Chica English

What Have I Done?

Early this week my local quilt store (better known as my favorite fabric pushers) sent an e-mail letting me know my first block in the Gypsy Wife Block of the Month Club was ready for pick up.   Immediately my heart lept for joy then just as quickly landed with a thud as I read about the blocks. 

I have few explantions for the complete lack of judegment that led me to believe I was ready for this kind of challenge.  With less than six months quilting experience under my belt I looked at Jen Kingwell's breathtaking deisgn and thought "I got this."  Clearly, I had been drinking or the lovely ladies at the quilt store worked some kind of powerful voodoo magic on me.  

June presents three blocks to be completed the filler pinwheel blocks, the Colour Wheel Block and the Pershing Heart Block.  All gorgeous and complicated to this newbie.  So the big question is where to begin. 

Pinwheels seemed the best option since they only strike me with fear rather than paralyzing me with panic.  Everytime I read peruse the Colour Wheel Block I hyperventialte and think I could use some tequila.  I consider myself a modern quilt kind of gal so pinwheels were on the bottom of my "to learn list."  It has begun to dawn on me that that kind of narrow thinking will only hurt my quilting skill set.  So pinwheels it is!  

My first pinwheels

I cut some lovely squares then cut them into nifty triangles.  Then sewed them together and together again and voila!  Pinwheels!  

Afterwords, I did a little research on the handy dandy internet and discovered some fabulous blogs with easy pinwheel tutorials.  Modern Handcraft has a fantastic easy pinwheel tutorial that is far easier than the traditional approach.   

Pura Vida Pumpkin Pie (Pictures to Come)

Tropical-esque Pumpkin Pie

Pastry Crust

(recipe from Cuisinart Food Processor Booklet - link to recipe on food.com)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup very cold unsalted butter, , cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup ice cold water

Pumpkin Pie Filling

(Based on Libby's Pumpkin Pie recipe)

1/2 cup raw sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Dash of nutmeg

2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs

1 can (15 oz) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

1 1/3 cups coconut milk 

I like to crunchier crust on my pumpkin pie.  In the past I have parbaked but this year, I will be trying Alton Brown's suggestion of baking on a lower rack. 

Pie Crust Instructions

Insert metal blade into your food processor. 

Add flour, butter and salt and process until mixture is like coarse meal; it takes about 8 to 10 seconds.  Add ice water and pulse, not process, until dough begins to clump together; don't let it form a ball.
 
Remove dough from processor and place in a freezer-size plastic storage zippie bag.  Work through the bag to press dough together into a ball; then press into a flat disc.  Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.
 
When you need it, roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Makes enough dough for a single 9 or 10-inch pie shell. 

Pir Filling

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Combine spices in a small bowl and set aside.  Beat the eggs then add vanilla and sugar.  Add pumpkin and combine well.  Slowly add coconut milk ensuring it is fully incorporated before adding more.  Pour filling into unbaked pie shell.

 Bake in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes then reduce temperature to 350° F.  Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with coconut whipped topping.

All hail Caesar! Halloween at the beach in Costa Rica did not offer an abundance of costume options. But fabric scraps from curtains, green felt, a little creativity and evening sewing sessions ensured H had a costume for his first Halloween.

Since I am history nerd, I must first confess that I tried despite my meager resources to be somewhat historically accurate. The toga is a toga virilus which was a toga made of undyed wool worn by adult male citizens. I wanted to add a purple ribbon border but my town's one and only craft/office supply/paper/strange glow in the dark nail polish store did not have it in stock. At least he wasn't dressed as a plebe.

As for his festive laurel leaf crown. Wreaths made of laurel or olive leaves were originally used to crown winners of Olympic Games as prizes since Turtle Wax and Rice-a-roni had yet to be invented. In ancient Roma crowns and wreaths were worn for a variety of reasons ranging from triumph celebrations to rewards for excellence. In my mind he is wearing the crown to celebrate being the cutest baby.

Quick and Healthy Eggplant Parm

I love eggplant especially when slathered with a tasty red sauce and topped with cheese.  Seriously, what is better than eggplant parmesan?  I tell you what, an easy healthy version that is a snap to make and a breeze to clean up.  When you skip the messy dredging and frying you get the same delicious result with less calories and the same sense of satisfaction.  

