Hippy Golf Shirts

My stepmother, J, plays in a golf tournament every year that always has a fun theme. However, it's played at a somewhat stuffy golf course, so you don't want to go too overboard with the theme shirts. Delicate balance, right?

This year, the theme was "Hippy Chick". And since I love my Silhouette, I offered to design the shirts for J and her partner, C.

We figured everyone would go for tie-dye and peace signs, so we didn't want to go there. My dad, D, kept urging me to put a big cannibis leaf on the front. Which, in Colorado, isn't so much "hippy" as "current legal medical alternative".

I did a search on the Silhouette online store for "hippy" and a lava lamp came up in the results. I was delighted. I had pink and silver heat transfer and a bunch of rhinestones. I decided to put the lamps on the backs of the shirts (as a lava lamp between the breasts isn't exactly the most flattering look) and some 60's slogans/golf puns on the front.

I thought it was a great mix of the theme, wearability and appropriateness. J told me the shirts were a big hit and a bunch of people wanted to know how to do them. Let the crafting ripple effect begin!

Good Thing to Know

You can substitute powdered sugar for regular, granulated sugar. 1c regular = 2c. powdered

Yes, somehow I'd run out of regular sugar. No, I don't know how that happened.

Heartbroken

I broke my oven. I think I feel faint.

I was making dinner the other night and when I went to check on it, the door wouldn't open. And it smelled like the oven was on Clean, even though the display read 400 deg. I had an error message on the display and the manual was less than helpful.

I couldn't turn the oven off no matter what buttons I pushed or knobs I turned.

The Boy and I decided to unplug the oven, but when he grabbed the door handle, it cracked into a million pieces (but didn't shatter thanks to the safety glass). So, we turned off the power to the stove from the circuit breaker.

Now, I can survive (for a short while, at least) without an oven, but I can't survive without an oven AND a rangetop. No boiling water, no sauteeing, no pan frying. Imagine it.

After all, if I get an unalterable urge to bake, I can get an Easy Bake Oven and a bunch of lightbulbs.

Strawberry Sorbet

It's summer and that means strawberries are everywhere. I buy a lot of them, for an easy breakfast for me and the girls, so sometimes I'll have a package or two in the fridge, just languishing with nothing to do.





If you have somewhere fun and/or fancy to go, the Red Velvet Strawberry Short Cake is one way to go. Smoothies are another. Sorbet is yet another. And, what a way it is...





As with a lot of recipes I try, this one is from King Arthur Flour. Subscribing to their newsletters and paper catalogues are a sure way to get into trouble. And I mean that in the best way.





This amazing strawberry sorbet can be made as either a more granita-esque dessert or a more traditional churned concoction. I have only made the churned version, but I bet the other way is great, too. It calls for fresh lemon or lime juice, but I had most of a bottle of Key Lime Juice left over from the Key Lime Mousse Pie, so I used that instead. I think it offsets the sweetness from the simple syrup and berries very nicely.

I've made this twice and it's a cooling treat in this crazy, hot summer.

Smoked Turkey and Cheese Salad

Sometimes it's just too hot to cook. On those days, it's much easier to just pull a bunch of stuff out of the fridge and call it dinner. This recipe is perfect for such an occasion. Even better, you can throw the whole thing together the day before, and it tastes even better.

I got this from my stepmother, I have no idea where she got it. My brother says he has some kind of issue with a fruit/nut/meat combination, so he never ate it, but I more than made up for it.

Smoked Turkey and Cheese Salad
* 1 lb. smoked turkey breast, skin removed (I've also used roasted chicken and it's just as delicious)
* 1/2 lb. jack cheese
* 2 apples
* 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved if large
* 1 cup thinly sliced celery
* 1/2 cup raisins
* 1/2 cup cashews
* watercress or fresh greens
* 6 (or more) strips fried, crisp bacon (I'm lazy and use the pre-made stuff)

Tart-Sweet Dressing
* 1 cup mayonaise
* 1/3 cup yogurt
* 2 tbsp. cider vinegar
* 2 tbsp. honey
* salt and pepper to taste

1. Prepare dressing first and chill at least 1 hour.
2. Toss the sliced turkey, cheese, apples, grapes, celery, raisins and nuts. Pour dressing over ingredients and toss to combine. Chill for 3 hours or overnight.
3. To serve, mound greens on plate and add bacon bits to top.

Trying Something New

Partly due to having three dresses fail (more on that, later) and partly to realizing I'm making fabulous clothes I have nowhere to go in, I've decided to try quilting. Or, rather, try quilting again.

When I first got my machine, I made a simple quilted table runner. It didn't turn out too badly, but I wasn't realy happy with the process and can still see all th mistakes in the end project. Last year, I had the brilliant idea to make patchwork placemats from somme of my scrap fabric. However, I didn't really secure the batting, so it bunches up when they're washed (which, I could probably fix easily). It's also the project where I learned how valuable it is to have A)a sharp rotary cutter blade and 2) a security handle for the ruler. Because, otherwise, you end up seriously slicing a finger rolling the cutter back and forth because it won't cut. And, if you're me, you have a bad reaction to the tetanus shot the doctor gives you.

Where was I?

So, a little while ago, I picked up my Denyse Schmidt book and flipped through the pages to see if anytthing tickled my fancy. I loved the Just a Bunch of Squares pattern. It's fun and funky, and even better, the way the blocks are framed and cut, you can make them more or less off kilter, intentionally or not.

I'm armed with fabric, fresh rotary cutter blades and health insurance, should anything need to be sewn back on. By a professional.

Homemade Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer

It's a nice little marketing trick, offering seasonal products. St. Patrick's Day shakes, frozen lemonade (any RI people figure out how to ship out Del's lemonade?), Cadbury Creme Eggs.

I've taken to hoarding International Delight's Chocolate Mint Truffle creamer during the Christmas season and it's a sad day when I use up the last bottle. Coffee Mate has started to offer their version year round, but it doesn't taste as good to me. I thought about a bunch of different ways to make my own, but none was really appealing. Until I found Peppermint Stevia at a local health food store.

Stevia is a natural, no-calorie sweetener. It comes in powder and liquid form and now some genius has created flavored Stevia. I found Vanilla, Lemon, Almond and Chocolate varieties at the store. A whole world of possibilities!

To make my own creamer, I put 3/4 dropper Stevia, some half and half and chocolate syrup in my mug, then stir and add coffee. It's awesome because it's totally customizable and, if you use milk instead, probably more healthy than the original product.

I might have to go out and get the other varieties and see what other concotions I can make.