Sunday, Lazy Sunday

Today's cooking had a decidedly berry theme. It started with some whole wheat pancakes (second weekend in a row!), this time with fresh raspberries and marionberries and whipped cream. It is so much better to make these at home, where you can have unlimited berries and whipped cream!! Then on to a cobbler, pictured below, for which the aforementioned berries were originally purchased.


Berry Crumble
Originally uploaded by kckellner.

I found the recipe here, after quite a search to find a recipe for which we had all the ingredients on hand. In case the link goes away, I'm putting the directions below because the recipe came out really yummy and was easy.

Ingredients
6 cups peeled sliced peaches (or use any combo of berries)
1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup flour to mix with the berries/peaches

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Filling: Mix peaches (berries), sugar and flour together and pour into a 15-inch baking dish. Batter: Combine 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt and mix with a fork. Then add the milk and melted butter and mix until well combined.
Spoon batter over the peaches, making sure you spread to edge of dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon (omit cinnamon & nutmeg when using berries) over the top, then bake in center of oven about one hour. Crust should be brown and crisp on the outside and cooked all the way through. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

The only alterations were the addition of some vanilla powder from Tahiti to the batter and cutting the sugar for the berries (I used the amount noted above - the recipe called for a lot more). I prefer tart berries with sweet crumble/pastry.

The baking was the most strenuous activity of the day, save a bit of sewing/quilting (no progress shots as Christmas presents are in the works!!). Technically, I've worn PJs all day - but I did shower and change PJs, so that counts, right? Dad and Mickey came over to join us for an impromptu BBQ. What a great lazy Sunday - it is so nice not to dread Sundays anymore - and only 3 days until our trip to RI!!!

The Justice League - Justice Almost Prevailed

Rose Festival - PDX - 6/8/08
Originally uploaded by eyeballina.

We got to the finals . . . but didn't get any bling. We raced hard and overall we were super excited to make it to the finals at all. So, better luck and paddling for us all next year.

While we didn't get any medals, I did get a load of great birthday presents. From my mom, dad and Mickey, I got gift certificates for Joann's (always a fav) and Kmart (for some new kitchen duds to go with the fridge and stove). From the Rushers, some of the best cards ever and polar bear magnets and stuffy. From Gail, I got a beautiful framed fabric art piece and some gorgeous sea foam green pearl earrings. From Ted, the super cool stove top latte maker - I can't wait to try it!! Thanks everybody!

And from Josh and Melo, a pair of real roller skates which I can't wait to try out, a tiny(tm) serger, and my several of my wish list books off Amazon -- on top of my awesome sewing machine! Thanks, sweetie!

Tomorrow is the big day!

2008 Justice League
Originally uploaded by kckellner.

Y'up - another year of Rose Festival Dragon Boat races are here. So, here's to hoping for good weather to paddle in and celebrate the b-day. And drink Starbucks, lots of Starbucks . . . .

Yikes, it's been a while

And so much - let's see, in just this last weekend alone, there was the NW quilting convention, the almost finishing of 2 (two!!) Halloween quilts which were started a gazillon years ago and needed to be finished before the starting of the newest Halloween quilts, followed by TeaZone with Chrissie (OMG - the world's BEST scones), Stumptown Comics convention with Josh (and the purchasing of the most cutest viking rabbit sculpture ever, I swear, it's really cute, plus a visit to the Bridge City Comics both, of course!). Then the parents came over to view the floors, watched some more football, did some more quilting. Oh yeah, and I forgot - a trip to the best fish & chips place, Halibut's on Saturday night and a quick drive by of the Polish festival on Saturday.

Boy, I was tired today and work just bit. It's the start of the dreaded review time and today's fun event was the turning in of the annual I-am-so-awesome-I must-put-it-in-memo-form-for-all-to-ready BS self-evaluation. In case you can't tell, I think the process is bunk because, well, it is. Nuf said.

gosh what a weekend

It started out fun enough with bunko at Tiffany's and a tie for second place and a win in the roll off. Then a Saturday of Michael and Kamarin's babyshower for Naomi (with the Green Lantern sweater, pictures later), then shopping with Josh at IKEA and Target for accessories to go with the new floors. Then a visit from Chrissie and the girls, who brought Busters. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Leina and Kulia we're SO cute running around with Melo and bouncing balls inside - it makes me want to just skip unpacking the POD and keep it empty inside!!!

Unfortunately we then got the 911 call that my mom had taken a bad spill at the house, so off to the ER. Fortunately, no broken hip, but a fractured shoulder and big bonk to her head with a big shiner to go with it. Her head is okay, but the shoulder is going to be immobilized for 6 to 8 weeks. No surgery given where she broke the bone-OUCH! I'd post the pic from the hospital, but when the vicodin wears off, she'd beat me with her good arm!

So please send positive thoughts and prayers to my mom and dad, who's equally if not more distressed than her! And my brother mike who is doing great helping out! We're on our way over with Olive Garden for dinner now that I finished up some work--that always raises the spirits in our family!