Friday, August 31, 2007

Cheese Boereg

We had a little potluck at work today and I decided to let my Armenian roots take over. I called my mom and got her recipe for Cheese Boereg. For some reason, I haven't made any Armenian dishes before, probably because my grandmother and mom keep me fully supplied. It was time to give it a go.
It's a simple recipe with 2 simple parts, phyllo dough and cheese.
Cheese Boureg
The cheese mix is 3/4 lb. Mozzarella, 3/4 lb. Feta, 1/4 cup (or less, to taste) parsley, and 2 eggs.
After rolling out the phyllo, cut it in half lengthwise. Use half of the phyllo now and keep the other half for later. In a pan (glass Pyrex is ideal), put down 2 layers of phyllo, brushing melted butter in between. After those two layers, begin scrunching the phyllo and brushing it with melted butter in between each layer.
Cheese Boereg
When the entire half of the phyllo runs out, spread all of the cheese mixture on top, then the other half of the phyllo.
Cheese Boereg
Keep the phyllo layers scrunchy, until you get to the last 2 layers, allow those to be straight and neat. Refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight, this way the melted butter hardens and is easy to cut. It's better to pre-cut the boereg, because once the phyllo bakes, it can get flaky and hard to cut.
Cheese Boereg
Preheat oven to 350 and prepare a mix of eggs and milk. Beat 2 eggs (3 if small eggs), add a cup of milk, then beat mixture more. pour mix onto the boereg.
Cheese Boureg
Bake for about 40-55 minutes, until golden brown. A glass pyrex is good in the case, because you can see if all the layers are properly cooked.
Cheese Boereg
Cheese Boereg
Cheese Boereg
Tasted just like my mom's!

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Organize

I haven't posted much lately, but it's only because I've been organizing everything. Now that I have a few weeks off from school, I can concentrate on my bedroom project, which is coming along. I've also been trying to tidy up on all the small details.
Organize
I love my new floss organizer! Still have a lot left to go, but it's something fun to do while watching mind numbing television.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Possibly Finished Quilt

The quilt tag is finished.
Finished Tag
But the quilt top, might need some work. I'm a bit scared of overdoing it, but I might want to add some embroidery on the flowers.
Anabelle Quilt

Friday, August 24, 2007

Petits Fours

After a lovely brunch at the Aroma Cafe, Brian and I went to The Gelato Bar and treated ourselves to there delectable little treats.
Petits Fours
Pistachio and Apricot, and Raspberry flavored petits fours. YUM.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Root Beer Float

It's been way too hot in the valley for food. Instead, I've been eating this for dinner for the past 3 nights.
Root Beer Float
When I was a little girl, I hated root beer floats. Something about the creamy ice cream mixed with carbonated fizzy drink didn't do it for me. A few months ago, it was a hot day in San Diego. Brian and I had tickets to go see Morrissey, but were so sleepy from our drive over, we decided to get some coffee. Well, I'm not really a coffee drinker, and it was hot, and they had a root beer float on the menu! For some reason, all of the things that turned me off about root beer floats before (the creamy mixed with the fuzzy) sounded super good at that moment, so I ordered a root beer float. After ordering, I discovered it cost $10(!), so I kindly declined and asked for an iced tea instead. I snuck away to the bathroom while Brian's coffee was being made, and to my surprise he bought me my $10 root beer float! It was wonderful! And that would be the day that I re-discovered and fell in love with root beer floats.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The Hard Boiled Egg That Could

Third times a charm! Actually, I think this was my fourth time, but never the less, a charm!
I finally did it!
I love this egg. The color, the texture, the taste... it's about time I got it right! I brought the water to a rolling boil, then slowly added the eggs and turned the heat down slightly. I left the eggs in for 20 minutes, with the water at a rolling simmer/boil. After draining, I let them soak in cold water. Now I can make deviled eggs and tuna salad, without embarrassment! Hooray!

