tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11469960064779131872024-02-18T21:28:50.123-08:00Fairfield ManorLife at Fairfield Manor with the Lord and Lady.
Read by 2 or 3 people a day....♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-88031206200812032502011-09-05T23:16:00.001-07:002011-09-05T23:16:17.782-07:00Well good grief.....Where have I been? Oh, I don't know. Here and there. Doing this and that.
It's been a cool (not in the hep sense, but weather-wise) summer at the Manor and environs. Now that September is here and I'm looking forward to Fall, my fave time of year, we have temperatures approaching 100 degrees. Approaching, not hitting, but it's still too hot for boots and sweaters. And that's what I'm ready to wear. And clogs. I must have 10 pair of clogs, and I just bought another pair of cloggish kind of shoes. I saw them on Pinterest and fell in love. Do you know about Pinterest? It's a fabulous waste of time. Truth be told, that's mostly what I've been doing this summer: pinning. That and buying sewing machines off Craigslist (one for The Countess du Greece and one for The Countess de Couv), sewing, teaching a little sewing - remind me and I'll tell you about the hilarious crib sheet incident. I helped my dearest friend with a 90th birthday party for her father by doing all the food - a smashing success if I do say so myself, spent some time at the beach, finally read Into Thin Air, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. I marveled at Princess Pooalot and her super fabulousness, missed the brave Knights of Rochester and the Princesses of Pittsfordbury like mad and got an iPad - about which I know very little and haven't yet figured out how to post pictures with. I'll get it. Be patient with me.
So, for the immediate future, we're welcoming a new tiny princess in about 6 weeks and the Earl and I are anxious to meet her!
Oh, and Princess Pooalot is walking. All over the damn place. The Manor is being gated as we speak.♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-57003837501185510642011-05-18T23:10:00.000-07:002011-05-20T18:41:43.788-07:00Upcycling at the ManorI made a random stop at the Goodwill the day before yesterday. I'm a lurker at all the local Goodwill stores and have some stunning GW Collection pieces in my closet that I am constantly getting compliments on. Well, not <i>constantly, </i>but often. Well, sometimes. You know what I mean. While I was at GW the other day I found this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJrkiUb_BxwN9NtN-rOhIImdDcuO5BbB_S-PG47pOi60Ymkceky2TreO7_Vhsyqa3MHoHlda5UDbPITWvRDzmfO31geORsfEiQv290IFVtkEDxXFH1PQzwmSuZ9xchk5TgiOH96XMQd4/s1600/DSCN1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJrkiUb_BxwN9NtN-rOhIImdDcuO5BbB_S-PG47pOi60Ymkceky2TreO7_Vhsyqa3MHoHlda5UDbPITWvRDzmfO31geORsfEiQv290IFVtkEDxXFH1PQzwmSuZ9xchk5TgiOH96XMQd4/s320/DSCN1567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was taken in by the texture, color and feltedness of this sweater. The size, however was a different matter. It was a size S from Talbot's, so it was really weensy. I decided to spend the $4.99 on it and give it a new life as a felted bag.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1569.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last year I created this one out of upholstery scraps. It turned out to be a really handy bag and I've been thinking of making more. Enter: Talbot's size itty-bitty sweater.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I dug through my box of homemade and printed patterns, which is a heinous mess and found what I was looking for. I thought that I had devised this pattern myself, but it appears that it was printed off of the internet. I have no idea where I got it, I should have marked the pattern so I could give you credit (but who knew I'd be blogging about it?). So whoever created this pattern, <i>thank you! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSsWnfyIKFFkGKBaci6SQ8l42D-_6Hhor04vztjdN1jSXHmL8n22SUQe5Jo44R2qYge-kKNQgefFc394IQFv_PM66ojDMpFkpaGMiQ32BQBx0TnmRLqcO5xAZXU0t4GjdkNCWdAKIvCM/s1600/DSCN1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSsWnfyIKFFkGKBaci6SQ8l42D-_6Hhor04vztjdN1jSXHmL8n22SUQe5Jo44R2qYge-kKNQgefFc394IQFv_PM66ojDMpFkpaGMiQ32BQBx0TnmRLqcO5xAZXU0t4GjdkNCWdAKIvCM/s320/DSCN1571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These pattern pieces are marked 1 & 2 because each piece fit on one piece of paper. After printing, I cut them out and taped them together. The numbers have nothing to do with construction. Just trying to keep it all clear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Cutting:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Cut from fabric (in this case the sweater): 1 front, 1 back, 2 side pieces, 2 straps, each 2"x35" (I didn't have enough sweater for 2 straps, so I just did one.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Cut from lining: 1 front, 1 back and 2 side pieces</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Cut from fusible fleece: 1 front and 1 back</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Cut from fusible interfacing: 2 side pieces, 1 strap length</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fuse all fusible pieces to their corresponding fabric pieces (i.e.: fusible fleece fused to the front and back pieces, fusible interfacing to sides and strap length(s)). You'll be fusing to the actual fashion fabric, not the lining. Just trying to keep it on the up and up and all clear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Sewing:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Take the strap length(s) and press each long edge under 1/4 inch. Fold the strap(s) in half the long way with the pressed under edges meeting. Stitch the full length of the strap, stitching the folded edges together. Set aside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Begin with the <b>lining</b>. Sew the two side pieces together at the center bottom. Pin, right sides together, the side (now one piece) to one of the front (or back) pieces. Be sure to pin. I used eleventy hundred pins to ease in the fullness of the front (or back) pieces. It all fits in the end, but you have to pin those curves:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1574.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See the center bottom seam? And how the side pieces are a little narrower at the top edges? This gives the purse some shape so that it's not just a square-ish bucket. Not that there's anything wrong with that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Repeat for the other front (or back) piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Time to start the <b>main fabric event. </b>Simply repeat what you did for the lining with the main fashion (sweater) fabric.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Turn the fashion fabric bag right side out and as best as you can press the seams on the right side:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1577.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just look at that texture! Also, make sure that when you buy a new ironing board cover at Ikea that it fits, so you don't have to show the world your skanky old cover.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Next, pin the strap to each side top edge, letting the strap go <i>under the bag.</i> Don't pin it and have it going across the top as if you could put it over your shoulder. You want it under so that when you turn the whole thing out it's where it should be:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1578.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't judge. The aqua tips seemed like a good idea at the time. When I was 12.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. Place the fabric purse inside the lining purse, <i>right sides together. </i>The wrong side of the lining is going to be facing you, and the strap will be inside, between the lining and the fabric. <i> See:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1579.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7. Sew around the top edge of the bag, leaving an opening of about 5 inches to turn. Pull the fabric to the outside, finger or iron press, remove bulk in the curves, sew a final topstitch around the top edge and you're done! It's easy to add a snap closure; add to the front and back of the lining pieces before sewing the lining and fashion fabric together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1582.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This should be perfect for fall. Or spring here in the NW, since it's fall weather anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You could easily create your own pattern and make it any shape you want, using these instructions as a guide. This bag is approximately 14 inches across the bottom and about 11 inches high. The side pieces are 2 inches wide at the top, angling out to 4 inches at the widest point where the two sides pieces meet at the center bottom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thecsiproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/thecsiproject.com-logo-150.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Visit thecsiproject.com" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://thecsiproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/thecsiproject.com-logo-150.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my very first time trying a CSI Project and I'm excited to give it a go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Somewhat Simple"><img alt="Somewhat Simple" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/linkpartythursday.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<center><a href="http://jembellish.blogspot.com/p/clothes-upcycling-projects.html"><img border="0" src="http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/creatingtosuccess/blog%20buttons%20-%20Creating%20my%20way%20to%20Success/Clothesupcyclingprojectslatest.jpg" /></a></center><br />
Cheerio!<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DeeDee</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-49551696712614766432011-05-17T19:36:00.000-07:002011-05-17T22:18:12.612-07:00Scrap Happy'Member back <a href="http://fairfieldmanor.blogspot.com/2011/04/some-craft.html">here</a> when I said I had some scraps to use up? Well, in fits and starts I've begun to diminish the gargantuan scrap bin. I can't seem to toss any scrap out. I was even keeping selvages for awhile until I thought that my hoarding may be becoming a problem. Now <a href="http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=4893">lookie</a> what I could have done with them. Alas, I threw them away before I saw any of this brilliant-ness. Now I'm keeping everything.<br />
I started with a mini version of a rug I have in the Manor loo. We'll call this a hot pot rug....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1564.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I started with this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzfLKPzsZEtvV8qc2TGWvDd1S64e2dN02dzKsnq3sWFrDVVZZLykt1yQp3uw0QBK6dv-AGc_hYDMBL8YgVnXx80kS0li_R9NXuKAJJ0krsnr5Fmt3jfo7s4pPvmxsxY8y1fl9J0m5tZ8/s1600/image8-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzfLKPzsZEtvV8qc2TGWvDd1S64e2dN02dzKsnq3sWFrDVVZZLykt1yQp3uw0QBK6dv-AGc_hYDMBL8YgVnXx80kS0li_R9NXuKAJJ0krsnr5Fmt3jfo7s4pPvmxsxY8y1fl9J0m5tZ8/s320/image8-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I tore 2 inch wide strips from large scraps of leftover fabrics. I wanted the edges to be funky and shabby and thought that after it was all crocheted most of the edges would be tucked pretty tightly anyway. I don't know the size of that crochet hook, I just got the biggest one I had. It probably could have been even a little bigger, but it worked fine, really. Next I tied a slip knot in the end of a strip, chained 4, 2 SC in the 3rd chain from the hook and proceeded that way (2 SC in each chain) until I came to the end of that first row. It was then 2 SC in each stitch from the previous row, making rounds until I used up all of my strips. When I came to the end of a strip I simply either tied a new strip on or looped the new strip over my hook and continued crocheting. I'm going to make more, and might even make one big enough to have a replacement for the loo rug that was my inspiration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZdnZbC6f5eXji3NuaOXrv7bKRXVy8ltF0GlRXFo-ChB5iHCUWPxw1rXjXdYtbc9h9b8m6SoVEs69lLPhtQAG81ETzqBTKHkDLIyk5Z1jJWpqiZxkZJzYzushhnGc8GygMDuL74hExrQ/s1600/DSCN1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZdnZbC6f5eXji3NuaOXrv7bKRXVy8ltF0GlRXFo-ChB5iHCUWPxw1rXjXdYtbc9h9b8m6SoVEs69lLPhtQAG81ETzqBTKHkDLIyk5Z1jJWpqiZxkZJzYzushhnGc8GygMDuL74hExrQ/s320/DSCN1505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This beauty was made by a 92 year old client of mine. It's so adorable, and so was she.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I was flopping around on the internet the other day I came across <a href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/05/tutorial-thursday-ruffled-bookmark.html">this</a>. A perfect idea to use more scraps. My ladies' bible study group is beginning a study that requires lots of reading and flipping and flying around the bible and our workbooks. It seemed to me that we could all use a cute bookmark. So the toile and polka dot fabric that flirted with the idea of becoming a quilt for Princess Pooalot (she was over the toile by the time she arrived) became ruffled bookmarks for a lovely group of ladies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1557.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Get the tut <a href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/05/tutorial-thursday-ruffled-bookmark.html">here</a>. Easy peasy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Years ago I figured out how to cover hangers with crochet. I thought there must be a cute way to do the same with fabric. Crocheting with fabric strips around a plastic hanger just seemed more trouble that it was worth, plus I think I'd end up with a really fatty hanger. So I wrapped hangers instead. Again, I tore about 2 inch wide strips, folded the end of one strip over the end of the hanger, wrapping the remaining over that end to hide and secure it. I continued wrapping until I came back to the place I started and slipped the tail into the final wrap, pulling the tail tight. Cute and the shoulders of my shirts don't flop off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1583.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you guys know about <a href="http://www.pickyourplum.com/">Pick Your Plum</a>? It's fantabulous! Look what I got for almost <i>no </i>shillings:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1565.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bunches of ribbons with it's own little distributor box.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/DSCN1566.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week I got vinyl for my Cricut for .25 a sheet. Every day or so they have a new bargain that's unbelievable, and they send you an email so you can get in on it before your neighbor does. It's worth checking out, people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cheers to you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DeeDee</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Linking to:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/">Today's Creative Blog</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/handmade-projects-add-yours-6/">Hundreds of Handmade - The Tip Junkie</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-1275968830995457552011-05-10T10:40:00.000-07:002011-05-10T10:40:38.824-07:00The Sicks at the Manor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I don't know if it was something I ate at the Royal Wedding, realizing that even at my skinniest my hiney <i>never </i>looked like Pippa's, or a real live virus but I've been <i>sick.</i> I won't go into ugly deets, but oh. my. goodness. I'll just remind you to wash your hands after reading this post.<br />
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There were some benies from the sicks, though. I lost 6 pounds, and I'm a couple of days into feeling "normal" and it's still gone. And, oh yeah, I got an awesome get well gift from a friend that I've done some things for: a spanking new Ipad! For reals. The "some things" that I mention include stuff like sending emails, making business-ey phone calls (where I try and sound like an attorney/doctor/accountant/CIA agent or something), writing letters (again, putting on my attorney/doctor/accountant/CIA agent hat) and the like. My friend, although a very successful business woman who got where she is by the seat of her cute little pants speaks very broken English and doesn't feel confident making her point with professional types. And, something in me likes to go toe to toe with those types. Anyhoo, I have an ancient laptop that I use at work that is slower than slow and generally a piece o'crap so she gifted me with a new IPad. Incredible, I know. Oh, and then she took me out to dinner to top it off. I'm going to make her a Quiche Lorraine to thank her. I think that's about equal, right? Really, how do you respond to a gift like that? It'll be here in 5 weeks (I know, can't they build those faster?) and then I'll need total silence while I figure it out.<br />
