January skating in Chicago.

Seven Layer Salad:

From epicurious. I had never made or even had this American “classic” (according to SB). The presentation, for a salad, was classy and it tasted even better. I used all my favorite salad items plus the peas and cheddar cheese. The salad dressing was the real knock-out success. Next time I need a naughty, delicious dressing I will make this.

Roasted Almonds with Rosemary:

From epicurious. These nuts were amazing. They had the perfect crispy coating and were so easy. I would never have thought of using egg whites as the binding agent but it worked like a charm. I will be making these again.

Medjool Dates with Cheese:

No recipe for this one. Just find good dates. I like the bulk ones from Whole Foods and good cheese, like Hook’s five year cheddar or a local chevre. Slice the dates in half lengthwise and fill with cheese. This also makes a great snack.

After a solid six months of couch hunting we found this couch from the 1960’s at a secret, buyer’s club only, mid-century furniture warehouse here in Madison. It is in amazing condition, with original upholstery. It feels and looks brand new and best of all it is comfortable. I have been enjoying watching the Olympics from it.

This winter it became apparent that my sweater collection had far out-grown my narrow drawered mid-century teak dresser. I needed a second dresser with large drawers for bulky clothing. After a good search I came across this refurbished dresser at a local store. It holds everything with room to spare. My only complaint is that it has a lingering smell of cologne inside the drawers. It just needs some more airing out.

I’m still looking for a new tv console and a lateral file cabinet. The hunt is half the fun!

I went back through my Flickr album of 2009 to be reminded of all the great things that happened last year and it really wasn’t all doom and gloom. In truth life was pretty sweet.

Travel:
- Portland, OR: Twice for work but still had time to absorb some of the beauty including the amazing rose gardens and fun mountain roads.
- Utah: For work and play. SB joined me for a tour of two national parks and some time in Park City. Now we want to go back. There is still so much to see.
- Cable, WI + Madeline Island, Copper Falls, St. Peter’s Dome and Ashland: Twice, once for the annual Hambrecht summer vacation and once with our friends from Atlanta. We had so much fun I wish they would come with us every summer.
- Milwaukee, Chicago, Spring Green: Great regional day trips.
- Atlanta: To check on our house, eat food and see friends. It was a bittersweet visit, staying in our empty house.

Around Home:
- Knitting, knitting and crocheting: I finished eight projects last year, most on the large side like blankets and a sweater.
- Working from home: This was my first full year as a home worker. I tweaked my routines and recognized the need for decompression after the work day.
- The pets: Zoe the cat continues to be the demanding princess, keeping us in-line. Lola the dog provides endless entertainment and allowed us to see the area dog-parks in every season. They bring us so much joy I can’t imagine life without pets.
- Summer vegetables: Wisconsin summer food is amazing and this year we really took it all in with a CSA membership and our own garden boxes. Not to forget all the great cheese and beer. I’m looking forward to another summer.
- Sailing: It was back teaching on Soma for us this year but the old luster just wasn’t there. The season was filled with mechanical failings and strange politics. There are some things that you just can’t get back to the way they used to be.
- Wisconsin Film Festival: This was my seventh year volunteering at the festival and we were placed at the big Union Theater. While being on hand for the big shows was fun, I like the higher involvement from working at a small theater. I’ll be back in 2010.
- The Husband: Being married to SB continues to be the awesome center of my daily life. Last year he came home for lunch everyday and made me smile.

What do I want 2010 to bring?

- More travel. I want new and different and tried and true.
- More friends. It is time to meet some new people.
- More appreciation for the now. Instead of thinking so much about what was missed or lost, think more about what is great about the right now.
- More creating. Whether that is through yarn, words, photos or wood, create more and stretch my mind.

The first was a scarf made for my sister’s boyfriend as a Christmas present. He lives in San Francisco so I wanted a light-weight scarf with lots of texture.

