Cheese Fondue

My mother made cheese fondue for us a lot when I was growing up. She served it in a red fondue pot and we chose our long fork based on the handle tip color. We became adept at fishing bread chunks out of the pot. A family meal at a common pot. When I grew I found people assume cheese fondue is Swiss cheese fondue, made with wine and spirits and white melting cheese. I've tasted it and it is just not the same. I know my mother has her recipe somewhere but it didn't turn up easily until I went through my old card recipe file yesterday. Cheese Fondue, Fontina. I think we used an orange Cheddar. It is delicious. We still request it for birthdays.

Cheese Fondue, Fontina

1 t caraway seeds
1/4 C hot water
2 T butter
3 T flour
2.5 C milk
1 lb shredded cheese
1 t salt
Pinch of nutmeg

Soak for first two ingredients for 15 minutes. Melt butter over low heat and add flour to make a roux. Add the milk gradually. Cook until thick and smooth. Add caraway seeds and cook until a simmer. Add the cheese one-third at a time, melt and stir constantly. Bring to a bubble. Add salt and nutmeg. Serve with bread cubes.

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part VI

Irene is one of our favorite relatives. She was spoken of at Christmas; Irene married Budd. She restored the cinnamon raisin cooky recipe to me. Here she reveals all. A lot of people are Christlike from time to time. She is a lot like Jesus. 

A question that should never be asked: How much do you weigh?

Food you are renowned for preparing: chicken and dumplings.

A treasured object: a lock of my daughter's hair.

Favorite scripture story: the Good Samaritan (Luke 10).

Best color to wear: aqua.

Favorite See's candy: walnut squares.

Ideal species of animal: labrador.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Cleopatra (Cleo for short!)

Favorite movie: Sabrina, original and new.

A place you would love to visit: Italy.

Cake or pie: Italian wedding cake.

What makes marachino cherries so red? It used to be red dye # 5, but it was bad for us, so now it is something else that is bad for us!!!

Best part of Disneyland: I had to go on Small World 29 times in a row, and I can't get that song out of my head, so I don't have a favorite part. Maybe the gift stores!!!

An object that should never have been invented: the bidet.

A song you like to sing: How Great Thou Art (not too well).

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part V

Mother is known for eating trail mix for lunch and envisioning all fabric as a tablecloth. She loves making people happy. Her favorite people are small. She plants flowers with the season. She does not drink hot chocolate. Popcorn at movies. Nothing spicy. Everything sweet. She is the proud owner of a three-wheel bike.

A question that should never be asked: What would you do?

Food you are renowned for preparing: Waffles.

A treasured object: Gramma Stoddard's cane back chair.

Favorite scripture story: King Benjamin's address.

Best color to wear: Yellow.

Favorite See's candy: Dark chocolate and almonds.

Ideal species of animal: Dog.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Smuggles.

Favorite movie: To Kill A Mockingbird.

A place you would love to visit: Victoria.

Cake or pie: Enid's chocolate bundt cake.

What makes marachino cherries so red? Probably the red dye that is really bad for you.

Best part of Disneyland: Small World.

An object that should never have been invented: Whoopee cushion.

A song you like to sing: The Wheels on the Bus.

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part IV

A question that should never be asked: The only thing worse than chain letters is email recipe ones. I have been asked thrice and never responded . . . just not my cup of tea. (dear reader, this illustrates why i receive no response to my responses.)

Food you are renowned for preparing: Rolls and whole wheat bread.

A treasured object:  My blankie and BlackBerry.

Favorite scripture story:  When I was younger my answer was ALWAYS Nephi and his broken bow (1 Nephi 16). Now I love them all, especially King Benjamin and lots of the stories in the New Testament. I love reading about Christ's life here on earth and his parables. I guess my best answer would be whatever story relates to my life at the moment.

Best color to wear:  Navy blue.

Favorite See's candy: Used to be Victoria Toffee but has been replaced by their chocolate chips (yummy cookie recipe on back of bag).

Ideal species of animal: Chickens . . . at least they give you something in return.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? It takes every ounce of imagination I have to even muster the thought I would actually get a cat . . . "Short Lived Sally."

Favorite movie: Despicable Me . . . Tangled . . . Can you tell I could use some ME time? ALL TIME: Dirty Dancing.

A place you would love to visit: British Columbia.

Cake or pie: Oy, both! For breakfast!!!!  

What makes marachino cherries so red? UCCCHHH!!!! Did you mean to ask "What makes marachino cherries so gross?" (weak laugh. hummh. no.)

