Fabric Building Blocks

A few weeks ago, I bought Amy Butler's new book Little Stitches for Little Ones and it is bursting with great sewing ideas for some super cute baby items. Since several of my friends have/are having babies, I've been inspired to get to work and make some of the projects inside.

I've got to give my mother-in-law a special shout out for helping me cut the foam for the blocks this weekend with her electric carving knife. She's got the goods!

The pattern called for 9 blocks, but I didn't want to overdo it, so I just made four. Aren't they the cutest blocks you can even imagine? I think so too!

Let's Do Cobbler

I love cobbler too, Agnes...

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Apple Overflow

If there's one thing that ushers in Fall, it's a trip to an orchard. Cider, hayrides, apple doughnuts, and crisp air...it's enough to put anyone into the spirit of the season. We trekked out to Woodstock, IL this weekend for some apple picking for my friend Alli's birthday. Johnny Appleseed and I split a "1/2 bushel" three ways and we still have a whole lot of apples in our kitchen waiting to be gobbled up.

I was inspired by my sister's genius in making some homemade applesauce, so I followed her lead and went into uncharted territory and made some of my own. A few apples, some water, and a couple pinches of cinnamon and sugar and we had ourselves a delicious dish. Oh Fall, I love you!

Addicted

I made out like a bandit at the fabric store over the past weekend. I think that buying fabric could become a serious addiction for me. I always wondered who in their right mind would buy designer shoes or purses, etc. etc., and quite frankly looked down on these poor souls.

Well, now I am one of them, not so much as batting an eyelash when it comes to a fat quarter sale. Doesn't it all just look so yummy and full of possibilities!? Be still my heart!

September 2008 Martha | Chili-Rubbed Pork

I have a knack for screwing up pork. It's usually dry and tasteless by the time I'm through with it. As the wife of a pork fanatic, I was beginning to feel a little discouraged. September's Martha Stewart Living, however, has brought me out of the depths of despair and into a new confidence in my ability to handle this once-dreaded meat.

The Chili-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin recipe from the "What's for Dinner" section of this month's edition is to die for, and I recommend you get out and make it before you put away your grill for the winter. We let the tenderloins sit in the marinade for about 30 minutes, then grilled them for 4 minutes on each side before transferring them to the 400 degree oven. A short 10-15 minutes later and we had a perfectly cooked pork tenderloin that was beyond delicious. I also prepared the suggested Black Bean and Goat Cheese Quesadillas which were also a hit. I used half a can of corn instead of fresh off the cob, but I don't think it made too big a difference.

I know Martha has an often deserved reputation of complicatedness and overdoing it, but I'm telling you that both of these items on the menu were super easy and packed full of flavor. Try them out and see for yourself!

13.1

I'm not a runner and I have well-founded doubts that I ever will be. My mom and dad, however, just finished up their first half marathon this weekend in Chicago! They've been training for a little while now and despite the harder concrete of the city and the ridiculous weather conditions, they both finished at the respective pace they each planned on running. Hauna, who was on her second half marathon ran with my mom and kept her company during the 13.1 wet and miserable miles.

Jakob and I watched from the start and finish lines and got thoroughly soaked during the race. It would have been more enjoyable for all parties, had it not been raining for days on end in Chicago, but we made due and cheered all of the runners on. I'm so proud of my mom and dad (and sister) for completing this race and for aspiring to such an accomplishment. It's hard to not get chills watching thousands of runners cross the finish line at the end. Some have done it many times, some were limping toward their goal, but all of their faces were so proud.

After the race, we drove home, dried off and spent the rest of Sunday watching football, eating, and being lazy. I'm inspired by my family's hard work and determination that I saw yesterday and throughout their training. Maybe some day I'll attempt to run one mile, let alone more than 13!

Clothes Make the Man

"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."

I read this quote by Mark Twain recently and I think it's hilarious... and true. One of my goals this fall is to vastly improve my sewing skills and be able to create some clothing, accessories, and home goods. To that end, I've purchased a few sewing books over the past year and have been reading up.

