Printing With The Gocco

It’s that time of year again. Time to pull out the Gocco and print our Holiday cards. I always mean to print cards the rest of the year, someday, maybe, I’ll even put something in my Etsy shop. Until then, I’ll print my holiday cards and occasional invitations.

I’m really excited about the cards this year, but you’ll have to wait until they’ve been sent out before I show ‘em to ya. But they’ll be printed with the Gocco and then there will be a few more surprise steps.

(I think I just gave myself a New Year’s resolution. Cards for the Etsy shop. Right after the holidays.)

Photo taken with iPhone, using ShakeitPhoto app.

I Need a Tablecloth

I’m having 10 people for Thanksgiving this coming Saturday, and I need a tablecloth. While I was at the fabric sotre today I looked around for something (affordable) that would work. Something I could just throw on the table, and not worry about hemming, but everything seemed really expensive for the yardage I need. And everything would need a hem. I don’t have a sewing machine, yet, so I’d be hemming by hand. That’s a lot of hem.

I did see these two options that I thought would work beautifully with my Nuit Plates, but at $29.99 a yard, is it worth it? Or should I just order this one from Target for $25, or this beautiful one from C&B for $90?

Wednesday Walk: Lost Giraffe

I spotted this fellow among the Christmas Trees at the Farmer’s Market in the middle of the City of Minneapolis. At least he’s found the Orange Juice vendor so he won’t go thirsty.

So Many Ideas…

When my parents sold the house I grew up in and moved to a smaller townhouse, I inherited two huge boxes of National Geographic Magazine. I had to choose between these or a couple boxes of Life Magazine (remember Life?). I chose these. And I’m so glad I did. Most of them are from the 40s and 50s.

I have gone through a few of them and everything, from the articles to the ads, is amazing. They’ve been sitting in my basement for a couple years now. At one point I thought I’d try to sell them on Craigslist, but now I think they’ll become pieces in a collage… someday.

Any other ideas?

Quick Weeknight Salmon Recipe

I found this recipe for Salmon with Hoisin, Orange and Bok Choy in the current issue of Bon Appetit. It sounded really delicious, quick and easy. Delicious and quick? Yes. Easy, well, would have been if I would have bought all the ingredients.

In my defense, the store was out of Baby Bok Choy. So was the second store I went to. And the Hoisin? Totally forgot about it. Or maybe I thought we had some. Either way, we still made it, and it was still really good. We doubled up on the ginger and green onions because our salmon pieces were quite large.

So, yes, I guess it was easy. And tasty, and probably pretty healthy. We served it over white rice and I used a splash of soy sauce, making up for the forgotten Hoisin.

The Baby Bok Choy creates a bed for the salmon, and the juice-hoisin mixture is poured over the whole thing. We layered orange slices over the salmon for extra flavor. It also made it very pretty. And because the salmon is cooked in the foil, clean up is quick. Cook, eat, relax. It’s that simple.

This Couch Needs a Home

My great-aunt has moved into a nursing home. It’s a beautiful facility, she has her own room and a great view of the gardens. But she wasn’t able to bring many of her things. Specifically, this beautiful davenport. I’m not sure how old it is, but my Mom remembers it when she was a child. So I guess it’s from the late 40’s or early 50’s. It’s in great shape and is a great color. I wanted to keep it for myself, but I just don’t have the room and it won’t fit down our narrow stairs into the basement.

I’m trying to find a local consignment shop that will take it. I really just want it to go to a good home. To someone who will appreciate it’s age and beauty.

So far, no luck. Any ideas?

It’s Still Pumpkin Season

I’m addicted to blogs. Particularly blogs by strong, creative women who cook, or make art or both. One blog that I’ve become addicted to is called Kitchen Sketches.  Stephanie makes these fabulous collages, which are so inspiring. And she writes about food and cooking a lot. Recently she posted this fabulous recipe for Pumpkin-Coconut cookies. I love anything Pumpkin, from soup, to cake, to cookies? And I love Coconut, especially in cookies. I had also never heard of the combination so I had to give it a shot. They were delicious. The coconut was subtle, but provided a nice texture to the cookie, while the pumpkin was slightly sweet and a touch savory.

PS: No Wednesday Walk this week, I totally forgot!

A Few Fun Finds…

(photo from etsy)

I’ve been trying not to buy anything lately. No reason really, other than I already have too much stuff, so why add more? But there are a few things that might make me give in to the impulse.

These adorable hats are one. I mean, it gets cold here and a baby girl needs to stay warm, right?

And check out these earrings…. perfect for all those holiday parties!

This bowl... how does he do that?

And this table runner…. again, the holidays are approaching.

And these plates. Just because they make me smile.

Wise, Old Tree

I’ve always loved this tree; it has so much character. But every since someone gave it a pair of eyes, it really makes me smile.

(The little Boston Terrier at the base of the tree makes me smile, too!)

Butternut Squash Pizza

I love Butternut Squash. And Acorn Squash. And, well, any other type of squash that’s out there. Unfortunately, Husband does not feel the same way I do. Daughter and Dog enjoy it, but, well… Anyway, I spent the afternoon with Jen and Lisa and I brought along a Butternut Squash Pizza. It was loaded with the squash, roasted Vidalia onion, sage and feta and served on a store-bought flatbread. I made something similar a couple years ago with my Sister and her Husband (he likes squash) and I’ve always wanted to make it again.

The recipe is below, and it includes my sister’s editorial notes. I left them in because they were very helpful. Enjoy!

Caramelized squash pizza

1.5 lbs squash, peeled and sliced very thin
1 large sweet onion, such as Vidalia, sliced thin
1tsp dried crumbled sage
2 tsp minced fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dried
1 1/2 tsp salt, divided
1 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
6 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tsp mashed garlic
2 pre made medium pizza rounds
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese

Preheat over to 325 degrees
place sliced squash and onion in baking dish and toss with rosemary, sage, 1
tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, and 3 tbsp olive oil to coat. Cover with foil or tight-fitting lid.

Bake about 1 hour or until squash is tender and onions begin to caramelize
Remove from oven and increase temperature to 375 degrees. (We actually
cooked our pizzas at 425).

Mix remaining olive oil with remaining salt, pepper, and garlic. Brush each
pizza with garlic mixture. Sprinkle on parmesan cheese and top with
caramelized squash, onions and crumbled feta cheese.

Bake at 375 or 425 for 15 minutes (both times we extended til at least 18
min). Remove from oven and serve.

I think ours had to bake higher and longer because we bought raw pizza dough
from the pizza place. If you use a Boboli or something like that it would
only take 15 min max.