Frazzini/Fracini

Last week we decided to make Fracini(just guessing at the spelling here) - I had been asking Mom to make it for a while now and we finally got around to it. We had to order the anise seeds from Penzeys because none of the stores in the area had any, how weird is that? I suppose you must be asking yourself what the heck is Fracini? Fracini is an Italian twice baked, really hard piece of bread made with anise seeds that you dip in your coffee or tea. When it is done it looks like a really stale donut. This is the only thing I will eat with anise seed in it. I eat them with margarine instead of dipping them in coffee as I don't drink coffee. Here are some pictures of the process followed by the recipe. :)

Fracini

Ingredients:

3 lbs. of flour (about 12 cups)(or maybe more...)

6 eggs

2 yeast packs (dry or fresh)

1/2 cup of shortening (or oil)

2 Tbsp. of salt

3 Tbsp. of sugar

1 quart milk or water (2 cups scalded milk/2 cups water)

1 to 2 Tbsp crushed anise seed(I went with 2, could even use more if you like)

Directions:

Dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup of lukewarm water set aside. In a large bowl, beat the eggs; add the sugar, salt, and shortening. Add the 2 cups of hot milk; stir until the shortening is disolved. Then, add the remainder 2 cups of water. If it feels lukewarm to the touch add the flour a little at a time, then the yeast. Continue adding the flour until the dough doesn't stick to your hands. Put in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth and set aside, away from drafts for 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. Form dough in the shape of buns, some with holes and place on a cookie sheet for about 1 hr to raise. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, split with a fork and re-bake the halves for about 15 minutes till toasted at 375 degrees.

Fishies!

~ Catnip Filled Dead Fish Toys

Hey everyone! It has been a while so I thought I would show you what I have been up to creatively speaking. I have been making more dead fishy cat toys and also some random shaped ones too. I have to watch though that I never leave them unattended or one of our furry felines will run off with them.

Thanks for stopping by-Have a great day! :D

~Chelsea

~Random Catnip Filled Cat Toys

Artsfest

A storm is brewing outside and I have 2 hours till Royal Pains starts so here I am writing a blog post. On Sunday I went with my mom to help at The HodgePodgery's tent at Artfest. (We consign under our business, avocado) The weather was very nice that day. Perhaps I bit too nice as I got a little sun on my shoulders and back. Ouchie! There was so much to see and eat too. I wish we could have gotten to see more art but we got tired of walking. And there were so many tents set up. I had a lovely day even if I was very tired after words. Here's my pics of The HodgePodgery's tent and some random pics too.

ArtsFest 2010

Door Hanger Cat Toys

I finished these and the maple tree coasters just in time for Artsfest. They will be at The HodgePodgery's stand which will be right by the Walnut St Bridge in the free part. :)

Wooden/Tree Coasters

They are finally done. woohoo! I really like how these turned out. I think I might try a different type of wood next time. These are from a maple tree branch that had to be cut down.

CSA time!

Yesterday we picked up our first assortment of fresh organic fruits and veggies from Prescotts Patch. We switched from Spiral Path to Prescotts Patch since it is closer. I love trying new veggies straight from the farm. :) This weeks items were as follows: a box of strawberries, chinese cabbage, bokchoy, green onions, kale, spinach, and mesclun greens mix.

So for yesterday's dinner mom made a stir fry with 2 types of chinese cabbage, white button mushrooms, green onions, ginger, soy sauce, and chicken with a little assistance from me. Ok well I just stirred it as she added stuff. lol. It was very tasty.

Here's a picture of the stir fry. I can't wait to eat more fresh organic fruit and veggies. Oh and we picked up some free range organic eggs that the farm was selling that they got from another local farm.

Crafters Block and Other Things

I am glad that my blog is getting a few more views and even has a comment now. :) It is nice to feel like at least some people are reading it. I was starting to get a bit discouraged with it I must admit. I thought I might have to start paying people to read it or bribe them with cookies. ;)

I hope that all of you mothers out there had a wonderful Mother's Day. I have been in a bit of a crafting slump lately. After I finished sanding my wooden coasters my motivation started to waiver a bit. I had been reading some blogs in April about stash busting and decided to try and do something with some Snapple caps. I have had these Snapple caps for a long time and could never seem to come up with anything. Well, I still haven't yet-After I tried several different things I was no further ahead on this project. All I managed to decide was that I really want to create some sort of necklaces with them so I punched holes in all of them. Which I think are to small any way but at least that part is easily fixed. If anyone has ideas on what I can do with them I am all ears.

Besides the general crafters block I have been experiencing a bit of beaders block for a while now. I can't seem to come up with any new jewelry designs. Since it has been a while since I tried though I will probably try again soon. I am crossing my fingers that my mental beaders block has passed.

I think I am about ready to break through my craft slump. I need to get some stuff ready for the HoPo's stand at ArtsFest so I think I will start there. :) When I was visiting the shop Dawn gave me the idea to make some cat toys with elastic hair bands so they fit over door knobs. I think this is a great idea that I will probably start working on today. Plus I am going to finish up the wooden coasters and ask if they want to take these to ArtsFest.

Wow that was a long post. Have a great day everyone! :)

~Chelsea