A Fanciful Twist

Evening Flower...

Blame it on the lovely days...

Beckoning me, bewitching me into the sun and paint, still.

I went out to shade my flower painting, but then...

Ended up starting a new one.

Another one.

I just want to be outside, blaring my music and painting.

Morning, noon and night.

Painting imaginary whimsical flowers.

Alas, the winds blow in with some cooler temps.

So, we get the fire going night after night.

Fur and sunsets, fairy lights and warmth.

Love that background sunset.

The little stove gives such wonderful warmth.

We hang out at the gypsy wagon.

I have a trick to tell the heat of my stove.

I keep a kettle of hot water on, it tells (guides) me if the heat is high, medium or low.

Tricky, eh?

I make dinner and then almond milk hot chocolate for dessert.

Clink clink.

It's chilly, but not cold.

The days are sunny warm, but the breeze is quite cool, so it's nice.

However, the winds are blowing in, changing our weather.

I see the grey.

Maybe winter is finally coming by, who knows?

For now...

I have sunburned shoulders, and the sky is all starry nights.

One extra big and bright.

And in the new grey day, we have naps with twigs and leaves on ears.

Pure bliss.

Life is short.

Life is fleeting.

Life passes quickly, act accordingly.

That's my motto.

:)

Happy weekend my friends!

Any great plans?

 

Great plans to me are utterly fantastic movies, popcorn, crocheting, playing checkers, warm socks, grilled veggies, happy dogs.

You?

 

Well, off I go for now, see you soon!

 

Love, V

 

 

 

Flower Painting in the Sun...

Today was such a sunny happy day.

I splashed some water on the dirt as I watered my roses...

And, for a split second, I smelled that heavenly scent of summer.

So, I decided I had to stay outside all day and paint flowers.

I love painting flowers.

I have a few huge flower paintings I started years ago and have yet to finish.

(6 feet long)

One is hanging in the cottage.

Today I decided to paint a smaller piece.

You should see the stacks of all sorts of paintings I never share.

Just painting for the health of my soul.

Today it was bright colors splashed around.

The sun was so warm, it was about 78' and glorious.

80' is what is on the menu for tomorrow.

So odd, this eternal spring weather.

Normally we have spring from late March early April, to mid May.

Then summer from Mid May to the end of October.

Then a mild fall from November to December.

Winter from January to Mid March.

And it always snows here at least once in February.

So, having endless weeks of 70'+ is just bliss.

And 80' tomorrow?

I could faint.

Yay!

No wonder I have flowers of the brain.

It's so much fun to just brush paint around.

Making a mess.

Having a blast.

Music playing, sun shining...

Doggies laying around me.

Bright colors on the palette.

Lots of fur hugs.

(I should probably take down the orange and purple Halloween lights on the cottage)

The honk of the UPS truck.

Dogs barking.

Sun setting.

What has happened to me?

I always longed for mittens and boots and wool coats.

I have a wide variety of all.

But today was summer dress weather, and I am totally into it.

I am not into feeling cold in my bones at all.

I guess it's lucky I live in Southern Arizona then.

And not at the top of the cool forest mountain I see everyday.

Or in a very snowy place.

Although I do love the snow.

For now...

I am painting happy things.

Just because.

 

What are you up to?

Is it freezing cold where you are?

 

Last night we had dinner and hot chocolate on the cast iron stove in the gypsy garden.

The stars were so lovely.

Our sky is so clear, and the air so fresh.

I can always pick out constellations.

Once there was an astronomer at our house.

And he made it so easy to see all the constellations with his guidance.

It was ah-mazing.

 

One day I HAVE to see the Aurora Borealis.

And not just on sparkly Swarovski beads :)

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights??

 

Looove, V

 

 

ps:  I am a guest blogger at Stampington's blog, Somerset Place, this week.

Please stop in and say hello if you have a little chance ♥

And the Sky, is a Hazy Shade of Winter....

That grey winter light.

Cloudy.

Casting tones that only that hazy shade of winter can.

Only time and sun and years can really make paint peel just perfectly.

Photos of this and that.

Pink petals always delight.

I scrounge around the garden shed for stacks of tiny terracotta pots I made.

Perfect for baby ferns.

The sun is always out in our neck of the woods.

So, the haze is interesting and welcome from time to time.

I love shell collections, do you?

I was always in trouble for packing suitcases of warm wet shells on vacations.

