Seams Unlikely

I have been looking forward to my little road trip. Today was the day I was supposed to be driving to Madison, Wisconsin...there are so many charming little towns between here and there...

Mineral Point is chock full of interesting stores

Every time I go through this place, I think I'm going to stop here and find out more about it...

This was last year, when I drove through Wisconsin for Nancy's Sewing Weekend...

Sharing a cup of tea with Nancy at her office...

But -- I got sick.  I have one of those awful colds -- runny nose, ears popping, sore throat...I am MISERABLE.  And most likely contagious....  So there won't be a charming little road trip for me today...but here's the review I wrote about Nancy's book on Amazon.com:

Nancy Zieman writes in a very matter-of-fact way about her life -- as though none of it is remarkable.   But when you think about what she has accomplished -- becoming the most recognized woman in the sewing industry, being the talent behind the longest running  program on public television (Sewing with Nancy),  and building a multi-million dollar sewing notions business (Nancy’s Notions) and the most recognized sewing brand in the country (Nancy Zieman)…well -- it’s all quite remarkable. 

 

Especially when you consider that when Nancy was only 14-months old, she contracted Bell’s palsy, and that was just the beginning of a life full of chronic pain and multiple surgeries.  There is a picture in the book showing teenage Nancy with TWO full leg casts.  But at no point was there even a hint of self-pity….and maybe that’s the most astonishing thing about her story. 

Nancy’s parents never let her be defined by her problems or her pain.  Instead, they raised her to have a quiet determination.  At one point,  Nancy’s father is told she must have another surgery and circumstances dictate he has to leave her alone in the hospital.  He walks away, crying.  Nancy recalls that moment by saying, “much is often conveyed without words”. 

Seams Unlikely is a great read -- and very inspiring.  It’s a real story about an ordinary person who is living an extraordinary life by overcoming obstacles, working hard, and always coming from a place of kindness and fairness. 

Nancy's Seams Unlikely Blog Tour

I'm getting ready to go to Madison, Wisconsin tomorrow for the official launch and book signing of Nancy's book.  Have you been following the blog tour??  SO MUCH FUN, EH??

As you can see from this list -- Sunday is my official day to blog about it.  And I am hoping to have A WONDERFUL PICTURE of me in Madison, giving Nancy a well-deserved hug...

Keep your fingers crossed for some good weather...and -- hey -- HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, PEOPLE...enjoy the people you love....

February 4          Nancy Zieman           http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/blog-tour/seams-unlikely-book/

February 5          Eileen Roche          http://dzgns.com/blog/

February 5          Pat Sloan          http://patsloan.typepad.com/

February 6          Melissa Stramel          http://melissaslilaclane.blogspot.com

February 6          The Long Ladies          http://www.mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/

February 6          Tori Thompson          http://totallystitchin.net

February 7          Amy Barickman          http://www.indygojunction.com/blog/

February 7          Melissa Mora          http://mellysews.com

February 8          Shari Butler          http://www.doohikeydesignstudio.com/blog/

February 8          Vicki Christensen          http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/

February 9          Carolina Moore          http://alwaysexpectmoore.com

February 9          Kate Mclvor          https://theconfidentstitch.squarespace.com

February 10          Amy Ellis          http://amyscreativeside.com/

February 10          Melissa Mortenson          http://www.polkadotchair.com

February 11          Ilene Miller          http://happyvalleyprimitives.blogspot.com/

February 11          Liz Hicks          http://blogerisms.blogspot.com/

February 11          Rachael Pannepacker          http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

February 12          Bill Gardner          http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/blogs/insideqn/

February 12          Elizabeth Evans          http://www.simplesimonandco.com

February 13          Amy Webb          http://www.amylouwhosews.com/ ;

February 13          Lindsay Wilkes          http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com

February 14          Gertie Hirsch          http://www.blogforbettersewing.com

February 14          Veronica Philips          http://cloverusa.wordpress.com/

February 15          Jenny Gabriel          http://www.sewvacoutletblog.com

February 15          Laura Wasilowski          http://artfabrik.blogspot.com/

February 16          Frieda Anderson          http://friestyle.blogspot.com/

February 16          Rita Farro          http://ritassewfun.blogspot.com

February 17          Cindy Cloward          http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/blog/

February 17          Joan Hawley          http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/

February 17          Patty Young          http://modkidboutique.blogspot.com

February 18          Nancy Zieman          http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/

Yes, REAL BUTTER

Yesterday, I wrote about the magnificence of a hot popover. And, in my opinion -- YOU'VE GOTTA HAVE BUTTER...

