A Summer KAL!

 If you've followed this blog for a while, you may recall

that I'm a big fan of Lara Smoot's knitted designs.

Above is Lara's Ferry Beach pattern 

that I knitted for my very dear friend

 and college room mate, Karen Johnson.

 And here is Lara's Mirrored Step pattern 

which I knitted for myself.   :)

These and the rest of her patterns are available 
on her Etsy shop.  
I have found each one easy to read, as well as to knit. 

No stress, just fun and relaxing. 

Now, just in time for summer knitting,
Lara is kicking off her newest sock pattern,

 ~ Aquasocks ~

 

She's hosting summer-long KAL for any of her sock patterns.

Lara has great prizes lined up, and there's already 
 plenty of excited chatter on Ravelry.  
Be sure to join Lara's Summer of Socks fun here!

A big thanks to Tracy for loaning me this 
stack of her beloved childhood books.
Fairy tales illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Sigh. 

I didn't want to be one of those bloggers who fills the space 

talking about her cat, but....

this moment was priceless. 

Stanley is rocking the wooden stake back and forth. 

The chipmunk remains steadfast.

Help a Fellow Artist

 Doodling?! Sign me up! 

Last week on Rebecca Ringquist's blog 

I learned about artist Lisa Solomon's request 

for help on two of her upcoming installations.

 If you'd like to participate, there's still plenty of time!

Go here for Lisa's project details.

Pictured above are my two doilie doodles for Lisa, 

and on the tablet you can see her doilie used for reference -

you know, because doilie doodles are so meticulous and tidy. 

No! In fact, she strongly encourages evidence of your own hand. 

I think I've covered that base pretty well.

 Lisa's second project involves French knots.

On purple linen, I made three lime green French knots.

Spending a few minutes cruising around her blog 

is refreshing and interesting. I enjoyed seeing her 

previous doilie project. Her book is now on my wish list....

Having a hand in Lisa's current projects, 

alongside numerous other like-minded people, is exciting. 

I can't wait for her installations to go up, 

and I'll post dates here as I learn of them.  

Thank you for the opportunity, Lisa!

The Japanese Tree Peony's blossoms

have come and gone. 

We enjoyed about one week of lush blooms the size of 

dinner plates, and then a few days of steady rainfall 

knocked them to the ground.

Macaroons For the Road

 Spring 2014 Squam Art Workshops 

festivities begin today!

I am not among the merry creatives this year; 

however, my dear friend Vickie is, so I made her

some coconut macaroons for her 8+ hour drive.

 Each year, coconut macaroons are a highly anticipated 

treat in the Rockywold Dining Room. Mine turned out 

moist and flavorful, although a bit sweeter than what I 

remember indulging in at Squam,

but that just means I'll have to try again...darn!

For my first attempt at the macaroons I turned to my cousin 

Abigail Johnson Dodge's cookbook, Desserts 4 Today.

This is a handy book to have around because the recipes are 

current, fast and include only 4 ingredients. Swoon!

Silky puddings, mouth watering cookies and creative ice creams, 

toasted nuts, seasonal fruits and intriguing whipped creams - 

there's definitely something for every occasion, 

or none at all...which is my favorite.

Squam Lake, fellow Campers, and all that is 

Squam Art Workshops,

I miss you already!

Wishing everyone there an amazingly creative,

supportive and happy time. 

Enjoy the macaroons, the woods and each other. 

(Especially you with the Talismouse - you know!)

Foolin' Around

 

 This tasty treat is inspired by a recipe I found over at 

Delicious as it Looks.

When I realized I didn't have enough almond flour or eggs
on hand, I decided I'd fool around with the recipe 
and wound up with this scrumptious loaf.

Here's the recipe the way I made it:

Chai Banana Bread

1-1/2 cups almond flour
1-1/2 cups quinoa flour

1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. Kosher or sea salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground cardamom
3 ripe bananas
2 whole eggs
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Oven to 325 degrees F. 

In a bowl, whisk the flours, soda, salt and spices (through cardamom.)
In a larger bowl, mash the bananas and whisk in
the eggs, syrup, oil and extract.
Add the dry to the wet, stirring until well mixed.
Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake 50- 55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean and dry.
Let cool for 20 minutes before removing from pan.
Cool completely before cutting.

Slather on natural peanut butter, homemade jam
or cream cheese and you're in business!

Look what's growing in the woods! 
A Jack-in-the-Pulpit.
I recognize it only because of the hours upon hours 
spent in my youth pouring over the incredible, 
iconic paintings of Georgia O-Keefe.
I'd say that was time well spent. ;)

The time I spend walking through the woods, 
working in the garden, and smelling lilacs 
and hyacinths is fueling my imagination.
While it's too early for pictures, I can say that designs 
are flowing, and adorable stitched keepsakes are in progress.
 There's plenty of wool felt, dyed wools, light weight cottons, 
linen, beautiful threads - the stuff of my life, sigh!

