back to my roots

hand carved swiss flag bunting stamp

The annual elementary school international festival is coming up this weekend. That means I'm gearing up to use large quantities of cheese, chocolate and butter in honor of my swiss heritage....ahem.

I make cheese tarts (chaes chueche) and chocolate truffles and they're always a big hit; decadent and not too exotic for South Carolina taste buds.

The truffles are simple but classic, the recipe is adapted from my mom's old Betty Bossi cookbook.

here's how I make them: (I make a few batches for a crowd)

ingredients:

8oz semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces

2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into chunks

1/2 cup  powdered sugar, sifted

1-2 Tbs Kirsch schnaps, strong coffee or Whiskey  

cocoa powder 

1. pour boiling water over chocolate pieces in a large, heatproof bowl. Poke with a knife to check softness (don't stir!!) and pour off water when chocolate is melted.
2. quickly stir in chunks of butter and stir until completely combined
3. sift in powdered sugar, add Kirsch or experiment with other flavors and let cool in refrigerator until firm.
4. use two teaspoons, or even better , this nifty gadget, which I've borrowed but always forget to order in time, to make balls, and roll in cocoa powder.
5. arrange in small baking cups to look fancy, keep cool

check back later this week if you want to see a picture of mine, I've got some illustration work to do first

barn cat

introducing a minor character in the book I'm working on.

Have a nice day!

double

my big girls room

I like to make all kinds of things. See that shelf? I made it. Crocheted blanket? Yup, that was me......

Just to give you an idea of the rest of me, showing off a little.

IF: Capable

inspired by my afternoons at gymnastic practice, and my little girls who seem to become capable of great things overnight.

hanging around

These days, when I leave the house it's usually to take someone somewhere. (ok, or to make my regular visits to the thrift store). On the weekend, I hang out at the horse farm with my older daughter, and on thursdays I find myself sandwiched between all the other parents at gymnastics. Both of these activities are great for sketching, so I spend my time, pencil and sketchbook in hand, trying to catch the gestures as they speed by. 

this little girl and her bright yellow bow (to match the peace sign on her shirt) were just too much

little plant

This is a little morning study of a new friend. 

In our new room we have enough sun to have plants, and it's amazing how they transform a space. Plus, I get a little attached to them.

We also signed up for a plot in the community garden here in town, this summer we will have a 40'x10' garden in full sun. We can bike to it, and we're sharing with a friend, so it counts as summer entertainment for the girls. I have visions of baskets of tomatoes and emergency canning sessions.

In my own shady backyard I've planted some lettuce and spinach starts, and some pea seeds. We can grow a few things before the leaves come in on the trees, so we're on our way.

rough sketch

every now and then I like a rough sketch on it's own, in all it's sloppiness