Monday, August 20, 2007

Anabelle Quilt Tag

It's all ready to go on.
Finished Anabelle Quilt Tag
I didn't end up following any of the pencil marks I originally drew on, so those will have to be erased. I'm really happy with it. I feel so much more comfortable with embroidery now, I can't wait to start my next project! No idea what it will be yet, but I'm still happy!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Egg Progress

I can't explain it.
Hard Boiled Egg - Attempt 3
After 17 minutes in simmering water, my egg was still raw. I then added an extra 4-5 minutes of boiling to it, and what you get is pictured above. It was better, and tasted good, but I think I still need to let them boil a little more. Maybe next time I'll give them about 7-8 minutes. Sometimes it's the simple things that are the hardest to do.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Old School

Grilled Cheese a la 6th grade lunch ladies. Only thing missing was me in a hairnet.
Melty Cheese
Old School
Inside gooey goodness
This brings back memories of lunch trays and private school uniforms.
Speaking of school, only 2 days left!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Progress On Anabelle Embroidery

Anabelle Embroidery Progress
It's coming along quickly. I learned 2 new stitches with this one so far, the Split Stitch and the French Knot. On my last quilt tag, I did Couching, which was nice, but seemed like it took forever. I'll probably do Couching when attaching the tag onto the quilt.

On a side note, this is the last week of my statistics class. Only 4 days left to freedom. Let the countdown begin.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Weekend Wrap-Up

Chocolate Covered Cupcakes, at a Mexican Chocolate shop in Universal City Walk.
Chocolate Covered Cupcake
That's right, we went to city walk and Universal Studios too! It was a fun day/night and we got to meet Richard Blade, who was the nicest guy ever! It's been a hot weekend here in Los Angeles, luckily we remembered to bring our spf 90 with us for our Universal Studios trip. Unfortunately, we were a bit more forgetful with the sunblock today at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.
Rose Bowl Flea Market
I didn't get much, except a dress and a sunburn.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Bad Auntie

I'm horrible. I've been spelling my niece's name wrong all along, Annabelle is really Anabelle. I'm so glad I double checked on that one, because I would be really sad if I finished the hand embroidered tag, spelling her name wrong. Not good.
Anabelle Emboidery
So far I have only started drawing things in, but it is going to have a baby rattle and going to read, "to Anabelle, Love, Auntie Annette". This is going to take possibly forever, but my goal is to have it ready in time for Christmas. I want to make 2 more for Julia and Andrew (my other niece and nephew), but they might have to wait for their birthdays next June and July.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Bad Egg

Somehow, I just can't get it right. Last time, I boiled it too much, this time not enough.
Bad Egg
Will the third time be just right? Let's hope so. On the bright side, at least there's no green film!

Am I Done Yet?

Not yet. I kept having the feeling like something was missing on this quilt, and this morning it came to me! The tag!
Annabelle Quilt
I originally wanted the binding to be blue, but Joann fabrics and I both ran out of the blue, so I went with green, and I'm pretty happy with it. I might use some of the green for the tag to tie it all in.
Annabelle Quilt
When I first decided on making this quilt, I said it's either going to be "really simple or kinda complicated", and it became both. It's still a simple quilt, but I added complicated touches, that were new to me.
Applique' wasn't too hard to do. All I did was buy a quilting magazine that had some instructions in it, talk a bit to the woman at Joann's, then figure it out.
A scalloped edge wasn't as hard either. I found instructions for that online! Sure, my scalloped edges are a mess, but so are my applique', so I just figure it goes together. Plus, it's all about handmade! Quilts should look a little messy sometimes, being too exact would take all the fun out for me. Plus, if I want it to look like a machine did it, I'll just buy a machine quilt instead. Though, I highly respect quilters who have the patience and talent to make their work looks so perfect. Maybe someday I'll have the patience for it, but until then, crooked edges for me.

Monday, August 06, 2007

Farmer's Market Lunch

I'm loving the Getty Farmer's Market. Today for lunch, I had French bread with heirloom tomatoes and fresh cheese.
Farmer's Market Lunch
For dessert I sprinkled some orange-infused honey on the bread with pistachios. I also got to sample some Dry Soda, which was interesting. I think I like the concept more than the taste though.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Squiggly Appliqué

Annabelle Quilt Progress
The appliqué is on. I couldn't get the stitching perfectly, so I made it intentionally squiggly. I like it. Basting and quilting to come soon!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

I Love Todd

And I love his book.

I'm not sure I can make half the stuff in here, because I lack the tools and the space to build them, but I'm still super inspired by the projects. I think I just want Todd Oldham to come and makeover my place instead though. Of course, I'd help and make him cookies.