Show time: Liberty Local

This Saturday is the second annual Liberty Local Handmade Craft Fair at the Ann Arbor Art Center and I will be vending along with a slew of talented crafty types.  I took part in the show last year and my favorite thing was the number of vendors who I had never met or seen before, making for a really great mix of goodies to browse. We'll be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — plenty of opportunity to stop in!

And, for a bit of extra fun, I'll be on the AM airwaves Friday morning with Lucy Ann Lance having a chat about the show. Tune in to 1290AM around 8:30 a.m. to have a listen.

Spicy Carrot Sandwiches

Before we return to our regularly scheduled feature of Book Business Tuesdays, I wanted to jump right in with a recipe because I know you guys kinda like it when I do. I had this for lunch yesterday and was itching to write it up immediately. It is an open-faced sandwich with a beautiful balance of flavors -- not to mention pretty and colorful on the plate!  It combines carrots with caraway, something I would never have thought of but works tremendously well. I played around with the Food & Wine version substituting a white bean spread where they called for hummus becaue that's what I had the fixins for and really liked the results. I also garnished with a little fresh oregano instead of cilantro because I thought it would play better with the rosemary in the bean spread. Do what you will ... it's bound to be good!

Spicy Carrot Sandwiches

Adapted from Food & Wine

Serves 4.

2 large carrots, coarsely grated

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
Salt
Crushed red pepper
4 slices of multigrain bread or two 8-inch whole wheat baguettes, split lengthwise and grilled
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons white bean dip (recipe below) or hummus
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
Cilantro
Freshly ground black pepper

In a skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the carrots, garlic and caraway, season with salt and crushed red pepper and cook until the carrots are just wilted, about 4 minutes. Let cool.

Spread the white bean spread on the bread. Sprinkle with the carrot mixture and dollop on the yogurt. Top with cilantro, season with black pepper and serve.

White Bean Dip

1 (15-ounce) can white beans such as cannellini or great northern, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
5 Tb olive oil
2 Tb fresh rosemary, chopped
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Combine the beans, garlic, lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, and parsley in a small food processor. Puree until smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper, to taste. 

East Coast trip: Part Two

On to the rest of my road trip … after part one, I launched into a weekend of World Maker Faire at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows. I was a vendor in the Bust Magazine Craftacular section of the show and had a wonderful time. I had extremely kind and talented neighbors and met some really great new customers. And did I mention there was a flaming unicorn? Amazing … 

I headed east on the Monday after the show and met up with a wonderfully dear friend on the North Fork. It was a perfect and sparkling fall day and we had a delicious lunch—and visit—here. The farm fields were looking lush and green and the wine grapes were heavy on the vines. All of which I have not a photo to share. So sad, but it is vivid in my mind. 

And then, after a recuperative stay with my aunt and uncle, I headed north across the Long Island Sound via the ferry on my way to Boston. I love me a ferry ride—especially with views of red tugboats!

I quickly veered off the highway at the first sight of a sign announcing the Pez visitors center. What?!? I have driven this section of I-95 MANY times and had never seen this before. Apparently there has been a Pez factory in Orange, CT for many, many years but just opened this visitors center open to the public last year. More details on this stop later this week! 

I made a little detour to take a quick walk through the campus of my alma mater. And more importantly, had an incredibe lunch at First and Last Bakery and Cafe in Hartford: prosciutto, fig and asiago panini. mmmmm. 

Several days spent in Boston with more dear friends whom I hadn't seen in WAY too long. We went to the aquarium where we became pals with the sea lions, had a decadent lunch at the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum and more. Again … no photos. I kept forgetting my camera. This trip is making me realize I am terrible about taking photos of people, or even when I am with people. Hmmm. I'll have to work on that. Although it is probably, too, that I enjoy the time with those people and forget about "documenting" which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Thoughts, anyone?

My trip continued north up the coast of Massachusetts to scenic Cape Ann and specifically Rockport. The sun returned and I spent several days wandering the quaint streets, soaking up the salty sea air and catching up with friends. Including not a few of these … 

Last but not least, I made an all-too-brief stop in rural Vermont. I had forgotten how mountainous, colorful and breathtaking Vermont can be. After a "wild and cozy" evening with my friend in her temporary farmhouse home, I set out for a somewhat grueling 12-hour drive home. It was SO worth it!!