Collecting sea shells, one of my favorite things.

These are an antique collection of shells that I cherish greatly.

Snippets of our little world.

The wonderful sculptural vase below is by artist Nick Tranmer.

(who I learned pottery from actually)

Blue and reds blur into purple hues in this curiously dusted light.

We head out for a walk down our road.

Folks collecting citrus in their garden.

Boys down peaceful paths.

(Miles' teeth marks in leashes, from excitement to go walking)

I don't know why my boys are so good.

One walks on the left, one on the right.

They make sure to stay in their spots.

All on their own.

If they move around, they go back to their spots quickly.

Funny little characters.

Warm sips.

The one thing you can count on, on these hazy winter days...

Blooming amaryllis.

Speaking of old pots.

Below is an old pot, aged perfectly all on its own.

In fact, looks like it even made a space for chalk writing right in the center, no?

I love these hazy days.

They make me want to cuddle up and throw all my chores into the wind.

They make my brain feel hazy too.

Dreamy.

Slow.

Dreaming of sandy beaches...

Warm sand in between toes.

It's been a mild winter here so far.

Hazy days remind us it's not perpetually spring.

And now, I will have the Bangles in my head all day.

Thanks to Simon and Garfunkel.

 

How are you out in the world?

What are the goings on?

 

I am so quiet today.

 

But that can change if I turn up the music ;)

 

You?

 

 

 

DIY ~ Wonderfully Mossy Pots

One of my favorite things in the world, gardening.

But you already knew that.

One of my fave things in the garden.

(or in the house)

Old mossy pots.

They make me think of a gardening shed in Frau-nce.

You know, the kind with stacks and stacks of antique and vintage mossy pots?

Love 'em.

Thing is, I don't have time to wait for moss to grow.

Well, I do, but I would rather have my old French mossy pots now.

So, I drove down to Home Depot (local hardware store), and found these pots.

For like 6, 11 and 9 dollars.

I picked up some green shades of flat and satin spray paint.

I really wanted Design Master brand.

But they didn't have that brand.

So, I got what they had and drove home.

Then I proceeded to make this happen.

Faux moss!

So, what do you need to make your own mossy pots?

1) You need some mossy color flat (or satin if they don't have flat, but not glossy) spray paint.

(after testing, I am partial to this color called Eden by Rust-Oleum, it worked great!)

(if you are going to a craft store you can try some Design Master brand spraypaint, it works well - the color Basil is lovely and Olive Bright is one of my fave colors)

2) You need a spray bottle filled with water

3)  Off-white acrylic paint

4) A cup of water

5) A paintbrush

6) Some terracotta pots and dishes of your choice

So, here is what you do.

Ready?

Generously spray the pot with lots of water, and before it dries lightly spray the pot with spray paint, and then quickly spray the spray paint coat with more water.

Do not let time lapse between spray painting and water spraying.

So, water, spray paint, water...

One right after the other.

And magic happens.

Remember the pot must be wet first.

I start slow and add as I go, in sections.

Then, let the water and paint dry when you have achieved your desired effect.

Don't be tempted to touch or flick off the wet paint.

Let it all dry naturally (or with a hair dryer if you are really impatient).

Don't try to wipe off the water either, just let it all dry on its own so the magic can happen.

You want the drips and globs on there, because they look like moss and lichen and all the glorious garden/forest growing stuff.

Now, another option is to first white wash your pots and dishes.

This will give the effect of salt and calcium leaching into the terracotta.

Here is what you do.

Mix a little off-white acrylic paint with water, so it is a milk texture.

Then spray the clay with water, and then brush on your white wash.

Then spray again.

The water spray gives a more natural effect.

This is what you get, below, once dry.

When the white wash is dry...

Take the terracotta piece, spray it good with water again, and spray some green spray paint on, then generously spray with water again.

The water causes the paint to make patterns, much like moss.

On the pot below, I first did some moss tones.

Then I white washed it as described above, twice.

So it would be a bit thicker white.

And then I did some moss over the white again.

You can see the completed piece in the first image, at the beginning of this post.

I also took some light color clay pots, like the one below...

And mossed them up on the bottom only.

Once again, heavily saturate the pot with your water spray bottle.

Then spray paint, then water bottle spray again right away.

Do not let time lapse between spray painting and water painting.

Then dry.

I did all the plates below with a white wash, and then the moss technique.

Looks pretty good to me.

