We'll Always Be Friends...

Dear Flamingos and Hedgehogs - Thank you for some lovely times, but I'm afraid it's over. It's not you; it's me. I've changed and I feel like we've grown apart. I will always treasure our times together. You were exactly what I needed at the time.

I want to be honest with you and tell you that I have a new blog. I know it seems sudden, but I've been thinking about it for a while and I didn't want you to find out from someone else. I think you'd like it. It's name is "fresh made by susan" and it can be found here. That's where I'll be if you ever need anything.

Thank you, F & H. I hope we can still be friends.

Susan

Southern Comfort

I made a batch of cheese straws earlier this week. Since I traditionally make them at Christmas, the smell of them baking got me a bit confused and feeling like I should deck the halls. (Stepping outside into the mid-90's heat straightened out the seasons for me.)

For anyone unfortunate enough to be unfamiliar with cheese straws, here is the plate of finished ones:

Cheese straws are delicate, crispy crackers made from sharp cheddar cheese, real butter, flour and some red pepper for a little kick. They are usually served at Southern teas, wedding and baby showers, or with late-afternoon cocktails. They are wonderful with wine and especially good with eggnog. Their cheese taste balances the sweetness. But, these out-of-season cheese straws were baked for therapeutic reasons.

My Southern roots run deep and I was raised right. My mama was from Macon, Georgia and my daddy is from rural southern Alabama. And, I was raised in Tallahassee which really ought to just go ahead and admit that it should be part of Georgia and not the capitol of Florida.

When friends or neighbors (or neighbors of friends) are sick in body or spirit, true Southerners take them some food. Different areas have different customary dishes, but in Macon, the food was frequently boiled custard or homemade pimento cheese. But, I don't think that cheese straws are ever taken to the sick.

However, a good friend of mine has been battling Hodgkin's lymphoma and he specifically requested cheese straws to give him strength for his last round of chemo. So, of course, I made them. Fortunately, my friend's cancer is in remission, but as my husband said, "On the whole, I think I'd rather skip the cheese straws."

Here is the cheese straw recipe I use, which comes from The Southern Living Cookbook (not to be confused with any of the Southern Living Annual Recipes books. This is the ultimate cookbook.)

Cheese Straws
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (I use extra-sharp yellow Cheddar)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened (I included "margarine" since it is in the recipe but don't use it. Use butter.)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper (I use a heaping 1/4 teaspoon)

Combine cheese and butter in large mixing bowl; beat well at medium speed of an electric mixer. Combine remaining ingredients, stirring well. Gradually add flour mixture to cheese mixture, mixing until dough is no longer crumbly. Shape mixture into a ball. (Note: I use my food processor for this part. I use the grater blade to shred the cheese and then change to the main blade. I mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, then put them, the butter and the shredded cheese into the food processor. I pulse it just until everything gets crumbly and starts to form a ball. Then, I take it out and finish pressing the dough into a ball. Then, I finish the way the recipe states.)

Use a cookie press (cookie gun) to shape dough into straws, following manufacturer's instructions. (Some people use a star disk but I like the one that is flat on one side and ridged on the other. I think it makes them crisper and more delicate.) Squeeze the dough into long strips on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. (Do not let them get very brown; really, they should just cook until the tops have gotten dry.) Cut into 2" - 3" pieces while warm. Store in airtight containers, placing wax paper between the layers.

It looks like a lot of trouble, and it sort of is (although less so with the food processor) but aren't your friends worth it?

I'm back!

Wow – I didn’t mean to take such a long break! First, I had a few technical difficulties as in my computer burned up. No flames or smoke, but a distinct smell of wires on fire. The nice computer technician in India was surprised enough to deviate from his usual script. After asking what the problem was, instead of saying, “Okay, I can help you with that,” I heard a silence and then “BURNED up?” And, then “Are you having any other problems?” Well, no – that should do it for today.

They don’t even bother trying to fix a burned up computer so I had to wait for the new one to be shipped (fortunately mine was still under warranty) and then set it up and reload everything. It’s hard to take a decent picture of a black CPU, but this is my new one. See the USB ports right on the top? No more crawling around looking for them. And, I love the built-in SD card slots!

And, as the blog title says, I have a hard time keeping everything running smoothly at the same time. So, I used my forced computer break to catch up around the house and to do some crafting!

Remember this? I bought the blue dotted pillow cover on the recent shopping trip to Ikea.

Now, it looks like this! Yep, it's a tote bag.

