Iowa

A few weeks ago my friend, middle-grade novelist Anne Ylvisaker, posed a question on her blog--Why Iowa? She invited me and other Iowans to answer.

This week traveling on country roads to Northwestern Iowa with my pal,  puppeteer Monica Leo, I found even more to hearten me. Like in Charles City, Iowa, where their mighty library houses an enviable gallery of spectacular prints including Hiroshige, Durer, Chagall, Rembrandt, Whistler, Picasso, Pissaro as well as printmaking giants, Piranesi and Meryon.

More, too, in that the heartbeat of even the smallest Iowa towns, is their library. And in library meeting rooms in Charles City, Hartley and Sac City, I watched in wonder as Monica performed her In the Mirror: Three Tales from Asia  to terrific and attentive audiences.

Notes:

If you happen to be in the neighborhood of  West Bend, Iowa, you must visit The Grotto of the Redemption-- a testament to faith, perseverance and geology.

And if you are hungry and want pie for breakfast, or eggs and has browns with toasts and coffee, stop in Early--made famous by this Greg Brown song.

I am thinking about starting a newsletter with stories, pictures, pattern and recipe links. If you'd like to be on my mailing list, send me an email from the contact page.

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You can read my latest Lion Brand Essay--A Knitter's Ode to the Sweatshirt by clicking on the image at the top of the blog or clicking here.

Father's Day Cappuccino

 Homemade cappuccino is my morning ritual. Even back in the days when my youngest daughter had what's known out here as "early bird" gym and had to be at school when it was still dark out. My pot would be set up and perking, the first cup poured and savored, even before we trekked out the door. Most days, my husband Rody and I, sit in our respective chairs, coffee cups balanced on the oversized armrests, and enjoy our cappuccinos together. In honor of our morning civilty, we often take turns serving each other.

For a Father's Day treat, make your own cappuccino.

Directions:

Fill the espresso pot  (I prefer the classic Bialetti model)  to the line with cold water.

Fill the funnel part of the espresso pot with coffee.

Screw on the pot  top. Place on a medium flame and wait until you smell the coffee. If you use a great roast like Dunn Brothers  (they ship), you will smell the coffee.  And if you are near by and the radio is off, you will hear the bubbling of the coffee rising to the upper half of the pot. When the bubbling sounds stops, open the top and check to see if the coffee has stopped frothing forth. To avoid boiling your brew, remove the pot from the burner.

The espresso part is done.

Easy, right?

The Bodum Frother looks like a piece of science lab equipment--a glass beaker and a mental plunger. It's the simplest, low tech way to froth milk. While you espresso is preparing to bubble up, fill about 3/4 th of the glass beaker with milk. Plunge 25-30 times. Remove plunger and warm milk for 30 seconds in the microwave. Repeat. Pour milk into cup, spoon froth on top, as desired, then add your espresso.

Enjoy. Happy Father's Day!

I am thinking about starting a monthly newsletter with stories, pictures, pattern and recipe links. If you'd like to be on my mailing list, send me an email from the contact page.

Blog Posts also appear on my Facebook and Ravelry Pages.

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Apple Cake

Is the age of cupcakes over? Will harmony and understanding dawn with pies in ascension? Or will Toll House Cookies open the gates to the peace?

I'm sticking with apple cake. Elaine Yoder's. Rich, moist, and the true soul mate of even the humblest cup of coffee.

Last Saturday morning, I peeled and chopped the apples, brewed the coffee and stirred in the baking soda till foamy. Batter ready and baked in the greased pan, our house soon filled with an aroma that surely must herald something spectacular. Later, ten thick slices went out the door with my youngest daughter to share with her summer companions and colleagues doing research at the University. The next plate went to my generous next door neighbor who edged my lawn. What remained was shared with our houseguest. And the next morning, when he left for his long drive back to Colorado, the last bit of apple cake went with him, spreading the good apple cake Karma all along  1-80 West.

Elaine Yoder's Raw Apple Cake -- A Bake and Share Recipe.

Raw Apple Cake

CAKE

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup corn oil

1/2 cup applesauce

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup hot coffee with 2 teaspoons baking soda

(stir until foamy)

2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 cups flour, sifted

4 cups raw apples, peeled and chopped

TOPPING

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup brown sugar.

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease 9x13 pan. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until sooth. Add chopped apples and pour into 9 x 13 pan. Cover with topping mixture. Bake 1 hour.

Notes and News:

Congratulations to Joanne Seiff and the Professor. They are proud parents of twin boys-- Baby A and Baby B, aka Losken and Kugel. Naming will happen shortly, check out Joanne's blog for updates. And take a look around at her great knitting patterns and posts.

I am thinking about starting a monthly newsletter with stories, pictures, pattern and recipe links. If you'd like to be on my mailing list, send me an email from the contact page.

Blog Posts also appear on my Facebook and Ravelry Pages. Please visit me there.