I am doing all I can to keep my spirits up in this insane “Spring” weather we are experiencing. This weekend saw us through yet another snowstorm … and if it weren’t for crafting and cooking, I might have gone insane (I did have one meltdown but cured it by browsing through some real estate web sites … I am so out of here).
I was able to work on my “Spring Project” quilt this weekend. The top is nearly completed. I am now in the process of deciding what to do with it. I usually know beforehand who a quilt is intended for, but I am so unsure about this one. It is the first time I have done an applique piece like this one, so I am tempted to keep it. But after inheriting so many of my Mother-in-Laws gorgeous quilts, I see no reason to keep any more (though I only possess one of my own quilts).
I also inherited my Mother-in-Law’s Janome Memory Craft 9000. Though I have had it for almost a year now, I only just began using it this weekend. It is just such an incredible machine … so different from my Memory Craft 3000 … and thus so very daunting. But Halis and I looked through the manual this weekend, and I got comfortable enough to work with it on my current quilt …
I also tried my hand at cooking some Turkish food this weekend as well … for the very first time! After nearly 12 years of marriage to a Turk, I have finally tried my hand at making Boreks. Thanks to The Sultan’s Kitchen by Ozcan Ozan, I made some delicious Spinach and Feta Cheese Boreks (page 54)*.
(* For those who would like to try these as well, e-mail me for the recipe. I would only suggest that you not use as much butter as is called for – as these are greasier than my In-Laws make.)
These Boreks are actually alot of fun to make. As I was brushing a buttery mixture on each sheet of Fillo dough, my husband was telling me about the many occasions when he would help to make these as a child. As he watched me make them, he said “My Mom would be so proud of you.” Though I am not entirely sure of that, I thought it was quite sweet of him to say.
It amazes me how very “domestic” I am getting in my thirties. I have suddenly taken an interest in cooking the foods of my husband’s youth … and making quilts for charity … etc, etc. (Somebody please pass me a bra to burn before I take this too far!)
Also, I am really getting into this whole ATC movement in the crafting/blogging world. And after several weeks of snooping around at the ATCs of others … I finally made some of my very own for a swap that I participated in titled, “Extreme Close Up Photo ATCs“. I love how they turned out:
These photos were all taken during an outing that Isaac and I took to the Bangor Public Library. I am very excited for my 3 swap partners to receive them. I also kept a set for myself so that Isaac could have them when he is older. They are so much more vibrant and interesting in-person. I lok forward to making more. I have already gotten Meg into making them and she even plans to put together an ATC swap for kids! We’ll keep you posted.
Love,
Jodi