Breakfast. Enough said.

California Cider

For each serving:

1 cups fresh grapefruit, tangerine, lime, lemon, or orange juice
½ cup or less of water. (We don’t use any, but it’s got a lot of power.)

Cut, seed, and juice your fruit (finely grate some of the rind of one fruit, for the Raw Horchata Bowl, below). Stir the juice and check for remaining seeds. Add the water

Separately, mix, multiplied by the number of servings:

1 tsp honey

¼ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg

Pinch of ginger

Add to heated juice, stirring until dissolved. Adjust seasonings to taste, depending on the fruit. Serve with a stirring stick, to keep the spices from falling to the bottom.

Raw Horchata Bowl

2 dry cups rice

2 cups almond milk

2 tsp cinnamon

¼ cup or less sugar

Finely grated citrus rind, from your fruit above

½ cup slivered almonds

Cook rice according to package directions. When finished, set aside. Mix almond milk, cinnamon, sugar and some of the citrus rind. Mostly dissolve the sugar by stirring the milk occasionally as you wait for the rice to cool to a slightly warm temperature. Pour milk over rice and stir. Chill thoroughly, place in bowls, and top with remaining citrus rind and almonds before serving.

If making the night before, cook rice and soak in half the almond milk mix in the fridge overnight. Add the rest of the milk and serve as above. Will probably result in a softer rice texture. Try cooking the rice only until almost done.

OR

Coconut Barley

Cook desired amount barley according to package directions. Allow to cool. Drizzle lightly with honey and serve with coconut or coconut-almond milk. Perhaps this would be good with fresh coconut chunks/flakes and a tiny drop of lemon extract?

Please Remember...we're here together. :)

Part of the purpose of this blog is to provide the ourselves, the authors, with an outlet for creative inspiration where we lack opportunities in the real world. It's also to help inspire you. We are not rich; we are not professionals; we sometimes don't feel like we're much of anything. Still, we have our creativity, and here we can dream, and can share. So we do. And it makes us so happy.

These designs and directions may not always be accurate. Where we have no supplies, we spend hours forcing our brains to conjure up and puzzle through and add the figures to bring those dreams a little closer to reality. We put them in your hands, and make you free to continue the process. Be inspired, do a little research, try your hand at something and then make it your own. These are just blocks to build with. Then, when you find something wrong or something better, please-please-please share with us. That's what this place is for. Vent a little frustration and imagine your own answer. We'll make each other better,  that's our promise.

Thank you always,
liv-cate + beth-claire

The Dewdrop Hat

You're going to pick up on a bit of a pattern in succeeding posts. The cause: I've been flipping through old magazine covers(VOGUE: The Covers by Dodie Kazanjian). I didn't even make it to the 1920's before my brain was so overloaded with inspiration that I had to stop. Sigh. Why don't they make mainstream magazine covers like this anymore? Well, I know why, but that’s beside the point.

First up: the Dewdrop hat, based on an April 1915 cover illustration by George Wolfe Plank. Perfect for those days when you're dying for spring attitude but would still like to keep your head warm. I had considered trying to formulate a felted knitting pattern, but I don't currently have the knowledge, time, or resources to figure it out.

Your fabric needs to be heavyweight--something that will hold its shape, but as softly as possible. I wonder what a high quality felt would do. Or, if you find a lighter and prettier fabric, you might try lining it with something stiffer. This would also save you from having to finish the edges. Just sew your drop shapes together, leaving a couple inches open. Trim seams, clip curves, turn right side out and press before closing that last couple of inches. And check to make sure whatever fabric you choose will hold up under a few surprise bad weather days.

You'll need:

- at least 24 square inches of heavyweight fabric (and of lining, if using)

- Thread to match

- Various lengths of multi-colored ribbon, any width, but at least one length 1/4 – 1/2 inch wide and 1 1/2 yard long

- A few scraps of fabric for decoration

- A washable marking pencil

- A ruler

1 - Bring your selvage edges together and lay folded fabric out flat. In a lower corner, draw a circle 12 inches in diameter, nearly touching the fabric edges. Toward the opposite corner, make a mark 10 inches from the circle's edge. Using your ruler, draw a straight line from the mark to where it meets the circle on both sides, creating a drop shape. Cut it out. (If you'd rather, draw the shape on a large piece of paper first, then cut 2, or once from 2 layers of fabric.)

