Vacation Sewing and Packing

Back in the spring Mr. Lucky proposed that we take a Rick Steves tour company https://www.ricksteves.com trip to Switzerland since my cousin had spoken so highly of her recent experience.  If he's willing to select and research it, then I'm good to go along.  In previous posts you've seen that we usually take outdoorsy, hiking/walking trips with maybe some city days before and after.  But this was going to be 12 days touring six cities in the three language (and food) regions so it's considered active but definitely more of a tour than we normally do.  I decided that meant that I needed to make some new garments for a somewhat coordinated but still small enough travel wardrobe.  I could pack the usual rtw travel blouses and pants that everyone else has, Travelsmith, Eddie Bauer, the standards, but I have enough of an ego that if I say sewing is my hobby then I should be wearing something to prove it.  
Let's start with the obvious basic black garments.and work from there.  
Black pants
I have black knit Style Arc Barb pants that can work as hiking pants or as evening with a tunic city pants. 

Barb pants by Style Arc get hydration in Zurich before a day up on Mount Pilatus

Add a second pair of black stretch denim jeans and there's a great base. 

Black skirt  White denim jacket
I already own a terrific rtw swirly mid-calf skirt in black slinky and this would be an opportunity to wear it for touring.  Imitating a great snoop shopping and sewing friend, @shoppingsleuth, (please, go to IG and follow her ideas) I decided that a cropped, deconstructed white denim jacket would be perfect for the skirt and that I could also wear the jacket with a black tank and those pants.  Now, I already have a rtw white denim jacket but I didn't want to cut it up in case I didn't like the look.  Enter my new shopping addiction...Poshmark.  For $12 I got the same brand jacket in a white stretch denim.  I cut off the collar, turned and edged it with narrow ribbon and cut the sleeves off to elbow length.  Eventually I want to embellish it around the neckline but I think it worked well just as it is.

Refashioned jacket with cut off sleeves and collar removed

Thanks, Michele, for a great idea

Dark wash denim jeans
No, I have not gotten on the make your own jeans bandwagon although I do love my pull on Jalie Elenore jeans pattern.  So I was packing dark denim rtw again and made a number of coordinating tops to wear in warm temps (Zurich hit 102F the week before we arrived!) or cool.  

White stretch jeans
Ok, this was totally unnecessary but I just love white jeans in the summer and all that dark is practical but sooooo dark.  I got a decent amount of wear out of this last minute decision and it kept my bottoms in rotation enough that I didn't have to do laundry in the two weeks.

So what did I actually sew, what else did I pack and how did they work in a small rolling suitcase?  Here they are:
Three very lightweight over blouse toppers with either a rtw or Margarita tank top underneath.  I only wore two of them when it was quite warm at the start of our trip and one of the hotels wasn't air-conditioned.  They roll up to the size of a cell phone so easy to stuff into a suitcase although probably not necessary.

This topper is my most pinned item since I first made them nine years ago..Chicos poncho knock off  This one works wonderfully with jeans since it has navy and black in that burnout polyester from Fabric Mart.

Again, an easy topper with a twist so I can cover my upper arms but wear a sleeveless tank.  Both sides of the fabric show...one is glittery navy that I think came from JoAnns and the other a tissue knit from Fabric Mart.  I thought I did a post about making one but can't find it at the moment. Tell me if you'd like directions.  

I am in love with waterfall jackets of all lengths and collar widths.  I made a sheer one from my very favorite Butterick 6244 and a border polyester fabric from Fabric Mart with a serger rolled edge.  Turquoise knit Margarita Tank top by LJ Designs, my go to tank.  

Butterick 6244

Then a knit version in a somewhat heavy ITY that needed a full facing.  The colors are perfect for denim and black but when wearing it, the extra weight of the large facing pulled it forward and I wasn't always happy with that.  I'll keep it for travel but not for regular at home wearing.

Butterick 6244

Butterick 6244

I'm grinning like a fool because we were ecstatic to reach the Lugano hotel where we got a whole pot of delicious coffee at breakfast.  Americans like us looove their morning coffee and a small cup isn't enough.  This was heaven.
There were some oldies that came along on the trip:
Vogue 8691 from three years ago

Yes, I found fabric stores and haberdashery departments just like a homing pigeon.
Vogue 8813 is a Marcy Tilton dress with great pockets and was perfect for market day and winery tour in Lausanne.

