Big A’s “little break”
For those of you sick of looking at Banana Crunch Muffins and wondering where I’ve been, I’ll simply state that,
I went to a friend’s house for a few days.
It was GREAT seeing her again,
and I just loved spending time with her husband. Magically, after all these years, it seems they never change.
Their estate is breathtaking and there is so, so much to do!! With glorious weather, scrumptious food, and adventure rides that literally took my breath away (not kidding), it was a most memorable visit.
As we said our farewell bippity boppity boo-hoos, I promised to be back soon.
A happy ending, indeed.
“A”
Albert’s Halloween
Have you met my “friend” Albert? Perhaps he lingered in your neighborhood last weekend, or maybe he paid you just a brief, but memorable, visit. One thing’s for sure, you would have recognized him immediately.
Pretty funny guy, that Albert. He decided to blow through our town last Saturday and dump 12 inches of pure white snow onto our fall landscape. Since the trees hadn’t quite yet lost their foliage, huge branches bent like licorice sticks under the heavy weight of the wet snow, and our beautiful dogwood tree peeled apart like a banana. (buh-bye dogwood tree)
But, oh, that was nothing. You should have seen the power lines snapping and swaying in the gusty breezes (go Albert…go Albert). And the electrical transformer at the top of the pole provided a dazzling display of sparks and flashes that easily rivaled any July 4th fireworks extravaganza. Beautiful, really.
When all was said and done, we had to leave our home for 8 days. Yep, 8…traveling like vagabonds (with our little dog, Buddy) from hotel, to hotel, to friends, to family…waiting, wishing, hoping. UNTIL, yesterday, when the men-of-men came along in their cherry pickers, wearing their hard hats, showing no fear of those live dancing wires. Heroes, each and every one.
So, Halloween 2011 came and went. No little trick-or-treaters. No huge personalized jack-o-lantern cookies that I had prepared to bake. And no more dogwood tree.
Just a wacky winter storm…that they call Albert.
“A”
Mother’s Day – Our 2nd Anniversary
Last Sunday, little a and I spent a glorious day at the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, Ct., celebrating the second anniversary of Big A, Little A! This flea market is huge and chock-full of vendors with antiques, collectibles, plants, flowers, foods, etc., and last week it was totally bursting with shoppers. A mad house, really, but oh so much fun!!
As I browse, I’m distracted by the endless objects that transport me back to my childhood and make me wish that I had saved everything. (Sweet nostalgia.) But, as I peruse the aisles, I pay closest attention to little handmade trinkets and sparkling crystal jewelry. This year, I was thrilled to find two crocheted hot pads. Here’s the first:
I just love the pattern, and I wish I could replicate it. I can easily figure out the double-crochets, but that “bobble” down the middle is a bit perplexing.
This next one was crocheted in colors that I wouldn’t select for myself, but I thought I should pay homage to its creator and buy it anyway -
Sweet, huh? Here’s the back:
Next, I found some of the coolest little vintage crochet books…this one is dated 1917!!
Take a look at some of the projects inside: (did they really crochet little bowls for nuts??)
Check out these pretty bags!
I just loved these books on edgings for handkerchiefs:
LOVE the pink one in the center (it’s S-22)!!
Am I REALLY going to make handkerchiefs? Uhhhhh…..highly unlikely, but that didn’t stop me from buying this one, too:
Now, this is the best. It is a book of knitted and crocheted ties, dated 1921. I’m guessing that either men’s ties were not too easy to come by back then (or they were way too expensive), or some women just had a little too much time on their hands. In any respect, I can only hope that the men for whom these ties were crafted showed their genuine appreciation by lavishing their ladies with diamonds. (let’s just say that’s what my husband would have needed to do if he expected to sport one of these!)
If you’re feeling ambitious, this one is crocheted:
This one is knitted:
And there you have it…my purchases of the day.
Little a, however, scored big-time with one extraordinary purchase. My initial reaction was, WHAT??, but I admit that I supported the purchase and helped lug it to the car while onlookers stared in confusion. She has promised me that she will photograph it and share it with you, so I’ll say nothing more.
