I am a Honey Bee

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A Happy Visit- Studio Calico 10/31 Sunday Sketch

10/31 Sunday Sketch

I’m been struggling with how to manage time now that school is over. I went from a VERY regimented schedule to almost nothing tying me down. Sure I have work but that is ‘just’ 10 hours of my day, previously I had my day preciously scheduled to include a few hours of sleep, then homework, rabbit care, and my morning routine before getting to work, working a full day, then 3-6 hours of class up to 4 nights a week, then homework after class, then some sleep… The point is that I have no idea what to do when I get home- I can read, watch a movie, make dinner, blog at a normal time of day, scrapbook, etc. But this freedom has left me confused and unfocused so I start to dabble in everything, making a mess and getting nothing really done in the process. So I have been trying to develop my own schedule to include nights of scrapbooking, laundry, crocheting, just lounging with TV watching. I’m doing a REAL true test run this week and it started with some scrapbooking on Sunday night.

 

While I was on the Studio Calico Blog I saw this weeks Sunday Challenge and I decided that I would focus on that. I had just developed a lot of photos so I went through and picked out one that would work with the sketch. Using some Studio Calico kit supplies, I got to work on the layout. I focused on the elements of the sketch and the colors in my photo. This was a pretty quick layout for me. Not perfect but I wanted to keep focused and get it done on Sunday night to see if I could keep my schedule. I punched out some patterned and Stampin’ Up! paper that would compliment the paper I selected in the SC kit. I also used a Sassafras flag banner sticker that I previously picked up from Torendi. I think adding banners to my LO’s is going to be a new addiction. 🙂

Mini Book: Weekend Escape

I recently took an online workshop about mini books from Amy Tangerine. I was so glad that she offered this class because I was so interested in her style of scrapbooking. Most of her scrapbooks are these minis that she creates, often by sewing the book together. While the class taught how to make these books, I decided to get the class kit anyway. The kit included a sewn mini book and embellishments for it.  Sweet!

During the class I made another book, well 2 that I combined. I’m using that as a gift later on, so more on that when the time comes. I used the provided kit, with some additional embellishments, for this past weekend Price and I spent in upstate NY. We went to visit family and going to wineries- this was the perfect opportunity to use this book because of the size. Additionally, Amy taught about her process in packing and preparing for scrapbooking on the go. She makes herself a kit that allows her to scrap, even on planes!

The most exciting thing about this is that I am done with my mini book. That is really record timing for me. Very impressive considering I only worked on it for a a bit over the weekend and at random points during the week. Pretty cool considering how hectic my week was with staying late, going in early, creating my Halloween costume, and a crocheting class. I do look forward to the point when I get it done even fast. Still very excited it’s done within a week since I still have not finished my DC book from our June trip. I’d say that this trip mini book experience has been a great success. 🙂

It was the first time that I scrapbooked on the go as well. My kit was much, much larger than Amy’s example but it’s a start. On Saturday night I sat down and started to map out and journal some pages. I’m a big planner so I realized that my future kits will need post it’s in it to block out picture locations, until I have them printing.

Aside from the ‘scrapbooking-on-the-go’, I enjoyed this class because it made me try new things. Typically, I don’t include souvenirs or write so much, but this class featured that scrapbooking style. I felt ‘safe’ doing those things in a mini book since it is a bit more whimsical compared to my 12×12 pages. This approach was really nice because I was able to toss in bits and pieces from the different wineries we went to. Even the sticker from the bakery I went to went into the book.

Overall I enjoyed the techniques I learned during this class. One of the big things is that I will sew text and embellishments into layouts and books in the future. I love the look and the process of it. I can also hand sew some mini books in the future.  Time to experiment and do some more scrapbooking!!!

Mr. July

I volunteer for the local rabbit rescue group, House Rabbit Network. Every Monday I do the calls that come in from the hotline. I love how they are generally adoptions. I do hate having to pass along the surrenders to the fantastic woman who has the patience to deal with them, because I would not at all. That being said I did my calls for tonight and felt this was a perfect time to share Mr. July with you. He is a very adorable rabbit who loves food, laying around, trying to dig to china on the hardwood floors, flopping over, eating more food, doing binkies, laying down, being groomed, destroying books, and eating more. What he loves most are raisins. Really funny to see him freak once the box of raisins makes its appearance.

Mr. July is our JACK!!