What do you think?

Do they pass as pots with a little moss stain growing here and there?

I am addicted at this point, so I am on my way to search for more terracotta in my garden shed.

It's fun!

I think a little light teal mixed in might look fun too.

 

Off I go!

 

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  Of course, do all this in a well ventilated area :)

 

pss:  Even though it is winter, I am still in a gardening mood.  And the reason I got these pots and faux mossed them up, was for some indoor plants.  I love indoor gardening in winter, you?  I just love plants in the house.

 

The Fairy Circle...

We live in that curious space, where the desert meets the forest.

Where each step up the mountain brings you closer to toadstools and fairy glamour.

The air is fresh, the sun is bright.

The winter is mild compared to cold places, with snow only in February, maybe once.

The summer very hot, but dry.

Until the monsoon rains roll in for two hot/humid summer months.

If we are lucky it will rain 17 days out of a year.

And so, it's safe.

A safe place for winged beings to make a home.

If it gets too warm, they can always flutter way high, up to the top of that cool forest mountain.

Our little piece of earth has a tiny tree and shrub laden path surrounding it.

 Made by a certain manboy ages/years ago.

(17 years or so)

There is one extra special place I visit first thing every morning.

With bed messed hair and groggy eyes, I stumble through the path, and into...

The fairy bower.

Always, without fail, whispering...

 

“Come out from your fairy bower,

  Come upon this Golden hour.

  Come to us we beg you please,

  Fairies dancing on the breeze.”

 

The bees are here these days.

Working away, buzzing beautifully.

So many bees.

I am so happy to see them.

Through early sunshine...

Wings glisten.

I ask them if Mab or Princess Fruella have been by?

I drink in greedy gulps of fresh air.

As I look up through our beloved fairy bower.

I bring some extra goodies for the fairy circle.

I can tell they were here last night.

I think they loved the porcelain box...

And, acorn hats.

And the lace tomatillo lanterns too.

A fairy circle is sure to cure all that ails.

If you believe, then you know.

And, if you don't believe, make one, you'll see.

Something magical happens in those moments where fairy circle making takes place.

You won't believe the gifts you will find.

To the soul.

To the imagination.

If it's too cold to make one outside, you can make one inside, even on a window sill.

The fairies will find it.

That's what chimneys, vents and windows are for.

I hope they return some of my treasures they have borrowed soon.

My beloved bee pin.

My emerald gyspy necklace.

 

Speak quick, if you believe in fairies...

 

 

The Little Hands Coming out of the Wood...

Did I ever tell you the tale...

About the little hands coming out of the wood?

The first time I saw them I gasped.

Little hands.

Offering something, but what?

Oh, so much.

My heart fluttered.

It was about 13 years ago, when Mister Lovee presented them to me.

Little hands coming out of wood.

(he had them since the late 80's, and never saw the hands, imagine?)

Actually, little hands coming out of a saguaro skeleton.

Nature's magic.

Saguaro skeletons are ever so special.

Especially since they come from inside something that could have lived upwards of 200 years old.

Oh, those little hands enchant me so.

Still.

Come closer....

Closer....

They whisper.

I give them gifts.

And will never...

Ever, be able to get over the little hands...

Coming out of the wood ♥

 

 

 

 

 ps:

If you look really close, you can even see some Van Gogh swirls.

Crochet Dreams + Homemade Pasta

Many years ago I had huge dreams of homemade blankets.

Piles and piles of glorious homemade goodness.

I thought about quilting with vintagey pale calicos, but it's too technical for my pea brain.

I am wishing on that one still.

Then I had a dream of throwing clay on the wheel, and I got really obsessed with that.

I would make clay things from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m.

For years.

Then I made jewelry like a mad woman.

Then I bought my weight in yarn.

Then I bought more clay.

Then I became soldering obsessed.

Then I made a great wall of blanket and forced myself to stop after adding for 8 years (maybe more).

Then I started the blanket below on December 23rd 2013.

And finished it last week.

Forced myself to stop.

It was the hardest thing ever.

Stopping.

And did I tell you about that time I decided to start blogging???

:)

Wait wait, I am still obsessed with all those things.

(here's the newest blanket below just completed)

Well, you know where this is leading.

I suppose it's no secret.

I have a bit of ocd.

Do you???

Tell me you do too.

Please?

What is your obsession (s)?

Sometimes it's a burden, like when I have to check doors and locks 35 times.

