In Austin, in February.. It’s obscene! But fun *grins* makes me happy I’m home to have fun in it. Thankfully DmentD and I had seen the forecast so we got some cheap sheets from Goodwill to cover some of the garden with, bringing what we could inside.

It’s mostly melted now.

The rest of today was spent making a roll for all my knitting paraphernalia, it’s taking up space now I have the sets of double pointed needles. Once I’ve finished DmentD’s skull scarf I’m going to start teaching myself to knit in the round.

I made it from scrap material we had laying about, remnants from my ren fair skirt and the shirt and jacket from DmentD’s pirate outfit.. I have no clue where the ribbon was from but it fit in nicely.

16oz Milk
3tbsp Cornstarch
1tsp Vanilla
1/8tsp Salt
113g Sugar

Yields 4 Ramekins

Whisk 4oz milk with cornstarch, vanilla and salt until smooth. Set aside.
In a pan combine the sugar with enough water to form ‘wet sand’ cook to a deep caramel.
Heat up the rest of the milk and gradually whisk into the caramel.
Return to heat and simmer for 10 minutes (any leftover caramel lumps should have dissolved).
Whisk in the cornstarch mix, cook for about a minute until thickened.
Strain and pour into serving cups or ramekins. Cover with cling wrap (right on the surface to prevent a skin). Refrigerate until cold.

From Smitten Kitchen

1/2 cup Cold Liquid Starter
16oz Water
900g Bread Flour
1.5tsp Salt

Yield 2x 2lb Loaves
Oven Temperature 375F

Mix the starter with 150g flour and 4oz water. Proof for 12 hours at room temperature (68-72F)
Add 150g flour and 4oz water and mix. Proof for 8 hours at room temperature. This is the fully active culture.
Mix the active culture with the remaining ingredients (mixing the salt into the flour first). Knead until smooth.
Divide in two and shape as desired.
Cover with oiled cling wrap or a damp cloth and proof until ready to bake.
Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, to an internal temperature of 190F

Recipe taken from Classic Sourdoughs A Home Bakers Handbook by Ed Wood

The last week in January saw my family braving the transatlantic flights to come and visit us here. Well, technically they flew the week prior and spent time in Florida having a good time.

Deciding to drive from Florida to Austin we went to meet them in NOLA to spend the weekend there, letting my Mum and DmentD’s Mum meet! We had the Saturday together to wander about town. Morning coffee at Cafe Du Monde, a walk around the French Market, and the French Quarter. Stopping at St Louis Cathedral to replicate a photo mum took there 30 years ago. And then on to Crescent City Brewhouse for a snack before we went on the river boat.

While we were stood waiting the fog started rolling in off the river and by the time we left dock it was thick around us. Most of the trip we were surrounded, you could catch glimpses of things if you were on the top deck. We came out of the fog right at the point where we were turning around to go back! It was still fun, and oddly atmospheric. We had lunch on board which was surprisingly good, and were able to go into parts of the engine room to be nosy!

We walked around a few shops and then headed off to Lola’s for dinner, followed by Angelo Brocado’s for ice cream!

We drove back into Austin on Sunday to spend Monday being good and lazy having BBQ for lunch and then homemade jambalaya for dinner.

Tuesday promised to be the nicest day of the week so we headed downtown. Stopping in at my work for lunch and then a walk to the capitol building, we went on the Duck Tour. It was slightly different to when I did it 3 years ago, on my first visit to town, and was still interesting. It was a newer vehicle too, much nicer!

We ended the day by going out to the Oasis for dinner, I’d not been there before. Beautiful views, even when the sunset wasn’t all that spectacular, and good food.. Nice cocktails too!

We took them round the games shops, and introduced them to Amys Ice Cream and the Alamo Draught house, we made them some authentic gumbo too.

The end of the week we took a side trip to San Marcos to visit the outlet mall.

Their trip coincided (on purpose) with my graduation from the TCA. The Friday night had an open house at the school, for free food and a chance to show them round the place. The ceremony was Saturday morning.

DmentD and I were up bright and early to make sure I got there in good time, so I could get my photos done without queuing for hours. Badly organised, the students were told where we needed to be and what we needed to be doing with little time to spare, I was glad I’m halfway through the alphabet so I could see what other people were doing! It was nice to see people from class and catch up, and the instructors too.

I got the gold braid for graduating Summa Cum Laude, the medal on the blue ribbon for attendance, and the pin just for graduating *grins*

The Saturday evening we invited people round, a belated wedding celebration (we promised to put it off until my family visited), a graduation celebration and a ‘hey, here’s my family’ celebration *grins* We pulled together a cake, baking it Friday night and decorating it Saturday, DmentD made some of the ever popular family ribbon cookies and we cooked a whole pork loin that we’re still eating!

It was a fun week, and now I’m back to the grind! Work should start picking up finally with Valentines day on its way.

Rest of the photos in the usual spaces