Busy, Busy

Now that the election is over I feel like I can return to everyday routines. I spent the morning printing another run of reindeer cards in green and gold--- they're drying as I write this. The brown and gold version proved very popular and I only have a few sets left for the holiday season. It feels a little bittersweet printing holiday cards this year, with the closure of the Gocco factory. But I'm branching out, and I have a few more projects in the works beyond buttons.

I'm also working on relaunching my own website. I'll show you all when it is ready, along with a special offer for the relaunch!

Roasted Acorn Squash with Cinnamon Butter

I made this for our Election Night dinner, along with mushroom turnovers. It was very easy and delicious. Please forgive the bad photo. It's quite dark in our kitchen.

2 acorn squash, unpeeled, quartered lengthwise, and seeded
1 tbsp olive oil
coarse salt and ground pepper
4 tbsp butter
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 450. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss squash with oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange on sheet, cut side down, and roast until easily pierced with a paring knife, 35 to 45 minutes.

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium, stirring, until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Immediately pour into a small bowl; stir in cinnamon. Place squash on a serving platter; top with cinnamon butter.

Recipe from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine.

On a side note, I often spray olive oil on veggies with my Misto Sprayerrather than tossing them. It's one of my favorite kitchen tools. Seriously, check it out.

Yes We Did, Yes We Will

I have not posted since Election Day because there are not adequate words to express my joy, my hope, and my pride in this country. For the first time in eight years, I am hopeful that we can move forward and that the world can once again respect our actions and our policies.

I have spent the last eight years working in communities that have lost hope and I thought of the people in those communities, teary eyed and smiling, as I watched Obama take the stage with his family.

Rather than continuing to wax philosophical, I thought I would end with Obama's words:

This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

(You can read the full text of Obama's acceptance speech here.)

Vote

There was early voting here. I'm hoping tomorrow goes well. And that's all I can say about that.

Slowly, Slowly

This dress has been coming together. It's looking a bit like a tent (yes I did measure myself before, thank you very much), but I don't want to rip the side seams out and start over now that the collar is gathered and stitched in. It will probably still be cute with my favorite vintage
Frye bootsor some tights and ballet flats.

I bought an invisible zipper, and I am procrastinating on putting it in . . . zippers scare me. Any tips from sewers out there?

I want to wear it in time for the holiday shows I'm doing.