Mrs. Fiore

I got married!!

In case you've been wondering where all the blog posts have been (and most of you know), I've been preparing for our big day. The wedding workshop was in full force, and I'll parse out all the crafty details soon.

But for now, this is my favorite photo so far. Our photographer has such a creative eye, I can't wait to see the rest of them!

Until then, you can see the rest of the preview here.

It's OK if you want to call me Mrs. Fiore :) I'm so proud to be your wife, D!

The Greatest Idea of All Time

I saw this in this month's Everyday Food magazine and had to make it immediately.

You could probably cut your bell pepper ring a little thicker and add cheese or veggies or another egg. And it fits perfectly on an English muffin or toast!

*high kick* Awesome idea....now, why didn't I think of this?

Oh, Yes I Did Just Make Crackers

I've been having a streak of bees in my bonnet. Every day it's been something different.

Today's bee: making crackers (of all things). Took ~20 minutes start-to-finish and I was able to make it in my tiny Cuisinart food processor. Bonus!



I made them with Parmesan, but maybe bleu or Gorgonzola would be good too!

If you're on a diet, don't make these. Yes, I'm on a wedding-dress diet, but I'm putting them away RIGHT NOW. Promise!

Recipe found here. Enjoy!

Hawk's Map Quilt

I finished the map quilt and I love the way it turned out. Maybe one of my all-time favorites!




It was made for my friend Lisa's baby, Hawk (that's only his name until his real name is revealed once he's born).

My favorite part is the neighborhood above Little Italy in NYC. Here, they call it "Norita." I love it.


p.s. The idea was totally snatched from this website - I couldn't help it, it was too great an idea!

The Greatest Idea of All Time

OMG
(I don't think I've ever said that, but I feel it appropriate at this moment.)

Look. At. This. (found here)

Is this not the greatest baby shower favor you have ever seen in your entire life? How up my alley is this? Blog-readers (all 11 of you), next baby shower I throw, I'm using this idea. So please act surprised.

Should you decide to run with this idea too, here is my go-to/fail-proof/easy-peasy recipe (I omit the sugar).

*high kicks* ALL DAY for this idea. I love it!!

Yogurt Factory

I have been making one batch of yogurt after another - I can't stop!

I started getting a bit daring ... you know, doing crazy stuff like putting them in individual jars. I even added a little homemade jam to the bottom of a couple of them. And currently, I'm "thickening" one of them with some paper towels (like this). We got a reckless homemaker on our hands!


And the granola factory is also still in business...

Lotta Love

Another important item of business while in NY was to finally visit Lotta Jansdotter's studio in Brooklyn.

If I had a studio, I would want it to look just like hers - bright, open, airy, inspiring. It was awesome.

I bought these scraps to do I-have-no-idea-what with. But I'll come up with something.

Map Quilt

While I was in NY last week, one important item of business was to hit up Muji for these:



Because I MUST make this (the one on the bottom). And since I have 14 (yes, 14!) pregnant coworkers/friends (most having boys), this little blankie should not have any problems finding a home.

Giada is My New BFF

I received Giada's new cookbook as a shower gift, and I was instantly obsessed (Aunt Celeste, you know us too well).

The first thing I made was the Pasta Ponza, which was SO GOOD and so easy (or, as my dad would say, "really terriffic")! I recommend you make this for dinner tonight!

And I made these Pea Pesto Crostini for a mid-day snack. So fancy, right? Also, delicious & beautiful & easy.

...I might have just had one for breakfast...

I Like to Put Things in Jars (And What?)

I'm going out of town for a few days, so I had some citrus to "deal with" before packing up.

Luckily, we got this fabulous juicer for our wedding (thank you D, B, and E!):




I made grapefruit, lemon, and orange juices and stored them in jars. I'd be just as happy to have them in my fridge (for admiring) as I would be to drink them.

*high kick*

Somebunny Loves Me

I came home from work on Easter to find that a little someone had made me a basket of my favorite things... sneaky.


And I do love all these things... Isn't he so thoughtful (the Easter Bunny, I mean, of course)?

A Happy Morning

Starting the day with homemade granola and homemade yogurt (in a jar, no less).

Oh, and skies are clear today. I am happy.

Ginger Beer

My dad taught me how to make this fabulous new concoction: Ginger Beer! (<1% alcohol)


My sister is already going through a 10-step to break the habit.

I didn't actually make the batch in the photo, but I did make "Sara's Immunity Tonic" (I just named it) with carrot, apple, ginger, and lemon and lightly sweetened with agave. It's light and bubbly and kind of amazing.

My dad makes his with his ancient yeast, but I just used bread yeast to be sure I could duplicate it at home. Poor D, he's going to have to deal with a little brewery in the kitchen now... trust me, it will be worth it.

My Love

photo by Charleton Churchill

I seldom post photos of this handsome guy, but this is D, my love.

We had our engagement photos this weekend at the very spot we became engaged. It was so romannical (word credit: Paula Deen) and fun. We got pretty silly at times, but Charleton was great, because he let us be ourselves. It was your typical San Francisco day, I would say - a bit cold, windy, overcast.... but thank goodness the bridge was visible!!

May I recommend a fun, professional photo shoot, even if you're not engaged or getting married? It is too cool.

photo by Charleton Churchill

Way Cooler Polaroids

Look how much way cooler these photos are once I drop them into the polaroid maker.




I will probably do this forever and ever...

*high kick*

Happy Balentime's Day

I had the whole day off to make heart garlands and cupcakes and gift certificates for my Valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day, D. Owl always love you too.

Botched Bag Rescued

Back when the screen printing factory was open (it will reopen soon), I made all those anatomical heart tote bags. But since I'm such a novice, each one turned out a little differently. I made one of them far too light, but I didn't have the heart (pun totally intended) to toss it - and I'm too much a perfectionist to give it away.

And so ... I've embellished it a bit and turned it into something I might actually carry around (or give as a gift).

I was going to make a "pink" and a "blue" side, like a real heart, but I messed up and appliqued the pink fabric on the blue side of the heart. And so both sides just ended up with the same fabric. It's more art than anatomy anyhow.

I love it, I love it, I love it!

Wasabi & Ginger

Remember this quilt top? Well, I actually finished it! (I know, I'm even surprised)


It's somewhere between crib and lap sized and I've backed it with a green with white polka-dotted flannel. Super yummy.



This is the first time I've used the loop-the-loop quilting pattern. I LOVE the way it looks - so crinkly and whimsical. Once I get my new quilting extension table, this will be so much easier!

The patchwork square is 100% composed of scraps that already existed in my scrap bin. It was an exercise in whimsy and spontaneity. Did I succeed? I think so. In fact, everything except the backing was already in my fabric stash. I feel good about it.

Limoncello Update

The limoncello was done after 4 days and resulted in a smooth, refreshing bevvy.

The verdict is still out on the orange/almond liqueur. Too sweet, I think? Maybe a week or two in the fridge will do it right.

All in all, a good little housewarming or holiday gift. Now, if someone has a new home, I have about half a jar left... :)

Reversible Napkins

Sometimes (ok, a lot of times) I get a bee in my bonnet, and this week's "bee" was to make some reversible napkins. Hopped on the bus to Peapod and made me a set.




Instantly, I was drawn to the mustard-on-yellow fabric and had to work with it. Both are Anna Maria Horner fabrics and I need more!

Super easy project for a beginner or a last-minute gift. These measure 17x17.