Food and Rughooking

Two of my favorite things.

I started this blog for rughooking, but I've strayed off in many directions.  One of the tangents has become my eating out experiences.  I love going to new restaurants and photographing the food and decor.  But I don't want to bore anyone from afar with interesting places in my area of south central PA that you may never have a chance to visit.

I've been mulling over the idea of starting a separate blog for restaurant reviews.  Nothing decided for sure yet.  And there IS Yelp, so maybe it isn't necessary.

So for this post I'll start with the rughooking and then if you don't want to go on the restaurant tour, you don't have to.

After I had asked for suggestions on the border, I kept hooking along, hoping I'd like it better.  I didn't!

I had taken the gold stripe out of the edge and that toned the brightness of the border down a notch,  but it still was too big and overpowering.
You gave me many good suggestions!   Thank you so much for all your input!
I tried to use the ones that would require the least amount of reverse hooking.

I tried rearranging the colors in the stripes, but ended up liking this conbination the best.

My final decision (for now!) is to cut about an inch off the outside edge and make the arches shorter. 

I cropped the photo to see what effect that would have.

They also seem to look rounder, which I think goes better with the circular flowers.

I'm going to have quite a bit of reverse hooking and adjusting to make it work, but what else do I have to do with my time???

I'll see if this fix is acceptable.

A few days ago I had this pasta craving.  I love pasta in all it's variations, with sauces of every kind, but once in a while I just want it simple.

I sent Zip to the grocery store to get fresh basil.
I probably posted a similar recipe before, but this is one of my favorite fast, easy and delicious ways to make pasta.  It's also vegetarian for those who don't eat meat.

Favorite Pasta

1 lb. box of spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine.
1 large can of petite diced tomatoes or 3 - 4 medium fresh tomatoes, seeded
3 or 4 garlic bulbs, very thinly sliced
about 1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves cut into strips, plus a few for garnish
4 T. butter
3 -T olive oil
Salt and pepper

Cook the pasta till al dente.  Drain and set aside.
Microwave the garlic in olive oil for about 40 seconds.
Put the tomatoes in a large pan (the one in which you cooked the pasta will work), add the garlic in olive oil, the butter and basil, simmer for about 5 minutes.  Add the pasta to the pan plus the salt and pepper as needed.
On low heat, stir until pasta is thoroughly warmed.
Serve and enjoy.

Last week when Zip went to music lessons, we decided to get a light dinner in Hagerstown. 

The Safron Bakery is a delightful little eatery near the Community College just off Robinwood Drive.  I forgot to take a picture of our paninis.  They were turkey breast with fresh greens and cheese grilled to perfection.  Zip and I shared a sandwich so that we could have dessert.  The desserts are to die for and created by the owner himself.

A friend of mine who lives in Hagerstown says that the macaroons are a favorite of her husband's.  She likes the donuts.  Zip and I went for the fancy pastries.  I got a cream puff with the most delicious pastry cream I've had in a long time.  Zip opted for tiramisu.  We were there just before closing time so the bakery case was getting empty.
 

They open early for people on their way to work, but close at 6 p.m.
To see more of the Safron Bakery products, please Google Safron Bakery Hagerstown MD.

Then yesterday we tried a new restaurant that just opened in Shippensburg PA. on north Earl Street near the entrance to Shippensburg University.

We stopped for lunch but they also serve breakfast and dinner. 

Zip ordered the cheese steak sandwich.  He shared some with me.  WOW!  One of the best I've tasted in a long time (maybe ever!)

I had the grilled chicken with roasted red peppers and feta cheese.  Yum!

They were very generous with the feta.

Everything was very nice.  The greens were fresh,  the french fries crispy.  Service was decent.  Tasteful atmosphere.  Prices were about normal for the area.

By the time we had finished the place was getting full.

We took lunch leftovers with us.

Since we had eaten enough, we ordered dessert to go.

This is the blueberry and lemon mascarpone cake.  Isn't it lovely?  And quite good!

 But the one Zip and I both thought tasted the best was the cheesecake.  Light, creamy and better even than I make.  And I make a darn good cheesecake!

 I can't wait to see their dinner menu!

If you're in the area, check it out.  It's a step above the usual around here!
Happy eating and hooking!