(for some reason that faded when I moved to the country house full time)

But, it was to the point that I would have to talk to myself.

And remind myself that I did check it, and that everything is okay.

Brain gets tense and stuck, goes bonkers.

Drives hours to go recheck something.

Twice.

It's exhausting.

And since I am coming clean, I count things too, but less now that I am older.

Letters and numbers and boxing in words, all in the mind.

OY, my brain.

What is wrong with me?

The part that annoys people (like ML) is that I have been known to ask the same question several times.

I just want to be sure :)

Maybe that's why I love crochet?

Doing the same thing over and over and over and over and over again.

I find such comfort in it.

I can breathe and relax.

And not to mention, count!

Hey, epiphany moment here.

I can listen to the same song over and over all day for years.

It becomes part of me, my daily thing.

A flow.

I have a very complicated brain I guess.

Then I decided I needed to make homemade pasta...

But before I go there, let's talk about...

The blanket I forced myself to stop last week.

Like I said, I made it fairly quickly.

Dec 23rd to last week.

So, a few weeks.

And the whole family has enjoyed it.

It's about 69" x 50" in size.

I decided to hide out and watch scary movies to break it in last weekend.

Popcorn, shirley temples?

Keep 'em coming, keep 'em coming....

Aaaaaaahhh!

So here it is, smaller than the great wall of blanket of course.

And looser.

Lighter, simpler.

It's prettier up close because I double up many yarns, and it's super sparkly too.

You can not see hardly any sparkle in photos.

 

Below is the great wall of blanket, which you have heard about for years.

I worked on it for 8+ years.

I finally stopped when it was 100" x 70" in size.

You can tell I started it when I had a really really really stressful job.

Why?

The weave is sooooo tight and obsessive.

It's not even funny :)

I remember my hand always aching when I would work on it.

Years and years of weaving.

Super sparkly too.

And because the weaves are so tight, it is extra warm.

I personally think it would made an awesome coat.

It is so heavy, it's astounding.

Crazy heavy.

After this pic below, he didn't want to take it off.

Soooo warm and cozy.

So, while he cuddled up with the yarn...

I decided I needed to make homemade pasta.

Needed to.

I tried Ree's recipe.

It was good, next time I will try Mario Batali's for fun.

It takes some elbow grease doing it by hand.

2 eggs for 1 cup flour.

That's it.

I did 6 eggs and 3 cups flour.

I kneaded my heart out.

About 10 minutes.

Adding flour when sticky.

Then I rolled it out super thin.

I plastic wrapped and refrigerated half of it.

And made the other half last night.

Using my pizza cutter to slice.

It was fun actually.

I made it in batches.

When you pop it in the boiling salted water it sinks to the bottom.

Then a few seconds later each noodle starts to float.

Ree said to cook it for about 2 minutes.

But that was a bit too dense and al dente for us.

3-4 minutes was even better for our mouth likes.

I had some homemade summer pesto in the freezer, so I heated that up real quick.

It was such a fun thing.

(The doggies reaaaally loved it, they like basil and they love pasta.  They get homemade food sometimes, and their doc says pasta is a go, so, yay.)

This morning I decided to make the refrigerated dough, and it was even easier to work with and roll out.

I made a go to dressing, because it's sunny and I wanted a cool light pasta for lunch.

The juice of 1 lemon, the grated peel of 1 lemon, a heaping spoon of honey, a heaping spoon of mayo.

Whisk.

Then add a drizzle of olive oil and two slurps of white vinegar.

So fresh, so yumm.

It makes a lovely dressing for anything.

I love it with roasted chicken shredded, as a salad, with peas and diced veggies.

Or pasta, salad like, dishes.

Which is what I made.

You can also put in canned fish if you need some protein in there.

I did some tuna fish and peas.

I love peas.

I eat lots of frozen peas.

Stir, and yumm.

That was a real pasta fill.

I am not a HUGE pasta lover.

But, from time to time, it really hits the spot and I want some.

So, we have homemade pasta, and crochet blanket dreams come true.

What's next?

2 stacked blankets.

Yay.

But, ocd says, more more more more!

I think I am like cookie monster, honestly.

Well, I started the scalloped edging for a new blanket last night actually.

I will only use yarn I have on hand.

As I did with the one I just made.

I enjoy having something as such to do late at night.

Are you ocd-ing on anything lately??

Or always??