2 - On one of your pieces, wrong side up, mark 2 inches from the top point on the edge of one side. Draw a gently curving line to meet the opposite side edge a few inches before it meets the circle. Tack your ribbons (except that ¼ - ½ inch one) firmly to the front side only of this new edge, angled slightly toward the bottom of the drop. You can leave them all hanging straight, or in loops, twisting them, braiding them, etc.

Fold the ribbons snugly over the edge to the other side of the fabric and pin them down (they should now angle toward the top of the drop). Wind them together and temporarily secure to keep them out of the way. Right sides together, 1/4 inch from the edge, sew the smaller drop to the larger between the widest side points of the circle and the pointed top.

3 - Put on your new hat to check for proper snugness. How to wear it: This hat will work best with a bun at your crown or very low by your neck. The seam with the ribbons and overhanging edge runs along the top of your head, ending a few inches above your hairline. The bottom edge should sweep down within an inch or so of the corner of your eyes, and the whole hat should fit comfortably without wanting to fall into your eyes or pull back off your head. Make adjustments at the back seam, also adjusting the bottom curve of the drop shape to keep it as even as possible.

4 - For unsewn edges on the bottom and side of the hat, turn as slim a hem as you can manage and stitch it in place by hand. Machine-sew down one edge of your length of ribbon with a large stitch length.  On the underside of the hat fabric, match the unsewn edge of ribbon to the edge of the hat, pulling the gathering stitches to help it lie flat. Pin it carefully in place and adjust as you sew it down the middle and over the turned hat edge with a wide decorative stitch (hopefully your machine will allow for this). You might also want to sew along one or both sides of the ribbon, or at least tack them down periodically.

Also :

A - Take your fabric scraps and cut then into simple shapes or flowers, leaves, etc. Attach where and how you desire. Raw edges will fray over time, so if that look doesn’t appeal to you, sew two layers together and turn, or hand stitch to cover the edges.

B - You could do some stunning embroidery with any leftover ribbon.

C – Make it yours!

It’s a little more springtime! Enjoy, friends!

liv-cate 

a little more...goddess - The Apheleia Top

The ApheleiaTop


Please Note: During the following explanation, anyone caught verbally or mentally using the word ‘TOGA’ will be speared on sight. Thank you.

Do you badly need a vacation? Would you like to look a bit more statuesque? Are you trying to dress to complement your classical nose? Yes, you say? Then you need...

Rosewilde and Canderley’s Apheleia top!

Our inspiration:

the Ionic Chiton of ancient Greece. We confess, it might have been in response to our getting sucked into the gorgeous photos on some travel sites.

The early Greeks, when they wore clothes, were known for their beautifully draped and folded style of dress. The best part is, copying this look yourself means little to no sewing. So we decided to name it Apheleia, in honor of the ancient spirit of simplicity.

Gather your tools as follows:

- 1 ½ - 2 yards of 36 inch wide fabric, in a light to very lightweight weight (a heavier weight will not drape properly), any color, dark or light, plain with no pattern, or just a simple geometric print or border;

- 2 buttons 1 inch wide or larger (again, very geometric), and 4 smaller, matching buttons;

- about 3 yards decorative cording and

- thread to match your fabric. 

You’ll also need

- scissors and a

- sewing machine.

How much fabric should you buy, exactly? 1 ½ yards will fall a few inches past your hips, depending on your height. Decide how long you want your finished top to be. Point to that length and measure down to it from your shoulder. Multiply that number by 2, add 3 inches, and divide the results by 36 to know how many yards you need. Round up to the nearest ¼ yard. Wash and iron your fabric before sewing!


When sewing, stitch seams 1/2 from edge. Turn your hems under twice 1/4 inch, or serge and turn 1/2 inch.

All ready? Great! Here we go:

1: Even the cut edges of your fabric. Fold it widthwise in half (perpendicular to the selvage), and lay it out flat on the floor. Slice along the fold, creating a 2-layer rectangle about 36 inches wide (or elbow to elbow plus 5 inches) and 27 or more inches long.

