The Larissa Monologues

Aaron's First Sip of Soda

2010-09-02T23:39:00.000-07:00

I never liked soda. Apparently, neither does my son.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

2010-09-01T00:03:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be grand if all your life decisions could be made by one of those nifty Magic 8 Balls? Actually, no. That would be terrible, and lead to some very poor calls of judgment. But sometimes I wish life's choices weren't always so darn complex.

I am in the process of sorting out a few major areas of my life, and trying to make a handful of significant decisions. Some of the decisions have to do with work, some with my personal life. All of them are characterized by exciting, uncharted possibilities.

Whenever I have an important decision to make, I do four things:

I become more introspective, prone to longer stretches of silence or writing in my journal.
I seek out the counsel and opinions of a handful of trustworthy friends and family.
I pray and ask God for direction.
I listen to my intuition.

Other people might have different decision-making tools. I have heard of individuals who flip a Bible open to a random page, close their eyes, and point - whatever sentence their finger lands on is their directive. Then there are those who visit fortune tellers or tarot readers to find their path.

Armed with some personal discernment and wise counsel of others, I usually make good decisions.

If that doesn't work, maybe I'll spend the $9.99 on a Magic 8 Ball.

Aaron Moments

2010-08-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

All packed for a trip to the grocery store.

Peek-a-boo!

He did this himself, and thought it was the funniest thing ever.

Fishy face.

Story time with Dad.

Simultaneously cooling down during a hot summer day, and working on eliminating that farmer's tan.

Stickers - endless fun for a toddler.

My Life in Verbs

2010-08-24T23:51:00.000-07:00

I'm currently...

wishing: I took a business class or two in college
disliking: the plague of ants that has hijacked our kitchen
reading: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
missing: the perfect beaches of my island home of Maui, Hawaii
wanting: to plant an herb and vegetable garden in our front yard
improving: my Fruit Ninja skills on the iPhone
realizing: I have some of the most fantastic friends in the universe
loving: going to the beautiful Huntington Gardens on my day off
considering: writing children's fiction
watching: no TV this month (Steve and I are on a TV hiatus); but I did see Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
regretting: allowing the hot LA weather to deter me from my running regimen this week
hoping: that in the midst of work and responsibilities, I can focus on the most important things in my life

What are you currently doing?

Orange Marmalade

2010-08-20T22:43:00.000-07:00

Look at this...homemade marmalade! I am officially destined to be a grandma who lives on a farm.

Why would anyone make their own jam these days?

When you walk through a grocery store searching for preserved fruit, you're bound to be overwhelmed with the mind-blowing number of options. Jams, jellies, and marmalades span entire aisles, and you can easily pluck a jar off the shelf and be on your merry way. So very simple!

Well, after having a taste of some homemade orange marmalade on a piece of warm toast, I'll tell you why one might make their own jam. Because homemade jam is absolutely a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Homemade jam is fresh, potent with flavor, and gives you the pleasurable experience of being transported to the good ol' days before Smuckers took over the fruit preserves world, when people made their own jams and jellies.

This orange marmalade was my first foray into the canning world. Since I had never canned anything before, I did my research beforehand. I perused cookbooks, read canning 101 articles on the internet, collected the necessary kitchen tools and canning supplies. Then, with a few hours of free time one night, I went to work on my marmalade.

Along the way, I learned some valuable canning lessons. Such as...

Producing those tiny orange peel slices is maddeningly tedious work. Seriously, if I could have hired a personal sous chef to do that job, I would have done it in a heartbeat.

You do NOT want to know how much sugar goes into marmalade. Or if you are privy to that unfortunate bit of knowledge, it is best not to think about it while enjoying your jam.

After processing your marmalade (i.e. boiling the filled jars in hot water to create an airtight seal), do not even think of touching them for at least 24 hours while they cool and set. My curiosity got the best of me, and I held one jar up at an angle to check how it was setting. That mistake produced a jar of runnier marmalade - still tasty, but missing that good jelled consistency of the untouched jars.

Canning is an art that takes focus, time, and experience. The process cannot be rushed, and any cook is going to learn through some trial and error.

