What I did with my December

I always seem to go a bit off the grid in December. I’m a far cry from the 80 pounds of candy Grandpa made one year, but I do seem to get lost in the kitchen just the same. Nuts to chop, sugar to caramelize, chocolate to melt. This was the year I learned to temper chocolate. Also, silicone molds are better for shaping ganache centers for truffles. Turtles should be made with two pecans instead of three, only 24 turtles fit on a tray and I probably should have made at least 30. Dipping is much easier with an …

Field Trip: Rockridge Orchards

Farmer Wade of Rockridge Orchards has been a fixture at the Columbia City Farmers’ Market ever since we started being market regulars; he likes to say he’s known Caitlyn since before she was born (which could be true since he appears at other markets in Seattle which we might have visited prior to Caitlyn’s arrival – I don’t remember). Caitlyn calls him “my favorite farmer”. Back before the economy declined and budgets were cut indiscriminately, there was a King County Harvest Festival. We meant to visit other farms, but we spent the whole day at Rockridge. Caitlyn was about 2. …

Not Stashbusting

I’ve been very bad. Stashbusting takes two forms: First, sew up what you have. Second, don’t buy more fabric. Not only have I not participated in or paid attention to the Stashbusting Sew Along since June, I haven’t sewn much since then either. Nothing much has happened with this pile of fabric. I’ve got a skirt cut out and the darts pinned… and that’s as far as I’ve gotten. So, no points for me. Also, I’ve added all this to the fabric pile: On the left, that’s a blue chambray for me for a shirtdress, two shirts for Ian and …

One Crazy Pillow

When Caitlyn was younger and invited to birthday parties, shopping for a gift was pretty straightforward. I’d set a budget, we’d talk a little about a theme and then go to the book store. She didn’t always choose a book for her friends but Barnes & Noble does have a ever changing collection of activity books and small toys; it was a system that kept things fairly simple and contained. No popping indecisively in and out of stores, minimal distraction from other items that maybe weren’t right for the birthday person but just perfect for Caitlyn. Not to say that …

Bee Blocks

I’ve been a bit of a slacker about getting my blocks for Sew.Quilt.Give. posted. So, three months worth, all at once! In September, we did “slabs”, a term I’ve never encountered before for a large, single color block. Our inspiration/example quilt came from Dining Room Empire. This block is 21 inches square… trust me, that’s big. But I don’t think I have any red bits left in the scrap basket! Next up, we made Xs and Os (or Kansas Dugout, depending), with a white background and “boy” colors. I don’t know if these are boy colors, exactly, but it’s not …