;)

 

 

Love, V

 

 

 

 

ps:  Is everyone on vacation, bored, tired, hibernating, in a holiday fog still????

 Oooo, vacation, yumm.

 

pss:  here is a video that has the most views on youtube for crochet beginners.

 

psss:  Here is an easy video, also on youtube, for crochet flowers.

 

In Search of...

New inspiration, new beginnings?

In search of...

Magic?

Refueling the inspiration tank.

Not sure how I want to look at a new year?

I long for more of a long stream of life, with ups and downs.

Not yearly slots.

Do I get that option?

My horoscope said, you've been busy, don't start anything new or make any decisions until February.

Need I any more excuses to lollygag?

I find myself in my hammock, swinging, mockingbird above looking down at me.

Singing other birds' tunes.

Drunk from the warm sun.

Changing times and thoughts.

The breeze so cool, the sun so toasty.

I carry around a stack of old letters and photos.

Other people's memories.

Long past.

1888.

I feel little pup bodies bump under my hammock several times.

What are you doing in there?

So...

We set out...

In search of refueling the vaults of inspiration.

I do this all the time.

Regular refueling.

The gypsy wagon gets cleaned out.

I set up an easel in the sun.

I search for the sun longingly each morning.

Days in the 70's, nights in the 30's.

Fur snoops.

I want to drink in inspiration.

Breathe it in, in dense infusions.

Feel it fill my soul.

But how?

Where is inspiration?

A whisper in the wind says, get up.

Walk outside.

Open you ears, nose and eyes.

Inspiration is everywhere.

In summer there is an abundance in the garden.

In winter, some hang on, standing out.

They hold a key...

Mint, fresh.

Breathing it in.

Slowly, my shadow that holds all my inspiration starts to stand up.

Stretching, waking.

Standing up a little straighter.

My mind starts to flutter.

Life.

Scent, sound, breeze kisses.

Oranges.

Orange oil drips off the skin.

Its effervescence floats into the air.

I close my eyes.

Inspiration.

Yes.

With orange in hand I stumble towards a rosemary patch.

I take a large cutting.

Its neighbor tugs on my hem...

So I kneel down and eat violets.

Breathing in their sweet kool-aid scent.

Like grape candy.

I think lemon custard is on the list for sure.

Oh lemon.

Oranges, mint, rosemary, violets, lemons, sweet alyssum, white sage.

I am infused.

In the sun, I peel.

Sweet in ways I can't describe.

He watches.

That lover of grapefruit and oranges.

That loving handsome soul.

His kindness could melt any heart.

I see my heart in his eyes.

(it doesn't hurt that he gives hugs when asked, putting his chin on your knee -and if you ask for a big boy hug, well, he'll stand right up and put his arms around your neck, yummm)

Begging, drooling.

Okay, you can have a piece.

Bliss face.

We hang around...

Curtains billow in the breeze.

The mountains, a constant.

 I read on.

Faces...

Times...

Hats, places.

Bonnets and capes.

Tied in a pink ribbon.

A ribbon that used to belong to a blonde girl.

Of the furry variety.

Gulp.

Time slips.

I hear the voice again.

Get up.

Look around.

Inspiration is everywhere.

 

And it is.

 

In huge slices for the taking.

 

I search for fresh inspiration every day.

Maybe we all do?

It's a natural need I am sure.

 

Whenever you are truly ready.

When you feel that tinge of emptiness.

Just close your eyes and say to yourself, I need some inspiration.

 

Take a deep breath, and look around.

 

It will be there.

 

It works.

 

And when you find it, I would love to know what curious place it was hiding in.

And perhaps, where it led you to? 

 

Or, maybe you already found it, and you can tell us your secret?

 

 

 

Love, V

 

 

 

 

ps:

He says...

Hurry up and take the picture, I am only humoring you because we sleep together at night.

Then he makes the hugest annoyed sigh known to dog.

Keep up the tough guy act, and I'll tell everyone how you cuddle into me and purr in my ear.

A softy.

Deep down, somwhere, deep in there.

He is with me at least.

So glad I held on long enough for it to show up.

Or should I say, for him to feel safe enough to show me?

:)

 

Homemade Lemon Soufflé? Yes, please!

I think we should make it a soufflé year, don't you?

(recipe and important tips at the end + printable pdf)

What is a soufflé year?

Who knows, I just made it up.

But what I think it could be is a time to try all sorts of exquisite things.

