01 May 2006
The organic box had some new things in this week. A few regular items as well as grapefruit, purple sprouting broccoli (yum!), and artichokes. Artichokes are pretty, but I'm not sure they look particularly edible on first glance:
I made spinach artichoke dip with these for dinner. Did you know you have to cut off the stems, remove the tough outer leaves, cut off the thorns (!), and then simmer/steam them for 45 minutes? The first person to see these and think 'food' was obviously desperate. Anyway, the only other time I've made artichoke dip, I used canned hearts and frozen spinach. This time, I used my freshly cooked, organic artichoke hearts and fresh baby spinach, and the result was much better. I ate it on slices of baguette; Rob had irresponsibly filled up on apple crumble earlier, so he only tasted it. Bah.
Easiest project ever:
Even though I've got an optical mouse, my desk surface is glass, so I have to use a mouse mat. I've been using a boring maroon mat, but I made a little cover for it today. So pretty, isn't it? I just cut a piece of stiff interfacing to size, ironed the fabric on, and then wrapped the ends around and glued them into place. Instant beautification. I can't decide yet whether I'll glue it to the old mouse mat or attach a piece of felt to back it.
One last thing -- some lovely gifts from Alison. Crafty generosity rears its, well, really nice head again. The craft book contributors are sending their projects to our office, and -- believe you me -- its enough of a treat to see the work of my 'imaginary' friends in real life. Finding these treasures tucked in just makes my day and then some. I hope there aren't too many treats in the other packages, or I'll be feeling the guilt of the lucky, spoiled person. Er, you know, I sorta hope.
So those were some pretty things today. Big thanks to everybody who had nice things to say about the pinwheel bag -- I'm very pleased to say that it's sold now. I've got a Big Idea brewing in my head, so there may be more purchasables in the future!
I love "artichauts" like we call them in french ! Your new mouse mat is simply beautiful !! I'm sorry to ask you again, did you get my mail ?! Hugs from Belgium :)
posted by Sandrine (alias Didine!) at May 1, 2006 09:48 PM
Love the fabric you used to cover your mouse pad. Beautiful!
posted by Gina at May 1, 2006 10:35 PM
OOoh yummy love "the box". Your mousepad is lovely and those gifties are so much fun!
posted by vegasandvenice at May 2, 2006 12:10 AM
apart from now having my tummy grumbling after reading about the yummy dip - I am now off to find a gorgeous piece of fabric for a mouse mat - inspiring.
posted by samantha at May 2, 2006 01:49 AM
The artichoke dip sounds so yummy! Very pretty mousepad, too!
posted by Andrea at May 2, 2006 06:53 PM
You should be selling your mousemats, that's how cute it is! Oh, and I love your beautiful green bedroom. It looks like the perfect place to have wonderful dreams.
posted by Leisl at May 3, 2006 03:51 AM
The prettiest little mousepad I've ever seen!
posted by sally at May 3, 2006 05:53 AM
Big ideas hmmmm. Come on then spill the beans!
Loving the mouse mat. What a cute idea.
posted by Gemma at May 3, 2006 09:39 AM
I love your picture of the artichokes, they look wonderful. The dip sounds fantastic.
posted by Jessica at May 3, 2006 05:29 PM
What a pretty little pink-blossomed box!
posted by Alicia P. at May 5, 2006 08:50 PM
Hi Anna
I just wanted to let you know that we've added your blog to our new links page. Sorry for not contacting you privately, but I couldn't find an email address.
Love, Dee
www.poshyarn.co.uk
posted by Dee at May 6, 2006 03:16 PM
I love artichokes. In fact my favorite way to eat them is to just plop them in a pot of boiling water. I then melt some butter and as I pull the leaves off and eat the meat from the base. Very tasty. And it's a lot of work, but the heart dipped in butter is also very tasty. It's a simple, no work way to a delcious meal.
posted by Sara at May 9, 2006 12:28 AM
I love your mouse mat! Mines a horibble 50p orange thing from ikea!
posted by weirdbunny at May 13, 2006 11:09 AM