August 2008 Martha | Peach & Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake

This month's August edition of Martha Stewart Living was a little skimpy, only totaling 176 pages. I appreciated the tour of several cities across the America that were highlighted throughout the magazine, but in all honesty it didn't offer too much in the way of practical, or even unrealistic domestic advice. Anyway, I settled on another recipe and made due.

I chose the Peach and Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake for a few reasons. Number one: I have a large cast iron skillet that's been begging me for some quality oven time. Number two: it called for fresh lavender, something which I know little to nothing about cooking or dealing with. Number three: I have a slight aversion to peaches that I can't quite explain, but that I'd like to be rid of. With much trepidation, I set out to conquer my lavender and peach fears.

Voilà! I think it turned out beautifully, if I do say so myself. It did have a rather cornbreadish taste/texture to it though, so I'd use the word "cake" in the recipe title lightly. I half felt like I should have been serving this dessert to a gang of hungry cowboys. TK and Andrew (our guest) asserted, however, that they both had spent the day in hard work and were just as deserving as famished ranchers.

And They're Off!

Some of you know my amateur (and I mean very amateur) interest in horse-racing. Perhaps you followed the quest for the Triple Crown this year by Big Brown, only to have your dreams dashed in the Belmont Stakes. I've never been to the Kentucky Derby, but it remains a distant dream of mine to attend.

While I had heard tell that there was a horse-racing track just outside of Chicago, little did I know the thrills of actually attending. A hop, skip, and a jump out to Arlington Heights, IL stands a gem called Arlington Park.

For a the small price of $7 each, we spent all the live long day there, watching the races, enjoying one of these last summer days, and placing a few humble bets. For my first race, I put $2 on "Nine Patch" to place. Despite his odds of 30-1, I couldn't resist putting my hopes in a horse named after a quilting pattern. Needless to say, he lost. Throughout the day's eleven races, several in our party won big. I think I'll stick to $0.10 bets until I get the first clue about betting and reading the odds.

Lotus Brick Path Quilt

One of my dearest friends, Caroline, is due in late September with a little girl. As a fellow quilter and friend, I couldn't wait to get working on a crib quilt for her nursery. I used Amy Butler's Lotus Brick Path Quilt pattern found on her website (for free). It's always fun to make a quilt for a little girl... feminine fabrics are plentiful and easy to find. I picked out some fat quarters that would go well in the baby's room from Quiltology and got to work.

This pattern is super easy (if anyone out there is looking for something simple to begin their quilting career with) and didn't take too long to complete. One of my favorite parts of the pattern are the sweet little pom-poms on the corners of the quilt. One of my least favorite parts of making the quilt were the same sweet little pom-poms. They are slippery little suckers!

After having completed the crib-sized quilt, I had some left over fabric, so I used it to make a little miniature version for a baby doll, mini pom-poms and all!

CSA Week 9 and 11 | The Good Earth

Our CSA shares have become much more diverse over the last couple of weeks. Compared to the beginning of June when we were receiving lots of variations on greens, the good earth is now producing carrots, potatoes, turnips, beans, squash, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, garlic, basil...the list goes on. I just thought I'd share a little peek into our most recent deliveries.

Visit Home

We're back from a much-anticipated, relaxing visit home for a family wedding and an extended weekend spent with my parents and brothers and sisters. Our first stop for my cousin Andrew's wedding in Pittsburgh was the last of six family weddings this year, each one as lovely as the other.

We then headed north to my aunt and uncle's cabin on the Allegheny River that they graciously let us stay at to enjoy some Ondrey family alone time. What a joy it is to spend carefree days with your parents and siblings...canoing, eating, playing games, sitting by the river, talking around the campfire...just being together and loving every minute of it.

After some quality cabin time, we found ourselves back at my parent's house in Jamestown for a few more days of perfection. My gratitude and love for my family runs so deep that there are many days when I can't stand it that we don't all live closer to my mom and dad. I wish I had more vacation days. After a trip like this, I can hardly believe I live so far away.

Backyard Basil

One of my favorite things that I've been "cultivating" over the last several weeks is my basil plant. It's out of control, I tell you! As a general rule, I prefer plants that thrive on neglect, and this little basil fits the bill. I bought it for a mere $2.50 at the grocery store and it's been providing ample amounts of healthy basil leaves to my heart's content all summer. Like manna from heaven, my basil runneth over.

It's a real thrill to leave the confines of your kitchen, open your back door, and gather what herbs you need for a recipe from your own back yard. I'm convinced that I'll have a fully functioning herb garden next spring and summer that I won't have to buy (or waste) another herb or spice as long as I live!

