Things & Stuff
I just got a new shipment of Japanese craft books from YesAsia. I’m so excited! Though now that I’ve figured out Japanese sewing patterns, I’m already shopping for new clothing books…
This one is all about softies. I don’t think I knew that when I ordered it, but they’re all incredibly cute! (ISBN4056041792)
This one has lots of embroidery ideas. Cute stuff. (ISBN4529042049)
And this one…it’s all about paper crafting. My favorite. (ISBN4579209478)
We didn’t get to go camping this weekend after all. It stormed and stormed, with softball-size hail and winds at 70 miles per hour. For three nights straight. So, no camping, but we did enjoy a few meals together and some time by the pool. Thanks to all of you for your great meal ideas…we will use them at some point in the future!
Today I made this sweet blouse using one of my Japanese patterns and two thrifted pillowcases. I love the fabric, and since it’s old and worn-in, it’s super soft and comfortable. It was a little difficult to decipher the pattern and instructions, since it’s all in Japanese, but I eventually figured it out. I did learn a valuable lesson, though…Japanese patterns are tiny! I used the largest size, and it fits me perfectly. Next time I’ll add in seam allowance, since I don’t think it’s included on the pattern, and I had to make teeny tiny seams so it would fit.
I’m so in love with this shirt! I’ve been flipping through the books to find my next project…
Because I fail to understand that half a cantaloupe is a bit larger than one serving. Once the melons are in season and juicy-sweet, I gobble them up, half a melon at a time, and usually pay for it later. When will I learn?
I wasn’t able to get a good photo of my lovely mail, so you’ll have to visit here to see what I got. We ordered this fabulous poster, and even the package was lovely! It came with a few pretty recycled-paper tags as a gift. I love buying from small designers. It just feels good.
Justin sent me this link for some new Mac ads…I love them! They have that guy from Dodgeball, and they’re just so casually funny.
So now is your chance to comment, internets, because I’m looking for ideas. We’re going camping this weekend, and I’m trying to round up yummy, camp-friendly foods. What do you guys take with you when you camp? When I was little we had boiled eggs and Vienna sausages, white bread and grape soda. I used to love being out on the lake in my dad’s boat, eating a hard-boiled egg with salt, feeling the boat rocking a little, watching the end of my fishing line, which never seemed to bob…back then my mom would fry up the fish that we’d caught that day for dinner. And every so often my dad would make ceviche. Okay! Back to camping! We’re having hot dogs and marshmallows for sure, but I don’t want to worry about refrigeration much the second day. Ideas?
Talk about a food jag! I am all about sandwiches these days. I’ve been enjoying variations on the tomato-avocado theme, this time with garlic-thyme bread (oh, how I love Whole Foods). Saturday I had an egg salad sandwich from Thundercloud Subs (I swear, they make the best egg salad), and yesterday I scarfed a Whole Foods sandwich with roast turkey, brie, fig spread, and mixed greens on baguette. I don’t see the sandwich going away any time soon, either. Is it because it’s so hot outside? Because it’s so quick and easy? Oh well, it works.
This weekend was a crazy one…Justin and his pal Bud participated in a 48-hour film-making event , much like the horror flick one they did last year. This year they were handed a CD with a random song, then given two days to create a music video for it. They ended up with a 60s psychedelic unknown song called “Lucifer” by The Salt. I have to say, by the end of the weekend, I actually liked the song, and the video is so cute! Once it’s available online, I’ll share the link with you all.
Justin’s been traveling back and forth to Waco to for some Baylor advertising work, but today he returns to me for good. With my camera. That he lost. And someone found and turned in. It’ll be nice to have the camera around again, so I can show you the AMAZING mail I got today.
Is anyone else out there waiting on the edge of your seat for Sally to post the details about her son’s birthday party? Jeez, that woman can create. She always has the most amazing photos of the most gorgeous crafts, and she focuses on my favorite medium…paper.
Is it hot where you are, blogworld? Today I think we hit 90, and thus starts the long, hot Austin summer. We’re going camping this weekend, so hopefully it’s not dreadfully hot, but warm enough to make you want to jump in the river.
Am I rambling? What am I talking about? I’ll leave you with some fun things.
I like this.
And this place.
I want to eat this.
Unlike most of the nine-to-five world, my weekend is actually Thursday and Friday. So this morning, I’m smack-dab in the middle of it. It’s been a wonderful weekend, with much laying about and reading good books and eating wonderful food.
A few things I’ve been munching on:
Toasted Almonds
Blanch a few cups of raw whole almonds in boiling water for about a minute. Drain, then rub them together and pop the skins off. Dry on a tea towel, then spread out on a cookie sheet (lined with foil if you want to make it easy to clean up). Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and toss well to coat all the almonds. Bake at 350Ëš for about 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until you start to hear the almonds popping and they’re a gorgeous golden color. Spread them out on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. (These are so good while they’re still warm.)
Tomato-Avocado Sandwich
Mash half an avocado with a bit of salt. Spread on two slices of good bread (I used smoked-gouda and roasted red pepper bread from Whole Foods), and top with a few slices of ripe tomato. Drizzle with a bit of balsamic vinegar, and top with the other slice of avocado-smeared bread. Use the leftover avocado for another sandwich, as you’ll surely want one.
Simple Buttered Pasta
Cook some angel hair (or your favorite pasta) until al dente; drain. Toss with a bit of butter (just a bit!), salt, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkling of freshly grated nutmeg.
I’ve also been snacking on medjool dates and green grapes, wonderful chocolates that my sister sent me, and Goodflow freshly squeezed orange juice.
Sometimes I get so caught up in finding new recipes to try (I can’t make black beans! I’ve already blogged black beans!) that I forget how wonderful the simplest things can be. I think the rest of my day will be spent reading, maybe crafting, possibly baking biscotti, and generally enjoying this cloudy, soon-to-be-rainy day. Hope your weekend is peachy as well!