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I did do a little crafty thing the other day. A friend's daughter is having her first baby. It's a boy, so I wrapped the gift so that it looks like a little business suit. Here's how I did it:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1547.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since I was still feeling pukey when I actually did this for real and didn't take pictures, I'm using what I could put my hands on for demonstration purposes. For the real gift I did use tissue because it was the only gift wrap I had in the house that wasn't wedding or little girl, and I didn't think Luke would appreciate either. <i>So, </i>lay the gift in the center of the paper you'll want to be the shirt. Fold one side to the center.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1548.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fold the opposite side to the center, folding the edge over (2X) to create a button placket. I can't remember which side buttons go on for boys and girls, but you'll know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1550.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After you've folded the top and bottom edges of the shirt under to the back of the package, lay it in the center of the suit paper. Now fold the edges at an angle (again 2X) to create lapels. Fold the top and bottom of the suit to the back, as you did the shirt. Of course, tape as you go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/DSCN1553.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Add a tie and perhaps a pocket that you could put a little gift enclosure into and there you are!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, tidy up the corners and edges. I was trying to save .29 worth of tissue, so I didn't actually tape this example. You could use regular gift wrap which would give you some really crazy cute options or even receiving blankets. I haven't tried this on different shaped gifts. Since this idea came to me in my fevered state, this is as far as I got. Anyway, it was cute and the Lord of the Manor thought I was a genius.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday when I finally felt like I had some umph I decided to clean and organize a couple of the Manor kitchen cupboards....I'll fill you in on that another day. It was epic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cheerio!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>After re-reading this I realize that the little suit looks like a lounge lizard suit. Very nice.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-68483849528176757002011-04-29T13:37:00.000-07:002011-04-29T13:37:19.113-07:00Wills and KateI must say as Lady of the Manor, I fully expected my invitation to the royal wedding to arrive well before now. I can only assume that there has been a snafu of sorts with the USPS. I'm sure that it will arrive shortly, and when it does I'm ready to go. While I'm waiting for the forthcoming invitation, I'll continue to ponder which fascinator to wear:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT4j6nmeQLe4_6jyMtxV5yHlofAVKf3NmfpG3YaydJNyEE0UlKioOq-bfEjB5qiNHeaHFl1zUv-H-t277ONUizu1bmQpDGr-wfvzxDq7cNavDAoUdKKd_QW38TyCMA6dJna7CN-UbIGk/s1600/bwfascinator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT4j6nmeQLe4_6jyMtxV5yHlofAVKf3NmfpG3YaydJNyEE0UlKioOq-bfEjB5qiNHeaHFl1zUv-H-t277ONUizu1bmQpDGr-wfvzxDq7cNavDAoUdKKd_QW38TyCMA6dJna7CN-UbIGk/s1600/bwfascinator.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf0FBjSLLeccax8hF87UL8imAdeTMJ1-ammaIKZiTAL2swLdwK9LQJMXu5AKoHzS_FIgAkjW7pohBT8UxOs8tDwoiPvtFzofDjYU3UDlclEBT0EXyBBZhWw3TUgjF8abiT9lecXKMDyI/s1600/fascinator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf0FBjSLLeccax8hF87UL8imAdeTMJ1-ammaIKZiTAL2swLdwK9LQJMXu5AKoHzS_FIgAkjW7pohBT8UxOs8tDwoiPvtFzofDjYU3UDlclEBT0EXyBBZhWw3TUgjF8abiT9lecXKMDyI/s320/fascinator.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which one?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">internet image</span></em></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Princess Beatrice took my first choice, drat the luck:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITJhdG9OQ_PnrPIBo5Kga4TLc1Zztj-ox-96oXZJdG-6La389gGlEXZTUFonNCd_qX4y1218BpQOb1ZjaRLo_kfUIzu3gkeDV2lhiCVP6qefJ2kUlDZfPpBqkXWs9FPwP2KSGia_vD1A/s1600/princess-beatrice-pic-getty-images-image-1-225099416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITJhdG9OQ_PnrPIBo5Kga4TLc1Zztj-ox-96oXZJdG-6La389gGlEXZTUFonNCd_qX4y1218BpQOb1ZjaRLo_kfUIzu3gkeDV2lhiCVP6qefJ2kUlDZfPpBqkXWs9FPwP2KSGia_vD1A/s320/princess-beatrice-pic-getty-images-image-1-225099416.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taupe is not my color after all. Is it hers?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">internet image</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left">Again, while I wait to travel across the pond to take part in, albiet late, the wedding festivities (I'm sure that I can re-live the whole affair on my own, no?), we're celebrating at the salon with scones, lemon curd, cherry preserves and tea.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/scones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/scones.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/table.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See the happy couple right behind the paper plates and out of season napkins? Such a beautiful couple.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN2AF5wSBgY0KWjEdJ8sCzJxsgWkQO1CqVJZyJYsnUwbD8SHkus2vlvT0gJKL1mrfIrZ-o0H5M0k4CwpS6aYqURF4RHyDEPwqeGdnTTC5VSvd1Z5osQD_O6ZOsaXU9nUwz-0LYUHWkg4/s1600/Prince-William-and-Kate-Middleton-Wedding-Vows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN2AF5wSBgY0KWjEdJ8sCzJxsgWkQO1CqVJZyJYsnUwbD8SHkus2vlvT0gJKL1mrfIrZ-o0H5M0k4CwpS6aYqURF4RHyDEPwqeGdnTTC5VSvd1Z5osQD_O6ZOsaXU9nUwz-0LYUHWkg4/s320/Prince-William-and-Kate-Middleton-Wedding-Vows.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She is so....<em>queenly</em>. And he seems like such a nice chap. (chap=Britspeak).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">internet image</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(lest you think I snapped these myself)</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thoroughly enthralled with all the pomp and circumstance and celebration. I await patiently my summons. Fascinator in tow, I'll be there. It will be a triumphant return for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.....this time I won't be so freaked out by the attacking squirrels at Kennsington Palace....but that's a story for another time.</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-4196413746529866652011-04-25T11:14:00.000-07:002011-04-25T11:14:14.426-07:00Easter at Fairfield ManorI had intended to take lots and lots of pictures of Easter this year. The table, the food, the drink, the lovely people, but I realize that I mostly stood around with a silly grin on my face (partly the wine, no doubt - although this morning I realized that we didn't even <i>open </i>and <i>offer</i> the white that our lovely guests brought<i>. </i>What a couple of doofuses. You all should have just <i>said something, people! </i>Wait, did you?) so happy to have a Manor full of family and friends. I did take a few pictures, a spotty representation of our day.<br />
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Duke Zeus did most of the cooking, giving us a sampling of what would be served at a gathering of family and friends in Greece.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image3-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image3-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marinated pork chops grilling on the barbeque....<i>so </i>good!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dip these in something called cheese salad or tzaziki and <i>oh my! </i>Cheese salad isn't what you might think. Well, I don't know what you think of when you think of cheese salad, but I expected something other than what it is. Which is: a mixture of feta, olive oil and sweet red pepper all whirled in a food processor or blender. It's a little similar to tzaziki in texture and oh. so. good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image1-9-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image1-9-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Princess Pooalot was giving directions from on high regarding the turning of the meatballs. And a fine job she did. We simply couldn't have done it without her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image5-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image5-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I rounded out the display of cured and fresh meats with a glazed ham. Some at the Manor couldn't imagine Easter without a ham and au gratin potatoes, so we enjoyed a meat-heavy Easter meal to say the least.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the nicest things that I contributed to our Easter feast was Strawberry Lemonade. Our Countess de Couv is expecting a Prince or Princess in the fall, and we also had two dashing young knights among our guests, so I wanted to make something yummy that they would enjoy (who knew one was highly allergic to strawberries? Note to self: always ask about pesky things like throat closures, neck swellings and sudden death). Anyhoo, here's the recipe. It's just as gorgeous as it is good. Great picnic fare:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strawberry Lemonade</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4-6 generous servings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a medium pan bring the 2 c water and the sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat a little and stir to dissolve the sugar, making a simple syrup. Add the lemon juice and zest. Let cool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, puree the strawberries in a blender or food processor. I was reminded <i>again</i> yesterday, that if I'm using the blender, do the pureeing in small batches. Methinks you could do larger batches in the food processor, but it was buried in the corner behind various meat courses in various states of preparation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the mixture is cool, strain it into a large pitcher and add the pureed strawberries. Chill well in refrigerator. When your ready to serve, pour a couple of ounces (taste test) into a 8 oz glass and fill the rest with water (still, sparkling or seltzer). We used club soda yesterday and it was very good. Garnish with mint. Very refreshing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image6-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image6-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our bar area after things were underway. I show you this because there on the right you can see the pitcher of strawberry lemonade concentrate. Such a gorgeous color, I must say. You can also barely detect a gerbera daisy there behind everything. It's sitting in the O of B-L-O-O-M. I told you that once I figured out the Cricut vinyl cutting capabilities, I'd go a little crazy. The crazy is starting....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image2-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image2-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't neglect mentioning that our day started at <a href="http://www.oregoncitychristianchurch.com/">church</a> with wonderful worship, baptisms, new faces and old friends. Ken delivered such a great message about whether Christ's death on the cross matters to us today. Does it matter at work, at the store - the places we really live? It makes you think and I'll give you the answer to the question: yes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended our day cracking red eggs in Greek tradition. The object is to choose the champion egg which will be the strongest as you smack it against the ends of the opponent's egg....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image7-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/image7-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Duke Zeus was the champ this year. Once again, I believe. I'm starting to think he has some inside knowledge on how to hold the egg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today, I am tired but happy. Easter day was all that I wanted it to be (picture taking failure and silly grinning not withstanding), worship was fulfilling, food was delicious and the folks gathered at the Manor were delightful. And next year we'll have one more around our table. Or two, the jury is still out on that question.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-41693381771187651662011-04-20T09:26:00.000-07:002011-04-20T09:26:13.077-07:00Bake Fail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXq5zJbiVNZy_g8T_CQ9Px3TBWyOPF2x4bnJdKboBORkPkOetAWjnzN_Ku74gjoPG00yqDwoKVveBSaHvmZ5eWC2Ua051xrT_E3UnAn4IxULoP4WQAVnXxcSPjCS2k0rRf8TNXiEqb3nc/s1600/image10-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXq5zJbiVNZy_g8T_CQ9Px3TBWyOPF2x4bnJdKboBORkPkOetAWjnzN_Ku74gjoPG00yqDwoKVveBSaHvmZ5eWC2Ua051xrT_E3UnAn4IxULoP4WQAVnXxcSPjCS2k0rRf8TNXiEqb3nc/s320/image10-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go ahead and laugh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was feeling uppity after Sunday's relative <a href="http://fairfieldmanor.blogspot.com/2011/04/koulourakia.html">baking success</a>. I forgot that I shouldn't try cookies on my own. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18YX7_pbqalIuoil8PrEby7glr6ZgrUjDiy4gLdFXj_XIrUtY0Ldj9CoSGDlxq008PVSVzjJ5-Wzr7rP5BujnqwVzoQWiSo4puxfcyAzPACSfhbJEmw9-xFV4DCyQevteZafQV5G91tA/s1600/image8-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18YX7_pbqalIuoil8PrEby7glr6ZgrUjDiy4gLdFXj_XIrUtY0Ldj9CoSGDlxq008PVSVzjJ5-Wzr7rP5BujnqwVzoQWiSo4puxfcyAzPACSfhbJEmw9-xFV4DCyQevteZafQV5G91tA/s320/image8-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It all started out looking promising....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5zP5sn9zW2RzDAsQjZL1wUax523i0qETX-OhP2b-8GECw52zg2JLAmm4ZvVtf1_6PsnDonx3nBhEEbs4hHkFd5j__JQUc0b5Nn8gYzqXZC474gRJYb3qToC150bZ5BuBcsdyT_ZXDMQ/s1600/image1-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5zP5sn9zW2RzDAsQjZL1wUax523i0qETX-OhP2b-8GECw52zg2JLAmm4ZvVtf1_6PsnDonx3nBhEEbs4hHkFd5j__JQUc0b5Nn8gYzqXZC474gRJYb3qToC150bZ5BuBcsdyT_ZXDMQ/s320/image1-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and in fairness, the peanut butter cookies turned out. But really, how hard are they? They're off to the salon this morning for my co-workers. They are under the impression that I can bake due to repeated appearances of these babies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMndYIaWbDAekEeO6UF8IumhFsMN-njnOoHlRH8Y2OY1_XCOq4978w56dH1rc63qYyGYTlcQyi1OUL_0JoEXQT9_1B_CdtngKpLG2Eru7G4GL0yHQwMvHtJTzfJZVzk0IERM93S1NIPac/s1600/image11-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMndYIaWbDAekEeO6UF8IumhFsMN-njnOoHlRH8Y2OY1_XCOq4978w56dH1rc63qYyGYTlcQyi1OUL_0JoEXQT9_1B_CdtngKpLG2Eru7G4GL0yHQwMvHtJTzfJZVzk0IERM93S1NIPac/s320/image11-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcapjuI61XZ6HP4RA_lZl9KADr6agOVGkpE6D6xNN4u_UL5bXHYp_brcPEPCKv5HRF1QxpGIj0vaYr0ua6ZGwyzjES13CHuL9Yv3dnltmxi2h2kXtlDV2L3iAEOhyI2_NbYPpgpo7aCE/s1600/image5-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcapjuI61XZ6HP4RA_lZl9KADr6agOVGkpE6D6xNN4u_UL5bXHYp_brcPEPCKv5HRF1QxpGIj0vaYr0ua6ZGwyzjES13CHuL9Yv3dnltmxi2h2kXtlDV2L3iAEOhyI2_NbYPpgpo7aCE/s320/image5-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But for those of you coming to the Manor for Easter, I'm dreadfully sorry. You'll have your choice of a navy blue wrinkly butterfly, an institutional green chick or various burnt bunnies, eggs and tulips. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Beg pardon, the Earl has eaten the burnt bunny.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Earl: That's crispy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me: Shut up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully, the Manor guests are upper crust and are bringing lovely provisions, and I believe a dessert is in order.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-66703644535479042382011-04-18T09:22:00.000-07:002011-04-18T14:22:33.794-07:00KoulourakiaPrincess Pooalot came to the Manor today. She came with her Mummy and Daddy, the Countess du Greece and Duke Zeus and her Yia Yia's recipe for Koulourakia, a traditional Greek Easter cookie. As I mentioned before, it's Princess Poo's very first Easter. She's still toothless, but is that a reason to miss out on important holiday cookie baking? I think not. Others surely can eat her share this year. I'm certain we can all pitch in and help her out. Yes? I thought so.<br />
