The last day of the theoretical last month of summer. I realize that the dunce-factor has risen exponentially around this blog in the past few weeks as I confess to a total lack of understanding of many basic concepts. But really, I've learned a lot this summer.
One of the things I've learned is how to cook a lot of new things. So many. When I think back to Andy's birthday party, before I became Ina's acolyte, I can hardly believe I didn't have a good pasta salad in my repertoire, for instance. I can think of so many now, and so many other yummy things, too. That's exciting. I'm picturing great dinner parties for fall — all those upcoming cold, rainy Portland nights warmed by candlelight and casseroles and company. It's funny — having cooked my way through so many of Ina's recipes, I feel ready to explore some new collections, and maybe even take a cooking class.
I found out a few days ago that a booth at the antique market is going to be ready for me at the beginning of October, so I'm excited about that, too. I have so much stuff for the booth, a bobillion dishes and other hard-to-store stuff, and right now it's all over the house. A lot of it still needs to be photographed and put up on my new web site, which will probably be ready to go sometime in October, too. It will be good to get the stuff out of the living, er, dining room, and do some reorganization and repainting. I was so excited to see these spice jar labels in the new Martha because I've been meaning to redo all my spices, too, which are pretty old and scuzzy; I just found sixteen little glass bottles at a garage sale, all for a dollar. Then I'll treat myself to a new bottle of vanilla, a few whole vanilla beans, and maybe even some precious saffron. . . .
I definitely didn't finish all the sewing I wanted to do this summer, not by a long shot. But I did finish the back-to-school dress, and I'll try and get a photo of the back-to-school girl in it today. But I never made this dress, and I never got to the fair I wanted to wear it to. The Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival is coming right up, however, and we always make it out to that. I can't believe it's time again. I haven't started the Duro-ish dress, either, though it seems like the perfect thing to wear, and I do totally intend to make it, when I can find the fabric I want.
I think I'm going to take a blogging break next week and massage a few things into shape around here, get some stuff finished, and maybe even have a couple last summery flings before the rains start.
Love the blue and red, A. The refocus of a blogging break works wonders for my productivity, I probably don't take as many of them as I should.
Have I ever been the first to comment on a post from you???
This is my first visit to your blog, and was so excited to see that there is another Ina fan out there!! I love her recipes..and watching her cook! Wonderful blog you have, it has inspired me greatly to be more productive.
Have a great day!
I've always felt that one should try something new every Summer. Be it an author, a skill or a country. I am glad to see that you have enjoyed your cookery Summer. Just think how much nicer it will be when you can slave over a hot stove that is actually warmer than the air outside!
Blogging break!! What will I do?? I rely on Jane to get me through the afternoon at work and look forward to yours on my commute home! Seriously though, enjoy it. I don't know how some of you daily posters keep it up. I have enough problems managing three or four updates a week!
Enjoy your blogging break but whatever shall we do?! :) Check this site out for tons o' spicey goodness.
http://www.penzeys.com/
Congratulations on what you've learned this summer about cooking. I really didn't learn to cook until I made up my mind to, when I was about 28. I could make pasta and some basic other things, but I had no idea about spices or how to mix flavours. I consulted a couple cookbooks briefly and then I was off and running! Food is such an intimate thing, and it's nice to be able to create with it.
Have a great break! Good luck with all your crafting and planning etc.
Blogging Break? BLOGGING BREAK? Did you assign people to pick up the slack while you're on a break? Because people need blogs to read. Just saying.
martha? where's my new martha!!!! i'm going to have to call that woman. love your reflection on things learned this summer. i've learned that, yes, I truly don't like excessive heat and humidity.
enjoy your little blogging break, if you must! xo.
Ooh! Penzeys is really cool. My mother started going there because they now have 2 stores in Portland (one on 82nd and one out in Clackamas) and she really really loves them. Their spices are excellent!
PS. I'm headed to OFFF as well, maybe I will see you there.
Spices are such a nice treat! I finally took the plunge the other day and bought saffron. I need it for a Rachael Ray recipe (I don't have extended cable so I've never watched her so I'm not annoyed by her the way some people are. And her recipes are good. But I digress). Anyway, enjoy your blogging break!