Easy and health eggplant parmesan

To make these tasty treats simply cut eggplant then top with fresh basil, your favorite sauce, a bit of parmesan and top with homemade breadcrumbs. You can use pank in a pinch.  The idea is to use big crunchy breadcrumbs so you don't miss the crispy coating.  Pop them in the oven and voila, you have a new go to dish.

Enjoy!

It's Official

It is official.  Soon our little family will grow by one.  We couldn't be happier.  In the coming months I hope to oversome exhaustion and hormone induced grumpies enough to share handmade items and other DIY projects for our little one. 

Photo Finish

I finally finished the Chevron Baby Blanket from Purl Soho.  Finally!  The pictures hardly do the vibrant colors justice.  

My intentions were to write up a clever little post with the kind of quips that would have made Dorothy Parker proud.  Though I doubt anyone busted out knitting needles and worked on a scarf at the Algonquin Round Table meet-ups.  I suppose it could have happened but I imagine they were all to busy being witty to cable four of anything.  

Luckily, I don't fancy myself much an intellectual these days so I have time to engage in activities like knitting or watching Top Chef Masters.  On good days, I do both at the same time.  On a fabulous day there is also chocolate.  My mental failings mean that the latest little babe on it's way will have a wonderful heirloom.  

Project Details

Chevron Baby Blanket

7 skeins of Blue Sky Cotton, 100% Cotton in Lemongrass, Lemonade, Bone, Tulip, Drift, Sleet, and Graphite

Rating - Quick and easy knit with an easy to remember stitch pattern. 

Ravellenic Games AKA Why Did I think I Could Do This?

My crafting eyes are so much bigger than my crafting tummy.   That explains the stash of counted cross stitch projects, beading supplies, oodles of yarn, fabric and Rowan magazines crammed into my tv room closet.   Clearly, I have a problem and need to destash.  Let't put a pin in that as a topic for another day.  

My real problem this day is my Ravellenic Games project.  I am behind.......waaaaay behind.

My project: Chevron Baby Blanket

Deadline: August 12th before the fat lady or pasty Brit person sings the last note of the closing ceremony. 

Progress: Laughable

That is it folks.  I'd love to write more but I need to get my arse a'knittin'. 

 

Now What?

If my blog were a child the Department of Child Welfare would have taken it from long ago. 

In my defense, I've been busy.  Work and home have kept busier than ever.   Trust me when I say I would rather be blogging.  Of course, that requires that I write a few times a week with purpose and direction.  A quick scan of my previous entries shows, I have no focus. 

Some days I blog about vegetarian or vegan food and others about some crafting nonesense or other.  I am all over the map.  It doesn't make for good reading but it is an accurate reflection of my life. 

Now what?  I plan to keep blogging.  And it will continue to be about anything and everything that makes me want to write.  This isn't the kind of content that get popular or lures in book offers.  But I like the idea of buckng the trend and having a blog just because.  Though that won't stop me from secretly envying every blogger that scores a book deal.  For me that is fair enough.  

Baby Blanket Bingo

Recently, my mother-in-law mentioned that between her children and stepchildren she has 11 grandkids.  Thinking of Christmas she let out a heavy sigh and said she was hoping everyone was done having kids.  She should know better than to tempt fate because shortly after my husband's brother told everyone he and his wife were expecting baby #2.  Or as my I like to call the little booger "Dozen."  As in you make it complete dozen.  If there is a baby #13 I shall call it Baker.  As in a baker's dozen.  

Since we don't plan to have kids, if I happen to be the proud mama of baby #13 I am going to call it "What the...."  The way I see if the little free loader wants to hang out in body rent free for 9 plus months I reserve the right to call it whatever I want and humilitate it with embrassing baby pics during those teen years.   Trust me, if I have a kid, this would be the least of their many problems.  

We recently visited Mr. English's family and his brother's wife, Tara, told me she still had the bootie and baby hat set lovingly knit for their first born.  I was touched.  My now ex-sister-in-law never acknowledged let alone thanked me for the handknits sent to her adorable babies.   And Debbie Stoller herself complimented said booties. 