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Here's the cast of characters according to Yia Yia Katie's recipe:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF9M_0C-eIsvTFmvkLOKMhwS8aUc54aYdbYK49pBHPCGt_F9qdRqOknNKBcg8Jv3M5jDpxSROBFugQsw-BTnHAZt0ONwWNLGX2Hd9OujAiHy5a4CqYpn8QNqDbVgiT0e4EMTcjZNsJzo/s1600/image68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF9M_0C-eIsvTFmvkLOKMhwS8aUc54aYdbYK49pBHPCGt_F9qdRqOknNKBcg8Jv3M5jDpxSROBFugQsw-BTnHAZt0ONwWNLGX2Hd9OujAiHy5a4CqYpn8QNqDbVgiT0e4EMTcjZNsJzo/s320/image68.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mostly it's the cast. I notice that the flour and baking powder are absent. But the important parts are posing there very nicely...butter, eggs and sugar. The oranges are sitting there smugly, looking very...well...<i>smug </i>aren't they? They provide a lovely fragrant and irreplaceable nuance to the finished cookie, and vitamin C of course. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You aren't able to see, but the recipe is in Greek so Duke Zeus was imperative to the process. The Countess could discern bits and blurbs, but this is an exacting task and we needed the Duke's expertise. To tell us when we had added "enough flour that the dough looked nice", or just exactly what a "medium" oven is, for instance. You know, the finer deets. Yia Yia Katie is one of those <i>born </i>cooks and bakers. She bakes by feel and the position of the stars, using not much more than a coffee cup for measurement. Me? I'm not so comfy with baking. I can come up with some kind of hot mess, people. Consider the Parmesan Knots for yesterday's dinner...lovely golden on the outside looking very promising and completely <i>raw </i>on the inside. <i>And these were concocted from a tube of biscuits.</i> Oh, and the muffins for church yesterday? I watched a friend peel off the cute little paper (which admittedly looked a little scorched, but I didn't have time to do an inspection before rushing out the door for crying out loud) to reveal what looked like a Kingsford Bricquet. So yeah, baking is a bit of a mystery to me. In addition, Yia Yia Katie has this wonder called a Thermo Mix. I think it mixes and bakes all in one or something. It makes my sexy red KitchenAid look like something out of a Fisher Price kitchenette.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But we must make do at the Manor, for the sake of the children.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyR38MzM4R4cHFWsT_ID4qQoF7vqD2cYI28p-kqV_mmkwE_ZEdfcbN_wAz5eltFlCCf4mishffw7cYRHmLT6Td_scjnBW5h-CPUrE1NdZXo4xpvBrzgjoA1Di4Zbv34R_GLF2Xbhn0vI/s1600/image77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyR38MzM4R4cHFWsT_ID4qQoF7vqD2cYI28p-kqV_mmkwE_ZEdfcbN_wAz5eltFlCCf4mishffw7cYRHmLT6Td_scjnBW5h-CPUrE1NdZXo4xpvBrzgjoA1Di4Zbv34R_GLF2Xbhn0vI/s320/image77.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's too bad I don't have a picture of the egg fluffing, because it was a sight to behold. Three whole eggs and 3 yolks beaten with 1 cup of sugar until the mixture was beautifully yellow and fluffy. Above, you can see where we almost got into trouble...the adding of the flour. The recipe called for 9 cups of flour. Now, that's alot of flour in anybody's book, no? We later found another recipe for Koulourakia from Yia Yia Katie calling for far less flour. Here's where you need to actually need to know "when the dough looks nice". You can just barely see Princess Poo's weensy foot in the lower left of the picture. Something in her tiny little Greekness was shuddering (hence the blurry weensy foot) at the abandon with which I added 8 cups of flour to the laboring mixer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: Do you think that's right? That's alot of flour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Duke Zeus: That's alot of flour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Countess: Is that right, honey?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Duke Zeus: I don't know. I don't bake. (me: WHAT?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Princess Poo:.................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: We can throw it out and start over. Really, it's okay. (this is how I handle things)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdoHUjdDvqJuuKPM3QD41Qvr97yA5cw9dAEzVluSWkCk0mRwKSwcF7VyMOKhEEwgIynLnV9Lmc4btSIWlfkMK6dViIFe20HHUo0Ei_cfs4_ixqaUWE372BnWSGN9kePCTfeGMOqvn_A0/s1600/image81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdoHUjdDvqJuuKPM3QD41Qvr97yA5cw9dAEzVluSWkCk0mRwKSwcF7VyMOKhEEwgIynLnV9Lmc4btSIWlfkMK6dViIFe20HHUo0Ei_cfs4_ixqaUWE372BnWSGN9kePCTfeGMOqvn_A0/s320/image81.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's where I went next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After some hand wringing over the flour situation, we decided against throwing out $10 worth of dough and let it rest while some among us had a bottle to calm ourselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it came time to bake, we decided that a medium oven was 350 degrees (after the first batch, we upped it to 375 and that seemed just right).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA26b4DrZN23muKaMwgJjpnqce2JlhAItp2OrRc2YUhfp71TWsaDbtMqYqJrJM8bmBgQp1h1zOpqiO65QKquDLWAvjTHQT4CRSbpQiXSIpupO3hMqwdWqSS1BR7mKN-Br9mXraMyOPFQQ/s1600/image87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA26b4DrZN23muKaMwgJjpnqce2JlhAItp2OrRc2YUhfp71TWsaDbtMqYqJrJM8bmBgQp1h1zOpqiO65QKquDLWAvjTHQT4CRSbpQiXSIpupO3hMqwdWqSS1BR7mKN-Br9mXraMyOPFQQ/s320/image87.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grab a wad of the dough in your arthritic hand about the size of a small egg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXJQlnqEXXMsCmsoPLcw9l6dqb7RJmNxvdHLeQF_us3WfV0zgmnUiqD3RUsgCrb6j69kOwzaPXl1E_9xsCXSndmHfGjim1wqNkLNvw8yNY7hk1dSAle0zM7lyIDm10lY2SvZ5hItZB1U/s1600/image88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXJQlnqEXXMsCmsoPLcw9l6dqb7RJmNxvdHLeQF_us3WfV0zgmnUiqD3RUsgCrb6j69kOwzaPXl1E_9xsCXSndmHfGjim1wqNkLNvw8yNY7hk1dSAle0zM7lyIDm10lY2SvZ5hItZB1U/s320/image88.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roll it into about a 10 inch snake. Yia Yia Katie does this between her hands, but I simply couldn't get that down. So I polished my counters with the dough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRWl8LNttzfD9MZVdp6A-zTId7kzDwgAIKGfsdLnuijynSduy-aYkv-tRPT4tD0lk0FT_R2CsZNF__LCEqRGdKULU3ksUWtsoNhosQhXbI5u7-T-okcBG5uRWlE3ySVcBr2MwI_EGmzE/s1600/image91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRWl8LNttzfD9MZVdp6A-zTId7kzDwgAIKGfsdLnuijynSduy-aYkv-tRPT4tD0lk0FT_R2CsZNF__LCEqRGdKULU3ksUWtsoNhosQhXbI5u7-T-okcBG5uRWlE3ySVcBr2MwI_EGmzE/s320/image91.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fold the snake in half and twist. Make sure you have a mani before you make Koulourakia, and do choose a nuclear pinky purple. It's so <i>springy,</i> you know?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My proudest moment (and we could only go up from the Parmesan Knots) was when Duke Zeus observed the finished product and said.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KQgLWUeadOHUJv50BUmx3XSXevdYzcY-XXtdap2d8ncsv0Dcn2zwR6zwofZ1DK9IRVFWv57XxASbCGE6VZ9WMpNnkToNHpanV7SgVT4jvRUnzVLHujbRnquuHNuUL0W1zc7tfKuArvU/s1600/image93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KQgLWUeadOHUJv50BUmx3XSXevdYzcY-XXtdap2d8ncsv0Dcn2zwR6zwofZ1DK9IRVFWv57XxASbCGE6VZ9WMpNnkToNHpanV7SgVT4jvRUnzVLHujbRnquuHNuUL0W1zc7tfKuArvU/s320/image93.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"....this row here, I could not separate from my mom's."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me: <i>contented sigh.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I should point out, he was speaking of the row in front, not the row in back. Those little fatties didn't get glazed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBYGxnvIsuDpCIqJQiPpyTfM1iHTAol2J1tcc9yqXaCw1b2aGl0b6knxg_uEF7QVNrEn99vFEZV3AG2ceLfXb-Ab1WiiISSBmKtb2eq9xFrmjt1TxHPDO5b240H7JuxRWxoWKKLhTqPQ/s1600/image95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBYGxnvIsuDpCIqJQiPpyTfM1iHTAol2J1tcc9yqXaCw1b2aGl0b6knxg_uEF7QVNrEn99vFEZV3AG2ceLfXb-Ab1WiiISSBmKtb2eq9xFrmjt1TxHPDO5b240H7JuxRWxoWKKLhTqPQ/s320/image95.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Personally, this one is my favorite. I can't help but think of a plump little lady laying there with her legs crossed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yia Yia Katie's Koulourakia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 eggs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 egg yolks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 c sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 c butter (melted)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">zest of 2 oranges</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9 c flour (I'm saying 9 because that's what Yia Yia Katie wrote, but full disclosure - methinks 6-7 c)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8 t baking powder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 t salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 c milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">glaze: 1 egg yolk & 1 spoon of milk </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beat eggs, yolks and sugar at high speed until fluffy. With the mixer running, slowly add the cooled butter. Add zest and milk. Mix. Add the salt and baking powder and begin adding the flour. You want a moderately stiff, but not terribly dry dough. Let the dough rest for 15 or 20 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With small egg sized balls of dough, roll into a snake, fold and twist. You can also make the snakes into spirals, if you like. Place on cookie sheet (I used a seasoned stoneware, so I'm not sure about greasing issues on a metal sheet - I probably wouldn't for the first batch) and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. They should be lovely golden brown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Koulourakia are wonderful with coffee (or tea, I'm told). They are slightly sweet with just a hint of orange. They will keep in an airtight container for a couple of weeks apparently. I highly doubt if they'll last before the Earl and I eat them, so I won't be able to confirm that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, you'll notice that there is no vanilla and no sesame seeds in Yia Yia's recipe. Others I found on the internets had both, the sesame seeds being sprinkled on top. These are delicious as is, I really wouldn't change a thing, and this is what Duke Zeus grew up with. And that's what I was hoping for, to help replicate what was familiar, for him and his wife and tiny beautiful daughter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-73750406670371932502011-04-15T17:35:00.000-07:002011-04-16T13:46:23.405-07:00WhyohWhy do you do it?I've been getting that question some lately. Why? Why do you blog? Underlining queries: a: <i>what </i>on earth could you have to say? (plenty, honey) b: Oh goody! Are we going to talk about <i>me </i>now? (er, no Tracy Lords, this isn't The Philidelphia Story) c: who gives a crap? (I don't know, but 4 or 5 people leave comments and I <i>so love</i> that. I really do).<br />
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Truth be told, and I like to do that - tell the truth, I mean - mostly - the night I started my blog I just wanted to see if I could do it. Anything I know computer/technology/slightly mathy stuff (and I do see this as a little math-like) is self taught, and I do so love to learn new things. The Countess du Greece will object to my description of being self-taught, however. <br />
Me: Jeeeeez, I just clicked on this thing and now I have the blue screen of death.<br />
Countess: What did you click?<br />
Me: I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE THE BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH.<br />
Countess: Mom, what did you click?<br />
Me: I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE THE BLUE DEATH SCREEN THINGY.<br />
Countess: What window did you have open?<br />
Me: er...the kitchen window is open, I think...<br />
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That was several years ago. Like maybe 10 or so. Right about the time I destroyed a hard drive by pouring a Diet Coke on it. On purpose, people, I could think of no other way to get rid of it safely. I still don't know what the blue screen of death is all about, but I haven't seen it in <em>years. </em>Did they get rid of it? Anybody know? With tutelage from various Dukes and Countesses far and wide, I've come to this. A blog.<br />
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For me, my blog is a place to talk 'til I'm blue in the face without interruption. Hence, I talk and ramble on just about anything. Is it a craft blog? No. Yes. Is it a foodie blog? Ditto. Is it a creative outlet unlike other things that I do creatively? Oh, yes ma'am. I have always liked to write. Side note here: my oldest and dearest friend and I once wrote a novel of epic proportions about us and The Beatles. It was voluminous. We were like, 13, so it was back when we wrote on stone tablets. She still has her copy. So, see it's in my blood and I've had vast <em>experience</em>. I had a college writing teacher tell me that my writing was reminiscent of Garrison Keillor. He said that at about week 9 of the class. The first week what I got from him was my paper being used as an example (to the entire class) of "atrocious" writing. I much prefer his later analysis, and I mention it in case my voice is hauntingly familiar to you. Not for bragging purposes at all. That's not my way.<br />
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So...I blog to speak. I speak about life at Fairfield Manor, my haven and an ever-changing (unless the Earl convinces me otherwise) work in progress. Life at Fairfield Manor revolves around my delicious family, good food, crafty/sewing/gluing/nailing stuff, Irish whiskey, a Pinot that I fancy, good books, my very astute observations on life and my bumpy spiritual journey. And I learn new stuff every minute. My next thing to learn is how to put a button right on the post. If I can't figure it out, I may deem it unimportant. So you see, it is a crafty blog, a foodie blog, a daily life blog, a spiritual blog....it's life at Fairfield Manor with the Lord and Lady in residence.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I've linked here:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/">Modern Country Style</a></i><br />
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<center><a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/Sarplowman/Searchresultsfordefinition.jpg" /></a></center><center><br />
</center><center><i>(Lookie, I know how to do it now. Thanks, <a href="http://mossandclover.blogspot.com/">Terry!</a>)</i></center>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-35670530999497390212011-04-13T10:30:00.000-07:002011-04-15T20:38:30.763-07:00Jamie's Pesto...sort ofIt's week 2 of getting naked with Jamie Oliver over at <a href="http://iheartcookingclubs.blogspot.com/">IHCC</a>. We're celebrating April showers, something we have no shortage of here at Fairfield Manor. There was no shortage of March showers for that matter. Ideally, April showers will bring May flowers and all that. I have a feeling that the Manor gardens won't be lush with anything except slugs and mud in May, but we'll see. Back to my story: being naked with Jamie. This week, the challenge is to prepare one of Jamie's recipes that focuses on <i>fresh...</i>as in veg (Jamiespeak) or fruit (I'm not aware that he calls fruit anything but fruit, but if you know differently, let me know?) <br />
The other night the Earl and I joined friends for happy hour at a local Italian restaurant and for a mere 5 sheckels I had incredibly good pesto. It was served over very nicely cooked pasta with a skewer of shrimp. I've been thinking of it ever since. I love that, when you have a dish at a restaurant that stays with you, you know, in a good way. I've never made pesto at home. I don't know why, except that I rarely have pine nuts around. I decided to take this opportunity to leave my pesto virginity in the dust.<br />
Jamie's recipe is fairly ambiguous, measurement-wise but it didn't seem to matter. I still didn't have pine nuts in the Manor larder, but I did find some pecans in the freezer and thought "how bad can that be?"<br />
