All posts by Nichole

Domestic Blitz

Sewing is FUNdamental*

I’ve been threatening for awhile to learn how to sew. I’ve been seeing a few projects online that I really liked, and then I found the very sewing machine I’d had my eye on at Big Lots. It must have been fate.

According to clinical psychologist Dr. Robert Reiner, “sewing (and other ‘hands-on’ activities such as painting, drawing and music) not only stimulate creativity, they also help develop patience, perseverance and problem-solving skills.” Butterick is using that to sell sewing as a kids activity, but I could use some patience, perseverance and problem-solving skills, too. I could also use a new toiletry bag and a totally awesome ball gown.

*I stole that from Butterick. They’re a hoot, aren’t they?

Eating

'Cue up

There was a barbecue place just down the street from our old house that made the best pulled-pork sandwiches and fried pickles. I’m not planning to try to re-create the fried pickles anytime soon, but I missed the sandwiches too much not to try to make my own.

I found this recipe at Recipe Zaar a few months ago, and it’s become one of my favorites. There are only three ingredients involved, and it requires very little work on my part. And the end result is delicious.

Don’t be put off by the Diet Dr. Pepper — it doesn’t really flavor the roast at all, but it keeps it from drying out. The original recipe just calls for “cola” and “barbecue sauce.” You could use your favorite version of either.

The recipe makes quite a bit of barbecue. We took a batch over to my brother’s house last night for dinner, and we left three or four sandwiches-worth of barbecue with him. That was after we ate at least 8 sandwiches for dinner! The barbecue freezes very well, too, so this is a great recipe if you’re looking to stock your freezer.

Barbecue Pork Sandwiches
1 pork roast
2 cans Diet Dr. Pepper
16 oz. Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce

  • Cut all visible fat from roast. Place roast in Crockpot and pour in one can of Diet Dr. Pepper. Set Crockpot to low and cook for 12 hours.
  • Remove meat from Crockpot and skim visible fat from remaining liquid. Shred meat and return it to the Crockpot. Add half of your barbecue sauce, stir to combine and cook another five to six hours on low, checking periodically to make sure it isn’t getting too dry. Add more sauce and/or Diet Dr. Pepper as needed.
  • Serve on squishy buns with additional barbecue sauce, coleslaw, french fries pickles and painfully sweet tea.
    • Flotsam / Jetsam

    Not quite sausage

    It is 5am. The weary, bleary-eyed traveler stumbles into the convenience store in search of something she can call “breakfast.” As she wanders past the fully stocked hot dog machine, a question calls out in her sleep-deprived mind: “Why do they need a fully stocked hot dog machine at 5 o’clock in the morning?”

    Before the question has fully cleared her thoughts, a scrawny, scraggly man whirlwinds into the store, muttering, “Man, I’m starved.” He heads straight for the hot dog machine. He does not hesitate when confronted with the rows of steamy dogs. This frankfurter will be his breakfast, and it will be enclosed in this squishy bun. It is his destiny.