angry chicken

It's sort of a cookie.

I made these cookies this morning and they are really tasty. They do have that "this is a hippie cookie" taste, especially the first bite, but after that they are quite nice. Not too sweet, more like a muffin-top than a cookie. I used milk chocolate chips because that's what the girls like. They ended up liking them okay. I suspect they will like them more the second time around. These don't have the super-sweet zing that "normal" cookies have, you know? So, it takes awhile for the kids to get used to that. I'd add cinnamon next time. Actually, orange zest, nuts, dried fruit, and different spices would all be good mix-ins. The recipe is cobbled together from 3 different vegan/low-sugar recipes I have, except these aren't vegan and do have refined sugar, so go figure. Still, they are a nice sort-of-healthier version of a normal cookie.

Pretty Dang Good Cookies That Aren't Horribly Bad For You

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (or pastry flour, or white whole wheat)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch salt
• 1 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons oil (or melted butter)
• 1 egg (or ground flaxseed, about a tablespoon? Not sure, you might have to experiment.)

Pre-heat oven 350 degrees fahrenheit. Mix all this stuff in a bowl—it will be pretty sticky. Drop about a tablespoon of dough onto your cookie sheets (these are prone to stick, so grease or use a silpat) and bake 12-15 minutes. They are better over baked than under baked, because they are so cakey. I feel coffee or tea is a mandatory accompaniment. Makes about 22.

eMailorder #10 is available starting right now.

Okay, here it is! This fun-filled eMailorder #10 is all about papercutting. It's a bit more of a challenge than my first group of papercutting patterns (which you can try in eMailorder #8.)

In this issue you will find 4 original papercuts designed by your humble secretary, all of which will frame up beautifully in a standard 8” x 10” format. Of course, the Official eMailorder Recipe card is included and boy—it's a good one. Get your x-actos out and put on some good tunes.

This a PDF that you print at home, so don't go to the mailbox for this one—you can get it within seconds of buying it! (although have a little patience when printing, it's a big PDF)

It's $8. Please hit the Return to Kingpod button (on the paypal page after you pay) to get the download. If you forget in a crazy freak-out, just e-mail me, we will set you up.

Your faithful secretary,
Amy Karol

a truly awesome birthday

Amazing weather this weekend made a trip to oxbow park the perfect birthday gift.

The party dresses were worn—and got very wet and very sandy.

Our own hooch—a root beer float.

Seriously. How amazing!

Eating root beer float waiting for cake.

And the family came through in spades. I got my uke! (And the hairbrush from Grammie.) And thank you all for all the yoga book tips. I saw both Glee (loved it) and the new Star Trek movie (really, really loved it) yesterday, too. Good times, man. Good times.

10 (or so) random things

I try (try being the key word here) to limit my blog posts to only one or two subjects/links, etc. Simple to write about, simple to digest, simple to link to — but sometimes I have too much running in my head at once and it's just easier to have a big ol' post of random-soup. So, here's a manic-y style brain dump for you.

1. My mom, Grammie, is my main go-to for pop culture. And Mariko. I'm serious. (We have no TV and I can only glean so much from spotty Hulu/netflix viewing on the laptop.) Anyhoo, they both have mentioned Glee in the last 24 hours to me. So, I guess I need to check it out. Right?

2. I am really digging my once a week yoga class and am starting to practice at home more as well. Can any of you seasoned yoga people out there recommend a good book for at-home practice? I realize this is like asking about your favorite cookbook — the sky is the limit. I don't even know what type of yoga I am doing, but I know it's not hot yoga. I wonder why I don't ask my teacher what type we are doing and if she has book recommendations? But she is not here right now and you are.

3. I have a birthday coming up this weekend (37!) and have been doing some window shopping. I actually have asked for only one thing from my family (I will report back on the success/failure of this item), so any other items will probably go on the backlist — but I want a Mason Pearson hairbrush. A hair brush? Yup. And one that is over $75? Well, I will have it forever and I have saved money not buying shampoo or conditioner for a year—and this brush is so old-school-apothecary-wonderful, I really want one.

4. I really, really love this bag.

5. I am feeling the urge to try making homemade ketchup again. Not like I have made it before, I mean I have felt the urge before. And ketchsup or ketchup? What say you? My Grandmother said ketchsup.

6. I know I am going to make produce bags very very soon, I can feel it.

7. I am getting this (shut-the-box) or something similar for fun times and math learning in the house. Excited.

8.  I love this desk calendar.

9. Here's my perfect dinner for the warm-weather weekend we are about to have.

10. I am eagerly awaiting the newest zine by Gracia Haby. It's making it's way over the seas as I write this. 

11. The above image will be available as a paper-cut pattern (eMailorder#10) that is coming next week.

12. Please eat cake/buckle/pie/cobbler in honor of my birthday this weekend, okay? We all have jobs to do — this is yours.

on the boards (revised)

_{photo by Collette Patterns}

The men's floral shirt is taking the backseat for awhile. I just got my hands on this pattern from Collette Patterns, and it's freakishly cute and must be started immediately. I have a linen dress I am finishing up now, and then this little number will come next. I'm thinking I will skip the buttons and make the straps non-opening (there is a side zipper) and use possibly 3 different prints/solids for the dress. Daring, I know, but I think it will look very stylish if I can find the right prints in the right weight. Or, I might not do 3 prints at all, but a gingham. Sigh. I will let the fabric gods guide me next time I go out to the fabric shops. Sometimes I feel like a fabric dowser.

