venerdì 29 ottobre 2010

29/10


This is what I have been doing lately. And what I am really tired of doing.
Everything is interesting, but right now I would only craft, draw, go out and do so many things.
Except studying.



And this is the result of an intense desire to craft, but having to study. A colorful timeline, hoping I will remember everything (of course not!). I am going bananas!

I am sorry if I won't post that often. Wednesday it will all be over again..

Juliette

giovedì 28 ottobre 2010

Miele


This is Miele (meaning "Honey"), she is the cutest little cat in the world.
I loved her since the first day I saw her. I saw her the day she was born and followed her growth day by day. I fought with my mother several times because I wanted to adopt her so much. It was a year ago, and I was behaving like a little girl of 5 years old, because she was already part of my life. She is the "daughter" of Roberto's cat, Briciola (the one on the background).
I won the battle at last and I brought her home in September 2009. (here a year ago, when she was only a few years old)
We already had a cat home, a more serious, less funny and sweet, but oh so cute too, black cat, Monster. He hated Miele, they fought, I even got scratched on the face by him because he was jealous.
They slowly became friends, and finally they begun playing and sleeping together, even if fights still took place on a daily basis.

Well, why do I tell you this story?

Miele has been missing since sunday 17 october. I have lots of hope that she will just jump out of the bushes somewhere to scare us, like she used to do. But it has been 11 days already.
I don't know what to say, I try not thinking about it, I think she'll come back again.
But if I am realistic, and think she might not come back ever again, I get really sick, I get dizzy and get a lump in my throat. I could just start crying and don't stop ever again.
I just miss her, seeing her was heartwarming and comforting in a way.
I chose her, I chose her name, I love her. And I miss her so much.

Please please please Miele, come back, little monster of mine!

Juliette

mercoledì 20 ottobre 2010

My evening

This will be a busy weekend. It's my mother's birthday and I am happy because she's the most beautiful woman of her age, in my opinion. And because I will have the possibility to bake a lot. A lot of people will come to my parents' and I am planning to bake bread, cookies and a cake.
But I have also an upcoming exam, so this evening will be made of pages and pages to read (even because I want to finish writing the summaries of the things I have to study, otherwise I would have to carru the Norton Anthology around another time, and I can assure you that those 2700+ pages are not light).



So, have a good evening.
Oh, and... the teacher whom I asked to be the supervisor for my thesis said yes! Yay!

Juliette

martedì 19 ottobre 2010

Future

I am a dreamer.
I go on because I want to make them come true. I am determinated.
I have some dreams related to my job, I am studying to become a translator, but I am realizing that being only a translator wouldn't really be my thing. I want to do it, but I think I couldn't do only that, it would be boring.
I really want to find something "active" to do, even if I have studied years to get to this point.
There is this one dream in the back of my heart that is screaming to come out lately.
And that is : being a baker/confectioner.
I know, it's difficult, I haven't studied for it, I am self-taught, I have to learn so many things, etc.
Therefore: it's just a dream.

My dream involves waking up early in the morning



Kneading and measuring.



Burn my hands with the hot baking pans



Smelling the fresh bread



Dealing with annoying costumers, and thinking back at the nice ones when I come home.



Trying new recipes and making the shop look pretty.



Feeling relieved because I chose what I wanted to be.

But first, I have to get my degree and study more and more and even more.
I am so fed up with books, notebooks and pens, I just want flour on my nose, colorful walls around me and a big smile on my face.

Juliette

lunedì 18 ottobre 2010

Torta verde

I have been wanting to try a recipe for Torta verde for a lot of years. Actually, it has been one of the first things I have ever wanted to bake, just after cookies I think.
It's a savory tart, typical of the area where my parents live. I have always loved it, it's healthy, easy (I didn't think so until friday) and tremendously yummy!

Sidenote which may sound bizzarre: I have always told Roberto that whenever I'll be pregnant, and have pragnacy cravings, well, I am sure I will crave Torta verde. I know it's early and such, but it's just a small premonition.

Torta verde.



Ingredients.

700 gr zucchini cut in small pieces(boiled)
1 browned onion
300 gr canned peas
5-10 leaves chard cut in small pieces (boiled)
1 cup rice
3 eggs
100 gr grated cheese
salt
pepper
For the dough
flour
water
olive oil
salt

  • Cook the rice for 5 minutes (only)
  • Meanwhile make a dough with these three basic ingredients, you'll know when the dough will be ok. You have just to keep in mink that you will have to roll it out in a very thin layer.
  • Roll the dough out and place it in a baking pan so that a part of the dough will be left, just let it hang outside, later you will use it to cover the tart's filling.
  • Boil the zucchini and the chard.
  • Brown the onion in a skillet and add the peas.
  • In a large bowl combine zucchini, chard, onion and peas.
  • Add grated cheese, eggs, salt and pepper
  • Preheat the oven at 200 °C (390 F)
  • Pour the mixture in the baking pan and cover it with the abovementioned remaining dough.
  • Make lots of small holes in the dough with a fork.
  • Put in the oven for 35 minutes, check if the mixture is firm and the dough begins to brown.
  • Let cool for 10-15 minutes.
I hope you'll like this traditional tart of my region.
I am going beck to my boring books for a while.
Bye for now!