When I was growing up, we ate margarine. I was a kid. I didn't know any better.

But after I married John, I became a butter convert. And my boys NEVER ate margarine. We always had butter at our house. When we'd visit Pottsville, Pennsylvania every summer -- we'd bring John's favorite butter back to Iowa -- ten pounds of Keller butter would last until Christmas.

 In 1978, when we moved back to Iowa, our neighbor, Bob Carter, milked a cow.  And we would buy whole milk,($1 a gallon)  so we made our own butter.  It is the easiest thing in the world...

The other day, cream was on sale for $1. I thought it would be a fun thing to do with Lillian. We'll make our own butter...

She poured the heavy whipping cream into the food processor...

Then, she pushed the button...(I have to put my hand on the top because I lost that thingy years ago)

Wow...my blade looks disgusting -- the only thing this machine is ever used for is PESTO...so it is a permanent green...

Lilian thought it was taking WAY TOO long...and after a few minutes, she is losing interest...

Then, suddenly, IT HAPPENED -- BUTTER...

She was DELIGHTED...

Gently, we put it in a strainer and let the buttermilk drain away

To really squeeze the buttermilk out, I used a linen napkin

Then, wrapped it in plastic wrap to give it shape.

I have a three-part butter dish.  Bottom dish for water, inside to hold the butter, and then the lid. A gift from my mother-in-law, Helen Farro. We have used it every single day for over 20 years...

With the first two batches, I added half a teaspoon of salt when it was still in the food processor. But I realized I was also salting the buttermilk. (John may want to use the buttermilk to make pancakes...)

So, for the last two batches, I waited for the salt until I separated the buttermilk. I kneaded the salt into the butter, using the plastic wrap.

And Lillian was right -- it took longer than I thought.  But don't worry about the question, "when do I know it's butter?"  Because it's like a pregnant woman asking, "How will I know if I'm in labor?"

The answer from mothers everywhere is always the same..."You'll know..."

That's how the butter thing works.  Suddenly, there will be a water explosion -- as the fat releases itself from the buttermilk.

BOOM -- BUTTER...

Popovers

Well -- in the spirit of my cabin-fever-food-saga -- it's time for a Popover update.

I ADORE POPOVERS.

I will never forget the first time I ate one of these delicious concoctions. Served up in a little metal pan at the very beautiful St. James Hotel in downtown Chicago.

I COULD NOT BELIEVE I'd never eaten one before.

I always use King Arthur Flour -- because I got my recipe off their bag...

The recipe is on the opening page of this blog -- ALWAYS -- so I'm not going to type it in here. It makes a thin batter...

The important thing is to preheat your oven to a scorching 425 degrees

AND you must also preheat your popover pan...this is my new mini-popover pan!!

This picture was taken through the window, after 20 minutes...

PERFECT, PERFECT, PERFECT...

Be sure to stab each popover as soon as you get them out of the oven -- to release the steam -- so they don't collapse...

IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS. Holy Cow. DELICIOUS. In my humble opinion, hot popovers turn an ordinary meal into a special event!!

You cannot make popovers in a cupcake pan, people. JUST BUY THE DAMN PAN. Amazon will deliver it to your door by the end of the week...c'mon -- you're worth it!!

The last time I made popovers, I split them in half -- and filled it with my favorite pudding. (cream 4 oz. cream cheese, alternate package of jello instant vanilla pudding, 2 c. milk)...

In the last picture, you can see my quarter pound of butter...a MUST HAVE, of course....real butter...

Margarine on a popover would be a sacrilege....like ketchup on Prime Rib...or having a brand new $3000 mattress, then using polyester sheets.....getting a brand new top of the line sewing machine, then using an old spool of $1 thread...  

