Month: June 2019

Posted in Crafts

Making a Market Basket

Posted on by lmc

Once again, I was able to join a great group of individuals at one of the local county parks for a day of basket making. I took several pictures throughout the day to capture the steps used to assemble this potluck or market basket. For those of you that are interested in basket making, I strongly suggest you find a class in your area. This is a dying art and learning the basic skills will build toward ideas for advanced methods. Local libraries, park district programs, and 4-H program leaders often offer hands-on opportunities to assemble basic baskets. Many basketmaking supply shops also offer classes. I really enjoy the process and certainly, the complete project. I always sign my baskets as I look forward to handing them down through the generations.

Sharing a few basketmaking tips…

We experienced some weather difficulties so we relocated to the interior of the old 1920’s barn. This June morning was cold and rainy. We usually meet in a covered pavilion but the winds were very strong and continued to blow away our supplies.

First, I measured 15 inches of weaving material (strips) for the length of the basket.l

I numerically marked all of my strips to help me weave a pattern on one side of the handle. Then, I duplicated the process on the other side of the wooden handle. Centering the project is very important.

Then, it was time to start working on the sides. I wanted to maintain my pattern up the side of the basket, so I used clothes pins to help me achieve this. The first row is always the most difficult to manage. The clothes pins act as another pair of “hands”.

Continue working up the side of the basket, adding any details desired. I added a colorful pattern of dyed strips. Make sure to alter the starting point for each strip, rotating the basket a half turn for an altered starting point for each row. Continue to shape the basket while building the sides.

Trim and bend alternate strips along the top edge of the basket making sure to leave enough length to insert strips under the existing basket weave.

Now it’s time for the finishing touches. An edge is placed on the top of the basket and sea grass is placed between the (half-round) edging strips. Once again, clothes pins act as extra “hands” to hold it all in place.

Lashing is used to complete the project and pull all of the finished edge pieces together.

A final dip in a black walnut wash finishes off the project by adding a weathered or aged look to the basket. Here the baskets dry in the shade of the old barn.

I love the size and shape of this beautiful basket. I can’t wait for our next basketmaking session!

Posted in Salad, Uncategorized

Brown Derby Cobb Salad

Posted on by lmc

We’ve been Disney Vacation Club members for over twenty-five years. One of the “must-do” activities that is always on our vacation checklist is a trip the Hollywood Brown Derby located in the Hollywood Studios theme park. There is really no need for us to review the menu after being seated in the beautiful wood-paneled dining room. We ALWAYS order the Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad. The salad includes a wonderful, finely chopped mix of greens, eggs, tomato, bacon, avocado, and turkey. Their signature salad dressing brings together this light and flavorful salad. We always visit the restaurant for the lunch hour, as the salad is delivered to the table in a large bowl and served as an individual entree. Delicious!

When entering the main dining area, looking to your left, a small shelf holds menus, coloring pages and crayons for the little ones. Sitting squarely on top of the shelf, you’ll usually find a small stack of derby-shaped recipe cards for those visiting the restaurant. The Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake recipes are usually available to take home with you. Both recipes are absolutely amazing. While I have made both recipes many times, nothing compares to the original prepared by the extraordinary staff at the Hollywood Brown Derby.

Here’s an adaptation from the original recipe…

Brown Derby Cobb Salad

1/2 head each of iceberg and Romaine lettuce, chopped

1 small bunch curly endive, torn into small pieces

1 small bunch watercress, large stems removed, chopped

2 Tbsp snipped chives

1 cup fresh tomato, diced

1 cup roasted chicken breast, diced

6 strips uncured bacon, cooked, diced

1 avocado, peeled and diced

3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped fine

1/2 cup Roquefort (or substitute your favorite blue cheese) crumbled

Brown Derby French Dressing

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 tsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

3/4 tsp dry mustard

1 small clove garlic, peeled and minced

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

3/4 cup grapeseed oil

In a large cruet or shaker bottle, combine all ingredients. Shake vigorously until dressing begins to emusify. Chill.

Combine chopped lettuces in a large shallow bowl. Top salad greens with rows of the remaining ingredients. At table, toss salad with dressing and serve.