Stuck in the Kitchen

Stuck in the kitchen, chained to the sewing machine.
It sounds like the plight of the 1950's housewife.  It seems to be where I've been lately, but not regretfully.

Actually I like being stuck in the kitchen.
Since I cleared my counter tops several weeks ago of knitting and rughooking projects, plus piles of books and papers, I've been on a happy cooking binge.  The new oven is wonderful.  Don't know how I've lived without it!  So far I've baked cookies, bread, and casseroles and they have all come out good.

The breakfast strata made with sausage and brussels sprouts and cheese baked perfectly.  No burning the bottom and edges.

Since morning is the time when I have the most energy, breakfast has been the meal that has brought out the creativity.  With asparagus season being upon us, I couldn't resist rolling some in crepes with mustard cream cheese and crumbled bacon.

I have to confess that the Food Network is one of my guilty pleasures.  I love Chopped, Iron Chef and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  But, I DO NOT watch during the daytime!  Only after 6 p.m.!!!  Do I sound like an addict justifying my addiction because I only indulge after a certain time of day???  You bet!

Since the 'pink slime' in grocery store burger revelations, Zip and I have decided to grind our own burger and sausage meat.  I've also been irritated by the 'enhanced' label on many meats.  Since when is adding water to make an item weigh more an enhancement?  This past week our grocery had chicken thighs on sale.  We bought a pack of ten thghs.  Look at the excess amount of FAT and SKIN that I removed from them.  And there was still plenty of fat and skin left on the meat for pan frying.  

I fried it crisp and it will go to the stray outside kitties who come by for a meal.

We're hoping to get a smoker this summer so we can make some good lean smoked sausage.

OK, we're done in the kitchen and off to the basement.  Not the most pleasant place, but it's where we keep our two container-sized citrus trees, a lemon and an orange.  We repotted them last year and the lemon didn't give fruit.  But...Horay! the orange gave us two fruits!

The trees themselves aren't that attractive, but look at the lovely fruit!  They are more like clementines with a thin skin and sweet flavor.

 The other passtime that's been using much of my creative energy has been sewing.
My sewing for Brad and Kami is now mostly hats and shoulder boards for their re-enactment business.

And this early 19th century style vest.

Two weeks ago when we had those few days with the temperature in the mid 70's I was digging around in my selection of summer clothing and found that I had NOTHING to wear.  I am not kidding.....ONE short sleeved shirt!!!  After checking out the selection at KMart, I decided it is time to do some sewing for myself.  So far I've finished one shirt and have several more in the 'almost' stage.

I started with some of my least-favorite fabric in case the pattern didn't come out right.  I'm pretty well pleased but next time will add a little across the shoulders.

I'm off in a few hours to a Knitting at Large meet-up in Frederick, MD.  It will be fun getting together with a bunch of women and comparing projects.  I hope to take lots of pictures.  If I don't forget!

Have a great weekend!