This is one of my favorite photos of Jack. This is Jack in his element. He loves to lounge around, but it is quite rare for it to be on the sofa. So that of course makes it more special.

So why exactly am I calling him Mr. July?

It’s because he is in the 2011 House Rabbit Network Calendar!!!!!!!! I hate to push things on people but I can’t resist this. So I encourage any pet/rabbit lover to get a calendar or to even gift one to someone. This will truly help a great cause. HRN is a great organization that I love to help out. There are so many rabbits in the foster home system now, and all of these rabbits could use your help for health care, supplies, and food.

If you don’t want a calendar, you can still help out with donations. Or even donate to your local rescue, since they all really need the help.

(Thanks, I’m done now being all beggy and preachy)

Not Ready for Monday

I’m not ready for Monday’s arrival tomorrow.

I had a fantastic weekend in upstate New York. We drove around the Finger Lakes Region trying a lot of wine, seeing cows, hanging out with Price’s family, playing with his nephews. Can’t go wrong there. So being cooped up tomorrow is going to drive me mad! At least I have great photos to develop and my scrapbook to finish.

Hope you had a great weekend as well.

I will conquer crocheting!!!

I had my first crocheting class tonight. I struggled through the whole thing. I just about cried at the begining. I had a rough day so having an hour of almost constant failure got to me.

The teacher was really nice and helpful, even kind enough to say I was getting the hand of it at the end. I drew a line on my hand to help me hold the yarn the right way around my left hand thumb. She thought it was a clever way of ensuring I would grasp it correctly. I felt like the quite kid in the corner who was supposed to glue the Popsicle stick to the paper but glued it to her face in the end.

In the end I sorta completed a granny square.

My homework for next Thursday is to pick a pattern I want to do and get the supplies. Suggestions?

Almost legal

Last night Price and I went to The Rattlesnake‘s 20th Anniversary Party. We had a blast celebrating this occasion at one of our favorite places in Boston. Oh you wonder how did we get on the list? Well I’ll tell you… I WON THE MARGARITA CONTEST!!!!!! w00t w00t!!! I won the contest with the Cranberry Ginger Margarita recipe that I previously posted about. I was so excited to get the email saying that I won. The best part was that part of the contest prize was that a donation would be put in your name to the Dana Faber Cancer Institute. But I asked Chef Brian Poe if it could be made in my mom’s name since she survived breast cancer and he agreed.

We enjoyed the food that included some of our favorite things on the menu, like Grilled Corn Bread, Prosciutto-Wrapped Blackened Tuna, Hudson Valley Duck Tacos, and Horseradish & Red Wine Braised Beef Short Rib Tacos. The beef short rib tacos are only on the menu for a short period of time so I know I will have to get them again before my luck runs out. What I really appreciate about the food there is how well it all comes together, like I would never think a lavender oil would make sense with a lobster stuffed grilled avocado but it really does.

Besides the food, they had an open bar! Since I had a coughing fit the minute we walked in, I stuck with some water at the start of the night. While we were seated and enjoying the food a waitress came up to us asking if we wanted any drinks. I was planning on going with a Raspberry Margarita, one of their “Pink” drinks that was featured. BUT THEN… she went on to tell us about “another margarita that’s really good. A Cranberry Ginger Margarita.” So she is rattling on about the margarita and how it is made with a gingered sugar rim, all while I am trying to tell her that it’s ‘mine’. When she was explaining about the contest I was able to shout over the party’s noise to let her know that I was the winner. So at that point I had to get it. It was really exciting to try it there esp since I didn’t think it was going to be there since the contest said it would be on the menu from 10/20-11/20. Surprises are always good.

Chef Brian Poe and myself, while getting photographed by Stuff Magazine and Price at about the same time

Before leaving I got to chat with Chef Brian Poe for a few minutes about the contest, margarita, and how much I love The Rattlesnake. No, I was not a complete kiss ass. We had a real conversation about how the place has really improved since he started there in 2009. For example, I have tweeted and FB msg’d Poe in the past and he has msg’d me through FB and yelp about different ‘issues’. One being that they had shitastic neon paper menus and I told him how that did not properly represent the good quality of his food (he remembered that!). We also discussed the new uniforms for the waitresses there. Yay! No more tight mini black skirts!!!! In general I loved how he actaully remembered the feedback I, and others, have given him and how he has evaluated those things  in order to improve The Rattlesnake. How can you not like a place that is constantly striving to get better?