_{photo by Collette Patterns}

I will report back soon. I am super excited to start this project, especially these tiny pockets. Please take a look at all of Sarai's patterns, they are swell—that skirt might be next.

summer skirt

Okay, this sassy skirt was made using the standard skirt pattern in Sew U. I forget about this basic pattern often, but it's a great one to alter and customize. (I used it here, too.) I shortened it and ditched the waistband facing using a pre-made white bias trim instead for the waist band. It has an invisible back zipper. The white buttons are set just inside the dart lines, mimicking a sailor pant-bib type button-up-thing. I really dig the buttons on the front of pants/skirts right now. I'm all about the nautical-cuteness.

I used a soft navy linen and am slightly cursing myself for not lining it. I sewed a few silk tap pants that make for an easy slip for this type of thing, so it's all good—but next time I will line it, mostly because the linen is soft, I think a lining would help keep it in shape.

I finally had to stop fussing with the button placement. It was a little crazy making. Everytime I shifted they looked crooked. But then I figured I'd usually be moving around in this skirt, not standing still like I am now (?) so, what the heck. They look straight enough to me.

And the blouse is super old—from the Gap about 7 years ago.

My eldest child is learning the poses.

possibly my favorite type of food.

I bought a signed copy of Rustic Fruit Desserts: Crumbles, Buckles, Cobblers, Pandowdies, and More, by Cory Schreiber and Julie Richardson over at Sweet Wares here in Portland last week (they sell it for 20% off the cover price) and have been reading it like it was a summer novel. I have so many recipes like these already, but not in one book and not with the utter perfection of these combination of flavors. I am basing this on the fact that I frequent Baker & Spice quite often and have tried just about every dessert they have and they are all outstanding—and quite a few of them are in this book. The desserts are organized by season, which is brilliant, and there are so many good tips in here for this style of down-to-earth, homey baking. The authors suggest freezing a lot. Both before you bake and after—which is key for me when I want to make something but don't want to eat the entire dessert in 2 days. Better to bake and freeze half, or make 2 smaller ones and only bake one—freezing the other for later. For that unexpected brunch party I am known for throwing together. (heh.)

Here's the Rhubarb Buckle with Ginger Crumb Pete made for Mother's Day. Good lord.

Some other desserts in this book: Fresh Strawberry Ricotta Tart, Rhubarb and Bing Cherry Brown Betty, Double Crusted Plucot Crisp, Stone Fruit Slump, Quince and Apple Brown Butter Tart, Pear Cobbler with Shingled Hazelnut Biscuits, Caramelized Pear Bread Pudding, and an Apple Pandowdy.

Better than a birthday cake! (Which I should be receive in about 2 weeks). Can I ask for a birthday pandowdy instead?

random items.

We got to actually sit in on the ballet classes 2 weeks ago. We only get to once a term, so it was big stuff. Usually there is a ton of creative interpretation regarding ballet attire in the class—today was pretty much by the book. I love the little shoes.

Items I have been meaning to mention-

• I have been getting a few e-mails wanting a homemade deodorant/ baking soda, apple cider vinegar hair washing update. It's all good. I have been using my homemade deodorant (the same recipe I wrote for Bust magazine) for about a year now. No rash, still works great. I still sweat buckets, but no smell. And the hair washing with no shampoo is going well, too. The little grey hairs coming in are not so cool, but that's unrelated—obviously. If you have questions about how to do this no shampoo thing, check out my post here with the amazing informative link about it
• There is a FOE group on flickr! Sweet! Drop in your photos, you all. (What is FOE, you ask?)
• I have updated my links on the right here and have a new Spring banner. I need to be archiving these links, and I have not. I am a bad blogger. But I am making a vow from now on to archive these links somehow—so they don't disappear forever when I rotate them.
• New papercut patterns (I think it will be eMailorder #10) are coming out soon!
• Lionel, our orange cat who thinks he is a dog, is still missing. It's been almost a month now. We are so sad. The girls think he is in France, Pete and I think he is in Mexico. It could happen.

I ♥ fat quarters!

Okay, this was so fun. I was ridiculously excited I was asked to create a fat quarter pack for the lovely online fabric shop, Sew Mama Sew. I named it Summer Picnic—to bring on the sun in rainy Portland.

You can buy the pack and read more about it here. I love fat quarter packs so much. I unexpectedly received a pack as a gift years ago and it was one of the best gifts ever. It had so many fabrics I wouldn't have necessarily chosen on their own. Something about the small cuts of fabric all tucked together make it a kind of happy crazy bundle of fun. Hope you all dig it!

I'm sure you all already know how wonderful the Sew Mama Sew is. Please check them out. Kristen and her staff do such a wonderful job of creating a friendly place to buy fabric in the shop, get sewing help in the forum, and find inspiration on the blog. Thanks ladies!

