little.black.sheep.shop

Dear Houston

Things I miss about you:
Your big selection of radio stations // Your plethora of stores // Spaghetti junctions // Imagining I'm flying in my space ship when I'm on a highway alone at night // My family...

Murder by Broth

So when I sat down to write my previous post, my soup was simmering away on my stove and I was looking forward to finishing it and gobbling up a bowl for lunch.

However...

That did not happen.

When it came time to puree the soup, I added a little bit too much for the first batch in my food processor. So when I turned the machine on, the broth surged upwards and began seeping out underneath the lid. Keeping an eye on the puree itself, I didn't notice the river pouring down the backside of my food processor... and pooling inside the motor casing.

I only realized the mess I had made when I flipped the switch to OFF and took a step back.

*sigh*

So, I decided to bust out the blender instead of continuing with the dripping food processor. In my haste, I didn't notice the plastic base of the blender jar wasn't actually screwed on. So when I poured the hot broth and squash into the blender and turned it on, chunks of squash and broth flew out, landing all over me, my countertop, my floor... and pretty much everything else in its reach.

*bigger sigh*

You have GOT to be kidding me.

So I cleaned up the food processor... got the last of the soup in the bowl, turned it on... and nothing happened.

I had killed my food processor. Murder by Broth.

*frustrated growl*

Through my anguished cries and curses aimed at my kitchen appliances, I somehow managed to clean the blender, puree the rest of the soup, and get it all back in the pot. Only to find that my buttermilk (the last ingredient to finish the soup) had gone sour. 

*line of expletives*

So... I gave up.

I threw the soup in the fridge, changed into clean clothes, and called my mum. She shared a story of an explosive encounter she had with a pressure cooker years ago... we both laughed and I felt much better!

I'm now going to freeze all of the soup and leave it for another day.

---

So long, Cuisinart Food Processor. May You Rest in Peace.

Soupy Days

Unless you're lucky enough to be in Australia right now, you're likely enduring chilly weather outside, like me. And nothing makes me feel better in cold weather than warming up with a good movie and a bowl of comfort-soup!

So I spent my morning making my mum's Butternut Squash Soup... enough so I can freeze some for future glum days. YUM!

Here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp EVOO

1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced

3/4 cup apple cider

1 3/4 lbs of butternut squash, peeled, seeded & cut into 1 inch dice

4 1/2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

salt and pepper

For Garnish: 1 Macintosh apple, smoked cheddar, chives, bacon

DIRECTIONS

1. In large saucepan, heat EVOO. Add onion and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 8 minutes. Add apple cider and cook until syrupy, about 3 minutes. Add squash and stock and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes

2. Puree the soup in a blender in batches. Return the soup to the saucepan and stir in cream. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.

For garnish:

Heat a medium skillet and add 2 Tbsp unsalted butter and 1 Macintosh apple cut into a small dice. Cook over high heat until the apple is golden around the edges, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and season lightly with s+p.

When serving, ladle the soup into warmed bowls and garnish with the sauteed apple, grated smoked cheddar, chives and bacon bits.

Srsly Delish. YUM. :)

Enjoy!

Just watched...

My Sister's Keeper. I bawled on at least 9 separate occasions. Put the tear ducts into overdrive!

(Why does crying always make me so sleepy?)

-h-

Sushi at Home - Round Two!

On Christmas Eve we busted out our sushi mats and soy sauce to continue working on our sushi-making skillz!! We then had round two a few days later when my sister was in town visiting us.

Aaaand... I don't like to brag... but... these were our best looking rolls YET!

From left to right:

Our "Kitchen Sink" Roll (has a little of everything!)

Smothered Cali Roll (California covered with Eel Sauce and Masago)

Spicy Shrimp Tempura Roll

 

 

Check. That. Out.

I might have to drop by our favorite sushi place tonight - because now I'm having unagi cravings!!

:)

-h- 

Handmade with Love

This year I added some homemade flair to my gift-giving spirit...