That said, the marmalade was delicious. Even after giving a few jars away to friends, we have a couple sitting in our pantry, just waiting to be devoured. Since most of my mornings these days involve orange marmalade on toast, they probably won't last very long.

Orange Marmalade (adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook)

4 medium oranges

1 medium lemon

1 1/2 cups water

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

5 cups sugar

1/2 of a 6-ounce package liquid fruit pectin

Peel oranges and lemon. Scrape off the bitter white portions of peels with a sharp knife and discard. Cut peels into thin strips. Bring peels, water, and baking soda to a boil. Cover; simmer for 20 minutes. Do not drain. Section fruits, reserving juices; discard seeds. Cut fruit into 1-inch pieces. Add fruit and juices to peel mixture; return to boiling. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Measure 3 cups of the mixture. In an 8- to 10-quart heavy kettle combine fruit mixture and sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Quickly stir in pectin. Return to a full rolling boil; boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; skim off foam with a metal spoon. Ladle into hot, sterilized half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims with a clean towel, and adjust lids. Process in a boiling-water canner for 5 minutes. Remove jars; cool on racks for 24 hours. Use within 6 months. Makes 6 half pints.

Why This Will Never Be a Wildly Popular Blog

2010-08-16T20:42:00.000-07:00

I recently came across Copyblogger's post titled The 7 Secrets of Running a Wildly Popular Blog. As I read it, I had to laugh to myself while this thought ran through my mind, "Wow, I will never be a popular blogger." Not that I haven't developed relationships with some loyal readers (hi, mom!), but this blog is simply not destined to have hundreds of comments and thousands of hits. I just don't have it in me to build a Dooce-like empire of a blog. Here are a few reasons why...

I don't spend every waking moment blogging. While I love blogging, my life is full of non-blog activities. I am a wife, mom, friend and campus minister. I also have some new business ventures, not to mention a ridiculously long list of hobbies and pastimes. That reality results in one or two blog posts per week, which is too few and far between, according to most blog analysts. Some people can afford to blog full-time, and develop hundreds of connections with readers and fellow bloggers. If I'm lucky, I spend a few hours a week on blog-related activities.

I am not a savvy blog networker. Before my son was born, I spent more time reading and commenting on other blogs. In my current life stage however, I find it challenging enough to maintain real life relationships. Even though I read a considerable amount of blogs, I very rarely comment on them, join in blogger meet-ups, or attend blog conferences. I have met some very intriguing people though blogging, but don't really have the time or social energy to invest a lot into those relationships.

My blog is sometimes witty and insightful, but mostly genuine and heartfelt. People (myself included) generally gravitate toward blogs that are funny, snarky, clever, or controversial, like FAIL Blog or Perez Hilton. Aside from the rare interesting moment in my life (anyone remember the interracial marriage blog confrontation?), I mostly write about real life things. Such as my son, food I love, and life lessons being learned by this 29-year-old lass. Some people (I hope) find my offerings worth reading, but many will probably move on after a quick glance and the realization that I lead a relatively simple, unglamorous life.

I started this blog about 3 1/2 years ago. Its genesis came from a moment of spontaneity, and the thought, "I think I want to try this blogging thing." For a while, I was intrigued with the notion of becoming a notorious blogger surrounded by lots of hype and fans. But I soon came to the conclusion that simply isn't who I am as a blogger. I blog as an outlet of creative expression. I blog because I enjoy inviting others into my life. I blog to share simple joys with anyone who might come across my little nook of the internet.

A warm, wholehearted thanks to all of you who read The Larissa Monologues, despite its humble status. Thanks for allowing me to be myself, and joining me in the journey. I promise to stay true to my authentic self and voice on this blog.

Frayed Apron Update

2010-08-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

Hi there, friends! How are you on this lovely August day?

It has been a busy week of hosting out-of-town family (including one of my Top Five Favorite People, my mother), preparing for another school year at the university I work at, and working on various Frayed Apron things.

