Pretties

Before I get to my pics of pretty things, I should report that last night's Over the Rhine show was terrific! It was just Karin, Linford, and an upright bassist, so rather intimate. They played what I found to be a nice mix of songs, including several older ones from Good Dog Bad Dog, so I was pleased. I was doubly pleased and nearly teared up when Karin starting singing Emmylou Harris's "Orphan Girl." When I was a technical writer, I would listen to Gillian Welch's version over and over and over while writing release notes (hmmmm...maybe that's why I was so depressed at that job).

Anyway, I love "Orphan Girl," and I couldn't believe it when Linford started playing it.

The bad things about the show:

• We could hear people washing and knocking dishes around in the kitchen upstairs.


• Annoying, tall late-comers who stood right in front of Porkchop. Seriously, just like 3 inches in front of her. Don't worry, I asked them to move. Because, apparently, I'm one of those people now. Whatever... you can't drag your 5'8" ass in after the show starts and stand in front of Porkchop. So inconsiderate.

On to other things....

Edible Pretties
One of my favorite chocolate companies. Found at the Jonesboro TJ Maxx for cheap.



Porkchop made these cranberry-oat bars yesterday. I ate two too many today...so good! I will include the recipe at the bottom of this post (along with the recipe for the rosemary-citrus cookies).



Knitted Pretty-in-Progress
In this picture, my current project just looks like a tangle of electric green yarn. But it will be something soon. I can't say anymore or show another picture until the intended recipient receives it. I will add, however, that this project is HOT! I'm double-stranding Lamb's Pride Bulky, and, wow, I get really warm while knitting it.



Purchased Pretties
Porkchop picked these up at Trader Joe's earlier in the week. The roses are a bit droopy now (and the photo is blurry), but they're still pretty.



This afternoon, I went to Art Outside at Schlafly Bottleworks. It was nice to see some of the local artists. I'm usually not much into paintings, but I saw a few that I really really liked! But, of course, we can't shell out $300 right now for art. So I bought some cheaper things like....



The card and buttons were made by the folks at Fire Cracker Press. You might not be able to see the buttons so well....one is a robot head, the other says "South City," which is our part of town. Since I was by myself, I was able to engage in potentially embarrassing activities like asking the Fire Cracker Press guys all sorts of questions. Such as, do you rent press time? Do you know anyone who does? They were nice guys and said to stop by the press anytime.

Once I saw this pretty, I knew that it had to come home with me:



The dish that I really wanted was $135, so I settled for a $35 one. Because, in reality, I need another serving dish like I need another black t-shirt. But handmade pottery is so appealing to me, and I love this artist's designs. Her name is Carmelita Nuñez, and this is her website...it seems under construction still. Anyway, looks like she will also be in Chicago at the Renegade Craft Fair next weekend!

Pretty Recipes

Here's the one for the cranberry-oat bars, from Everyday Food's September issue (Hi Martha, love you! Don't sue me for reprinting recipes!)

CRANBERRY-OAT BARS

nonstick cooking spray
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 cups toasted oat cereal (we used multi-grain cheerios)
1 cup dried cranberries

Spray 10x15 inch baking sheet or glass dish with cooking spray. Line with wax paper, spray paper with cooking spray.

In a large saucepan (nonstick for easy cleanup), melt butter over medium heat. Add marshmallows and salt; cook, stirring until marshmallows melt (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in cereal and dried cranberries.

Transfer to baking sheet or dish. If you've made rice krispie treats, you know what to do.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

We made the following cookies for our trip to Jonesboro. Everyone - my parents, my brother, our friend V - agreed that they were yummy. Before making, note that the dough has to chill out in the freezer for a while before baking. Don't try to be all last minute like I tried to do. Also, this recipe came from a Glad advertising section in Everyday Food, so the official recipe calls for a lot of unnecessary Glad stuff. Oh yeah, makes 2-3 dozen.

ROSEMARY-CITRUS COOKIES

2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
pinch salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine flour, cornmeal, and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl on medium-high speed until creamy. Beat in egg, rosemary, lemon zest, and vanilla until fluffy. Reduce speed to low; gradually beat in flour mixture until just combined.

Tear off around 14" of wax paper (or Glad press'n seal wrap). Spoon dough into a 10-inch log. Shape dough into a rounded 10 x 1 1/2" log (do the best you can...shape doesn't really matter!). Wrap well and freeze 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Unwrap log and cut into 3/8" slices. Place slices 1" apart on non-stick cookie sheets. Bake until edges are lightly golden (15-17 minutes). Cool on a wire rack.