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First step:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrcgzgGYHtJMuJyLJpAEk-rsmF_U8x2kgLetZkL5N0HyiW668jZwmG8hntneJzv0qwHo58bcBr7BsDLpCWeM8oc9VG27M8i585TurUIc7rP3Ylq2L901SLoeOeWh9IpGsKQxBlHuBGgw/s1600/image0-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrcgzgGYHtJMuJyLJpAEk-rsmF_U8x2kgLetZkL5N0HyiW668jZwmG8hntneJzv0qwHo58bcBr7BsDLpCWeM8oc9VG27M8i585TurUIc7rP3Ylq2L901SLoeOeWh9IpGsKQxBlHuBGgw/s320/image0-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lightly toast the pecans (or pine nuts, or just about any nuts apparently). When you just begin to detect their aroma, get them off the heat. My measurement was one overflowing handful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MXzcvXLDQpCUijOQfy8dSZZ2E7mUedAHdEgj0YdGW-wPx8t4hjUkE_nqMGEUyMMjnsNh0h0npyOnnWEYvrq_5prA7yppZeMGnYhNIeMea9WpRxfXyQVM9h25F9PGKzyXMMy-i-d7i-o/s1600/image1-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MXzcvXLDQpCUijOQfy8dSZZ2E7mUedAHdEgj0YdGW-wPx8t4hjUkE_nqMGEUyMMjnsNh0h0npyOnnWEYvrq_5prA7yppZeMGnYhNIeMea9WpRxfXyQVM9h25F9PGKzyXMMy-i-d7i-o/s320/image1-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, rinse and pat dry 3 good handfuls of basil. Seriously, these are Jamie's measuremental terms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Measuremental isn't a word, by the way. Take the leaves off the stems.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Toss the leaves in the food processor and give them a good whack (or pound, both Jamiespeak), along with a clove of garlic and a little sea salt. Add the nuts of choice and whack again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZtjAWZyjQ2fFyzgJyjwsr9Pw-WPJ6d-UY8lSQnfxbUOFOcQAlp1gzWromDQdSiqhnBe6pGmn8m3DuBCtp3uZG9HzYEre6sfXzF0YWq1DYv8TS4dQfm8raqKvv3YtR0z_logIapEqAjU/s1600/image4-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZtjAWZyjQ2fFyzgJyjwsr9Pw-WPJ6d-UY8lSQnfxbUOFOcQAlp1gzWromDQdSiqhnBe6pGmn8m3DuBCtp3uZG9HzYEre6sfXzF0YWq1DYv8TS4dQfm8raqKvv3YtR0z_logIapEqAjU/s320/image4-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add a goodly handful of grated Parmasan and mix with olive oil. I ended up using about 1 cup of olive oil....all that I had so the Earl is off to the Greek deli tomorrow for replenishments. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This whole process took about 5 minutes. Seriously. Had I known that pesto was this easy, I surely wouldn't have let a small thing like the lack of pine nuts stop me. You could even leave the nuts out entirely and it would still be smack. (That should freak out the various Dukes and Countesses - <i>smack.</i>) heh heh. Back to the finished product, which admittedly, isn't all that attractive. There's something about vibrant green food that's slightly off putting, unless it's in it's natural state, like broccoli or something. But this stuff is amazingly good. I hope you try it. I served it over mushroom ravioli, but it would be good over any pasta, I should think.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizatiaObN9EkyQmrZ23DebLAsu-Hxq8F_Cs6CqOrLqLZwN_eU2Se8CVHNPufCprwyw0bw6RusZIaL_U52Fq4vMw1B9nn_Zgq-Wewi7Rk_3buOQ0G7ZhtmVTvOy83wmKZ8CH2tUqAAnVZY/s1600/image6-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizatiaObN9EkyQmrZ23DebLAsu-Hxq8F_Cs6CqOrLqLZwN_eU2Se8CVHNPufCprwyw0bw6RusZIaL_U52Fq4vMw1B9nn_Zgq-Wewi7Rk_3buOQ0G7ZhtmVTvOy83wmKZ8CH2tUqAAnVZY/s320/image6-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pesto, serves 4</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jamie Oliver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 clove garlic<i> (I used a whole clove, in case of vampires you know)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sea salt and freshly ground black pepper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 good handfuls of fresh basil, leaves picked</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">a handful of pine nuts, very lightly toasted <i>(I've explained the nut situation here at the Manor, so go ahead and experiment)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">a good handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">extra virgin olive oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">a small squeeze of lemon juice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pound the garlic with a little pinch of sea salt and the basil leaves in a pestle and mortar, or pulse in a food processor. Add a bit more garlic if you like, but I usually stick to 1/2 clove. Add the pine nuts to the mixture and pound again. Turnout into a bowl and add half the Parmesan. Stir gently and add olive oil--you need just enough to bind the sauce and get it to an oozy consistency.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Season to taste, then add most of the remaining cheese. Pour in some more oil and taste again. You may like to add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to give it a little twang, but it's not essential.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Completely unrelated news flash: </i>Remember when I said I had a <a href="http://fairfieldmanor.blogspot.com/2011/04/some-craft.html">Silhouette?</a> Well, it turns out I really don't. I have a Cricut. See how friendly we are? I don't even know her name. So, anyway, a while back I bought some vinyl because I like to do things like that, you know, buy stuff I might like to maybe give a try out someday and then put it somewhere where I'll never find it, thereby necessitating another trip to the store for the same thing....and on and on it goes. <i> Aaand we're back.... </i><b>so </b>this morning was apparently the morning I was going to finally try to cut some vinyl. I gingerly pulled Ms. Cricut out and pressed the open button (which is awesome in itself), spent 15 minutes rummaging around and found the vinyl (I was <i>positive </i>it was black, but turns out not, it's brown). After reading the rule book <i>one more time </i>(it's hell getting old....mind turns into a sieve, and not in a good way), I pressed some buttons, slapped the vinyl on the cool sticky mat and <i>voila</i>, I have a big ol' F! So easy. Stay tuned...I'm pretty sure I'm about to go crazy with this stuff. For now, I had to find a place for my F, so the only likely spot I could quickly find (because I have to get to work to pay for more vinyl) was the old door we have randomly leaning against a wall in the Manor living room....in the East Wing of the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT_vNp3G4z5YM_pnK3eekElgqxlbhQWv0lo732XxsrmBKjzGUJAaeVJ_UF-GWbwTg2ePjmQGJ5BdTArsNqdpzfTBYORlYjz_6BIyOyGJh72ljSTvL2Yzo152sLIhdg0vl049674tQo8A/s1600/image0-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT_vNp3G4z5YM_pnK3eekElgqxlbhQWv0lo732XxsrmBKjzGUJAaeVJ_UF-GWbwTg2ePjmQGJ5BdTArsNqdpzfTBYORlYjz_6BIyOyGJh72ljSTvL2Yzo152sLIhdg0vl049674tQo8A/s320/image0-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>I've linked here:</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://iheartcookingclubs.blogspot.com/">I Heart Cooking Clubs</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://iheartcookingclubs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="IHCCJamieOliver" border="0" src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj214/girlichef/misc%20blog%20badges/LetsGetNaked.jpg" /></a>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-64563532660914896302011-04-11T17:13:00.000-07:002011-04-12T13:40:59.090-07:00Tulle and RibbonThree years ago, when the young Duke and The Countess de Couv were planning their wedding my mind was on all things fancy and floofy. Toile, pearls, ribbon, sparkle and of course, tulle occupied my mostly feeble mind. Helping plan a wedding on a budget for nearly 400 of your nearest and dearest is <i>taxing</i>, people. Fun, but taxing. The liquor and chocolate requirements at the Manor were increased by several-fold (is that a term? several fold? You get the idea). Eeeenyway, besides wine and chocolate by the truckload (in addition to not a small number of orders of McD's fries), I also bought 200 yards (or more) of tulle. It's really super cheap for all the effect you get from it, but still. More than 200 yards is a bit much.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Voyez...</span></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/105.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We floofed the guest book table</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We floofed the front of the church. Notice any flowers? We didn't even miss them. The huge screen in back was the scene of hilarious snaps of the Duke and Countess growing up shown just before the ceremony began.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/196-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/196-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/079-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/079-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We floofed some little patootie Princesses....in all there were 5 petite Ladies-in-Waiting</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/135-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/135-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We floofed the aisle for the wedding party bravely led by 2 handsome barefoot Knights</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/189-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/189-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/222-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r175/diedrieanne/Fairfield%20Manor/222-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And we floofed nearly every corner and crevice of the reception. See the guest book bouquet making its second appearance? It's sitting on top of a milk crate I had on my deck, lit from underneath with Christmas lights and beautifully draped by the Countess' clever aunt. Each table had a centerpiece of a cake pedestal (Craigslist) topped with 3 mis-matched glass candlesticks (Goodwill). The plan was to have ivory tapers in each candlestick, but silly us, we didn't think of fire regulations. It seems that nearly 100 lit and unprotected candles could be a problem. Ahem. Sooo, back to Goodwill, scouring the shelves for clear, glass votives - the kind from the 70's and 80's that have the little pokey thingie on the bottom that sits in a sconce or something. The votives sat atop the candlesticks, a friend of the Earl's made dyed to match tealights for them and it was beautiful! Of course, there was tulle wrapped around each candle arrangement, and pearls. So pretty. I wish I had a picture of the groomsmen putting all of them together at the reception hall while us girls were primping and posturing back at the church.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
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</i></div>Even with all of that, I still have nearly a full bolt of beautiful ivory tulle just waiting to floof up the Manor.<br />
To that end, I've had a springtime wreath on my mind and the Countess du Greece, Princess Po<br />
oalot and Duke Zeus and I made a trip to Michael's yesterday afternoon. The Earl stayed home to guard the Manor in our absence. He's not a fan of "standing in one place and looking at the same thing for an hour" style of shopping that I may or may not practice. I picked up a simple styro wreath to be tulle-ized, along with some cute ribbon and ball fringe...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ26Ueemtgh5SuoTK2dvIv71EFqjl8qwwRmhL12YkwfD-TPvOETg7aKYKZAzg7_n4XYG5rjExRml1um6eDjS3HUXUlifwqlVcMoABUNOSGS05e5lC2cBrZA9L2NcxS4ttuaECmxiYI_SE/s1600/image30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ26Ueemtgh5SuoTK2dvIv71EFqjl8qwwRmhL12YkwfD-TPvOETg7aKYKZAzg7_n4XYG5rjExRml1um6eDjS3HUXUlifwqlVcMoABUNOSGS05e5lC2cBrZA9L2NcxS4ttuaECmxiYI_SE/s320/image30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at that cute little ball fringe. It makes me smile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wrapped the form in a long strip of tulle, pinning it in just two places in the back...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31owvv1cM4d-KXAtv2KQR8H7Xhu8GSpKtWqUGZP1nHKxsOPce7WkI7FVwW172-BQfIj0hzWo6YwnyBHBl0CCnEy0TVL3KaDVae4BI_OrQrUTX9P7VuK7sstu-bqvAmsI35N8LHLrH2x8/s1600/image31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31owvv1cM4d-KXAtv2KQR8H7Xhu8GSpKtWqUGZP1nHKxsOPce7WkI7FVwW172-BQfIj0hzWo6YwnyBHBl0CCnEy0TVL3KaDVae4BI_OrQrUTX9P7VuK7sstu-bqvAmsI35N8LHLrH2x8/s320/image31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, I added ribbon and the cute little ball fringe, wrapping and twisting until I liked what I had done....you like? I do....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87HdruRAAPiqJCE4kTtfkotEf29snuw9PBwBHKx-Q9vIxDHks6yKAjbMctoLlEhscwUVE3o0zQG6cVvlcf4lwepgW-IvkuSv-cGKkOoWrVbvWdyaxIT8pApE42amqCAKJPUhNd9z76Eg/s1600/image32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87HdruRAAPiqJCE4kTtfkotEf29snuw9PBwBHKx-Q9vIxDHks6yKAjbMctoLlEhscwUVE3o0zQG6cVvlcf4lwepgW-IvkuSv-cGKkOoWrVbvWdyaxIT8pApE42amqCAKJPUhNd9z76Eg/s320/image32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-MFd-QgCzpAHrajtg08cSzrlZJ01Zt0FANHHxpWR-pqKRYK3yjP5i-x6wU-Y-XT1oicepyhIgKHusExzf7kWT79c2isoXb8ltQaxoAML5E7OjfWhkuOOem4KZU_-4ur4yHQ5ulFusfQ/s1600/image33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-MFd-QgCzpAHrajtg08cSzrlZJ01Zt0FANHHxpWR-pqKRYK3yjP5i-x6wU-Y-XT1oicepyhIgKHusExzf7kWT79c2isoXb8ltQaxoAML5E7OjfWhkuOOem4KZU_-4ur4yHQ5ulFusfQ/s320/image33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still, it needs <i>something.... </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sooo....</i>not one to shy away from adding just a little somethin' somethin'....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi4rwrEpzzxUqcPhxoiYIEIWjSw7Mx7o0z0KuxrFOZOBZn-t4K-ahXK-b8WPRvhmCOYAKFqamtuWgJckcvFuRX7qPxT4JPH_WdVVl2t0c1MvtyXQA9Z8UxqWnjiSC7eEF07CPiNgO_cY/s1600/image34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi4rwrEpzzxUqcPhxoiYIEIWjSw7Mx7o0z0KuxrFOZOBZn-t4K-ahXK-b8WPRvhmCOYAKFqamtuWgJckcvFuRX7qPxT4JPH_WdVVl2t0c1MvtyXQA9Z8UxqWnjiSC7eEF07CPiNgO_cY/s320/image34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ep8TiJ8z6GueVWQw2qfF2zT6kfBlWeSehGtfIpW-cIfXDYay-1-hc0WX5SBwJE-3DaX-02WjaXoCj6ANcmuw651fXU_fC7LHQ6StnBt9_aHNrmq9xpL_8MwNe29eqrNT-umDXcZH81E/s1600/image35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ep8TiJ8z6GueVWQw2qfF2zT6kfBlWeSehGtfIpW-cIfXDYay-1-hc0WX5SBwJE-3DaX-02WjaXoCj6ANcmuw651fXU_fC7LHQ6StnBt9_aHNrmq9xpL_8MwNe29eqrNT-umDXcZH81E/s320/image35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My little flowers are simple layers of circles (I used the ribbon spool for a pattern) that I scrunched in the center, and because I'm lazy I didn't even hand sew the scrunchie part, I just pinned it to the wreath form. I added a ball from the fringe that was laying on my worktable for a flower center, looped some ribbons and decided that I liked what I'd done....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbP4bMH4r2vctiLaaw95p7JLUsv4QUHYVc4F04D0grLNejBaDikqOSq6AIn890nyj5GIxupRZ5zAnFZzEOH_Dbc2-46-H5fdQYTqV77tdFCmoxguboB1QqLHBDC8Vv1IoSXFyOkRYqf0/s1600/image39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbP4bMH4r2vctiLaaw95p7JLUsv4QUHYVc4F04D0grLNejBaDikqOSq6AIn890nyj5GIxupRZ5zAnFZzEOH_Dbc2-46-H5fdQYTqV77tdFCmoxguboB1QqLHBDC8Vv1IoSXFyOkRYqf0/s320/image39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My happy little wreath took its place in my Easter vignette, adding some spring cheerfulness to the Manor. In spite of the dreary Northwest weather, it's spring at Fairfield Manor!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>I linked here:</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><a href="http://addapinch.com/living/2011/04/03/mingle-monday-i-made-that-2/">Add a Pinch, Mingle Monday</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/">The DIY Showoff</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.dotdotdotthis.blogspot.com/"><i>{Dot}{Dot}{Dot}</i></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-67749446399353228142011-04-05T21:57:00.000-07:002011-05-18T23:17:56.677-07:00Some Craft....I did a teeny bit of crafting today. I've been inspired by all the spring stuff I've been seeing around the internets. I'm all refreshed after a lovely weekend at the coast with some lovely women, so I put together some things that have been on my mind. One of them SO didn't work out, and when I recover from the hilarious humiliation I may let you see it.<br />
As I mentioned before, this is Princess Pooalot's first Easter and when I saw <a href="http://www.crapivemade.com/2011/03/my-peeps-shirt.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CrapIveMade+%28Crap+I%27ve+Made%29">this</a> and knew Princess P had to have something similar. Char used her Silhouette. I have one, but we're not that friendly yet. Every time I use it, it's like it's the first time I've seen it and it takes me three times as long to accomplish anything. So I decided to try the more labor intensive and more familiar route.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxB77h7u2UjFWRs_ZvJCYEoV9J92Ox4XqGlUOYdPx94w9Zogvn9tixYP6ZSEtlYKDml6dfC1tzTQMe1WCr8CWdFMyB2T_EzKzbP1wYvCzjbxeu6-c4QY6u2nAdcL_YX_Fl-VpSfYn5UU/s1600/image2-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxB77h7u2UjFWRs_ZvJCYEoV9J92Ox4XqGlUOYdPx94w9Zogvn9tixYP6ZSEtlYKDml6dfC1tzTQMe1WCr8CWdFMyB2T_EzKzbP1wYvCzjbxeu6-c4QY6u2nAdcL_YX_Fl-VpSfYn5UU/s320/image2-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a piece of this chenille-ish fabric and I thought it would make perfect chicks. I free-handed a chick-like creature for a template/pattern (what's the difference?) You can see that I was having second thoughts about the size of my chick as I cut it out. I'm glad I did, it turned out to be a really nice size on the little onesie. After cutting it out, I pinned the chenille chick to a freshly pressed onesie with about 75 pins (I thought I had some Wonder Under, but couldn't find it) and sewed a zigzag stitch around it, as to applique. Well, yeah it was actually an applique. Since I was attaching a woven to a knit, I used a fairly wide zigzag stitch, not wanting to add a bunch of thread to the onesie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I decided to use a stencil and fabric paint for the letters. I mentioned my fear of my Silhouette, right? In the end, I think I should have gotten over myself and tried the Silhouette. Still, I'm pretty happy with the results...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz53243Glu0KtCbEU__KwCWkK7RRv9S5vh5okaQlJ7qpser6l_3lCAngyfPKB2twl2s4bHkExM6Iz9eg0uijBdPjo9PzpV5MtilRXKiPOP19CLbQb0Ydc0c_8kPeoL6ItmBloOaWD85U/s1600/image10-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz53243Glu0KtCbEU__KwCWkK7RRv9S5vh5okaQlJ7qpser6l_3lCAngyfPKB2twl2s4bHkExM6Iz9eg0uijBdPjo9PzpV5MtilRXKiPOP19CLbQb0Ydc0c_8kPeoL6ItmBloOaWD85U/s320/image10-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think Princess Pooalot will like it, too. I love it when they're still so young that they have to wear the stuff I make them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also had the opportunity to put another idea together. Whilst I was away this weekend, my dear Earl did the laundry. ALL the laundry. Even that which should have gone to the cleaners.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqDmf82w_RwXSdvwBG7UYoLtyDURn_DopjV7w7PY1LOZ_GWAgC_aboKB2TrRc8pK7ZL_st9yVH2iHEsZOWtcU9HdE7qx8UFI27jtTU8qBfqMV0nUu6UQixu6hs-k18juXGIK9lsmZl-g/s1600/image4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqDmf82w_RwXSdvwBG7UYoLtyDURn_DopjV7w7PY1LOZ_GWAgC_aboKB2TrRc8pK7ZL_st9yVH2iHEsZOWtcU9HdE7qx8UFI27jtTU8qBfqMV0nUu6UQixu6hs-k18juXGIK9lsmZl-g/s320/image4-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, yeah. Here's my sweater. I shouldn't wear horizontal stripes anyway. But Princess P can...