Running a new business while simultaneously being a mom of a toddler and part-time campus minister can be tricky at times. But with the help and support of friends and family, Frayed Apron is continuing to grow. I get so much joy and life from creating things for others, and am loving the process of developing Frayed Apron.

Here are a few new things on the Frayed Apron line...

Knotted Silver Wire Pendant

Teal & White Vintage Button Magnets

Silver Knotted Wire Ring

And for you foodies out there, my newest granola blend, Almond & Cranberry Granola

Check out more Frayed Apron jewelry, accessories, art and other items at my online Etsy shop and granola shop.

Char Siu Bao (Steamed Pork Bun)

2010-08-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

Mmm...I want to take an afternoon nap on these.

Have you eaten Char Siu Bao? They are steamed pork buns found in Chinese bakeries, dim sum restaurants, and interestingly enough, our local Costco's frozen foods section. Imagine a warm fluffy white dumpling that is sweet and spongy, filled with barbecued pork morsels. Yes, it is yummy. In fact, char siu bao probably makes my top ten favorite foods of all time. That is saying something.

In the midst of some Chinese culinary inspiration, I decided to roll up my sleeves, and make some homemade char siu bao.

Now I am usually a big fan of simple, easy-to-make recipes. Let me be clear - this is not simple. While anyone who set their mind to the task could certainly make these bao, they need to dive in with commitment. These babies take some tender loving care, and a good couple of hours. It's not a recipe for the faint of heart.

Okay, are you still with me, fellow chefs? If you are, you will be rewarded with some amazing, delicious dim sum. These bao are slightly sweet and perfectly moist, and the savory pork filling has a nice kick of ginger. As a bonus for all the hard work, un-steamed bao can be frozen for later. More bao for another time!

Char Siu Bao (adapted from myrecipes.com)

Filling:
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder

1 pound pork tenderloin

Cooking spray
1 cup thinly sliced green onions
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt

Dough:

1 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
3 tablespoons sugar
1 package dry yeast

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

To prepare the filling, rub five-spice powder evenly over pork. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with cooking spray. Add pork to pan; cook 18 minutes or until a thermometer registers 155°, turning pork occasionally. Remove pork from pan, and let stand 15 minutes. Cut pork crosswise into thin slices; cut slices into thin strips. Place pork in a medium bowl. Add onions and next 7 ingredients (through 1/4 teaspoon salt); stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate.

To prepare dough, combine 1 cup warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add flour, oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to yeast mixture; stir until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.) Punch dough down; let rest 5 minutes. Turn dough out onto a clean surface; knead in baking powder. Let dough rest 5 minutes. Divide dough into 10 equal portions, forming each into a ball.

Working with one dough ball at a time (cover remaining dough balls to keep from drying), roll ball into a 5-inch circle. Place 1/4 cup filling in center of dough circle. Bring up sides to cover filling and meet on top. Pinch and seal closed with a twist. Repeat procedure with remaining dough balls and filling. Arrange 5 buns seam side down, 1 inch apart, in each tier of a 2-tiered bamboo steamer. Stack tiers; cover with lid. Add water to a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Place steamer in pan; steam 15 minutes or until puffed and set. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

Happy Things

2010-07-31T20:47:00.000-07:00


Beautiful balloons.

Cute paper cutout.

Iced water with fresh lemon on a hot summer day.

Ceramic milk cartons by Hanne Rysgaard.

Stitched Heart-Shaped Balloon on Etsy.

Chalkboard affirmation.

One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream

2010-07-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

If I could choose one dessert to eat for the rest of my life, hands down it would be ice cream. However, Steve and I have committed to a No Dessert Rule for the time being. We're trying hard to be healthy, fit and all that jazz. So I had to say farewell to my beloved ice cream.

That is until I discovered this miracle of miracles recipe for frozen banana ice cream.

Just one ingredient. No additional sweeteners, no fancy-pants ice cream maker necessary! The frozen bananas are simply blended, and magically transform into a smooth, creamy, soft-serve style ice cream that blew my mind.

Hallelujah, I can enjoy ice cream again!