Nope. Not a word!
“A”
Stitches East – the Mother Bear Project
I was totally looking forward to attending the Stitches East Knitting Expo at the Connecticut Convention Center last Saturday, and I was thrilled to be there!
Aisle after aisle of vendors with booths chock full of yarns, patterns, books and hand-knit samples. The hottest, trendiest hand-knitted garment? Hands down, the shawl. Almost every vendor offered a custom pattern, kit, and sparkling sample of the most beautiful shawls…some that just barely covered the shoulders and others that cascaded to the waist. And, for a sparkle-loving girl like me, I was thrilled to see that so many of them were knitted with yarns that glistened with tiny sequins and bright, shiny threads! Sweeeeeeet. Lots of hand-dyed yarns and sock yarns, too!
I was hoping to come away with bags full of yarn and glowing holiday inspiration, but it didn’t happen. I can’t explain it really. The vendors were very friendly and not-at-all overbearing, but I wasn’t overcome with feelings of “OMG….got to buy that NOW….gonna make a ton of these” (my typical M.O.).
I was, however, deeply and truly inspired when I visited a booth called Mother Bear Project, which displayed a large assortment of adorable hand-knitted and crocheted teddy bears. “The Mother Bear Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children, primarily those affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of hand-knit and crocheted bears.”
I bought a kit which contained a gift tag and the pattern, yarn, and hook to make a crocheted teddy bear. I encourage all of you who knit or crochet to visit the website, purchase the pattern, and get started making the gift that warms the hearts of these beautiful children. Mine is underway and I’ll post it here as soon as it’s done. I think it’s going to be the one on-going project that seriously reduces my stash and gives me the opportunity to make some unique little teddies for a movingly worthwhile cause.
This may not have been the gift-giving holiday inspiration that I was seeking, but it touches my heart and warms my soul in a way that no other project can.
Welcome….my new obsession.
“A”
Scooby Dooby Doo…a kid’s party!
It’s that time of year when daycare closes for the summer and we party with a year-end celebration! This year’s theme was Scooby Doo, one of the kids’ all-time favorite cartoon characters. I was a bit surprised that the cowardly dog, who would rather have a snack than solve a mystery, would remain so wildly popular after 41 years! When the kids began to memorize the lyrics of the theme song, back in October, I knew we had the makings of a great party.
I shopped around for a Wilton Scooby Doo cake pan (after last year’s Rock Star Guitar Cake, I wanted to do it again!) and found this one on Ebay:
I used the Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix and followed the recipe for Wilton’s Buttercream icing, which was perfect for piping stars. (I know his fur is dark and he looks a little bit like Yogi Bear, but I was not about to make another batch of frosting!)
In keeping with the theme, I labeled some dog bowls with the kids’ names and we used them at lunchtime to eat (you got it!) hot dogs!
NO party is complete without a pinata filled with lots of goodies, and I just love the looks on their faces when all that candy comes pouring out at their feet!
It was a happy day and a successful party, for sure. I didn’t bother to share with the kids the fact that, a long time ago, Scooby Doo was a part of my Saturday morning lineup. And when I began to think of just how long ago it actually was, I had myself a Scooby snack, jumped into my Mystery Machine and headed to Marshalls (ruh,roh), where depressing thoughts vanish in the shoe department.
And, “That’s a fact!”
“A”
Stitch N’ Pitch at Citifield
Little A and I are now, officially, in the Guiness Book of World Records. Thank you, thank you. We were thrilled to participate in an event called Stitch N’ Pitch held at the home of our favorite NY Mets. The goal was to set a new world’s record by having the Most People Crochet Simultaneously, and we did so by having 427 people crocheting for 15 minutes at Citifield on June 5! Stitch N’ Pitch is a program of The National NeedleArts Association, and this was the 4th event held here (so how come I didn’t know about 1, 2 & 3??).
SO much fun! Our admission ticket, a mere $19, included a free tote, a skein of cotton yarn (in either blue or orange), and a crochet hook (plastic but, hey, it was free).