I cut it down and squared the bottom corners, then pleated it at the top below the contrasting band so it wouldn’t be so wide. I had fun trying out freezer paper stenciling and added a bit of hand-embroidery. I had the beautiful Japanese fabric in my stash which was just begging to be used. I’m very happy with how it all turned out.

Here is a close-up of my little bird? Isn’t he sweet?

And, I finally finished this purse…

I had started it I-don’t-know-how-long-ago and finally added the button and the flower detail.

I’m sort of ashamed to admit that was all it needed. It felt good to actually get some things out of the WIP (Works In Progress) pile.

I’ve also been making a few skirts and having lots of fun with headbands so more to come soon.

Almost Heaven!

My friend, Robin, and I had what is close to the perfect shopping day. We took a trip to Tampa to go to two favorite stores - in the same day!

Yes - we went to:

Anthropologie and Ikea!

Such a happy day. I came home to take pictures of my purchases and had a little help from my photo assistant. He's very particular about the staging.

I found the cutest shirt at Anthropologie. Don't you just love how they put the extra button in the little drawstring bags? It's already been filled with lavendar and put in the linen closet. (By the way, the shirt is cream colored. I was trying out some different camera settings.)

I found several treasures at Ikea, including things for future crafting. But, these trays and watering can were just for pure love.

These are some pillow covers that I found. Stay tuned for their transformation.

A few yards of these fabrics. I'm not sure what I'll do with them, but I am sure I needed them.

(My photo assistant helped arrange the fabric as well.)

We ate smoked salmon and Greek salad and drank sparkling pear juice for lunch in the Ikea cafe. Don't you just love a store cafeteria that has a menu like that? The restaurant was closing early to prepare for their "Midsummer Event." We couldn't stay that long, but we really wanted to. Maybe if we had been able to take a nap on one of the Ikea mattresses. I know they encourage you to try out everything, but I think they probably would draw the line there.

Just one problem during the day - after requiring practically our own personal customer service in the "self-service" checkout lane at Ikea, Robin and I are pretty sure our photos are on some sort of black list. The next time we try the self-service lane, we expect to be politely, but firmly, escorted to the full-service lane.

A Little Hair of the Dog...

Is there any sort of "Locks For Love" program for dogs? You see all those poor dogs who have some sort of skin condition and have lost their fur. Surely they would feel more confident with little doggie toupees to cover those spots. You don't want the other dogs to laugh and point. Well, maybe the hyenas and the pointers, but they really can't help it.

I am prepared to contribute to such a program. I daily sweep the hair shed by my black lab, Tally, and I am sure that I have enough to cover a small poodle. A week's worth and you can knit your own Great Dane.

So, if someone will send me the address, Tally and I will be happy to help the bald dogs of the world.

Happy Birthday, Son!

Twenty years ago today, my wonderful son was born and life was (happily) never the same.

He was born on the first day of summer - a fact that he was very proud of. The hospital sent him home with us which was fairly terrifying at the time.

Right from the start, he was sweet and fun and funny and kind and smart. And, he owned my heart. Twenty years later, nothing has changed. I love you, son!

Behind the Red Door, Part II

After a day and night, the door was ready to be rehung. And it was beautiful! It was truly deliciously red. But, it made the old brass hardware and lights look dull and shabby. So, I went to Home Depot (Trip 2) and bought a new door handle, kickplate and light fixtures. My husband (lawyer-turned-handyman) installed the shiny, new door handle and kickplate.


And it was even more beautiful! No lights yet, but I could see it in my mind. But, now the flowers in the pots out front didn't match. They needed to be red - and pink - and bright! So, I went to Home Depot (Trip 3) and bought gerbera daisies. And, it was even more beautiful!

My husband (lawyer-turned-electrician) tackled the light fixtures. They didn't fit the existing mounting, of course. So, he went to Home Depot (Trip 4). And back to Home Depot and back to Home Depot and back to Home Depot....and finally the lights were up. And, it was even more beautiful!

The white trim around the door now looked shabby and I said I would paint that. So, I went to Home Depot (Trip 326) and bought the white paint. My BFF the orbital sander and I cleaned up the old paint, I filled some spots with wood putty and put on a fresh coat of white paint.

Then, I turned around, and saw the not-white-enough-looking columns. I had a brush full of white paint in my hand and you can guess the rest. (By the way, "wood filler" is a lie. It won't fill in spots where the wood rotted away and really needs replacing. But, you can slather it on like cake icing and paint it anyway.)

And, it is the most beautiful ever! I love, love, love it.

Now, we need to talk about the inside paint....