Mussings From My Doodad Room

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T08:16:00.000-08:00

I've discovered something about myself these past weeks. Even I can be Nutcracker'd out. Five different ones on dvd and comcast on demand as well as the PBS SanFrancisco Ballet. Some of them were wonderful of course, but some of the others, well let's just say, they were not what you'd think of when you think Nutcracker.

Mind, I've always liked it when folks put a different spin on things especially old classics, but making the Christmas party a birthday party and the nutcracker a little doll? What's the point?

It's not the Nutcracker anymore then, it's a completely different ballet. I would rather create something entirely new if that's the case.

For me, I narrowed it down to my top two favorites. Can't do any better then that, it would be like trying to pick my favorite kind of chocolate.

First is the one I saw as a child on tv. It had Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland in 1977. I have that one on Dvd.

The other one I really like is the San Francisco Ballet's from 2007. It takes place in San Fran in 1915 and references the 1915 World's Fair. They really did an outstanding job with it

I've noticed something about myself, I don't want fashionable or trendy anything especially at Christmas. I want homey, comfortable, familiar. in this as well as a lot of other things, Nigella Lawson and I are in complete agreement. Which would explain the shopping spree for her cook books that I've been on lately.

But that's for another post!

Going Seasonal - Clementines

2011-02-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

You've probably already had them. They're real popular at Christmas and in salads. (Also known as mandarin oranges.) what I liked was the cute little crate they come in at the grocery store.

(Yes, I'm a sucker for nice packaging.) So of course, I had to tote one home - all five pounds of them.

I sat my treasure on the kitchen counter and went to the internet to consider my options. One of the first recipes I pulled up was Nigella Lawson's Clementine Cake.

And can I tell you - it doesn't have any flour and therefore - no gluten. I'm not sure how you would replace the eggs and almond meal if you couldn't have them but anyway, wow is that cake ever good.

There were enough clementines left to juice and I decided that a recipe for Clementine Beaf would be good for dinner that weekend.

http//www.food.com/recipe/clementine-beef-3756

I may even have to go back for another crate to do this drinks recipe as well -

http//www.yumsugar.com/Happy/Hour/Clementine/Crush-626829

Wonder what's coming in in March?

Baby, it's (been) cold outside.

2010-12-18T10:38:00.000-08:00

Note - the weather has moderated finally, but the weather people are saying that there's more to come in the future.

Yeah, yeah, I know this is Florida. It doesn't get cold in Florida.

Right.

Night time lows in the twenties and daytime highs in the 30's - 40's. Wind chills bringing it down to to the teans and twenties.

Not cold at all is it?

Phooey.

So okay, I'm drawing on my upstate New York roots and bringing out all the treats and tricks that made life not only bearable but actually enjoyable during the winters of my childhood.

Hot beverages- this is a given, everything from hot cocoa to mulled wine. Besides I dislike cold hands and this is te easiest way to warm them when I've been out and about in bad weather especially.

Blankets and throws, especially hand made. Vintage ones from the thrift or antique store work just as well.

Cats (or the favorite pet of your choice) Mine are happy to oblige me by sitting on my feet and keeping them warm.

Baked goods - homemade or bought, your choice. Anything that goes good with the afor- mentioned hot beverages.

My beloved crockpot. This time of year, especially with the new grand baby to Christmas shop for(!), I can't always guarantee that I'll be home in time to make supper so this thing has become my new bff.

That time of year again

2010-09-01T18:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, after a summer of regrouping, reorganizing, and reassesing, I can sit back on Sept. 1 (something I do practically every year anyway) and realize that my life; in spite of everything I've had to deal with; especially in my childhood; isn't nearly as miserable as I sometimes think. Or maybe miserable is a bit strong nowadays. Himself has indeed worked miracles in renewing my faith in humanity over the years and his family has taught me that being good to each other and minding ones manners can go along way towards fostering good relations with ones relations. In short - people in general do not all suck after all. And that's nice to know.

