We’ve done it! We’ve actually grown a vegetable in our garden!
This weekend we harvested our first couple of radishes. They were freaking amazing. Perfect, brilliant red on the outside and shiny, milky white on the interior. Washed, sliced, and dipped in kosher salt, they were in our bellies within minutes of leaving their garden home.
Next up: Radish Risotto!
Posted by Erin on April 30, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/first-fruits/
Some of our colder weather crops that are planted outside in the garden boxes have loved this recent drop in temperature. Let’s not talk about the starter seeds inside, ok? I can neither confirm nor deny that we may or may not have to purchase some new starter plants when it’s time for the tomatoes and tomatillos to go into the ground. I don’t want to talk about it. We haven’t given up hope yet though.
The roses are in full bloom!
Posted by Erin on April 26, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/in-the-garden-this-week-2/
Just a few weeks ago I was the lucky recipient of a hand-me-down sewing machine. It’s beautiful. I love it. I think I’ve told my best friend at least four times since that we are now unstoppable as far as crafts are concerned. I feel like I can tackle any DIY project. Sewing machine in tow we can make curtains! napkins! table cloths! dresses! and pillows! Yay for pillows.
Last summer I bought fabric to recover some blah brown throw pillows in the living room, but being without a sewing machine, the project never really got off the ground. Well, last weekend Mr. Thirdrow was out of town so I set up shop in the living room and went to town. Here’s how I took our throw pillows from blah brown to beautiful. Keep in mind, this isn’t a fancy tutorial and I’m just a beginner, but I believe in you. Give it a try!
You’ll need some pretty fabric. The pillows I was covering were about 18″ square. I used about 1/2 yard of fabric, a 12″ (or appropriate size) invisible zipper, scissors, iron, thread, sewing machine. I found that Jo-Ann‘s fabrics and crafts was a great store for all of my supplies. They were friendly and helpful. They even have an iPhone app with coupons!
I have been in love with this patterned fabric for ages, but thought that it might be a little much for the entire front of my pillow cover. So, I decided to go with stripes on the front and then a solid green square for the reverse side. There was no complicated math involved here. I simply decided how many stripes I wanted, adjusted for the 1/4″ seam on each side, and sliced up the fabric. All you need is the calculator app on your phone for these calculations. Promise.
Once you’ve sewn all of your pieces together, take a few minutes and iron the underside of your pillow square to ensure that all of your seams are nicely flattened in the same direction. This will help it look nicer when it’s stuffed and on your sofa and also makes the next sewing steps a little easier.
When you have your two sides of the pillow cover sewn up and ready to assemble, it’s time to tackle the zipper. Zipper installation is all new to me. I’ve never done one before and it was surprisingly simple – although most of the credit goes to the zipper foot on the sewing machine! I fumbled my way through the first zipper by guessing at each step, but then, after a little googling, found a super helpful video tutorial. You should definitely take the time to watch this before you attempt your first zipper (also the ladies have British accents which makes them even more awesome).
Zipper tutorial Part 1 Zipper tutorial Part 2
Once the zipper is in you’re basically finished! Turn your pillow cover right side out and insert your old pillow or pillow form. That’s it! New pillows for less than $20. I think the new colors really changed our living space. I am a happy girl!
Happy pillow making!
Posted by Erin on April 25, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/new-pillows/
We’re six months in to marriage – our greatest adventure. Happy anniversary to my beloved husband.
PS Thanks Emily for sharing this photo with me. It’s one of my favorites!
Posted by Erin on April 21, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/6-months/
Posted by Erin on April 20, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/slow-fridays-4/
Posted by Erin on April 19, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/one-more-day/
Shucked: Life on a New England Oyster Farm
This was a pretty good read. The author tells her story of quitting her job and spending a year working on an oyster farm. Parts were a little slow going for me and I had to work to finish the book, but I think some of that was due to my own busy schedule. I admired Erin’s risk taking in trying out an entirely new life and I enjoyed her emphasis on slowing down and being apart of something she valued. So much of her struggle sounded familiar – balancing work and home – I envied her ability to get her hands dirty and was reminded that all of the chaos is worth it when you are participating in something you are passionate about.