One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream

Bananas (yup, that's all you need)

Peel bananas, and cut into small (approximately 1-inch) pieces. Freeze for 1-2 hours. Blend banana pieces in a blender or food processor until the mixture reaches a smooth, ice-cream-like consistency.

How I Spent My Vacation

2010-07-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

Holla. I'm back from the San Diego-Las Vegas Summer Tour. It was fantastic. Here's what I did, for all you curious cats...

Had lunch and a tour at Stone Brewing Co., the beer-lover's Disneyland. Good food, great beer.
Slept in past 10:00am for the first time in ages.
Visited various Southern California wineries. The best place was Cordiano Winery, a small, Italian family-owned joint where we were invited by Gerardo the owner to play bocce ball and eat homemade pizza.
Read Fahrenheit 451.
Experienced the joys of a day spa (which we got for free, thanks to Steve, the King of Freebies) at Rancho Bernardo Inn. I think heaven will be one gigantic spa, with fluffy robes, saline pools, chilled iced tea, and lush gardens.
Watched a late-night viewing of Inception. So mind-blowingly awesome. Have you not seen it yet? What are you waiting for?! Go now.
Survived the 115 degree Las Vegas heat. I really am quite perplexed as to why anyone would choose to live in Vegas.
Saw the Lance Burton magic show, which is scheduled to end its 14-year run this coming September.

Vacation

2010-07-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

I don't actually have a desk chair that looks like this, but wouldn't it be rad if I did?

We're leaving for our little summer vacation this weekend. Yay!

Steve and I are going to spend a few days gallivanting around Southern California wine country, while Steve's parents hang out with our son. This is going to be our first vacation with just the two of us since Aaron was born. We get to stay out late, sleep in till whenever, eat at grown-up only restaurants, and live spontaneously! Can you tell I'm just a tad excited?

After that we'll reconnect with our son and in-laws, and spend a couple of days in Las Vegas. Though the weather will be frighteningly hot, it will surely be lots of fun.

Hopefully when I come back, I will be a more rested, rejuvenated, tan, well-read Larissa. Fare thee well, friends!

The Insecurity Plague

2010-07-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

Last week I had a five or six-day stretch of major insecurity. There wasn't any one particular catalyst, but a handful of interactions with people that caused me to feel devalued and rejected. I suddenly became very conscious of what people thought of me, vulnerable to fearing the worst. I had multiple moments of feeling like the lonely kid left on the junior high playground.

Over the last few days, things have cleared up, and I don't feel nearly as self-doubting. But fear and insecurity have been on my mind a lot, and I so long to say farewell to these things once and for all.

I used to think that one's insecurities and fears would magically melt away at age 25. Apparently they don't.

Homemade Play Dough

2010-07-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

I decided to make some play dough for my son Aaron the other day. At 14 months old, he is becoming more and more curious and aware of objects around him, and I figured play dough would make a fun afternoon activity.

Play dough is so simple to make. It takes a mere few minutes, costs very little, and is made of standard household ingredients. I made a few different colored doughs, and let Aaron play with it on the kitchen floor. He was mostly interested in poking it with his fingers, and eating chunks of it. Good thing it's completely edible.

Homemade Play Dough (adapted from Super Baby Food, by Ruth Yaron)

2+ cups white flour

1/2 cup salt

1 cup hot water

1 teaspoon cooking oil

food coloring (optional)

In a large bowl, mix four and salt. Slowly mix in water and oil while stirring. When stirring gets difficult, use your hand to knead the mixture in the bowl. When all the flour is off the sides of the bowl and you have one neat dough ball, dump it out and continue kneading until desired consistency. Add about 1/4-1/2 cup flour until the stickiness disappears. Divide into three balls (or however many different-colored dough balls you want). To color, poke a deep hole into each dough ball and put a few drops of food coloring into the hole. Knead color into dough ball until it is uniform in color. Repeat with remaining dough balls. Keep each colored dough in a small plastic bag, and store together in an airtight container at room temperature.

Independence Day

2010-07-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

I have never spent much time considering the significance of Independence Day. For me, the 4th of July is simply a day to hang out with family and friends, eat lots of grilled meat, and possibly watch some fireworks.