So far I have made some scrumptious pesto, topped a tomato and mozzarella pizza, and have mixed it in salads. Any beloved basil recipes from the peanut gallery that anyone would like to share with me? Any suggestions on preserving my precious plant through the winter? Don't be shy, I'll use all the help I can get!

Tool Time! | Grabbit Magnetic Pincushion

For anyone doing sewing of any sort, a pincushion is usually found not too far away. Pincushions are used to store pins or needles with their heads protruding so one can easily take hold of them while working. Typically, they are a small fabric cushion, stuffed tightly with wool or another filling so that pins are held firmly in place. Your mother (or father for that matter) probably had one that looked like a red tomato with a little baby pepper also attached to it. While I don't use pins that often (sometimes it is just easier and faster to line your material up and hold it in place), they are necessary for several aspects of quilting and sewing.

If you are in the market for a pincushion, look no further! I've been a fan of the Grabbit Magnetic Pincushion for years and I'm a firm believer that once you have this pincushion, you will never need another (unless want another, prettier one, which is entirely possible). Using pins while sewing is made simple and hassle-free with this round, magnetic plastic pin "cushion." You'll also never have to worry about dropped pins... you can sweep your sewing area with the magnet and the pins will cling to it for dear life!

Your local craft retailer may stock the Grabbit Magnetic Pincusion, but if not, you can order it online through a variety of dealers. They are priced around $10 or less and there are several color options. Now get out there and start sewing...

Breakfast of Champions

I've been trying to be better about eating breakfast these days. While there are various and sundry breakfast foods that thrill me to no end, most weekday mornings I find myself bored at the prospect and uninspired to make something delicious. I then find myself nearly starved around 10:00, justifying a Boston cream donut. You know the drill.

In my attempt to keep any remnant of my girlish figure, my mother dearest introduced me to the perfect solution/concoction to combat the breakfast woes. Using whatever fruit is waiting for you in your fridge, some yogurt of your choosing, and some quick oats (uncooked), you've got a breakfast of champions in the making. I had my doubts about the uncooked oatmeal at first, but they were put to rest after my first bite. Trust me on this one. This dish is refreshing, healthy, and fills the tummy right up until lunchtime. The recipe follows...

Sali's Berry Breakfast
Combine the following ingredients and serve with a smile!
1/4 cup quick oats
1 or 2 spoonfuls of yogurt (I'm a blueberry kind of girl, but it's really up to you.)
2 cups total of fruit (I like strawberries, blueberries, red grapes, and some peach or nectarine. You know what fruits you like.)

Messy Eaters and Drooly Teethers

Two of my very best friends are pregnant....one with a baby boy and one with a baby girl, both due to grace us with their presence in late September/early October. Despite the fact that I have two crib-sized quilt tops completed, they have not yet been quilted, thus I threatened to come empty handed to a little impromptu shower we had for them over the weekend together. Who in their right mind comes to a baby shower without a gift?! I wanted to make a little something homemade for the babes in place of my unfinished quilts.

Every messy eater and drooly teether needs a few bibs, right? I used Amy Karol's Simple Bib from her book Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew and here are the goods, ready for an eventual barrage of drool and pureed baby food.

Girl's Weekend

There aren't many better things in life than a long weekend spent with one's best girlfriends. This year for our annual rendezvous, we met in Toledo, OH (between Chicago and Jamestown, NY... maybe someday we'll go to Vegas, baby) and once again were the grateful recipients of a free hotel suite, thanks to Annika's generous Marriott points. Two of the girls have babies on the way, so we were able to spend some quality time together child-free before the blessings (and craziness) begin.

Pool time, celebrity gossip, over-eating, old jokes and stories that never seem old... what a wonderful break from the day-to-day. Most of us shared a house together our senior year of college, and though those days are years in the past, when we come together, it's like it was yesterday. I find such comfort and hope in my best friends, all of us unique in our own way, all of us in different but equally wonderful phases and places in life. Despite the distances and differences between us, despite our good and bad days, despite the times we've surely disappointed each other, we continue to share a bond of love, memories, and dreams that have so far kept us coming back for more. I love these girls with no reservations. They make me laugh, they show me new ways of thinking, and they make me a better person.

Here are some "senior pictures" we decided to take while at a restaurant this weekend. Some of us tried hard to keep a straight face, others couldn't have stopped laughing if their life had depended on it.

Remarkable Lettering

She cracks me up every time.

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