It's also nice to know that your significant other values you enough that it's perfectly all right with him for you to do whatever is neccesary to maintain your health and well being. I'm telling you for once I got it right with him anyway.

Life; believe it or not; really is good after all.

summer needlework

2010-04-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

Just as I can't deal with anything rich and heavy to eat in the summer time neither can I endure anything thick and woolen to knit or crochet. So mostly I tend to get a good bit of sewing done but now I'm wanting something light and lacy and pretty.

this tank top designed by Doris Chan should do nicely.

The pattern is from Knit and Crochet today and is on their website. I find that show has gone a long way towards reconciling me to no longer having Knitty Gritty.

going seasonal

2010-04-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

I've always liked the idea of doing things by seasons. It just makes sense, after all who wants heavy casseroles and rich cakes in the summer? I always go for citrus fruits in the summer and while some may argue that it isn't quite summer yet it certainly feels like it here in north Florida. Average day time temps are low eighties and nightime average is mid fifties to low sixties.

So, to celebrate my finally being able to shed my sweat shirts and flannel jammies I went exploring in Walmart's (of all places) produce department. And happened upon something that I hadn't seen in quite a while and which made me inordanantly happy-

It's Key lime season here in Florida.

In spite of what most folks outside the state might think we don't always have them in stock in most grocery stores or even at the local farmers market either so when they do appear I try to get a bag or two and try to do both the ubiquitous pie (which let's face it, is ubiquitous because it's so gosh darn good) and something completely different. Maybe a marinade for a steak or grilled chicken. Only Daughter is going to lobby for something with shrimp or seafood and Himself is going to definately want a drink. Hmm, I'm going to have to get another bag or two. Talk about an embarrasment of riches!

Nellie's Key Lime Spritzer

4 oz.s Key Lime Juice

3/4 cup sugar

2 cups white wine or white grape juice

4 cups sparkling mineral water or club soda

Pour sparkling water into a large pitcher. Add sugar, grape juice or wine, and Key Lime juice.

be sure to stir well until sugar is disolved. Pour over ice cubes in tall glasses and garnish with a lime wedge.

I want my life back (or yet another rant against those who think they know better)

2010-02-02T05:33:00.000-08:00

Why do I have to do this (this gluten free and now dairy free thing) the way "they" say I have to? Just who are "they" anyway? If I want peanut butter toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast or an english muffin with butter and jam or a piece of sour cream coffee cake then by-golly that's just what I'm going to have. BTW, all of those things can easily be made both gluten and dairy free.

Now don't get me wrong, both Himself and I are eating ALOT healthier these days. I've actually eaten more fruits and vegetables in the last six months then I believe I've eaten in the past 40 some-odd years, but honestly, don't these holier then thou goodie-goodies of the allergine free world understand that if a food doesn't taste good or if a particular diet regime does not taste good no one's going to keep with it?

Luckily I've been cooking and baking since I was six (or at least helping my parents at that age.) My mother decided that I could be trusted to do recipes on my own when I was around ten. I sometimes think that Himself decided that I was such a good catch because I could cook and bake! (He, on the other hand, can't be trusted with a can of spagheti-oh's!)

Anyway, the only problem I've had is with figuring out GF yeast breads; they are an entirely differant species of animal from regular wheat flour yeast breads; an entirely different technique is needed to make them come out right. Okay I get that; it may have taken me a minute but I'm getting the hang of that. That's not the problem.

If I don't need to go vegan , or (God help us all) raw foods or macrobiotic then I'm not going to - get over it. Himself and I are dedicated omnivores thank you very much and we would very much like it if folks would leave us alone about it.

Which is why; admittedly in a fit of pique and contrariness; I have decided to start my own Julia Child project. I'm going to, in the coming weeks, try to work my way through the companion book to her series "Baking with Julia". And of course converting all the recipes in the series to being gluten free.

