Picture
Image from nicolettegood.com
My friend Nicolette released a new album! You can download it for free by clicking here! You'll love it, and while you're there buy her other album too! : )
Picture
Image from xcatik.com
Read about Rick Bayless' ambitious new menu at Topolobampo, it features only authentic Aztec ingredients that would have been available in Mexico ante-Columbus. I want to go try it sooooo bad.
 
Picture
I'm not whistling dixie, you guys. This gravy is the key ingredient to all truly Tex-Mex cuisine. Fellow Texans, you know how Mexican food from any other state just doesn't hit the spot? You know why? It's because they don't use this sauce. No joke. But now, you can make this gravy in your own home to top enchiladas (recipe soon to come), burritos, chile relleno, or whatever suits your fancy. The best part? You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry right now!
Picture
Here's what you need: chicken broth, cumin, oregano, chile powder, flour, vegetable oil, powdered garlic (I only had garlic flakes, so I used those), salt and pepper.
Picture
1. Heat up the oil in a pan over medium high heat.
Picture
2. Stir in the flour and keep stirring until it mixes in completely and becomes light brown, this is called a roux.
Picture
3. Add the spices and keep stirring. Cook only for a minute more. You don't want to burn them! I did, hence the smoke, but it was still tasty.
Picture
4. Pour in the chicken broth and stir so the spices mix in nicely and the sauce thickens. If you use garlic powder, your sauce won't have these garlic flakes floating around, which is probably best.
Picture
5. Turn heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick enough to push a spoon (or spatula in my case) through it and you can see the bottom of the pan, about 15 minutes.

If you're like me, you probably doubt that such a simple sauce can be so freaking delicious. Well, you're wrong, just like I was. It's creamy, earthy, just spicy enough and crave-worthy. Definitely give this a shot, it will revolutionize your enchiladas! I used it to make plain cheddar cheese enchiladas, I'm still day dreaming about them, soooooo gooooood. I'll share that recipe next.

Chili Gravy
Source: Robb Walsh via Homesick Texan

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon powdered garlic
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 cups chicken broth

Heat up the oil in a pan over medium high heat. Stir in the flour and keep stirring until it mixes in completely and becomes light brown. Add the spices and keep stirring. Cook only for a minute more. Pour in the chicken broth and stir so the spices mix in nicely and the sauce thickens. Turn heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick enough to push a spoon through it and you can see the bottom of the pan, about 15 minutes.


Yields about 2 cups.
 
Picture
Picture
I am so happy with this Kindle cover! I knit it up this weekend as I marathoned Naruto episodes. Nerding out: just what I needed to relax this weekend!

I'm going to perfect the pattern before I make more for my etsy shop. I'm thinking I can knit it in the round next time so there aren't as many ugly seams. My favorite part is the knotted cables. I wanted the cover to have sort of illuminated manuscript character and the knots evoked a Celtic sense to me. Do you see it, too?
Picture
And, my item was featured in another treasury list! This has been a good month for Art of Ariadne! The lists haven't resulted in more sales, but I'm happy for the compliment nonetheless. Remember, the coupon just for requies readers is still available!
 
Picture
Another one of my cozies was selected for a treasury list! Yay! Also, today is the first day of school! Please send a prayer or encouraging vibe my way, I'd really appreciate it! 

Soon I'll share a few recipes I'm really excited about. Stay tuned!
 
Look what I found on the interwebs this week!
Picture
Image from craftyiscool.blogspot.com
Picture
Image from craftyiscool.blogspot.com
Gah! Kawaiiii! That means "cute" in Japanese, and when something is too cute to be called simply "cute" I squeal, "kawaiiiii!" 

Ahem. Definitely check out the Craftyiscool blog, by clicking on the images! She is like a crochet sculptor! She makes crocheted celebrity replicas, those are probably the most impressive.
Picture
Image from Max's World
Love these earrings! You can buy them by clicking on the image. Max also has necklaces, stud earrings and brooches!
 
Here are some more things I want to accomplish before I turn 27.


12. Be more intentional about making friends. It's hard making friends once you're an adult isn't it? This year, I realized that I am surrounded by inspiring, admirable and just plain awesome ladies and I need to take advantage of that. So, I  made a list of women to make a coffee/lunch date with so I can get to know them better, and I intend to check them all of my list before I'm 27! That sounds funny, as if they're just something to cross off my to-do list. I can't help it, I am a big list person! So ladies, please don't be offended that next to your name there is a box with a check in it. 

13. Read at least one book from every author on the Great Books list. Okay, this is virtually impossible to complete in my few months left as a 26 year old, but I'm excited to get started!