Deborah Norville was there to kick-off the event and offer a very quick tutorial to get those non-crocheters started!
And, best of all, we got to see the Mets beat the Marlins. Yeah!!!!!
Those itty bitty white specks on the field are the Mets. ($19 may get you a tote and some yarn, but it won’t get you Field Level) If you look closely, you’ll see Reyes and Wright!
We had such a great day! The weather was NYC perfect (hazy, hot and humid) and the food was a feast…hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, pulled pork, shakes, ice cream, and so much more. (did I mention cannoli??)
I love spending time with little a, I love anything that includes yarn, and I love the Mets. Who could ask for anything more?
“A”
Note: A special thanks to my husband, Rich, for getting us all there on time, and for agreeing to learn how to crochet (chain stitch counts!)…he’s such a good sport, and to Jessica for sharing in our fun :o)
All Aboard the USS Awesome!
I passed a milestone last week. I turned 30.
Most people are horrified when this happens, but, having felt more like a grandmother than a twenty-something for the last decade, I’m really excited. I know, I know — age is just a number. But, as a math geek, numbers are one of the things I put stock in. And how about these numbers? My birthday is on March 2. This year, the numerical date of my birthday was 3-2-10. Read each digit out: “three, two, one, zero”… It’s a countdown!
So, I decided that since my birthday was already a countdown, I would have to countdown to something… I already knew I wanted to have a big party for my birthday with some kind of theme, so I thought I would have a “launch” party – a 3-2-1(-)0 BLAST-OFF! like when they launch a ship. I had conceived and named a fictional ship many years ago (don’t ask why, I don’t know…) — it’s called The USS Awesome. It’s half space ship, half pirate ship, half battle ship, and half cruise ship. And there is only one word to describe it: AWESOME. It’s the kind of ship that deserves an awesome launch party, so, the theme became the USS Awesome. And since I wanted everyone to really feel the theme and have an awesome time, I enlisted a little help from my friends to make some awesome things.
First, we needed an invitation. So, with the help of Corrine and her little toy collection, we made an artist’s rendering of the USS Awesome and a video invitation. We shot everything using the built-in camera on her laptop, and I edited everything and added text using iMovie. When it’s this easy, and everyone does Facebook or eVite invites to everything, why not make a video invitation?
Next, we needed a party favor. Something memorable, something inexpensive, and, of course, something awesome. I think it was Khalil who had this brilliant idea: sailor tattoos! Did you know that you can buy temporary tattoo ink-jet paper, and design and print your own temporary tattoos at home? Well, you can! So, I asked Kendra to draw something up, and then I colored it in, scanned it and printed it out:
Most awesome party favor ever! They were a big hit. I especially liked them because I put them on everyone, and that meant that I got to spend a minute or two with every guest, which never happens at your own party. It also helped identify party guests at the crowded bar we were at, so mingling was made easier. It was awesome listening to people decide where to put it on themselves (necks were the best!!) and, best of all, it made for some awesome pictures. I really wanted some awesome pictures from this night. One thing I learned in my twenties is that if you want to have a good time, drink whiskey; and if you want to remember that good time, take pictures. So, Rebecca (pictured on the right below) and I had a few of the gals help us create a really cool, in-theme Photo-Op for all the guests.
It was so awesome that people at the bar who weren’t a part of the party wanted their picture taken in it, too.
The mission of the USS Awesome is simple: general awesomeness. If things continue to be as awesome as this launch, then we’re right on target for making a big “Mission Accomplished!” banner 10 years from now. It’s too bad my temporary tattoo won’t last that long. But hopefully by then, I’ll have made it a permanent one…
Happy My Birthday, everyone!
.a
Yes, little a baked Christmas cookies too.
I’m not going to lie – baking doesn’t really appeal to me. I love baked goods. Love, love, LOVE to eat them.
Look at those? How could you not love those cookies?
And trust me – they taste just as good as they look. I should know. I ate enough of them in the past few days.
