Then it's time to refuel...

http://nataliedee.com/

My fabulous weekend with a frenchman

I've got so many things running through my head it's hard to keep them all straight. That being said I decided to jump ahead of myself again. Originally when I made my Frenchman cross stitch chart I also made one for Boh Kitty - and one for Jeremy and myself. Family portraits in silhouette...

I went to Salty Yarns, my local needlecraft store in Ocean City, and bought linen for each piece. Of course when I dug into my stash this weekend to get started outlining the cat I had already lost my $20 worth of fabric. The plan was, since Louis is almost finished, to outline Boh and then take both pieces to Michael's and look for frames. So, Jeremy and I got up bright and early and drove to OC to buy more fabric. Luckily they had something very similiar, heavier weight but same count and color. I bought a little piece to stitch the cat. But needleshops are like my candy store so I looked around and found a few more things. I got a bookmark chart to stitch, a scissor "sheath", and The Auction chart (a gift for someone who is probably reading this blog, so hush). Take a peep at the end product in my "In the Works" section - it doesn't really do the piece justice but... Whoever stitched the model at the shop was so creative. Instead of stitching the design as-is she stitched some of the quilts on seperate fabric and sewed them on to the piece so they looked like they were blowing in the breeze. This is going to be good.

So then we headed to Salisbury to grocery shop - and buy floss and fabric for my new project! Sometimes chain stores are just cheaper -thank you Michael's. Anyway, when I got back to the house I set up my new project in its home for the next few months - a very tricky velcro scroll frame (sooo much easier than the kind with split rails). I even got a few stitches layed down. I love new projects. The rest of the weekend was dedicated to cranking out as much of Louis' over-one as possible. Here are the results!

Recipe Exchange

This morning I got a chain email from a friend and thought it was so clever. The instructions were prefaced by two names and their email addresses, #1 is the person who sent the email to your friend and #2 is the friend who sent it to you.

Step 1: Please send a recipe to the person whose name is listed in the #1 position above. It should be something quick and easy, without rare ingredients. Actually the best recipe is one you know by heart and can type out and send now.

Step 2: Then copy this letter into a new email and move my name to the #1 position and put your name in the #2 position. Only your name and mine should appear in this list when you send out your email. Send this out to 20 people you know.

You should receive 36 recipes. It's fun to see where these recipes come from!

I don't know the person I sent my recipe to - that's part of the fun - but give it a try and see what tasty dishes fall into your lap[top]!

Below is my recipe for the tasting...

Yummy [Americanized] Picadillo (feeds a bunch - normally 1-2 servings of leftovers for 2)

picture credit: http://www.latinastyle.com/

1 onion, garilc, + olive oil

1 lb lean ground beef

a few small tomatoes or canned, diced tomatoes + green pepper (basically anything salsa-y, or just chunky salsa!)
1 cup black beans (more or less)

1/3 cup golden raisins (more or less, I normally opt for more)

Optional: tortillas, rice, poached eggs

Find a large pan - this is a one-pan meal! Season the pan w/ onion and garlic then add the ground beef and brown. While that's going on get all your add-ins ready. I normally drain the black beans and cut up the veggies. Once the meat is browned turn down the heat to low and add the black beans and raisins. Add veggies, salsa, or a combo of both (my fav). Stir it all up. You want everything to be nice and juicy. Simmer everything, covered and stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes or so, until all the flavors are mixed. That's it!

This is really good wrapped up in a tortilla with your favorite fixin's. You can even serve it over rice. If you're feeling brunchy poach some eggs and serve that on top.

Enjoy!