Vogue 8813

A Simplicity 3678 dress that I cut down into a tunic and thought I might discard at the end of the trip but it got several compliments so it came home with me:

Simplicity 3678

And last sewing picure,  a McCalls 6444 jacket, another oldie but goodie, in lightweight nubby cotton with lots of fringing.  Jeans and travel friendly.

McCalls 6444

Oh, that bandage you've noticed....thank you for not saying anything.  I was so cocky and full of myself as our trip started out.  The first three days we were on our own in Zurich.  Day one we arrived, dropped our luggage and used the Rick Steves guide book for a marvelous walking tour of the city.  Cure for jet lag...walk  8 miles in the sun.  Day two we headed on the train for a whole day excursion to beautiful Mount Pilatus.  Trains, gondolas, cog wheel train, boat ride, hiking...another almost 8 mile day.  
Ah, day three, head out to take scheduled e-bike tour of Zurich.  Electric bikes are the ones with heavy electric batteries that give you power assist.  Mr. Lucky and I were there early, the woman trying to help me said all the bikes are the same, I didn't want to be a pushy American but saw that there were smaller ones more my size but I went along with her (listen to your instincts, ladies) and yes, the bike took me down with its weight and size and I have a badly sprained ankle.  I still did the whole trip and it could have been soooo much worse.  I'll see the ankle dr. when he's back from his vacation on Monday but I can still sew so all is not lost. And sewing wise, here are my souvenirs:

Sewing friends, feel free to move on....travel voyouers, keep looking for a few of our many pictures.  

The Rick Steves tour was a master work of planning for organized time and free time.  He's a real believer in getting to know local people, stay at family owned hotels and dine at local restaurants and that made this quite special.  We had a walk with a local city guide in each town, a wonderful full time guide/manager, Fabian, who set up our visits to behind the scenes tours of a monastery, an exclusive chocolatier, an Alp cheese farm, mountain WWII fortress, local village music, a risotto cooking class, winery tour, Roman ruins and travel by coach, by train, by boat, by tram and gondolas.  We were initially concerned that it wouldn't be active enough for us but we averaged five miles a day...me limping along but I didn't miss any activity except maybe the optional tandem para-gliding.  We'll definitely take another trip with such a terrific organization some time in the future.  Now, back to my sewing room and all the fun projects I have in store for the rest of 2019.

Mr. Lucky and the fire gear inside one of the WWII mountain fortresses which held 200 men

In Engleberg there was a local band concert and a music group which did Swiss yodeling songs that were beautiful.

Bellinzona has three castles, built to guard this narrow pass

Daily cheese-making after the forty cows have grazed on the high hills

The hills were alive with Alp horn music, some it more melodious than others.

On Lake Geneva the steamer passes the Castle of Chillon

We learned that a famous Bollywood film had been filmed in and on top of the gorgeous Mount Titlis

Mr. Lucky, now retired ski patroller, gets a great look at the Alps.

Catching My Breath with Sewing

I don't know what you do when life is hectic, stressful and full of decisions.  Me, I just want to sew something.....anything.  Thank heavens I've been able to find the time to do just that during this past month.
Mr. Lucky and I packed up the car, the dogs and headed down the road to our FL condo a little over three weeks ago.  Since then it's a frenzy of cleaning, grocery re-stocking, and now the start of the process of putting our place on the market this year.  Yup, it's been a wonderful ten years but we're older, poorer and ready to live in one place and that's going to be Baltimore.  We're still young enough to love the vibe of city and suburuban life although maybe we re-think that decision in five or ten years.  In the meantime, we're re-painting, getting a contractor to do some delayed projects, moving stuff (lots of fabric and patterns and craft supplies is what makes up that "stuff") into a storage unit, de-cluttering and generally stressing out over selling a place when we haven't done that in 28 years!!  I'll fill you in on our saga over the next months but first let me share my sewing projects.  Because sewing and reading are what I turn to when all of life overwhelms me some days....and my dear friends are tired of listening to me ramble.  

I was able to cut and sew two simple tried and true dress patterns over the course of a few evenings.  The first one is Simplicity 3678 with view C's scoop neck.  I really like the neckline on this version and think it deserves to become a tunic top sometime in the future. I was missing my northern sewing friends and thinking about them (especially as I was loading up fabric to take to the ASG chapter meeting for their fund raising sale) when I decided to add a touch of faux leather to this dress.  Very last minute I added a thin band of brown Ultra suede light from a scrap I had been given years ago.  It has enough stretch than I can still pull it over my head and bodice since there's no zipper in this knit dress.  Nothing too out there but makes me smile knowing that I added that little detail because of their inspiration.

