Broken computer, broken internets

September 02, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

This is the first day in two weeks where both my computer and the internet have been functional. During my computer-free time, I made another dress, which I wore for our engagement photos. Sleeves and pockets are two oft-forgotten features in ready-to-wear dresses that I'm really crazy about.

I want to thank all of the wonderful, wonderful people who have sent cards, emails, and called to congratulate us. It is so much fun to be engaged to Greg. I mixed our books together yesterday- what a thrill to have my Lies My Teacher Told Me next to his Sundown Towns!

At this point, we're planning a mid-August wedding on a family farm in Maine. There are many more details to iron out, and we're taking advantage of the last week of our mutual vacation before Greg starts school on Tuesday. He's taking three math classes, a computer science class, and an honors political science class his first semester!

Moving to the Country

August 18, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

After three weeks of transition, Greg and I are finally settled in our new apartment. The Pioneer Valley is absolutely beautiful, and we can get farm fresh produce and dairy from stands and local stores. Combined with the nearby buritto joint and live music everywhere, we're in seventh heaven.

yesterday, greg asked me a question

August 10, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

And I said yes!

Marshall and McKenna's big project

July 21, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

My project list is on hold while I pack and move this week and next, but I wanted to share a complete house remodel from my dear friends Marshall and McKenna. I'm totally floored by their work, much of which they did themselves!

Their year-long journey is captured with beautiful pictures here: http://wallyfarmhouse.tumblr.com/

Project Four: Wedding Table Cards

July 11, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

One of my college friends asked me to make her table place cards for her wedding next weekend. I think they look a bit like vegetable seed packets.

These are the fronts and backs, all individually stamped. Whew!

Project Three: Peach Melba, Pear Ginger, and Rhubarb Jam

July 11, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

In order to justify packing and moving all of my canning supplies, I decided to fill my jars with jam. I now have peach, pear, and rhubarb jam to carrying me (and most likely a few neighbors) through the winter. Rain came yesteday, calming last week's heat wave. I've been watching my downstair neighbor's animal kingdom, which includes a toy poodle, boa constrictor, fifty gallon fish tank, half dozen hamsters, white feeder mice, and a dozen finches. I'm just glad they didn't liquify from the heat while in my care.

Epic Heat, Epic Shopping

July 07, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

Yesterday, for mom and Isabell's final day in Boston, we mapped out and explored every kid's clothing store between Back Bay and Downtown Crossing, from couture to H&M. Despite the hundred degree weather (no exaggeration! Our lieutenant governor is still in the hospital recovering from heat stroke), both of them held up for six hours of relentless shopping. Isabell valiantly tried on every item I pulled off the shelves and brought home her first beloved pair of skinny jeans. Mom also picked up a couple hundred items for other grandchildren. We all managed to stay nice to each other and reasonably hydrated. It was a vacation miracle. 

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

June 28, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

I sure miss Greg, but it's nice to seize the free time for preserving summer. The rhubarb is from a dear friend's organic farm in Dover.

Ingredients: 4 c. crushed strawberries, 4 c. de-stringed cooked rhubarb, 4 c. sugar, 1 box of pectin

Take a large heavy pot and pour in the strawberries, rhubarb, and pectin. Stirring constantly bring the above to a rolling boil, then add sugar. Return to a rolling boil and boil for 1 minute. Turn off heat and skim off excess foam. Pour the jam into clean jars, wipe off jar, seal lids, and boil jars for ten minutes. With patience, the jars will seal themselves in the coming hours with a satisfying *pop* sound.

Project Two: Check

June 27, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

Dressmaking is not as meditative as I anticipated, but it is an exercise in self-reflection. I know now that I am not a naturally procedural thinker. Technical, non-intuitive directions are challenging for me to understand. This, combined with my bullheadedness and aversion to slip-stitching made this project more difficult than sanding and varnishing outside for three days. On the upside, I have a new dress with a real zipper and pockets. Thanks to my new dress form, it also fits like a glove.

Now for strawberry rhubarb jam!

Project Two: Dress

June 26, 2010 by Sadie in Sadie Miller

I'm not actually finished with the dress, but let me say that making things out of fabric is really, really hard. It takes a ton of spatial intelligence that I don't have. But I have finally cut all the fabric, snipped all the linings, and ironed everything into flat geometric pieces.

Greg also has a new project going, his Baltimore blog: http://geepcee.blogspot.com. Yesterday, one of my local farmers called blogging self-indulgent. This from a guy with his own blogspot for kale recipes! Sheesh.