I've been quilting for a while and have made curtains, pillows, table runners...those sorts of things in the past, but until recently I had never followed a pattern. They scared me with their tissue-thin fragility and what seemed like very involved directions and lines. I wished I could change things about certain clothes I owned. I wished I could re-create and forever keep my favorite pair of jeans after they had worn holes. I wished I could see something in a store that was overpriced but perfect, and say to myself, "I could make that."

Well, friends, a new day has dawned. I just finished my first official a-line/pencil skirt (all of you real seamstresses out there are probably laughing to yourself at my simplicity), and I couldn't be happier! I followed a pattern by clothing designer Wendy Mullin from her book Sew U. After wrapping my head around her very simply put instructions and pondering in between sewing steps (and about 10 questioning calls to my mama), I have learned how to insert a zipper, add some darts, use interfacing, and more. Now that I've accomplished these techniques, it is really quite simple and something no girl (or boy) should be afraid of. And, what a lovely product I've ended up with... a skirt of my own that no one else has! Onward ho to the next project!

CSA Week 13 & 15 | Tomayto, Tomahto

We've had an overwhelming influx of tomatoes around these parts over the last few weeks. Besides what we've received in our CSA box, it seems like everyone and their brother is growing a vine and giving away its fruits.

In an effort to use my plethora of tomatoes before they all bit the dust, I decided to invite over a special birthday girl and make a tomato feast. We started out with some bruschetta, then had some homemade tomato soup, and finally finished off with some pasta with tomato basil cream sauce. Did I mention that each recipe called for basil as well, something else I'm up to my ears in? They all did... and the harvest (of basil) was plentiful. I'll share with you the recipe for the tomato soup, which was too delish (and easy) to keep a secret. It's hearty and packed full of flavor.

Ingredients
1 yellow onion
1/2 bulb garlic
4 large tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh basil
1/2 cup fresh parsley
1/8 cup olive oil
2 cubes bouillon (1 beef, 1 vegetable)
4 cups water
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
fresh cracked pepper

Directions
1. Peel and dice onion. Peel and mince garlic. Clean and cut tomatoes into small wedges. Clean herbs and pat dry on paper towels. Slice basil and chop parsley.
2. Heat oil in a large stockpot on medium for about 3 minutes. Add onions and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and add vegetable broth (2 bouillon cubes incorporated into 4 cups of water). Simmer for 1 1/2 hours, uncovered.
3. Add herbs and simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered.
4. Serve soup in individual bowls. Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese and pepper.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Once again, I've been invited to test my mad skillz in the family fantasy football league. Last year was my first attempt at any such venture. My 5-9-0 season was not quiet pathetic, but certainly not successful.

Our draft a few weeks ago left me underwhelmed with my team, but we'll see what happens throughout the season. The team I'm matched up against this week has one more wide receiver playing tonight and I'm only three points ahead. I'm confident ¡ándale ándale!, my team, will lose. Right now I'm thanking my lucky stars that I didn't pick Tom Brady who made me proud as my quarterback last year. He suffered a season ending injury yesterday, and that would have gotten me nowhere fast.

Wish me luck.

Posh Tot Quilt

Not only is my friend Caroline about to have her first born, but so is my dear friend Annika. Due with a boy in early October, I recently finished up a crib quilt for him. For Annika's quilt, I used a pattern from Blue Underground Studios called Posh Tot. Annika is a modern girl who loves exciting colors but also simplicity at the same time. I thought this pattern was perfect for her and the little bambino-to-be.

Because the pattern was less involved, I felt that it had to be pretty heavily quilted for it to have a completed look. So for the first time, I sent my quilt top off to seek its fortune to be quilted on a long arm machine. Of course I used the services of my favorite shop, Quiltology, and look how wonderful the quilting turned out!

I did the backing in a turquoise Minkee, a very soft, fabric that I think is just perfect for any baby. I'd like to cuddle up in it myself really.

I'm a Woman, Not a Meteorologist

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