My favorite part of the book were the questions I found myself asking along the way. If I could do anything for a year what would it be? What experience would be worth turning my life upside-down for? Professional cake maker? Urban farmer? Cafe owner? {Side note: sometimes what we sacrifice for and are passionate about aren’t our jobs and that’s ok. Life is so much bigger than that.}
All in all, Erin’s story was well-written and very interesting. I definitely have a new appreciation for oyster farmers! This book would definitely be a great vacation read – just make sure you know where the nearest oyster bar is. You’ll want to indulge in a few of these briny treats when you are finished.
Posted by Erin on April 18, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/book-review-shucked/
There are hundreds of thousands of girls who are sold for sex each year. Hundreds of thousands.
The average age of girls being forced into prostitution and a lifestyle of addiction and abuse is thirteen. 13.
When these girls are rescued they need a safe place to go. A safe place to recover, to find refuge, to be restored. There are currently only 100 beds for these girls in the entire country. One hundred safe places. That is not nearly enough.
The Covering House is an incredible organization in St. Louis that seeks to provide refuge and restoration for girls under the age of 18 who have experienced sexual exploitation or sexual trafficking and this year, 2012, they want to open the doors to their house. They are raising funds to cover the cost of not only purchasing their home, but to cover their operating costs for the first six months.
Team Gehret is looking for 91 donations of $20.12. Could you skip Starbucks this month? Can you go without one more cute top from Target? I bet you can.
And I’ll up the ante. How about a delicious box of home made goodies delivered straight to you? All you have to do is make a donation here and leave a comment below letting me know that you did so. I’ll choose a winner, at random, on Friday morning (9:00 am CST) April 20th!
Posted by Erin on April 16, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/help-support-the-covering-house/
Last Sunday we gathered with some friends in our neighborhood just before sunrise to celebrate Easter. We came together to remember that the light has overcome the darkness; that Jesus is risen from death.
Posted by Erin on April 15, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/light-from-darkness/
I’m not huge on the mint chocolate combo unless it’s a box of Thin Mints, but it never fails to be a crowd pleaser. So, when I was thinking of a way to dress this chocolate cake up for Spring some lovely pale green mint icing was just the ticket. I wish I had thought to snap a picture of this cake after it had been cut, the layers were perfectly displayed with the dark richness of the cake and the pale creaminess of the buttercream. I guess you’ll just have to make it and see for yourself!
PS. Many, many thanks to my friend Kara for taking these beautiful pictures of my cake. You’re the best!
Chocolate Cake (makes 3 9in round cakes)
adapted from Sandy on AllRecipes.com
3 cups sugar
3 tbsp molasses or dark karo syrup
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 2/3 c flour
3/4 c cocoa powder
1 tbsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/3 c light sour cream
1 1/3 c boiling water
In the bowl of a stand mixer cream together the sugar, molasses, and butter. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Continue to beat on high until light and fluffy. Blend in the vanilla.
In a medium bowl sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add 1/4 of the four mixture and 1/4 of the sour cream alternately to the butter mixture. Mixing to combine after each addition. Carefully add the boiling water and stir to combine.
Pour evenly into three cake pans that have been greased and dusted with cocoa powder. Bake at 350 for about 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. All to cool for a few minutes until the pans are cool enough to handle, carefully turn out onto a baking rack to cool. Allow cake to cool completely before icing.
Mint Buttercream
3 sticks butter, softened
6 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp milk
2 tsp mint extract
Cream the butter until it is light and fluffy. Slowly add in the powdered sugar. Mix in the milk until you reach your desired consistency. Mix in the mint extract and, if you like, some green food coloring. I enjoy using Wilton’s gel food coloring.
For some tips on icing a layer cake (don’t forget the crumb coat!) look here.
Posted by Erin on April 14, 2012
http://thirdrowseat.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/spring-grasshopper-cake/
