Breaded, Not Fried

I love to bake, but I do get tired of all the sweets. What? Who am I kidding. I don't get tired of the sweets, but I know it's not good for us to eat so much. So I often branch out to bread. I tried the no knead recipe with good results. I also purchased the Tassajara Bread Book and went through the painstaking process of making it the "real" way with all the rising and punching and rising and kneading and all that.


But, I have found what I think is the "up my alley" bread baking book, perfect for a person like me with a short attention span and a busy life. It's the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. The theory is that you make up a big batch of dough and stick it in the fridge. You can use it for up to a few weeks to make just about anything from regular old bread to cinnamon rolls. So far we made only one loaf and it was not only delicious, but easy and beautiful to look at.

I got the book from the library, and unfortunately I have to return it soon. But before I do, I'm thinking about trying the bagel recipe. Have you ever made bagels from scratch? Is it worth the effort? What are your favorite bread recipes?

101 One Yard Wonders: WONDERFUL!

It happened! I was published! In a real book! One that a real publisher put out, not like a photocopied or "self published" type deal! It was very exciting to be involved and I am just happy no one called and made fun of me for poorly written instructions or changed their minds after they received the finished product. Phew!

Saturday was the book release party down at Crafty Planet, and it was so balmy here I rode my bike. It was packed! People were lining up to buy copies of the book -- I even heard they were out the door for a while! I hadn't yet received my own book yet, so I bum-rushed the front counter with the rest of them and quickly verified that they did, indeed, publish my project -- a kid's growth chart.

The most fun was that I got to meet a bunch of other contributors, all equally stoked about their appearance in print. We all signed each other's books (I ended up just buying one there...never can have too many) and joked about how we planned to write things like "have a great summer" and "don't do anything I wouldn't do" but instead just signed our names and talked about our projects.

I raced home with the book and sticky-noted each project that I plan to make for Christmas gifts. So far they include:
--Obi-inspired hot & cold pack
--Not Ugly Car Trash Bag (more on that another day...already done!!!)
--Checkers to go
--Fabric Dollhouse (will be a barn)
--Festive Flag Banners
--Oven Mitt and Hot Pads

I'm sure I'll try to sneak some more in there, but with moving and all the stuff going on, I'm not sure I'll have time. But, geez, I sure don't have an abundance of money, either, so maybe a desired reduction in fabric stash + money savings will cause me to "find" extra time...hmmm.

This book has a ton of great ideas in it. They range from really easy (the trash bag took me less than 2 hours) to semi-difficult. If you're a beginner sewer, or just pressed for time like me, I think you'll enjoy the book. The ideas are not run-of-the-mill, and there really is a little something in there for everyone. The only thing I noticed is that the kid's clothes section is all for wee girls...sadly little Mr. Pumpkin will just have to make due with a non-clothing wonder. Oh, well!

A Pumpkin Girl's Dream Come True

I have some BIG BIG BIG news! Little miss Pumpkin Girl is going to be in a book called One Yard Wonders, by the talented local duo Trish Hoskins (owner of Crafty Planet)and Rebecca Yaker (designer behind Hazel and Melvin's Room). I'm pinching myself with excitement! The concept of the book is 101 sewing projects that require a yard or less of fabric. I am not only completely humbled and honored that one of my projects was chosen for the book, but I honestly cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of the book so that I can check out all the amazing work by other crafters. I think a few crafty gals I know personally also have designs in the book, so it'll be especially fun to try out their designs!



You can become a Facebook fan of the book and get a sneak peek at some of the projects (check out the adorable little girl's skirt designed by Rebecca) or even enter a contest by the publisher to win a yard of fabric for a year! The book is due out at the end of October, just in time for all that holiday crafting we all say we're going to do and then generally don't get around to. Maybe this year will be different. I think a yard of fabric and this awesome book would make a pretty awesome gift in itself.

It's a real dream come true for me. Now, I just have to try to suspend my disbelief that my project will actually be in there!

Staying Inside, Reading Books

We have been cooped up in the house during the cold snap, but it hasn't kept us down. Tonight, feeling the need for a little comfort food, I made "the boys" a dinner of wa-chos. It's waffle fries, covered in a bag of frozen "tex mex" mix like black beans, corn, and peppers and then slathered in melted cheddar jack cheese. O.MY.GOD. You must try it. It takes 20 minutes to make, it's cheap, and it warms you up!

After dinner, wee one made himself a bed out of his books. He's really into moving things from one place to another and then moving them back. Repeat. For example, he could entertain himself for a good 15 minutes taking his crayons out of the baggie they're in and putting them back. Of course, it helps that I say "KA BOOM!!!" every times he drops one in the bag. It elicits lots of giggles.

I've got a new volunteer opportunity in the works. I'll be knitting up a storm for Bundles of Love. Turns out they make bundles of stuff for babies in need in Minnesota. They have a group that meets near me, so I'm hoping to crank out a few things for their next meeting. If you're interested in joining me for a little knit along, let me know. I'm trying to gauge interest.