Is the fabric too wide? Don’t be afraid to cut it down on one side. Also, don't worry if you’re an inch or two short in length because the fabric was cut unevenly. You might even want to make it shorter. Just be sure all sides are even, and wide enough to reach generously from elbow to elbow, and shoulder to past your hip.

2: Serge all your edges, or turn them under ¼ inch and iron folds in place. Turn side edges another ¼ inch to the same side and stitch it down. Turn and stitch top and bottom in ½ inch.

3: Measure the face of your buttons. Working on the top edge, 9 inches from the center on each side, pull the back piece over the front, overlapping by the width of a large button. Pin and stitch a 1/2 inch line down the center of the overlap. Apply the large buttons on top. Do the same at the outer corners and 5 inches from each side, overlapping back over front by the smaller button width.

4: Right sides together, sew front to back at sides, close to the folded edge (about 1/8 inch), leaving about 7 inches open at the top. Stitch twice for sturdiness, if desired. Turn fabric right side out.

5: Take your decorative cording and criss-cross it a few times around your midsection. For ideas, Google "Ionic Chiton", or have a look at some Greek art.

Ta-dah!

Want some extra beauty secrets?For a goddess glow, cover your skin with a nice sheen of olive oil and pat on some chalk or white lead. Smear those lips and cheeks with red iron oxide, then grab a stick of charcoal and fill in a lovely unibrow.

Please Note: Rosewilde and Canderley list these tips for entertainment purposes primarily, and do not endorse the use of lead in any beauty regimen. Thank you.

A little more fancy! Enjoy!

Rosewilde and Canderley

For a bolder look:
Don't hem bottom edge. You'll need an extra 1/4 yard of your initial fabric, or a matching shade of knit fabric. From that, cut a rectangle 6 in. long and the measurement around the widest part of your hips plus 3 inches wide. Fold in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. Turn long edges under 1/2 in. and press. Run 2 lengths of long, gathering stitches all around the bottom edge of the whole shirt. Pinning right sides together, pull gathering stitches to match the long edge of the rectangle, keeping gathers even, and stitch. Fold along pressing lines, and stitch through both layers 1/8-1/4 in. from where the rectangle joins the shirt.

a little more...1950's formal glamour

I was watching Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face the other day, and thought this would be a fairly easy way to add some drama to a simply cut dress. The trick will be finding fabric to coordinate, or adding details to tie in the color of the underskirt. A large wrap would be stunning. If you’d rather, you can purchase a pattern and make the whole thing from scratch, sewing the back bodice seam closed with no zipper or fastenings, and attaching the finished skirt only to the back of the finished bodice, and then proceeding from step 2. The cheater’s version involves finding a skirt readymade with the same waist circumference as your dress and starting at step 11.

Illustrations soon to follow, we promise!

You’ll need:

One full-skirted dress (the fuller the better), any length, with a straight, natural waistline, back zipper, and seams at both sides of the skirt

2 ½ yards 36”-45” wide fabric to match

An equal amount of lining fabric

()” zipper

Thread to match the fabric

A french curve

A washable marking pencil

A friend

If at all possible, serge fabric edges as directed, particularly if your fabric or lining tends to fray. Otherwise, trim and finish seams as desired. Sew all seams at ½ inch, or where stitching previously fell. Stitch with fabric right sides together unless otherwise directed.

1 – Unpick and remove back zipper, replacing with a seam. It may be helpful to hand stitch to close near other intact folds or stitching, such as at the neckline.

Unpick the front half of the skirt from the bodice at the waist. If skirt is gathered and will come undone when detached, first sew with a medium-long stitch across skirt layer(s) only, just below waistline, and then unpick.

2 – Get someone to measure around the fullest part of your hips, parallel to the floor. Add 4 inches. Divide by 2. This is your skirt panel width. Measure down from your natural waistline to the level of your hip measurement and save the number for step 6.

At your side, have them measure from the position of the waistline of the dress on your body to your desired length. Add 2 inches. This is your skirt panel length.

3 – Even the cut edges of your fabric. Mark the selvage edges down from the edge by your skirt panel length. Fold widthwise between the marks and lay fabric flat on the floor. Remove the single layer of extra fabric at the top.

