cat therapy

Sometimes taking pictures of the cats looking cute is all I need to relax.

patience

Remember when I started my raspberry liqueur project? I've finally moved on to step 2.

Step 1 was seeping the berries in Everclear for a month (I let them sit for 6 weeks... whoops).

Step 2 involved straining the berries, measuring the amount of alcohol, and adding the appropriate amount of water and sugar.

Step 3 involves waiting while it ages in the fridge.

And step 4? That's the best step of them all. When we finally reach step 4 in October I will get to taste my creation. And I sure hope it tastes good.

the Autumnal Equinox

Tonight is both the autumnal equinox (for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere), and a full moon. There are two equinoxes per year - one in the spring, and one in the fall. They are the two days where the length of day and the length of night are equal. Hence the name equinox (equi for equal and nox for night). As a science teacher, I absolutely love teaching astronomy and getting a chance to explain things like equinoxes to my students. I could go on and on about the equinox, but I'll let you look it up if you want more information.



This year, I decided that I wanted to make a autumn leaves garland out of felt. Fall is my favorite season, and I've never really done much to mark the season. Sure I decorate later on for Halloween, and I make applesauce in the fall, but I've never really taken advantage of the season.



Strangely, even though I started in August, I managed to finish my garland tonight (I swear I did not plan it that way!). So as part of my acknowledgment of the equinox I hung my garland.



It's evening and the sun has passed the horizon, so these pictures aren't the best, but I wanted to share. Please excuse my messy home (and the cat that is getting into who-knows-what in the sink).

felt leaves progress

All the dark colored leaves were stitched with gold floss. The light colored leaves will be stitched with dark brown floss. Then they will all be strung together to make a garland. I'm trying to finish before Wednesday night (the autumnal equinox). Wish me luck!

nature walk

Pictures from my walk today. Joe and I wandered around our apartment complex, and over into Magnuson Park. While he was looking for objects for a sculpture project, I was busy snapping photos.

autumn leaves

autumn is coming

Leaves in reds, oranges and yellow on the ground. Drizzling rain. Crisp air. Autumn is coming.

butter chicken

My recipe for butter chicken (adopted from PioneerWoman's recipe). Basically I doubled the spices and added cornstarch to thicken. Otherwise it's the same.

Combine and marinate overnight:
4-6 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cardamom
1 whole lime juiced

1 whole onion, diced
1/4 cup butter
1 can (14.5 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes
1 pint whipping cream (I only use half a pint, but you can use a whole)
cornstarch
chopped cilantro, to taste
basmati rice

Saute onion in butter until soft. Add marinated chicken and cook about 10 minutes. I drained off the liquid after this step. Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Cook for 30 minutes over medium-low heat with the lid on. Combine whipping cream with cornstarch to thicken, then add to chicken mixture. Serve over rice and top with cilantro.