Simplicity 3678 View C

McCalls 6201 with lucky in the background

The second dress is another TNT, MCCalls 6201, a sheath dress that I can sew rather easily since it too doesn't need a zipper when sewn up in a stretch woven.  I've had this wild pink leopard print I think since the first year we came here and I was shopping the local WalMart fabric tables.  Rather Florida, don't you think?  I was always going to make pants out of it and now that I have the Elle pant working for me, that was my first idea.  But you know what, it's one of those inexpensive stretch wovens that will not hold up over time....and won't like being a pair of slim pants that get stretched and don't recover well.  So it too became a simple unlined dress and I'll get a season or two of wear from it.
And when I get heart palpitations and minor panic attacks at 2 am (I know, I know, nothing life threatening whatsoever but clearly something is going on in my unconscious), here's what I do to distract me late at night....find some engrossing books.  These two hit the spot this month.

From Amazon:

A New York Times bestseller and a moving Civil War novel about a young midwife who dreams of becoming a surgeon

 

Fans of Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks, Cold Mountainby Charles Frazier, and The Postmistress by Sarah Blake will love this New York Times bestselling tale of the Civil War. Mary Sutter is a brilliant young midwife who dreams of becoming a surgeon. Eager to run away from recent heartbreak, Mary travels to Washington, D.C., to help tend the legions of Civil War wounded. Under the guidance of two surgeons, who both fall unwittingly in love with her, and resisting her mother's pleas to return home to help with the difficult birth of her twin sister's baby, Mary pursues her medical career against all odds. Rich with historical detail-including cameo appearances by Abraham Lincoln and Dorothea Dix, among others-My Name Is Mary Sutter is certain to be recognized as one of the great novels about the Civil War.

I'm not usually a historical novel reader but this year I have been enjoying several tremendously.  This was engrossing and compelling reading and so impressive for a first novel.  I highly recommend it.
Now for something totally silly and light:

A dear friend and dog lover had recommended this one a year or so ago when I was raving once again about "The Art of Racing in the Rain."  This is no where as serious as that book but is a light detective story narrated by the dog side kick, Chet.  Sort of like a Janet Evanovich story with a dog narrating it.  Wonderful escapism.
It's good to be back blogging and sharing projects and opinions with kindred souls.  Hope that your sewing projects provide you with what you need much as mine have been doing.

Hot Weather, Hot Dress, New Top

I'm calling this my "Hot, Hot, Hot Dress," not because I'm so very hot and spicy (more like medium hot and saucy) but because this is our very hot summer here in the US.  I cut this dress out after the June 29 storm when we lost power for four days.  My sewing room was hot, hot, hot as well since it's the top floor of our 60 year old house.  But I admit that no Internet or electronic entertainment meant that I got a lot of cutting out of projects done even if I couldn't sew right away.

Simplicity 3678, view C, with narrowed sleeves

The fabric is an ITY knit from Fabric.com.  For once I didn't let this one age too long. 

Droopy rayon knit failure

 I did try this scoop neck view C in a wearable muslin as a top first.  I did a "cheater's" full bust adjustment by adding an inch in width at center front which was simply eased into extra gathering, and 3/4 in extra length on the front bodice piece which I also eased when sewing it to the back pattern piece.  But the wearable muslin was unwearable.  I stitched it up from some of the rayon knit fabric that Fabric Mart had last summer and it drooped and grew the moment I tried it on.  Shucks, I love the colors in the remaining fabrics in my collection.  I think they might work as more closely fitted knit tops, perhaps as my favorite Jalie knit top.  But the full bottom was too heavy and kept pulling this top downward.  Ah well, that's why we make a sample mock up, right?

What do you do when you have a sewing disappointment?  Pull out a guaranteed success and get back in the saddle.

Simplicity 2364

This is another version of an OOP pattern that I have made several times before, as a top and as some dresses.  I like the scoop neck of view C on the pattern and already have a few more in the works.  Once again, I love a TNT pattern and the options it gives me to expand my wardrobe quickly and easily.
Speaking of TNT, here's another of that Simplicity 2364 where I've combined some stretch lace and slinky from my collection.  Next time I'm going to try a knee length dress.