Needless, to say  I was a bit bent out shape and have never forgiven the slight.  Generally, I don't tend to hold grudges.  But my feelings were hurt because what meant so much to me held zero value for her.  So I was more than a bit verklempt when I realized Tara truly appreciated the gift.  I decided right then and there that a baby blanket had to be made. 

The current contender is the Chevron Baby Blanket from The PurlBee.  Since the parents to be want to be surprised about the sex I need something gender neutral.  The mom to be is a bit traditional so the design is perfect.  Having never been a fan of traditional baby pastels I am drawn to the colorway.

I toyed with buying Knitpicks Simply Worsted Cotton.  It would certainly lower the cost. But I am making a keepsake so for now I am leaning towards Blue Sky Alplacas.  I would love to hear what you have to say.

 

USOC vs. Ravelry - Everyone Loses

 Before blogging about the Ravelympics kerfuffle I decided to let my thoughts marinate a'la Jennifer Stein.  I lacked that level of restraint on twitter because it was easy to spout off 140 characters when I am hot under the collar.  After a good night's sleep and a little thought I feel ready to weigh in with my two cents. 

For those who don't know (though in my world I imagine everyone has heard and are equally outraged), the U.S. Olympics Committee (USOC) sent a cease-and-desist letter to Ravelry.  That is a knitting social network whose members organize a knitting event called "Ravelympics."  Members are called ravelers and I proud to count among their numbers.

Ravelympics is an activity not a competition that is a global watching party paired with a crafty endeavor.  Knitters and crocheters challenge themselves to complete a project in the 16-day time period of the Olympics.  Projects are cast-on during the opening ceremony and hopefully completed before the closing ceremony ends.  It is a challenge but also a way to encourage members of the 2 million plus community to support the Olympic games.   

It appears the USOC feels very differently.  The cease and desist letter made that very clear by characterizing the event as insulting to the athletes;

"We believe using the name "Ravelympics" for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games. In a sense, it is disrespectful to our country's finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work."

I, like many others understand they want to protect their trademark.  They have a history of being aggressive in their efforts consider Olympic Cellars (a winery at the foot of the Olympic Mountains) or the Gay Olympics now called the Gay Games.  We Ravelers would have understood and being a creative lot come up with a different name.  The sticky widget has been the tone of the letter.  Though the USOC maintains it was a standard cease and desist no one is buying it.  

Eventually, a non-apology apology was issued followed by a second apology;

"We apologize for any insult and appreciate your support. We embrace hand-crafted American goods as we currently have the Annin Flagmakers of New Jersey stitching a custom-made American flag to accompany our team to the Olympic Games in London. To show our support of the Ravelry community, we would welcome any handmade items that you would like to create to travel with, and motivate, our team at the 2012 Games.”

The request for the sane handmade goods which were such an insult sent athletes was for lack of a better term pretty damn ballsy.

The USOC, taking a play from the Susan G. Komen PR playbook, has shot themselves in the foot by angering the knitters and crocheter who planned to  watch the Olympic games while working on their project.  That includes watching commercials from sponsors such as McDonald's, Pampers, Tide, DeVry University (not lying, I swear), Coca-Cola and many more.

Seriously, isn't McDonald's as the official restaurant insulting to athletes and frankly, restaurants. 

And don't get me started on the daiper.  Too late!  Yes folks there is an official USOC approved daiper.  So to be clear knitters and crocheters watching the game while engaging in ther craft is deningrating.  A child literally pooping on a US Olympic team logo and being called an athlete not the least bit demeaning. 

As an American living overseas I loved that the Ravelympics brought the veiwing party with all it's enthusiasm across the miles to my home.  I felt connected with fellow countrymen and women but also enjoyed hearing from others as they root for country or their favorite athlete.  It truly embodied the spirit of the games.

I am sad that the USOC's actions have robbed me of that joy this year.  I am even sadder to know they don't care.  As a supporter of various charities I can assure you and the USOC that they lost a potential supporter.  

For the record, I did not get the USOC's permission to use the words Olympics or Ravelry in my post.  If they have a problem with it they can sue me.