Funny, I was just wondering (really! what a dork!) about that dress and if you ever made it. It's such a cute pattern and I have been anxiously awaiting seeing the finished product. If you do make it, promise to show us?
Enjoy your break, cutie; you'll be missed!
I'll be so sad not to read your blog next week! That said, I think you really deserve a vacation from it. Enjoy some recoup time!
We're all very lucky that you post everyday. I look forward to my Posie update each lunchtime. You have no idea how much your blog means to so many of us. Thank you, Alicia!!!
Alicia, check out classes at the In Good Taste Cooking School in the Pearl. I have taken several there, and other places around town, and In Good Taste is my favorite. Mmmm...maybe I should take my own advice and sign up for one, too. My brother and I love to do that together.
Can't wait for your booth to open up. Enjoy the break from the blog...we'll all miss you while you're on sabbatical. cheers...tammy
have (cough) fun on your break.
enjoy your break - and here's to some last summer flings!!
Whole Foods sometimes offers some cooking classes. I took a gluten free class at our Seattle one which was brilliant. I liked it because it was short, sweet and I took away a lot of information and recipes to cook at home. I'd love to hear more about the antique store booth. Eventually I'm going to have to get one of these since my cupboards are bursting with vintage thrifted items. Enjoy your blogging break. (I loved Lisa's uh, cough when she mentioned your break)
enjoy your break and the last days of summer before beautiful fall. cheers.
Alicia,
I haven't been able to comment for quite some time, but I've been really enjoying your posts. Change, renewal, learning, organizing,new directions, etc. I am going through similar changes, but in different ways and it feels comforting to read your words. To nod my head in agreement, yet again. Thank you for your words and sharing everything it is you have to offer. When I look at the beautiful pictures of your home I pick up on things that I most like and hope to apply them to my own home one day, when I have one. Not by copying what you have, but paying attention to the layout. How it looks so comfortable and inviting. I swear, I could curl up with a good project in any corner of your home. I love that feeling. The feeling is what I'm after and you seem to put that so well into your stories. Thank you.
I love the duro dress, too. On my to-do list, along with a million other things. I enjoy your blog, good luck with the end of the summer items.
Glad to hear you are taking a break, but will definitely miss you next week!
Good to hear you have enjoyed cooking. I love to cook, just hate to clean up the mess.. and since it is just Em and I, I can tend to over cook and then have to eat leftovers to the point of dreading eating : ) I watched my mom cook every day as a child and teenager. I have always cooked, which has been helpful (in college, my roommate COULD NOT cook, she even made mushy rice crispy treats.. now, how do you do that.. with real mashmallows, not the jar stuff?) If you stumble along any other wonderful chefs to follow, please let us know!
Hopefully next week will go by quick so we all will not go to having withdrawl symptoms!
Sometimes when all seems lost in the world of 2 children, a cat and husband reading your blog before putting myself to bed cheers me up and makes the next day seem full of "I will get things done!" and "may-be I will manage to keep the house tidy and cook a whole meal from scratch!" thoughts. What will I do without you to give me inspiration for the next week!!!!!
Alicia, I so enjoy your blog everyday. How will I cope next week? I miss you already... sniff. Hope your time away is fun and productive. x
Ahhhh! I totally support a blogging break but selfishly wondering, like all the others, how I will get through my day. It's now a habit that I come home from a day-in-the-life at other people's homes and escape into your world to briefly hide from my own stress (you provide me with my 5-10 minute alone/adjusting period). Perhaps you could suggest some of your favorite blogs so we that will be jonesin' for Alicia can cope. :) Relax, enjoy, grill outdoors, soak in the sun, create, I could go on. I will patiently await your return. Be well!
I just appreciate the time you put into this blog, I just love reading it on my lunch break. I emailed it to my mother in law today. You too are kindered spirits. I know she will love your happy little blog. Enjoy your blogging break.
Kind Regards,
Julie
I stumbled upon this site as I was in the process of doing some online research. Though we are fond of cooking it was amazing to discover that we also did not know how to make a really good summer pasta salad.
I hope you enjoy your break but whatever will I do for my pick me up break??
I LOVE your blog and have read every post. Now who is this Ina?? Do I need TV to know her?
Enough questions. Thanks Alicia for having an awesome blog to visit daily....dorothy in sunny bc canada