I'd love to hear what you're working on 
that makes you happy!

A Newt Discovery

Yes indeed, Spring has sprung.

And so, too, have creatures great and small in our back yard.

I will spare you the gruesome story of exactly how I came

to discover this Newt, but perhaps it's enough to say

the words Stanley, baby rabbit and shovel. 

Maybe that was too much.

Well, as I uncovered this guy, contrary to what I expected,

he didn't move a muscle. 

And when I returned with my camera, he remained steady 

for his debut. Good Newt.

We'll see how long he sticks around.

 Sorry, but I just can't get enough of our flowering cherry 

and crab apple trees. Wildly inspiring, wouldn't you say?

 While I've been busy in the Studio and at the computer

working on new designs, (hooray!) and (more to follow!)

I've managed to squeeze in a few minutes 

here and there to piece together 

the Lost and Found quilt top. 

Thanks to all who offered opinions about the sashing. 

I think it all came together pretty well, don't you?

Next come layering, quilting, and my personal favorite, binding. 

Stay tuned for the final update on this unique quilt,

as well as the exciting work happening in the Studio. :)

Wishing you all a safe and fun-filled Memorial weekend!

Let's Have a Picnic!

We've been enjoying an early warm streak here in 

upstate NY, which has inspired me to (finally) finish 
this cheerful "S" Block quilt. 
It's just begging for a picnic, don't you think? 

Today, I'm sharing my recipe for a special springtime treat,
perfect for the picnic basket or the dinner table, 
Wild Ramps Pesto. 

Below, I share ways to incorporate it into your next meal. 
The recipe makes enough to freeze or share (above). 

Be forewarned, this savory pesto is powerful - 
a little goes a long way!

If you're unfamiliar with ramps, they're

wild-growing and of the lily family. You'll find them 

in the woods throughout the Northeast and 
as far south and west as VA and OH.

Their potent flavor is a cross between leeks and garlic,
and their foraging season is about six weeks.
If you forage for the first time, please review some videos 
on YouTube so that you're confident in what you're looking for.

So, if you're lucky enough to get your hands on some ramps, 

here's my little recipe. Adjust to suit your taste.

Ramps Pesto

1 cup walnut pieces

3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

4 modest bunches of ramps*, cleaned and rough chopped

Pinch of sea salt or Kosher salt

Place these 4 ingredients in the food processor and 

give them a few whirrs.

Then, with the machine steadily running, slowly drizzle in 

about 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

until the mixture is as thin or thick as you like.

Fill approximately 3 pint sized mason jars.

* This recipe considers about 13-14 ramps to be a modest bunch.
It can be frozen and will keep in the fridge for a few months.

Now, think pasta with sauteed mushrooms, onions and peas 
finished with a swirl of this savory pesto, 

or add a small dollop on your cheesy veggie omelet.

Try a generous spoonful stirred into a pot of buttery mashed potatoes.
Work a few spoonfuls into your biscuit dough....sigh.
Schmeer a bit onto a cracker. Top with your favorite cheese. Repeat.

If you make Wild Ramps Pesto, I'd love to hear how you use it! 

I'm smitten with this super fun "S" Block quilt!

The mere thought of being wrapped in all that color 

makes me happy. 
No picnic? Just add puffy clouds and a good book.

Many of the fabrics are from 

Lizzy House's Castle Peeps collection by Andover.

Thankfully, my towering scrap pile afforded me plenty of additional 

fabrics to ensure that no two alike touch each other.  

The "S" Block is a great beginner block.

It's a decent scrap buster if you have plenty of wider strips on hand.

For quilting, I stitched in the ditch of every block, stitching giant S's,

 and then in the ditch between the blue and the green borders.

I tossed it in the washer and dryer, and ta-da, 

there's that lovely crumpled-worn-and-loved look I'm so fond of!

Now, I'm off to pull together fabrics for my next two Project Linus quilts:

Ballerina 

~ 

Traffic

Thanks to everyone who voted on Facebook and here on the blog!

(quilt patterns by www.jaybirdquilt.com) 

Hyacinths for Mom

Happy Mother's Day,  Mom!

A quick update on my Lost and Found quilt:

The quilt top is now sewn together (above).

Layering, quilting and binding are next, 

but before I get too far with all of that, 

I'd better figure out a label! Using some of the

scraps will keep it fun and happy.

I love how the entire piece is progressing, 

and while it's a bit stronger in feel than I anticipated, 

it's undoubtedly handsome and sharp.

An unexpected and welcome surprise.

When it's done, I'll show you the final quilt. :)

The studio is a busy place these days -

design work, quilting and hand work.

Life is good. 

Thanks for stopping by!