Busy Week

So once again, there is alot to do and only a tenday until Pennsic, but this time, I am actually getting done!  This weekend, I got my stove's windscreen painted, and decided to paint my Pennsic jewelry box as well.  I have been meaning to do it for years, and haven't "gotten around to it" yet.  So two coats of gesso, and a blended creamy off white coat later, I thought I would try to do a couple of dogs, an update on my coat of arms.  Still not quite as medieval looking as I would like, but getting there. 
I also decanted and triple filtered the citrus-elderflower liquor I had brewing, though the limoncello won't be ready until the day before I leave.  It is pretty yummy, though I am not sure Meghan will leave me any to take with me! 

This week, I finished the pop up sunshade slipcover I have been working on, and gotten a gunna and a short entari cut out.  I got some sewing done on the entari, that is being done by machine, but the gunna will be handsewn, probably at Pennsic first week.  I have a gomlek to cut out and sew, but can't get started until Monday when a friend will be back from vacation to help.  Never done one of those, not sure how, but I am going to find out!  Eek!

I Have Had Such A Craving....

So I decided to indulge it, and make berry hand pies.  Yum.  So I looked around the internet and didn't find exactly what I wanted, and went with what I had...
I took 12 oz of blackberries, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and about 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and mixed it all together, crushing the berries as it said to do in several of the posts.  LOTS of juice.  I had Pillsbury frozen pie dough, so I cut it into four wedges.  I beat an egg with a little water to seal and glaze them.  Ready. 
Well, let me tell you, it was a lot messier than the photos show.  I couldn't get the juices under control, no matter what I did, but finally decided that painting the edges with egg first, then plopping berries centrally, quickly flipping shut and pressing with a fork was the least juiciferous way to achieve my goal.  Most looked like the second photo of the wedges.  Two were pretty neat and tidy.  Then I slashed, glazed with the egg and water, and popped them in the oven at 350f  for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile I melted a couple tablespoons of butter, and mixed in powered sugar and milk until it looked right for an icing glaze.
 Buzzz went the timer, out came the pies, and on went the glaze.  I waited 5 whole minutes, then transferred them to a cooling rack.  I broke one, it wasn't my fault, I had to eat it.  Really.  Yummm.

Friends and Tasks

One of my heart friends stopped by this weekend with her daughter.... The Princess-in-Training was truly pitiful though. She hobbled in on crutches with a foot cast, having broken a metatarsal on her stairs. Poor Princess. But she also brought her very cute deerhound puppy, 18 weeks old and about 38 pounds!

 

We had our annual rental inspection earlier, and though our agent is so nice, it is a relief to get it done. I also made limoncello and a yummy sounding citrus elderflower liquor. Hopefully I will take some to Pennsic... Though the limoncello may not be ready.

 

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Enjoy Your Holiday, America!

We've got your back....

The Lutrell Psalter Project

 

What a wonderful inspiration for me. Whenever I get tired, I will view a bit of this and be ready to start in again!

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It's That Time of Year Again!

Or getting ready is HARD!

So I decided I needed a way to make my pop up sunshade look a bit less modern... A sort of slipcover if you will. Enter 30+ yards of lightweight cotton in a black and white micro check. Thank goodness for friends at work who help and a place big enough to lay out a 12 x 12 foot monster. The top is sewn, now I need to attach ties and flaps and add the corner drapes.

Then there are the two coolers that need covers, and the dresses to be sewn. Oh well, at least the stove windscreen is done... Thank you Michael at Home Depot! Well, not done, but constructed. I still have to paint it, along with the two boxes... Make that four boxes. But I will prolly only get to paint two them before time runs out.

Oh yes, and Tuesday I need to cut and dry pineapples, and zest lemons for limoncello.... Oh how I like limoncello! And Friday is our annual renters inspection....

By the time I get to Pennsic, I may sleep for the first week! But oh, it is so worth it!

 

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