Wednesday, January 25, 2012
New post over on the Bibliotiki
Got a new book review up on the BT. Hope for one a month, so far so good.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Knitting organizer
So I decided in November that I needed a more portable hobby then sewing. I then saw this book full of cuteness and decided I needed to learn how to knit.
I got some books and dvds from the library and picked up some basics but if I am going to make a knit hot dog I would need more help. So I have signed up for a 4 class series on how to knit which will start in a few weeks. Wish me luck.
In the meantime my sister decided to focus more on crochet then knitting and mailed me her old needles. Great but now I was amassing a whole bunch of knitting supplies and no way to corral them all besides dumping them in a bag.
I then saw this on a craft blog and thought that might help.
I love my hula girl fabric, I bought it like 4 years ago to make curtains for my tiki room but then decided that it was too busy. So now I have like 5 yards of it and was happy I could finally use it for something.
I'm pretty happy with how the organizer turned out even though I messed up the ribbon instructions but now I need to make a bigger bag to hold it and all my yarn.
I got some books and dvds from the library and picked up some basics but if I am going to make a knit hot dog I would need more help. So I have signed up for a 4 class series on how to knit which will start in a few weeks. Wish me luck.
In the meantime my sister decided to focus more on crochet then knitting and mailed me her old needles. Great but now I was amassing a whole bunch of knitting supplies and no way to corral them all besides dumping them in a bag.
I then saw this on a craft blog and thought that might help.
I love my hula girl fabric, I bought it like 4 years ago to make curtains for my tiki room but then decided that it was too busy. So now I have like 5 yards of it and was happy I could finally use it for something.
I'm pretty happy with how the organizer turned out even though I messed up the ribbon instructions but now I need to make a bigger bag to hold it and all my yarn.
Monday, January 02, 2012
San Diego
We had been thinking about going to San Diego for a while now and then Southwest had a sale and we were able to score $35 tickets so that sealed it. It was just a short trip, fly in on a Saturday and leave the Monday night.
When we arrived we didn't really have much of a plan so headed up to Encinitas and went to the beach there and then wandered around the town. During a stop for coffee my husband was told "cool look bro" as he exited the bathroom. We aren't sure why. For dinner we went to Pokez Mexican food. They had some good veg and vegan options. I had some great mushroom and tofu enchiladas but my husband strangely went for the chimichanga and wasn't really into it.
We checked into out hotel and noticed there was some swank hotel and bar across the street called the Pearl so we headed over there and had a drink.
The next day we took it easy in the morning then went to Ocean Beach for food. My husband had the acai bowl at an outdoor drive thru coffee place called Tiki Ports and I had some seitan and tempeh tacos from a liquor store for a $1 called Liticker's. They were damn good and we need to go back there.
We walked out to the beach and around the town.
After some lukewarm coffee and hot chocolate we then went to the Maritime Museum but didn't realize it was the parade of christmas lights on boats so parking was a challenge and the area was way more crowded then it should of been. We got to go on 3 different boats and saw the Captain Cook/Gauguin/ Melville exhibit which was full of great stuff.
By now it was time for our dinner reservation at the Bali Hai. It has bee there since the 1950's. We got a good table with a view of the water. Loved all the tiki carvings and neat lamps around the place. We each got drinks in the Mr. Bali Hai and Goof mug which we brought home with us. The food was good and I would love to go back. Here is a great blog post about 2 artists who worked on the restoration of Mr. Bali Hai.
Near the Bali Hai is another tiki hot spot called Trader Mort's which is a liquor store with tikis in and in front of it.
The next day we woke up to pouring rain and loud upstairs neighbors (just like home) so we weren't off to a good start. Then lunch at a vegan fast food place was "difficult" due to various reasons I care not to recall. Then we went in search of an umbrella and once we paid our $10 for it, it stopped raining. We got some free parking in Balboa Park and tried to restart our day. Went to the Museum of Man which is a neat old building. Saw lots of skulls and mummies and old things. We then wandered around the park a bit and saw the cactus garden and the botanical garden for about 1 min before they closed.
Our flight was soonish and we wanted dinner sort of close so went to a swank Mexican place where my husband had a well needed drink and I had some great tortilla soup.