Mark the top edge out from the upper left corner by your skirt panel width. Do the same at the bottom edge and at various points between the two, forming a broken line of dots. Cut fabric along these marks to form a 2-layer rectangle. Separate the layers.

4 – Take one layer of fabric and fold in half lengthwise. Slice along the fold. Serge all edges. Stitch the fabric back together along the top half of the cut. Press the seam open and unfinished edge ½ inch to the same side. This is the skirt back.

Take the other layer and remove an inch from the width. Mark the center at the top edge. This is the skirt front.

Sew front to back at sides.

5 – Repeat steps 3 and 4 with lining fabric, removing 1 ½ inches from skirt panel length measurement.

6 – Measure around the waistline of the dress. Cut a 1 inch strip of fabric 2 inches longer than this. Mark very clearly, an inch in from each side, and divide the remaining length by 6, making 5 more marks on the strip.

Divide your waistline measurement by twelve. Laying your skirt out flat, mark that distance from the side seam. Mark the side seam stitching down from the top edge by the waist to hip measurement from step 2. Using a french curve, draw a gently curving line between the marks. Do the same on the other side. Stitch along the line on the first side, and pin along it on the other. Leave original side seam and excess fabric attached. Repeat with the lining fabric.

7 – You’ll need your friend again. Wrap the strip around your waist, matching the two end marks at your side and closing with a safety pin.

With the seams facing out, step into skirt fabric. Pin new side seams to strip at the safety pin and opposite mark, and pin back seam and front center halfway between front and back strip markings.

8 – Smooth skirt fabric against the waistline strip, moving in from the sides and out from center front and center back seam, gathering the excess at the two front and back markings on the strip. Pin the excess together where it meets at the top edge of the fabric.

Fold the excess toward the outside, forming a pleat in the fabric beneath each mark. Attempting to keep left and right sides even, adjust these folds until the skirt lies smoothly but not too tight against your body, with no wrinkles or bulges. (During this process, check to be sure your curved side seams need no adjustment. If they do, unpick a little if necessary and then pin both layers together where the seam should be.) Pin pleats in place through all three layers of fabric.

Mark on the center back seam where you want your opening to begin.

9 - On the pinned side seam, mark changes if you have made any and remove the pins. Carefully step out of your skirt. Mark the position of the back opening (coming down from the top), all the folds, and any side seam changes to your lining fabric.

Restitch your first side seam if necessary, and trim the fabric excess to ½ inch. Press skirt seams open. Check for uniformity from right to left side on both front and back pleats, and lightly press them all in place. Stitch pleats in place ¼ inch from edge of fabric. You may also stitch along the fold to form darts in the back and/or front of the skirt.

Unpick up toward or stitch down to the mark for your center back opening, being sure to stitch and backstitch an inch or so above to reinforce the seam. Repeat this and the paragraph above with the lining.

10 –WRONG sides together, place lining fabric against skirt fabric, matching pleats and seams. Leaving 2 inches open on both sides of your unstitched side seam, sew around the top of your skirt, 3/8 inch from the edge, securing skirt and lining together and seams and pleats in place. Line up center back seams and stitch 1/8 inch to each side. Stitch a short horizontal line a few times over, right above the back opening. Sew lining to skirt at pressed edge, again 1/8 inch from the fold.

Turn the bottom of your skirt fabric ½ inch under, and press. Turn it another ¾ - 1 inch and blind hem, enclosing the cut edge of the lining. Hand stitch hem edges closed at back opening.

11 – Step back into the skirt. Put the dress on over, with the all of the full skirt at your back. Stand naturally, and have your friend mark where the original stitching line meets the skirt, lifting the overskirt to mark the back.

Remove the skirt. Baste the unfinished side seam closed. Check the waistline marks for left-right uniformity on both front and back. Use your French curve if needed to draw a smooth line between marks. Stitch through skirt and lining layers along this line, and trim outside edge to ½ inch. Serge the new skirt edge.

12 – Yes, this could be tricky, but turn the skirt inside out and place dress inside, and match and pin stitching lines on skirt and bodice front. Sew them together and finish the edges. Pin and sew stitching lines of skirt back and detached portion of full skirt. Pin to the bodice/overskirt back seam and sew. Turn dress right side out and check for needed adjustments.

