please pack your knives

Another great season of Top Chef is over. They've packed their knives and gone. This year's finale took place in Singapore and it was exceptional. It was incredible watching these chef's navigate their way through unfamiliar territory. Very impressive. I especially enjoyed the emphasis on fish and the street food of Singapore. It's worth looking up on Hulu if you missed it. Here's a simple and delicious salmon recipe if you're in the mood for fish. Enjoy your weekend!

Salmon Teriyaki - Betsy Eiseman, Lamplighter Family Cookbook

1/2 c soy sauce

1/4 c dry sherry

1/4 c light brown sugar

1 T olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1T finely grated fresh ginger

1 1/3 lbs salmon steaks, 1"thick

Whisk together soy sauce, sherry, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic and ginger. Pour over salmon and marinate for 30 minutes, turning once to coat evenly. Place oven rack 4 inches from heat source. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with nonstick spray. Remove fish from marinade and place on baking sheet. Broil for 10 to 12 minutes.

Note: This marinade is so tasty! This salmon is great paired with roasted asparagus. For color and added tastiness, top with chopped tomato and grated parmesan.

photo: Fulton Street fishmonger, 1964, mcmahanphoto.com

the meat grinder

No, this isn't a post on Lady Gaga's putrid meat dress from the VMA. But rather, a post on recess. Didn't you just love recess as a kid?!? Our school playground did not resemble the razzle dazzle playscapes of today. No wood chips or squishy surfaces to cushion our fall. No brightly colored plastic equipment to prevent small hands from burning on hot days. Our playground consisted of a metal jungle gym, a bank of swings and the meat grinder. The meat grinder was a slab of black asphalt - the site for red rover, jump rope and all manner of horseplay. It was accurately dubbed the meat grinder because it literally shredded your tender young skin on contact. Hico Elementary recess wasn't for wimps! Aren't you just wild about this incredible swing for 12 made from recycled tires constructed by Jan Korbes in South Africa? Can you even imagine the fun?!? I want one now!

on two wheels

Skidding in on two wheels, here are some random shots from our Summer.

Red in Fredericksburg is filled with cool items in every price range.

Fantastic 3-D puzzle. You have to see it up close to appreciate it!

Great Wall O' Cutters. Der Kuchen Laden, Fredericksburg.

The girls love their cousin Karleigh!

The tooth fairy pays a visit to Harry.

Look at that sweet face!

Incredible mirror. Incredible store. Root Fashion and Aura. Fredericksburg, Texas.

Outside a restaurant at the height of Mel's latest outburst. Funny stuff. Austin, Texas.

Giant creepy baby head from a vintage store in Austin. There's a Twilight Zone episode in here somewhere.

City park bridge in Hico. I've been riding my bike, driving a car or running over this bridge my entire life. I finally noticed just how great it is.

Layers and layers of yumminess.

gator baby

This summer I made a quilt for a baby gator. This little guy was born to a couple of die hard Florida Gator fans and needed the perfect quilt. Here is the play by play of the aptly named quilt, Gator Baby.

Thankfully, I had wonderful school colors to work with! This is the maquette I presented to my client, friend and coworker, Beth. Whenever possible I make a maquette to convey my ideas. I thought the rugby stripe was great for a little boy and made a nice field for a big gator head.

Next, I went in search of reference. I didn't have to look any further than Sadie's bookshelf for our well loved copy of The Enormous Crocodile, by Roald Dahl. Gators and crocs; crocs and gators, I know there are differences, but this illustration happened to work perfectly for the project at hand. Admittedly, my first sketch resembled the Claussen pickle pelican, sans the funny hat. Alan came in and saved the day with a subtle adjustment. Thanks Alan!

Pupil practice and finished eye.

Ric rac teeth. Great idea Deb!

Sweet backing.

I chose a quilting pattern called Toothache to mimic the jagged teeth. We also added the baby's name and other particulars for a personal touch. Thanks for the great project Beth! Tons of fun.

bubbles

I hope you enjoy bubbles in some form or fashion this weekend!

Kids of the 70's? Just for you, as in me. In it's entirety. You're welcome!

Want to mix up your own?

This link has lots of recipes.

photos 1 and 2 by Julianne Swartz via Pia Jane Bijkerk, Sis (my niece) aka Mary Eloise by her Mommy, Sofia bubbly from geekdreams/flickr

one month countdown

Sadie's Bat Mitzvah is one month from today. Updates over on Sailor Glam.

the sho(far) must go on*

Last nights funnel cloud was no match for a sanctuary full of Jews ready to ring in 5771. Bring it. This bunch has seen it all and more.

Since apples dipped in honey are a customary treat on Rosh Hashanah, I decided to make baked apples for dessert tonight. According to the Michigan Apple Council, these are the best apples for baking:

Cortlands

Jonagolds

Jonathans

Rome

Golden Delicious

Winesap

I could only get my hands on Jonathans and Golden Delicious.

Baked Apples

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Core apples and place in a baking dish. Pour small amount of water in the bottom. I added vanilla beans to the water. Put some brown sugar in the hollowed out cores. Drizzle with honey. Bake until apples are soft, but still retaining their shape.

Top with whipping cream and glazed pecan pieces.

Happy New Year!

*a little Jewish holiday humor. What's a shofar you might ask? Click here.

you said it stevie ray!

I sure do miss this guy. Classic Stevie Ray Vaughn, Montreux 1985

hiatus + headlines

I went on hiatus. I didn't really mean to. I just needed to. Summer projects and bat mitzvah updates coming soon. Five more weeks! Tonight, I'm fascinated by the work of Lauren DiCioccio. Incredible! Her obsessively detailed handiwork lends permanence and beauty to yesterdays fleeting headlines.

Stunning.

via laurendicioccio via a cup of jo on her fabulous friday links!