So that is why Price and I had a great night and why we will continue to go back to the Rattlesnake.

If you are in Boston stop by there, and try the Cranberry Ginger Margarita before 11/20!!!!

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

New England has the highest ice cream consumption per capita in the US. I’m still so shocked to hear that since I’d imagine some hot place like FL or TX would rain supreme. Why would someone want cold ice cream in the middle of winter is beyond me but we do it anyway. So making ice cream in the fall is nothing strange. A pumpkin pie ice cream make perfect sense and is sooo good.

This recipe is really simple but produces great results. The ice cream is creamy and tastes exactly like pumpkin pie. Exactly like pumpkin pie- from the puree and spices. I’m the first person to pick pumpkin pie over apple of pecan but I really enjoyed this. This is just like pumpkin pie a la mode- just combined.

I prefer soft serve ice cream which is why the photo at the top is horrible. Fresh from the ice cream maker is not that pretty. At least it tasted amazing.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

adapted from Christie’s Corner

 
 
 
 
 
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
pinch of salt

 

 
 
 
Combine the pumpkin and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
Gently heat the cream, milk, sugar, spices, and salt over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and bubbles form around the edge of the pan.  Pour the milk mixture into the pumpkin, combine. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator until cold.
Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions
 

A strange gift

Co-workers of mine are often sending around links to different Ted Talks. While I was watching one on design I saw a link of this video.

I think that this was an interesting video (minus the long ad at the end). An interesting perspective.

I shared this with my mom, who survived this gift, just in a different form. I had a feeling that she could relate. I know she looks at things differently, I imagine I would too. While Stacey says she ‘wouldn’t change her experience’ because it made her outlook positively change, I have a feeling that a lot of people would rather not have this gift, but just learn to embrace life differently. But then again, I have not been so gifted.

Anyone else who has had this gift, or something like it, have an opinion on this video? Can you relate to Stacey? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Cranberry Ginger Margarita

Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake Bar and Grill is one of my favorite places to eat. Chef Brian Poe has transformed this bar and restaurant into a place that I actually want to go to. Prior to coming to the Rattlesnake the only reason to go was because of it’s roof deck, and since that was it’s only positive thing the line to get up there was maddening. Now, I don’t give a crap about the patio, I just want the food and drinks. We have been there for several birthday’s now, and  several ‘just because’ times. Just because I would like corn bread time. Just because I would like to go there for brunch, but incorrectly assume it opens at 11, and wait outside for 30 minutes time. Just because it’s Tuesday. (swoon)

When I saw a drink contest posted on their Facebook page, I knew I had to give it a try. I’ve spent the night making Cranberry Ginger Margatias for Price to try and give me feedback on. Such a difficult task!! ‘ Too Sweet” “Not enough tequila” “Needs lime?” “The sugar works, but…” So, I’m hoping that this recipe will make it into the top 3 for voting. Fingers crossed.


The first thing that came to mind was to make a margarita with cranberry juice. Why? Well why the hell not? But really it had everything to do with the upcoming season. The fall just screens cider and cranberries to me. Ruling apple juice/cider out I moved forward with the cranberry base. The second thing that came to mind was ginger. I have been on a major ginger kick this year, mainly making a lot of ginger infused simple syrup for seltzer. Instead of a ginger simple syrup, I decided to use Domaine de Canton, a French ginger liqueur. The combination of cranberry and ginger worked well, so full steam ahead. The rest fell into place- a gingered sugar for the rim, and a squeeze of lime to add tang.

The result is a margarita that has bite, since the cranberry brings acidity, much like the normal margarita. However, the sugar and liqueur bring some sweetnes, to cut the tartness. The Cranberry Ginger Margarita makes for a great fall cocktail because of it’s seasonal flavors. It can even been accessorized with some fangs for Halloween- this margarita has bite!

Cranberry Ginger Margarita

4 oz of cranberry juice cocktail
1 1/2 oz of tequila
2 oz of Domaine De Canton (ginger liqueur)
wedge of lime
cranberries (for garnish)
Sugar for the Rim
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Prior to mixing the drink, combine the sugar and ginger on a plate to rim the glass. Wet the edge of the glass with water, drip into the sugar mixture, remove and let dry while mixing the drink.

Fill a glass half way with cubed ice, pour in the cranberry juice and add the cranberries. Add the tequila and Domaine De Canton. Squeeze the wedge of lime into the mix. Pour drink into rimmed glass.

Enjoy!