Speaking of the hot weather, much of the US has been suffering from heat and drought conditions this summer.  That was also the theme behind this thoroughly enjoyable Australian mini-series, Rain Shadow, that we rented from Netflix last month.  The beautiful Rachel Ward is a farming vet who hires a new city vet as an assistant....after 6 others have left her employment in the last year or so.  The six episodes are excellent character studies of the locals, the struggles of farming in an era of climate change and we thoroughly enjoyed this one.  How nice that Netflix, like blogging, lets us better understand the interests and challenges of people around the world.

Slight Change in Plans

I was going to do a frankenpattern version of this wonderful Simplicity 3678 but really disliked the initial result.  Wrapping extra folds of fabric around the narrowest part of my body by adding the waist tie from the McCalls pattern...why did I think that would be a good look for me?  Rather than accenting a womanly curve it merely added bulk to my mid-section.  I only basted in the wrap piece so quickly removed it and sewed up there two additional versions of Simplicity 3678 to wear here in Florida.  I fell in love with it last summer while making several versions to wear in Maryland version 2, my favorite  version 3   and now I have two grab and go flattering dresses in the condo closet.   

No photos of me in the dress (Mr. Lucky is out of town until Monday) but I merely look 6 months older than in the previous pictures.  The only slight variation is that the polka dot version has a straight 3/4 inch sleeve and the print version is more boho in flavor so I kept the bell shaped sleeves on that one.  I wish the wrap idea had panned out but the theme here is know your body, know what looks good and don't try to be someone else.  Since this dress style is flattering on me I do think my next version of this dress will be to do a FBA on the alternate scoop neck style from this pattern and give that one a try.  


Now it's time to get projects ready for nest week's 3 day sewing retreat.  I usually overpack projects but I like knowing that I have alternatives for any part of the sewing day and night.  This year, hmmmm, I think I might give a try for the Tabula Rasa jacket with some pieced sheer fabrics and serger seams, work on embellishing another pencil skirt with some silk dupioni flowers, do a muslin for another sheath dress, this time with shoulder princess seams and also try the Pamela's Pattern's cardigan in a sweater knit.  Cutting and packing ahead of me but I'm so looking forward to another great visit.  Hope you have something you are looking forward to with anticipation.

One More Before You Go

Before I officially folded up the tissue for Simplicity 3678, I sewed up one more with this 1 1/2 piece of ITY knit from Fabric.com.  I seldom ever order from them and when I did this summer I only liked 3 of the 6 items in my order.  Even with "free shipping" that's not a good enough ratio for me so please, don't let me do that again.  Yes, I know they would refund my money but shipping it back at my expense sort of wipes out most of that benefit.  

This was one of the knits in the box.  I like the colors but the scale of the print meant that I changed my plans from a knit top to this dress.  I eked out this sleeveless version of Simplicity 3678 with about two inches of fabric to spare.  To make it look a little different I added a braided trim that I made using my Fast Turn tube turners, a purchase from Nancy's Notions many years ago.  These tubes and little wire pulling hook make turning tubes easy and quick.  I recall years ago turning tubes of fabric using the old "safety pin worked through the tube" method....what a PITA.   Nifty little notion to make the job easier.

I like the texture on the dress.  I think a larger version of this braid would also look nice as the midriff band on another version....but that won't be happening soon.  I have folded this one up and am ready to move on to something new.
Here's a great fast turn tube demo if you've never seen them.

Thanks to everyone who made such nice comments on my last post.  Since recipes are just as much fun as sewing, here are two more that I'm taking to our picnic and dance this evening.  It's our very favorite band so we'll be dancing the night away under the stars.
First is this new dish that I got from the New York Times last week.  I did have to buy "pomegranate molasses" at Wegman's but it turns out not too difficult to find if you have a large grocery store or Whole Foods nearby.  It adds a zesty sweet and sour flavor.  Now I know the ingredient that I enjoy in Lebanese and other Middle Eastern cooking.   Fresh tomatoes and eggplant and some chickpeas and yummmm.

