Arts and Crafts Followup

After visiting Jamaica, I headed home for Christmas. This season I was especially strapped for cash, so I decided to make all DIY Christmas gifts. Additionally, I planned to make myself a camera case, since I got one as a graduation present from all my friends.

Right before I left for vacation, one of my friends, Maaiky, and her sister were hosting a sewing cafe in Ciccionina in Delft. So for 10E, all fabrics included, I took the class and made a kickass but rough reversible apron for Lanna (who loves making baked goods). I was also inspired by Naomi who is famous for making awesome aprons as gifts. For myself, I made a hood/scarf with pockets which is still sitting in Delft waiting to be finished. More on that project in the next installment.

Naaicafe


Lanna's apron


Originally, I intended to make something else for Athena, but of course after seeing Lanna's present she wanted the same thing too. So, I ended up making her an apron as well.

The next thing I made was a grocery bag for Jorn's mom. I borrowed the pattern from Burdastyle.com.

With all these projects beneath my belt, my enthusiasm was at a peak. But alas, I had to leave for New Jersey and New York to celebrate Christmas and New Years. The whole time, I kept my new camera in a orange hat. Finally when I got home, I dug into my closet and found this XXS wetsuit I had scrounged and saved (over 3 years ago) from the Senior Haus basement clothing swap pile. I knew one day I would have use for the neoprene (and I was right..woohoo!). Here is the result. I will post pictures later of the camera in the case because it looks better. It is probably lack of skills on my part, that the camera case has a hard time keeping a recognizable form when off the camera. What is nice is that I can keep the case on while shooting, because the sleeve rests snugly on the lens. It is a little annoying to zoom in/out, but it works. The flash also functions with the top flap out of the way. I kind of think of it as a turqoise banana. All parts of the camera are accessible if key parts are peeled open.

Neoprene camera case


I'm not yet totally satisfied with the result (especially in terms of craftsmanship), but tomorrow I am leaving for Delft and I will have to say good bye to my mom's sewing machine and supplies. I guess I can always make changes later...

Rotterdam Market and Mussels

Naomi visited me last week marking the, ashamedly, first time I have gone to the Rotterdam market since moving to the Netherlands. On market days (Tues, Thurs, Sat), the giant square at Rotterdam Blaak is filled with hundreds of stands. There we acquired fish and several second hand granny sweaters each.

Today, I went to the Rotterdam market again together with Inga, and some others. We bought some mussels for dinner.

A Mussel Recipe (from Inga's mom)
mussels for 3-4 persons (~2kg)
4-6 cloves finely chopped garlic
2 shallots finely chopped
2 sliced tomatoes

1 bunch chopped coriander
2 cups creme fraiche
1 chopped leek

1. Sautee shallots in olive oil with garlic
2. Add the mussels with ~1/2 liter of water (?)
3. Steam the mussels
4. Remove the mussels onto a serving plate
5. From the left over water, add the creme fraiche, leek and tomatoes
6. Heat and reduce
7. Add coriander and serve on top of mussels

tiramisu

I was sitting in the kitchen yesterday when I saw the words "3D tiramisu" scribbled on the Volkskrant. I asked Boris what that cryptic message meant. He explained that there was an article in the food section on how to make tiramisu that involved less work and less waiting. I commented that tiramisu doesn't involve THAT much waiting, which in turn made me reflect on how far I have progressed in life.

I realized that when I was younger I never had any patience at all (and I still don't, really). In real life that translated into others perceiving me as a blunt, impatient, and often rude person. I am still seen this way today, but to a much lesser degree. I still remember an incident when I stormed out of the dentist's office vowing never to go back after an hour of waiting, even though the dentist was our neighbor and a good friend.

In terms of cooking and hobbies, that meant that I hated making or doing anything that involved waiting for an extended amount of time (15min+). This hatred extended to making jello, my favorite Chinese almond jelly, baked goods of all kinds, and resulted in a lot of failed experiments in growing plants.

Nowadays, I have a live avocado plant, even after 6 months, and though I still don't l-o-v-e oven dishes, I don't really mind them. I think it's a positive reflection on course through life. Every day small steps in good directions. Maybe one day soon I will even enjoy waiting, but I won't hold my breath.

--
3D(ip) Tiramisu for 2:

-30g dark chocolate (at least 70%)
-125g marscapone
-2 tablespoons marsala wine
-1 tablespoon powdered sugar
-6 savoiardi (or lady fingers)
-2 glasses of hot espresso
-2 tablespoons cognac

Chop the chocolate so that you still have some to chew on (???). Add the mascarpone, marsala, and powdered sugar in a bowl and mix well. Add the chocolate through the mix. Deal the savoiardi over three dessert plates and set a bit of marscapone nearby. Divide the cognac over two glasses and pour the espresso in. Set the glasses on the plates and begin to dip (?)

*okay, I will get this checked by a Dutch person. I'm not sure about the translation. does 1eetlapel=1tablespoon?