Yogurt Dressing

We eat a good number of salads in this house, and are always looking for fun ways to change them up.  Sometimes it's the dressing, but you know what I've noticed?  Something a bit disturbing...when I go to rinse the plates after dinner, some of the dressing refuses to rinse off.  And this gives me pause-is this what I'm ingesting?  A dressing so insoluble that hot water won't make it budge makes me think what it is doing to my body. 

Making my own dressings in the past has been fun, but I've never been able to replicate a very good creamy dressing.  So the idea of using yogurt intrigued me, and I went searching for recipes online at epicurious.com.  I combined six or so recipes and took notes from the reviewers, and ended up with this:

And here is how I made it:

1 C yogurt, plain (I used Dannon all natural)
1 medium garlic clove, pressed into a paste
1/4 t salt
1/8 t black pepper
2 t honey
2 T lemon juice
1 T dried basil

Combine, and stir well before each application.
I have to say it was pretty darn good, and I felt good eating it.  This makes about 1 cup of dressing, and the flavor really shone in combination with seasoned croutons.  Next, I think I'll experiment with yellow curry in the dressing for a salad with tuna!

Baby Praying Mantis

When is the last time you've seen a cute baby animal and perhaps went "Awwwh!?"  What about a baby bug?  Don't get me wrong, I'm not a bug person, most of them creep me out and send me looking for a large shoe with a good flat sole (if they are in the house), or a spray can of murder in the case of giant red wasps.  But this little guy easily wins my heart over...a tiny praying mantis.  He's so fast you have to be quick to see him and take his picture, and with all of these hungry anoles around it's no wonder.  But just take a look...

Awwwwe!

He's on a one inch band of a croquet mallet.  I wish him/her well!

M6699 Dress Pattern for My Top

FashionStar Easy, sizes 6-22, Fitted dress

I made this pattern into a top, using a 14” zipper and some fabric with odd measurements: 1 yard 8”, 36” wide, and it turned out to be plenty for the project I had in mind.  

I used size 8 for the bust pieces 1 & 2 and size 10 for the others and it came out well for someone (me) with a 34 bust.  

Looking at the instructions, it seemed like an easy put-together.  I omitted the lining and hook and eye (don’t care for those), didn’t mess with the pockets and didn’t use an invisible zipper.  For the length, I laid out with the skirt pieces, 7 & 8 on the fabric a few inches above the “lengthen or shorten” line, and I did end up shortening it a bit.  

I think the straps turned out a bit weird, like little wings, maybe with wear they will look a bit more right.  Overall, this is just the little gingham shirt I wanted to make!