Are There Any Fabrics on this Blog?

I'll bet you're wondering where the fabrics are in Feasts and Fabrics.  I do sew - whenever I can.  Which, unfortunately, is not a lot during the school year.  I need time to really immerse myself in a project.  The "10, 20, 30 Minutes to Sew" philosophy does not work for me.  Sewing during the school year is limited to the occasional free weekend.  Never-the-less, I do manage to finish some projects....

One of my school-year projects (I started in the fall and finished just in time for the very last cool snap!)  was this fleece jacket that I saw in Fall issue of Sew Stylish Magazine.  

I used the tips that they included in the magazine - including eliminating seams allowances by using lapped seams.  I loved the idea of the faux leather trim!  This version looks so different from the picture on the pattern envelope that I almost didn't buy the pattern.  It is truly amazing what the right fabric can do for a pattern!

Here is a view from the back.  

I would tell you the pattern number if I could find it in my mess of a sewing room. My first project of the summer is always digging out and reorganizing after the chaos of completing projects during the school year.  

So...stay tuned...Only 2 more weeks until I am officially free to sew and create to my heart's content.  I just can't wait!  

Mish mash night

Tonight was one of my family's favorite dinner nights - Mish mash. Mish mash happens about every 4th night in our family ( more often now in our nearly empty nest). It is the night when I pull all the leftovers out and lay out a giant smorgasbord. You can eat any strange combo you want. Spaghetti and mashed potatoes? Why not?! You can eat the leftovers as is or turn them into the next quesadilla sensation. The only rule? We cannot end up with more leftovers than we started with.

Tonight I filled out the leftovers a bit with one of our new favorite salads. Watermelon, feta and balsamic vinegar with a sprinkle of fresh basil and a twist of cracked pepper.

The best thing about Mish mash feasting? Hardly any dishes!

Curry...In a Hurry

Today...The dreaded Monday/Tuesday.  The day that you think is going to start your super-fast short week which turns out to be the longest week EVER!  So after work and after the workout what could be better than some nice spicy pork curry and sesame green beans?  How about spicy curry and green beans that are on the table in under 30 minutes!  This recipe is an old Southern Living (Brown Cookbook) fav called Hurry Curry.  It is delicious so "hurry up" and make some for dinner tomorrow!

Hurry Curry - The Southern Living Cookbook

(Modified by me!)

1 1/2 pounds of cooked pork tenderloin (I usually use leftovers!)

2-3 Tbsp of butter

1-2 cloves of garlic

1 cup chopped onion

2 small apples

1 Tbsp of curry powder

1/4 tsp ground cardamon

1 Tbsp Flour

2 tsp ground crystallized ginger

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup chutney

Saute the onions and garlic in the butter until the onion is transparent and just beginning to turn golden. Add the apple and curry powder;  cook stirring constantly, over medium heat until apple is just tender.  Add cardamon, flour, ginger, salt, and pepper, stir until blended.  Gradually add chicken broth, stirring constantly.  Add the pork and heat through.  Stir in lemon juice.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer about 10 minutes.  Serve over basmati rice with several condiments such as hard boiled eggs, cashews, raisins, craisins, green onions, extra chutney and canned pears.

The beans are super simple:  Steam green beans until just tender.  Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

Enjoy your quick feast!

Triple Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

Ta da!  Here is the completed lemon cake.  It should have been called the terrible two's cake because it took two days and two people to complete it!  Luckily, my favorite sous chef, my daughter Carolyn was home to help!  Even though it was a bit challenging to make, it was definitely worth it - sweet, but with a lemony zing to cut the sweet and make it just right.

The tricky part was getting the lemon curd in between the layers without the layers sliding apart.  Of course, trying this cake on the Hottest day of the year did not help.  We had to keep rushing it into the refrigerator for a time out between frosting sessions.  

Here is the inside: 

The blueberries gave a nice sweet pop.  The secret to not having all the blueberries sink to the bottom of the cake pan...toss them in some of the cake flour before you add them to the batter.

Overall, a delicious cake, but so much work it will have to wait for very special occasion before appearing at my table again!  Here is the link to the recipe if you want to try it for yourself:  Triple Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

Once the cake was made - It was time for the summer kick off!  Luckily, the thunderstorms held off and we had a wonderful 1st summer BBQ!  

Hoping you had a wonderful Memorial Day!

Lemon Curd

Memorial Day is time to stop and remember all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedom that we enjoy every day.  This weekend I am especially thankful for the dedicated military service of my grandfather, father, father-in-law, husband, brother, brother-in-law, daughter and - most recently - my son.  Did you guess that we are a military family?

Memorial Day is also the official kick off to the outdoor entertaining season and, true to form, we have two barbecues this weekend.  So what's on my agenda for today...

1. Making lemon curd for the Triple Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake that I found on pinterest.
2. Making my mother's (and maybe even my grandmother's) recipe for Sherry Poppy Seed Cake Supreme.
3. Marinating the pork tenderloins for the cookout at our house this weekend.

First up...Lemon Curd

Breakfast anyone?

What better way to start off a new blog then with breakfast (or lunch or dinner for that matter)! This yummy BLT is a fork and knife version of the old favorite that is good any time of day. AND it was fast to pull together. Perfect for a weeknight complete with a workout and a lacrosse game. I'll post the recipe later when I figure out more of the bells and whistles on blogger, but for now you can feast your eyes on the pictures and then find the recipe in the June 2012 issue of Cooking Light magazine. Enjoy!

Here Goes Nothing!

Welcome to my blog!  I have so enjoyed browsing blogs of other sewists and foodies that I decided to jump into the world of blogging.  Can a 40-something, empty-nesting, teacher with no time to spare really do this blogging thing?  Here goes nothing...