the sounds of summer...

The weather has been up and down, so I almost hesitate to say this, but tonight it feels like summer is here. Sure, it's a little cool, but we ate outside, and following dinner we heard the familiar sound of the Ice Cream Man's bell. That's what summer is all about...

on the perils of multitasking...

A friend of mine recently blogged about multitasking, and now it's been on my head. You think that it's a good idea to work on a bunch of things so that everything is moving forward. Sometimes you just can't avoid it. But I've always known that multitasking can lead to problems. Yesterday I nearly through my computer through the window, all because of my own multitasking. It went something like this:

• Start working on new logo design. Process how this will look.
• Dad (acting as client) asks about backdrop/panel design he needs. Begin searching for images.
• Think about blogging about projects you're working on.
• Realize that you need a new font for logo. Begin searching. Install font.
• Discuss image and designs for backdrop.
• Consider when dinner needs to be started.
• Layout logo with many small adjustments. Realize that you should probably save.
• Show folks what you've been working on. Resist urge to scream as Illustrator shuts down.

All this because of two things I should know by now: Don't get distracted by multitasking, and save early--save often. At least the second time of layout out that logo went faster...

needing my dough...

My little brother used to play this cute Richard Scary computer game, in which the baker pig would say (in an adorable accent), "I'm a kneadin' my dough, I'm a kneadin' my dough, I'm a needin' to knead-a my dough." This has always been a favorite line of mine, and it came to mind yesterday as I was making bread.

When I was little I made bread with my grandma frequently, but this was my first time on my own. I checked out this book from my library, and found all kinds of great recipes, none of which seemed too overwhelming. It's a British book, so some terms and flours are different (anyone know where I can find malthouse flour in the U.S.?), but they have U.S. measurements.

I set out to make Olive and tomato tear and share bread. All things considered, it went quite well. The texture wasn't as fluffy as the picture, and it looked a little wonky. But my flour was a little different, so any imperfections will be blamed on that. But hey, it tasted good!

And speaking of needin' your dough, happy tax day!

Update: After more searching, I discovered that the aforementioned book had a small note on how to make malthouse (also called granary) flour. Mix two-thirds whole wheat with one-third bread flour, plus a small amount of malt powder. Sage and parmesan flutes coming up!

april snow showers...

...kill the flowers that we were hoping to have in May. The crazy weather in Chicago is, well, crazy. Slushy snow is everywhere, and I don't like it. The plants that have poked up through the ground don't like it either. Nor do my feet, that really want to be wearing flip flops.

the eggs were all dyed by the children with care...

...in hopes that the bunny, soon would be there.

Happy Easter Eve! We colored eggs tonight, and amazingly, I didn't get any dye on my clothes. My fingers are another story. We tend to be purists, when it comes to eggs. Nothing fancy, just some dye tablets in cups of water. Due to a misunderstanding about what colors the tablets really were, however, I added lemon juice to the pink (I thought it was purple), apparently ruining it. But it turned out nice having the four colors that we did. They work well, and almost have a Martha Stewart thing going on. You know, if Martha had little kids throwing eggs into cups of dye in the middle of her kitchen.

pool season is coming up...

It's a bit chilly in Chicago again, but it's only a matter of time before the pool is open and we're all splashing around and enjoying the water. I'd like to suggest that you start practicing a little "Marco Polo," or holding your breath, but according to this video there are some "Things You CAN'T Do When You're NOT in a Pool."

nothing is ever easy...

I wanted to give/send Easter cards to a few folks, so to make it easy on myself, I bought some cute cards. They sat by my computer for over a week...I saw them each day. Until today when I went to mail one out. They were gone. I'm sure they'll turn up in a week or so.

No big deal, I thought. I'll just watercolor a little chickie on the front of a blank card. That'll be easy. But, of course, my watercolors aren't where I thought they were. Instead, I have a feeling they are still packed up in the mess of things from my room.

I'm almost afraid to decide on another "simple" plan for these cards.

So much for easy...