So there. And if I want to end a day of baking not-exactly -the healthiest -things in- the- world to -consume baked goods with treating us both to a steak and some baked potatoes (alright I'll do a salad as well but only because Himself likes them so much) then that's what I'm going to do.

In the mean time lets kick the rebelion off with a couple of longed for treats - Red lobster Chedder Bay biscuits and Pork Bao Buns. (Recipes coming as soon as I can make up some more of my gf biscuit mix.)

I know from cold

2010-01-23T04:22:00.000-08:00

It has been cold down here in North Florida, same as everywhere else around the country these past couple of weeks. This week has been alot more moderate though. We got all the way up to 65!
Okay, now that it's safe to come out from hiding under the desk, I've got to say in our defence that this would not be the first time that the whole state's citrus crop was threatened with being killed off by freazing weather. And many times it has been.
Which is why I've been crocheting slippers; made with cozy Lion brand Wool Ease yarn in Chestnut Heather and trimmed with Lion Jiffy in Parfait. I love them; they remind me of nothing more then chocolate peppermint bark at Christmas. Which is why I'm in the kitchen baking again, because nothing warms and "cozies" up the house like baked goods; not to mention I'm down to the heel of my gf bread! Not a good thing when I love peanut butter toast and a steming cup of tea on a "cold winter morning like this! (snerk)

Oh Pooey

2009-12-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

I just read another bloggers piece about how he hates the holidays and all the noise and expence and crass comersialsm. I can agree with that - up to a point. I don't like it when all those things get in the way of, or make us completely forget the reason for the season. (For all you evil minded athiests out there who are trying to get me to understand that there really isn't any God after all, I think that I'd far rather be wrong about there being a God then come to find out that He is real and ending up someplace I DO NOT want to spend eternity in because I was just too self absorbed and wanting to do whatever I wanted and hang the consequences.

Christmas is meant to celebrate Christ's birth - get over it.

But to me that means *not* spending half a year's salary on presents and the geting up at 3:00 am (!) on black friday and NOT giving a hang what anyone else thinks about my not wanting to be around people or things that drive me bonkers or that I out right detest. I'm just not able to put up with people or things that agravate me anymore; at any time of the year. My kids accuse me of getting old and cranky but I beg to differ - I've been that way my whole life; I'm only just now getting the nerve to act on it. And Himself thanks me for it because he's always been a bit of a hermit as well.

But no matter what way to celebrate the season suits your tastes' from Hinmself and I - A Merry Christmas and happy New Year. "God bless us, everyone!"

Some Websites I've Found Usefull

2009-11-18T08:29:00.000-08:00

I've got a Big book mark folder. It covers everthing from needlecraft to food and cooking websites, history travel and writing and literature. Right now though, I'm finding alot of gluten free websites and blogs that have been a lot of help to me. When I first decided to go gluten free, I was still a little hesitant because I didn't want to have to give up all the things I loved (baked goods especially). I'm relieved to find that that won't be necesarry. And that's thanks to recipezaar.com and betterbatter.com to start with; talk about a treasure trove. I've found GF recipes for everything from Auntie Ann's pretzels to Bisquick mix. Also Karin Alldrich with her Karina's Kitchen blog has been a big help as well.
English muffins and Irish soda bread! I hope all these great bloggers out there know how much the rest of us appreciate all their efforts and advice.

What I'm working on now

2009-10-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

I'm indulging in a little of what my grandmother would have called "fancy work". Although I think that term technically means any kind of intricate hierloom sewing like with wedding gowns and baby clothes and such. But Nanny used it to mean any kind of crocheting or knitting that would make most people ooh and ahh over your finished piece (You *made* that !? I'd go blind trying to just read the pattern!) Or really anything that gives you bragging rights.

But just between you and me? This one's really easy, just chains, single, double and triple crochet stiches. I now realize that as much as I might enjoy knitting my true metier is crocheting. After all Nanny taught me how to when I was six, and I only took up knitting three years ago.

She also taught me that being able to do something that impresses your friends is never a bad thing either.