Juliette

domenica 17 ottobre 2010

So many sad thoughts lately.
So many nice things to live for.


I will be back with a special recipe.

(source: weheartit.com)

mercoledì 13 ottobre 2010

Cold

It's getting quite cold here in Turin. Yesterday I went outside with a jacket and today I completely forgot that it was so cold outside, so I went out just with a sweather and I even had to go on the bike. Brrr!
So, this is the result

Me drinking a hot cup of green tea, starting to feel that feeling of pain in my throat. Ugh..

I would love to have time enough to craft and bake today, but, unfortunately this year will be very busy. I would also love to share some new thing with you, but those are scarce too.
I just go to classes, organise, go for rides on the bike, walk, think what I would love to bake one day and what I would love to become in future. Nothing exceptional.

But..I am alive, and I have to study.

Bye!
Juliette

giovedì 7 ottobre 2010

Seeking to breathe

I have my busy life back now. I am happy with that, but I am trying to choose what I want in my future. I have always been so sure, until 2010.
Now everything is different, I don't know what I want exactly, I have so many passions and I just don't want to abandon them, no way. I already abandoned sport (judo) for my studies, I didn't see my friends because of my studies (I lived too far away) and now I am just fed up with these renounces. I want to live my life.

My life has to smell like freshly baked bread..


Tartine Bread from 4SP Films on Vimeo.


This video is really beautiful, and making bread is an art. I love it.

I am just trying to figure everuthing out..

Juliette

martedì 5 ottobre 2010

Muesli Scones

When Roberto and I were in Leiden (Holland) we went to a small local market.
It was a heaven for me, and even more for Roberto, because he loves to discover new cultures and traditions (my traditions! ^^).
We found so many nice stands, with cheeses, bread, veggies, so many flavours and different people.



I just love Holland.
(and I miss it).

Well, at one stand we bought a "Mueslibolletje" which Roberto doesn0t fail to mention at least once a day. I loved it too, I love muesli, so I tried to make up a recipe for the mueslibolletjes, which became more "Muesli scones" because of their shape.

I swear he was writing down everything he loved of the city, just to remind himself why he decided to study Dutch with a teacher like me.

Muesli (Granola) scones

Ingredients.
2 eggs
200 ml milk
2 cups wholemeal flour (250 gr +-)
1/3 cup sugar (65 gr +-)
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
85 gr margarine, cut into cubes
3 cups muesli (granola)

Directions.

  • Preheat the oven at 200°C (400 F).
  • In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
  • In a smaller bowl whisk one egg and 100 ml milk.
  • Add the egg and milk mixture to the larger bowl and add the margarine.
  • Knead the dough and add the muesli.
  • Divide te dough into some trangles (I made 5 of them).
  • Place onto a baking sheet.
  • Beat the second egg with the remaining milk and brush it on your scones.
  • Bake for 25 minutes.

I must say they turned out great. I am looking forward to making them again, but I have so many things on my "to bake" list.

Have a nice evening!

Juliette






lunedì 4 ottobre 2010

Back to school

Just yesterday I say I don't to school anymore. Well, I go to university, and the first day is inevitably assoiated with that "back to school" feeling.
The first thing my friend said to me when he saw me was "What a face! You look as if you have not been sleeping in days". Thank you my dear, I love you too.

I only had one two hour class and then I came back home, it is pouring again!
I decided it would be nice to draw again.

This was the result of the first day classes:



I didn'tknow if I wanted to draw or work with fimo, so the other result of this afternoon was this:

I have another few ideas, but unfortunately I have to study. Even if I am not feeling well at all, I think the flu season is getting nearer, ugh..

Have a nice evening!
Juliette

domenica 3 ottobre 2010

Update

This is the first time in my life I am really enjoying Fall.
I always associated Fall with School when I was at High school. Now I am still studying, but everything is different, and growing up I understood that there are small things that are to be noticed and enjoyed.
Fall is for Chai tea or hot coffee, hugging the ones you love, warm and cozy clothes and stay home when it's raining outside.

And fall brings us those fabulous colours back..





"And we could pretend it all the time
Cant you see that its just raining
Aint no need to go outside"
- Jack Johnson
Banana Pancakes

Missing someone



This weekend Roberto came here. We went to Ikea to buy some new bookshelves because a few days ago the one I had in my room just decided that he was too tired of carrying dictionaries.

Obviously I cannot leave Ikea without buying something superfluous, but immensely pretty



We just walked through the store saying "We will buy this when we'll have our house" "This would be so nice to have in our kitchen",.. Dreaming and dreaming.

Well, the weekend has been wonderful, as always, but when he leaves I am always so sad!
Today I tried not to think about it, but it's difficult when outside it's pouring, it's cold, and the only thing you need is his hug (and a cup of tea!).
So I just drawed a bit and catched up with the blogs I haven't read saturday.

My evening so far


And now I am thinking of really makng that cup of tea and make some leaves with fimo.
Oh, and.. I made up a wonderful recipe for Muesli (granola) scones. Recipe will be posted soon =).

Goodnight!

Juliette