My Brain Aches!

Well. 

I just spent the last 2 hours blog hopping.

I kind of want to cry.   There are so many jaw-drop amazing blogs out there.

  Truly eye candy.  Or helpful tutorials.

Some with thousands of followers.  What????

Is that what I want?

What do I want with my blog?

I want to share my passion for aprons, tablesettings, dishes

food, fun, friends, ideas, etc.

and

I want to sell aprons and maybe other

sewn things that I love.

I cannot even comprehend how many bloggers there

must be out in cyberspace.

And how do they figure out how to create such amazing blogs

 with all the bells, whistles, fonts, etc.?

So much to learn!

So many wonderful, beautiful, yummy ideas swirling through

cybersphere...

Dishes, Dishes, Everywhere!

One of my FAVORITE things about October (I know it is January...), besides Halloween which I love, is the McHenry Mansion Tablesetting Fundraiser in Modesto, California.  I go EVERY year.  And every year I take my camera and click away.  Individuals and organizations sign up to do a table.  Each sets a table according to a theme that they have chosen.  Some are cute, some elegant, some jaw-dropping....but all share the passion and joy of tableware!  Here are a few pictures from last October.  Maybe later I'll post some of my all-time favorites from throughout the years. To read more about this beautiful restored Victorian building and organization check out http://www.mchenrymuseum.org/mansion/index.html.

Culinary Mysteries on the Menu!

I DO love a good book!  Almost as much as food...and dishes....and aprons.....(smile). And I have always loved a good mystery.  Over the years I have read volumes of Mary Higgins Clark mysteries and loved them. A friend introduced me to author Josi S. Kilpack who writes culinary mysteries, among other things.  And I was hooked!  In her 6, and soon to be 7, book series she writes engaging, funny, clever mysteries that leave you with your mouth watering not only to figure out "who dunnit," but to try out the many recipes that are sprinkled throughout each book.  (By the way, you can read more about this author, link to her blog, and download the recipes free from her website: http://www.josiskilpack.com/. ) The covers alone are worth the price of the book, let alone the wonderfully engrossing stories that are set in different geographical locations relating to the beautiful desserts pictured on the covers.  I  believe they are best read in order as then you best begin to develop relationships with these very believable characters who continue from book to book. You start to feel like they are YOUR friends.  You can purchase these books at:  http://www.deseretbook.com/.   Below are the book covers....see what I mean!!!

AND ........(drumroll.........)  Coming March 5, 2012:

I tried to find some fabric that had a banana split pattern on it that wasn't "licensed" so I could create an apron for Josi to have as website give-away.  But alas, haven't yet found the right one. A couple friends and my daughters have talked about having a Sadie Hoffmiller (main character) luncheon where we make and sample as many of the delectable recipes in the books as possible! But for now.....off to create some more aprons!

And just in case you were wondering, I was not asked to write this nor do I receive anything for this endorsement!  I've just had fun with these books and wanted to share them with you.

And YES! It Was As Good As It Looked!

I tried the Coconut/Banana Bread with Lime Glaze from that site I love exploring: http://www.ourbestbites.com/. Smelled delicious baking.  It was moist, unlike some dessert breads.  I used the plain yogurt option instead of the sour cream,...... and all I had were extra-large eggs instead of the large called for in the recipe.  AND I used the apple juice option rather than the milk.  Maybe that is why it took   s l i g h t l y    longer baking than the recipe indicated...or maybe our ancient oven from the 60's is just very S L O W!  ...lol...WHATEVER!   The bread was great.  Picture and recipe follow.  (P.S. Do not laugh at my glaze.)

Coconut/Banana Bread with Lime Glaze



Ingredients:

2 c. flour                                        1 1/2 c. mashed ripe bananas (abt. 4 large)

3/4 tsp baking soda                        1/4 c. sour cream or plain yogurt

1/2 tsp salt                                      3 T. apple juice or milk

1 c. sugar                                        1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 c. (4 T.) real butter, softened     1/2 c. coconut

2 large eggs

Topping:

2 T. additional coconut

Glaze:

1/2 c. powdered sugar whisked with 1 1/2 T. fresh lime juice.  (Note:  It took more lime juice than called for in order for it to be drizzle-able....for me anyway.)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Whisk flour, baking soda and salt - set aside.

In a large mixing bowl:

     Beat butter and sugar until blended.  Add eggs and beat to combine.  Add bananas, sour cream or yogurt, apple juice (or milk), and vanilla.  Beat until blended.  Add flour mixture and beat at a slow speed until just combined.  Stir in 1/2 c. coconut.

     Pour batter into a 9" x 5" loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.  Sprinkle additional 2 T. coconut on top.

     Bake in the oven for about 1 hour or until a knife or skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.  Note:  Check bread after about 40 minutes.  If the top has browned and coconut pieces are looking toasty, cover top of bread lightly, with a piece of foil.  Continue baking until done.

     When done, remove pan from oven.  Let cool on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes and then carefully remove from pan. 

     Whisk powdered sugar and lime juice together for the glaze. Drizzle over top!  Cool for another 10 minutes before slicing.  Ummm.....

If you would like to go straight to the recipe, click here!

I Can Smell it Cooking!

Ahhhhh....saw a recipe on one of my favorite sites: www.ourbestbites.com.  It was a coconut-banana bread.  I have been thinking about it ever since.  It is like I can smell it in my imagination!  I may just try it and post some pictures.  What better to post on an apron site? (contented smile).

Shoes make all the Difference!

     This post has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with aprons....I don't know if I'm nuts or not.  Have you ever had the experience when you wore something in particular that everyone you meet -  whether at the post office, store, etc. - were just SO much more friendly when you wore that something???? It is so weird!  I've done TESTS to make sure it isn't my imagination.  Here's the deal.  My sister-in-law gave me a pair of Keen tennies that she ordered from somewhere.  They are a lovely shade of pinky-orchid with dark lavender, almost purple soles and toe bumper.  They, btw, are one of the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned.  Anyway,  EVERY time I wear them, everyone is so friendly, helpful, smiley around me.....If only we knew ahead of time it would be like that we would know JUST what to purchase!  Thank you, Wendy!

Reds & Whites! St.Patty's Green! Red, White, & Blue!

Ahhhh....sewing, creating, is therapeutic! (sp?)  Finishing some great red and white aprons...such a happy, clean look.  Both happen to be flounces.  Working on a patriotic flounce; and a bright, happy St. Patrick's green and white pleated.  Looking at my fabric stash, and the grey, foggy mornings make me want to break out my floral fabrics!

The New Year Begins!

Jan. 2nd...wo.  2012 sounds so futuristic.  I love new beginnings.  Always have. Some years I make a ton of resolutions...one for every major area of my life. The thought process being that while I know I won't achieve them all, I will undoubtedly be able to pull some of them off.   Lately, however, I like to focus on one or two. I like to choose something that is very meaningful/important.  If I don't have too much to focus on, I usually make good progress.  Even if I don't make the WHOLE deal, I can see the progress.  And that makes me HAPPY! : D  Have a WONDERFUL, safe, productive, happy, prosperous 2012!  And don't forget to do something you love, regularly.  It adds the "spice" to life!