Baking, though, requires a level of accuracy and finesse that I just struggle with. I don’t like to measure things when I cook or use timers. I like it when I can “eyeball” it and “feel” it. You know what happens when you do that with baking? Hockey pucks happen. And no one wants to eat a hockey puck. Even if it’s frosted. So, I don’t bake much.
But every year I look forward to one day of baking – our Annual Christmas Cookie-Baking Marathon. Since as far back as I can remember, Big A, Aunt Linda, cousin Diane, and I have baked Christmas cookies together for an entire day sometime before Christmas. College and a little place I call “Colorado” have kept us apart on this day before, but this year “the storm that never came” gave us a Cookie-Baking Day first: Cookie-Baking Day in separate kitchens. It was a fun day with just Big A, but not the same without Aunt Linda, Diane, and Red Hots…
But traditions must evolve and adapt, as must our cookie tray.
We have some great “traditional” cookies. Every Cookie-Baking Day starts with Spritz. Even though Spritz guns are a pain, the cookies are always worth making. They come out so cute and buttery and, besides, it’s fun to play with sprinkles. I made the ones in the picture, but, we all make a few batches of different Spritz. Big A made her family/favorite childhood recipe Almond Crescents. Over the years, we’ve learned people like this Capuccino Crinkle and some kind of Almond-paste macaroon (this is Martha’s almond macaroon). And the dropped and iced cookie on the top-right is a variation of another family classic, our Italian Christmas Cookie.
The big challenge every year is to find new recipes that are just as good as the old ones. This year, I found two new recipes that we were really happy with: the Apricot-Orange Shortbread Bars, and I really wanted a Cranberry, Pistachio, and White Chocolate Biscotti, so we found a recipe for a good biscotti and modified it. Both went over well, and I think we’ll see them on cookie trays of the future.
These cookies are awesome. The cookie tray always is. You know that if there’s flour, sugar, butter, and Big A involved, you’re not going to be disappointed. And I really tried my best to measure, and time things, so, we only lost one batch and everything was really delicious. But, it’s never about how good the cookies are. It’s about the day, and if you are thinking about starting a tradition with your family for the holidays, I encourage you to try a day in the kitchen together. It’s a day unlike any other. Especially when you pepper in some Beatles Rock Band…
.a
Annual Christmas Cookie-Baking Marathon
Winter Storm Albert may have forced us to modify our tradition, but it couldn’t stop the production of some impressive holiday cookies! Traditionally, we gather at my sister-in-law Linda’s house for an annual 12-hour cookie-baking event. I bring along my KitchenAid, baking pans, recipes, ingredients and enthusiasm and, together, we crank out hundreds of delectable little bites. Some years we fly solo; many years we are blessed to have our daughters and others join in the chaos. But never before had we spent this day apart. The dreaded weather forecast forced us to reevaluate our plans, and we decided to “make lemonade” and bake via teleconference.
Linda was on her own, but I was fortunate to have Little A (who is so creative :o) at my side! We worked from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m, and what a great time we had (we played Beatles Rock Band between batches!). We tried some new recipes and were thrilled with the results.
1) Snowflake cutouts. 2) Butter Crisp spritz. 3) Molasses sugar cookies. 4) Italian Christmas Cookies. 5) Nutella Sandwiches. 6) Almond Macaroons. 7) Cappucino Crinkles. 8) Almond Drop. 9) Cranberry, White Chocolate, Pistachio Biscotti. 10) Almond Crescent Cookies. 11) Apricot-Orange Shortbread Bars.
Where to get the recipes: Snowflake cutouts – check out my earlier post. Butter Crisp Spritz – recipe below. Molasses sugar cookies – this is from allrecipes.com, click here. Italian Christmas Cookies – recipe previously posted. Nutella sandwiches – recipe previously posted. Almond Macaroons – Martha Stewart’s Cookies. Cappucino Crinkles – click here. Almond Drop – recipe below. Cranberry, White Chocolate, Pistachio biscotti – this was Alyssa’s wildly delicious creation. She used the “Pecan Mandelbrot” recipe in Martha Stewart’s Cookies, eliminated the pecans, and tossed in about 1 cup white chips, 1 cup Craisins, and 1/2 cup chopped pistachios. Delish! Almond Crescent Cookies – recipe below. Apricot-Orange Shortbread Bars - Epicurious.
