A New Dress!

Hello All!

Yes, it's true!  I made a new dress!  I just finished it yesterday.  I think the fabric is really beautiful with the Chinese dragons, the purples and orange.  Of course, I have a hat to match!
I'm very pleased with this dress.  I haven't worn it yet but I think it's the perfect dress to wear to a Chinese restaurant.  With the hat.  I plan to make a few more of these and have the fabric ready and waiting.  After I get them sewn, I will probably switch to a different pattern.  But I tell you, I really love making this dress.  It's a real pleasure to sew up.

And since we are in a new month it is time for a new cookbook.  But first I want to tell you about my experience with and how I liked the first book, Simple French Food.  I didn't make as many recipes as I would have liked and there's a few I may go back and make. 
What I did make:

Cod, Potatoes, and Eggs (I made this twice it was so good.  If you want to make a Norwegian happy, then make this dish!)
Saute of green beans
Mushrooms Provencal
Spinach Stuffed Crepes (the crepe recipe did NOT work at all.  I had to pour it out and use a recipe that I knew worked, but they were really delicious once I did that)
Zucchini Pie

What I wanted to try but didn't:
Red Wine Soup
Sorrell Soup (my sorrell has to grow a bit more)
Garlic Chicken
Eggs scrambled with cheese and white wine.

Of course there are a lot more I would like to try, like all of the spinach recipes and more of the egg recipes.  And then there are some you couldn't pay me to cook or eat:

Gratin of Calves' Brains with sorrell (no way am I using my sorrell for that)
anything in the section titled Ears, Rinds, and Tails
Veal Sweetbread Loaf
And especially Frivolity Fritters (Lamb testicles)

Seriously, I have to say I liked this book.  What I fixed was really good, the recipes were easy to follow and the ingredients were simple.  There's a lot in this book and I felt I just barely got into it.  This book is also good if you want to learn more about cooking.

And now I guess you are wondering about this month's cookbook.  I have picked From Tapas to Meze.  Yesterday I went through the book and made a list of the recipes I would like to try.  Maybe I will get to more of them this way.

And now back to something I mentioned a while back that I said I would look up and keep you posted on.  That's right.  Is there a National Hat Day?  I am most happy to report that YES, there is!!! Here is a little blurb about National Hat Day which is always January 15th.  So mark your calendar!  Since it passed this year without my knowing it is quite possible that alas, I was not wearing a hat. 

While I was looking up this information, I found a site for The Headwear Association.  I especially liked  these photos taken at the Kentucky Derby.  And all those years I lived in Kentucky and never went to the derby!  Shameful, I know.

There will probably be more hat posts in the future, so be forewarned.

I guess that just about does it for a catch up post. 

So Happy Monday everyone!

 

Comments

[Sandra]

I was always told that I had a "good face for a hat" (whatever that means), yet I never wear one...

You are one sewing fool! Love the dress!

[Melanie Doerman]

just now saw this response! I think we should wear more hats! I'll keep everyone posted on National Hat Day.