New York Times image

Sweet and Sour Eggplant, Tomato and Chickpeas

I don't have pictures of my own version of these next treats so I'll link you to a food blogger with much better photography skills than mine.  Now, it you are on diet or a no sugar/flour food plan, then you may want to stop reading here.  I understand and admire you.  Part of my own particular food/weight challenge over the years has been finding balance in my life.  So when I started a program more than a decade ago to lose weight and find some serenity around food, I found a program of spiritual, emotional and physical balance which still works for me.  Part of my food plan therefore is allowing myself dessert once a week when it fits into my active lifestyle.  This is my treat for tonight, Cook's Illustrated Perfect Chocolate Chip cookies.  I don't feel deprived, I get to share them with friends who will be there also and now you can try them and see what you think.  Oh, I make about 30 smaller cookies and bake them for 11 1/2 minutes.

Published May 1, 2009.   From Cook's Illustrated.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Our perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe had to produce a cookie that would be moist and chewy on the inside and crisp at the edges, with deep notes of toffee and butterscotch to balance its sweetness. Melting the butter gave us the chewiness we were looking for. Cutting back on the flour and eliminating an egg white also improved texture and brought the brown sugar flavor to the fore. To give our chocolate chip cookie recipe the crisp edges and toffee flavor we wanted, we let the sugar dissolve in the batter for 10 minutes, then baked the cookies at a high temperature so the edges darkened while the centers stayed soft.

MAKES 16 COOKIES

Avoid using a nonstick skillet to brown the butter; the dark color of the nonstick coating makes it difficult to gauge when the butter is browned. Use fresh, moist brown sugar instead of hardened brown sugar, which will make the cookies dry. This recipe works with light brown sugar, but the cookies will be less full-flavored. For our winning brand of chocolate chips, see related tasting.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 3/4cups unbleached all-purpose flour (8 3/4 ounces)
• 1/2teaspoon baking soda
• 14tablespoons unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks)
• 1/2cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
• 3/4cups packed dark brown sugar (5 1/4 ounces) (see note)
• 1teaspoon table salt
• 2teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1large egg
• 1large egg yolk
• 1 1/4cups semisweet chocolate chips or chunks (see note)
• 3/4cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large (18- by 12-inch) baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.
2. 2. Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and, using heatproof spatula, transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl. Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.
4. 4. Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons (or use #24 cookie scoop). Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 dough balls per sheet. (Smaller baking sheets can be used, but will require 3 batches.)
5. 5. Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 10 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving.

Eat Live Run food blogger with CI Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe  You might like the step by step pics on this blog entry.


Happy weekend, everyone.

Something old, something new...

I think I love this pattern....no, I absolutely positively love this pattern.   I made it back in May as a dress for the first time (Simplicity 3678 in a solid color with more details ) and last week I wanted a lighter weight summer dress.  Here it is!  No zipper and the hardest part is marking and then pinning the darts. 








Speaking of darts, I did have to do a FBA and spread the pleats to do that:

I mark my pleats with Saral tracing paper then at my cutting table I pin them together before moving the pattern pieces over to my machine.  Years ago when I was sewing I was much less careful about marking and handling my pattern pieces and my results were less than pleasing.

 I used a large print ITY knit from the Northern VA Sewing Guild NYC visit to Kashi at Metro in May.  For some hem weight I used my coverstitch machine and did two rows of hemming on the bottom and sleeves.  

It's the kind of dress that can go to church or dinner with some accessories but can also run errands with flats and be wonderfully comfortable.  Next on my list is a sleeveless version to wear with my collection of little cardigans.  Have I said that I love this dress pattern?


Ok, since this pattern is now officially an oldie and a goodie, here are two things which are new and are goodies.  Remember all those peaches from last week?  Not all of them turned into peach preserves.   (Oooh, you should taste the the second batch of those preserves.  I added a dash of Penzey's Spices  Double Vanilla  Penzey's  at the very end...peach vanilla perfection!)  
Here's what else I made with the peaches since we had plans to return to our outdoor picnic and dancing venue on Saturday night.

The recipe is a little fussy since it's from CI but it's the best peach cake I've ever made.

