Two Small Finishes

... Well, sort of! I'm attending a retreat in June where we will be learning to do a biscornu finish and a pinkeep finish. I finished stitching both sides of my biscornu. I chose 32ct Silkweaver Hand-Dyed evenweave fabric in Coral Chiffon, and stitched it with Weeks Dye Works in Grenadine. Each side took me about 3 hours stitch. Pics can be seen HERE. For anyone not familiar with biscornus, read my 12 Days entry.

Hopefully, I'll be starting the pinkeep design this week. It's a Cardinal pattern to commemorate the retreat being held in Indiana. The Cardinal is IN state bird. Everyone attending the retreat will be stitching the same Cardinal design.

Disaster???

Ack! When I was cleaning my stitching corner, I found that some water was spilled on the table and my Sea Heather (Thread Gatherer Silk n Colors) floss got soaked with water. I laid it on the dining room table to dry and now it’s not soft like it was. Is it ruined???

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Last year, my mother decided that she wasn’t having Easter anymore, so we are all on our own. Bro #1 spent it with his fiancé. Bro #2 spent it with his in-laws. Sis spent it with her daughter. Me?

I played a role in “Meet the Parents”... LOL Actually, it was more like “Meet the Family”. I was invited by S to spend Easter with his extended family at his Aunt & Uncle’s home. Imagine waking up at 2am freaking out about meeting the family! Yeah, I did that. I was worried about what they’d ask me and how I’d respond. Whether I’d be grilled or not. Yikes! Being the quiet person I am, I’m not that good in social interactions, especially with people I don’t know. I met his father, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother. In her heyday, his grandma was a lounge singer/entertainer. His cousin and wife are rock band musicians from Chicago. His father has an occupation in common with mine. His aunt loves Scrabble and Gone With The Wind (like me!) Much to my relief, everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Dinner was excellent. After dinner, Scrabble came out and I was invited to play with his aunt and her sister. They’re hardcore! I knew as soon as they laid their first words. Ack. Needless to say, I lost! What made the experience special was the fact that S held my hand while we walked up to the house upon arrival, rubbed my shoulders a couple times in front of everyone, and helped me put on my coat before we left. Several times during the day, he told me how pretty I looked. Aww… Needless to say, I had a good holiday.

Look What the Mailman Brought Me

I'm a lucky girl this week. I received two packages in the mail!

The first was from Roberta in CA. She's my partner in the CSE Stitching Buddy Exchange. In the April package she sent me was a needleroll chart by M Designs called "A Little Love", three skeins of Kreinik Silk Mori Milkpaint floss, Soie Perlee in White (all to go with the chart), Silkweaver Expressions Hand-Dyed evenweave in Strawberry Milkshake (very pretty!), and Silkweaver Solo Hand-Dyed Linen.

I also received a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) from a dear friend in IA. I was totally flabbergasted that Deborah sent me a set of DMC floss along with a cute little card with a black poodle on the front. Deborah's dog is a black poodle named Miz Precious DeeDee II. When I opened the package of floss, I found a piece of aida and a small pattern booklet with 8 nice designs. Deborah has been ill for quite a while, yet she finds the time and energy to send out RAKs. What a sweetheart!

A big THANK YOU to both Roberta and Deborah. :)

Monday Update 4/2/07

Dinner Date
Last Friday, S came over and we made General Tso's Chicken for dinner. Well, actually *I* made it and he kept me company in the kitchen while I cooked. I take that back, he mixed up the sauce for me. It only took about an hour to make. It was the most scrumptious meal ever!!


GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN

1 lb. chicken thighs, boned & cubed*
3 eggs, beaten
½ c. cornstarch + 8 tsp. cornstarch
5 dried chili pods*
6 tbsp. rice wine vinegar*
12 tbsp. sugar
12 tbsp. soy sauce
Peanut or Canola oil
Green onion, chopped (optional garnish)


In a large bowl, thoroughly blend the 1/2 cup of cornstarch and the eggs; add the chicken and toss to coat. If the mixture is too thick, add some vegetable oil to separate the pieces.

The General's Favorite Sauce: In a small bowl, prepare the sauce mixture by combining the 8 tsp cornstarch with the vinegar, sugar and soy sauce.

First-Stage Frying: Heat 1-2 inches of peanut oil in a wok to medium-high heat (350-400). Fry the chicken in small batches, just long enough to cook the chicken through. Remove the chicken to absorbent paper and allow to stand (this step can be performed well in advance, along with the sauce mixture, with both refrigerated).

Second-Stage Frying: Leave a tablespoon or two of the oil in the wok. Add the pepper pods to the oil and stir-fry briefly, awakening the aroma but not burning them. Return the chicken to the wok and stir-fry until the pieces are crispy brown. Add the sauce-mixture to the wok, tossing over the heat until the sauce caramelizes into a glaze (1-2 minutes). Serve immediately over white rice topped with chopped steamed broccoli. Sprinkle with green onion. Serves 4.

*Substitute balsamic vinegar or sherry in place of rice vinegar.
*Substitute chicken breasts for thighs.
*Substitute dried red pepper for chili pods (1/2 tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. red pepper flakes)

Variations: Alternative sauce recipe (not as spicy): ½ c. cornstarch, ¼ c. water, 1½ tsp. ea. garlic & ginger, ¾ c. sugar, 1/2 c. soy sauce, ¼ c. vinegar & 1/4 c. sherry wine, one 14 oz can of chicken broth.