Library Talk

Until our camera/computer connection gets fixed, this blog is going to revolve largely around links and videos. I am so sorry to say it. It's probably for the best though since I can't exactly show off the Christmas presents I'm actually finishing and wrapping.

This week the library is teaching me about Giada's Kitchen, New Italian Favorites. I really like the layout of the book and have tagged several recipes to make in the coming weeks. Particularly inspiring is the Kid Food chapter, since we like to eat for fun at our house. Tonight's dinner is an adaptation of the Pizza Pot Pies. I started the tomato sauce and the chicken in the crockpot. Now I just have to make pizza dough (even though it calls for store-bought, What is that?) before the kidlet wakes up and dinner is pretty much home free until Brian gets home and I slide the whole business into the oven.

My appetite has been a little hit or miss lately, but pizza (in ALL its forms) never fails to inspire.

Sous Chef

We were cooking for a sick friend and her household. Chicken chili from Barefoot Contessa, Martha Stewart's Cornbread, and my super secret chocolate chip cookies. I don't think it made her better, but it sure seemed like comfort food to me!

Quick Update

Eating: Tomato-Basil Soup, Ham & Cheese Sandwiches (fresh bread- yum!)

Making: Christmas presents and a Halloween costume C. will actually wear

Reading: about to start Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Loving: the way C. wants to always be reading

A Day of Sun

Today brought the first day of sun in what feels like forever. Even I was missing it, and I'm more of a rainy day girl anyway!


My fall garden (radishes pictured) was loving and hating it. I think even though it was looking particularly lush in the bokchoy and arugula rows, the baby turnip and collard greens were looking a tad bid swampy.

I haven't sewed a single thing in forever, but have you seen all the Quilt Market pictures over at Pink Chalk Studio? There are so many inspiring fabrics and patterns about to hit the market. I just can't wait!

It's About Time

It was about time for me to start making C. some fall things- starting with this corduroy jumper from Ottobre. She even got to pick out special buttons with a little help.


It was also about time for me to start blogging again. Even if I start slowly and work my way back up. September was a month of sickness (all of us) and exhaustion, and I haven't quite got my energy back.

I am a little more on top of Christmas gifts, especially idea-wise, and I started crocheting myself some cozy brown cotton mary jane slippers when the weather cooled off. So at least we have our health and there are more than a couple projects in the works!

Dressing Alike

It's hard to catch us inside these days with the weather acting so much like fall. We are most often found outside, gray hoodies on (sometimes with hoodie hats up).


Tomorrow is sewing day, so we'll see if I can find the ability to sit inside during naptime. If you see a crazy lady sewing on the front porch, perhaps you'll just acknowledge how nice the cool winds feel.

Just in Time

My fall garden was late this year, but at least I made it in time for fall to strike. Not just a calendar day this year, but it is actually sort of chilly and blustery! C. and I realized on our walk to the Farmer's Market this morning that I might just have to remember how to bundle her up!


This crazy plant is actually called Malabar spinach and I found it at the local garden store, Meador's. The owner assured me it tastes and is used just like spinach, so I went ahead and splurged on a bigger plant. It is really pretty, and I find myself just liking to look at it!



I got all these things in the ground last night- spinach, arugula, bokchoy, swiss chard, and seeds for flowers, turnip greens, radishes, and collards. Conveniently we are expecting storms to continue through the week to get everything good and established. I love it when the garden just works out perfectly!