In the last few years I have attempted things in life that may seem daunting.

Especially in the kitchen.

Come to find out, nothing is really that hard.

And that is a wonderful thing to find out.

Happy day, it's a soufflé!

Who said homemade pie crust, and quiche and soufflé, and roasting a moist turkey has to be hard?

It's not.

Sure, it's not as easy as a drive through burger.

But making something as beautiful as a soufflé is soooo gratifying.

Plus, it's delicious.

Airy.

Fresh.

Mmmmm.

I was moving a bunch of books, when a soufflé and quiche book fell out of the pile.

A small 1972 book found for 25cents in a thrift store.

I so enjoyed the intro, and thought, I feel a soufflé obsession coming on :)

The book has two sides, one side says Soufflé and Quiche, the other side says Quiche and Soufflé, by Paul Mayer.

I already have a go to quiche recipe I worked up a few years ago.

But soufflé, no.

So, why not try?

I read and understood how to make a basic soufflé.

Then there was a section that said, if you want to make a lemon soufflé, make it like the chocolate soufflé, only use lemon instead of chocolate.

So, I sat down and adapted a recipe from this lil' book.

And guess what?

It worked.

With some tricks for whipping egg whites to perfection.

Like wiping your stainless steal and whisk with lemon juice or white distilled vinegar to remove any oils.

(never use plastic bowls when whipping/beating egg whites to stiff peak, they have oil residue)

I opt for a lemon juice soaked paper towel, but I had already learned that from my beloved friend Rosie over at Sweetapolita.

Egg whites begin foamy, and then go into soft peaks, then stiff peaks which is what you want.

If you get to stiff peaks and keep whipping/beating your egg whites too much, they will turn to liquid, and you will ruin them.  Ahhh! Gasp! Horror!

Stop when you arrive at stiff peaks!

Fold ever so gently into your egg yolk, milk, flour, sugar mixture.

Not the other way around, because pouring something onto your egg whites will ruin them.

Gentle, gentle.

Fold, fold.

Gentle, gentle.

The key is to keep as much air as possible in the mixture (which you created by whipping/beating your egg whites), as this is what creates the rise in the soufflé.

Pour mixture into a well buttered 6 cup ramekin that has been dusted in sugar.

Wrap ramekin in a well buttered piece of wax paper that is snuggly tied around with baker's string.

(if you get a little waxy smoke at first don't worry, it's okay, just turn on your oven vent, it will subside)

Bake.

Bliss!

Remove wax paper...

Oooooo!

Isn't that beautiful?

Feel free to dust with powdered sugar.

A soufflé will be set, with a little bit of a runny center.

If you don't like that, cook a bit longer.

But don't over cook, that would ruin your soufflé.

Make sure you take it out of the oven when golden brown.

It will wobble a little as you take it out of the oven, this is normal.

Oh my!

So perfect.

Easy, heavenly.

Gone in 2 minutes.

Don't be daunted, give it a whirl?

 

Here is a recipe with very important tips.

Seriously.

Follow them, and you will be so happy you did.

 

Homemade Lemon Soufflé

Ingredients:

Well buttered ramekin or soufflé dish that fits 6 cups

(mine is 6.5" in diameter and 3" tall)

3/4 cup milk

Grated rind of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

7 tablespoons super fine sugar (or regular granulated sugar)

(plus extra for dusting)

3 tablespoons butter (use regular salted butter)

(plus extra butter for buttering bowl and wax paper)

3 tablespoons flour

5 egg yolks (room temp)

7 eggs whites (room temp)

 

 

You will need

 Tools:

6 cup ramekin or soufflé baking dish

Wax paper and string that will fit around ramekin/bake dish

2 saucepans

1 large stainless steel or glass bowl for egg yolk mixture (no plastic)

1 large stainless steel or glass bowl for mixing (no plastic)

Whisk

2 mixing spoons (stainless or wood)

Mixer (hand or table top)

 

 Directions

Preheat oven to 375'

Butter your baking dish well and dust with sugar.

Butter a piece of wax paper that will easily wrap around the ramekin.

In a saucepan on med/low gently heat milk, lemon rind, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat.

In a different saucepan melt the butter and remove from heat.  Stir flour and 4 tablespoons of sugar into the melted butter (a whisk is great to use here).  Return this mixture to medium heat and slowly add the milk/egg yolk mixture, whisking rapidly to incorporate.  Stir until mixture resembles cream sauce, which will happen quickly, and remove from heat.  Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.