And now I am back in the saddle again and will have tasty treats for you this week here on the blog. Promise!

East Coast trip: Part One

Hi friends! As I mentioned last time I checked in here, I was on a long and intense road trip from Michigan to New York and beyond. I packed in a ton of visits and had a terrific time.  Here's a look from along the way… 

I took a slight detour into Cincinnati to visit one of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives finest: Lucky's Cafe. Owner Heather Haviland grows a ton of the ingredients used on the menu and sources much else from local farms and businesses. I had the ridiculously good shipwreck: hash browns, eggs, seasonal veggies, bacon and cheddar cheese. Having set out at 6:30 a.m. that day, I was ready for a nap after this meal. But I pressed on …

After a quick overnight visit in New Jersey to spend time with my brother and his family, I made my way through the rain and the Holland Tunnel into Manhattan where I shacked up with a friend in a teensy hotel room with distant views of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings and around the corner from a gorgeously colorful mural and the New Museum seen below. It's crazy to me to see a Whole Foods on the Bowery. What?!?!

After puttering around a bit, I headed out to Flushing and the New York Hall of Science to check in for the Bust Craftacular. While I was there, I had a chance for a little up close and personal with some of the World's Fair sites I love … Men in Black anyone?

We rounded out the day with a visit to the High Line — loved it! — and an amazing cocktail hour at the Top of the Standard. Apparently the bar was initially called the Boom Boom Room and I'm going to stick with that in my mind. It is a magically theatrical room filled with shimmery gold and curving lines. Before we even made our way into the room, we heard some kind of quartet with a woman singing in peppy yet lounge-y French — accompanied by a young male tap dancer. What?!? Very Matthew Barney as my astute friend pointed out. The female servers were decked out obscenely revealing skin tight dresses made from the most luscious materials in gold and lavendars. This is what I miss about New York! Though I think if you live there, you may tend toward a type of jaded attitude that keeps you from being wowed by this kind of performance. I was wowed. Not the kind of room you snap a lot of photos in, but here is one of the ceiling. *Le sigh.*

 More on my adventures soon …

Epic road trip

Hi friends! It's been quiet around here because I headed out a week ago on an epic road trip. I left Michigan Thursday morning last week at the unseemly hour of 6:30 a.m. and made my way to New York for the Bust Magazine Craftacular at the World Maker Faire. It has been so long since I visited the Northeast that I decided to stay on this week and make a grand circuit to do some much needed visiting. Here's what it looks like: Brighton, Michigan > Cleveland, OH > Bridgewater, New Jersey > New York, NY > Forest Hills, NY > Riverhead, NY > Stony Brook, NY > Framingham, MA > Brookline, MA > Gloucester, MA > Rochester, VT > home! Whew! I'll have photos and tales to tell when I get back next week, but in the meantime, I've been posting images over on Instagram: sloe_gin_fizz.

New retailer: Wholly Craft

I'm very happy to announce that Wholly Craft is now carrying a selection of Sloe Gin Fizz items. If you live in or pass through Columbus, Ohio and haven't done so yet, you should pop into this fabulous store in the Clintonville neighborhood. Owner Olivera Bratich has a terrific eye and the shop specializes in hip handmade goods and offbeat art. Come on down!

Craft show spectacular

Whew! That DIY Street Fair wiped me out. It was an amazing weekend and filled with familiar faces, great handmade goods, visiting with friends, beer, booze and music. Ferndale really knows how to bring the party. What more could a girl want?

I'll tell you what: More of the same! I'll be headed up north for the Maker's Market in Traverse City this Saturday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

DIY Street Fair

It's that time again! One of my favorite shows of the year starts tomorrow: DIY Street Fair in Ferndale. There are tons of artists and crafters, beer, food, local music … good times all around. I'll be in booth #25 right down the aisle from the Detroit Manufacturing Beer Tent and the McClure's Pickles stage. Click on the map before for a better look at the lay of the land, then come on down and join in the fun!  We'll be there Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.

Book Business Tuesday: The Tablet

I was reluctant to join the e-reader scene, to say the least. Kicking and screaming comes to mind. But I was given an Android tablet for my birthday this summer, and I have to say I've adapted. Words on paper will always be my first choice, but I really am glad to have this option. I still have a huge stack of library books on my bedstand (and desk and coffee table), but now I can also check out e-books for those times I have a whim or didn't plan ahead or don't want to wait for a library hold. And since it is a tablet, I can use it for all kinds of other fun things, like reading blogs in bed. And who knew there was a whole world of handmade accessories out there?

