creating energy

I am no longer used to sitting in an office for six hours a day.  Or looking at a computer for even close to that amount of time.  I am used to being much more creative then that all the time now.

Yesterday, instead of touching a computer, I played with my crochet hook.  I balled yarn.  I created granny squares for the afghan I making.  Maybe it will be here in time for Ziggy Monster to be born.  He could use it then.  Okay, we can share.

I played with bread recipes yesterday.  I like the boyos favorite bread but I just wanted more depth.  They also thought they were going to starve so sourdough was started without me.  It was hilarious!  Bread was made and it was lovely.  I am going to document that recipe.

I have been living on bean soup this week.  It travels well in one of my thermal containers.  More beans needed to be started.  Not eating lunch out is a win!  Really breakfast too.

The pajamas are starting to be made.  I am also working on some different styles of quilts.  And I keep thinking I need to work on more bags.  It has everything to do with just feeling the need  for more creative time.  

When I left the corporate world, I never stopped.  Now, I am just trying to add that in on top of everything else.  I know it means the creating will need to slow down just a bit because there only so many hours in the day.  But this is supposed to be a short contract and I am going to take it as such.  A fund for books, fabric, and yarn.  If it becomes more then that, I wil need to rethink the situation.

mad rush of pajama making

It is the wild pajama making season again.  I am not really sure how I am going to get everything done for Christmas that I have planned to do.  I have also decided not to worry about it.  My life is goign to be rather topsy turvy for the next couple of months.  Maybe even four.

I was laughing because my December posts could be the same every year.  Similar cookies get baked and sent.  Pajamas are madly made.  This year I also need to build two beds.  It is going to be a very interesting December.

And on top of that, everyone I know seems to have a cold.  Drinking tea hurts.  That is unforgivable.  But there is also not much I can do about it.  I have tried to rest more.  Sleep does not always seem to happen which is why I say rest.

I am going to try to get all that flannel ironed today so I am ready for cutting.  There is one more piece that I did not show.  I will probably iron until dinner, at leaset.  Not that I have any ideas for that.  Are cookies okay?

kalbi

A while back, the boyos worked with a Chef who sent them spices and marinades for knife work.  They thought it was a wonderful trade because lunch is made every day.  Usually something meat based.

One of the marinades that was sent was kalbi.  Kalbi is a Korean barbecue sauce.  Or at least that is what my research told me as well as the boyos.  That does not mean the boyos really use it that way.  They use it as the sauce on their rice bowls a lot!

The problem is they were running out.  I got asked to make them some more.  I was a bit trepidatious.  The Chef who sent the marinade has good handle on flavors so I was a bit concerned.  The worse that could happen would be that they did not like this one!  I found a recipe online that was pretty simple and gave it a go with a few tweaks.  The boyos think it is better!

The hardest thing about this recipe was collecting all the ingredients.  Especially on a Saturday morning. I also have a good blender which one of the boyos sharpened the blades for me.  I do not look forward to washing it but it does a good job.

kalbi

Note:  I used Kimchimari's recipe as a starting spot with a few tweaks/more specific then are given with that recipe.

1/2 onion, peeled and roughly chopped

1/2 cup water

1 cup low sodium gluten free tamari sauce

1/2 cup malbec (I used Alamos)

1 cup sugar

8 to 10 garlic cloves

4 green onions, the ends removed and cleaned

4 tablespoons sesame oil

1 tablespoon unhulled sesame seeds

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons plum sauce

Peel and roughly chop half of one onion.  Put it in the blender container with a half a cup water and blend until smooth.

Once the onion is fairly smooth, add the soy sauce, wine, sugar, garlic, green onions, sesame oils, sesame seeds, ground pepper, and plum sauce.  Blend well between each addition.  The blender probably ran for close to 15 minutes.

This fit in a quart jar and I am storing it in the refrigerator.

It is quite nice.

making an afghan

This week has felt wild!  My body is not used to riding a bicycle every day anymore.  I have achy joints!  And my body is not used to all that sitting either!  

I did update the sour cream raisin pie recipe that my Dad approves off.  I am still slightly tweaking the oven temperature.  He thinks that it could just be a tad moister.  I feel like I won!  Cake and pie!  Wahoo!

When I went and saw my parents in October, I left an afghan with my Dad.  He was looking for specific size and weight.  I totally understand in this crazy family.  I am not mending a security blanket that is 32 years old.  I need to buy more of that yarn.

I was thinking that this would give me permission to make another afghan.  No clear plans but soon.  I was on Instagram and came across the rustic granny square (I think).  It is very lacy and I am drawn lace currently.  I was able to find the pattern posted and gave it a try.  I did not use the whole pattern, just the center.  I like how it is turning out.  I am using the mini skeins I had purchased for mending.  I can still use them for mending but now I will have a wonderfully colored afghan out of those as well. 

This is going to be much lighter then the one I gave to my Dad.  I was thinking that I might make it a size that would work as a shawl too.  Fold it in half into a triangle and wear it.  I am also using the same pattern for the dress I am making.  

I have really love to create.  Being back in an office is feeling very soul sucking.  It will help buy more yarn, books, and fabric for a little bit.  I just need more control.  And patience with the library!

and the celebrations are done

I am back.  I got back from family celebrations yesterday afternoon, coached last night, and started back in an office job for a few months today.  I am a little bit tired!  It will be a lot of trying to do everything I wish in a different structure.  Maybe I just slow things down a bit.  Maybe not!  But sleep is a necessity.

The celebrations went off pretty well.  We celebrated my Dad's birthday about six week early because there was more people around.  I made him a chocolate angel food cake with seven minute frosting drizzled with dark chocolate.  There was not a bite left after the party.  There was two halves of two sheet cakes left.  He said it was right.

I also made him a sour cream raisin pie.  I have nailed it.  Almost. I need to play with the baking temperature just a bit.  It is funny.  This pie seems to appeal to more men then women which I do not understand.  It is good.

Thanksgiving was a small celebration for my Mom.  18.  I admit to being more then a bit overwhelmed at the table.  It was just too much.  I had a small plate of food and got up early to start doing dishes.  I got a majority of them done.  Then I was handed a margarita.  Life was good.  

My schedule in this space is going to be a bit up in the air for awhile.  I just have to figure things out.  But that is okay.  I will.

I hope everyone's celebrations who had them were lovely.  For those who did not, just good life is wished.