electrical tape > masking tape

I tried to be like Martha (Stewart) today. I was unsuccessful. For those of you who subscribe to Martha Stewart Living, you saw the amazing eggs on the cover. For those of you unsubscribers here it is:

Dyeing eggs for Easter is my tradition. I really enjoying doing and I'm fairly good at it. So, I decided I would be like Martha. I even blew out some eggs so that I could have them out for Easter decor. I cut vinyl with my cricut to do shapes. I looked for my electrical tape but could not find it, anywhere. I decided that I would try painter's tape instead.

I decided that I would decorate my boiled eggs before doing my 'permanent' blown out eggs. However, the vinyl would not stick to the eggs. Frustrating. I'm hoping that it will stick better when the eggs are completely dry. The painter's tape worked okay but not great. It would have been fine if it stretched like electrical tape. As is, I had to form little creases to get the tape to stick to the egg's curved surface. The eggs I did this evening were mediocre. I plan on doing more tomorrow. I'll take a picture of my final products.

200 lbs!

That's my goal. No, not weight loss or weight gain but how much I want to get from my garden this year. I am so excited to be able to have a garden! So far I have planted lettuce, swiss chard, green onions, radishes, peas, and leeks. Once the weather warms up a bit I plan on planting tomatoes, a variety of squash, tarragon, cilantro and a few other things. I'll also plant some pumpkins and decorative gourds but I'm not counting this toward my produce weight since they're not edible. Here's the starting picture. Hopefully there will be more green in a few weeks.

Julie & Julia

I finally saw this movie this past weekend.


I realize this movie came out awhile ago and most people have already seen it. Maybe my movie viewing habits will become another post. However, I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. I laughed and was inspired.

I enjoy cooking. I enjoy eating. I want to try new recipes. So, while I'm not ambitious enough to cook from all of the recipes from "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," I do want to expand my set of cooking skills and dish variety. I tried one new recipe this past week. I thought it was a success. The husband, R, didn't like it as much. If you know of any fantastic recipes send them my way.

Cookies

I'm not really a huge fan of cookies. I love sweets, but cookies don't do it for me. However, my husband loves cookies so, on occasion, I make them. Generally, I'm disappointed with them. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to make cookies to take as a treat while playing games with some friends. They were the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever made. The recipe? From Martha of course!

Crisp & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies


2 3/4 c. flour
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda

2 1/2 sticks butter
1 1/4 c. brown sugar (dark is better)
3/4 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla (real vanilla is better)

1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Sift together dry ingredients.
Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy (~4-5 minutes). Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined. Add chocolate chips.

Put large scoops (~2 inches in diameter) on parchment paper on pans.
Bake at 350 for ~15 minutes or until edges of cookies are just golden brown (the middle will still be soft). Remove from oven and let sit on pan for ~5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Makes 20-30 cookies


If chocolate chip cookies are not your thing, try sugar cookies. My favorite cookie is my mom's sugar cookies with a yummy cream cheese frosting. One of the reasons I really like these cookies is that they are not very sweet.

Sugar Cookies

1/2 tsp soda
1 tsp (large rounded) baking powder
4 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp salt

3 eggs
1 c. sour cream or 2/3 c. evaporated milk w/ 1 Tbsp vinegar
1/2 c. softened shortening
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c. sugar

Beat eggs, add sour cream. Add softened shortening and vanilla. Beat in sugar.
Sift together dry ingredients. Combine dry and wet. Dough will be sticky (it will get less sticky when combined with the flour used when rolling it out).

You can roll out dough at this point, but I think it's best refrigerated for a little while. Flour surface and rolling pin. Roll out pieces of dough until ~1/4" thick. Cut out shapes and bake at 350 for ~12 minutes. The cookies will still be light colored.