Best part of Disneland: Disneyland . . . I actually caught you with a TYPO? (gentle reader, i did indeed error and tried to correct post haste.) Hard call, I love it all! Small World is very high on the list . . . as is Adventure Land with pineapple ice cream . . . cute clothes shops and Indiana Jones. Not to mention the Jungle Cruise which mother will always offer to take young children on.

An object that should never have been invented: Microwave popcorn. YUCK!!!! Air pop or Bust.

A song you like to sing: The magic hair song from Tangled . . . Taylor and I are often found belting it together. I like to sing "Hey, Soul Sister" with Bodie. He knows all the words.

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part III

Meet B. A gentleman of the old school. A passion for tradition, good form, the hearth, inclimate weather, classic literature, and warm cocoa. A lover of artistic food presentation, the beaker, and the tumbler. Pictured in December with Mumsie.

A question that should never be asked: "Did you enjoy sour cream added to the recipe?"

Food you are renowned for preparing: Spaghetti & Meatballs.

A treasured object: Vonette Bright's letter + Tonka Joe holding a cat coloring page.

Favorite scripture story: A man born blind (John 9).

Best color to wear: Navy blue.

Favorite See's candy: Truffles.

Ideal species of animal: Cat.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Wendy.

Favorite movie: Beauty and the Beast.

A place you would love to visit: Vancouver, BC.

Cake or pie: Cake.

What makes marachino cherries so red? Their color.

Best part of Disneyland: Disney train + Castle.

An object that should never have been invented: Telephone.

A song you like to sing: Mercy (Casting Crowns).

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part II

At age 10, my oldest nephew blazes his own trail. On our road trip from Las Vegas to St. Jorge, we spoke of The Great War turned WWI, WWII, gassing, Jews, Hitler, power, deception, bin Laden, leaders, followers, 9/11, and Escape from Warsaw. Here, he is pictured lunching at Cafe Rio waiting for the results of the science fair.

A question that should never be asked: "Did you fail the test?"

Food you are renowned for preparing: milkshakes (mystery flavor).

A treasured object: an aced math test.

Favorite scripture story: 2,000 stripling warriors. (Alma 56).

Best color to wear: black.

Favorite See's candy: Victoria Toffee.

Ideal species of animal: mammal.

If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Tom or QB.

Favorite movie: Boathouse Detectives.

A place you would love to visit: Atlantis.

Cake or pie: cake, hands down, except if there is chicken pot pie. ideal cake is layered with three kinds of ice cream (chocolate mint, cookies and cream, chocolate chip) with the periodic table on top.

What makes marachino cherries so red? I hate marachinos so I haven't studied them.

Best part of Disneyland: California Screamin'.

An object that should never have been invented: Radiation.

A song you like to sing: Sweet Home Alabama.

Picnic Blanket for the Finger Lakes

I screwed on a darning foot and put this one on my machine. I've rented time on a long-arm machine previously (one time). It was a lot of work, lots of time, etc. Now I know I can do it on my own machine though I never would for a quilt I've put a lot of time into. Normally I turn them over to someone else. This is just two separate fabrics sewn together, scalloped, and bound. I enjoy the coral binding. I am really into quilt backs so it is ironic I've done very few cute backs. I hope to someday change that. My free motion quilting is meander or stipple. I've named this the Great Finger Lakes though. I have it in the trunk of my car with my other picnic blanket made in college. One day this one will be worn in.

Fabric Fancy

We met at Quilted Works on Monday after school. She loves fabric. So do I. I arrived early to do my own little shopping. I suggested we canvas the store, remembering favorite bolts. She agreed. Soon she began choosing bolts: swirls, cherries, dots, and many flowers. I proved a sounding board but insisted she make the decisions. I told my reaction to the feel of her fabrics and seasonal intent. After weeding through, she decided on a modern kelly green and hot pink graphic floral. On the way to the register, she asked how I liked this aqua green yellow floral. I said I did. We consulted with the cashier and the girl chose this bolt. We returned home and following this pattern, sewed, ironed, threaded elastic, and went to buy satin ribbon. I sewed the ribbon on late last night and we delivered the skirt after school. She unveiled to her mother.

Fifteen Questions: The Family Show

Stay tuned for a new round of guesting. We'll hear what the family has to say. Here is my debut. Photo by Brian.