Fry Bread

In the interest of MAKING THE BEST OF THINGS -- there is a silver lining to a long, hard winter. You are forced to do indoor activities that you otherwise would not have the time or interest to do.

So it's hard to say what I've enjoyed more this winter...the book reading or the cooking. The jigsaw puzzle marathon, or the tantric sex.

Yeah -- it was definitely the cooking...

Here's something new to me -- fry bread.  OMG...this was a seriously delicious treat...

The recipe couldn't be easier:

5 cups of flour
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of baking powder
3 cups of water.

That's it.  Mix it all together with your hands...and when it comes to form a dough ball -- let it rest for 30 minutes...

I knew it would be a big batch -- but I figured that would give me plenty for experimenting...

Cut the dough into balls and roll them flat.

Then -- FRY them in 1/2 inch of hot oil.

IT gets all puffy and wonderful....IT IS SO DELICIOUS...

Drain on paper towels.

I had way too much dough...so I decided to fry up some long pieces...

Just so I could sprinkle them with sugar...

And dip into my coffee cup...

Oh, yeah -- this cabin fever thing might not be so bad after all...

Chicken Pot Pie

I have long been a fan of the Food Network. And, of course, I'm watching EVEN MORE TELEVISION this winter (if that's even possible) because of our bitter cold temperatures.

I've always loved Rachael Ray and her concept show -- ""30-Minute Meals". Because THAT'S HOW REAL PEOPLE COOK. I've changed the way I cook because of her show -- and often it's more about technique than it is about an exact recipe.

So I have Rachael Ray to thank for a recent success story -- a Chicken Pot Pie in 20 minutes. It started with some leftover chicken soup.  And then -- BOOM -- awesome, delicious chicken pot pie that tasted like it took all day.

1.  Roll out a refrigerated pie dough crust -- and stick it in a 375 degree oven to pre-bake. In 15 minutes, it'll be brown...take it out.

2.  While the pie crust is baking, heat up the leftover chicken soup in a pot on top the stove.  It already had plenty of carrotts, celery and onions.  I added a can of corn and cut up two frozen chicken breasts.  When the chicken was done, I added a can of condensed cream of chicken soup to thicken the whole show...

3.Finally, on top of the hot filling, lay out some canned biscuits. I split them in half because I WANTED IT TO COOK QUICKLY...

4.  I popped it back into a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes -- and IT WAS DONE

THIS WAS A DELICIOUS MEAL...that was done in a flash, really. I made it on a night when I didn't know we were having company.  The leftover chicken soup would have been fine for just me and John. But when three more people ended up here for supper -- I needed to pull something quick out of the hat.

DELICIOUS!!

2014 Winter Olumpic Fun

Okay -- this is going to be fun. And, who are we kidding? IT'S NOT LIKE I HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO. The weather sucks and everybody I know is suffering fro cabin fever. So getting into the winter Olympics will be a nice diversion...

It is always fun to see the teams march in the opening ceremonies -- and the USA Ralph Lauren uniforms did not disappoint. I thought our team looked terrific...

After being criticized last time, Ralph Lauren had these uniforms made in the USA -- but it was hard to find manufacturers because most of them have SHUT DOWN because of offshore competition

The German team hit it OUT OF THE PARK.And I love the "rainbow" affect.

And HOW ABOUT ALL THAT BATHROOM drama??  The late night comedians are having a hey day with the lack of flush toilets. Just knowing that people have to put their used toilet paper into a trash can is changing the way I watch the games...(I have to hold my nose)...

Really, Russia?? 

This is what the drinking water looks like...

One reporter was disturbed when there was no running hot water in her hotel room. When they finally DID get the water to work, the hotel desk called her room to say when she took a bath, be careful not to let the water hit her face, as it could cause some burning...

Hey -- here's the first personal benefit of the 2014 Winter Olympics -- I AM SUDDENLY VERY GRATEFUL to be living where I live.  Even with the cold temperatures, and big snow drifts.  Our indoor plumbing works perfectly....And before this week, I had NO IDEA HOW GRATEFUL I WAS...