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaxT9XEWQYnFWgcjZU8wQhN0IxS8vDL4gVrBtBE-yIdwjxNaVk-lzum_F4NnhhzluXiu_kzubqLjKtRqVo8lmAAvCCUeoF9ZDMx1JeO_DuE8RnjCDVHm1RujTDj0H26EGXM4kosuOA44/s1600/image5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaxT9XEWQYnFWgcjZU8wQhN0IxS8vDL4gVrBtBE-yIdwjxNaVk-lzum_F4NnhhzluXiu_kzubqLjKtRqVo8lmAAvCCUeoF9ZDMx1JeO_DuE8RnjCDVHm1RujTDj0H26EGXM4kosuOA44/s320/image5-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuXW1gLOSV1LHSkcBGER0Rg-xJ-5UCd-bo49ur69O0B-YZDaBBrv5e67v7nuwqvHGFOOx5gZhyphenhyphenBO_M3urlvbVF7z952xYa5YflMTylJHLT0PcZmbS1f9cE8W4nxxt9vS0apGhJ1BqAC8/s1600/image6-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuXW1gLOSV1LHSkcBGER0Rg-xJ-5UCd-bo49ur69O0B-YZDaBBrv5e67v7nuwqvHGFOOx5gZhyphenhyphenBO_M3urlvbVF7z952xYa5YflMTylJHLT0PcZmbS1f9cE8W4nxxt9vS0apGhJ1BqAC8/s320/image6-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Baby legs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a peek at another project as it begins...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzfLKPzsZEtvV8qc2TGWvDd1S64e2dN02dzKsnq3sWFrDVVZZLykt1yQp3uw0QBK6dv-AGc_hYDMBL8YgVnXx80kS0li_R9NXuKAJJ0krsnr5Fmt3jfo7s4pPvmxsxY8y1fl9J0m5tZ8/s1600/image8-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzfLKPzsZEtvV8qc2TGWvDd1S64e2dN02dzKsnq3sWFrDVVZZLykt1yQp3uw0QBK6dv-AGc_hYDMBL8YgVnXx80kS0li_R9NXuKAJJ0krsnr5Fmt3jfo7s4pPvmxsxY8y1fl9J0m5tZ8/s320/image8-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We'll see how this turns out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All in all, a good day at the Manor, I must say.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Thank you for your kind comments! It means so much to hear from you.</i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">I linked here:</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thecsiproject.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Visit thecsiproject.com" class="aligncenter" src="http://thecsiproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/thecsiproject.com-logo-150.png" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://addapinch.com/living/2011/04/03/mingle-monday-i-made-that-2/">Add a Pinch, Mingle Monday</a></span></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/">All Things Heart and Home</a></i></div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-18424182983559791952011-04-04T15:03:00.000-07:002011-04-05T12:58:14.058-07:00Wicked GoodI'm participating, along with Terry at <a href="http://mossandclover.blogspot.com/">Moss and Clover</a>, in <a href="http://iheartcookingclubs.blogspot.com/">a cooking club.</a> We're over at I Heart Cooking Clubs and getting naked with Jamie Oliver for the next six months. Should be fun. The idea is to create some inspiration for the Manor kitchen and broaden the old repertoire. I've been familiar with Jamie since early Food Network days. His teeny apartment with it's teenier kitchen where he created simple, delicious, <i>brilliant</i> food appealed to me immediately. I loved his philosophy of simple and fun food and, well, I've always been a sucker for an accent. Plus, he's pretty dang cute.<br />
Though I've oogled Jamie, I don't think I've ever cooked one of his recipes. This week's theme is Happy Days with Jamie. To initiate myself I decided on a simple recipe of fish and chips. Simple makes me happy. His recipe called for haddock or cod, but I had a piece of halibut that I needed to use, so we went with it. Using what I have makes me happy. Simple and happy....<br />
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The participants:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2MW_xuQbh7S0fTCmQfiRnJW4tet6Ib-qX0Hc7DUqEqwAUC50FsJFHNgaX8OtPvlb4zZ9D3h_3Lay1Srv0JfbP3hrsgp0OyFlslRhichWtNI7cIfjWwIjE_OtEyXuV9BBzQgptty_xHc/s1600/image4-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2MW_xuQbh7S0fTCmQfiRnJW4tet6Ib-qX0Hc7DUqEqwAUC50FsJFHNgaX8OtPvlb4zZ9D3h_3Lay1Srv0JfbP3hrsgp0OyFlslRhichWtNI7cIfjWwIjE_OtEyXuV9BBzQgptty_xHc/s320/image4-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ignore the canister of coffee, that's not part of the show. The paper towels do have a supporting role, however.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You'll take that cup of flour, dump it into a bowl and add a cup of that beer, a little salt and stir that up. I won't judge you if you use Pabst instead of Heineken, but really you'll have 6 ounces or so to finish off, so why not enjoy it? Those eggs?, you ask...you'll only need the whites. To do this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUpEb6QKlC5S_tgv_GmAMlgJJSbvHOAhonafFTfdHD4Lu158RmF8Mfz5cemjwGJNv0AOgEqHP8kLq2WroAmIgcfHFL9-QH28NYdFs0K3uT0GsJBYc8T-_pobB17nLY40yiNtBZDPeglI/s1600/image5-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUpEb6QKlC5S_tgv_GmAMlgJJSbvHOAhonafFTfdHD4Lu158RmF8Mfz5cemjwGJNv0AOgEqHP8kLq2WroAmIgcfHFL9-QH28NYdFs0K3uT0GsJBYc8T-_pobB17nLY40yiNtBZDPeglI/s320/image5-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See those lovely soft peaks? That's what ya need. Not meringue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUrHOJTPMbYGaijUjwbqD8cK_Sj62Ap-2Rl8RVrTY9O6eFZTHZK6gTAk39TJkkUPkwoXwF7vF-I2y3JbA_RIh1fzCbYVmAnvb3tLehx56jHS-d7utnQJwbN_yuDKkd7Mey3TC35qVuv8/s1600/image8-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUrHOJTPMbYGaijUjwbqD8cK_Sj62Ap-2Rl8RVrTY9O6eFZTHZK6gTAk39TJkkUPkwoXwF7vF-I2y3JbA_RIh1fzCbYVmAnvb3tLehx56jHS-d7utnQJwbN_yuDKkd7Mey3TC35qVuv8/s320/image8-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fold those sweet little soft peaks into the flour and beer mixture with your pirate spatula. Be gentle here. You just want to incorporate the egg whites with the flour/beer mixture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now you're ready to take your fish swimming in a lovely, frothy beer bath before they jump into a hot tub of 350 degree oil....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSDcPnVdvsUBb9mie4-Vjp-Smb2sOhl6ibULmqvitMJJsxEVH23fBASxDv5dmgxinn69K8RdIW84XjSG_0_lVUlCi_a4Vy938YXWebEBfnsr0h9sp2Twrd4Io-SMYZtmroSvRO7GdgJY/s1600/image10-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSDcPnVdvsUBb9mie4-Vjp-Smb2sOhl6ibULmqvitMJJsxEVH23fBASxDv5dmgxinn69K8RdIW84XjSG_0_lVUlCi_a4Vy938YXWebEBfnsr0h9sp2Twrd4Io-SMYZtmroSvRO7GdgJY/s320/image10-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See how poofy the batter gets in the hot tub? Gorgeous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While the fish is draining on the aforementioned paper towels cook the potatoes, plate, and humbly accept the compliments coming your way. That should make you very happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW9dbE1MARWTtLknv_ZKJTf0nOSgV1zLHxCVr_lrdX5hAcsINRkShCsAxzbfaG7js-q3As6f8f8nSQzr7qRq5qK88_DfPNt0JKiLMk0wk1z0-D-QZdxZZpis4qjXgh6tHcVRWAetO484/s1600/image13-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW9dbE1MARWTtLknv_ZKJTf0nOSgV1zLHxCVr_lrdX5hAcsINRkShCsAxzbfaG7js-q3As6f8f8nSQzr7qRq5qK88_DfPNt0JKiLMk0wk1z0-D-QZdxZZpis4qjXgh6tHcVRWAetO484/s320/image13-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Brilliant! Crispy coating and tender fish, crispy chips. Brilliant, I tell you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Fish and Chips </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jamie Oliver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 servings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>For the chips:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 3/4 pints vegetable oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 lbs. floury potatoes, like russets, peeled and cut into large chips (I didn't peel ours)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>For the batter:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 c flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 c beer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 egg whites, whipped to soft peaks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 (9 oz) fillets haddock or cod, skin on and pin boned</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Directions:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pour all the vegetable oil into a deep pan or deep fat fryer, and heat to 300 degrees F. Blanch the cut potatoes in the oil until soft, but not colored, about 4 minutes. Remove and drain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mix together the flour and the beer, then fold in the egg whites. Turn up the heat on the oil to 350 degrees F. Dip the fish in the batter and fry for a few mintues with the chips until golden brown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Drain on kitchen paper and serve with bread and butter, wallys (battered, deep fried pickles served with ranch dressing), and pickled eggs. (We declined the wallys and pickled eggs and had coleslaw instead). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Try it, simple and yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-9749742922706385822011-04-01T09:44:00.000-07:002011-04-01T11:15:06.405-07:00Light Up and Lighten Up People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4r-6SU_-lxh-AvY7guoe0Q99hSmd97ug9DbluVJxtF5SgRTCi8Udh4f7SiFUNVUfPzLQqjGZYtzCOSedQDYsN9FpEUXPQa9RN1vh7cyLDPYEHElPckreCFDCB9OuWZh1XKCTTrJxo98/s1600/2011-LIUB-Facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4r-6SU_-lxh-AvY7guoe0Q99hSmd97ug9DbluVJxtF5SgRTCi8Udh4f7SiFUNVUfPzLQqjGZYtzCOSedQDYsN9FpEUXPQa9RN1vh7cyLDPYEHElPckreCFDCB9OuWZh1XKCTTrJxo98/s320/2011-LIUB-Facebook.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">April is Autism Awareness Month. Get aware. Light up your house blue, wear blue, talk until you're blue. Start a conversation about Autism Spectrum Disorders. Raise awareness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm the very proud Granny (though none of them call me that...I'm YiaYia - that's another story) to 5 brilliant and beautiful kiddos. Every <i>one</i> of them is a stunner! They knock me out and kick my hiney all the time. Well, not literally knock me out, but you know what I mean. They are smart, funny, sweet, beautiful, talented....you get the picture. And in October we get another<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i><i>paquet précieux. </i>Abundant joy, more than I could have imagined, all of them bring to the Manor. Right now we have 2 boys and 3 girls, so we really need another boy to make it even. I'm talkin' to you Duke and Countess de Couv.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It turns out one of our boys is on the autism spectrum. I daresay it's altered the family journey some, but it's opened our eyes <i>wide</i> to alternative learning and processing abilities. I invite you to read a little about Sir Ell over at <a href="http://mossandclover.blogspot.com/">Moss and Clover</a>. You should go, really.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sir Ell: It's the weekend, so we should kiss wildly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me: Okay, here they come, right at ya, Sir! Smack smack.</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-82744111084744659392011-03-29T13:15:00.000-07:002011-03-29T21:34:12.707-07:00It's Spring Somewhere.....The Earl took my car this morning to get its oil changed. Thank heavens for him, because I'm such a ditz I would never change the oil. I barely put gas in Mini Me. I resent having to stop what I'm doing to sit at a gas station smelling gas fumes and cooling my heels. And I live in a state that prohibits self-pumping, so <i>literally</i>, I sit there. You would think I'd appreciate the chance to stop for five minutes, but I don't. It's an annoyance. Somebody invent a car that's fueled for life, please. <br />
But back to my story....so I'm without a car for the morning, and I'm Manor-bound. The Manor needed some sprucing and spring-ing up, and frankly, I need the promise of all things spring so out came the Easter decos. It's miserably rainy and cold here. We've had the wettest March since, like <i>1952</i> and even I, who don't mind the rain, have had <i>enough. </i> I climbed up on my trusty chair (I have a step ladder, but it's a hassle to get out) and unearthed Easter/Spring-In-A-Box from the top shelf of the linen closet. It was there behind Halloween and my one and only St. Patrick's day thing. We're having guests for Easter dinner, and it's Duke Zeus' second U.S. Easter, (he was still jet-lagged at Easter last year), not to mention Princess Pooalot's very first Easter so I want to really doll up the Manor. In case the food is lousy, you know. <br />
For Duke Zeus, whatever we do will be pared down in comparison to Easter in Greece. Easter in Greece begins with Apokreas several weeks before with partying and costumes (think Mardi Gras), then Clean Monday to fast, spend time with family and calm down after Carnival. Beginning with Palm Sunday, there are church services every day, with Thursday morning services commemorating The Last Supper and the betrayal of Christ. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAsKPkgv7eUQbipbe0n1bhWyZWjzOF3W1ohoZZUUV5kqzCykXotqQK9m7WAsNcD9or6ORODWFO0Ri-pmsM-_n4fwV-dNPNnIX7qXlQRmoLu08qGR2_Id3ydFJqHFzsYCOh6cVOnMD6J4/s1600/62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAsKPkgv7eUQbipbe0n1bhWyZWjzOF3W1ohoZZUUV5kqzCykXotqQK9m7WAsNcD9or6ORODWFO0Ri-pmsM-_n4fwV-dNPNnIX7qXlQRmoLu08qGR2_Id3ydFJqHFzsYCOh6cVOnMD6J4/s320/62.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Eggs are dyed red (signifying Christ's blood) that day and <i>tsoureki, </i>Easter bread is baked. On Saturday night positively everyone is in church by 11 pm and at midnight all the lights are turned off. The priest announces that Christ has arisen. Everyone in attendance (<i>as I said, it's virtually the entire population</i>) has a candle and it is lit from the priest's. Worshipers then file out, candles in hand and walk to their homes, candlelight and fireworks lighting the way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw8Fz27qpx-M62h3EPYpxYdEoX_dzRUKBGK-CnP3-Uh51jR036IabDa08UCexXkIPQsyyteuo5RN7VcwYI36rIHYINWYLDsQ_5oaMH6XqzqHxaQjQ0LqbmPlB8kaoaTtc106af8viZbY/s1600/easter-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw8Fz27qpx-M62h3EPYpxYdEoX_dzRUKBGK-CnP3-Uh51jR036IabDa08UCexXkIPQsyyteuo5RN7VcwYI36rIHYINWYLDsQ_5oaMH6XqzqHxaQjQ0LqbmPlB8kaoaTtc106af8viZbY/s320/easter-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The evening is warm, people are joyful. The Countess du Greece said it's wonderful to experience. And I haven't even mentioned the lamb in the yard yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For this year though, we'll have a good old American Easter celebration, with these harbingers of spring to accompany us.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYoJMTpiJ9Rqi5fw_bPi6ssNusPsaz7FmUrqyrjFKmgb20BGrDbLy35u6zL_r-XnAJRMmu4m5O5993XJLQQ1wxE3Qb8-3yWvyXK8kLk35d4U9xg8tbXzzQKaaz_GDTvovy0blG5KvuZI/s1600/image0-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYoJMTpiJ9Rqi5fw_bPi6ssNusPsaz7FmUrqyrjFKmgb20BGrDbLy35u6zL_r-XnAJRMmu4m5O5993XJLQQ1wxE3Qb8-3yWvyXK8kLk35d4U9xg8tbXzzQKaaz_GDTvovy0blG5KvuZI/s320/image0-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMloOL48GHUTQHzi20E9-tFEjT6QtQ2Tx-YIySKxKhOsmPoyutCn3StMHfLUqlAxOaOZzqUYhsrq11U1exqYtwvEsPvYwRGbfjnaBq3mT0FiekLDMe-OwTE2ciJrJUOr9f4KbEQ-66UA/s1600/image6-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMloOL48GHUTQHzi20E9-tFEjT6QtQ2Tx-YIySKxKhOsmPoyutCn3StMHfLUqlAxOaOZzqUYhsrq11U1exqYtwvEsPvYwRGbfjnaBq3mT0FiekLDMe-OwTE2ciJrJUOr9f4KbEQ-66UA/s320/image6-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-YIRehDzeWkZRoVTjbzeRQ0xFV-gHC7OwV_Wl1Zly31s0jNGn2LysEoCAiGOW_zzp88b28hpIcFJXqYa-jhSBV7KOtT7yycZJ-BOWkRRqgaNf6EfLDE1LwoAH80yTaVr1mOfB4tL14c/s1600/image4-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-YIRehDzeWkZRoVTjbzeRQ0xFV-gHC7OwV_Wl1Zly31s0jNGn2LysEoCAiGOW_zzp88b28hpIcFJXqYa-jhSBV7KOtT7yycZJ-BOWkRRqgaNf6EfLDE1LwoAH80yTaVr1mOfB4tL14c/s320/image4-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Banish the rain please, Mr. Bunny</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As long as the Earl and I don't break them first, this guy and his identical twin can entertain a couple of our young Easter guests....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31yZsK2OW0JG0k1fBTksVozbw0bMxWAvdN281woTIou4N061I04xV23uqBcxZFh4H_yRIIIR_uT_zAZ84KW4pq_Av0ybKqedOK0GS2bJKjn-p2sKZ1BRhU-CxVem1r3ISU1lIm7Csbvo/s1600/image18-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31yZsK2OW0JG0k1fBTksVozbw0bMxWAvdN281woTIou4N061I04xV23uqBcxZFh4H_yRIIIR_uT_zAZ84KW4pq_Av0ybKqedOK0GS2bJKjn-p2sKZ1BRhU-CxVem1r3ISU1lIm7Csbvo/s320/image18-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Manor is basically pretty boring if you're a kid. Our latest game system is an Atari. And it probably doesn't work. So these seemed appropriate for Easter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's bound to be baking and crafting goings on in the next few weeks. I'll be sure to keep you posted, as I'm certain you simply cannot live without knowing what's going on at Fairfield Manor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adieu, mon amis.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-2892199347336535332011-03-28T16:50:00.000-07:002011-03-28T16:57:33.747-07:00Busy WeekendIt was a <i>very </i>busy weekend around the Manor. So busy, in fact I forgot to take pictures, so you'll just have to imagine the goings on. The Earl and I spent Friday night visiting and dining with friends. The hostess asked me to bring a coleslaw to go with dinner ( it turned out to be corned beef, and I was thrilled because I missed fixing corned beef and cabbage on St. Patty's), so I fixed this <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/sidedishes/e2809cchicken-buckete2809d-coleslaw/">one</a> and it was so good. As per usual, I didn't have all the exact ingredients, so I substituted a mixture of milk and white vinegar for the buttermilk (it makes me wretch, so I don't keep it in the house, but I do understand it has magical powers as an ingredient. But still...) and left out the lemon juice entirely. There was apparently a lemon heist at the Manor last week, because the lemons I thought I had, I did not. <br />
