumps, then slowly add in about ¾ of a cup of milk (if you’ve never done this, I suggest heating the milk before you add it).
Keep stirring and stirring. It should smooth out and thicken up (be careful not to burn it…) It should end up looking like this consistency. (There are also veggies in there in this picture. I don’t recommend leaving them in for this step. Whoops!)



Once the butter, flour, milk is nice and thick, slowly stir it into the rest of your soup. Stir in the ricotta cheese, several slices or handfuls of whatever other cheese you’ve chosen (the pictures are of provolone. I also really like cheddar and mozzarella. I do not care for Swiss, I think the flavor gets lost), and keep stirring. This mixture should NEVER boil. It should just simmer. (For the cheese to mix in properly, you’ll want to let it simmer for at least two or three minutes.) While you’re making sure that the cheese is mixing in, you want to add in all those spices, herbs, etc. For the most part, I let my taste in burger lead the spices. For a spicier concoction B likes to add hot sauce, I like it more on the mild side.

(Here is tonight’s pan of soup simmering away.)



Ultimately, the soup is a little beige looking, but the taste is hearty. It’s great for a cold day with snow, slush, rain.