The second project was an op art spiral throw for SB. He loved the first one I made and requested one of his own. I made it slightly larger than the first. While I’ve been snuggled under my blue blanket, he’s been cozy under his spirals.

January wasn’t all house drama. January in review:

There was beer,

Cheese,

More beer plus babies,

And a great day trip to Chicago.

There were Santas,

Snow,

Cookies,

More cookies,

Our very first real Christmas tree,

More santas, of the miniature nephew variety,

And a new fish eye lens.

For my ninth knitting project I wanted a preppy design in a masculine color palette, something that would age well as the intended recipient grew-up. I think I succeeded with this diamonds on diamonds pattern in navy and gray. It also turned out huge! It is about 3′ x 5′ of fantastic superwash merino wool. This pattern had a stitch guide that I had to refer to for all fifteen square feet of knitting. It took me forever and has already logged a ton of miles, flying with me to Oregon and Utah.

Which all brings me to the rub. I’ve grown attached you see. This seemingly simple pattern was actually a ton of work and I’m so happy with the results. I don’t know if anyone but me will appreciate the hours and hours that went into this thing. But can I just keep it?

It wasn’t for any specific event, just a nice, good will present to be given at no particular time. I could always make another blanket, maybe something I’m less attached to? But then I don’t really need another throw and I was intending it to be a gift. Will it be more satisfying to give it away or to snuggle under it myself?

Beet Loaf
2 lbs beets, trimmed, peeled and grated
1 cup packed pitted dates or dried plums (prunes)
1 cup almonds
2 inches peeled ginger, cut into coins
1 cup bulgur
1 1/2 cups boiling red water
2 Tbs Dijon or other mustard
1/4 cup evo or butter
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Cayenne optional to taste
Red Pepper Flakes option to taste

In a food processor, grate the beets. Switch to the regular blade and add the dates, almonds and ginger. You may have to do this in batches. Grind until a fine mulch but not a pulp. In a bowl mix the wine and bulgur, then add the beet mixture and begin seasoning. Let stand, covered for at least 20 minutes. Taste again and refine the flavor. Grease a 6 cup loaf pan. Press mixture into pan, cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 30 minutes. It will be hard to tell if it is done because of the dark color of the loaf, but any amount of done-ness will work.

I found the flavor of this loaf to be very good, but the mixture itself did not stick together. I plan to turn the leftover loaf into burgers and will probably add an egg or two to give it some more binding power.

This loaf is great served with mustard or a horseradish sour cream dip.

I’ve often been asked what the heck I eat for Thanksgiving, as if being a vegetarian means that without Turkey I will have nothing. This year we hosted dinner for four at our apartment and somehow I found a few things to make. In the photo above, going clockwise from the biscuit:
1. Baking powder biscuits, made with butter.
2. Mashed sweet potatoes with orange juice, nutmeg and butter (CSA)
3. Homemade cranberry sauce by SB with local cranberries
4. Coleslaw with California Dates by my Mom
5. Classic stuff or dressing from the bag, gussied up with veggie soup stock, apples and onions
6. Beet loaf with red wine, bulgar wheat and almonds (CSA)
7. Mashed potatoes with seasoning and butter (CSA)
8. (On the side) Cashew gravy with cashews, soy sauce, corn startch, and poultry seasoning
9. (Not pictured) Pumpkin cheesecake bars by SB and soooo good

The beet loaf was a new experiment this year, based on a Mark Bitman recipe. While I thought it was good and it received praise, I think it will be better as burgers rather than in loaf form. It also just wasn’t quite the harmonious loaf item that I wanted it to be. Next year I will try a different recipe, something with brown rice. Speaking of next year, I also want to try making my own dressing, maybe with chetnuts (a la Jeff), rather than buying the bag. I admit, bagged stuffing does have a soft spot in my food loves, much like boxed mac-n-cheese.

Another great vegetarian Thanksgiving. There’s plenty to be thankful for in that.