finished my secret project

DSC06510
Originally uploaded by snazzmatazz

i just finished my two-part secret project. as soon as charl receives it (yes, i'm mailing it to her) one of us will post pics of its tightness.

and for now, i'll show you all a dress i finally finished a little while ago because i know you love pictures.

-jmg

Tattoo

I should probably really get a manatee tattoo. I mean, it's about time.

love,

Char (obviously)

the perfect pancakes

I can't wait to live in a place that has a kitchen again. I'm probably going to go on a cooking/baking frenzy for the first few months. I'm so excited that I look at recipes on my free time and bookmark ones that I want to make, like these delicious-looking flapjacks...mmmmmm......

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Sauteed Apples
Gourmet, September 1991

Servings: Makes about twelve 3- to 4-inch pancakes.

For the sauteed apples
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
fresh lemon juice to taste

For the pancakes
4 large eggs, separated
1 1/3 cups ricotta
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Melted butter for brushing the griddle

Maple syrup, as an accompaniment

Prepare the sauteed apples:
In a large heavy skillet saute the apples in the butter over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until they are softened, sprinkle them with the sugar and the cinnamon, and cook them over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until they are tender. Stir in the lemon juice and keep the mixture warm.

Make the pancakes:
In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks, the ricotta, the sugar, and the zest, add the flour, and stir the mixture until it is just combined. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they hold stiff peaks, whisk about one fourth of them into the ricotta mixture, and fold in the remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Heat a griddle over moderately high heat (Deb does not concur. She firmly believes that pancakes should be cooked medium-low.) until it is hot enough to make drops of water scatter over its surface and brush it with some of the melted butter. Working in batches, pour the batter onto the griddle by 1/4-cup measures and cook the pancakes for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden, brushing the griddle with some of the melted butter as necessary. Transfer the pancakes as they are cooked to a heatproof platter and keep them warm in a preheated 200°F oven.

Serve the pancakes with the sauteed apples and the maple syrup.

Can't WAIT.

xo,

Char

"Borne On The FM Waves Of The Heart"

Tegan + Against Me! = tewtully rewlz. Download Against Me!'s album: New Wave which has "Born On The Fm Waves Of The Heart" on it. That one song has to be the best though.

Enjoy,

Char

500 Days of Summer

So excited for this to come out in June. Zooey Deschanel is a cutie.

jasmine manatee girl

so i'm working on this pretty good project, but its going to have to remain a secret for a while. nevertheless, here is a manatee...with a hat. if you look really close (but not too close), you can see a hint as to what the secret project will be.

just a quick 30 minute sketch:



i should probably invest some time into actually hooking up my scanner again (and this manatee should invest some time into shaving before hat parties)

-jmg

boys on a bike

Just got this adorable handmade patch yesterday. Im not sure what to do with it yet, but I think it'll have to make an appearance on a jacket or something? Ideas?

-Char

while i'm here

here are some baked goodies from this year (so far):
ginger bread cookies with homemade royal icing.

buttermilk scones in plain, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice.

pecan sandies / mexican wedding cookies / russian teacakes completely covered in powdered sugar.

not as good as they look but it is fillo dough cups with homemade whipped cream and strawberries/kiwi. it was made from the leftover fillo of baklava i made that day too (sadly no pics of the baklava but those came out pretty good).

yellow and red velvet cupcakes. red velvet is frosted in cream cheese frosting and, eventually, red sprinkles; yellow cupcakes were frosted in chocolate frosting and non perils.

-jmg

nautical themed

i'm currently working on a few new surprises that i can't wait to post but in the mean time, here are some older creations following a nautical theme. (the new surprises will also be nautical themed)

squid done in white marker paint and various purple crayons on my wall. (darker and more obvious in real life.)


a felt applique on a sweater of mine (its supposed to be an octopus with bubbles)



















a ginger bread cake baked by me and charlotte with homemade royal icing. clockwise: manatee, flower, squid, and jellyfish.

colored pencil and a page from an old book (possible to kill a mocking bird) on white paper.

hope you enjoyed,
JMG (jasmine)

The start of something TIGHT

Here's to our new blog that will be documenting whatever tightness we feel needs to be shared.

cheers,

Charlotte