Okay, I just got confirmation from Sew Mama Sew and it's sold out—but the individual fabrics will be in stock again soon. Thanks all!

on the boards-men's dress shirt

I have been wanting to try a men's dress shirt for Pete for a while now and after a recent jaunt to a fancy-schmancy clothing shop—I have decided the time is now. Or, sort of now. When I get around to it, anyway. Some of the floral ones I saw there reminded me of Liberty fabrics. I adore men in florals. The mix of the masculine cut of a shirt paired with a preppy/classic floral is just too good. I'm not really thinking something as formal as this image here, but I liked it anyway. I'm looking at Kwik Sew 3422, probably the short sleeve version, mostly because dang—that Liberty fabric is so expensive.

 some contenders, all Liberty of London-

This is a favorite of mine.

I haven't even looked here in town or even online much for Liberty fabrics—these are all directly from the Liberty of London site. With shipping, it would be crazy expensive. But the fancy shirts I am looking at in the shops are around the $250 range. Still, there is no way I'm going to get this project done for less than $70. Maybe I should try it in a linen first, but then I have to try it in a Liberty print. See, here's my rationalizations. First— it's flippin' Liberty fabric, so there's a good reason right there. Secondly—the weight. It's so perfect, so thin and so crisp at the same time. But having said that, I do need to try this pattern in something else first. Just a simple men's shirting. See how I talk myself off the ledge? But I will revisit the ledge soon, I can feel it. I also have a shirt making book coming from the library, ready to tackle collar stands with gusto!

Liberty must be in the air! I just got this update from A.P.C.—lest I think I am clever. ha!

 

books I am reading and a link—

Hall of Best Knowledge, by Ray Fenwick is amazing. Not really a comic, but not fiction either. It's hard to describe. It's all hand lettered prose and opinions that has a formal absurdity that makes me so happy I could do cartwheels. Here's a bit more about him and what he is up to right now.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel, by Susanna Clarke is on my nightstand. All 800 pages of it. I love it so far (I'm on page 279.) I went to this after realizing I just couldn't finish the Outlander series. I will give that another shot sometime. I bought the first two, so they are waiting when the time is right. I need some real summer trash soon, though.

Unrelated:
I am so excited by these dresses and wonderful flower collar tutorial over on Katie Did. Very cool.

very very excited by this top

This top is deceiving. It looks pretty sophisticated (to me anyway) but is really simple. It's Simplicity 2593 and it's a new design by Cynthia Rowley. It's got no darts, just a front and a back. Very easy. I made a little alteration by using a pre-made bias tape in white to finish the armholes (the pattern instructs you to make your own to match) and I didn't bother binding the inside on the neck edge, I just serged it, because I knew the twisted neck band would cover it. The twisted neck band is on the bias, so this pattern requires more yardage than you'd think. It's just a big tube you twist, pin on, and hand tack down when you are done. I love it so much—so sculptural and simple. I'm thinking a linen or a silk charmeuse version would be outstanding.

This is made up in a seersucker purchased for crazy cheap at Joann's. I belted it here (orange belt from target) but a self-tie would be nice. It looks good unbelted as well.

The newest Tie One On gallery is up! Please check out the outstanding submissions. I have decided to give away a new craft book with every new theme (randomly chosen from the apron submissions.) I will be posting the chosen book for the next new theme, Pie Makin' Apron, very soon. I went back through the old galleries today and counted—over 975 aprons have been made for Tie One On since it started. That is frikken amazing! Thank you all so much for your total radness.

 

happy may day!

 

May Day was always one of my favorite holidays when I was little. I really did gather posies and leave them on our neighbor's steps and ring the bell—and run off, just like I read about in old timey story books. I am remembering now I always picked the flowers from not my garden, but from theirs. Oops. They were nice enough not to mention that to me later.

The girls are pretty into flowers right now, too. They love going to nurseries and picking out flowers and planting them at home in little pots. Then we read the care cards and memorize the names of the flowers and learn more. It's really sweet. Sadie loves marigolds, Delia likes impatiens, and Liddy likes the dirt (and she's partial to tulips.)

I was telling them about floriography, the meaning of flowers, and got all excited about researching this more. I found a few books online and then, after trying to find a copy of this book here locally I— had a copy already, tucked away, given to me from a friend over 12 years ago. I love that kind of stuff. Also, I didn't realize there are flowers associated with one's actual birthday, not just a flower for a birth month. Very cool.

So, now we are all into flower crafts around here. Perfect timing for May Day. And I was super excited to learn that there will be a may pole at the fairy festival which is tomorrow and boy are we excited! I'm wondering if I should also dress up. I may, not sure. I mean, I think I should just embrace my inner costume nerd and go for it. But then, do I have to make adult sized wings? Oh—so much to consider and so little time.

Sort of related-Sweet Wares, (the excellent bakery supply shop from the owners of Baker and Spice) is having an opening event this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. They sure are nice and they have a great selection of fancy decorations (in bulk!) perfect for fairy sized cupcakes which beg to be adorned in colored sugar sprinkles.

And, since it's May 1st, a new theme is set over at Tie One On.