BUTTER CRISP SPRITZ
1 cup butter
3 oz. cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and cream cheese; gradually add sugar and continue beating until blended. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Sift together flour, salt and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture. Fill cookie press, and press cookies onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake 12 – 15 minutes, until set. Remove to wire rack to cool.
ALMOND DROPS
2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar until light. Add oil, eggs and almond. Mix well. Add flour and baking powder. Dough should be soft, but not too sticky. If necessary, sprinkle additional flour sparingly. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 10 – 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely and frost with Confectioner’s frosting.
Confectioners’ Frosting
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup water
Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer, or by hand. Beat until smooth. Dip tops of cookies into frosting. Leave plain or add colored sprinkles. Let dry completely on cooling rack.
ALMOND CRESCENT COOKIES
1 lb. butter, softened
4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 cups lightly toasted and chopped almonds
Mix butter, flour and sugar. Stir in almonds. Roll by hand and form into crescents. Bake at 350 degrees until set. Dip tops of warm cookies into confectionery or fine granulated sugar. Note: this recipe is easily halved.
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Linda and I swapped cookies today, and she totally outdid herself! She added Raspberry Thumbprints, Frosted Cranberry Cookies, Raspberry White Chocolate Bars, the Better Homes and Gardens Spritz cookies, and an Andes Mint cookie that was a free recipe with the candies.
As truly grateful as I was to be in my kitchen sharing this year’s cookie extravaganza with Alyssa, I missed my cherished tradition. If the weather is bad next year, I’ll pack an overnight bag and go…because it’s not easy being Lucy without Ethel.
“A”
You would think I’ve had about enough cookie baking for a season, right? So why am I thinking that I still need a cookie with coconut, and some lemon bars???
“Mustache Pins are THE Stocking Stuffer of the Year”
I had tons of fun at the booth Kait and I shared at Artists & Fleas yesterday! When the lights stayed on, our display and our stuff looked pretty great. When they went out… well, we were in the back corner, so you couldn’t see anything… Kait’s Dad took some pro pics, but here are a few I snapped with the iPhone.
So, we literally used furniture and things from our my apartment to dress up the space. I brought some tins that I keep sewing supplies in to hold merchandise and my picture of a classy chap with a great handlebar mustache (you know, just to keep the table looking classy). From the top left, going clockwise above, you have: Hipster Pins 3 Ways, Crocheted Birds (thanks, Big A!), iPhone cozies, really cute Owl ornaments that Kait made, Kait’s Pot Holder sets, and my Pillow Huggers Pillowcases (shown is a set – both have the girl on one side, the heart on the other, and her arms reaching all the way around on the hem).
I was really pushing the Hipster Pins. There’s the Mustache, the Cheeseburger, and My Cold Black Heart.
And I kept telling people that the Mustache Pin was THE stocking stuffer of the year. I think I declared it so much, that it just might become true (come on, The Secret!). Get your hands on them now, people! Stuff those sequined stocking with something awesome. They went over pretty well amongst both mustached and non-mustached shoppers.
Kait’s aprons also got a lot of attention. People loved her fabrics, and the kids aprons I think might have inspired shoppers to do a little baby-making… They’re just so cute, you want a kid to put in one. And above those, I embroidered some new drawings from Kendra into pieces of wall art.
I’ll be putting what didn’t sell at the market onto Etsy. And hopefully, it won’t land me a spot on Regretsy… PS : Did you see she got a book deal already???
Dear Whoever Goes Around Reading Blogs Giving Out Book Deals,
… Hi!
Sincerely,
Big A and Little A
Anyway, I hope to do Artists and Fleas again soon, and I hope people bring more Mermen to sell.
.a
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