Maybe my detached sentiment toward Independence Day is due to my Chinese-American heritage, or my upbringing in Hawaii (which has a unique culture that doesn't quite feel typically American). In any case, I go through most 4ths of July without much thought given to the meaning of the day and the history behind it.

This weekend, however, I experienced a small but rather noteworthy moment of clarity about the meaning of Independence Day. I was listening to a group of people sing God Bless America, and suddenly thought of my one-year-old son. My little son doesn't know what country he lives in, nor is he aware of the values and ideals it is based on. But I do. I know that even though there are some really awful things about America's past and present, there are also some truly beautiful things. Things like freedom and liberation. And fighting for justice and human rights. And striving for excellence and ingenuity. As a mother, I am grateful that my children will grow up as citizens of a country where they can become anything they want to be. I am grateful that there are models of character and courage that my children can find in the American history books. I am grateful that my children live in a place where they don't need to live in fear due to their skin tone or religion.

I am thankful to be an American citizen. Happy (belated) Independence Day.

Silly Faces

2010-07-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Poached Egg & Spinach Salad

2010-06-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

I usually don't blog about salad. Frankly, salad tends to have a low sexy factor. A concoction of raw vegetables...yawn. I eat salad because it's good for you, not because it has a particularly inviting taste or visual appeal. Until today, that is.

Today I bring to you a simple salad that gets kicked up a notch by none other than the poached egg. A perfectly poached egg is one of the most delightful things to enjoy. As far as eggs go, it is also easy to cook, quick, and low in calories. Topped with poached eggs, the spinach and tomato salad came to life. I highly recommend poking your fork into the egg to break the yolk, and allowing all the yolk-y goodness to ooze out over the entire salad. The nice thing is that this meal can work for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and literally takes less than five minutes to prepare. Let's bring sexy back to salad, shall we?

Poached Eggs on Spinach Salad

2 eggs

1-2 handfuls of baby spinach

1/2 Roma tomato, chopped

feta cheese

salt & pepper to taste

On a medium size plate, toss together spinach, tomatoes and feta cheese. Set aside. Fill a small saucepan with 2-3 inches of water. Bring water to just below boiling. Crack one egg into a small cup (a 1/2 cup measuring cup works perfectly). Hold cup just over the water, and gently ease egg into the water. Repeat with the other egg. Let eggs poach for 3 minutes. Scoop eggs out with a slotted spoon, and place onto a paper towel. Gently pat eggs to remove excess water. With a spatula, transfer eggs onto salad. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes one serving.

Check Out the New Digs

2010-06-26T21:05:00.000-07:00

The Larissa Monologues has a new look! If you are reading this anywhere other than on the actual site, click on over here, and take a peek.

I worked on it myself, and am pretty proud of the result. With the help of image software Gimp, some tinkering with html code, and a bit of panache, I created a new banner from scratch and fine-tuned a few other nooks and crannies on the site.

You may now proceed with the oooohs and ahhhhs.

White Peach Sangria

2010-06-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

If you are a familiar face around this blog, you'll know that I'm a big fan of sangria. Every summer, I post a new sangria concoction, and yammer on about how delicious it is. In the spirit of summer 2010 officially beginning, here is another recipe for you...white peach sangria! I think it's time to start a sangria fan club.

In case you need inspiration, here are some ways to enjoy sangria:

on your front porch
while watching Top Chef (or whatever show floats your boat)
on a picnic at the park
with cheese and crackers
while wearing shorts
at a BBQ
with Sunday morning brunch
in the kitchen while making more sangria
any time, any place

White Peach Sangria

1 (750 milliliter) bottle of dry white wine

3/4 cup peach schnapps

1/4 cup vodka

1/4 cup simple syrup (or white sugar)

1 white peach, sliced

In a large pitcher, combine white wine, peach schnapps, vodka, and simple syrup (or white sugar). Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add sliced peaches. Refrigerate sangria until well chilled, at least 2 hours, or overnight to blend flavors

Happy Things

2010-06-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

1. Father's Office - a gastropub in Los Angeles with the best burger I've had in my entire life. Kick in a craft beer and sweet potato fries, and ohhhhh heaven.