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I worked on Saturday, beautifying my neck of the woods.....<br />
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</tbody></table>......<i>aaaand</i> the Earl and I were having a dinner party for 9 on Saturday evening. It wasn't a typical dinner party, but a little thang that we call Supper 8 (or in our case, 9). When we first started attending our church a couple of years ago I signed us up for Supper 8 right away as a way to get to know people. I did another thing that I thought would be a good way to meet people too, but that's for another time. Eeenyhoo, the idea is you are put into a group of approximately 3 other couples, or a mix of couples and singles to equal 8-10. Each couple hosts a get-together, dinner, breakfast, Sunday lunch - whatever the group decides, once during the go-around. As host and hostess, you plan the meal and provide the main dish and the others fill in with sides, salad and dessert. I typically like to do a roast or some other budget-busting thing because it's simple and most of all, everyone really enjoys it. And it's a great excuse to serve some of my favorite <a href="http://store.wvv.com/2007-griffin-creek-cabernet-franc-p123.aspx">wine</a> or <a href="http://store.wvv.com/2010-willamette-valley-vineyards-whole-cluster-pinot-noir-p133.aspx">this one</a>. I don't really need an excuse, but I like to keep up appearances. <br />
<div>This time for our turn at hosting the Earl requested my lasagna. Since I haven't fixed lasagna for a loooong time, probably since the Duke and Countess du Greece were in residence I figured I could oblige him. When we got home of Friday night, I set to it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The Lady's Lasagna</div><div><i>(measurements are approximate, and vary with the amount of wine consumed whilst cooking - but close)</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div>1 lb. ground beef</div><div>1 1b. Italian sausage (we used to like hot, but we're old now and I use sweet)</div><div>1/2 of a medium to large onion, chopped</div><div>2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed (use a garlic crusher so you get all that awesome juice, too)</div><div> <i>Saute and crumble this mixture until it's nice and brown. Add:</i></div><div>28 oz. can tomatoes (I use 2 cans of chopped tomatoes - those that they claim are roasted - I dunno, are they?)</div><div>2 cans tomato paste</div><div>about 1/2 c water or earthy red wine</div><div>2 T sugar (depends on my mood whether it's brown or white)</div><div>2 t dried basil (I always crush it in my hands as I put it in)</div><div>1 1/2 t dried oregano (again, crush)</div><div>1 T salt (don't skimp here)</div><div>1/4 t or so black pepper</div><div>a good handful of fresh parsley, chopped</div><div> <i>Simmer this, covered for 1 - 1 1/2 hrs.</i></div><div>Meanwhile, have a sip of your earthy wine and bring a big pot of salted water to boil. Slip in 12 dry lasagna noodles. If you want to use fresh noodles, I'll not quibble. They're delicious, but I can rarely find them easily. I will make a judgement about 'no boil' noodles, though. They're an abomination in my opinion. When using dry noodles, it takes about 7-8 minutes for them to reach the point I like. I don't want them completely done. When ready, drain, rinse and toss with a little olive oil. Lay them flat on sheets of foil until you're ready to assemble.</div><div>Also meanwhile (this stuff keeps you busy), mix:</div><div>16 oz. ricotta cheese (I've used cottage cheese here, too)</div><div>2 eggs</div><div>3/4 c grated parmesan (people, I implore you, ditch the green can and buy grated or shred your own)<br />
a little dried parsley here is nice but there will be no judgement made should you decide against it<br />
When ready to assemble, you will also need:<br />
8 oz. cream cheese (shocking, I know)<br />
about 3/4 lb. sliced mozzarella (fresh is out of this world, but the other works fine, too)<br />
about 1/2 - 3/4 c shredded parmesan<br />
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Assembly:<br />
Lay four noodles flat, overlapping slightly on the bottom of a deep-ish rectangular pan (at least 9x13). Top with a layer of meat sauce, a layer of the ricotta mixture, slices of mozzarella and then knobs of cream cheese. Repeat twice. Make sure you have good meat and cheese coverage. The last layer should be: noodles, ricotta mixture (thinner layer is fine),small knobs of cream cheese, meat sauce, mozzarella and top with shredded parmesan. It's now time for a good rest in the oven, at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes. The cheese on top will get deliciously bubbly and brownish - and the aroma in your house will drive you <i>mad</i> I tell you. Do your best to let it rest for 10 minutes or so before cutting into it.<br />
Easily 12 servings.</div><div>Enjoy with delightful people, vino delicious and Puccini for a memorable evening with new friends. Or old friends, if you must. If your friends are as wonderful as ours, they will bring delicious bread, salad and fruit to round out the meal and tiramisu for dessert. And you'll fall into bed satisfied in every way. <br />
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If your friends are not that wonderful, you'll at least have some delicious lasagna while you ponder broadening your circle of peeps.</div><div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><i>Buona notte per ora </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><i>i miei amici</i></span></span><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-14760237570359721932011-03-21T14:19:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:57:27.097-07:00(Do not) Let the Sunshine in....The dining room here at Fairfield Manor has a big west facing window. I have struggled to find <s>cheap </s> not crappy looking window coverings for this room. To complicate things for me, it has a north facing window that butts right up against the corner of the west facing window. Lots of light (too much in the summer - it's like a pizza oven in there), and what the heck are you supposed to do with that dang corner and curtain hardware? I know, I should have called a curtain hanging wizard long ago and had hardware made for it (I know you can do that, I've seen it at a friend's house who actually <i>spent</i> some dough), but add that to the cost of custom draperies and well, I've mentioned the Earl, haven't I? He was happy with the macrame-esque things that were hanging in there when we bought the Manor. Plus, I can sew, people. So, I've made several stabs at window coverings for the dining room, none really successful. Until now....<br />
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I found fabric for 50% off at <a href="https://www.fabricdepot.com/">Fabric Depot</a> last year. On a side note, I'm sorry for you if you don't live in Portland, where you can shop at Fabric Depot, it's fabricy/crafty heaven. Back to my story: later in the year I found blackout fabric at Joann's for 50% off (surely you have a Joann's in your town?). I placed the blackout fabric in my sewing room near the Fabric Depot fabric and left them alone for several months. They didn't spontaneously mate, so I set to work recently. As I mentioned <a href="http://fairfieldmanor.blogspot.com/2011/03/loo-re-do.html">here</a>, I don't always have what you would call a <i>concrete plan</i> when I start a project. I did have the Duke hang some hardware for me, though. Using a very fancy saw as big as my dishwasher, he cut a perfect angle on a each of 2 wooden rods, making the <s>dang</s> corner non-problematic. Now, we needed curtains/drapes (what's the difference?).<br />
I measured the width of the window, added 1.5 times that measurement (for floof and fullness), and cut that measurement in half so I'd have 2 drapes hanging that will gloriously slide along the rod and close out the blasting sun (when it arrives). I then measured the length and added 2.5 inches for the rod pocket and 5 inches for the hem. Cut, cut, cut. Re-measure, cut. I cut the blackout fabric 4 inches narrower and about 6 inches shorter than the drapery fabric. I'll explain later, as I go.<br />
I sewed the blackout fabric and the drapery fabric, right sides together, along the long sides, making a gigantic tube with the hem edge and the rod pocket edge open.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhx91vZy7y_E75zLHsp_C-BMJCGnGCffDSRtHjK6ZYj6ql0gfFpSyB6CugD7Y_WF1_ccC0x5srSjNOxCsGxNGsD4pmq5aYPlfFCZ0lcRqelXmXGuIWULKWsHcV2BJqzS8VKjWLqIN2r0/s1600/image2-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhx91vZy7y_E75zLHsp_C-BMJCGnGCffDSRtHjK6ZYj6ql0gfFpSyB6CugD7Y_WF1_ccC0x5srSjNOxCsGxNGsD4pmq5aYPlfFCZ0lcRqelXmXGuIWULKWsHcV2BJqzS8VKjWLqIN2r0/s320/image2-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Notice that the top of the blackout fabric is not even with the top of the drapery fabric. The picture shows the top of the drapes (before turning right side out), with the fabric that will become the rod pocket without blackout fabric.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next, I turned the tube right side out and pressed the edges. I hope this picture makes clear what I did:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkg7vqOYyaKWrjIVKPJ7sRp7e0rc4ibinDjK2gYCo9fzk_viBIuDdQhgAdq1Bm9V7U3qq73JqCB6F1howaJz6t5i00SHg2e05S9VLTKKchXLYXU7Jrma1M25AN2sTOaU-7yPZLfSUrho/s1600/image3-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkg7vqOYyaKWrjIVKPJ7sRp7e0rc4ibinDjK2gYCo9fzk_viBIuDdQhgAdq1Bm9V7U3qq73JqCB6F1howaJz6t5i00SHg2e05S9VLTKKchXLYXU7Jrma1M25AN2sTOaU-7yPZLfSUrho/s320/image3-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See, the blackout fabric is narrower, so when I turned it all right side out, it created that nice finished edge. Pretty nifty. Again you're looking at the top where the rod pocket will soon be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time to sew the rod pocket. I just turned down the top edge, turned under the raw edge 1/4 inch and sewed it down. I caught the blackout fabric in the sew-down, so it's all tucked and tidy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p_NRhh5Ya-303DFYRnLyUwdG1zBHAdzAbq9WzwaxvtsXA9pUtxKt63i6nJQezefcY1sidby5DCVgz6VZFlos7iZ1xHtPVgm2lQ9OUkxn-URwQpQerwbpLMz1JM0NDU2AjLU5yb7Fus0/s1600/image4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p_NRhh5Ya-303DFYRnLyUwdG1zBHAdzAbq9WzwaxvtsXA9pUtxKt63i6nJQezefcY1sidby5DCVgz6VZFlos7iZ1xHtPVgm2lQ9OUkxn-URwQpQerwbpLMz1JM0NDU2AjLU5yb7Fus0/s320/image4-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you decide to try this yourself and all the math and the fact that you don't have a plan and you're making up the rules as you go is making you nuts and ready to snatch yourself bald, <s>wad the whole thing up</s> set the project aside....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ToDpfZPD3o2E46ntVcwPP1le3oT7cSn9zZsLpXuVqH9cWrTXEx0vcTp63fC1XqZFUJJrbcug7Xl5NisrONFgyipQHXkQPCM1Zcv_HwYF_Y4yAS9Eiw12b5VWdN9hfkXBgakmllJjWrw/s1600/image10-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ToDpfZPD3o2E46ntVcwPP1le3oT7cSn9zZsLpXuVqH9cWrTXEx0vcTp63fC1XqZFUJJrbcug7Xl5NisrONFgyipQHXkQPCM1Zcv_HwYF_Y4yAS9Eiw12b5VWdN9hfkXBgakmllJjWrw/s320/image10-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and fold your SmartWool socks fresh from the laundry. Go back to it later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After you've taken a break and perhaps had a cocktail, you are ready to hem. I did the same thing here as I did for the rod pocket, fold over, turn raw edge under 1/4 inch and sew that thing down. Except on the hem I had to use someone's freaky wrinkled hand to help....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhWx2RMrIJbSvrj6pSWIncSZpDssIQ076iLIGBOTkgclDVSm7TIYe7LnLmIkZNfbLajYxVl44_XWsA1ZCB9cmi-6mR9dM6rQbHN_b9tgEzRrUK266gHrSlV3H0399DSkOpU0zwjMCOBQ/s1600/image1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhWx2RMrIJbSvrj6pSWIncSZpDssIQ076iLIGBOTkgclDVSm7TIYe7LnLmIkZNfbLajYxVl44_XWsA1ZCB9cmi-6mR9dM6rQbHN_b9tgEzRrUK266gHrSlV3H0399DSkOpU0zwjMCOBQ/s320/image1-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No, actually, that's a freaky wrinkled hand sewing the right sides together at the very beginning. Just do as I say, not as I show. It works fine. Seeeee.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dO1uRff4vxEtkftv0lS9sqjoZPtUR700NEhKIjA-mgmPSmDcrtLH-jhM7bseC_2s4zkW89RyiCQLT7htj2kbZnqCVH-DEBEuBfrLwVZlKyMSNFZhRvW4-meEx3J7qBjUC35pqr-bkYA/s1600/image14-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dO1uRff4vxEtkftv0lS9sqjoZPtUR700NEhKIjA-mgmPSmDcrtLH-jhM7bseC_2s4zkW89RyiCQLT7htj2kbZnqCVH-DEBEuBfrLwVZlKyMSNFZhRvW4-meEx3J7qBjUC35pqr-bkYA/s320/image14-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One more to make for the narrow north facing window and I'm done! I finally feel like I've got the right thing hanging there, ya know what I mean?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I sat at the dining room table and ate a salad with croutons made from <a href="http://fairfieldmanor.blogspot.com/2011/03/finished-productand-some-bloggie-stuff.html">this</a> and felt pretty dang good about life....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">I've linked here:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/03/sundae-scoop-link-up_19.html">I Heart Naptime</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All Things Heart and Home</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-74606681329540075372011-03-21T00:00:00.000-07:002011-03-21T14:26:10.408-07:00Le Birthday SundayToday is our youngest daughter-in-law's birthday and we're having a leetle dinner soiree in her honor. I'm taking a little break from the Manor kitchen to recharge and make sure that I haven't forgotten anything. Besides forgetting to make the salad dressing yesterday, that is. <br />
For her cake, I'm using what's become my go-to scrumchie chocolate cake and the most amazing frosting I've ever tasted. I first tasted this cake and frosting in cupcake form at a book signing for Alicia Paulson's book <a href="http://aliciapaulson.com/books.html">Embroidery Companion</a>. My daughter, the Countess du Greece introduced me to her blog, <a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/">Posie Gets Cozy</a> several years ago. It was so much fun to meet her, and she brought cupcakes to boot! The cake recipe is from Hershey's, and it's great, but the frosting is one her mother makes. Don't be put off by the teeeeny bit of work it will take to make it, people will be swooning and dropping just plain dead from chocolatey/sugary ecstasy right in front of you. And that's so worth it. I give you le recipe: <a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2010/06/my-goto-birthday-cake.html">Alicia's (and mine) Go-to Birthday Cake</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj3y5j7A5A6QWHjiL4sxkiWvOaZmk_btbFGoHG5483GIGut5aoqg6Ork6s03vPApinZgBqE00btRpWyTWc6djL4H0nCH_Okw-On_cpDXvG8bXh6l0cLGheWcVhPenC4_rYU9Hi27vPRg/s1600/image0-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj3y5j7A5A6QWHjiL4sxkiWvOaZmk_btbFGoHG5483GIGut5aoqg6Ork6s03vPApinZgBqE00btRpWyTWc6djL4H0nCH_Okw-On_cpDXvG8bXh6l0cLGheWcVhPenC4_rYU9Hi27vPRg/s320/image0-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, the Duke's wife the Countess de Couv, is actually older than 11. We're not weird at the Manor. Well, not <i>that </i>weird. It's hard to remember everything on your shopping list when it's at home. Ya know? So we multiply these candles by something and add something (or not) and square root the base and you've got it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's the flour and milk goop from the frosting (which, as it turns out, is called Butter Roux Frosting) when it's ready to sit on the counter for an hour or three before it gets whipped to within an inch of its life along with the powdered sugar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_QVXNSTsfLSeWYrtmVHGo4X0JSdjCStGQB5OTJ4xqHpF36E22TBaScjLqNQ6keKrGI4gnjTn6gbSgO084sgC_ytSb4SPqe3b99bnXrDHEZ5cEYx-F9JIXEUlnisaeegiEBGFjYx96GI/s1600/image7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_QVXNSTsfLSeWYrtmVHGo4X0JSdjCStGQB5OTJ4xqHpF36E22TBaScjLqNQ6keKrGI4gnjTn6gbSgO084sgC_ytSb4SPqe3b99bnXrDHEZ5cEYx-F9JIXEUlnisaeegiEBGFjYx96GI/s320/image7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See how pudding-esque it is?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After it has cooled, add the powdered sugar and beat the daylights out of it until you have boofy clouds of yummy......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHKnquqWTpRhBD4ukMaQ36Nu50RXo_4N9kK9fa1qsPpp8lXGHxIDSju5HCdKeK62GdPGLZndXA33qUDhxCKgc4FBxFTfRW6MNp3-4EEQzTjRfvSNPertl5BtwrUUGDVrhjovHkAaViq4/s1600/image11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHKnquqWTpRhBD4ukMaQ36Nu50RXo_4N9kK9fa1qsPpp8lXGHxIDSju5HCdKeK62GdPGLZndXA33qUDhxCKgc4FBxFTfRW6MNp3-4EEQzTjRfvSNPertl5BtwrUUGDVrhjovHkAaViq4/s320/image11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be sure to use your pirate utensils. It helps awfully.