what I did over my break (and Christmas)

I had four full days off from work and we went camping again.  We went truck camping.  The bed was in the back of the "new" Suburban and I had a stove to cook over.  We even really did not have much in the fire pit.  That is because most days it got to warm to really need a fire.  

The birds would wake us in the morning.  They would feed on the lake making the most interesting noises.  That many wings beating the air does.  We spent time walking and we had a skateboards.  My Beloved's medical supplies came in handy but not for us.  We came upon a volunteer who had crashed his tiny truck.  All the other people had no medical supplies.  Last we heard, he was fine but still being observed.  

We even did some antiquing.  I came across some old linens that will be come some else when it is all said and done.  

It is hard to be back.

another modification

I know I originally posted about this nightgown when I made it.  For my Mom again.  When we were there at Thanksgiving, she mentioned the sleeve thing.  I offered to change the bodice on this and put sleeves on it.  Her sister took home the other one I embroidered for her.  I would tease about being a theif in the night but it was breakfast and I went home with two cashmere sweaters.  It was all about repurposing.

Here it is.  It went into the box I sent for my Mom's stocking.  Then I found I missed a few things.  Another stocking box will have to go out after Christmas.

We are off camping.  I hope you have a lovely Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

lemon shortbread

I did try a new shortbread with the baking this year.  Lemon.  The only difference in how they look from the vanilla is that there is a brown caramel bit around the bottom.  But the flavor!  I am not the biggest lemon fan and I think these are pretty addictive.  I am writing this down so I am sure to have them again next year!

lemon shortbread

2 cups butter

1 cup sugar

juice and zest from 3 lemons

4 cups flour

sugar for dreging

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Cream the butter and sugar together.  Mix in the lemon juice and zest.  Mix in the flour.  Take a small teaspoon and roll into a ball.  Dredge in sugar and place on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.

Just make sure to not eat them all at once.

frustration

Today there was a bit of frustration day.  One of my favorite work dresses had an incident with a chain link fence.  There was a hole in my dress.  Which means that I cannot wear it to work anymore.  I could wear it camping, in the garden, or around the house.  

But I really needed another dress to bicycle in  and skateboard in.  I took a pair of scissors to the skirt and then hemmed it.

I now have another dress to wear on wheels.  I like having short sleeves and the buttons.  I will admit that I will really miss having this color dress for work.  I am looking for linen to replace it.  I already found the wool but I cannot wear wool around here most of the year.  I was looking for the same color for wool for our land.  I was wanting wool the last time we were on our land and did not have it.

lefse because it is that time of year

Myself and my trusty assistant decided we needed to make lefse.  We had had some at my parents over Thanksgiving.  My trusty assistant worked with my Dad then on perfecting the turning of lefse while my sister learned my Dad's newest techniques.  I just brought them home with me.

This is the second post about lefse I have done here.  My Dad perfect the recipe a lot.  He does that.  Tweak until it is right.  The porportions remind me a lot of gnocchi.  And lefse is just part of the holidays for me and why not share again!

lefse (newest porportions)

2 cups mashed potatoes made as if for eating but not with any skin, and they are cold

1 cup flour

more flour to roll in

sugar and butter to eat (unless you are at the Viking Soul Truck in Portland, OR)

Warm a griddle over low medium heat.

On a surface, put the 1 cup of flour.  Add the potatoes on top.  Knead all together.  This is a bit of an uggy mess but will all come together in the end.  The dough will behave better too if you can wait a half hour before starting to roll the dough out.

Take a 1/4 cup of dough ( my Dad made my sister actually measure.  How odd.  I just guess) and put on a well flour surface.  Roll out to a thin circle.  Transfer to the griddle and cook until there are brown spots on both sides.

I like these rolled up with butter spread over them and sugar sprinkled over.  Everyone has their own particular way though.