Everyone needs some excitement occasionally.

This is kind of exciting, I'm the interim teacher at Rowan for Garment Construction! If the original teacher can't return, I've already got my foot in the door for the position. Not that teaching college will make me a millionaire or less stressed out, but at least it's doing something I enjoy!

So much for having a day off, ever.

when you can't find a dress, make one.

In less than 2 weeks i'm going to my friend Amy's wedding! For this huge celebration, I must have an approprite dress! After trying on so many dresses that I lost track, I finally broke down and made one.


I bought this fabric when I worked at the Jo-Ann's in North Kent Mall for just a few dollars a yard, and matched it up with casa crepe. The dress is based off of a few patterns combine together, but happened to work! From the front it looks like a halter, but it's not! For accessories I'm going to add a belt, I think. The pattern calls for a sash, but that just didn't look good. The flash made the fabric a little brighter than it looks in most light.


This dress conquered my fear of three sewing things.
1. sheers (cutting and sewing)
2. french seams
3. top stitching

I don't really enjoy topstitching

Apparently it's never going to stop raining. Thank you hurricanes Irene and Katia. Especially Katia, for making the rain come in from the south, crazy looking sky up there. Since every happy holiday/weekend/hang out plan I've made the last few weeks has involved being outside, I decided to make some water/flood friendly clothes.

Skirt number one, which is not that fantastic on the dress form, is based off of an old Athleta skirt. It was the same concept, with the twirling pieces, but the twirled seams had bungee cord in them to make it adjustable. Let's face it, I'm a little lazy, so I didn't do that part. However, it doesn't really need it! When I walk, this skirt flows so nicely!

I'm going to wear this hiking in a few days, wish me luck that the weathers clears and the paths have not all been washed away.

The next skirt is half way done, just needs a waist band!

Sweet & Sour Stuffed Peppers

The two best cookbooks I own (I don't own the Betty Crocker one, my grandma does) are "Vegan Planet" and "The Accidental Vegan". Don't worry, I didn't go vegan, I like cheese and chocolate too much for that. It's not that I like cooking, either and I do NOT like cleaning. (I think everyone already knew that) However, I do like eating!

My new favorite food to make is stuffed peppers, vegetarian for me, meaty for the grandparents. This is a combination of the stuffed peppers from both the cookbooks.

You will need:
the peppers
4 green peppers, cored and rinsed (you can use any color pepper you want, really)
2 cups of rice
2 cups of chili (homemade, which is what I used or canned)
1 cup shredded vegan cheese

the sauce
1 cup tomato juice
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1tbsp brown sugar or molasses
1 tsp chili powder


the recipe
1. preheat oven to 350
2. parboil the peppers for 5 minutes, rince and set aside
3. in a bowl, combine chili, rice, cheese (I don't use the cheese...especially not vegan, yuck), mix well.
4. fill peppers with with rice/chili mixture. place, upright, in a shallow baking dish.
5. in a separate bowl, combine sauce ingredients and mix together.
6. pour sauce mixture over and around the peppers.
7. bake for 30 minutes (or until hot).

Sometimes I add other things like pineapple chunks or mandarin oranges to jazz them up. the oranges are best added after baking, otherwise they fall apart.

There are some reasons I make these as much as I do. First, my grandpa loves them! He has problems chewing, so the mixture inside is really easy for him to eat. Next, it's a good way to use up the end of the chili. My grandparents don't like to throw food away, but don't always want to eat the leftovers for days on end. Buy putting the chili in the peppers, they don't usually realize it's "that damn chili that seems to multiply in the fridge'. It's also easy, takes just a few minutes to throw together and toss in the over. It seems I usually have all the ingredients at home too, the peppers are usually a bartering item, for either peaches, apples or tree clippings. (I have great neighbors!) And the leftovers are almost always better than the original serving!

I have leftover taco supplies, so I think there will be a "taco stuffed pepper" night soon.

in my next career option, i'll be a short order cook

According to the Betty Crocker Cookbook (published in 1950-something) in the kitchen drawer, apple fritters are dinner food. I'm not big on deep fried foods and I'm not too sure there was anything nutritious about the dinner. Hell, you only live once so upon my grandmother's request (the stuffed mushrooms have been put to the side for a few more days).



Anyway, I made those damn apple fritters last night.