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was reminded tonight of something I'd forgotten. While this frosting is plenty for 18 cupcakes, for some reason it's a little skimpy on a 2-layer cake. When I make it again I'll do it as Alicia does, leaving the sides nekkid. The dark chocolate-y cake looks really striking with white clouds of fluffy frosting on top. Sort of like you do when you have a good tan and blond hair. I told myself I'd do that last time I made it. Nekkid sides, I mean. It's so complicated being me, I can't remember <i>everything <b>all</b> the time.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before we dove into the Countess' cake (and low-fat ice cream - what's <i>that </i>about?), we dined on <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/01/2008_the_year_of_the_pot_roast/">The Pioneer Woman's Perfect Pot Roast</a>. Honestly, what does one do without the internets for recipes? Use one of the 75-ish cookbooks one has? Pfft..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the first time I've made this and <i>I'm sold </i>people.<i> </i>I grew up on my mother's pot roast and had not moved too far afield - chuck roast, onions, potatoes and carrots topped with a packet of onion soup mix and covered with a can of cream of mushroom soup. Wrap that in enough foil to build a plane and stick it in the oven for many hours on a low temp. That was good, and always rang nostalgic every time I fixed it, but it was perfectly boring. Not to mention off the charts sodium-wise. Ree's recipe was fun to make, different for me and absolutely delicious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh_GVj7tZjnxvdeSo3js661OB1qrJVmBQVqIFQdgMiT4l3lk5nR131fMLRfaxjCuJhzOVgcv0OQurfddTcXcoCeW2MX3G3UihK2fWJrFOXytZgYKlCCc3PEECSmRrgXD-oQwdxYDl4Jg/s1600/image5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh_GVj7tZjnxvdeSo3js661OB1qrJVmBQVqIFQdgMiT4l3lk5nR131fMLRfaxjCuJhzOVgcv0OQurfddTcXcoCeW2MX3G3UihK2fWJrFOXytZgYKlCCc3PEECSmRrgXD-oQwdxYDl4Jg/s320/image5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This made super gravy, too. Gravy used to be an enigma to me, but since my other daughter-in-law over at <a href="http://mossandclover.blogspot.com/">Moss and Clover</a> told me the secret formula (if you use 2 T fat, then use 2 T flour and nearly 2 c liquid), I'm doing much better, I must say. Rosemary rolls, smashed potatoes (gravy platform) and tossed salad rounded out our birthday dinner. Yum.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After dinner we engaged in Manor games, where we sorely missed the Countess du Greece's hubs, Duke Zeus who was benched due to a bad cold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelUPTR-orARxFpdPiynlutNwBsmkBrdkTEs3sTOZw1cQmxanL6fsisIbkMxv9R0v0WC1ulTJs_l6Xh-iCIqQgN48bg1r0PSMw28W-peisMrfd8XHExxBMsZ5rpNe2hGGSQYsn1iJibQQ/s1600/image1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelUPTR-orARxFpdPiynlutNwBsmkBrdkTEs3sTOZw1cQmxanL6fsisIbkMxv9R0v0WC1ulTJs_l6Xh-iCIqQgN48bg1r0PSMw28W-peisMrfd8XHExxBMsZ5rpNe2hGGSQYsn1iJibQQ/s320/image1-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Princess Pooalot demonstrated atrocious manners and sat on the table with bare feet, which she is absolutely allowed to do. So if she visits you and and does the same, you are to say nothing. Except how adorable the Princess Pooalot is. And I mean it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0mSV9BlUWPQkZcssglaPSnn2JJzjYshHV9mNRJYSRBqKEJ2TR8hg4lskU82Vqeh8KhlVWmDjYb97vuXyNMiSJYIi-cZ5cTC5Ko-F5ZuJuKSzriCaod-L2RrePSH4XuAFkFk0dbCVjTU/s1600/image2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0mSV9BlUWPQkZcssglaPSnn2JJzjYshHV9mNRJYSRBqKEJ2TR8hg4lskU82Vqeh8KhlVWmDjYb97vuXyNMiSJYIi-cZ5cTC5Ko-F5ZuJuKSzriCaod-L2RrePSH4XuAFkFk0dbCVjTU/s320/image2-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy birthday to the Countess de Couv!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-16881908935493006142011-03-17T10:35:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:24:01.261-07:00The Loo Re-doFairfield Manor is, in reality, a post-war (and by <i>war</i> I mean The Big War, WWII) daylight ranch. Daylight ranch means that there is a window in the basement. Not anywhere near a room that you need daylight in, but whatever. Ranch because, well I think it sounded appealing to returning veterans who were settling back into domestic life, <em>"You can own your own ranch! New modern two bedroom home with furnace, $9,000." </em>But there is no resemblence to a ranch. No barn, no horses, no cowboys in tight jeans and chaps, leather gloves, western cut shirts, guitar slung over their shoulders....but I digress. Ahem. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrgmPfolVnyIhJENPoKuZJG-ZOZAHbMsok7bVJIaTBqSv0IYm40F9zLKeRO02lt_aWYEY9jQu9H4j3v0p_UTclnc2i1e-PQJXIgjituhjSOBs-aMdftdlFiiIzBxBTV1gEB3WSrXjRfk/s1600/www_PicsDesktop_com_48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrgmPfolVnyIhJENPoKuZJG-ZOZAHbMsok7bVJIaTBqSv0IYm40F9zLKeRO02lt_aWYEY9jQu9H4j3v0p_UTclnc2i1e-PQJXIgjituhjSOBs-aMdftdlFiiIzBxBTV1gEB3WSrXjRfk/s320/www_PicsDesktop_com_48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">None of these guys around the Manor</div><br />
What we have here is a long and low 4 bedroom (one bedroom used to be a garage), 2 bath work in progress, built the year I was born. I mention it's birth year (and mine) only because I've had various repair gents here at the Manor (the Earl is clueless with tools) and almost always the conversation gets to this: "Well, with these <i>really old</i> houses....." insert any problem you like here. What they mean is, "Lady, it's old, really old...." I take umbrage. Many umbrages. Anyhoo, progress at the Manor can crawl at a snail's pace, but there's <em>always </em>alot of dreaming and scheming on my part. The Earl, not so much. He's happy the way things are. If it's not crumbling or falling through the floor, it's fine.<br />
The Earl and I bought the Manor about 16 years ago. It was billed as having been "recently updated". As recently as 1974, as it turns out. You do the math.... We were blinded by the amount of space, the size of the yard, proximity to school and the price - meaning we could just about afford it. It didn't take me long to realize that something would have to be done about certain "features" of the estate. Namely, the capacious use of golden brown ceramic tile. Everywhere. And dark brown grout. Everywhere. Kitchen, bathrooms, fireplace, entryway. Lord love a duck. Several years ago, I decided to take action. Our son, the Duke was old enough, clever enough and eager to tear something apart, so I enlisted him in my plan. I was gleeful as we began demolishing the upstairs bathroom. Here's the best "before" shot I can find - as the loo isn't a spot I routinely photograph, you'll just have to make do with this one:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhDxaV0XhgyfDt2ZGtnJqBXx-OlvWfGEJ_Aa8Im4j4W6T4Q-Jx_z2o-rTabvGEiDx8qv9EC2vF_a2HT_nzCbkoMftcT0oSmX_g3Z6Bfv124RlFf0xABwSTl8DAQZmFU2hhuiOHcd28YQ/s1600/IMG_4004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhDxaV0XhgyfDt2ZGtnJqBXx-OlvWfGEJ_Aa8Im4j4W6T4Q-Jx_z2o-rTabvGEiDx8qv9EC2vF_a2HT_nzCbkoMftcT0oSmX_g3Z6Bfv124RlFf0xABwSTl8DAQZmFU2hhuiOHcd28YQ/s320/IMG_4004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Awful, isn't it? This was taken as we began the demolishing, it wasn't normally this messy. Look at that tile! Yuck! Dark brown floor and vanity tile, gold ceramic tile for the walls and tub surround, dark brown tub and pottery sink. <i>Very groovy</i>. Right after we first moved in, I tried to mitigate all the tile by painting the walls a similar buttery (to the tile) yellow color, and we replaced one of these:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.toiletsforyou.com/uploads/Image/Sunrise-toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.toiletsforyou.com/uploads/Image/Sunrise-toilet.jpg" /></a></div>Mercifully, The Earl agreed. He didn't want to, he thought this was cool. Doing these two things and removing billowy curtains were as far as we got for about 11 years.<br />
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Fast forward a decade or so: The Duke of the Manor has begun working as a finish carpenter <i>and </i>he has some really neato tools. As is my usual m.o. we begin the demolition without much of a plan, except to <i>get rid of the gold and brown. </i><br />
<i></i>The Earl: "Do you guys know what you're doing?" As I mentioned, he's not big on change.<br />
me: "Not really." How hard can this really be? After all, I've mentioned the tools.<br />
The Duke: "Not yet. We'll figure it out as we go." I like that boy's spirit!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB14bIHb9miN6MmYctuhTL2Vw_AlqqBS8aIG9FePitxARpqbFPdcX_3X095Zl2GPZBZskSCbu6Nt6hJQ3gPvGfgoYusg4SJJ8f44jSwjB0ZlJ8G03NRZPJSY-J35KfKXMSjKDbgNvR464/s1600/IMG_4045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB14bIHb9miN6MmYctuhTL2Vw_AlqqBS8aIG9FePitxARpqbFPdcX_3X095Zl2GPZBZskSCbu6Nt6hJQ3gPvGfgoYusg4SJJ8f44jSwjB0ZlJ8G03NRZPJSY-J35KfKXMSjKDbgNvR464/s320/IMG_4045.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>I think you can see by this picture the reason for the Earl's concern. We knew not what we were doing. But soldier on, we did. Out came the tile, out with the vanity, sink and old window. I knew that I wanted a much breezier, roomier loo. Beyond that, cheap was imperative.<br />
All in all, I don't think we spent much more than $600, including refinishing the bathtub. Many of the materials were salvaged (like Brazilian Redwood floors!). What a difference!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlL9G9LJZ313EBR2x7u5_69RNGChlo3BmOprwC7XsxWxYqmMj-fRPnu9rXL9EyV4Nkj0ujYGkA4URFehYOQj-jbFxV1zp0fhQG8ae6ZRGLXFFpDmv_oZINKJUJ9WZxBvAezJ6dXAhsFQ/s1600/IMG_4268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlL9G9LJZ313EBR2x7u5_69RNGChlo3BmOprwC7XsxWxYqmMj-fRPnu9rXL9EyV4Nkj0ujYGkA4URFehYOQj-jbFxV1zp0fhQG8ae6ZRGLXFFpDmv_oZINKJUJ9WZxBvAezJ6dXAhsFQ/s320/IMG_4268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfME94K0mEA8Vazl3PWOKxjDTkx0b0eQFibZGSprmyCKntfLfP2A5rO_KDxWVqh-et5IEnFYEn7GR9yd_jphYLziOjS3WWAIrUi8yMTbS7LKQL3CkDqrekEJHmFCvhtzW62dGiN3yBJ8E/s1600/IMG_4267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfME94K0mEA8Vazl3PWOKxjDTkx0b0eQFibZGSprmyCKntfLfP2A5rO_KDxWVqh-et5IEnFYEn7GR9yd_jphYLziOjS3WWAIrUi8yMTbS7LKQL3CkDqrekEJHmFCvhtzW62dGiN3yBJ8E/s320/IMG_4267.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">New beautiful floor, partial base and unpainted bead board (eventually it was painted white), and the new door. I found an old glass doorknob at the Goodwill that looks perfect on it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6g1eXSa3seHhOiEW7Px6uoywjcu8FH9kRwwlAlJKq4xKVbIbVizilX_2HZ7TuyIeHY2nAstf8PPE3f4xX4_Nr9pfTG3W7QnJvcg1gcpcg_160wI1Qxfi6LsY0uNrIRpW_Ab39nL2PnE/s1600/DSCN1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6g1eXSa3seHhOiEW7Px6uoywjcu8FH9kRwwlAlJKq4xKVbIbVizilX_2HZ7TuyIeHY2nAstf8PPE3f4xX4_Nr9pfTG3W7QnJvcg1gcpcg_160wI1Qxfi6LsY0uNrIRpW_Ab39nL2PnE/s320/DSCN1502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZdnZbC6f5eXji3NuaOXrv7bKRXVy8ltF0GlRXFo-ChB5iHCUWPxw1rXjXdYtbc9h9b8m6SoVEs69lLPhtQAG81ETzqBTKHkDLIyk5Z1jJWpqiZxkZJzYzushhnGc8GygMDuL74hExrQ/s1600/DSCN1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZdnZbC6f5eXji3NuaOXrv7bKRXVy8ltF0GlRXFo-ChB5iHCUWPxw1rXjXdYtbc9h9b8m6SoVEs69lLPhtQAG81ETzqBTKHkDLIyk5Z1jJWpqiZxkZJzYzushhnGc8GygMDuL74hExrQ/s320/DSCN1505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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It's been about 4 years since we took this project on and I still love it. I've recently been giving some thought to revamping it a little. I have a cabinet in the basement that could look like this and take its place next to the sink:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't ya think??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll keep you posted on that project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">I linked here!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/">Flamingo Toes</a></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/p/diy-project-parade.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">D.I.Y. Showoff</span></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
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</span></div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-32695573082666938332011-03-12T09:30:00.000-08:002011-03-12T11:44:48.304-08:00A Weekend AwayThe Lord of the Manor and I are off to the beautiful and wild Oregon Coast this afternoon. We're celebrating 36 years together, and a trip to one of our favorite weekend getaways is in order. We will probably see some tsunami remnants, a reminder of the devastation on the far side of the Pacific.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before we go I'll be doing my day job, involving some of this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNtjUQSvCOzveVGL8NgCsUDa28ha4DR0tyEIq0h_nzQj315dtF7nYFxqXlIWOnSkzR-rPxoEuFMw-RhtNkT0SJj7KX2fcGITU9_DDKYfmd92bkVV5zRGp9cqZa7UW9DzEhDplJJuvXvE/s1600/IMG_6447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNtjUQSvCOzveVGL8NgCsUDa28ha4DR0tyEIq0h_nzQj315dtF7nYFxqXlIWOnSkzR-rPxoEuFMw-RhtNkT0SJj7KX2fcGITU9_DDKYfmd92bkVV5zRGp9cqZa7UW9DzEhDplJJuvXvE/s320/IMG_6447.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnr2diCl3gBM2139vSMptdgiztAWAZcDvOjih-xWPgJblvj1xpXJ0zalmgpKyUezNk8uIo5Cpi_JvzcJj7bywQRuWykkfbS-6x7uRzTQgDM5aNs8YHfbxGyEJ0EecLWuSEzW42-BHgwKA/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnr2diCl3gBM2139vSMptdgiztAWAZcDvOjih-xWPgJblvj1xpXJ0zalmgpKyUezNk8uIo5Cpi_JvzcJj7bywQRuWykkfbS-6x7uRzTQgDM5aNs8YHfbxGyEJ0EecLWuSEzW42-BHgwKA/s320/IMG_6450.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love doing that. But I look forward to stuffing this with us and a couple pairs of jeans....:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8fOXCHEkaSWJpxvQZ7Yx12h1W3j0Wm8TMAPw9CFCqbBD8XKGimQA8GthSSeZ-nmpAcofIGbSII3zr8RB8N78vwrAxidVFq6JDL1j1Pav7sYdi2jXIEGOfqWVst_52lEBvcRRFD1N0q4/s1600/DSCN1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8fOXCHEkaSWJpxvQZ7Yx12h1W3j0Wm8TMAPw9CFCqbBD8XKGimQA8GthSSeZ-nmpAcofIGbSII3zr8RB8N78vwrAxidVFq6JDL1j1Pav7sYdi2jXIEGOfqWVst_52lEBvcRRFD1N0q4/s320/DSCN1399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(That's the weather at the Manor 80% of the time, people)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">....and heading here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWU5ORxjzDsWBPdR-IvmCEzQokojOw0G67RRT20MnT4rXaEgk8ADX6u4LDdvO2Ol2YBdP2kbk-RN3idhpgbylm8LEWPHDBb77MfFv839lHhImbTnNeP90OjWazP_kXcxTVwnEcvlBzTY/s1600/DSCN1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWU5ORxjzDsWBPdR-IvmCEzQokojOw0G67RRT20MnT4rXaEgk8ADX6u4LDdvO2Ol2YBdP2kbk-RN3idhpgbylm8LEWPHDBb77MfFv839lHhImbTnNeP90OjWazP_kXcxTVwnEcvlBzTY/s320/DSCN1185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">....with him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a wonderful weekend, pals. See you next week! I'm working on a post about our first big remodeling project. It's a hoot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>PS: Clearly, I haven't figured out my buttons yet. I can get them on the blog, but haven't figured out how to make them functional yet. Don't let that put you off....I'd love to hear from you anyhoo! I'll figure out at some point.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-26719192827556928522011-03-08T12:07:00.000-08:002011-03-12T08:45:50.198-08:00VietnamTwo years ago this month, on little more than a whim, I climbed on a plane a flew nearly 9,000 miles away. I wasn't running away from anything. In fact, I left the northwest with the Earl's blessing on our 34th anniversary. He was looking forward to complete control of the remote for March Madness and had no desire to experience a culture so foreign. Let me interject here: I am crazy curious about things. Anything, really. Him, not so much. My compulsive need to know-ness hasn't always served me well, but mostly so. And now, my curiosity was taking me to Vietnam. So foreign, yet hauntingly familiar. If you came of age in the mid-60's you had Vietnam and Walter Cronkite for dinner. Frightening stuff.<br />
