Good Morning Sunshine

Well, one of the thing we did while I was away from the blog is move.  We decided that we wanted to be closer to where we work, the kids go to school, and well live so that we didn't have to spend so much of our lives in the car everyday.  Plus with me working it would mean far less time spent white knuckling it when it snows and I can't just hide in my house for a few days. 
So we found a cute little  house on a lake, cut 10 miles off the commute each way, and signed a new lease. 
And now I get to wake up and walk the dogs every morning at sunrise...but oh what a sunrise it is.

This is the view from our porch, over the lake. 

The view really does make one feel rather blessed. 

And when you walk the dogs out to the road, you can see our little house waiting in the mist for us to come back again. 

Christmas Present Linky's

So I have been perusing the blogs lately trying to figure out what I'm going to make for Christmas Presents this year.  Christmas Presents with a capital "P".  This is a big deal to me.  I like to make as many of my gifts as possible.  And if there is someone I just can't make for, I try and stay local and small just because I love my community and I like the idea of my money staying local....and now I will get off my soap box and move on to the point of this post!

• If you are not aware of Oliver + S, and you have small children you sew for, you are missing out. I have big plans for clothes for my 2 kids and my Niece I am thinking maybe a Family Reunion Dress or the Sailboat Top and Skirt .   
• My  Mother has requested a Multi-Tasker Tote after seeing one that I had made right before she came to visit the last time. 
• And for my boys, I think I want to make them some new school bags for daycare.  I am thinking about using this tutorial at Salt Water Kids for the cutest little gym bag ever.  

And for a quick look at something I'm working on right now. While this is a work project, the move was not kind to my crafting life, it is really cute.  I am going to be teaching a Cathedral Windows Class at Alewives this January/February so here is my current Work In Progress.

All of the stitching is done with Embroidery Floss, I really wanted the Quilting to stand out, ya know.  I am not sure if it is going to be a Table Topper or a Wall-hanging when it is done....we shall see. 

Boston Cr eam Pie and Birthdays

Today my husband had a double whammy.  It is his Birthday and Father's Day.  So we had a yummy breakfast (egg sandwiches), went on an adventure (Thomas Point Beach), and I made him a fabulous dinner.  Steak, Creamed Spinach, and Tator Tots.  And for dessert, a Boston Cream Pie.

Boston Cream Pie

adapted from  

The New England Cookbook

Sponge Cake  350F oven

Wisk together:

1 C flour

1 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

Heat together over medium:

1/4 C milk 

2 T butter

When it steams remove from heat and add: 

1 t vanilla

Meanwhile in another bowl::

Beat together 

5 eggs

1 C sugar 

until light yellow (3-5 minutes)

Slowly beat the milk into the egg mixture.  Then add the flour mixture to the egg/milk mixture folding it in gradually.  

bake in 2 9" round cake pans lined with parchment.  15 minutes.  

Pastry Cream

Heat 1 C whole milk over medium heat  until bubbles form around the edges.  

Wisk together until light yellow:

1/4 C milk

4 egg yolks

3 T cornstarch 

1/2 C sugar

Mix about half the milk into the egg slowly to temper it then,  pour the egg mixture into the pan of milk.  

Cook the mixture until it thickens and basically turns to pudding.  Wisk constantly, it only takes a few minutes. 

Refrigerate the cream placing a piece of plastic wrap right on the surface so a skin doesn't form.  

Ganache

Heat 1/2 C of heavy cream and 2 T corn syrup over medium heat until just barely bubbling.  

Chop 3 oz of bittersweet chocolate and add to the pan of cream.  

Cover and let sit a few minutes to melt the chocolate. 

Stir.  

To assemble the cake.  

Take 1 layer of cake, place on a plate and spread the pastry cream over the top.  

Add the second layer of cake.  

Warm the ganache and pour over the top of the cake.  Spread to the edges and let drip artistically.  

Eat and profit!

New Job!

I have a new Job!!!!!!  This last week was my first week working at Alewives Fabrics.  I am so excited!  And don't worry about the kids, they are loving daycare.  Fynn has been making arts and crafts, playing in the sprinkler, and having a grand time with all the other kids at "school."

More later, when I don't have a cat on my chest....