July 30, 2010

Westby is Home!


The SPCA called us and surprised us by saying that we could take Westby home early!


She was spayed today so she is very drowsy. By tonight she should be back to her playful self!


Beauie, our cat, is curious but is keeping his distance for a while.

July 25, 2010

Westby Visit


Today hubby and I visited our puppy, Westby, at the SPCA. We won't know if we absolutely get him until this upcoming Sunday. Since he just came in yesterday, there is a seven day period that he has to stay in the shelter before he officially goes up for adoption. If all goes well, we will be bringing our puppy home a week from today! This is somewhat good because it gives us a week to get our home ready for him!

July 24, 2010

Westby



This is Westby! She was brought into the animal shelter this morning while hubby and I were looking to adopt a dog. We fell in love with her and after her 7 day waiting period she will be ours (if no one claims her)! She is a German Shepherd mix. We are so happy to be able to give this adorable dog a loving home, which she desperately needs.

July 22, 2010

Sushi Night!

A few nights ago we had a couple friends over and I made a delicious assortment of sushi. Last night, I made sushi for two (me and my husband). I use smoked salmon so that I can have the texture of raw salmon. I would love to find sushi grade fish (especially yellow tail and salmon).

In a few days we are hosting another sushi night, but with many more people!



Making sushi is very simple. Cooking the sushi rice is the most important step. The rest of the process exercises your creative muscles when you decide how to design each roll.

Here is my recipe for sushi rice:

2 cups sushi rice
2 1/4 cups water
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar

Rinse the sushi rice under cold water. Gently rub the grains of rice together as you rinse. (I generally do this for about 10 minutes)

Let the rice drain for 1 hour.

After 1 hour the rice will be fairly dry. Place the rice in a heavy bottomed sauce pot and pour in the water. Simmer, then cover and cook on low for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes remove from heat, with lid still on, and let sit for another 10 minutes.

Pour the rice onto a cookie sheet/tray and drizzle half the seasoned rice vinegar onto the rice with a spoon. Using a fork gently fluff the rice while using a fan to fan the rice. Pour the remaining rice vinegar onto the rice and continue to fan and fluff. I generally do this for about 15 minutes. The rice will become very sticky and will appear shiny.

July 13, 2010

Studio Night!



A warm night filled with great music, candle light, homemade paper and thread!

July 11, 2010

Ebleskivers!



Ebleskivers (filled pancakes)

yield: about 40 pancakes


2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. sugar
4 eggs, separated
2 cups milk
4 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for cooking

Fillings: such as jam, peanut butter, chocolate chips or fruit.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. In a small bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks, then whisk in the milk and the 4 Tbs. melted butter. Whisk the yolk mixture into the flour mixture until well combined; the batter will be lumpy.

In another bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on high speed until stiff but not dry peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently stir the whites into the batter in two additions.

Pour 1/4 tsp. butter into each well of the pancake pan. Set over medium heat and heat until the butter begins to bubble. Pour 1 Tbs. batter into each well. Put 1 tsp. of the filling of your choice in the center of each pancake and top with 1 Tbs. batter. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Using two wooden skewers, flip the pancakes over and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes more.

recipe of Williams-Sonoma

July 3, 2010

Our Harvest



Today we harvested our delicious soybeans!




To prepare them we rinsed and boiled them for 10 minutes. To serve we sprinkled them with sea salt. They were great!

July 2, 2010

His Art


I love my husbands art. He is so talented and it comes so easily! This is one of the things I love about him the most.