On Julia Child

It hasn't been a good week. A cold, combined with a heavy schedule at work and the departure of my assistant, have kept me out of the craft lounge, the kitchen and the yoga studio. But I did have some time to think about the great question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. So I'll end the week with this thought...

Julia Child didn't become interested in cooking until her mid-30's. She moved to Paris because of her husband's job and ultimately enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu, the famous French Culinary Institute. It wasn't until 1961, when she was almost 50, that her seminal cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, was published.

I find this inspiring. To me, it says that its never too late for a new hobby or passion; its never too late to challenge myself with something brand new and even excel at it. And also, it says that I can change my mind midstream and explore other sides of myself - sides I may not have discovered yet. And that is a refreshing thought for the weekend!

Sewing Stash

Last week I ordered a bunch of patterns to prevent any lapses in my sewing hobby when I am in between projects. I was thrilled when they all arrived on the same day. Some I have definite plans for and others are just to have on hand. Now I just have to start building up my stash of fun fabrics.

Dark Side of the Moon

I hope you were outside or near a window, and looking up last night. From where Phineas and I watched the eclipse, the sky was clear and the moon turned a vivid orange during the totality (that is when the moon is fully in the earth's shadow). Saturn and Regulus were visible.

Standing outside, I experienced one of those moments when your other senses silence themselves and all your awareness focuses on one thing. Your thoughts and memories become quiet, and the world is still. Beautiful. Calm. Serene.

Sadly, there won't be another total lunar eclipse until 21 December 2o1o.

In Pieces: Zipper Part 2

The zipper is in! Woo hoo hoo! (Does victory dance.)


And it was Calliope, whose purse this will eventually be, who pointed me in the right direction. I ended up pinning it in while it was zipped closed and then opening the zipper to sew it in. When I was done, it lined up properly at the corners.

Now all this purse needs is some insides, which I started last night!

Nutella + Wontons = Wontellas? Nut-tons?

Well, I don't know what you call them, but yesterday was one of those moments when I glimpsed culinary nirvana. Orpheus and I made dessert for Sunday family dinner.

We took wonton wrappers and dolloped a teaspoonful of Nutella in the middle. We used clean paint brushes and a little water to seal them up into triangles. Orpheus was particularly good at brushing on the water, and with a little practice got the hang of making triangles.

After dinner I fried the triangles in an inch or so of oil and Orpheus sprinkled on powdered sugar. Voila! Oooey gooey melty nutty chocolate encased in a crispy wonton crust. MMMmmmmmm.... heaven.

In Pieces: Update

I am having serious zipper issues with the purse I am making Calliope.

I tried to install the zipper last night. In fact, I thought it was going rather well. That was until I tried zippering the clutch shut. The whole thing pulled to one side and made the clutch look trapezoid-ish. DOH! Very not good.

I blame it on crafting on a school night. I tend to be less patient and precise in the evening. Luckily, I had only basted the zipper in so it was easy to rip out. And I have learned a valuable lesson about lining up zippers. Now, I just have to figure out how to fix it. Wish me luck!

Why My New Hobby Rocks

I will make myself corsets. Lots of them.