Tragedy struck the sewing room this weekend.
With temperatures unsafe for any outdoor activity on Sunday, I set the entire day aside for sewing. I carefully measured, cut and pinned a new skirt pattern and before sitting down to sew, went to oil the machine as The Mother always advised. “The best thing you can do for your machine is keep it oiled,” she used to tell me. I peered in the bobbin holder at the little oil sponge. Dry. Squeezed the oil bottle. Nothing. SQUeezed the bottle. Nothing. SQUEEEEEZED the bottle and it exploded. Oil went all over the machine, into the machine, onto my newest in-process skirt, basically everywhere. I sat there stunned, hand still outstretched holding what remained of the bottle, oil dripping from my fingers.
When I found my senses, I spent nearly an hour trying to clean up the destruction. With stains all over the skirt, I figured that it made the most sense to continue working. There wasn’t enough fabric to cut new pieces and logic told me that I should spot treat the skirt and wash it as soon as possible. My stitching has really improved and my pieces fit together really well – I was grinning as I watched it come together and feeling like quite the smarty-pants. Then I tried it on. Skin tight. Not quite what I was going for. That’s when I finally set the skirt in a puddle of oil, turned off the machine and gave up for the day. Sometimes one should really just listen to the signs and eat a cookie, they really took the edge off:

What did go really well this weekend was the food. Here’s a taste –
The Best-Good Friend and I had a great time at 3 Tiers. I haven’t been there for years even though they’re in my south Minneapolis neighborhood. Their bakery is yummy and they have a great brunch. After having dinner, I’m ready to move in and let them feed me 24 hours a day.
The Husband made one of our favorites, breakfast burritos. Yes, those are tater tots that you’re seeing in this picture. That’s his secret to ingredient and makes for the crunchiest potatoes, you’ll never look at hashbrowns the same again. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed:

We decided to celebrate the polar vortex’s return by getting dressed up and going out to Bar La Grassa. It was as good as everyone says and we had a spectacular evening in the north loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The waitress made a brilliant suggestion – consider ordering two half-order plates for your entrée so you can try more things! I loved that I idea, and now have lunch for today.
If I had the wrong attitude, I’d think that new skirt didn’t fit because of all this great food. Fortunately I know better. 😉