scrappy pillow

I love those creative moments when you can just feel the light going on in your head. Why didn't I think of this oh-so-simple idea before?! Or maybe it's not a matter of thinking of the idea, but being inspired--and having the time and energy--to actually engage.

I had one of those moments about the bag-full of scraps I had sewn together into random-length strips months and months ago -- a pillow!

I enjoyed getting lost in these fabrics for an afternoon. I just 'cut and paste' the strips together in a log cabin-like circle until it fit over the extra pillow form I had kickin' around.

The back is made up of two overlapping panels of light-weight denim.

I recently saved Andy from the thrift shop. He may be Raggedy, but I was super stoked to find him in such great shape. Ever wonder why those swiggly lines are beneath his eyes?

lunchables

I know I gave you this link for reusable sandwich wraps, but now I have to give this one too -- reusable snack baggies! How sweet are they?! I might have to make up a couple of these for the emergency trail mix I tote around.

And if we're on the subject of lunch, here's a cute lunchbag.

babes in space

I love this rocket fabric -- there's even a boy in a bubble!

Makes for a great flannel-backed blanket for the babe.

canning jam among boxes

Although my freezer is full of berries, I kind of missed the boat on strawberry season this year. But a few weeks ago, in the middle of our move, the farmers' market had the last of the local strawberries and I snatched up a few pounds. The taste of summer is in these two small batches of jam -- one batch of just strawberry and one of strawberry and rhubarb.

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.

gone packin'

Even more berries are in the freezer now -- this week I brought home raspberries and blackberries from the farmers' market. And 4 pounds of Okanagan cherries are now six 1/2-pints of canned cherries. (I love canned cherries and toast when I'm illin' in flu season.)

But you'll just have to take my word for it since we packed away my camera cord already. Oops.

Not much cooking worth mentioning is happening during the week these days -- we're just using up odds and ends. Beans on toast, anyone?

I may disappear for a couple weeks while we move and settle. By then, I should have crafty things for show and tell.

blueberry season

We bought a condo! To experience sealing the deal for the first time was a bit stressful, but very exciting.

We're in moving mode now: we've started packing up our books and dishes, and we're trying to use up all the goods in the pantry and freezer so that we don't have to lug extra foodstuffs across town. With one exception.

You see, our new place is complete with not only in-suite laundry (a much-anticipated first for us), but it also has a deep freezer! So at the same time as I'm using up my nuts and flour, I am re-filling my small freezer with get-'em-before-they're-gone fruits and veggies.

Exhibit A: 10 lovely pounds of fresh, local blueberries.

dick and jane

I'm diggin' primary coloured quilts these days. Here's one I just finished. It's backed with a soft fleece.

Hope you're enjoying summer!