Last week, I was telling my friend Sarah that I was inspired by Julie and Julia to cook my way through a cookbook. She mentioned that she would be interested, but wanted to learn technique in the process. I had an "aha!" moment. Apparently,
I'm not the only one. When I was pregnant with N., I had a period of time where I literally almost didn't eat. Its called hyperemesis. Its not pretty. I love food. I couldn't eat food. I obsessed over food. The Food Network became my best friend, I had the lineup memorized. My favorites: Down Home with the Nealys, Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, and Barefoot Contessa. I want to be her. And when I really needed a fix, Paula Dean. I also read through Martha Stewart Cooking School, and was fascinated. I tried to learn through reading, since standing didn't work.
Back to my aha! moment. I want to (selectively) cook through the MS Cooking School Book, of which I happen to have a copy. I'm lucky--I have an extraordinarily talented sister in law, who designed several of Martha Stewart's latest books, and we have quite the library, thanks to she and my mother-in-law.
The plan: To do one lesson a week. It might take me a while. I'll keep you updated.
I had to laugh--after watching the movie Julie and Julia, I totally want to cook my way through a cookbook this year. Say what you will about the movie, I was inspired! I haven't cooked much in the last year, due to a rather difficult pregnancy. But I've been doing lots of cooking lately. If only I was as good at photographing food as I am at eating and making it. Alas. On Tuesday, I made a gingered pork, green bean, and pepper stir fry. This recipe was fabulous, but not a "make dinner while supervising Mr. L doing his workbooks and learning how to cut and wanting to help and thinking maybe he needs to paint or do dishes, and chopping vegetables sure looks like fun too, none of which is super helpful, while N. decides she IS in fact DONE with the bouncy seat." Thank goodness J got home a bit early to help. I love Everyday Food magazine, and you can never go wrong with The New Best Recipe cookbook, but there are simply TOO MANY recipes. So, I think I'm going to try to cook one recipe a week from Joan Nathan's The New American Cooking. So far, I've made a ginger pumpkin bread (omitted the nuts and raisins, added chocolate chips. Can't go wrong with that) and a chili with orange zest and cinnamon. I really liked both, J, not so much. We'll see how long this lasts. :)
I loved the first patchwork quilt with these fabrics so much, I made another one for my soon-to-be arriving nephew! It has minky on the back, which of course Mr. L. thinks is the best part of the entire quilt! I love the little patchwork squares within the squares--perhaps my favorite part. I hope they like it!
Lesson Learned: Patchwork is fun, quick, and easy. Making quilts is also addicting, as I just wanted to sit down and do it, from start to finish. Having a toddler paint, do play dough, use stamps, and draw right next to you is a bit nerve wracking (imagining paint, even "washable" paint, spilled near your quilt makes your heart beat a bit faster) but greatly enhances your quilting time.