This pattern is from the July 2009 issue of Crochet Magazine. If anyone wants a copy of it let me know.

(And if I really wanted to show off I'd tell about the blouse and skirt I'm going to make to go with it, but I won't. Nanny hated braggerts!)

Playing Catch-Up

2009-10-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

It's pretty amazing what having a little energy will do for a person. The Fall House Cleaning (a habit I picked up from living in base housing) is almost done and on time too! Many thanks to Only Daughter and her fiance J. for doing the refrigerator and freazer. Now just a litle more dusting and mopping and we can start planning for all the fall holidays that we all love so much.

Also, I'm finally caught up on my knitting and crocheting (3 more wip's to finish up the last bits of but that will take maybe a weekend) 9/10ths the fun of finishing project is the fact that you can now start another with a completely clear concience.
Going gluten free has even helped with my sewing and crafting! Who knew?

Well, isn't that a kick in the pants

2009-07-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

Update : Oct 14, 2009

Yeah well, that was just plain rude to say the least for me to just drop off the face of the planet like that but I have a (somewhat) legitimate reason for it.

I've been sick. Not the kind of sick that requires a trip to the hospital but the kind of sick that makes you dread getting up to make dinner or even climb out of bed in the morning. Sounds like depression doesn't it? Well that is one of the off shoots of Celiac disease (the inability of the body to process gluten found in wheat, rye and barley.

These particular problems (G. I. issues, general malaise, some depression- more on *that* later.) I've had to deal with in one form or another for as far back as I can remember. After reading Molly Wiezenberg's wonderful Orangette blog and through that Shauna James Ahern's Guten Free Girl blog, the light bulb clicked on and I did some digging around of my own. So that's what been the matter for oh around 40 (!) years!

I went to the doctor and got the blood test as well as some other tests he wanted to do including for thyroid problems (oh joy!). And guess what they all came back negative! "No worries" he says, "we'll do a biopsy of your small intestine." (!?) "We-eeel okay I guess, but when can you do that?" "Three weeks from now." he said cheerfully. "So I'll have to keep on eating gluten for at least another three weeks so as not to skew the test results?" "Yup" "Tell you what Doc, how about I just go gluten free and call you back in three weeks to let you know if it's working or not?" He considered for a moment and said "That works too" So I did and it did (work that is) and I've been gluten free ever since the 1st of September.

Shows you how much damage had been done over the course of 45 yrs though, it's taken this long for all the different symptoms to finally clear up.

Now if I can only figure out GF yeast bread.....

Me Himself and I

2009-04-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

Himself and I, circa August 2007

April 16th was our 25th wedding anniversary. Honestly I must have blinked, because I just can't realize it. But I still think that the smartest thing I ever did was to marry that sweet man.

Here's some pics of us then and notice how young and svelte we *were*! Sigh I was an atractive young woman once, *before* the children came!

Us in May 1984. That's the Golden Gate Bridge
I was 4 months along with Oldest Son

Me circa April 1983, Oaknoll Naval Hospital,

Oakland, Ca.

Himself (he was a Corporal at the time)
On the flightline at NAS Alameda, July 1983

wish me luck

2009-03-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

So now I'm starting something that I always dreamed of doing. I'm planning out a spring wardrobe. (and in the fall it will be my new winter wardrobe) I know who does stuff like that anymore? But I've always wondered if the Good Lord didn't plunk me down into the wrong era. I love any and all things, vintage and antique from books and magazines, comic strips
clothing, recipes and especially interior design.

I have to laugh at all the folks who are reacting to the economy like it's another Great Depression. Honey this ain't no depression. When unemployment goes to 25% and milk is $6.00 a gallon then I'll start paying atention to the gloom and doom talk.