13 – Turn dress inside out. On the side of your basted skirt seam, with zipper closed, line the zipper up with the side seam of the bodice and underskirt, placing zipper head a few inches below underarm seam. Pin carefully in place. Turn dress right side out. Stitch 1/8 – ¼ inch from both sides of the side seam, first above and then below the waistline, being careful to avoid the overskirt. Check to see that zipper is well attached with no distortions. If so, stitch and backstitch a short horizontal line just above and below working zipper area. Firmly tack free zipper ends to dress inside. Remove basting stitches in underskirt and unpick side bodice seam where they cover the zipper.

For a bolder look:

After step 6, lay the skirt flat. Mark the bottom a few or more inches in from the sides and taper down to that point from about 6 inches below the curved line. Stitch new seam and trim excess, serging edges.

Enjoy!

liv-cate

Hair Adventures

Growing up, I was very…haircut resistant. I think I went without a trim from about 7^th to 11^th grade. My locks were long and thick and lovely—if a little prone to tangle at the ends. There they stayed until at 21, I got sick of it all. I wanted a new start at life, a new sense of personality. But my long held distaste for scissors stayed in place. I entertained the idea with some inner turmoil for the next few months, until one midnight while browsing styling pictures I realized if I was going to do it, it had to be right that minute. Into the bathroom I went, scissors in hand, and succeeded in shaping a fairly decent bad haircut. And I was content! The turmoil was gone, and I had no choice but to go in and get it fixed.

This is a trend I’ve continued to this day, first giving myself a chance to learn as I scissor my hair a few inches below where I really want it. I can now give a pretty darn good bad haircut. This time I have created some bangs that are easy and attractive enough I thought I’d share directions. They’re a little piecey, a little feathered, and a lot of fun!

These bangs lie best if you’ve had your hair parted on the side. You’ll want to wear them with it that way, anyway. They may also feel too long at first, but should be better once you teach them to fall correctly. If it’s still not enough, try them just a touch shorter next time.

1 – Create a fairly deep side part on each side of the top of your head. Pull the front 2 inches between them forward and the rest of your hair back in a tie/clip.

2 – Lightly dampen the front section. Divide it into 3 horizontal layers. Secure the back 2 out of the way for the moment.

3 – Gather the front section about a half inch below the corner of your eye, on the same side you part your hair. Pinch it tightly just below that mark, and cut right above your fingers in a series of small snips, pulling the scissors lightly away between cuts.

Let the hair fall straight down and even the edges a little. Pull finished section out of the way and secure.

4 – Repeat with the middle and then the back section, gathering and cutting them ¾ - 1 inch further out to the side of the face than the last time, still just below eye level.

5 - You’ll need to blend in the short side of your bangs in by adding a few layers to the front edge of your hair, possibly on the long side, too. Angle them sharply but smoothly down, a little at a time, to avoid cutting too much hair.

Enjoy!

liv-cate

Excuses, excuses...

Whirlwind romance. It really happens. One day, it may happen to you. liv-cate offers apologies for her absence, due to the fact that she was very recently married after a brief, four-month courtship. And oh, was it ever fun!

Of course this means that last fall's plans to give directions on sewing your own harlequin patterned items will have to wait until next year. But there are springtime plans in the works! Clothing embellishments in an arborial theme. Work commences on the infinite cookbook as I am forced to set up housekeeping that is economical both in time and materials. beth-claire has also been playing with her food again--she is yet to be seen to follow a recipe with greater than 80% exactness. Many important lessons were learned in the seven weeks given to plan a wedding on a $3000 budget. We'll pass them along in due course, as new jobs and full-time education permit.

See you soon!

Hitting the Presses

I did something today that I haven't in years-- I purchased a fashion magazine. It was a nice, thick special issue that promised to provide more inspiration per dollar than anything else I could find. Every now and again I realize that I haven't checked in with the rest of the world enough to know how the things I'm pursuing would compare to popular opinion. Also, the truth is, I work best with magazines. I'll find a piece of a picture that will spark my imagination, pair it with something else that's been floating around in my brain, and suddenly I've got something new and fun that I'm pretty sure will be fashionable.

