Uh...yummmmm

Ok....so we didn't actually eat dessert first but since the pict appeared first when I uploaded it I'll leave it there. This is apparently a famous American treat called Icebox cake. My Mom always made a different kind of icebox cake that I love. It consists of chocolate pudding layered between gram crackers and topped with Coolwhip.

This one is equally as good and actually has much more of a cake consistency. You but those very thin, old fashioned chocolate cookies and layer them between home made whip cream. The box has the recipe and shows it in a log form but I decided to make two individual "cakes." I also opted to add a little almond extract to the whip cream which turned out to be the right thing to do. You have to let it sit in the fridge for at least 8 hours but you can also make this the day before serving. This is where the magic happens. Somehow those crispy little cookies become cake and it looks and tastes like you bakes many tiny layers of a really good chocolate cake.

I topped with strawberries that I cut up ahead of time and let sit in the fridge with a little superfine sugar to draw out their juice. It was slightly reminiscent of an Oreo flavor in the end but way better! (and I love Oreos!)
Our actual meal (and this was our Valentines meal. We usually cook at home on V-day and go out another night.) consisted of the best asparagus I've ever had. I feel  slightly guilty buying it out of season, knowing it was shipped here from somewhere far far away, but this stuff was so tasty and actually sweet it was well worth the guilt. Here they are slightly pan sauteed in olive oil and salt. That's all.
And the most complicated, but still surprisingly simple part of the meal was seafood risotto. Awesome. Enough said. Contact me if you want the details.

Nuts about Partying

This little critter is now available in the shop. There are only three and one is already taken ...by me. I think it'll look precious in a certain little girl's nursery.

You've Gotta Protect Your Files

Sometimes a girl's just gotta whip up a pretty little laptop sleeve for her iBook before a pending business trip. Especially if the one she had (and liked) was somehow puked on by the precious little kitty in the previous post. I used some Leftover curtain fabric I had in my stash with a really soft green flannel for the inside. Between the two layers I added some extra padding in the way of felted wool. I finished her up with a little pink handstiching...and voila! I just have to keep this one out of little kitties reach.

Totally Necessary

Seeing as we've been having a pretty cold winter here I had to make this discrete, matelesse bean stuffed tube to keep the chilly drafts at bay. This door that leads to our deck is framed a little less than perfectly and when the wind is a whipping you can really feel it coming through the bottom.
As a precautionary measure I also felt it necessary to crochets a little cap for my little cat. I think she really appreciates it despite the look on her face. And don't worry, it ties around her neck in case she feels the need to shake it off :)

Back from Holiday Hiatus

I've been a total blog slacker lately and I feel that guilt that only a blog can make you feel. However after the "Winter Salestice," then the holidays I needed a little break. A little break from forced crafting, baking, shopping and overall doing. I was tired from the extremely rapid pace this holiday season flew by in....and by the fact that I have A BUN IN THE OVEN! Yaaaay. There's my news for the new year. Hopefully it was worth the wait for a blog post.

Anyway, despite the fact that the holidays flew by, they were quite enjoyable. Some of my favorite parts were: my nephews Christmas Eve-Eve sleepover we had. They're growing up. I realized this when decorating gingerbread men involved "testicles," this year.

We also has an awesome trip to Vt. I had fun even though I couldn't snowboard. There were 14 of us in a big house with a fireplace and a hot tub (which I also could not partake in). I did play drinking games with water and hung out and relaxed and all -in-all enjoyed some fine company.

Tree chopping and our annual "Emmit Otter's Jugband Christmas," viewing round out my holiday activities. Of course with plenty of time with family and friends as well.

Above is one of my favorite images from this Christmas.

Salestice Sucess

Part of the Salestice crew (Patricia, Holly, Marie, me and Cindy)

This past Saturday was "Winter Salestice," a collaborative arts and crafts sale. It was help in a spacious loft in midtown that we cozied up with Christmas tunes and delicious treats provided by Candy Penny.

As the day progressed friends, co-workers and family visited, lounged, snacked and shopped. It was cheery and relaxed and we all left with some extra pocket cash.

The helpful husband hanging tiny gnomes on a tree.

The Sugar Market table.

Sugar Market pillows

Items that didn't sell on Saturday will be available at Sugar Market.

101 Reasons

Just in time for the holidays I found this on poppytalk. Click this link to see what they are!