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Finally, Lemon Bars!!!!

I have been craving lemon bars ever since the first hint of spring arrived. Since this is LA, that was eons ago. At least that’s how it felt to my stomach. Imagine what I went through when Kitchen Butterfly waxed poetic on the topic of Meyer lemons. And then she made lemon bars too. Yet did I make mine? No!

But eventually it all got to be too much for little old me and I succumbed to the craving. So at midnight one day lat week (yes o midnight – it was that serious), I began my lemon bars – praying seriously that they would turn out well so I could foist them on my co-workers and maintain my waist line. Does this mean I did not eat any? Abeg skip that – I ate some for breakfast the next two mornings :P . I even wanted to take a piece to Naija for momsie but she’ll try them later. That sounds crazy but I made them a couple of days before getting home.

(Now before you say I am ever so slightly dramatic, please blame my momsie - she did drama when she was younger. That’s my story. I am STUCK to it :D )

I based mine on this recipe by Ina Garten. I could barely get over how much sugar is in this recipe but it works. My goodness!! This version uses some brown sugar and smaller eggs. I also used a hand mixer ( I was SUPER careful after Bekah’s experience) and everything turned out well – better than well even. The crust was great!!

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Random Friday: Stiches

Yesterday I posted the chocolate chip cookies and promised to tell you all how I cut my finger. Sigh, ok here goes: ready? I can hear Lady ID saying something along the lines of “dramatic much”?

Ok, so…..I was using the hand held mixer to make the chocolate chip cookies instead of using my swanky blue willow kitchen aid mixer. That in and of itself was a mistake and too much unnecessary work, BUT I left my mixer at home because I was cooking at Lady IDs abode. All was going well besides the mixer getting hot in my hand from me trying to overwork it and spend 5 minutes getting the butter and sugar to be light and fluffy. The butter and sugar was successful and delicious might I say. I added the flour, and that is when things got complicated!

The flour was making the dough thicker as normal, but it was also clogging up the blade and space between the blade and the mixing area……SO…….I decided to take the mixer out of the dough and clean it out/unclog it. Mind you, this is a mixer that has a “comfort grip handle” and push-button control for continuous action. Basically you push a button to make it work, does that make sense?

I pulled the mixer out of the dough and took my finger off the push button and proceeded to clean it out with my index finger while my right hand was still in mixing position and BAM I accidentally turned it on….. OUCH!

This is the mild verson
Emergency Room
Yeah it was hurting–and THROBBING
Can this be happening?

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Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie

Yesterday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie day, but everyday is NCCC day to me. Remember when I said that I LOVE cookies? Well I might not have said that I loved them, but I am pretty obsessed with a good cookie. I mean who does not love a chocolate chip cookie?

Pleeeeease tell me that you like them too. =)

Want to hear something absolutely crazy? I cut my finger pretty bad trying to make these cookies. Continue reading →

Liebster Award

Soooooo…a few weeks ago, glowingscenes very sweetly nominated us for the Liebster Award. It took a few days to realise there was posting involved and then life happened so biko please pardon me for being so late and thank you again for the award :D !!!! I did some research into this award and my take-away is that it’s like a big cyber-hug. How sweet is that? :) This also means there are variations on the “rules” but in this case I will go with glowingscenes’ version.

Image from http://foodwinethyme.com/liebster-award/

Image from Food Wine Thyme

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Love Letter to Momsie

Mummy, mum, momsie…these are the some of the ways I refer to my mother. I have a few other nicknames for her but they are an inside thing

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Her children arise and call her blessed…
Proverbs 31:28 (NIV)

I love my mother. Anyone that knows me will figure this out pretty quickly because not only will I mention her, I will talk about a few reasons why I’m proud of her. And trust me I am proud of her for so many reasons. I am constantly thanking God for my mother. It a huge compliment to me when I am told I resemble her.

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Casual Friday: Rest

Y’all! April was exhausting. And last week was hectic too.

BUT I am not complaining o – it has been a good kind of busy. Work was busy but I have a career I love. When I came home, it was to work on sewing projects or help one of my favourite people with wedding planning. All things I love to do but still the constant activity left me tired. And in a lot of ways I thank God for that.

