Wednesday, February 18, 2009

What's Good in February

Really, I must sit down and write a substantive post one of these days. The problem is, recently I only feel inspired to write when I'm at work. ( I should clarify: I feel like writing for my blog. I DO NOT feel like working on an academic article; hell, I've got five more years to worry about tenure.) Once I'm home, I only really want to do four things: eat, drink, knit or read. But mostly, I sleep.

Anyway.

1.
Valentine's Day. Last weekend we went to Chicago to deliver a birthday cake to my son, and to take him out to lunch to celebrate his Valentine's birthday. We ate at The Gage, near Millenium Park. Afterwards, we wandered down to State Street to check out H&M and browse the furniture galleries in Macy's (the old Marshall Field's). A quick trip, but a lovely day, despite the gloomy and freezing weather.




2. Seduction Bread. While I was in Chicago, I ran into Whole Foods to purchase a couple of loaves of their amazing Seduction Bread. Does anyone have a recipe for this, preferably one that works in a bread machine? I've scoured the web to no avail. It apparently takes sourdough starter, which intimidates me a little but since this bread is so good and the closest Whole Foods is two-plus hours away, I'm game to try. Here are the ingredients, which I copied from the label: whole wheat flour, water, millet, honey, canola oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, molasses, sea salt, fresh yeast [duh], sourdough starter (white flour, whole wheat flour, sea salt). I'm not savvy enough to create a recipe from scratch, so any recommendations would be much appreciated.

3. Rammstein. As I mentioned before, I've taken to working out at five in the morning. I throw around some weights to warm up and then I settle in for a good half-hour-plus run on the treadmill. I like to push it--why get up so damn early if I'm not going to move some major calories?--so I run interval inclines. Well, I've found that Rammstein is a supreme motivator for getting over those mountains. Have you ever seen these guys??! The teutonic growl of the lead singer, Till, is truly inspiring, and then you imagine this guy literally on fire and you forget all about your burning calf muscles--you feel like you could run all day! Or at least until the song ends.


A close second is Rob Zombie. Especially Living Dead Girl.

4. Knitting.
Here's what I'm working on now:


The pattern is from Louisa Harding's Knitting Little Luxuries. It's coming together beautifully. I have my eye on some pretty Kaffe Fassett fabric for the lining.

You see, I hate being stuck with nothing to do so I always have a tote bag with me. It could include some or all of the following: a book or magazine, sudoku puzzles, a book on French phrases (the accompanying CD is loaded on my iPod), my knitting and parts of a quilt I'm lap quilting. If I had an iPhone, thus having internet access at all times (in theory), I could be happy anywhere!

5.Hyacinths.
See, mine are almost blooming! I hope they smell amazing--at the moment there's only a whiff of fragrance.

11 comments:

M.Lane said...

Great post! Your son looks like he appreciated the visit and the CAKE! The Gage is great...I love the "refined rusticity". I take it you liked it too since you put the link in your text.

I have the same problem. At the moment I am thinking of more ideas for my blog than for work. But...creativity is as creativity does [F.Gump].

ML
mlanesepic.blogspot.com

Easy and Elegant Life said...

Rammstein threw me, gotta admit.

I'm not much of a baker, but I'll keep my ears open about the bread. I have friends who do this sort of thing.

Blogging does take on a certain significance, doesn't it? I just can't think about anything else until the day's post is done.

Maggie May said...

what a sweet picture of you and your son! and that bag you are making is so very pretty. good job :)

strikk handknits said...

oh wow! i'm impressed with your knitting bag project. good luck and keep us posted on the outcome ;-)

Anonymous said...

What a great post, we are loving the picture of the Bean! Every photo we see of it is just a teeny bit different!

The bread sounds yummy, so we may be scouring for the recipe as well. And you pattern looks fabulous! What a great bag!
tp

Anonymous said...

Looks like February has been good to you! Chicago looks like a blast and I love the bag you are working on... perfect for spring!

vicki archer said...

I have given you an award at French Essence - please feel free to pass it on only if you have time, xv.

pve design said...

Oh what a good february - your son is a doll and you look like you could be a sister! That bag is amazing, and inspires me start a new project. Please tell your son, his hip and classy Mom needs an i-phone - they are giving an incentive at best buy. love mine.
pve

CashmereLibrarian said...

I think I found something: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Seeduction-Bread/Detail.aspx.
I'll post when I get around to trying this recipe.

Anonymous said...

Ooh I LOVE hyacinths! They are one of my faves---I have such a soft spot for all flowering bulbs, really: tulips, daffodils, crocus. I think I love them because they are always such a bright spot after a long winter!

And you know, I think we might just go down the peninsula this weekend! Now that you've got the idea in my head, it won't go away!

The Daily Connoisseur said...

You and your family are gorgeous... thanks for sharing- love the pics!