2. Gray Laceless Converse Shoes - these are comfy, casual, pair with any outfit, and on sale at Target for $19.99.

3. Pinterest - my favorite new website, thanks to my friend Bo. It allows you to share images and inspiration from around the internet with other interested people by 'pinning' them on dynamic pages you create. Some of my creations are Fashion Favorites and Crafty Ideas.

4. Summer Reading - I've been into classic fiction recently, with the latest being Little Women. One of the happiest moments of my day is crawling into bed between the cool sheets, and reading a good book before drifting off to sleep.

5. Vacation in California wine country - Steve and I are going to have a weekend all to ourselves, and spend it lodging in a fancy hotel, tasting wine, and exploring renowned eateries.

Thoughts on Marriage

2010-06-17T23:41:00.000-07:00

Wedding day, June 17th 2006

A friend's wedding, spring of 2010

Exactly four years ago, I was walking through a sea of family and friends, making my way toward the man who was about to become my husband. That day was filled with a lot of laughs and sweet memories, but really it marks the day we began this incredible journey of marriage.

I realize four years is a somewhat short span of time, especially compared to all the amazing couples who have celebrated 25 years, 50 years, and entire lifetimes together. But I feel like we have learned and grown so much in our marriage, pre-married life seems like eons ago.

This year in particular was a significant one - our son Aaron turned into a walking 1-year old toddler, Steve had a major knee injury and was on crutches for several months, we purchased and moved into our first home and became landlords - certainly the most challenging year for us so far. But here we are, still married and still going.

Some thoughts on marriage:

Marriage is all about choices. Every day of being married, I have the power to choose to live out the commitment I made on our wedding day. Some days it's easy, some days it's more of a challenge. When things get hard and the lovey-dovey feelings just aren't enough to carry us through, we both need to continuously decide that we are in this for the long haul, no matter what happens.

Being part of a team is invaluable. We each bring different things to the marriage. Steve does the finances, I take care of the meals. Steve contributes spontaneity and fun, I add some stability and nurture. Steve helps me keep perspective when I feel overwhelmed, I help him stay on task when he is tempted to bounce from one thing to the next. As partners, we complement each other's strengths and weaknesses, and balance each other out.

Unexpected life events can be weathered when faced together. Boy, we certainly experienced this one in the last twelve months. Unplanned circumstances have come our way, from the burdensome to the joyfully surprising. At every new turn, I have been thankful that I have stability and companionship with my husband. When I am apt to freak out with anxiety, I am comforted by the sole fact that Steve is with me in it all. Somehow, everything feels more like an exciting adventure together.

Marriage has the potential to make you a better person. Without a doubt, I can say that I am a better person because of Steve's presence and influence in my life. I am less selfish, more likely to grant the benefit of the doubt to others, more patient and thoughtful, more capable of finding the humor in life, more self aware, and the list goes on.

With every passing year, I am convinced that I married an amazing man, and am grateful for our life together. Happy anniversary, Steve. I love you.

My Life in Verbs, Version 3

2010-06-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

I'm currently...

wishing: that July would hurry up, so we can enjoy our family vacation to Las Vegas
disliking: the flu that took our family by storm this week
reading: The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin
missing: my mom and dad
wanting: a better arts and crafts work space in our house
improving: my business and networking skills
realizing: these have been some of the most difficult months of my life
loving: spending time with visiting family this weekend
considering: getting a tattoo soon
watching: nothing...I'm waiting for the new season of Top Chef to begin
regretting: speeding on the freeway, receiving a ticket, and being required to go to traffic school
hoping: that Steve and I can figure out a fun way to celebrate our upcoming 4-year wedding anniversary

What are you currently doing?

Granola Giveaway Winner & Summer Love

2010-06-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

(image from We ♥ It)

Thank you to everyone who entered the Frayed Apron Granola Giveaway! The response to the launch of Frayed Apron Granola was so encouraging. You all rock my world.

We have a winner for the giveaway...congratulations to Alice Wu Stevens! 1 lb. of Frayed Apron Apricot & Pistachio Granola will be sent to you shortly.