 A little background first: The Great Books are works that have been judged to meet the following three criteria a) "the book has a contemporary significance" b) "the book is inexhaustible; it can be read again and again with benefit" and c) "the book is relevant to a large number of the great ideas and great issues that have occupied the minds of thinking individuals for the last 25 centuries." That last one is a bit odious isn't it? As if some individuals don't think?  There is a lot of controversy about the list, you can read all about that on the wikipedia article, but for my part I think it's a great starting point if you want to read the most influential books of all time, which I do!

Looking through the list I realize how fortunate I am to have had a great education. I can't believe how many of these books I've been lucky enough to read! You should check the list out, I'm sure you'll want to write a thank you note to your English / History / Economics / Classics teacher! He/She will be so grateful to hear from you!

As for the books I haven't read yet, I think I've discovered the easiest and cheapest way to check them off the list (see, I'm a big list person).
Picture
I got a Kindle! Normally, I wouldn't buy such new-fangled technology for myself, but this, my friends, was free!! I used my credit card points to get an amazon gift card, best idea I ever had (actually it was Jared's idea). As soon as I got it in the mail, I proceeded to download 130 books from the Great Books list. And the best part? Didn't cost a penny! The vast majority of Great Books are in the public domain, which means you can download them for free. Normally, that wouldn't be very helpful because who wants to print out the complete works of Shakespeare? But with a Kindle, you just download it in seconds and it's all at your fingertips! I swear I am not being paid to say these things, I am just very excited : )

I think it would be fun to share what book I am currently reading, and my thoughts about it. Would that interest you all, or bore you to tears? Don't be afraid to be honest with me!
 
This might surprise you, since I'm soooo internet savvy (a little sarcasm), but I just joined twitter. I was hesitant because I thought, who wants to hear my random musings. But, I wish I had joined sooner! The best part is being able to follow all my favorite internet personalities and getting to see sites and images which they find interesting and inspiring. I've read many fascinating articles shared by my internet heros, like this one on the theology of refashioning old clothing (it's a PDF link) and this awesome rubberized teapot DIY

Would you be interested in seeing some of my best discoveries via twitter? I could even make a series out of it...Twitter Tuesdays! 

Don't forget, the 20% off deal at Art of Ariadne is still going strong! Just enter "requies" for the coupon code before you check out!
 
Picture
My new cozy was put in a treasury list on etsy! Wheeee! I love it when that happens. Click on the image to visit the different sites, and favorite this list. You know you want to!

Today was the first official work day of the new school year. I'm excited to go back, I was getting sort of antsy! But I'm going to get very busy soon, so brace yourselves for shorter posts during the next few weeks. I've seen some blogs post one picture a day during the busy times in their lives. I think that's a good idea. I just decided, that's what I'm going to do. I'll try and make them good pictures, for your sake.

In all seriousness, I love you guys! I've gained a lot of new readers this summer and would hate to lose you once school starts because of my busy schedule. To show my gratitude, I want to offer you all 20% off any item in my etsy shop, Art of Ariadne! To use the coupon, after you add the item to your cart, click on "apply shop coupon code" and type in "requies" (without the quotation marks). Etsy will automatically deduct 20% from the price. 

Okay, I'm going to work on lesson plans now. Wish me luck!
 
Today Jared's brother Nathan and his wife Michele are being blessed by a baby shower to celebrate "little Peanut," our soon to be nephew! I wish we could be there! Thankfully, I was able to complete my gifts in time. Here's what I made!
Picture
Aren't you glad I finished this blanket? Now I can stop talking about it so much! Michele requested the Shale Baby blanket, a) because it's beautiful but also b) because she wanted to encourage me to finish one of my 26 before 27 goals. She's pretty sweet, right?
Picture
Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I promise that will be the last picture of the Shale Baby Blanket I post. So get a good look at it. I totally understand if you want to save it and maybe it make it your desktop background or something, I'll probably do that. *stares at lovingly, one last time*

Ok, moving on. I also wanted to give something for Little Peanut that would be a surprise to his parents so I made this!
Picture
*Squeal* Isn't it cute?! When I saw this pattern from Wild Olive I knew I had to get it because Little Peanut's nursery has an otter theme. The white stitches around the edge are to keep a piece of felt attached to the back to cover up the messy stitches.

Like I've mentioned before, I love makings things for babies. While I was working on these items my cheeks hurt from smiling so much! I can't wait to meet the little guy!
 
Picture
I added a new coffee cozy to my etsy shop, Art of Ariadne! I love the pumpkin color, I think I'll knit one just for me! Is it sad that I'm so ready for fall? I've been day dreaming of carving pumpkins and wearing jackets. The weather has been a lot cooler and I am loving it. I feel ashamed though, like I'm rejecting my Texan roots by being sick of the heat.

Anyway, if you have an etsy account I would be ever so grateful if you favorited my new cozy. And while you're at it, favorite all my other items too! : )