more printing

After I got home from the library, I spent my evening printing.  There were times that I felt like I was taking steps backwards.  But then I felt like I got moving forward.  There sure is a difference from having someone there to bounce off all your questions.  I did figure out I was using too much ink.  Once I got that bit figured out, life was much smoother.

I also had issues with my paper gauges not working very well after about 50 prints.  I am using soft sticky ones.  The sticky did not stay long enough so my paper started creeping underneath them.  Which meant I was not printing straight.  I jury rigged on paper gauge totally and I realized I had to be very careful with placing the paper on the other two.  Slowly meditative.

But I got some business cards out for my Mom.  She chose the light blue with a brown ink.  I did a few of each of the other papers because I could.  I thought she might like to see the difference with the other cards.  The paper is heavier as well so the the impression is deeper.  

I still have more printing to do but there is a bit of paper cutting to do and a Small Mister to watch.  Saturday may be the next chance I get.  I was thinking baking bread tomorrow and scattering flour all over the kitchen with Small Mister might be fun!

crazy drive this weekend

We took a crazy drive this weekend.  I picked up a new press in North Carolina.  Opening the boxes that came with it felt like opening Christmas presents.  I actually did some printing today.  And it came easy with impression.  I actually think I need to tweak the plate but what I am trying to print is coming out okay.  I am going to print more tomorrow and hopefully there will be some more good results.  I also need to build a table with wheels for this (an Alan table - yes, there is a story here).  I think I know the plans I am going to use.  I just have to make a hardware store run.  The Tall Short Person also asked for a toy box for Small Mister.  One more thing to make.

Words may not be easy this week.  I have a lot of reorganizing to do which is not very special!

Part of the reorganizing is to get these trees in pots so I can take them to the land.  Just keep taking one step forward.

light wool dress

I had found this light wool remnant at the fabric shop.  It is really more of an olive brown.  I was reading about pattern making and tweaked the skirt pattern.  I am much happier with the skirt shape now.  I know this is the dress I make for myself all the time.  My family calls it my frontier dress.  But I have to admit, out of this wool, this one is my favorite.

We are off crazy adventuring tomorrow.  The weekend will be none stop from the time I get home from work.  Hopefully, I will be okay for work on Monday or I will be a zombie.  But I might have some interesting pictures, especially since the camera is fixed!  Baking and bladesmithing really do not help the health of cameras.

applesauce

Applesauce is another one of those things I just grew up making.  My Dad made it.  I made it with him.  My parents actually preserved it.  I cannot remember if it was canned or frozen.  My Aunt made it from the tree in her backyard in Marin county.  Big pots full and we could have as much as we wanted.  Pretty decadent.  

I look at the grocery store shelves now and there are so many jars of applesauce when it tastes so  much better when it is made from home.  I like to core and peel the apples.  Other people just chop them in quarters and put it all through a food mill afterwards.  I still do not have a food mill.  It is on my list of kitchen gadgets I will get some day.  Especially before we move to the land.  

Applesauce is like bread to me.  Just one of those things you make at home

applesauce

apples, a pound or more, cored and peeled, cut into quarters

enough water to cover the bottom of a sauce pan

sugar, to taste

cinnamon, optional and to taste

Put the apples in a pot with the water.  Bring to a boil.  Cover.  Turn to a simmer and let cook about 15 to 20 minutes or until soft enough to stick with a fork.  Mash with a potato masher or fork.  Add sugar and cinnamon to taste.

Serve in a bowl or with potato pancakes.  Or anyway you can think of.  Homemade is really so much better.

potato pancakes

When I was growing up, leftover mashed potatoes would be shaped into a patty and fried.  First, there had to be leftover mashed potatoes which was a very rare thing.  We would call them potato patties.  That was all there was to them.  Simple things.  A nice way to reheat mashed potatoes without a microwave or the chance of thinning them out too much.  I still make these.  Sometimes I had a nice cheese on top.  Actually, this is what we had for Sunday breakfast with a scrambled egg.

As I got older, I have liked the potato pancakes you get in delis.  The potato is grated.  From there, there is more work then I really wish to do.

I recently read an essay that had a recipe in it for potato pancakes that was half way between the two.  Mashed potatoes instead of the work of the grated with most of the ingredients of the deli potato pancakes.  I decided to give them a try.  With a poached egg, smoked salmon, homemade applesauce, and a spoon of sour cream, these potato pancakes filled a craving.  And made a very nice dinner.

potato pancakes

about a pound or more of thin skinned red potatoes

2 to 4 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup buckwheat flour

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

In a large pot, put the potatoes. Cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat.  Turn down, cover and let simmer until soft to a fork.  Drain.  Mash.  Add the cream and dash some more.  Put in the freezer to cool if you plan the pancakes soon.

In a frying pan, put the olive oil.  Heat over medium heat.  Add the garlic.  Brown.  Remove the bowl of potatoes from the freezer, mix in the garlic.  Add a bit more olive oil the the frying pan and heat.

Mix in the buckwheat flour, salt, and pepper into the potatoes.  Mix in the eggs.  This will be thick.

Take a large spoonful and dump it into the frying pan.  Shape into a pancake shape with a spatula.  Do this with the rest of the batter.  Let brown on one side.  Turn over and brown on the other.

Serve anyway that suits your fancy.  The poached egg and salmon was ours.  Homemade applesauce was a nice addition.

My tummy was quite pleased with this dinner.  Just added a cup of tea.