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

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Trust me…I’m the Laurel

I’m really running with this Doctor Who thing. I know it’s nerdy but hey – nerds are cool. Just like bowties are cool. :P
So I actually made three Laurels for the Colette Patterns contest ( the other two are here). Initially I meant to make two but since I had the perfect amount of sequin fabric for one more, I ran with it. And here’s what I made.

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Umm yeah..if it’s 12am and you are taking photos – might as well have fun

I finished with this dress early enough for the most part. But it wasn’t until a day before the deadline that I finished the rolled hem on the neckline. Why? Because for some reason I leave the “tiny details” until they absolutely have to be done. What do I do instead of the details? I start a new project.

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Easy Shrimp Salad

You know those days when you work out hard and you feel good…its almost like you don’t even want to eat anything else because you had such a good workout. Like, “why eat anything and add more calories”? Anyone else think like that? I know there has to be one more person, (like below if you get me). Well a few weeks ago, Lady ID and I ran a 10k,  remember? And after that race, I felt like I worked hard so I could eat practically whatever I wanted (just that day of course) These days, I am being good, getting ready for summer and all.

This salad is good, clean and healthy. It’s easy, and I was looking for easy tonight. I mean after a great workout, we need easy….

How about you?

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Random Friday: Grateful

Happy Friday! Is anyone glad its Friday? I soooooo am! Honestly, this day could not come any sooner! This week felt long and heavy, and while I won’t go into detail, I will tell you that there was definitely some spiritual warfare. The bible reminds us in Hebrews 10:25 ” And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near”. This is a great scripture to me because it reminds us that we need each other. We need encouragement. I am so glad for friends (April, Faith, Lady ID and my Mary) that know the Lord and can encourage me in the things of the Lord.

I don’t know about you, but every now and again I need some encouragement…….a hug….and to know that I am in Gods will. I had the pleasure of speaking to a great friend this week about something that I was going through, and just knowing that she was rooting for me and that she was in my corner and the fact that she was there..listening and offering prayer was enough for me. Continue reading →

A Tale of Two Laurels Part II

Here are more pictures for your viewing pleasure so you can see the details of my Laurel entries. I’m going to be honest. Having my pictures up is super-awkward for me so don’t be surprised if you return and find headless versions of the pictures…:P

Black and Gold Laurel Top

This pattern is super easy so I finished this the same day Bekah and I had our Scotch Egg and Brownie fiesta. About nine hours including modifying the pattern, Netflix, and a break to play with Munki.

My broke-down Top Model Pose ;)

My broke-down Top Model Pose ;)

Fabric used:

  • Black ankara ( it is actually hard to find black fabric like this because Africans generally love colour)
  • Gold/White/Black Ankara – I only had a few yards of this so the top was a perfect pattern

Modifications/Details:

  • Neck facing instead of underlining
  • Contrast border on sleeve and hem
  • V-Shaped Bib Insert
  • Piping around the bib
  • French seams on the sides and back
  • Lengthed to tunic length
  • Front darts
Neck facing
V-Shaped Bib with Piping
Contrast border on hem
Contrast Border on the Sleeves
French Seams

Blue Leaf Laurel Dress

Pardon the wrinkles. I actually ironed and steamed this dress a lot. Ankara can hold wrinkles easily especially when it’s a more heavily waxed ankara.

My "Yay I'm done" dance

My “Yay I’m done” dance

Fabric used:

  • Blue leaf patterned ankara  with gold bits
  • Pale Gold guinea brocade – I only had about a yard and a half  of this.
Washed and Pressed Fabric
Pattern Pieces
Marking the cutting lines so I didn’t have to draw a new pattern
Cutting Bias Strips
My continued love of the invisible zipper

Modifications/Details:

  • Empire Waisted Dress
  • Bias bound neckline and sleeve
  • Short pleated puff sleeve
  • Lined the bodice in self fabric
  • Front darts
Bias bound neckline
Bias bound sleeve
Bodice lined in self fabric
Short pleated puff sleeve

Notes:

  • Instead of drawing and cutting a whole new Laurel, I marked the pattern with the empire line and used my double wheel to mark the seam allowance on the fabric
  • For the first time, I used my machine to do a blind hem. it was super easy