Busy hands, though not in the kitchen...

I haven't been cooking or knitting as much as I'd like (I still read folks, or else I'd be locked up in the loony bin. Writing? Ha! You try writing when the cruel AA school district decides to put off starting classes until January 9th).

However, I have been keeping my hands occupied making this:

and helping Ian make this:

to hold this:

so that the tooth fairy will find this:

(We decided on red and silver glitter to attract the tooth fairy to the prize.)

and leave this newly gap-toothed boy some money.

If you too are in need of a Tooth Fairy Gazebo and Sign, or other wonderful, free printable, foldable boxes and toys, visit The Toymaker.

I am planning to do some non-subsistence cooking soon and thankfully the January 2006 issue of Gourmet rocks in the recipe department. Some of the recipes serve as reminders of things that I've made in the past and haven't thought of it a while (pork loin stuffed with prunes) and others are things I've never tried making (the fabulously named Eggplant Kuku for instance).

So here's what my upcoming recipe list looks like:

• Lavender Orange Almond Cake which The Traveler's Lunchbox listed as one of her favorite recipes of 2005.
• Carrot Ginger Salad dressing
• Eggplant Kuku ( I'll have to make it for a dinner party because announcing the name will be so much fun.)
• Pho (I haven't' figured out which recipe to use yet.)
• Mustard Cheddar Crackers
• Braised Pork Loin with Prunes
  
• Kefta and Zucchini Kebabs These will make Brian very, very happy because he can never have too much middle eastern food.
  
• Chocolate Souffle Cake with Orange Caramel Sauce
  
• Cheese Grits (hopefully I'll get Meg to give me her recipe.)
• Cauliflower Cheddar Gratin with Horseradish Crumbs
  
• The absurdly named "Men's Favorite Salad" which sounds like a good coleslaw.
• Stilton Dressing

Watch this space to see if any, or all, are worth the effort.