In other exciting news, it is June! That means summer dresses, evenings spent on the front porch with a glass pitcher of sangria, trips to the beach. I love living in Southern California. You all should move here, and join me in enjoying the amazing weather. I have all sorts of things I want to do this summer, including:

Read my newly purchased The Handmade Marketplace, wherein author Kari Chapin supposedly sheds light on how to sell crafts locally, globally and online. The book cover alone is inspiring creativity, so I'm hopeful that this will be a worthy summer read.

Plant a garden full of herbs and veggies in our front yard. This will be a longer project, since our lawn is full of weeds, and needs to have some tender lovin' care done to its soil. But eventually, I envision beautiful green things, like basil, tomatoes and zucchini!

Watch a film screening at the famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Every summer, the cemetery screens old films. You can bring a picnic dinner, and enjoy movie night with some friends. Cool, no?

Sew another one of these convertible wrap dresses. I need a smaller size, and am in the mood for a simple sewing project. What's more awesome than a one-stitch dress pattern? The answer is NOTHING.

Do you have any exciting plans for the summer?

Overnight Blueberry French Toast Bake

2010-05-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

You know how there are Crazy Cat Ladies*? I think I've turned into Crazy Hobby Lady.

Since starting my Frayed Apron Etsy shop and granola business, I spend all waking hours obsessing and tinkering with them. Even when I get into bed after a long day, my mind continues processing ideas about a mile a minute. Last night at 12:30am (long after the rest of my family had fallen asleep), I had a laundry list of thoughts running through my brain. Design newsletter! Print thank you cards! Mail packages! It is invigorating and quite exhausting, and I need to force myself to take a little break every once in a while to a modicum of sanity.

Why don't you all relax with a nice Memorial Day weekend breakfast with me? This French toast bake comes from All Recipes, and ended up being a big hit in our house. It is easy to throw together the night before, and makes a fantastic Sunday morning brunch. The original recipe calls for cream cheese and copious amounts of sugar, which I omitted. For a more indulgent breakfast, feel free to put those ingredients into yours.

Happy Memorial Day!

* My apologies to any Crazy Cat Lady readers out there who may take offense at the label. Although if you fall into that category, you probably don't read this blog anyway.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast Bake (adapted from allrecipes.com)

12 slices day-old bread, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 cup fresh blueberries

12 eggs, beaten

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup white sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup water

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon butter

Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange half the bread cubes in the dish. Sprinkle 1 cup blueberries, and top with remaining bread cubes. In a large bowl, mix the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and syrup. Pour over the bread cubes. Cover, and refrigerate overnight. Remove the bread cube mixture from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cover, and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover, and continue baking 25 to 30 minutes, until center is firm and surface is lightly browned. In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, cook 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the remaining 1 cup blueberries. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, until the blueberries burst. Stir in the butter, and pour over the baked French toast.

New Project Revealed: Frayed Apron Granola!

2010-05-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned earlier, there is a new project I have been working on. After many hours at the computer and in the kitchen, I am excited to share with you Frayed Apron Granola!

That's right - you can now purchase some of my handmade granola, and have it sent directly to your home. I love granola, and love sharing it with friends and family, so this new venture just made a lot of sense.

Currently, Apricot & Pistachio Granola is for sale. This delicious blend of whole grain oats, dried apricots, and toasted pistachios makes a wonderful breakfast or snack (which my family can personally vouch for, since this has been a staple in our home for a long time). Soon, Frayed Apron will have other yummy granola blends available.

To start spreading the Frayed Apron Granola love, I want to give away a free 1 lb. package of granola to one of you!

You can enter the giveaway up to five times by 1) commenting, 2) sharing Frayed Apron on Twitter, 3) sharing or liking the Frayed Apron Facebook Page, 4) signing up to receive Frayed Apron news via email, or 5) blogging about it. Just share the links in a comment.

The contest will close in exactly one week, on Wednesday June 2nd at noon PST. A winner will be randomly selected and contacted, and I'll announce it here.

Get your granola on!