Using a mixer/whisk and stainless steal bowl (all wiped down with lemon juice), beat egg whites until stiff peaks form (about 6-7 minutes, at medium speed for 3 minutes and medium/high speed for 3 minutes).  Add remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar, beating for 30 seconds.

Carefully pour stiff egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture, fold in ever so gently until well incorporated.  Do not whisk, stir, or over mix.  Fold fold fold gently.

Gently pour mixture into buttered and sugared baking dish.

Do not bang dish, and do not smooth top if you want a beautiful rise as in photos above.

Wrap buttered wax paper (butter facing in) around baking dish and tie with baking string to secure.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

Serve immediately.

 

 

Important Tips

 

- Soufflé can not be made ahead of time, it must be served and eaten as soon as it comes out of the oven.

- Wipe down your whisks/mixers and bowls with lemon juice or white distilled vinegar before using.

(this aids in the successful whipping/beating of your egg whites, removing any trace oils)

- Do not use plastic bowls no matter what (if you don't have stainless use glass).

(plastic has an oily residue that will not allow your egg whites to beat properly)

- Do not over whip/beat your eggs, if you over whip them they will go from stiff peaks to liquid, and there will be no way you can get them back.

- When getting egg whites to stiff stage, you will first go through the foam stage, then the soft peak stage, and finally the stiff peak stage. (about 6-7 minutes, 3 med speed + 3 medium high to reach stiff peak stage)

- Do not get even a tiny egg yolk particle into your egg whites, it will ruin everything.

- Stiff peaks are thick and leave little peaks, as in the pictures above.

- Carefully fold your stiff egg whites into the yolk mixture and not the other way around. Pouring a mixture over stiff egg whites will ruin them.

- Carefully and very very gently fold your egg mixtures together with a wooden spoon.

- Don't be afraid if your wax paper makes a little smoke in the oven, this is normal, everything will be fine. (just turn on your oven vent)

- Place your oven racks low, so there is lots of head space for your soufflé to puff up.

- Make sure your eggs are room temperature before using, this is crucial to perfect whipped egg whites.

- Do not bang the side of your ramekin with soufflé mixture in it, the whole point of a soufflé is to keep as many air bubbles from the whipped egg whites in tact as possible.  This is what makes a soufflé rise.  Banging or tapping the mixture can ruin it.

- If you do not have access to superfine sugar, regular granulated sugar is fine.  If you would like to make your own superfine sugar, just run regular sugar in the food processor for a minute, voila!

 

 

 If you would like to print this recipe,

click this link for a printable pdf

 

 

 

 Okay, I think I need a lobotomy after making, noting and typing all of that :)

 

What about making it a soufflé year, are you game?

 

Will you give it a go if you haven't already?

 

I love making things that seem difficult.

It's so gratifying and fulfilling.

Have you ever made anything that seems tough but is easy in the end?

 

Do any of you make homemade pasta??

I heard it's rather easy, is it?

Any tips?

I was thinking homemade ravioli or such?

Spinach and mushroom maybe?

 

 

Love, V

 

 

 

 

 ps:

Magazine winner posted in "ps: section" of magazine post.

Thank you infinity to everyone who played, what fun!!

 

Somerset Life & Us {a giveaway with winner announced below)

I just spied the Jan/Feb/Mar 2014 issue of Somerset Life.

We are so delighted to see our gypy garden in this issue.

Ah, those spring and summer days in the garden.

Something to look forward to during winter months.

Makes me want to go out there and play.

Many times photos don't look as lovely in print, but you can tell that folks go out of their way at Stampington to make Somerset Life beautiful.  The photos are so lush in every single article.

So happy to be a part of it.

That paragraph is pure truth.

Here are some snippets from other articles, that I thought were lovely...

Inspiration love.

Bloom love.

Crafting love.

Last night Mister Lovee called me from the craft store in town, and said, need any supplies before I head home?

He does this from time to time.

Then he said he was picking up an extra issue of Somerset Life, so I could gift it away to one of you.

Isn't that so nice???

So I have a copy to gift.

Just leave a comment and I'll draw a name in a few days.

See you soon.

 

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  Winner is #13, Barbara from Notes from BirdSong.

Hoooray!!

Thanks to everyone who played, what fun!!!

xoxo