Made it back home without fuss. I would go back to San Diego but maybe when the weather is better so we could get more beach time in more.
View the photos here.
When we arrived we didn't really have much of a plan so headed up to Encinitas and went to the beach there and then wandered around the town. During a stop for coffee my husband was told "cool look bro" as he exited the bathroom. We aren't sure why. For dinner we went to Pokez Mexican food. They had some good veg and vegan options. I had some great mushroom and tofu enchiladas but my husband strangely went for the chimichanga and wasn't really into it.
We checked into out hotel and noticed there was some swank hotel and bar across the street called the Pearl so we headed over there and had a drink.
The next day we took it easy in the morning then went to Ocean Beach for food. My husband had the acai bowl at an outdoor drive thru coffee place called Tiki Ports and I had some seitan and tempeh tacos from a liquor store for a $1 called Liticker's. They were damn good and we need to go back there.
We walked out to the beach and around the town.
After some lukewarm coffee and hot chocolate we then went to the Maritime Museum but didn't realize it was the parade of christmas lights on boats so parking was a challenge and the area was way more crowded then it should of been. We got to go on 3 different boats and saw the Captain Cook/Gauguin/ Melville exhibit which was full of great stuff.
By now it was time for our dinner reservation at the Bali Hai. It has bee there since the 1950's. We got a good table with a view of the water. Loved all the tiki carvings and neat lamps around the place. We each got drinks in the Mr. Bali Hai and Goof mug which we brought home with us. The food was good and I would love to go back. Here is a great blog post about 2 artists who worked on the restoration of Mr. Bali Hai.
Near the Bali Hai is another tiki hot spot called Trader Mort's which is a liquor store with tikis in and in front of it.
The next day we woke up to pouring rain and loud upstairs neighbors (just like home) so we weren't off to a good start. Then lunch at a vegan fast food place was "difficult" due to various reasons I care not to recall. Then we went in search of an umbrella and once we paid our $10 for it, it stopped raining. We got some free parking in Balboa Park and tried to restart our day. Went to the Museum of Man which is a neat old building. Saw lots of skulls and mummies and old things. We then wandered around the park a bit and saw the cactus garden and the botanical garden for about 1 min before they closed.
Our flight was soonish and we wanted dinner sort of close so went to a swank Mexican place where my husband had a well needed drink and I had some great tortilla soup.
Made it back home without fuss. I would go back to San Diego but maybe when the weather is better so we could get more beach time in more.
View the photos here.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Christmas Eve Cavatelli
For some reason this Christmas I decided I needed some homemade pasta. I had been wanting to try to make some cavatelli for a few years now. My grandma use to make it and I loved it. I had it at her sister's restaurant a while back and realized I forgot about it. My grandma also called it "gavadills" which I guess is the Southern Italian term.
While looking for a recipe I found there are a few different varieties. Seems the actual Italians make it with just flour and water and the Italian Americans make it it with ricotta and eggs. Though my mother just emailed me her recipe and her is flour and eggs and oil.
I went with Lidia's recipe since I was in North Beach and easily found durum wheat flour.
It was insanely easy to whip up. Just flour and water.
I used a local brand of flour.
I tried a few different methods for forming them. Some with my 3 fingers and some with a metal scraper. Some I did tiny some I did with 6 fingers.
They cooked up quick. They were good but not awesome. I might try this recipe again and make them 6 fingers since that would be fast. Going to see how my moms turn out and then maybe try her recipe next time.
This is going to start a new tradition with us, pasta for Christmas eve and the tofurky and veg on Christmas. It appeases both our palates, and gives me an excuse to make fresh pasta at least once a year.
Since it was christmas eve we also watched It's A Wonderful Life, a fave of mine. I loved this twitter version of IAWL, so true, so true.
While looking for a recipe I found there are a few different varieties. Seems the actual Italians make it with just flour and water and the Italian Americans make it it with ricotta and eggs. Though my mother just emailed me her recipe and her is flour and eggs and oil.
I went with Lidia's recipe since I was in North Beach and easily found durum wheat flour.
It was insanely easy to whip up. Just flour and water.
I used a local brand of flour.
I tried a few different methods for forming them. Some with my 3 fingers and some with a metal scraper. Some I did tiny some I did with 6 fingers.
