Pet Projects

I used to paint a lot. I mean A LOT. The amount of canvas I bought alone probably put some crafts store shareholders kids through college. I was never great at it, but man I used to love to paint. 

I say used to because somewhere along the line I just....stopped. 

I don't know if it was the busyness of life or lack of inspiration but somewhere along the line I just stopped painting. Anytime I thought about going back I just couldn't get started. I really hadn't given it much thought. I guess life just gets in the way and I assumed that was just the natural order of things. But that changed when I was fumbling through some old unpacked boxes from the move and I discovered the art case my grandmother had left me. 

Cracked Pepper Cheddar Bacon Biscuits

Yesterday Hubby and I spent the day shopping in Annapolis. We went to the Amish market and perused all of their Easter chocolates and candies. Then we headed to a nearby shopping center and picked up a few books for myself and some video games for Hubs. Finally we ended up at our favorite organic grocery store for some goodies. While we were picking out what to make for the week we ran across these frozen biscuits that sounded amazing. They were peppered bacon biscuits with cheddar and they looked to die for. But at $30 for a box of eight there was no way I was going to get them. A simple peek at the ingredients though, and I was pretty sure I could make them at home. Hence, these babies came about:

Perfect Basic Egg Pasta

I have been crazy about homemade pasta ever since I learned how to make it. A lot of times I feel like you can substitute store bought, but pasta is not one of those things. If you have the time and if you have a pasta maker (which I do....if only I could remember where the heck I put it on one of our many moves) it is seriously worth the effort. Even if you don't have a pasta maker (or you are absentminded like myself) it is still super easy to make your own egg pasta as I will show you. 

This recipe explains how to make basic egg pasta noodles say for spaghetti or fettucini. It can be adapted for any pasta shape you prefer and can easily be doubled or even tripled if you have the time though this does make a pretty large batch.

Recipe: Soy Sauce Eggs

 Today I am bringing you a quick little side recipe for my take on Soy Sauce Eggs (or shoyu tamago if you are feeling authentic). Soy Sauce Eggs are delicious briny boiled eggs that you can add to you ramen (which is my favorite) or snack on all by themselves (which is more hubby's cup of tea). Usually all you would need is soy sauce and some hardboiled eggs but I like to step mine up a notch with salty bacon and fresh onions and chives.