Cardamom Almond Biscotti

The other evening I made Biscotti.  Yum!  In my opinion, the best way to eat Biscotti is to dip it in hot coffee.  After sending some off to our Faculty Follies fundraiser, and taking some to school today, there are just a few left here at home.  ... a perfect treat for tomorrow's morning coffee!  I promised the recipe to some friends, so here it is (taken from Taste of Home's Treasury of Christmas Recipes, p. 233).

Cardamom Almond Biscotti
Ingredients:
1 cup butter,softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 t. almond extract
5-1/4 cups flour
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 t. ground cardamom
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream (I substituted plain yogurt -- the Greek kind sold at Costco)
1 c. chopped almonds

Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in extract. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, and cardamom; add to creamed mixture alternating with sour cream. Fold in almonds.

Divide dough into fourths.  Shape each into a ball.  Roll each ball into a 15 in. log on 2 greased cookie sheets (2 per pan).  Bake at 350 for 30 min.  Transfer to a cutting board, and cut diagonally into 1/2 inch slices. Place with cut side down on greased baking sheets.  Bake for 10-12 min. or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.  Makes about 7 dozen.

A start back to sewing

I really need to get back to sewing.  Christmas is coming, and I have a few projects to finish off.  A snow day would be just the thing to help that along!  In the meantime, I tried to motivate myself for Christmas sewing by making a seasonal pin cushion.  It's very basic, very "rough" (i.e. I did not take my time on it!), but very functional. :)

Sew three different triangle sections -- layering felt, backing, batting, and stuffing.

Stitch the three triangles together, leaving the bottom open.

Add a star on top, pins, and slip it over an old spool. 

What projects have you been working on?

We're home

Just a quicky this evening to say we are home, after a great visit with our kids in the midwest.

The Harp

Here it is -- The Harp!  I still can't believe I'm taking harp lessons!  It's an instrument I've always admired, but never once thought I would actually learn to play.  Sewing has taken "second stage" for a while as I enjoy and get acquainted with the harp.

The Heidi Bag

The Heidi Bag is the latest pattern I've tested for http://www.ithinksew.com/.  It was an easy pattern to follow, but in the end I didn't feel it was a bag I would want to use for myself.  In my opinion it has a younger "cute" look.  Maybe if I added a larger, more elegant flower, it would change the look.  Anyway... this may be one I will use for the school auction.  Here it is...

I used a heavy interfacing to help give shape to the bag body.

The outside fabric feels like a wool blend. I'm really not sure, though, since I found it at the thrift store.

It has a long handle...

The "flower" was my first attempt, and I kind of did my own thing.  I wanted to use this red and white button to match the lining, so kind of changed from what the pattern showed.

...the lining.

Looking forward...

Today was Thursday, but in many ways it was like a "bonus" Friday!  No school for students tomorrow! I truly love teaching, and the students are what makes the job exciting -- but there is just something about having a teacher work day that I look forward to.  I always have dreams the night before work days of accomplishing great things -- writing plans that are creative and will challenge the students to greater thinking, clearing the ever present pile of papers in my bin, entering grades, writing reports, long-term planning, and on and on...  So, when morning comes I'll have my tennis shoes on, and ready -- set -- GO!

Ah, but everything is not all work and no play.  Here's "looking forward" to my next sewing project.  A new purse...

Stay tuned to see the finished project.

Shooing a cold out the door!

I've had a cold virus, including all the "frills" -- fever, achy body, coughing, and tiredness.  Fortunately, each day is getting better, and I'm "shooing" this thing out the door ... and posting a sign that "reads" -- COLD NOT WELCOME HERE!  Ah well, we all go through this.  Last week I had been saying to Mystery Man (that would be my husband!) that a day off to do some sewing would be great.  I did end up being home from school for two days, but no energy whatsoever could be found for sewing!  Mom, I did play Scrabble your style -- one person for both moves!  I didn't get very far, but it entertained me for a few moves.  I also managed to read a little of The Help -- really enjoying the book!  Now in case you think I have spelled quean wrong -- go take a look in the dictionary.  Today I was back to work and enjoyed being there.  Being sick renews a thankful spirit!