trolling the interwebs for inspiration

Some links to help you waste some time today... because most of us are procrastinating from something.

I want this book! Check out that sweet hooded cardigan (the one with the babe looking out the window) And here is a free pattern for the little pixie hat -- super cute.

Cute Kimono shoes -- a free pattern from Aimee Larsen

Some owly love from Moonstitches via Indifixx

I'm still wanting to try embroidering something. These free Sarah Jane Studios patterns would be a good place to start.

Here are a ton of ideas for stuff you can make with just a bit of fabric -- collected tutorials for fat quarter projects. I could be busy with these for a long time.

I love the look of this quilt. I know these kind of tiny, busy patchworks run the risk of looking country, but this one is more cozy than country to me. I think I know what I'll be doing with some of my scraps.

This list of civility is great. How can we bring back some of these?? I love that they are having their kids learn them via a penmanship lesson. Hilarious.

Plastic sandwich baggies gettin' you down? You could try a cool reusable one.

Here is a hilarious blog of 'awkward family photos'

And one that compiles passive aggressive notes. Ah, takes me back to the ol' days when I lived with annoying roommates (not you, Glenda!)

And in case I'm not the only one thinking about Christmas...

A half-eaten gingerbread ornament for your tree

And how about making some of these crazy glove/mitten things for someone on your list -- "These odd looking creations provide the warmth of a mitten, with the dexterity of a glove." Ha!

Here's a really cool quilted advent calendar, but man-oh-man that looks like a ton of work. I think I'll just buy the funky christmas prints and do something easier.

Anyone you know need a good laptop cover? This one from oh fransson is neat.

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

breaded pork with pan-roasted tomatoes

I've never been one for the other white meat. It's not that I don't dig on swine. That's not it, 'cause I agree that bacon tastes good. But pork chops? I'll pass. Too dry.

But apparently, if you add breading, pork is quite tasty! Keeps the moisture in? Adds crunchy coating? -- whatever it is, I like it. Try this recipe and let me know if you agree...

breaded pork cutlets with pan-roasted tomatoes
adapted from Real Simple

4 pork cutlets - I used boneless pork shoulder, pounded to even thickness, about 1/4 inch
1/4 C flour
1 egg, beaten
1/4 C fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
1 C dry bread crumbs
2-3 teas salt
black pepper to taste
olive oil
6-8 Roma tomatoes, quartered lengthwise into wedges
2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs fresh thyme leaves

In three shallow bowls, have 1) flour 2) beaten egg 3) bread crumbs, parsley, pepper and a dash of salt.

Dip each cutlet in the flour, then egg, then bread crumbs and put on wire rack. Chill breaded pork in fridge while you prepare the rest of the ingredients, or about 10 minutes.

Heat a couple tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook cutlets, in batches if necessary, until golden and cooked through. If necessary, add more oil when you turn over (the breadcrumbs don't 'golden up' very well with no moisture.) Transfer to a plate to rest.

Add a bit more oil to the pan and add tomatoes, vinegar and thyme. Cook tomatoes about 7-8 minutes. Return pork to the pan to warm. Serve.

I served mine with just a simple spaghetti aglio et olio, or spaghetti with garlic and olive oil. Basically, saute up a 2-3 cloves of minced garlic with a dash of red pepper flakes in a few tablespoons of olive oil. Cook pasta, drain it, and then toss with olive oil mixture, chopped flat-leaf parsley, salt, and fresh parmesan. This was delicious with the pan-roasted tomatoes.

another sweater for a special wee one

I finished another baby sweater, this one the baby sophisticate pattern available free on Stockinette. I was inspired by SouleMama's cutie in his green grampie version.

Can I just say how much I love patterns that require hardly any finishing at the end?! Well, I do. This one is knit in one piece -- so simple and satisfying -- yet the collar makes it stinkin' cute.

And yes, it's going to be for our special wee one -- due at the beginning of December!

Kind of explains all the baby crafting here happening over the past several months. =)

Speaking of which, tonight, I whipped up a very simple double-layer flannel blanket number. I just loved this blue and rose fabric -- I swear my grandparents must have had matching pajamas out of this material because I just picture them -- and can almost smell cinnamon and woodsmoke -- when I look at it.