adventures in the kitchen

My creative energy has been directed in the kitchen lately.  I've wanted to make pickles for a while now, and I finally did it.  I made a batch of refrigerator pickles - bread and butter.  They were yummy!  I think a smidge more sugar, but all in all really successful!

Here's a link to the recipe: Blooming Glen Farm Blog Pickle Recipes , thanks go to my sister Susan for sending me the link. 

My next endeavor was yogurt.  I've always heard that you can make it yourself with little equipment, and sure enough!  I borrowed my Mom's crockpot ( but you don't really need it) and followed the directions and poof!  Yogurt! 

Here's a link to the recipe I used: Yogurt in a Crockpot. 

Normally, I'm a plain yogurt kind of girl, just add my own fruit, but I'm draining some overnight to add orange juice and vanilla extract for some nice flavored yogurt - Inspired by Ina Garten.

Its been great fun.

I'm back!

Sorry, I haven't posted recently.  I got caught up in trying to draft a skirt pattern and I sort of went in a tail spin.  I haven't given up, but I took a time out to make a purse for my cousin Jan, and a big beach bag.

First the purse.  Same old pattern, but this one in a mellow light blue, stiffer interfacing, you can tell in the picture and a nice key ring inside so you can always find your keys. 

nice green and white poke-a-dots and a shot of the keyring.

Now the beach bag.  Great big!  Its 20" x 18".  Has a zip pouch inside for your valuables, and a magnetic snap to keep it cold.  Its VERY cheerful, yellow and green dots, with pleats for more room.  So fun!

shot of the zip pouch.

Happy Independence Day!