So what's this got to do with sewing a new wardrobe? (Shrugs) It's what you did when you didn't have the money to buy a whole new set of clothes every season. Until the late sixties that is when the feminazies (Do Not get me started about those, ahem, *ladies*) decreed that all home arts especially cooking, knitting and sewing were degrading to women and the only way to restore our dignity was to stop doing them (or get even with those awful men and make them do them) I'm also convinced that we have become so prosperess as a country that we've become lazy. Why sew something when it's so much easier to go to the mall and buy it?

(Shakes head)

Anyway, hopefully I'll have my dress cut out by tonight and the skirt I'm crocheeting will be done by next week at the latest, then I need to start on the shawl to match and pick out the patern for the camisole to go with it. Then we'll see about a skirt and blouse a well.

(And if Ican cheese off some "feminazies" in the mean time even better!)

the Best Place to Begin is at the Begining.....

2009-03-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

So now that the weather has finally turned warm again (yes Shay it actually does get cold down here in north Florida in the winter time.) Himself and I are actually turning our thoughts to all the renovating and redecorating we need to do around here. Why do I always think of the Mickey Mouse cartoon "Boat Builders" when I think of us doing any kind of DIY? "All you gotta do is put it together!"

Cats, it's their world we just live in it.

2008-11-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, so ours isn't the most fabulously expensive house on the cul-de-sac and my (note - MY) doodad room isn't the most fashionably decorated doodad room in the country but it's *our* house and that's *my* rocking chair in *my* doodad room! So how come I can get everyone including Only Daughter (who is finally reconciled to the fact that it is indeed a for real live Doodad room and no longer her bedroom) to understand that but the cats??

Sigh.......

updating vintage patterns

2008-11-16T10:51:00.000-08:00

I've been collecting a wonderful old needlework magazine called Needlecraft The Home Arts magazine and have been working on updating some of their old patterns. (Some of the yarn companies they recommend have gone out of business) And besides, the old needle and yarn sizes; as well as names; have been changed as well. For example - what exactly is Shetland Floss?

Any way I found an adorable Dolly's Trousseau from the November 1932 issue and have had a real dickens of a time tracking down the old school Alice in Wonderland embroidery pattern the little tablecloth and knapkins called for. Well I finally found it here: http://www.patternbee.com/CQ150.html. It's too bad that magazine is defunct. I could have made a killing in free stuff they awarded for selling subscriptions.

So just what is a doodad, and why would you need a room to put it in?

2008-11-06T10:26:00.000-08:00

I guess maybe I should start with an explaination as to just what a doodad is. That started several years ago while we were visiting my husband's (I affectionately refer to him as Himself online) 95 y.o. grandmother in Kentucky. I had brought some crocheting along and was sitting on the couch talking to grandma when himself came in and plopped down on the other end, sprawled out and promptly stuck his foot in the box I keep sewing notions in. I sighed and *looked* at him as only a wife of over twenty years can look at her significant other. He *looked right back. (Ha! A twenty year veteran in the USMC isn't going to intimidate easily especialy when it comes to his wife and her *stuff*) "Can you move that stuff?" he growled. "Stuff?" I asked darkly. "Yeah your stuff," he took the box and shook it (completely messing it up after I had just organized it -again.) "I don't know what all theses doodads are. " "They're sewing notions" I said and yanked the offending box out of his hands before he messed it up even more, and ignoring how grandma was *not* laughing at us.
Anyway, my love of all things needlecraft related quickly turned into an obsession. And with the children grown and finally leaving the nest I was able to pounce and grab my daughter's old room for my craft (or as we say Doodad) room (the doodad box was quickly out grown and a plastic bin was brought in to hold all of my yarn and crafting supplies, then another to hold just the yarn! LOL I guess it could be worse I could have taken up rugby!
Anyway, I now have my own sanctum sanctorum as it were and both Himself and I are supremely happy. We both watch what we want when we want on tv with no sighing or eye rolling from either of us and I can work and read into the night with out keeping him up. An important consideration since he gets up at 4 in the morning to leave for work at 4:30.
And here I thought when he retired from the Corps we would have it so much easier.