another dress

I had found a really nice piece of wool that was black based but not plain black.

I could wear black every day.  I wear dresses everyday.  This breaks it up a bit.  I read an article about a creative woman who bought herself a uniform so she had an easier time feeling put together at work, white blouse, black slacks. 

I realized my a-line dresses are very much the same.  It has been something I have unconsciously done for a long time just changing the uniform.  Dresses mostly.  Different lengths at times.  As I have gotten older, I do this more.  Find a group of clothes or a single style that is most comfortable.  Currently, a-line dresses.  Just under the knee.  Sleeves.  No sleeves. These might be around for awhile.  I do enjoy not tripping over my hems. 

I break these up a bit with sheaths.  They feel a little bit dressier and even more classic.  I also do not trip over my hems in these. 

I was really tired of tripping over hems.  My last frontier dress I made shorter then normal because I was so tired of tripping.  I really like it.  Now, if I could just find some more lovely flannel.  I think it will be next fall before that happens.  I do feel a bit babbly today.  Oh well.

rainy saturday

It has been a rainy day.  Actually, it has been a rainy week.  So rainy that if I go to work in my garden I will be stuck in the mud to my knees.  This has happened in the past so I know I am not exaggerating. 

I thought I might get a chance to build a bed today.  New mattress have been ordered which probably should have been done years ago.  I would like to be off the floor and a bed would actually help.  But the desert walnut we have is not quite long enough and the hardwood wood store closes much too early on a Saturday so I am a bit stuck on that project.

I have been working on a sweater instead.  Part of the reason I was to late to get to the wood store was that the sweater has grabbed me.  The feel of it.  The colors of it.  And I want to wear it today.  But there is two issues with that.  I am spinning all the yarn for the sweater, which makes the process longer.  And to wear it today, it would have to be finished!  Not a work in progress. 

I am hoping it will be done for my gallivanting in May.  I am definitely going to the Oregon coast.  Maybe the mountain.  Having a new sweater would be lovely.  My thought now is that I will put a movie or an audible book on, makes some tea, and work on my sweater while I wait for my garden to dry.  If I get to restless, I will walk over to a store and buy clothesline and nylon thread to make baskets that I can hold spinning and crocheting in.  They are definitely a in thing to make but I can see such uses!

it has been a long day and I wanted mac and cheese

I worked too many hours today in the office.  There were too many conversations with answers that said "they drank the kool-aid."  There were too much of fixing things because other people did not truly understand.  I could have stayed another four hours but I decided to go home after an extra three.  I just wanted comfort food like mac and cheese.

But I did I do the simple thing of pulling out pasta and melting cheese and butter with it?  Nooooooooo!  I make gnocchi from scratch.  Cook the gnocchi.  Sauté a bit of basil in olive oil.  Pine nuts and garlic if you wish.  Put in a bowl.  Sprinkle with asiago cheese. 

My type of comfort food.  My type of mac and cheese.

I have probably written this recipe here before but this is really this easy.  Even after working an eleven hour day.

gnocchi

2 cups mashed potatoes, prepared for eating

1 cup flour

Mix the potatoes and flour together.  Knead until smooth.  You may need a bit more flour for the sticky.

Roll out snakes.  Cut.  Roll with a fork if you want the ridges.

Bring water to boil.  Dump in the gnocchi.  Pull out when they float.

You can serve them with anything you wish but I was craving mac and cheese.

Smiles.

avocado crema

I have been making fish tacos at home.  The one thing that seems to be gone missing though is the sauces that you can find out.  This last batch of fish tacos I decided to try a avocado crema.  Mellow the guacomole flavor since I really do not like that.  Add a bit of a kick.  This was so good on the tacos.  My tummy was in heaven!

So, I really am writing this down here so I do not forget.  And when I get asked for the recipe I can point here.  I usually get asked for the recipe when I am asking for help in my own kitchen.  It is so funny!

This can also be modified by adding a bit of cumin or garlic or scotch bonnet pepper hot sauce or just use your imagination.

avocado crema

1 avocado

juice from one citrus:  lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit

heavy pinch of salt

heavy pinch of pepper

1/16 teaspoon ground ancho chili

1/16 teaspoon ground chipolte chili

1/2 to 1 cup of dairy case sour cream (the thick stuff, the more used, the smoother the consistency)

Blend everything together in a food processor or a blender.

Drizzly on fish tacos!

but the question is. . . where did all the rum go?

So . . . We actually went out for the first time in a month when we were at the MotoGP weekend.  We found a lovely taco place.  They had margaritas, which I do enjoy, but I would have to say their mojitos were better.  The berry mojito was yummy.

We also went to the handmade motorcycle show.  We met up with my Beloved's sister after the show and had dinner.  Again, an excellent mojito.  This one was also not the classic recipe because a grapefruit soda was used.  Quite yummy.

I decided to reproduce that one at home.  After my Monday, it was needed.  Yes, I know it is Tuesday night but it feels like it should be Friday night for how much work I have gotten done so far this week.  Last night was mojitos.  Tonight, my belly is full of fish tacos and tea.  I am feeling so completely spoiled because this is all home food.  A luxury. 

grapefruit mojito

Note:  This is based on the mojito from the Buenos Aires restaurant in Austin.  If you do not use homemade grapefruit soda, make sure to use a good one like Q grapefruit soda, in a glass bottle.  Grapefruit soda has a metallic taste when in cans.

2 ounce rum

1 ounce mint simple syrup

1 ounce grapefruit simple syrup

soda water

ice

In a shaker or mason jar, mix the rum, mint syrup, and grapefruit syrup together.  Put ice in a glass.  I like small 8 ounce glasses.  Pour about 1/3 to 1/2 full with the rum mixture.  Top with soda water.  Stir.

You can replace the grapefruit syrup and soda water with a nice grapefruit soda.

Enjoy!