But! I certainly wouldn't consider taking out a subscription. I guess I consider myself creatively independent enough to be able to check in a few times a year to find out the prominent palettes and silhouettes, and make it from there on my own. I think I would feel weighted down and overwhelmed if I succumbed to the need to follow everything that's happening every minute with everyone else. Because if I started, I know I'd be that way. This keeps my mind free for new things.

I also caved because fall is coming! After years of school shopping, August is the time that I crave new clothes--and ballpoint pens and bedsets. So in the next few posts, I'll try to finish out my run of summer thoughts, and move into the more luxurious flavors of autumn. I'm thinking maybe harlequin prints, if you want to learn to make them.

liv-cate

Creative Salsa! On Tomatoes, Tunics, and anything else I can think of

Today is for making salsa! I'm currently searching for some recipes with peaches, mango, and pineapple, as well as the normal tomato variety. I wanted to do some canning, but for simplicity's sake, I think it's going to end up in the freezer.

But before I go, I'm going to include the pattern for the medieval tunic I am wearing, which I have decided makes a cute and comfortable nightshirt you can wear alone or with lounge pants.

Medieval Tunic

You will need 2-2 1/2 yards of a light to medium weight woven fabric, matching thread, and an optional yard of ribbon. 45 inches should be a good fabric width, any other will simply lengthen or shorten your sleeves. The softer the fabric, the better it will look, since this design is very loosely fitted. For a pretty neckline, just search the net to learn more about medieval embroidery methods.

A yard of fabric should give you plenty of length, or you can choose the place on your thigh where you want the tunic hem to fall and measure down to it from your shoulder. Add 3 inches and/or round up to the nearest 1/4 yard. You can always shorten it later.

1: Right sides together, fold your fabric in half widthwise, with the selvage edges running down both sides. The foldline will be your neckhole and the center of your sleeves.

2: Measure around your hips, adding 3 inches or more. (3 in. will give you a rather slim fit around the hips. If you're nervous about it, add 5 or even 7 in. for a looser fit and cut it in as needed later.) Divide this measurement in half, and center it on the bottom of your fabric, drawing lines straight up toward the top fold.

3: Measure around the widest part of your upper arm, adding 2-3 inches. Divide this number in half and measure down from the fold at both sides, drawing a line straight in towards the sides.

4: On one side of the excess fabric, mark a 5 in. x 5 in. square (gusset).

5: Cut out your pieces!

6: Attach gusset squares to shirt at underarm corner, connecting front and back. Pin front to back at gusset corners, sleeve edge and bottom edge. Stitch arm and side seams from gusset corner to end. Trim sleeves to desired length. Turn raw edges of sleeves 1/4 in. and bottom hem 1/2 inch.

Front view gusset

Side view gusset

7: Lay shirt out flat again, still inside out. Mark a half-circle app. 8 in. diameter (depending on the size of your neck, I use a small salad plate as a template, hehe) around the center point of the top fold. Cut through both layers. On front side, make a vertical slit about 6 in. long, or until the shirt slips easily over your head when putting it on. Turn raw edge of circle under 1/4 in. and top of slit 1/2 in., tapering down to nothing at the end of the cut. Stitch.


OR: Fold your ribbon in half and use to encase fabric edges, starting and ending at bottom front of opening. Stitch down near ribbon edge. Use a small, decorative stitch to cover ribbon ends at front.


For a bolder look:

A: Leave bottom hem unfinished. Wearing your shirt, mark where it hits your waist, sew side seams only from underarm to that point, and measure from there to the bottom edge. Take the 2 layers you cut your gussets from, laid out just as they were before, one over the other, measure and cut a rectangle 10 in. wide x the measurement you just made. Pin the sides of the rectangles together. Cut diagonally from one corner to another. Stitch sides where pinned, creating 2 triangular gores 19 in. wide at the bottom. Attach each gore to front and back at side edges. This version look best when worn with a belt.

B: When laying out fabric, make original marks as directed. Leave out gusset squares. Then measure out from underarm corner 2 in. at a 45 degree angle, mark. Shorten sleeve measurement at side by an inch or more. Redraw lines from new sleeve mark to new underarm mark, and down to original bottom edge. Round out underarm corner with the lip of a small plastic cup as a template. Cut, sew side seams, trim sleeves, hem edges, and cut neck as directed.