I made some infused salts for my Dad. Find a course or sea salt you like, mix with herbs and allow it to sit for a week before gift-giving. If you're looking for ideas, here are a few I made:

Hungarian Paprika

Citrus (Satsuma Orange and Meyer Lemon)

Cracked Caraway Seeds

Crushed Sage & Rosemary

Provide instructions for use including information what types of food each salt would be perfect on (for example, strong herbs are good on meats, citrus-y salts are great on seafood).

Present in glass jars and embellish with pretty labels and ribbon as you see fit!

I also knitted my sister a scarf this year... with a traditional fringed edge...

 

The colors are faded in this photo... it's really vibrant in person!

So... What did your crafty gift-giving brain get up to this holiday season?

xxoo!

Sabbatical

Happy New Year! Yes, it's slightly belated... but still heartfelt!

I suppose I should wish you all Merry Christmas as well, since I haven't been online for a few weeks. I spent time during my sabbatical spending time with my hunny, my family and friends, I started some new projects and finished older ones, and just reenergized overall. Ahhhh... it feels SO good to start the new year with clear mind.

Ryan and I watched a bunch of movies over the last few weeks... including a ton of holiday flicks.

Recommended:

Four Christmases

Avatar

Paranormal Activity

Night at the Museum

The "new" Harry Potter

The Ugly Truth

Death at a Funeral

 

Mildly Entertaining:

Inglourious Basterds

9

 

I also baked a little - my Gran's shortbread (which was tasty in small bites), my sister's lemon sandwich cookies (with cream cheese frosting in the middle!!), and ready-to-bake frozen cookie dough. Needless to say, I've been opting for my stretch-jeans!!

So you can tell I've definitely been taking it easy and enjoying my time off. :)

((Oh! And on the wedding front... Ryan and I finally picked out an engagement ring and bands for me. I LOVE my ring! I'm also making arrangements to try on wedding dresses with my mum & sisters... YAY! Now we just have to narrow down a city and venue for this shindig! ))

 Ciao for now, flocky flock!

Simple and Rustic Gift Wrap Idea!

So... I unfortunately can't share all the things I've been working on lately. Because I've been busy working on Christmas presents for some family members. And I know the fam reads the blog. So! I'll just have to wait until after the holidays to share my recent work with y'all.

I can, however, share my favorite gift wrapping idea for this season... kraft paper cut-outs!

 

 

I got this idea by perusing MS's website for creative gift wrap ideas.

Want to make your own little creations?

It's uber simple... 

MATERIALS

Colorful or patterned tissue paper

Plain white or kraft packaging paper

Xacto knife

Pencil and eraser

DIRECTIONS

First, wrap your gift in your choice of tissue paper.

Then, wrap your gift in your packaging paper WITHOUT taping it... just crease along the edges so you know where the paper will sit when it finally covers the gift.

Select a symmetrical shape - trees are a great choice! Decide where you would like your cutout.

Trace half the design on your packaging paper in pencil.

Use your knife to cut out this design and then remove the pencil marks with your eraser.

Wrap your gift in the packaging paper, taking care not to rip the cutout.

The final touch is creasing the cutout so it flaps up.

Ta Daaaaa!! You can use the flap as a "to/from" label or just leave it blank. 

I really loved this look this year... and I even made a cutout especially for one of my brothers-in-law who is a big UT fan...

 

If you are afraid of coming up with your designs freehand, you can use a stencil - maybe even a cookie cutter - to trace your initial design idea onto your paper. :)

 

Happy gift wrapping to all you elves out there!

Being an elf

Just checking in briefly... I've been busy being an elf this week - seeking out gifts, buying gifts, wrapping gifts... yay!

I'm hoping to be finished with all this holiday craziness by this weekend. And then I can focus all my efforts on crafting the rest of the holidays away!

:)

xxoo!

-h-

Snow Day?

I was watching my favorite weather man, Sam Champion, this morning... and when he walked us through the national forecast du jour, I saw a giant white blob over the Houston area.

SNOW?!

Wow! So uber jealous.

Those of you who may be getting some early snow this season, enjoy it! And send me pics! 

xxoo!

-h-