Wednesday 26 October 2011

Caramel or Brulee?

DS has recently finished a 2 week stint covering a holiday for the chef of a local pub/restaurant.  It was a one-person kitchen so, apart from a washer-up and a couple of waitresses, he was on his own. It was the first time he'd been in charge and quite enjoyed being called 'Chef' rather than being the one doing the calling.  It's a small establishement but has a good reputation locally for its food so the owner was putting a lot of trust in DS!  By all accounts, he did himself proud!! 

OH and I went there for a meal in a group of 7 and we were all thoroughly impressed!  The Creme Brulees he made were to-die-for!!  It reminded me of the time we went on holiday to Malta when the kids were about 8 (DS) and 10 (DD) yrs old.  DS was always quite adventurous about trying different foods (although he'd not shown much inclination towards cooking himself).  He ordered Creme Caramel for dessert at a restaurant after I'd explained what it was.  When it arrived, however, he didn't like it and failed to eat much.  It turned out, he'd thought it was Creme Brulee. Now, here he is, making Creme Brulee himself - and quite perfectly, I should add.  Not sure if he's made Creme Caramel yet but I have to say, I much prefer Creme Brulee too!!

These 2 desserts are quite similar but the end result tastes very different.  Which do you prefer?  Is there anyone who prefers Creme Caramel?
-------

I got out all my Tag Square Bee blocks last weekend and layed them out on the floor of my shed.  So, here they are!!  On reflection (and looking at them layed out together), I think I should have been more specific in my requested colour preference. "Autumn colours" was a bit too general and I'm now a bit flummoxed as to how to put them together.  From looking at many quilts online over the last few years, I'm aware that I probably need to choose an accent colour to bring them all together somehow.  The questions are - "What colour?" and "How do I use it?"  I'm thinking sashing and borders in the mystery colour, but will it take more than that to bring this lot together?? 

My Life Coach friend (who, incidentally, has just launched a website for her business - see my testimonial on the Sunflower Club page) came round yesterday for a 'tour' of my shed.  She saw it at the Shed Opening Party, but not since I've filled it with furniture and fabric, books and buttons.  Showing her my ongoing projects in one go opened my eyes to exactly how much I have to do.  It's time to buckle down and concentrate on one long-term project at a time (with little ones in between!).


Talking of "little ones in between", I was feeling in need of a quick-fix fabric fiddle so pulled out a few scraps and - well - fiddled!  There's a little heart- felt creation that will hang up once I've added a ribbon (inspired by Betz White (sorry couldn't find exact post), but nowhere near as neat and pretty as hers);  then there's a completely random piece of crazy patchwork that I have to decide what to do with.  Maybe a pincushion?

Stitching progress since last time:

Knitted cardigan - a couple of hours on the second sleeve.
Bee Quilt - Laying out blocks and umming and ahhhing.
Felt and fabric fiddling.

Writing down here, for the last few weeks, what progress I've made has been a useful exercise.  I knew I wasn't getting much done but didn't realise that some weeks it was practically nothing!  I wonder if the next step should be to write down what I want to do (or am going to do) before the next post.  Mmmm, I'll have to think about that a bit more because I've only just thought of it.  It might motivate me, or it might make me leave a longer time before posting until I get it done (which would be a bad thing).

Bye for now
Teresa x

6 comments:

Linnhe Mara said...

Definitely creme brulee.( I seem to remember a similar experience with creme caramel as a child)

I'm not very experienced with patchwork but I would be tempted to go with a cream/parchment shade, almost making each piece look like a photograph.That way the quilt is tied together but each piece retains its individuality. Or possibly a soft green to counterbalance the strong russet colours present in many of the blocks.

If you are hanging your felt hearts up ( very pretty by the way) how about a lavender or scented patchwork pillow to display with them

Silvia LGD (Little Green Doll) said...

Mmmmm... I think I prefer Creme Brulee too :) As for your Tag Square Bee blocks, I'm sure they will look great, although it's true that it may be difficult to choose the best accent colour.
Maybe I should do the same as you and write down my stitching progress too... Hugs, Silvia

Leslie said...

I've never had Creme Caramel...and it sounds like perhaps that is okay. That is neat about your son pulling off such an impressive job. I imagine it is very satisfying seeing him do something with passion successfully!

I like your pretty, colorful squares and think they will look great with some accent color...but which one is beyond me.

Leslie

Vintage Girl/Marivel said...

mmmm..I do not know...creme...
Lovely ,colorful squares...
Great work,all look perfect for me.
Have a wonderful day!!!

hausfrau said...

Creme brulee - though I wouldn't say no to a creme caramel either.
I think framing them is the answer too, what colour to use depends a bit on whether you want to tone them down - cream or green - or go for broke with halloween orange!
Listing the exercise I've done has failed to make me stick to a plan to do more...

Susan said...

Put me in with the Creme Brulee crowd...I just love it. Kudos to your son for a successful job well done at the local pub/restaurant. What fun it must have been for you to watch him in action. :) As for your blocks - I like the soft green idea that your first commenter suggested.