Pork Two Ways

A couple on a budget still wants to have a nice big roast dinner on Sundays.
For the first time, I attempted to cook a whole pork shoulder into tender, moist, succulent (I swear I'm not trying to make this sound sexy, it's just happening. I mean, it IS pork. These things happen)...

Disclaimer: sorry for the photo quality, I was in too much of a hurry to grab my camera today, so my iphone did the job. 



I have truly, truly outdone myself this time. *Pats self on back*

On Sunday morning, I put this behemoth in the oven. 7 hours later...

A whole pork shoulder. Which then became the Sunday roast dinner (ahem, see below)...

Whose astronomically tender leftovers were repurposed (I mean, there are like 9 lbs left, I'm going to be eating pork in various dishes for a week)... into the below Asian delight. 

This is a wonton noodle soup bowl version I made for my honey... mine sported GF rice noodles and a squeeze of lime. I could probably eat noodle bowls every day of my life. Tomorrow will probably be pork tacos. (Taco Tuesday, duh!). Loving this whole one-meal-lasts-a-week thing. We can eat well on a budget without a casserole dish in sight! 

Rosy Cosy Rosewater

If you follow me on instagram, you'll know that I spoiled myself last week by bringing home 2 dozen roses for absolutely no reason. Sometimes, a smile is reason enough. 

Well, after a few days, a couple of my roses began to wilt. I didn't want my beauties to go to waste, so I decided to make some rosewater using 6-8 of the roses. Rosewater has so many properties and uses. It contains the essential rose oils, as well as being a light and refreshing floral scent. Supposedly, Cleopatra bathed in rosewater to seduce her lover Anthony. It is also a lovely facial astringent, which is mainly what I use it for . You can use any type of roses, but I prefer something pink or red, because it gives the rosewater a really pretty pink hue.

I began by filling a pot (or you can use a bowl with a tight lid) with rose petals. 

Handy dandy electric kettle to the rescue! I poured boiling water over the petals until the water barely reached the top layer of the petals.

The lid on tight, I left the petals to steam and steep until the water had cooled. This took several hours.... so I got some much-needed laundry time in. 

Strain and bottle your magic potion! Voila!

Think Pink

I always like to try to accomplish some sort of DIY project on Sundays. No matter how small, it just seems like the perfect day to spruce up my home (or anything in it).
Lately, I've been reorganizing my kitchen into repurposed jars and containers. I've employed the use of mismatched mason jars and pretty empty candle glasses.
Today, after using the last of a can of coffee, I thought I could brighten up the can with a cheerful coat of paint. Voila! Airtight storage container with a lid. (Or, sans lid, a cute vase for some fresh flowers).
In keeping with my pink theme, I pulled out a vintage pale yellow sweater I haven't worn since it acquired a stain (I have such a bad track record with light colored clothing!) and gave it a quick bath in some pink iDye. Two pink projects in one morning! Not too shabby :)

A Stitch In Time

I've found that adding small personal touches can make a simple object truly memorable.

From embroidering some spare fabric to make a little throw pillow....

To patching a quilt with some chunky contrast embroidery thread.

Also, mending things by hand gives me a very 18th century vibe. I feel like I should be sewing by candlelight... Is that normal? I'm quite ok if it's not.

Put your own stitch on something you love.