"Did you see my doormat?"

See my new 10-minute doormat? I think I'm the only one who actually steps on it. I made everyone take note of it before entering or exiting our house this weekend.

See Sara Run!

Look at my new table runner! I was inspired by this runner from Pink Chalk Studio (a favorite blog to visit). I went a little more crazy with the machine quilting, but I'm still happy with the results.

It wasn't meant to be Christmassy, and I think in any other season it might not seem so, but it does fit quite well with this holiday decor. I made it with fabrics I already had lying around, so it was essentially a free project....well, not really. My favorite projects are those that seem to come from nothing.

Anyhow, I love it and am excited to keep it locked up in a closet so that nobody spills spaghetti or red wine on it. Just kidding...

Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum

My nephew, Makaio, the little drummer boy. He can thank his uncle Anthony for teaching him everything he knows.

Steve Bunnies

Don't tell Malia and Makaio, but they're getting bunnies for Christmas (among other things)! This is a bunny version of "Steve" the cat pattern from Denyse Schmidt's Quilts book.

I guess I made them into bunnies instead because Makaio sucks his right index and middle fingers, and then with his left hand rubs his right palm with soft blankies, stuffed animals, or even socks (he is too cute, we can hardly stand him). So, I gave him bunny ears to hold onto. Plus, I really wanted to use the goldfish on Makaio's, and if it was a cat, it would look like the cat ate the goldfish... and that wouldn't be good. Malia deserves a little cupcake bunny for herself too...it will match her new room!

They're made of super-soft corduroy with little felt noses. Aren't they such silly little bunnies?

Stone Soup

So, I really intended this to be a craft blog, but it's turning out to be a food blog... or, a "what food is Sara obsessed with now?" blog. In any case, I know I gave my mom a "shout-out" in my last blog entry, but I gotta give her another "Holla!" (she would never Holla back, FYI)

I almost stopped at the grocery store on my way home from school tonight, but then I thought, "Nah, I'll scrounge something up". And scrounge I did. Tonight, we have stone soup for dinner. Ok, not exactly, but I just love it when I put together dinner with things I've already got around the house. A little onion, garlic, celery, potato, yam, and chicken broth...cook it down, blend it up & Voila! Dinner. Always gotta trow a little parm on there for good measure.

I built dinner in the spirit of my mother...She made me resourceful, and for that I am grateful (and well-fed).

Good night, y'alls... it's been a long day.

Hungarian Breakfast Cheesecake

When I was little, my mom was fabulously resourceful (well, she still is). I remember she would make a "breakfast cheesecake" with things we already had in the fridge (that were also probably expired or on their way out). I recreated the cheesecake with fresh ingredients (sorry, Mom) and it is as delicious as I remember...

Anyhow, I was searching the web for a similar recipe because I was just going off my memory, and I actually found something called a "Hungarian Cheesecake" - who knew? My mom, who has Hungarian roots, said her mom used to make it too. So, maybe there is such a thing!

Hungarian Breakfast Cheesecake:

For the crust, take 1 can of biscuits (the kind that poof) and into a pie plate, manipulate & spread the biscuits to make one continuous crust.

For the filling, mix together 2 cups cottage cheese, 1 small can crushed pineapple (drained), 4 eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, about 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a dash of nutmeg.

Pour the filling into the crust, bake at 450 for 10 minutes, and then at 350 for an additional 35-45 minutes. Peek in on it - cover the crust with foil if it gets too dark. It's done when the center barely jiggles - it's OK if it cracks a little. Cool & serve chilled.

* You can puree your cottage cheese to make a smoother consistency. And I threw about 1/4 cup pumpkin puree in there as well. Maybe next time, I will add a little flour (maybe 2-3 T) to make it more solid.

Anyhow, it's delicious, pretty healthy, fast, and apparently traditional!

Got Scurvy?

[Insert Pachelbel's Canon here] My name is Sara, and I'm a grapefruitaholic.

The time comes once a year, when I buy grapefruit by the boxfuls. The other months of the year, I'm a hater. Don't worry, like all the others, this food phase will probably come to an end. But for now, I'm exceeding my vitamin C requirement.... and yours.

"Gentle garden, I have little more grown up..."

See my little patio flower & herb garden? It is so gentle.

(And I haven't had to water it once with all the rain! Bonus!)

p.s. The title is atop some Engrish stationery I have... so silly.

Turkey Reincarnation

Turkeys become enchiladas after thanksgiving 'round theses parts.  This is my very favorite enchilada recipe, from my Chevy's cookbook.  Sometimes I call them "The 10-Hour Enchiladas," but that's not really true... Use a Costco roasted chicken and save yourself some time.

No Need to Knead

They say, "Man cannot live on bread alone" (I think even Shakira says it in La Tortura) ...but, BOY, I sure could! Just slap a little butter on there and I am a happy girl.

I found this no-knead recipe that produces this AWESOME, easy specimen of a loaf. Crispy on the outside, scrumptiously spongy on the inside. This is just the beginning for me - I see olive loaves, baguettes, and rolls in my future! I'm telling you, anyone can make this bread - and everyone should.

If you need the recipe, just give a holler.

Fabricaholic

Have you seen this fabric website? ReproDepot.com

It's one of the internet places I *heart* most. My favorites are the Amy Butler & Heather Ross fabrics...and, well, you know what I think of Denyse Schmidt. The problem is coming up with things to make with the fabrics I love.

*sigh*

One day, when I am finally good at my job, and am out of school, and have a huge organized craft room, I will have the time to dedicate to purpose some of this fabric....

Have a Kosher Day

I made spicy dill pickles!! (that is, of course, because I had nothing better to do) Or maye I should call them "A Yitto Bit 'Picy Pickles," in honor of Malia, my niece...

I was inspired by a cucumber liquidation at the Marin farmer's market (which rules, by the way). I used an easy, no-cook recipe from Epicurious.com that got rave reviews from users. They turned out delicious! The ones I cut in 1/2 were tastier than those I left whole. I think I'll need to let the whole pickles marinate a yitto bit longer.

I think you could probably just shove cucumbers into any old pickle juice... Try it!

And thank you my great friend, Jenelle, for supplying me with this fabulous vintage jar! Can you even stand how cute it is??

Next up is my pickled green beans... to garnish bloody marys with - yummmmmm.

Welcome!

Today is my first blog, are you proud?

Are you ready to find out all the things I've been up to? The products of my manic homemaking moments? Well, sit back, tune in frequently, and you'll see just what I've been up to...

Here's my most recent craft, from the Denyse Schmidt Quilts book.

A few months ago, my car was broken into, and all the contents of my glove box and trunk were stolen, including my ipod, gym bag, swim gear, and most importantly, a nearly complete queen-size Denyse Schmidt quilt I had worked very hard on. So, this little oven mitt is me "getting back on" that quilting horse. Baby steps, Sara.