I also had the opportunity to hang out in the kitchen while I was visiting. We made this fabulous multi-grain bread and I made a batch of baked potato soup to go along with it.
Baked potato soup
several baked potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks (enough to fill a 9×13 pan in this case)
1/2 pound bacon, diced and cooked until crisp, 2 tbs drippings reserved
1 bunch of green onions, sliced, tops sliced and reserved
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
salt and pepper to taste
shredded cheddar cheese for garnish
Combine potatoes with chopped green onion (except the tops), half of the bacon, bacon drippings, broth, milk and seasonings. Simmer at least 20 minutes but longer will allow the flavors to develop (we did at least an hour). Serve garnished with remaining bacon, green onion tops and cheddar cheese.
You didn’t think I left Fancy Tiger with out making a purchase did you? I bought this cute pincushion pattern (it makes a pear, an apple, a tomato and/or a strawberry) and some fat quarters to go with it. I think the fairies will get made into yet another tea cozy. I need one for each season, surely. We also made a stop at Penzey’s where I filled my shopping list and picked up some recommended beef roast seasoning. At the end of the day I killed two birds with one stone and got a picture of us all which could also work as my 365 self-portrait since I used the timer function on the camera.
We spent a lovely day in Denver which was filled with all sorts of interesting sights. I don’t think I’d ever seen a Little Debbie truck before. The highlight of the day for me was our visit to the 
The first day of our visit we spent shopping the local yarn stores, fabric shops and assorted and sundry other shops. I found the “Enchanted Sole” which has been on my wishlist for awhile. It has several fun sock patterns that I would love to knit. In the remnant bin at 
Before I left I prepared lots of knitting to take along on my trip. I wound yarn and pulled patterns and selected things that would be easy to knit while we talk and visit. The brown object is a 2 by 2 ribbed cowl in handspun angora. I have no pattern but just cast on what seemed a reasonable number of stitches. I plan to knit several inches and then bind off. I hope to have enough yarn left for a hat and either mittens or gloves. The purple yarn did not materialize into anything while I was away and in fact, that project is getting dumped in favor of something new I picked up in my travels. The blue yarn is Handmaiden Casbah that will become the 
When I was shopping for sealing wax and seals I discovered a basement level at the stationer’s that’s filled with art supplies and the best selection of origami paper I’ve seen to date. I think I was very restrained in my purchases, don’t you?
My pen pal list seems to keep growing. When I stopped to check the po box yesterday I picked up some fun stamps for my letters. A couple of my pals are cancer survivors so I thought the breast cancer stamps were appropriate. I also tend to stuff my letters with bits of yarn I’ve spun, origami and recently fabric scraps from the quilt I’ve started so that sometimes it’s tough to keep the envelope sealed. One of my recent letters arrived with a lovely wax seal on it so I popped by the local stationer in search of a seal of my own and picked up supplies. At first I had the wax stick too close to the flame and burned it but after several tries I got the hang of it. This is a modern sealing wax that’s very bendy so it won’t chip or break in the mail. I love it!
With my picky eater gone I’ll be cooking more vegetables and “healthy” food. I’ve never been too crazy about chickpeas but I discovered I like them much better when I cook them myself. They are softer and less “tinny” tasting. This dish starts with chickpeas. I also roasted a large sweet potato and a large red onion which I chopped and added to the bowl. In a saucepan I simmered broccoli, zucchini and carrots in some chicken broth with a pat of butter, some allspice, cinnamon and crushed red pepper. I tossed everything together and sprinkled on some pistachios. Delish!
Last fall Daniel bought a new laptop to take with him to college which, of course, he now doesn’t need since he’ll be away for at least 3 years. Looks like I’ve inherited a nice laptop so I can more easily stay connected when I travel if I so choose. Tuesday night we went out and bought Windows7 and Jason got that installed for me and all the basics set up. Yesterday I spent most of the day adding the software I like to use and making sure the camera and ipod can play nice. I’d have to buy a new copy of my photo editing software and after kitty expenses I’m not willing to do that so I’ll have to learn how to use 
I’ve been cooking all Daniel’s favorites before he heads off to boot camp and last night I made calzones. I’m not sure why he prefers these over pizza because it’s exactly the same only folded and crimped shut but there you have it. I have several rolling pins but I almost always reach for this straight one. I had a heck of a time finding this guy and was very excited when I spotted it in the King Arthur Flour baking shop. It was their last one (the display one no less) with no price on it but they kindly worked one out and sold it to me.