I ordered this super sweet padded case from Symbiosis by Julie on Etsy. The fabric choices in this shop are pitch perfect. It was difficult to narrow down my choice to just one. She got me with the alligators though—it was the last of its kind. Isn't it a gem? It really feels like back to school round here.

2013 Illustrated Wall Calendar

 My new 2013 illustrated wall calendar is ready and in the shop! 

Big Spoon Roasters

I am such a sucker for packaging. I'm pretty sure that's probably what got me to mail order peanut butter!?! I saw a brief write-up for Big Spoon Roasters in Bon Appetit—along with a cookie recipe—and click, click, clicked my way through to two jars of heavenly goodness. Curses to the 21st century because now I am addicted.

Based in Durham, NC, Big Spoon makes artisanal, hand-crafted nut butters laced with the perfect trace of sweetness from wildflower honey. I ordered the Peanut (my favorite of the two) and Peanut Pecan. I will not divulge how long they lasted in the house.

A dear friend from Ann Arbor moved to Chapel Hill for the summer, so of course I pointed her to the Big Spoon. She rewarded me by delivering two jars on a recent return visit. I can't wait to try the Peanut Cocoa—so new it's not even listed on their web site.

But who will be my next mule?!?

Logo design: Leocadia

I recently completed this logo design for a wonderfully warm and talented woman in the Cincinnati area who makes all kinds of sewn goodies with the most beautiful fabrics and great care: clutches, purses, children's clothing, accessories and more. Leocadia was the name of her grandmother who was a very successful hatmaker from Grand Rapids (I love the Michigan connection!) and the creative inspiration behind Patty's work and business name. She will be launching an Etsy shop in the coming months and below is a look at the shop banner I put together for it. Keep an eye out!!    

Book Business Tuesday

There is some serious book business this week! This coming Sunday is the annual Kerrytown BookFest — hooray! Rolling out a sparkly new logo designed by Ann Arbor artist and designer Susan Skarsgard, this year's event is packed with an amazing roster of signings, workshops, demonstrations, readings and artists. I hope you'll come down and take a twirl around.

I have been extremely fortunate and thrilled by the positive response my calendars get each year — thank you, thank you, thank you all for being so supportive. I am doubly excited to announce that I will be releasing my illustrated 2013 calendar at the BookFest this year. I thought I'd show you a little taste of it here … I do so hope you'll love it!

BBQ Ribs for Two

Ribs are one of those things you want to make for a crowd … right? Heck no! The boy and I had a hankering and decided to make it happen — on a weeknight no less. If you split this into a two-part process: Baking the ribs with a dry rub one night and then grilling the next, it's no biggie. 

This no-brainer recipe—adapted from a Bon Appetit recipe for 8 servings—with a five-ingredient dry rub you probably have everything for on hand and store-bought sauce (I know!) enhanced with the porkie drippings … it can't be beat. Throw in a little vinegary potato salad and pickled corn … you've got yourselves a party for two (with leftovers)! 

BBQ Ribs

Adapted from via Bon Appetit

1 1/4 tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2.5 pounds baby back pork ribs (1 rack)
Low-salt chicken broth (optional)
1 cup store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce plus more

Preheat oven to 350°F. 

Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl. Place the ribs on a double layer of foil; sprinkle rub all over ribs (you will probably have a little bit extra, but too much can't hurt). Seal up foil and place ribs on a baking sheet.

Bake ribs until very tender but not falling apart, about two hours. Carefully unwrap ribs — watch your face for steam! Pour juices from foil into a heatproof measuring cup and set aside to cool. Let ribs cool completely. 

(Ribs can be baked up to three days ahead (the flavor will be more developed, and the cold ribs will hold together better on the grill as they heat through). Cover and chill juices. Rewrap ribs in foil and chill.)

Build a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to high. 

Remove layer of fat from reserved juices. Add broth or water to rib juices in an equal amount to what juices you have. I was left with just over a cup of juices, so added 1 cup sauce. Whisk well to blend.

Grill ribs, basting with barbecue sauce mixture and turning frequently, until lacquered and charred in places and heated through, 7-10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; cut between ribs to separate. Transfer to a platter and serve with additional barbecue sauce. 

Lick those fingers!