<i>Eeennyhoo, </i>back to my story. I was traveling with a friend and co-worker and her 7 year old kiddo. She had left Vietnam in the '80's. Alone, a girl not yet even in her teens, she was packed into a boat with strangers on the Mekong Delta and left all that she knew, a poor rural life in a tiny village south of Saigon. She was going back to see her dear Granny and to show her 7 year old where she came from. A noble and important journey. I was tagging along, completely unaware of what I was about to experience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReJlB0WAQsAFS0jh0qLiy0giED2TYvsKgtFqDaVmOG6Eyw-RZYIXOsrkgDkx4iWF9DBGL43Rx8nPl3Url_FYttd1F_vEW5K1UXJOOFPgdSBnytFSJDuXA8VU2YujjN2REqkWain24nBo/s1600/DSCN0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReJlB0WAQsAFS0jh0qLiy0giED2TYvsKgtFqDaVmOG6Eyw-RZYIXOsrkgDkx4iWF9DBGL43Rx8nPl3Url_FYttd1F_vEW5K1UXJOOFPgdSBnytFSJDuXA8VU2YujjN2REqkWain24nBo/s320/DSCN0087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vietnam is a country of a little over 87,000,000 people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were all at this intersection in Ho Chi Minh City on a Friday night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Me:</b> "Where are the police to control the traffic?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Driver: </b>(through interpretation, 'cuz <i>nobody </i>speaks English): "They're all drunk."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Me:</b> "Oh." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my head: <i>I wish I was.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was an oddly calm and managed scene. Horns tooting, scooters inching along, more tooting. It took about an hour, but we made it across this mass to our hotel. Mercifully. That is Ho Chi Minh City.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>This </i>is Ben Tre......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8jAm4NpzFvX5mYPv7fYWTOT9CtHHm8duZKLD_oWB7CnBORDR7peJDMEUZqQYvv8EBwwS7NDsx_c51bLAztare6RDEJF1t6HalRR4Hcfx1oyZmYHeQkmjEH9FGn7GAJOfJL9ZVP1LwO8/s1600/DSCN0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8jAm4NpzFvX5mYPv7fYWTOT9CtHHm8duZKLD_oWB7CnBORDR7peJDMEUZqQYvv8EBwwS7NDsx_c51bLAztare6RDEJF1t6HalRR4Hcfx1oyZmYHeQkmjEH9FGn7GAJOfJL9ZVP1LwO8/s320/DSCN0135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNlezr2qcQe3wzK-i-tF2_RGunGpglqjw4XrrCpqrB68fuTWU2kBUq9mVoLoladhu1F7P8iNyCFD7Eun9d5FZq9MM7D_CWmkDFVYBswcH4uorcU_JxMyLCrgiVhMm1OJ3Qgpseq5uMxE/s1600/DSCN0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNlezr2qcQe3wzK-i-tF2_RGunGpglqjw4XrrCpqrB68fuTWU2kBUq9mVoLoladhu1F7P8iNyCFD7Eun9d5FZq9MM7D_CWmkDFVYBswcH4uorcU_JxMyLCrgiVhMm1OJ3Qgpseq5uMxE/s320/DSCN0137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And <i>this </i>is the preferred method of transport.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMuqhf8kCq_JKbcS5G2_8uGtUjkWzG9hpoEcSEM42MJe8jjkXyBEFICRN4FjquxerecAs44fnnXICXxolDmSvyAe4biMz6VnQN1qD9NChuw-IsoUjEGiwAUri__SARaql05QVZCpGkUU/s1600/DSCN0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMuqhf8kCq_JKbcS5G2_8uGtUjkWzG9hpoEcSEM42MJe8jjkXyBEFICRN4FjquxerecAs44fnnXICXxolDmSvyAe4biMz6VnQN1qD9NChuw-IsoUjEGiwAUri__SARaql05QVZCpGkUU/s320/DSCN0282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ben Tre is the sleepy village where my friend's family still lives, near family graves that they cannot abandon. It has a market, motor scooter repair shop, a school and a beauty salon. For the equivalent of about a dollar I could go to the salon (where they <i>loved</i> my snow white American hair, and my <i>map </i>arms - what's that?) and get a 20 minute shampoo and a facial......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt_HjzcNpCkqSH456YTGf5M8vXNSb3OZNwKOR9OuaLJ8D9AHH-xX1Tk5C_YrGEF_9e6oxqUqhCTGUCWzJi1j8tbenM1DE1cWh2ZsqeHWTcNx7k7yNcL-7BuP3Fv9MnNluvXJyoBq_7iw/s1600/DSCN0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt_HjzcNpCkqSH456YTGf5M8vXNSb3OZNwKOR9OuaLJ8D9AHH-xX1Tk5C_YrGEF_9e6oxqUqhCTGUCWzJi1j8tbenM1DE1cWh2ZsqeHWTcNx7k7yNcL-7BuP3Fv9MnNluvXJyoBq_7iw/s320/DSCN0098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not sure why the fancy dresses, but they were in many shops in every village we went through. This was apparently a <i>Diep/</i>Mr. Tuxedo. Whatever, I did this every day that we were in Ben Tre and it was fab.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A side note: <i>map </i>arms? fat arms. They were not uncomfortable at all patting, gently pinching or stroking my "womanly" arms. They also loved my pasty-colored skin. <i>Ahhhh!</i> To be in a country where my God-given, formerly disdained features are revered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the other hand, the market was an interesting place....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lRgvE7EXVZ-IUNxTyMLanYvcDPbextZXxGKJPF5VvkXlR6piPT3oHxwI8RCntHgKEEqufU5qnTpmmp94lv7_74ATdNr5WTjM85jPiMGswX3Z5LhXirv2EBswaO86ZSZPIc3HZWrqjF4/s1600/DSCN0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lRgvE7EXVZ-IUNxTyMLanYvcDPbextZXxGKJPF5VvkXlR6piPT3oHxwI8RCntHgKEEqufU5qnTpmmp94lv7_74ATdNr5WTjM85jPiMGswX3Z5LhXirv2EBswaO86ZSZPIc3HZWrqjF4/s320/DSCN0102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnOtUbLGrpMzDgaL8QxnNuMv9wvieg1GUw2omizQf2dKRJFCbcZxuJjwCSGODmT7g0HGOEHlvgwzwmNxuTuhhMuIRnXCbf7kSTFdE3NmC-Gkmopp4foZ-_4LIs1DibrJjmwTsCw7f4cY/s1600/DSCN0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnOtUbLGrpMzDgaL8QxnNuMv9wvieg1GUw2omizQf2dKRJFCbcZxuJjwCSGODmT7g0HGOEHlvgwzwmNxuTuhhMuIRnXCbf7kSTFdE3NmC-Gkmopp4foZ-_4LIs1DibrJjmwTsCw7f4cY/s320/DSCN0103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We didn't buy any of these.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjTJzcjiE-rbivwBw9COuedpKvFvXHqzRwnulry2JHjUtxLqP682j7Zx9ETBjFcuzXkbHQcAPtHTFyQir9lJ5LQ5rF6RwVvyyKL4C_vZaV2HXoT9x-wO1M_VED86-QxQOXMbA0uos_uA/s1600/DSCN0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjTJzcjiE-rbivwBw9COuedpKvFvXHqzRwnulry2JHjUtxLqP682j7Zx9ETBjFcuzXkbHQcAPtHTFyQir9lJ5LQ5rF6RwVvyyKL4C_vZaV2HXoT9x-wO1M_VED86-QxQOXMbA0uos_uA/s320/DSCN0106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We bought some of these instead. They were alive. Whatever they were - <i>alive </i>I tell you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdRhOfG95r56PR3VQRbwNxxOg7xoja1Kl5W8jx_A9-NJVJtaHyguaE3x1vG8Y79NjeSo44P3KC0UMvBkTMsp3qNEiUPwShD_cXgwaWrXaZ0QmR4v75JWtzj9qpX9enl2wS3A26TGPOXs/s1600/DSCN0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdRhOfG95r56PR3VQRbwNxxOg7xoja1Kl5W8jx_A9-NJVJtaHyguaE3x1vG8Y79NjeSo44P3KC0UMvBkTMsp3qNEiUPwShD_cXgwaWrXaZ0QmR4v75JWtzj9qpX9enl2wS3A26TGPOXs/s320/DSCN0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we bought this for <i>Mama</i> (it's what they call Duchesses apparently). Does anyone see refrigeration? No? Me either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, it was an exciting, wonderful adventure. We road-tripped in a 15 passenger van on the Mekong Delta. Me and 14 or 15 members of the fam, who periodically ate durian with the windows up, who spoke no English and who were the warmest and sweetest people I've had the pleasure to share time with. We traveled from just south of Ho Chi Minh City to near Ha Tien. It was magical.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw8nLW5aH9jsLQvIXG78m9O_3_W4xkWjrQwME0uIj3ru3UXubCxj8VlpihiUXuN3lH9ta05glHGN_Wh5MBYhR-MIiPw7vcVRjGBGLSKILPbTq3hWLeVaTyaj1QybKY-wSNKsYMJW3NO0/s1600/DSCN0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw8nLW5aH9jsLQvIXG78m9O_3_W4xkWjrQwME0uIj3ru3UXubCxj8VlpihiUXuN3lH9ta05glHGN_Wh5MBYhR-MIiPw7vcVRjGBGLSKILPbTq3hWLeVaTyaj1QybKY-wSNKsYMJW3NO0/s320/DSCN0179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS_JRZRZV8Y_SRz0exgJDrc5nybI9625z_TSFBI2I_OrBDfcVxrYK8XvONvtU0PY2zoOi2RJxVJfKMZ96d5TMp4KcmpfvIsGhnIMZdIJm2noCUvdnjDoKTJ_inDzNTTa6GfAxzJFJKJs/s1600/DSCN0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS_JRZRZV8Y_SRz0exgJDrc5nybI9625z_TSFBI2I_OrBDfcVxrYK8XvONvtU0PY2zoOi2RJxVJfKMZ96d5TMp4KcmpfvIsGhnIMZdIJm2noCUvdnjDoKTJ_inDzNTTa6GfAxzJFJKJs/s320/DSCN0208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not magical in a slick, touristy kind of way. Magical in the way of touching places and faces that I'd known, but not <i>known.</i> Vietnam, for me, had always been a terrible, strange jungle where war was. A place from which friends never returned, where those friends were fighting a war <i>nobody </i>understood, and nobody I knew thought was right. Me included. It's not that place anymore. It has beautiful and warm people, an economy that's moving ever so slowly forward edging away from state domination and gorgeous scenery. There are remnants of the American War: a museum (aptly named The War Remnants Museum full of horrific photos and artifacts), Highway 1 built by American G.I. know-how to move heavy equipment in and out of then Saigon and Zippo lighters at the big market in Ho Chi Minh City said to have been found in the jungles and having belonged to American G.I.'s. I don't know if that's true, but I bought one for our young Duke at home that had a soldier's name stamped on it along with his station, Da Nang. I bought it for him to remind him that guys his age fought in a war in a strange and terrible place because they had to, and perhaps left a Zippo behind on the floor of a jungle 9,000 miles from home. And to replace the one that I found in his room and confiscated. That's another story altogether.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the end of our trip the entire Manor household was at the airport (they really miss ya after 17 days!) to greet us home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our son, the Duke of FM to 7 year old: "Did you have a great trip?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7 year old kiddo: "Yeah! It was <i>awesome</i>! DeeDee <i>barfed</i> on the plane!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, yeah. I did. There ya go. Seventeen days and 9,000 miles from home, having seen crocs and monkeys in the wild, spiders as big as my hand, meeting his family and <i>that's </i>what he remembers. The barfing that occurred between Portland and Seattle. As entertaining as that was for him, I hope he actually remembers even just a portion of what I remember. I'm sure he will.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-71395021845930210072011-03-07T11:37:00.000-08:002011-03-07T11:37:20.953-08:00The Finished Product....and some bloggie stuffI made my Pain de Mie in 2 standard loaf pans, which I haven't done for awhile. Recently, I've been baking just one loaf (in a standard pan). If you want sandwich size bread slices, then use just one pan and you will get a great rectangle. All flat on top, which makes me feel like a bakery. Either way, it's delicious and I can almost hear Julia "....you've really got to slap that dough rectangle around", as if she and I were in the kitchen together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUF5UrKftl6Gfq1lBkpcnDezHhvUHELCXAnNVjuZLKedKBj0KOy4YEVlWzxt4ffv0AyO-8m5Esm6UoRLS1Jjoih9rnfAA1vgUuFqtm9bu7RTbuIzbJm2LgPkDYxU_JJB9Rer5BtK0ctA/s1600/image12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUF5UrKftl6Gfq1lBkpcnDezHhvUHELCXAnNVjuZLKedKBj0KOy4YEVlWzxt4ffv0AyO-8m5Esm6UoRLS1Jjoih9rnfAA1vgUuFqtm9bu7RTbuIzbJm2LgPkDYxU_JJB9Rer5BtK0ctA/s320/image12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I mentioned yesterday, if you want a crusty rustic loaf, this isn't it. But I know where you can find one! Trot on over to see Terry at Moss and Clover <a href="http://mossandclover.blogspot.com/2011/03/yummy-ymmy-in-my-tummy.html">http://mossandclover.blogspot.com/2011/03/yummy-ymmy-in-my-tummy.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That bread is so delicious! And so easy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now to bloggie stuff: I'm trying to reduce the size of my header, learn to take better pictures and in general learn a bunch of new crap. I'll figure it out, but it might take me a day or two. Today I'm going to try and make a button. Whatever that is. Bear with me while I learn. I'd love to have you stick around! I've got some Manor remodeling tales that will curl your toes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146996006477913187.post-39448833074517973792011-03-06T18:57:00.000-08:002011-03-21T12:23:35.505-07:00Julia<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0.6em; padding-right: 0.6em; padding-top: 0.6em;"><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">I've had a long love affair with Julia Child. I remember when I first became aware of her in the mid '60's. Her unmistakable voice made me stop as I passed through the room (the "new room" that was the former garage) with the television. I was at my friend since 5th grade house and her family watched PBS. We didn't, so I always felt high brow at E's house when PBS was on. I must have been fascinated with Julia's control of the scene, the elegant things she talked about (fois gras - whatever that was), and her pearls. Those pearls. So lovely. Anyway, before too long E and I realized that her mother was in possession of a chafing dish (gasp), and was also absent from the house (double gasp). I honestly can't remember if it was Cherries Jubilee or Crepes Suzette that we decided to make. Here's what I do remember: brandy and fire and fear. In that order. We were somewhere around 11 or 12. Nonetheless, it began a journey for me that will never be finished and is always interesting and has been a gateway to other creative jaunts.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Whenever I'm feeling high-brow in the culinary sense I go back to my smeary editions of Mastering and try something new that stretches me. In more ways than one, I might add.<br />
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Lately, I've been reminded of Julia's baking genius with her recipe for Pain de Mie <i>(White Sandwich Bread - for sandwiches, canapes [cuz I make lots of those, pfft], toast and croutons). </i> It's from <b>Mastering The Art of French Cooking, Volume Two. </b>I think it's the nicest loaf of sandwich bread I've ever made. It's a close-grained loaf, absolutely fab for grilled sandwiches and toast. We love it plain <i>or </i>toasted. It shouldn't be confused with a chewy crusted rustic loaf (also heavenly), but an everyday workaholic loaf of bread for your family to enjoy in sandwiches, slathered with butter or jam or with morning eggs. <i>Merveilleux!</i><br />
Because of copyright concerns, I won't be posting the entire recipe, but I'll show you some of the process. It can be found in the <b>Volume Two </b>book on page 75. Or leave me a comment with your email and I'll be happy to send it to you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JMOpr68z8SVO9-FzblzTLbDZMIUf052-7wQtt5c7SJJ_cJwR1rlJeS6gZmTgryJQR8E0FuuUg6jeI82YdEseEkdmlnjb3HoFKIFWcJvqlkIYj3tRLwum3z7ind27zY3YpEukPkAu5Hg/s1600/image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JMOpr68z8SVO9-FzblzTLbDZMIUf052-7wQtt5c7SJJ_cJwR1rlJeS6gZmTgryJQR8E0FuuUg6jeI82YdEseEkdmlnjb3HoFKIFWcJvqlkIYj3tRLwum3z7ind27zY3YpEukPkAu5Hg/s320/image1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My deary, smeary <b>Mastering, Volume Two.</b></div><b><br />
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I use my food processor (Julia says it's okay). I throw in 3 1/2 c of flour (a word here: I prefer King Arthur, I swear it makes a difference), pulse it a few times and, with the machine running pour in the wet ingredients: yeast dissolved in 3 T warm water and 1 1/3 c warm water in which 2 t of salt have been dissolved. I run the machine until the whole thing looks like this (above). It's really shaggy. Dump it out onto a very lightly floured board and knead in 4 T of butter with the heels of your hand (or feet, it's your kitchen).<br />
Form the dough into a ball and put the wad in a large-ish bowl. Cover it and wait for it to double (another word: I set the bowl on a folded towel to insulate it from my cold tile counters and set it under the light over my stove - perfect temperature). When it has doubled (could take 2 hours), flop it out onto a floured board, push it into a rectangle, fold it, rectangle it, fold it again and back into the bowl for the second rise.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rEGrGTjuxA-RldS2dVGrBCfhis6mhuL9kcBkS8QurobyPeDoBWuLFprfDdt2LKD9COPZQ9ejau3jEwYVEU3OmTlAqV5xwMlNbB9MoztodxL2FbtgoWG8o09Pi8Lxt9GmENSl0hP3ubw/s1600/image3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rEGrGTjuxA-RldS2dVGrBCfhis6mhuL9kcBkS8QurobyPeDoBWuLFprfDdt2LKD9COPZQ9ejau3jEwYVEU3OmTlAqV5xwMlNbB9MoztodxL2FbtgoWG8o09Pi8Lxt9GmENSl0hP3ubw/s320/image3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Before the first rising. This is the only bread that I cover with plastic wrap during the rise. Don't know why, but it is and it works.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmELtsw744y1WdV96MtINZFdtcSmg5-XHhiOFRVu9qaogxMhkB2yOn8_4FORW18id4QDgzS0G_DxvgLiZvC86dfHH0_TdCNtf03azl5ZMJBkdixoTJbSgtF6MuUGH68dffU_bzv86cY0o/s1600/image1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmELtsw744y1WdV96MtINZFdtcSmg5-XHhiOFRVu9qaogxMhkB2yOn8_4FORW18id4QDgzS0G_DxvgLiZvC86dfHH0_TdCNtf03azl5ZMJBkdixoTJbSgtF6MuUGH68dffU_bzv86cY0o/s320/image1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All poofed and purdy, ready to be smacked and folded.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Lgb6HQ0HFRndCaLZzoI-ii3O42BCDYrRfK8MxkfGycIH5PmndV94apuwQ32nJG5rGLWOn7iLgB_qtkrcaK31yPdEeqr34HO9TDaXDov61tDCiabXxSkpNnQ0T_9IDqzAwbrVvQAxaJA/s1600/image0-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Lgb6HQ0HFRndCaLZzoI-ii3O42BCDYrRfK8MxkfGycIH5PmndV94apuwQ32nJG5rGLWOn7iLgB_qtkrcaK31yPdEeqr34HO9TDaXDov61tDCiabXxSkpNnQ0T_9IDqzAwbrVvQAxaJA/s320/image0-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bread rectangle. Soft, yeasty and lovely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1hGEdHtN5Nln0WPrwtb5Pp6EuVnu0Xj5X9ElS3JXftizBd49qAxE9z41OnMmS3FZgAvSl9sbMp7RDsq2jy9zWXoM-jyQiwsm07IUHmbbzMhN8t4HRJ7Cu8-nRM_fLDG6KsOjcQXVALM/s1600/image2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1hGEdHtN5Nln0WPrwtb5Pp6EuVnu0Xj5X9ElS3JXftizBd49qAxE9z41OnMmS3FZgAvSl9sbMp7RDsq2jy9zWXoM-jyQiwsm07IUHmbbzMhN8t4HRJ7Cu8-nRM_fLDG6KsOjcQXVALM/s320/image2-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a hoot: the pan that Julia suggests is $33 (on sale). It's one of those with a sliding lid thingy. She also illustrates this pauper method and it works fine. Be sure to oil the baking pan that's acting like a lid. Make sure you weigh the loaves down securely. Those suckers are powerful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There, I didn't actually give you the recipe, did I? I'll show you the finished loaves later. If I remember to take a picture before I accidentally eat them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bon appetit!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I linked to: </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://addapinch.com/living/2011/03/20/mingle-monday-sharing-something-fun-and-a-giveaway/">Add a Pinch</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first link, people!!</div></div></div>♕DeeDee♕ at Fairfield Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14122587206790795182noreply@blogger.com3