Hurray!

My Youthful Hope...Jeune Esperanza's!

Here at R&C, we LOVE international food. I don't know what it is. Something about living life and doing things the way they do in far away times and places is very exciting, and makes us feel more enriched as people.

Near our sister's workplace, there is a man with a little taco stand. Suddenly the idea seemed so fun to me. Just a little trailer that's a couple decades old, and small and clean and mobile, maybe with a few tables set up under an awning, a string of lightbulbs, and funny foreign music crackling out from a nearby radio. A place not many know about, but secretly has really great food for a ridiculously good price. In this little world of dreams there is a place called...

Every night of the week has a menu from another country, as well as classic American fare! Gourmet this isn't, but you'll find cherished favorites and everyday flavors from all over the world. It's dinner on vacation, any night of the week. So come chat, laugh, dance, sing, and of course eat with us at Jeune Esperanza's!

With local musicians as special guests, dancing space, silly games and prizes, I don't know what all... Plus, with all the international students from the nearby university, and an extremely high number of missionaries here who've served all over the world, we'd have a great resource for ideas and feedback. And it might be a way to bring everyone together. Practicalities aside, of course, as always, it sounds so delightful. Sigh...


liv-cate

Infinite Arrangements

We've been working on a special post for the past few days (I'll give you a hint: we're formulating sewing patterns), but it's proving a bit more involved than originally suspected. We'll keep working. In the meantime, brainstorming continues on home and lifestyle books that approach the desired subject in a new way.

Rosewilde and Canderley's Infinite Arrangements

At many family weddings, we'll all gather around a few days before, gathering items and decorating the venue for the reception and so forth. My favorite part, aside from centerpieces, were the large floral arrangements made to stand at the entrance. My aunt has quite a talent for this. It's something I've always wanted to learn. She buys her flowers wholesale and sprays/cuts/wires them into the desired color and shape. Do you want to learn, too? Well here it is:

For the new floral student or hobbyist, Rosewilde and Canderley's Infinite Arrangements breaks down the process into everything you need to know about color, size, texture, balance and presentation. You will gain the know-how you need to create your own beautiful and unique arrangements for a variety of settings and occasions. Fill your life with scent and color in ways you never thought you could!

Random Recipes--Making not-so-healthy foods better

Because I'm sure ramen and salad dressing are not on the winners list of what to eat.

Honey Ginger Vegetable Ramen
I know that there’s really no way to get past the fact that those noodles can be extremely bad for you, but at the end of the shopping week, or pay period, you work with what you can. This is of course how I had the opportunity to try this combination.

Add your noodles to the boiling water. Add a cup or so of vegetables (I usually use a frozen broccoli-cauliflower-carrot mix. This is a great way to get rid of what’s in your freezer/fridge/cupboards), boil until they are thawed or softening. Drain. Crack in an egg, returning to a low or medium heat if needed for thorough cooking. Stir in 1/3 of included spice packet, a tsp. of honey, and a small slice of fresh grated gingerroot. Or add what seasonings you will.

Sweet Summer Salad Dressing:
I was surprised to discover how well this one worked. I had a bottle of raspberry vinaigrette that I loved, but it was just a bit too flavorful. Also I was going through something of an applesauce phase, trying it with everything. This one was a winner! And it’s so light, too.

Mix 1 tsp raspberry vinaigrette into ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce. Measurements are approximate; you may alter to taste. Works well served over dark lettuce types with firm, red grapes and plain or honey-coated walnuts.

As alternatives to dressing, there are some fruit/veggie combinations which are so good, I can personally eat them without anything, and that's saying something. Or, of course, everything goes great with cottage cheese. Working with this idea, once for a church event, I wrapped these combinations in romaine lettuce leaves, with a little bit of creamy poppyseed or raspberry vinaigrette. You can do what you will. I used:

Broccoli florets and quartered red grapes
Carrot slivers and sliced strawberries
Chopped gala apples and walnut pieces

Any of these are also amazing thrown into a tortilla with spinach and mozzarella.

Eat up!
liv-cate