Cook, Sew, Rock, Cook, Cook

Lately it feels like all I do it teach and cook (damn my full-time teaching load this semester!). My boyfriend and I are on a mission to cook our way through the hundreds of recipes we have bookmarked over time in order to eliminate the sucky ones and add those that are delicious to our recipe binder.

First off, I am on a quest for the perfect orange-cranberry scone recipe. I have been through two, and so far I'm not perfectly happy with either, but the second recipe sure came out pretty. 

We also made some ridiculously tasty New York strip steak tacos topped with mango salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and amazingly limey red cabbage cole slaw.

Oh yeah! Back to sewing! A few more 3" half hexies were basted. I'm out of paper pieces, so until my fresh supply comes in, I have these 5 pinwheels to assemble.


I also made a ton of broccoli cheese soup, since it is cooling down outside. Here are the leftovers frozen and ready to eat later. Remember, I live in South Texas, so cooling down for us is 70 degree weather.


And what would broccoli cheese soup be without homemade bread bowls, amiright?!


Last weekend we went to the Houston Gem and Mineral Show. There was a certain specimin I had been kicking myself for not buying at the San Antonio Gem & Mineral Show months ago. I was a nervous wreck wondering if the same vendor would be there and if he would still have it. Turns out, he was and he did! Here is my gorgeous slice of Pietersite (it is similar to Tiger Eye, but comes in blue, orange, and red). The picture doesn't do it justice because the colors are so shiny and light-catching.


I also scored a wonderful deal on half of a fossilized jaw from a Pleistocene era (27,000+ years old) cave bear. It is in such great condition, and I could not be more excited! It is about one foot in length.


Before going to the rock show, I knew a bigger purse was needed. Years ago I found the perfect large purse at a thrift store, but at this point it is falling apart. I set out to recreate it. Here is the result of my pattern drafting.


Here is a close-up of the fabric selection.


One of the best things about this purse (I'm planning on writing up and releasing a tutorial) is that the strap is just knotted closed so it can be shortened to shoulder length, or lengthened to be a cross-body strap.


Ooookay, just a tiny bit more food before I let you go! I made some more roasted veggies since I have a few really long work days coming up and desperately need lunches and second lunches.


The last of the cooking is a big batch of tabouleh salad. My dad taught me to add ground meat to tabouleh so it feels more like a complete meal. The local butcher was out of ground lamb, so I went with ground veal. It was a tasty substitution. 

Wow! So much cooking! I really need to get back to sewing.