RSVP: Pen Pal Project

Coming soon to RSVP in Iowa City (open to peoples the world over who love getting mail) the Pen Pal Project! I am delghted to be making the various signs for this pro-mail undertaking. The above collage details the making of the vintage postage stamp collaged window banner. Stay tuned this week for more photos, tutorials and info on participating in the project!

or stop in the brick & mortar locale!:
rsvp
401 north linn st
iowa city, ia
http://www.rsvp-asap.com/

Vegan Nom Nom: Tofu Fajitas

Tofu Fajitas

serves 6

2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and julienned
1 green pepper, such as ancho, Anaheim or bell, seeded and julienned
1 hot pepper, such as jalapeno or serrano, seeded and minced
1 C sliced mushrooms, such as crimini or portobello
2 C sliced, baked pressed tofu (preferably savory or hickory smoked flavor)
Salt to taste
6 nonfat whole wheat tortillas, warmed

Garnish: Low-fat sour cream, salsa, chopped fresh tomatoes, avocado, and scallions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the onions. Saute, stirring until the onions are translucent. Stir in the peppers and mushrooms saute until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the tofu and stir-fry for 5 minutes more. Season with salt to taste and serve in the tortillas.

Top the fajitas with low-fat sour cream, salsa, chopped fresh tomatoes, avocado, or a combination of these.

"Tofu Fajitas" recipe from The Healthy Kitchen by Andrew Weil, M.D. and Rosie Daly, page 213.

My notes: I adore Dr. Andrew Weil (or "Doctor Santa" as he is known around my house) so when I found a copy of this cookbook for $4.00, I snapped it up. Do not be put off by the cheesy "ah, look at this guy!" thumb cock cover with Rosie Daly - I didn't know who she was until I read the front cover flap, and frankly, I still do not know.
These fast and easy fajitas were a hit with my carnivore hubby, and myself. I am not strictly vegan, but have been trying to cook healthier. Next go round, I'd add another jalapeno or a hotter pepper as the fixin's were a tad bland for our tastes.
I reccomend Tofutti brand sour cream as a dairy free substitute.

Shattered Sausages, Shattered Dreams

I just received my long awaited package from The Vermont Country Store (beloved by blue hairs) only to be faced with a broken glass bottle of German sausages inside, a size 32b bra (NOT my size, nor anything I ordered) and no wooly-booly long underwear bottoms! A certain company better be pulling out all the stops to win me back. Did I mention the glass shard stuck in my finger and the sausage juice ALL over everything? The beagles are pleased as punch about the smells and leakage, however I am less than amused. Those delectable sausages were meant as a birhtday gift for Stevie. Stevie cannot eat spoiled, glass-riddled sausages, although he might try! I sent an e-mail to their customer service - I'll keep you posted. Will they land on my "do not shop" list or redeem themselves?

Hubby Fashion: Baby Steps

After months of gentle haranguing Stevie gave in, and donned my fashionable additions to his Winter wardrobe. In a single night he wore both the vintage grey wool cardigan (with pockets!) and the tweed chauffer's hat which I had *painstakingly picked out for him. He's a handsome man and I wouldn't kick him out of bed for blowing a bubble pipe and drinking a glass of rye whiskey.

*painstaking because he finds any color other than grey "too loud" and ALL vintage men's hats are chimp head sized (that means small)

Not As Nice As Your Bubbeh's Glasses

Today at one of our local consignment shops I found a bag containing five pairs of vintage 50's era bubbeh glasses! The lenses in these are disorientingly thick with bifocals and in some cases a jaundice-yellow tint, but these can easily be popped out by your favorite optometrist. I'll be keeping the flashiest pair (3 photos in the top row) for my own self as I like to look good when I am reading in bed at night.

Deep Winter Flora Cheer

After accidentally breaking a leaf off my mother-in-law's tongue plant, not wanting to waste the lovely thing, I popped it in a bud vase with some dried pussywillows. Doesn't the little arrengement cheer your cold, Winterized heart with thoughts of Spring plantings?

Bottle Wrap in a Snap!

Here's a swift, economical and festive way to wrap a gift bottle! 

Supplies:

4 - 6 sheets tissue paper

1 piece of wrapping or other decorative paper

Scissors or X-acto knife

Glue stick or double sided tape

Ribbon or twine

Decorative scissors or pinking shears (optional)

1. Lay tissue paper flat and place bottle in center. Fold tissue paper up and around stem of bottle and secure with ribbon or twine. Make bow if desired.

3. Measure piece of decorative paper to fit around the middle of the bottle. Wrap decorative paper around middle of bottle and secure with glue stick or double-sided tape.

4. Using fingertips, gently separate layers of tissue at top. End result should look like a flower.

Optional: For a fancier package - BEFORE you separate tissue layers, trim tissue paper at top with pinking shears or decorative scissors. (I used pinking shears in the photos above)

5. Attach gift tag of your choice and give!

Hint: for a neater package fold all raw (cut) ends of the decorative paper under and secure with glue stick before applying.