The changing seasons always get me thinking about the kitchen. After a sunny weekend outside, my picnic obsession continues. This picture is from Martha Stewart Weddings Summer 2006, and I just love these retro dresses, blackberry-raspberry tarts tied up with string, and adorable picnic tables. I have a special picnic date coming up (in June, best to plan ahead), so I think this is the perfect inspiration.
I have been trying to be more conscious of the foods we are eating, which always means more time looking at recipes and day-dreaming about yummy summery foods. (A lot of times this leads me to ponder the unhealthy recipes I crave too, but eventually we get back to fresh summer fruits.) These are the links that have me excited:
- Butterbeer, pumpkin juice, and the “big feast” - This preview of some of the foods from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando has me drooling. I think it’s a pretty extraordinary kind of magic that J.K. Rowling can create such intense cravings for foods that we’ve never tasted before. Really, really hope to get there one day. Yum.
- This easy recipe substitution for sweetened condensed milk saved me recently. I was a little skeptical at first, but my dessert turned out great. I love that this is made without preservatives and was easy to make with things I had on hand.
- Tonight, I’m making broccoli cheddar soup courtesy of Susan Branch. Everything I’ve ever made that was a Susan recipe turns out great. (Like cinnamon ice cream!) I think she understands comfort and entertaining better than anyone. If you haven’t signed up for her newsletters (and the idea of making real homemade chicken stock makes you smile), you should. It’s the only newsletter I get in my e-mail inbox that feels more like a note from a friend than a marketing announcement.
Ok, I better get started on that soup. Hope you have a wonderful dinner, too.
Filed under In the Kitchen.
Tagged with broccoli cheddar soup, butterbeer, picnics, Susan Branch, Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Around this time of year, I always start thinking about grassy meadows, naps under trees, and picnic baskets. We saw this Coke commercial last night on TV and I almost choked up a little bit; my longing to be on a picnic was so intense.
(Some of you will point out that I live in L.A., so I could go sit outside on a blanket right now. However, even here, it’s not quite the same until the sun is really warm and you’re wearing something sleeveless.)
Anyway, I thought it would be a good time to start my spring sewing wish list. I have visions of picnic blankets, summer dresses, and fresh table linens. I love warm weather sewing, because I can really experiment with patterns and colors and worry less about what my husband will say. I can just tell him “this is for outside, not the bed,” and he’ll be fine.
My wish list so far:
- some Spring/Summer bags: I think I need two.
- a library bag (a la Posie Gets Cozy)
- an “adventuring” bag: I want something casual that can go to the zoo and the garden, maybe even Disneyland and Hawaii. (It’s good to set goals, right?) The bag needs to hold a camera, water bottle, keys, wallet, and hand lotion. There should be room for random scraps of paper since that seems to be most of what ends up in my purse. I haven’t quite decided on a shape yet.
- And last but not least: a picnic set. I have plans to fully deck out a picnic basket with the works – a basket liner, matching napkins, drawstring pouches for the silverware. Cute little matching tins and containers. I’m not sure if I’ll get to it this year, but it’s on the list.
Anyone else with picnics on the brain? I might have forgotten some important accessories. I am torn between wanting spring to arrive and thinking I might need another few months to get my sewing list in order first. ;-)
Filed under Fabric & Sewing.
Tagged with picnic basket, picnic blanket, picnics, sewing, spring.