3 Whole days

This is my 3rd consecutive day off.
And I am really enjoying it!

Sunday and Monday were my usual days but
today means business. I will be drawing and
making watercolor cards all day.
If my gocco supplies arrives it will be a printing day too.
(which I hope that it is)

I am living in constant fear that I won't have enough
items for this craft show. and that it will looks like
a cluster of random things.
If you know me, that's kind of how my life is normally
so I am not suprise by the collection of whatevers, but I don't
know if people will be put off by the non-uniformity of it all.
sorry. I'm a worrier - I won't be as neurotic next time.

Goodness enough about that.

Yesterday was awesome.
The bf and I ventured back to Spa Castle
in Flushing. It is definitely the most relaxing place
in the entire city.














I know that I had posted about it the last time
I was there but I figured that I'd gush about it again.












We spent time in the gender specific locker areas
(where you have to be naked and it feels good to be),
the rooftop pool, the may different saunas, and of course
had a cheeseburger and smoothie.
There was even a point where we laid in these
huge comfy recliners and I passed out cold.















So relaxing. We could barely do anything else
for the rest of the day!
It was definitely a treat, and who would ever
know that this is just 45 minutes away??

If you have a day off and $35 to spare.
definitely check it out.

Pancake Connoisseur

I consider myself to be one.
I've eaten lots of them.
Tried many different recipes.















and I will say that they have vastly
improved since I gave up the Bisquik mix
and went to making them from scratch.

I always use butter, never use oil,
use the least amount of sugar possible,
and when I do use it it is always turbinado
or cane....none of that white stuff.

You'd be surprised at how different pancakes turn out
with tiny changes.















I'm rambling.
ANYWAY!
My point is that I am currently making
my latest favorite recipe.
So I figured that I'd share both of my favs
with you, my lovely readers. : ]

This is for Banana/PB Whole Wheat Pancakes
2/3 c. unbleached flour
1/3 c. whole wheat flour
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
2/3 c. milk
2 tbsp. butter, melted (optional)
1 banana
a crapload of peanut butter

Mix together dry ingredients, add egg,
milk and butter. whisk til perfect batter consistency forms.

Add in either mashed or chopped bananas
(or any fruit of your choice)
and of course the PB is optional.

Toss small amount onto a heavily buttered skillet
and fry to your hearts content.


Seriously they are awesome.
Next is what I am making now.

Buttermilk Pancakes.

1 cup of Unbleached All Purpose flour
1 cup Whole Wheat flour
1/4 cup of turbinado or cane sugar
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 cups Buttermilk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted. and additonal for frying.

In a large bowl sift together dry ingredients
Combine wet ingredients and slowly combine
with the dry.
Do not over mix!
Throw some butter into the skillet and
fry to your hearts content!

Easy as Pie.

Otter friends.

I finally gocco'd a card set
that I have been planning forever.

Meet my otter friends.

















I think I will be creating many series'
of same and different species friends.
I like this theme. It makes me happy.


My 1st craft show is in less than 2 weeks
so I've been trying to make as much as possible.
I'm kind of winging this whole thing so we
shall see how it all pans out

xo

Ramps. Glorious Ramps.

Apparently Tom Colicchio started
this ramp bandwagon..so says the bf..
But I got my tip off for ramp season
from Bon Appetit magazine
(where I get most of my culinary info)
















I had never heard of ramps before, but
being a fan of leeks I figured they were worth
looking into.

Ramps, or wild leeks are from the same
family as onions, garlic, and scallions.
These Alliums are good sources of iron,
and vitamins A and C.
Their season last from late March
until June, so grab them at the farmers market
when you see them!

(sidenote: these are an item that you will
NOT find at your local supermarket.
You'll have to check with the local farmers)

Anyhow, I was at the market yesterday and I grabbed
up a few bunches of ramps.
Last night I made a spicy sausage and ramp risotto.
Which was ridiculously delicious!
And once I get my coriander in from
MySpiceSage I will be making
Ramp and Buttermilk Biscuits with
cracked coriander. yum.

