Daily Photo: Roast Duck and My New Apron May 18, 2008
I love aprons. Always have. I always like to wear an apron when I’m making holiday pies or cooking a big dinner. I’m always wiping and washing and wiping my hands — and it’s a pain trying to keep a dish towel on your shoulder. So much easier to wear an apron.
Lately, since I’ve been cooking so much (3 meals a day, every day), I’ve gotten used to wearing an apron most of the day. I feel naked without it. And it comes in handy for all kinds of things — I especially love aprons with pockets — for clothespins when I’m doing laundry, or to stick my iPod while I’m listening to audiobooks while I do the dishes.
My blogger friend, Paula, sent me this gorgeous apron. All the way from Alaska! Isn’t it fabulous? I’m amazed at how “me” it is. I love pink, chartreuse and orange — they are my favorite colors!
It’s beautifully sewn, too. I wish I could sew like this.
Thanks, Paula! I absolutely love it. It’s so pretty, I hate to wipe my hands on it (but I still do — got plenty of duck fat on it today).
I’m going to send Paula some mp3s and kefir grains in exchange (this, week, I promise! :-P)
Pretty cool, isn’t it — blogging and trading things by mail. Very fun!
Here’s Paula’s blog: http://www.steveandpaularunyan.blogspot.com/
And her Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5728859
She makes custom aprons, too.
PS: Here is the recipe I use for roast duck. It’s so easy. Just takes over 2 hours to cook. You need a roaster (preferably not aluminum) and a rack. I saved all the fat from the bottom of the pan, which I will use for frying. I fried some chicken livers in it tonight, along with some butter — which Kate and I had for dinner (I also had a little of the duck).
Looks good! Thanks for the plug :o)
Paula
:-*
That does it, you’ve convinced me. I’m getting an apron! I’m sick of the frumpy stains on my clothes and I love the thought of having a towel right there when I need it!
Ann-Marie, you are lovely! That’s the first close up pic I have seen of you. Kate looks a lot like you, I think!
I need to make myself another apron. My first, though sewn well, was not done in a good fabric. It balls up when washed and requires ironing. I *HATE* ironing, so I never wear it.
BTW, the kombucha mother you sent me has been a real blessing. I am making about a gallon a week, and almost all my children LOVE it! Do you know if there’s a maximum amount that should be consumed daily? I have a couple that will drink it all day long if I were to let them. I am requiring each child to take at least a Tbsp daily. All but one will willingly drink about 3 oz. before they are satisfied.
I have read that kombucha makes gray hair regain its color. I found my first gray at age 26. I have a few show up now and then, but not too many yet. I was plucking egregeous grays the other day and found one (which I did NOT pluck) half gray and then brown to the scalp! I am carefully looking before I pluck now!
If I find more like it, I’ll be sure to blog about it!
Blessings to you and your family.
Tres Cute!
You can also sew a snap onto a favorite towel and the other half of the snap onto your apron. Hand-wiping and clothing protection in one!
Hi, Momma, thank you so much!
I’m glad you are enjoying the kombucha. I took a few weeks off from my kombucha since I had so much going on. I’m starting some more today though. It’s really hot here (all the coconut oil in the house is liquid) so I’m sure the kombucha will brew very fast.
I think you can drink as much as you like — it’s good for you! I give it to Kate sometimes in her sippy cup (diluted so it’s not so “spicy”).
I know the hair is a dump for toxins… I wonder if when you drink the kombucha, you are excreting more toxins via the urine and it doesn’t go to the hair. I dunno — just a theory I thought of!
Hugs -
Ann Marie
That Paula is great, isn’t she? She chose fabric for my apron that was just perfect too.
I have been wearing aprons for about 1 1/2 years now and I feel naked without them too. I’m messy in the kitchen, so I really need them.
I roasted my first duck last week and it turned out great. I got about two cups of duck fat and have been scrambling eggs, frying eggs and frying potatoes in it. My husband loved it. He grew up in France, but hasn’t had duck in years, so he was very pleased and ate far too much. He was begging me to put it away!
Hi, Lisa,
Yes I love the duck fat! I only got one cup from my duck… Did you cut off the duck fat before you roasted it?
No, I just put the whole duck into a roasting pan (with the neck and organs out of the duck), sprinkled with salt and pepper and roasted it.