My friend HavivaH (Her name is a palindrome! How can you not capitalize on that?!) got married last weekend, and at her bridal shower I knew nothing other than a foodie theme would do. So we went to a fantastic eaterie, Cafe Flora, in Madrona. The menu is fantastic, especially the Strawberry Marscapone Waffle described as:
“Our crunchy cornmeal waffle topped with fresh local strawberries, vegan vanilla mascarpone and toasted almond slivers. (vegan and gluten free)” – Cafe Flora
I would’ve taken a photograph, but they didn’t last long enough!
The best thing about being friends with HavivaH, is her appreciation for the artisan in us all. She appreciates the delicacies and hard work of the individual crafts people out there, and is well-known at Ballard’s farmers markets.To show my adoration for her, I hand-made some delightful lined draw-string gift bags using some Americana floral and satin ribbon. Some had vintage lace, which has made me a fan of magical fusible interfacing. Yay – like magic! And the narrow ribbon doesn’t get on your iron! (Yes, I had to purchase the Rowenta iron cleaner. It stinks up my entire 1,000 sq. ft. apartment and makes my dog turn her nose away in disgust, but it works so well!) This little bag is my favorite, with the bright oranges and blues.
In each gift bag, I slipped in some fantastic locally made salts, Secret Stash. Everything from Coconut Marsala to the coveted Truffle Black Sea Salt. I let the ladies pick each bag, and the salt was a mystery surprise!
The salts I purchased from the amazing Urban Craft Uprising at the Seattle Center, where I dragged my husband along for another year. I refrained from purchasing anything else, but I have a handful of business cards to start planning my holiday shopping!
For HavivaH’s wedding favors, she and her groom spent months preparing flavored liquors and limoncello, gifting them out in little cute bottles. I had to help on such a fun crafty project, and convinced them I’d make a fabulous taste-tester. And I was so happy I did! I still have two small coveted bottles of this delicious liqueur – let me know if you try it! It is very much worth the wait.
Here is the basic recipe:
Yield: 1 pint
6 oz Hazelnuts
1 Vanilla bean (1 inch)
1 tsp Allspice
1 1/2 c Vodka
1/3 c Sugar Syrup
Chop the hazelnuts to release the flavor of the nut and add to vodka, vanilla bean, and allspice. Age for 2 weeks, shaking lightly occasionally. Strain and filter until clear. Add sugar syrup, if desired, and age for an additional 3 weeks. Ready to serve.Makes a nice gift and is nice over ice cream as well as an aperitif.
Alternately, try using pistachios which also make a delicious liqueur. If flavor is too weak, add more nuts and re-steep a week before adding the sugar syrup.
Love,
MaLora
I like to make and do. After my day is over and the bike riding is done, the sewing and crafting begins. This is my personal exploration, as I document and delve into what it takes to teach yourself to live your own dreams. 
