Amy says it's time for a new post.

I've had a real itch lately to expand my crafting foundations to include sewing. I crochet off and on, and I sort of knit. I have also experimented with beading/jewelry (years ago) and making stuff from felt. Sewing is the one needlecraft I've always sort of stayed away from. I guess it's partly because, um, I don't have a sewing machine. But my mom has a great one and I actually know how to use it. I did some patchwork crafts as a young teenager, but the only thing I've made from a real pattern was a giant pair of red and white polka dot boxer shorts in 8th grade Home Ec. It's time to get to work.

I bought these:



The projects in these two books are pretty basic and kind of similar, but I think they'll give me some good practice in the foundations. If you get a lopsided kitchen apron or a too-small tote bag from me for X-mas, just try to keep in mind that I worked hard on it and it's been a learning experience. You can always throw it away when I'm not looking...

PS-- In my 'dream house' I would have a dedicated room for all my crafty messes. Kind of like my very talented artist husband has his studio (albeit, a small one). Virginia Woolf was right. For now, I just have baskets, bags, totes, and boxes strewn about our living room and guest room/office/someday baby's room. They overflow with yarn and books about knitting and crochet, with hooks and needles poking out here and there. Oh, my dream house would also have a professional organizer to come in and make it all pretty and accessible. Yes.

My mama's peach ginger ice cream topping

3-4 ripe peaches, diced
1/2 inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced (or leave it whole and take it out before serving)
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 C. dry sherry

Put all ingredients in a small saucepan and cook until sugar is dissolved and mixture is thickened. Serve over vanilla ice cream. Savor the last few days of summer.

My version of the Northstar Chicken Basil Burrito

So, I had some chopped, poached chicken in my fridge and was craving something with basil. Here goes:

1 C. cooked brown rice, warm
about 1 C. chopped, cooked chicken, warmed
4-6 med. tortillas
12-16 fresh basil leaves
Spicy Peanut Sauce:
1/4 C. creamy peanut butter
2 Tbsp. shiracha hot chili sauce *optional
2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 clove garlic
1 Tbsp. mango chutney or apricot preserves
Blend sauce in blender. It will be thick. If you want it thinner, add a little water and/or soy to taste. Pour half the peanut sauce over the chicken. Use the rest for dipping.

On each tortilla, lay down a large spoonful of rice, a scoop of saucy chicken, and some basil leaves. Make into scrumptious burritos. Eat and enjoy. I'd bet you could substitute the chicken with tofu and it would still be yummy.

p.s.-- all measurements are approximate.

The Wheels on the Bus...

So, the school year is upon us. My husband is just days away from starting his very first year as an art teacher. Yaay! I'm not working in a school any more, so this will actually be the first time I don't have to change my schedule for the school year in, I think, six years. Wow.

Still, I have a certain amount of excitement and nostalgia for the renewed promise of a new school year. I can seen the small changes happening in my neighborhood as people prepare for the first few days back. During my high school years, especially, those last few weeks before school started were filled not only with late night adventures and last glimpses of summertime, but also with band camps (yes, I know, I went to band camp), sports practice, and a chance to regroup with old friends and make new friends. I sometimes wish we could all escape from the drudgery of everyday work/life for a couple months in the summer. It would keep things fresh.

I think it's only fitting that I include the following snippets, which, in a roundabout way, say something about the Back-to-School frenzy. These are short videos taken at the Columbus Motor Speedway , filmed (poorly) by me last Saturday, August 18, 2007. I try to go to the races at least once a year with my dad. On this particular night, the feature race (in addition to what can be generally described as a less-sophisticated,Nascar-style racing) was Figure 8 School Bus Racing. Yes, school buses racing around a figure-eight track. My brother and I can be heard cracking up on the film. It's much more entertaining in person, but you'll get the general idea: