semantics

Yesterday, as I was ruing the fact that I hadn't worked out in days other than during my bike commute, and melting the butter for a truly wicked chocolate sheet cake (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/), I started to think about how difficult it is for me to be committed. Indeed, I would even argue that I fear commitment (see, e.g., male/female relationships of a personal nature). Thus, we see the repetitive cycles of my life - abandoned diets, short-lived exercise efforts and the like, and the accompanying whine of "it's too hard to commit."

Yet on the other hand, my life is overwhelmingly full of what I would term obsessive interests. For example, the devotion to crafts can be demonstrated with my persistence in finishing yet another row even though it's 3:00 a.m. and I have to go work the next day. Or, the need to continue making fantastical, really gorgeous baked desserts despite living by myself with only choco-allergic canines. And then there are the 16 (or 54, or 108) episode Korean drama marathons. All shining exemplars of obsession, which, it need be said, are not limited to extracurriculars. My type-A attention to detail regarding professional writing is also closely related to the obsession gene.

Commitment feels hard. In theory, it involves working against one's nature, diligence, and a stoic kind of Protestant work ethic. Obsession though, is easy in its involuntary, whimsical nature, as it is more akin to surrendering to the tide of your interests. Regardless, both involve immersion in an activity and true dedication. It's just that one is much more fun and feels infinitely easier, rather than a trial of patience.


So I'd like to say, screw commitment. Isn't it possible to reframe one's mind into productive obsession? Can't I become obsessed with exercise, and whole grains, and a more positive attitude towards work? I think it's worth a try. After all, it all depends on perspective.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming

The business of being a bridesmaid is an odd one. I've had two weddings in relatively short succession and been in both of them and they've been distinctly different experiences. There is something to be said for seeing your close friends go through that "wedding day transformation." It's interesting to see how someone you're used to seeing on a daily basis in relatively low key gear get whipped into princessness, much less undergo a similar transformation (though to a much lesser degree, and possibly under a certain degree of duress depending on your tolerance for being beautified). And though it's been fun, I'm happy to declare an ending to my wedding season.

This particular wedding was in Healdsburg, which is an area I've not been to before - and I would genuinely like to go back again. It is really gorgeous, and it seems like there are many adorable boutiques in the main square, including what appeared to be a quilting store. Intriguing!

In other news, I have rounded up a new series of recipes to handle. I am a big fan of the savory egg dish for dinner, and any opportunity to do so should be thoroughly encouraged. So when I found smittenkitchen's recipe for Spring Asparagus Pancetta Hash, I was immediately intrigued. This has led me to realize that I seriously need to master a faster method of dicing vegetables.

prepped - finally.

An hour or so later (okay, I exaggerate, but seriously, stupid potatoes took forever), I was finally ready to cook. Time for walkies for the pups!

mmmm....pork product.

After a pause to feed the puppers, phase II commences - I start the cooking. Note to self: need larger pan, as it took so long to brown the potatoes that we were approaching more of a "giant potato pancake" rather than all the diced potatoes I spend an hour on. See supra. Undaunted, I struggle valiantly on. Despite my best efforts, I proceed to both cook my yolks (grrr, I like them runny) and drop the remaining 6 eggs on the kitchen floor.

The product of my labors - at 10:00 pm.

Was it worth it?

Every bite.

enamored

I am completely infatuated.

Not with anyone, but with this blog I discovered through a backdoor link from another knitting blog - smittenkitchen.com. Honestly, if you're a decent photographer, you have such a jump on getting people sucked into what you talk about, and then if you happen to be talented to boot...my goodness.

Anyhow, so this site has a ton of interesting recipes, mostly adapted from other sources with the cook's twist. I am in love with it. It started with the Apple Cake.

Before

After

Ironically this stemmed from a strange little memory of going to the German Delicatessen over by Logan Square when the whole family got hauled along with my dad to his office on the weekend. It was such a crazy little place - you could get marzipan anything, all these little animals and vegetables, which my sister really liked, but I couldn't stand because I can't deal with marzipan. And then there were all the various sausages (well, it was a German deli after all), including the odd cured sausage shaped like a pretzel (why??), the bratwurst, the knockwurst, the head cheese, etc. Then they had the best chocolate Santas and Easter bunnies, and funny German taffy candies. I adored going there, but the crowds were nuts.

What I remembered at the moment that I came across that recipe was this German Apple Strudel my mum used to make. From a box. That we bought at the deli. I really enjoyed it, but, as my mum informed me when I brought it up, there were no real apples in it. Yeah, all we did was probably add oil or butter. Otherwise it was all dried/preserved/artificial. But in my head it was delicious.

Regardless, here was an opportunity to recapture my youth. Oh sure, I could go and try to google the box mix, but honestly. Better to at least use real apples, right? Anyhow, it was a resounding success despite the inexplicable loss of my tube pan. I swear I had one, but evidently not anymore. Nevertheless, yum! I let it sit outside for about 36 hours, and then started refrigerating it. Leaving it out helped the apple juices soak in, making it a moister cake as opposed to a drier coffee cake. The biggest danger, of course, is to keep from eating it all. My friend, who I swiftly corrupted into making it as well, was not so lucky when making it for her husband and sister, and proceeded to devour her version over the weekend with her accomplices - a distinct risk.

So since trying the Apple Cake, I have since made the Jacked-Up Banana Bread (unjacked, frankly, because I don't have bourbon, and there was no way I was going to buy it just for a quick bread), and tonight, the Shakshuka, which is allegedly poached eggs in spicy tomato sauce to be served with warm pita bread. Despite using the increased pepper dosage (Anaheims, not Jalapenos) mine turned out not-so-poached, and not-so-spicy. Also, forgot to buy the feta. OK, so in other words I completely botched it - it's really just eggs in a tomato-pepper stew. Not bad, but not exotic either.

Oh man, shakshuka.

So next time - I have a bunch of knitting to share. Plenty of FOs, including the wedding shawls (one for the bride, and one for me), and Mama socks. Also, the world's most ineptly sized sock for my dad. Yeah, he's going to have to wait for that one.

a fledgling's attempt

It's a new leaf again - there was the defunct effort at an iWeb blog for a bit when I first moved out to San Francisco from Chicago, and there was long, long ago, my LJ account (still up, and still used sporadically to keep in touch with basically one web friend). As I re-engage with my own life, I think it's a worthwhile effort to attempt to record it. So here we are.

This year I will turn 30. It sounds like such a milestone, which is odd, because it's not like I feel any real social pressure to do anything "typical," like get married, or have a child, or even get into a committed relationship. What I did feel, at the end of last year, was that it was the right time for me to work on being happier with where I am. To feel less like I was at the whim of the stresses of my day job and do something about un-defining myself by it. To regain control by taking charge of my health, my hobbies, my habits. What is amazing to me is that it wasn't an empty effort, and I think I've done a pretty good job so far.

Thus, the manifesto. This blog will be about, in theory, my adventures in exploring my crafty, creative side, the one that helps me regain my sanity from my alterna-ego. So be prepared to be inundated with more detail than you ever cared about regarding my knitting, my nascent sewing efforts, my dogs, my cooking, and evidently, the new efforts I'm making at becoming a runner. And whatever else my brain comes up with.

******

Enough background then. To celebrate: here is a shot of the roasted brussel sprouts I rustled up tonight.

behold, my sproutyness

Nothing too fancy - rinsed, halved, tossed with olive oil, sea salt and black pepper for 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Easy-peasy. I love roasting vegetables. It's such a painless, simple way to get a deeper flavor out of winter veggies.

I am also in the process of working up a Noro striped scarf, inspired by my sister, via brooklyntweed's blog (http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2007/04/noro-scarf.html). The major challenge would be trying to come up with harmonious colorways based on vague descriptions when ordering the yarn online. They seemed so...cheery and different.

noro, all easter-y for some reason

Sadly, my colorways started approaching one another in two spots, which suspiciously came close to pooling, but which I have decided to interpret as an ombre instead.

yeah, I'm not sure how this is all going to work out.

Regardless, it's a lovely simple project that is happily mindless, which is a nice break from the cable-filled pieces I've been churning out lately. It's my first time working with Noro (Silk Garden), and I have to say, although I thought it seemed unpleasantly scratchy at first (far from the sweet, soft alpaca blends I've been working with lately), it has really grown on me. It's got a dryness that reminds me of linen, but it's more supple, probably due to the silk. Actually, what it's really made me do is start thinking about looking into a Habu-based project...perhaps the Kusha Kusha scarf? We'll see!