Here is the recipe for the risotto.
I also purchased the sausage from the market
Spicy Turkey sausage from DiPaola's Turkey farm.

• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 1/2 pound hot Italian sausages, casings removed
• 12 ramps, trimmed; bulbs and slender stems sliced, green tops thinly sliced
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry vermouth
• 3 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for passing

Preparation

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add sausage.
  
• Cook until no longer pink, breaking up with spoon, about 5 minutes.
  
• Add sliced ramp bulbs and stems. Sauté until almost tender, about 2 minutes.
  
• Add rice and stir 1 minute. Add vermouth.
  
• Simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute.
  
• Add 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup at a time,
  
• simmering until almost absorbed before next addition and stirring often.
  
• Continue cooking until rice is just tender and risotto is creamy,
  
• adding more broth if dry and stirring often, about 18 minutes.
  
• Mix in green tops and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
  
• Season risotto to taste with salt and pepper.
  

This is such a rich and amazing dish-its definitely worth making
at least once.

A Lovely Getaway.

My friend Drew and I took the 10am
train from NY to NJ on Sunday morning.

We spent Easter with my family
and it was lovely. I had a few glasses
of champagne, loads of food,
and a fair amount of reese's eggs.

I had planned on taking lots of photos
but they all ended up being of Joelie.
He is just too cute!












































He will be celebrating his 1st birthday next month,
and I cannot wait. I'm going to buy him so many gifts!

This was just a mini blog.
I have to work on some squids,
so I can't stay long.

I Said Good Day!

Its good friday.
Which used to mean
visiting church at noon,
and then for the next 3 hours
electronics were off limits.

These days I'm blasting MGMT,
and blogging.
I also don't even think that my
mom observes her old rules anymore.
The times they are a changin',
and that is just fine with me.

I'm in the process of a nutritional overhaul.
I've been reading Real Food (what to eat and why)
by Nina Planck. And I gotta say,
it's the most comprehensive food book
I have ever read. It answers all of my food
questions and provides loads of interesting tidbits.

I've started to include fish in my diet,
which if you know me-is a HUGE step.
I have realized that not all fish taste like the bottom
of the ocean- and the nutritional benefits
are just ridiculous, it even helps with depression!

I'm making other changes, but I am going to spare you
all the details because I'll feel like I am standing on my own
personal soapbox shouting about the new information I've
read in this book. And I really don't want to do that.


















Just know that the book is awesome,
and if you are obsessed with the farmers market
as I am-then you might want to pick it up.
It's less abrasive than death by supermarket and more
informative than In defense of food.
So there ya go.

Trial and Error.

I wanted to avoid using plastic bags
at the upcoming craft fair.
So I am sitting here trying to create
an up-cycled carry case out of
whole foods paper bags.















The latest model seems to be the winner,
















I just need to clean it up a little more and
we will be set.
















My goal is to not buy any kind of packaging.
Even if they don't want to keep these covers
at least they can be composted or recycled.
















Once I figure this down to a science
I will post a tutorial.

Critiques are encouraged and appreciated.

quel dommage.

it means what a shame, but i think that
it's my favorite french saying so far.
I use it in and out of context.

Anyhow, the man is back to his normal self,
I've gocco-d another set of cards,















completed some more bookmark squids,
















and our new chair has taken its place in our living room.



















This has prompted us to do some rearranging
and slowly attempt to, design-ly speaking,
complete the room.
Slowly but surely.



















The bookcase is now on the other side, and
we are on the hunt for some art to hang in here.
I imagine that by the time October rolls around again
and we've been here for a full year- it will really look like a home.
Not just a hodge podge of crap.

Sidenote: when did it get to be April???
-totally not complaining because I want warm weather
and Paris trip is almost here but geez. Time flies by now.