Beware of the Ides of March

My birthday on Saturday was forgotten. It was kind of funny. I don't want to name names, but I'll give some initials to indicate how deep this amnesia went--> WHN!

But luckily for me my birthday was not forgotten in Germany or Japan! I was quite proud of myself because normally when I get a box, I tear it open like a hyper 2 year old. Instead, I put them in the closet and waited 20 hours, 10 minutes, 7 seconds before I tore into them. WHN ofcourse was cruising nearby because he knows Sibille always sends candy. He says something like wow you got 2 boxes how random. I am used to his lame jokes, so I am nonplussed. Thankfully Rachael includes a card because the look on WHN after he made the mistake of asking to see it was beautiful. You know, when you actually see the evidence on someone's face of their brain clicking into gear. AWKWARD. I won't bore you with the lame excuses. Just trust that they were unimpressive.

But enough of his trifling! Onto what I actually got!

From Sibille in Germany, I got an awesome shawl, the Mystic Waters Lace Shawl! This was knit during her sock hiatus. I am always thrilled to get knits from her. I will get much use out of it, though I think Dani is thinking right now, "yeah it will go great with the old sweats you always wear to knit night." I was thinking that too! Actually I think it will be really nice in the casinos where it can be ultra cold while the outside is very warm. Plus seeing the effort that went into this shawl made a certain WHN feel like an asshole (as a former Spanish teacher liked to say EXTRA BONUS!) She also sent some Easter candy (gone) and vegetarian gummy bears (also gone, save one bag) as well as a cute sheepy guy that will go into my craft loft.


The day before I was eyeing a glove book that I hadn't seen before. Somehow Rachael and I were on the same wavelength because THAT book, Knitting New Mittens and Gloves was in my gift box from her. She also sent me candy, including Japanese chocolate that I am bit worried about because their chocoreputation is nosogood. But this beats the insects that she has been eating of late, so I am not complaining. She did include Pockies which I LOVE LOVE LOVE. The yarn is Malabrigo silky merino. I am looking forward to playing with that. She also sent me a hat pattern, probably because she was sick of me sending her WHAT ABOUT THIS HAT emails. You will also notice some really pretty chopsticks behind the card (with the cake) that says, "hope WHN spoils you or I will kick him." So not only did he get to feel again like a jerk, but he also has a good dose of fear because he knows how feisty Rachael can be.

THANK YOU BOTH!

Interesting (at least to me since it is my bday) I share my day with the death of Julius Caesars in 44 BC (condolences, Julius) I would also like to extend birthday wishes on that day to FABIO and Michael Scott in Scranton.

March o'recipe: brown bread

In honor of March, I am sharing a very Irish recipe- brown bread. This is a fabulous quick bread that is hearty, dense, moist on the inside with a crispy crust on the outside. It is easy-peasy to make, so give it a try. No special bread making skills or knowledge required. I can't think of an American equivalent to it. I will be offering 2 versions (the second one later in the month) so you will be able to compare.

1/2 lb white flour
6 oz oats
2 oz bran
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3 tsp baking soda
2 beaten eggs
1/2 pint water
1 pint buttermilk
3/4 lb whole meal flour
2 oz wheat germ

Optional: sesame or poppy seeds to sprinkle on top (I don't bother)

(I know you have to weigh the stuff... always meant to do the conversions, but this is more authentic. They don't use cups etc as measurements in Ireland. If I would have put out this recipe in Feb, then I would have had to do the conversions, but since it's March, pogue mahon.)

Pre-heat oven to 390 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients, add egg, then buttermilk and water. Mix very well by hand and spoon into 2 well-greased loaf pans.
Smooth surface and sprinkle seeds if you want at this point. Bake for 1 hour. Pop out and enjoy.