They cooked up quick. They were good but not awesome. I might try this recipe again and make them 6 fingers since that would be fast. Going to see how my moms turn out and then maybe try her recipe next time.
This is going to start a new tradition with us, pasta for Christmas eve and the tofurky and veg on Christmas. It appeases both our palates, and gives me an excuse to make fresh pasta at least once a year.
Since it was christmas eve we also watched It's A Wonderful Life, a fave of mine. I loved this twitter version of IAWL, so true, so true.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Moms cookies 2011
Always a highlight of the christmas holiday, my mom's cookies.
This years selection includes a lemon bar, chocoloate pepperment, biscotti, chocolate/coffee, hersey kiss ball, cherry cookie and pizzelle.
Need to lock them in a suitcase but too busy eating them.
This years selection includes a lemon bar, chocoloate pepperment, biscotti, chocolate/coffee, hersey kiss ball, cherry cookie and pizzelle.
Need to lock them in a suitcase but too busy eating them.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
New Mexico - Days 6 & 7
I woke up feeling less like I ate an entire wheel of cheese and ready to face the day. We found a great place to go for lunch. Counter Culture Cafe. I had a cheese free Mediterranean plate, which was excellent. Afterwards we went to the Plaza to take in the sights.
The old Cathedral was very pretty, then we went to the Palace of the Governor's and the New Mexico History Museums. The Palace of the Governor's is the oldest public building in the US. I actually like the New Mexico History museum better. I liked their women's exhibit and general exhibit of the settling of New Mexico.
By now it was dinner time and since we were in the plaza we had to go eat at the Shed. I once again had enchiladas and Mr. Tiki the burrito. He had a prickly pear marghertia and I had sangria. We loved that the food came with garlic bread. Everything was very good. Super cute old building as well.
After dinner walked around the plaza some more and went to the oldest hotel there, La Fonda. I was loving the lobby. Had some great art work, beautiful light fixtures and many neat little details. Reminded me of a Southwest version of the Royal Hawaiian in Oahu.
Once we left the hotel we wandered some more and saw the old Mission and the old house in the US.
Day 7 was our last day. Had lunch again at the Counter Culture. I had the salmon burger and their haystack fries were awesome.
We decided to drive the Turquoise Trail back to Albuquerque which was scenic. Stopped in a tiny ghost town of Madrid for some iced coffee and a look around. Also hit some thrift stores on the way back.
Made it to Albuquerque with time to spare before our flight so decided to do one last visit to the Frontier. I had a red chile burger and Mr. Tiki had the tortilla soup which was really good. It seemed fitting that the Frontier was our first and last place to eat at.
We had a great time in New Mexico despite not wanting to look at another enchilada again.
All the photos are here and here.
The old Cathedral was very pretty, then we went to the Palace of the Governor's and the New Mexico History Museums. The Palace of the Governor's is the oldest public building in the US. I actually like the New Mexico History museum better. I liked their women's exhibit and general exhibit of the settling of New Mexico.
By now it was dinner time and since we were in the plaza we had to go eat at the Shed. I once again had enchiladas and Mr. Tiki the burrito. He had a prickly pear marghertia and I had sangria. We loved that the food came with garlic bread. Everything was very good. Super cute old building as well.
After dinner walked around the plaza some more and went to the oldest hotel there, La Fonda. I was loving the lobby. Had some great art work, beautiful light fixtures and many neat little details. Reminded me of a Southwest version of the Royal Hawaiian in Oahu.
Once we left the hotel we wandered some more and saw the old Mission and the old house in the US.
Day 7 was our last day. Had lunch again at the Counter Culture. I had the salmon burger and their haystack fries were awesome.
We decided to drive the Turquoise Trail back to Albuquerque which was scenic. Stopped in a tiny ghost town of Madrid for some iced coffee and a look around. Also hit some thrift stores on the way back.
Made it to Albuquerque with time to spare before our flight so decided to do one last visit to the Frontier. I had a red chile burger and Mr. Tiki had the tortilla soup which was really good. It seemed fitting that the Frontier was our first and last place to eat at.
We had a great time in New Mexico despite not wanting to look at another enchilada again.
All the photos are here and here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
