Culinary Creativity

In honor of New Years (by which I really mean "having a day off,") I went across the state for a couple days to visit my friend and former roommate Julie. We were determined to relax, which involved putting together a puzzle, cleaning out an old trunk with some really cool stuff from as early as the 1870s, and making pear-pecan strudel. That particular bit turned out really well, so I'm going to share the recipe while I still have it memorized.

( Pear Pecan Strudel a la Julie & Katie )

We decided these were really good with a little bit of cool whip. The flavor is really nice; quite mild, and delicately sweet. If you try it, let me know! I'd love to hear how yours come out. I post a recipe like...once every two years or so*, so I'm always interested to see if anyone experiments with them.

*Which is only slightly less often than when I actually cook something from scratch...

Sourcing--help!

Let's say, hypothetically, that I was losing my mind considering a new kind of project for the new year. And let's say, hypothetically, that this new project was out of Costume in Detail by Nancy Bradfield, would be appropriate for multiple Regency and some 1812 events, and involves enough handwork that I need to start now if I want to have a prayer of being done by March. And let's say that I need help sourcing materials, since like I said, this is a new type of project.

So, friends, I appeal to you for help.

• For fabric, I'm looking for a really nice semi-sheer white material with a little more body than lawn (too spongy) or voile (too soft and sheer), but less than organdy (too stiff). From what I've seen "Swiss muslin" or "Swiss batiste" (are they the same thing?) might be the thing, but I figured it can't hurt to ask. (koshka_the_cat, I'm kind of glancing in your direction here.)
  
  
• I'm also looking for recommendations on silk embroidery thread I'll need multiple colors, so some thing available in a range of shades would be nice. Does anyone have experience with different kinds of silk thread--or would you recommend something other than silk?
  
  
• And lastly, has anyone (*cough*dandytailor*cough*) found a source for metal bullion fringe? You know, like a decorator bullion fringe, but made out of actual metal filament? Finer would be better, not like some of the massive twists you see on some of those giant epaulets...

So...any guesses?