SERVES 8 TO 10

To crush the panko bread crumbs, place them in a zipper-lock bag and smash them with a rolling pin. If you can't find panko, 1/4 cup of plain, unseasoned bread crumbs can be substituted. Orange liqueur can be substituted for the peach schnapps. If using peak-of-season, farm-fresh peaches, omit the peach schnapps.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/2pounds peaches , pitted and cut into 1/2 inch-thick wedges
• 5tablespoons peach schnapps
• 4teaspoons lemon juice
• 6tablespoons plus 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4teaspoon salt
• 1/2cup packed (3 1/2 ounces) light brown sugar
• 2large eggs
• 8tablespoons unsalted butter , melted and cooled
• 1/4cup sour cream
• 1 1/2teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/3cup panko bread crumbs , finely crushed

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with vegetable oil spray. Gently toss 24 peach wedges with 2 tablespoons schnapps, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in bowl; set aside.
2. 2. Cut remaining peach wedges crosswise into thirds. Gently toss chunks with remaining 3 tablespoons schnapps, remaining 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in bowl. Spread peach chunks in single layer on prepared sheet and bake until exuded juices begin to thicken and caramelize at edges of sheet, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer sheet to wire rack and let peaches cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
3. 3. Spray 9-inch springform pan with vegetable oil spray. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in bowl. Whisk brown sugar, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and eggs together in second bowl until thick and homogeneous, about 45 seconds. Slowly whisk in butter until combined. Add sour cream, vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; whisk until combined. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined.
4. 4. Transfer half of batter to prepared pan; using offset spatula, spread batter evenly to pan edges and smooth surface. Sprinkle crushed bread crumbs evenly over cooled peach chunks and gently toss to coat. Arrange peach chunks on batter in even layer, gently pressing peaches into batter. Gently spread remaining batter over peach chunks and smooth top. Arrange reserved peach wedges, slightly overlapped, in ring over surface of cake, placing smaller wedges in center. Stir together remaining 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and remaining 1/8 teaspoon almond extract in small bowl until sugar is moistened. Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over top of cake.
5. 5. Bake until center of cake is set and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer pan to wire rack; cool 5 minutes. Run paring knife around sides of cake to loosen. Remove cake from pan and let cool completely, 2 to 3 hours. Cut into wedges and serve

The unfortunate unexpected part was that we were thunderstormed out of going so we had to stay home with cake, homemade whipped cream and DVR'd episodes of "Rescue Me." Am I the only one who gets weak in the knees at that bad boy Dennis Leary?  I blame  my early years of Catholic school where I learned to love wise-acre, smart-mouthed Irish Catholic rebels. 
Since we spent our carbs on dessert, we had a low carb dinner with these great Thai Lettuce wraps.  The recipe is scrumptious and the best part is the terrific peanut sauce.  I've made several peanut sauces over the years and this one is my favorite.  

 The recipe source:  The Cheeky Kitchen Blog

 Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Serves 6 as an appetizer or 3-4 for dinner, alongside quick fried rice or noodles.

• 3 Tbsp lime juice (from 2 fat limes), divided
• 1 Tbsp lime zest
• 2 Tbsp Thai red curry paste, divided
• 6 Tbsp brown sugar, divided
• 3 lbs chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup water, plus a few tablespoons
• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp fish sauce
• 1/2 small cucumber
• 1 small red pepper
• 1 head boston or butter lettuce, washed and separated into leaves

Make marinade.  In a food processor, whiz 1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice, 4 Tbsp brown sugar, and 1 Tbsp red curry paste.  Pour into a large bowl and add chicken slices to the bowl.  Toss well to coat evenly and set aside for at least 10 minutes (up to an hour).

Make peanut sauce.  In same processor bowl (no need to wash it out), add remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice, all the zest, remaining 1 Tbsp curry paste, remaining 2 Tbsp brown sugar, water, peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, and fish sauce.  Whir until smooth and combined, about 30 seconds.  Pour into a small serving dish and set aside.

Assemble fixin’s.  Wash red pepper and cucumber.  Slice each into thin, long strips (think of a french fry – you want them to lay alongside the chicken strips neatly in the lettuce wrap).  Wash the lettuce and carefully separate each leaf, taking care to leave them whole.   Arrange lettuce, peppers and cucumbers on a platter with the peanut sauce.

Grill chicken.  In a grill pan (alternatively, thread onto skewers and grill outside), grill chicken strips for 1-2 minutes on each side or until well caramelized and cooked through.

To serve, use a lettuce leaf like a tortilla to wrap up 1-2 chicken pieces, a slice of cucumber, and a slice of pepper.  Drizzle with peanut sauce, roll up, and serve.

OK, enough of my favorites today.  I'm working on a new pattern and will be asking your opinions in another post.