A question that should never be asked: "Do you have anywhere to go for the holidays?"
Food you are renowned for preparing: breakfast, cheese souffle with Brian.
A treasured object: my bed and kiki.
Favorite scripture story: 1 Kings 17. The widow of Zarephath, the barrel of meal, the cruse of oil.
Best color to wear: red.
Favorite See's candy: anything marshmallow, milk chocolate, and caramel, and cashew brittle.
Ideal species of animal: seals (they get to swim all day).
If you were to get a cat, what would you name him/her? Bonny Blue. (chances are slim I would have a cat.)
Favorite movie: Howards End.
A place you would love to visit: a rainforest.
Cake or pie: Texas sheet cake.
What makes marachino cherries so red? Mother Nature.
Best part of Disneyland: Main Street shop windows and the memory of the steps of those who have gone before.
An object that should never have been invented: the scale for humans.
A song you like to sing: "You Are My Sunshine" and Johnny Appleseed.

Mother's Day

Stout and Portly Cupcakes

Friends, I am swimming in a sea of confusion, upheaval, and waves wash the swabbed decks. Say you were to organize a recipe contest, let's say, for cupcakes. The cupcakes need to use Scharffen Berger chocolate. Many from the country send their recipes in hope of winning top honor and ten thousand dollars. That's right. So, everyone sends in recipes; you taste, you look, you decide. And all three of the top winners feature stout beer. That's right. How odd, you may think. Akin to five Oscar nominations for five films on Gandhi. Until you look at the rules.


Along with chocolate, these folks were required to choose at least one from a list of  "adventure ingredients": stout beer (oatmeal, chocolate, imperial or any other stout); ricotta; buttermilk; coconut butter, coconut milk or coconut cream; saffron; molasses (light, dark or blackstrap); adzuki bean; fresh beet; sweetened condensed milk; fresh or whole dried chili pepper; bee pollen; meyer lemon; almond flour; and Sumatra coffee bean.


In my world, one of the winners would use ricotta. And the exquisite meyer. I am also a sot for coconut flavor which I might spice with chili pepper. 

I took this picture of mother on Mission Bay earlier this year.

She starkly reminded me of this one of Karen Blixen. 

Dress-Ups + Happiness = Quite a Vision

I made a quiet vow: I will dress for dinner when people come over. It started last week with Easter when I slipped into a black skirt, loose black top, and black patent sandals before guests arrived. I tried to look comfortable and a bit snazzy as if to tell them, "welcome to the home; this is an occasion." Last night I changed into a new summer dress, graphically blue, white, and black. It was also loose. Perhaps this is a nice theme for a dinner party. Haha. In small ways I have consciously upgraded when going places. The easiest way to do this is nice shoes, lipstick or gloss, and earrings. Small differences.

The image of the fellows above is the completion of my March happiness goal. The second from the left is my grandfather on his mission in France and Switzerland. My goal was vision with a focus on photography. I have my grandfather's mission journal and his photo album from the 1920s. We served in the same mission (me in the 90s) so they are a great connection for me to him. He passed away in the 80s. He loved books, was an accomplished speller, played the organ, wrote poetry, had a particular sense of humor, and loved my grandmother and my mother.

First, I wanted to aquire a scanner since no one in my immediate family has one that works. Plus, I am more into photography than the average bear so it made sense. I scanned the above image first. Second, I continued to learn how to use my father's old Rolleiflex and shot my first roll of film on it. And had it developed. I still need help loading the camera but soon will go for my second roll. I love tools and believe I should know how to use them.

Chocolat, A Lot

A week to the day of the last dinner party, here comes another. This, less formal, more giggly, chocolate inebriation. Four of us indulged in Belgian goodness thanks to Andrea's most recent trip. Cami became intoxicated first. Followed by me. Kristen could hold her liquor and went most of the distance. Andrea presented her wares with realistic glamour, finesse, wit, and verve. I told her she could do this professionally.

We sampled chocolates from Milka to Mary. I am a low-brow chocolate girl, loving milk chocolate and avoiding the unsweet darks that give me a headache. They ate me under the table. I happily polished off the remaining squares of Milka and declined most of the dark. Mary is listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. Check.

We started with Italian drip beef, veggies and hummus, fresh perfect pineapple, and creamy roasted jalapeno salsa that I made very hot. Then our chocolate course and after rest and wailing, strawberry ricotta cake.

Topics of conversation included camping, Argentina, the French, waffles, Young Women, fireworks, diving, scuba, the monkey dance, opera, Italy, The Last Supper, dating, praying, marrying people off to who-cares-what male, canals, the Christmas markets, melted chocolate, Rick Steves, ricotta, Mary See, and mayonnaise.