Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Where are my glasses?

I had some sewing productivity last night!! I had started my eyeglasses case several days ago, made from the same material from the corduroy purse I made last month. I got stuck for a little while trying to decide what I wanted to do for a little "something extra". I decided to appliqué some flowers from the lining onto the outside. I'm learning new techniques and becoming a sewing 'machine'! Mom's glasses jumped in there for a picture. They just couldn't resist!

I have several projects in line:
  • felt Christmas wreath
  • Christmas gifts for family (mentally organizing that now)
  • several cross-stitch projects
  • dress from new pattern and material

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Good Eats in Williamsburg




Luckily while I was in Richmond I was able to put that pesky kidney infection aside long enough to go out and enjoy some good food! Uncle John and I went to downtown Williamsburg for some lunch. This neat little area filling the streets by Colonial Williamsburg is packed with interesting specialty shops and restaurants. We decided to try out Berret's Seafood Restaurant. We started with a large plate full of calamari with soy ginger dipping sauce, which was DELICIOUS! Then we both ordered the crab broil sandwich: pan-fried crabcake on a toasted English muffin, Surry bacon, tomato, melted Swiss cheese....YUMM.
And look how those fries are served on the side! Even a girl with a kickin' kidney can enjoy a meal like that - especially served outdoors on a beautiful day in September.

After the meal we wa
lked around Colonial Williamsburg as much as we could without paying the entrance fee. Here are a few interesting photos I snapped:

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Time for desert!

I tried a new recipe today! I made Fudgy Mocha-Toffee Brownies from Cooking Light. They were scrumptious! At first the batter was pretty dry - kind of like a damp blob with powdery stuff on it. I added a little water and took care of that... I don't think my eggs were "large" enough at first. Also had to cook it for about 5 minutes longer than the recipe calls for. But the end result was yummy!

Ingredients

Cooking spray
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/4
cup toffee chips

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350º.

Coat bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.

Combine coffee and hot water, stirring until coffee dissolves.

Combine butter and chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at high 1 minute or until butter melts; stir until chocolate is smooth.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine coffee mixture, butter mixture, vanilla, and eggs in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add coffee mixture to flour mixture; stir just until combined. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with toffee chips. Bake at 350º for 22 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

KK

Went on a voyage to find this today:

Unfortunately, the light was no longer glowing when we got there. And they were out of the seasonal Pumpkin Spice donuts! Shame on those fundraiser people for taking all the donuts! Oh well...once I sink my teeth into a delicious "cold" one I forget the disappointment from the lack of neon anyway. Mixed with a steaming cup of coffee and good company...unbeatable!

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

FALL

It's happening....

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Meet my friend...






This is Whiskie! This little egg whisk was first spotted at the gift shop at Bob Evans Restaurant. Anyone who knows me very well knows that I love love LOVE kitchen gadgets! I love to browse through those outlet shops that are full of random gadgets that clutter up the kitchen. I love coming up with that one reason that I have to have it! Sure, I already have something that can get the job done, but come on...this new gadget has character, and character goes a long way...especially in the kitchen. Could anyone use a utensil like this without a smile? I don't think so.

Well anyway, I fell in love with Whiskie when I first saw him in that gift shop, but it wasn't until after I was living in my apartment in Indiana that Mom decided he was a necessity in my own kitchen and adopted him for me. I love to make French toast and this little friend is the perfect size for whisking up the one egg that it takes for my single serving of the fabulous dish.

I have several other friends with their own stories, but those will have to wait for another day.

Monday, October 1, 2007

a nice weekend

Happy October! I can't believe it is October already. I thought this year just started! The weather is starting to get cooler, especially at night and into the morning. I remember this time of year used to drive me crazy back in high school. I would have to dress warm in the mornings because it was so chilly. By the time the end of the school day and outdoor band practice rolled around I was burning up in the clothes I had chosen that morning. Into the evening it would cool off again, so the clothes I had changed into weren't warm enough! How many outfits do I have to go through in one day???

Well, lately I have been spending a lot of time with family! I am so thankful for a loving, caring family. Plus, we know how to have a good time! Brian has been visiting this weekend and we have enjoyed hanging out and spending time together. He has to head back to DC tomorrow. I will continue on my search for things to do around here! Including spending more time with this guy...