Color!

I've been toying with different color combinations for Erin's baby blanket and finally hit on the right one today. I'll be using these colors in Mission Falls 1824 Cotton against a cream colored background.


So pretty. And a nice change from the primary colors that I've been working with lately.

Ornamental

Ok, so I know that I should be posting about Halloween-y things. But I just saw these fabulous ornaments at Anthropologie and wanted to share:







You could stage an epic naval battle against giant sea monsters right on your own Christmas tree! Joy!

Hooked

I don't believe it's happened so quickly, but I'm already hooked on making Alicia Paulson's felt Christmas ornaments. I spent last night making the cocoa ornament while watching the Christmas Comes Early episode of The Naked Chef. The ornament was so quick and easy, I can tell that I'll be whipping up a ton of these for friends and family.

I may have to download Ms. Paulson's second set of ornament patterns this weekend:


As a knitter, I have a tendency to think that homemade gifts need to be major undertakings, like blankets or sweaters. But these ornaments have shown me that I can make a thoughtful, homemade gift without breaking the bank or slaving away for several months. I find sewing really freeing. I think of it like freehand drawing, whereas knitting is more like building with legos.

I'll have a picture of my ornament (or possibly ornaments) as soon as I can. And if you're not feeling crafty, but like crafty looking ornaments, you may want to check out these Patchwork Owl Ornaments at Crate & Barrel:

Baby Blanket Inspiration

This has been the year of babies for a lot of my friends and I've been cranking out baby blankets since last December. They're so small and cheerful that each one has been a pleasure to make. I've loved selecting the right pattern, materials and colors for each new mom.

But I was feeling a bit sorry for my two close friends who have only recently become pregnant because I felt like I'd used up my best blanket ideas. Then, just a moment ago, I stumbled upon the futuregirl craft blog and got my baby blanket mojo back!

This rainbow blanket is perfect for my friend Erin:


I think it's just four crocheted mitered squares sewn together and then edged, which should be a piece of cake. If you're interested in trying it as well, you might want to check out this Mitered Square Crochet Tutorial.

More Red Kuri

Our festival of Red Kuri squash rolls on. We made a modified version of Ina Garten's Butternut Squash Risotto, subbing in Red Kuri and eliminating the pancetta.


We served it with a spinach, beet and goat cheese salad and it was tremendous. I don't cook with saffron very often and tend to forget what a lovely flavor it imparts.

In other news, I'm bizarrely and prematurely in the holiday spirit and finally purchased Alicia Paulson's Felt Ornament Patterns so that I can get started on my Christmas gifts.

I've admired them since last year, so the purchase was long overdue. The cocoa ornament is my favorite:


So cozy! Which should be no surprise, considering the source!

Fig, Goat Cheese & Carmelized Onion Tartines

Ever since returning from Italy, I find myself missing figs. I've been seeking out recipes that incorporate dried figs because that's the best I'm going to get in Boston in the Fall.


I made a modified version of this recipe to accompany our soup for dinner last night. (I know, I've gone soup crazy. It's the weather.) In order to make it a side dish for two, rather than buffet item for many, here's what I did:

Fig, Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tartines
1 demi baguette
6 tbsp goat cheese
1 small onion
6-10 dried Mission figs (depending on their size)
1 clove of garlic
1/2 C of wine (I used the Big House White that we had in the fridge, but I think any wine decent enough for drinking would be fine.)
5 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tsp port (optional)
Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Slice the figs into rounds and simmer in the wine over low heat for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, increase the heat and allow the wine to reduce by half.

Thinly slice the onions and cook them with the olive oil (season to taste) over medium high heat until lightly browned.

Add the figs/wine mixture to the onions, season again if necessary. At this point, I added a splash of port to the mix, but that's entirely optional. Allow to continue cooking for another minute and then remove from heat.

Slice the demi baguette lengthwise and slather each half with about 3 tablespoons of goat cheese. Top each half with a generous portion of the fig and onion mixture.

Bake the baguette halves face up (obviously) in the oven for roughly 10 minutes or until the bread is toasted and the cheese melty.

Enjoy!

The original recipe is also delightful. I just don't want to host a party every time I have a hankering for goat cheese and figs.

Must Read More Judy Blume...

Words I thought I would never need to consider, as my childhood/young adulthood was spent in a mighty fortress of Judy Blume lit.

The Judy Blume Quiz



Score: 82% (9 out of 11)

But then I got an 82% on The Judy Blume Quiz. Oh, the shame!

I didn't even know that Ms. Blume had written a teenage divorce guide! I really could have used that in my teens. OK, it's going on my list. Along with a reread of Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself.

I'm sorry, Judy.