Wednesday Yarn Along Long Time

 

Well friends it's been a long long time since I checked into this space. What a better way to check in but with a yarn along of course.  Fall has arrived,  Halloween is here and Sandy is gone from the Northeast but not forgotten. 

 

 

 Once the weather started cooling and summer was officially definitely over it's crochet season over here.  What to begin with how about a couple of afghans.  The blue one is cozy and snuggly and the lighter colored is a lap blanket for V. for Christmas good for snuggling and reading. 

 Back at it again with the cotton twine working on another rug this time I'm trying to write the pattern for myself.  It's a little tricky for me because I tend to fly off the seat of my pants crochetting.

I have had some good reads which I hope to share soon.  I'm currently reading The of Learning Dangerously: Adventures in Homeschooling.  I love that the words dangerous and homeshooling are together in the title. 

Hoping your enjoying a good project or good read!

Friday Moment-Evening Outdoor Drawing

Summer Break

Hey friends it's been almost a month since there has been a post.  I guess I should have put up a sign saying gone crochetting for the summer :)  Just popping in for a hello it may be quiet in this space for the rest of summer but I hope to pop in occassionally with a finished project or yummy food.  Hope you are enjoying yours where you are.

Luisa

Yarn Along: New Rug

I started this post yesterday intending to join in the yarn along but didn't realize that I completely abandoned the post and didn't remember it till this morning. Oooops!  Well this is the latest rug added to the one of the bedrooms (sorry the picture isn't so great).  I used a cotton twine and a multicolored cotton yarn this rug is similar to this one. Well that's done now on to the next one a rug for my bathroom.

Monday Links

Well a very rainy monday is here and plenty to do so how about some monday links for inspiration for this week?

Added these two to my recipe list to make this summer asparagus guacamole and lettuce soup.
Love this hoops.
Found a homemade nesquik recipe in the post there is recipe for chocolate syrup.  How awesome may never have to buy these two things again but I think I may need to get better cocoa powder. 
Found a loveley drawing blog.
I'm intrigued by this drawing book.
Don't tell me you don't think these bubble wands aren't awesome! I want one for me too.
I just want to make this cake for no reason it looks happy.
Came across this homemade ranch dressing. 
This looks like a fun basil experiment for adults and kids.

Can't wait to see what I find this week.

Friday Moment-My favorite words this week

The best day

of your life

is the one on which

you decide

your life is

your own.

No apologies or excuses.

No one to

lean on, rely on,

or to blame.

The gift is yours-

it is an

amazing journey-

and you alone

are responsible for

the quality of it.

This is the day

your life

really begins.

Bob Moawad

Right Now lately

I found a cord to hook up to my computer and now some pictures to show of these past couple of weeks.

 Went to a seedling sale and I'm going to be daring this year and try growing yellow watermelons.

 Went home to the garden to put down the plants for later. I know have 20 plus tomato plants waiting for me at the end of the week and leeks, broccoli, watermelon and possible kale.

 Great yard sale finds an Ikea frame a book on making wraps and a book on gardening with recipe all for $5!!Yes score. 

 My favorite 3 words when I'm home. 

 Yay for sun tea.  This 52 fl oz pitcher is from Ikea.

 Trying to make my own yogurt popcicles.  The popcicle molds are also from Ikea.

 Cleaned one shelf in my kitchen for all my cookbooks.

 Curbside find it's bench/table.  Perfect for summer a little cleaning, replace a piece of wood and some paint and it will be as good as new.  Haven't started it but I am seeing the potential.

Oh orange juice pops they seemed to be hit.

Well that's the catch up for now friends so glad I found my cord and hope I don't lose it.

Monday Links

Hello it's Monday this is probably my shortes Monday list of links but I had to share these few for their ideas.
One of my favorite things to do is put books on my wish list .
Recently added this book from crazy mom quilts I love her projects.
Add this Making Magazine to my collection.  Check out the making for... tabs they are inspiring they made my brain hurt with ideals.
Found this website from the Nate Berkus Show.

Hope you're inspired today too.

Yarn Along: A new rug

Made it in for Ginny's yarn along with a new rug that I'm working on.  I can't decide if I love it but it's fun to make.  It's similiar to this one.  The second picture is a rectangle for a tree branch for  the yarn shop for the Wake up the Earth Festival on May 5.  I'm loving the colors. Lastly these are the books I'm carrying around lately. 
Hope your enjoying a good read or yarn today :)

Big Crochetted Slippers

Before I begin this post about the slippers I wanted to say thank you to all the followers who keep coming back during a pivotal time in my life and welcome new readers  here and at 5 Good Reasons.  Things will be still be a little slow for posting a while longer over there. But I just wanted to say thank you to my readers for coming by and checking in because like most bloggers we go through a down time of posting and risk losing followers and sometimes along the way readers don't come back so it's nice to see that not everyone has ditched this little kitchen and hope you are inspired as many of you have inspired me. 

Ok now the slippers.  I had been having a creative mojo slow down but things are picking up again.  In the January/February issue of Crochet Today I wanted to make these slippers. The pattern looks easy something I can handle and they are cute.

 But guess what happens when I don't use the right yarn?  They came out way too big.  I had to show you these before I unravel them.  Starting from the left these are my first, second and third try at these slippers.  The first was super huge and the last pair after a few decreases was much better.

 Not perfect but better because they are still loose and I have been wearing them I'm thinking of unravelling a few rows and doing many more decreases.  Other than that I love the pattern I even made my own buttons just some yarn chain, crochet and slip stitch together till it looks cute.

Tonight I unravel I have two more crochet projects I'll show you tomorrow.

Friday Moment

My favorite place to crochet this week was here.

Have a great weekend!

Chicken Salsa Soup

Good grief when was the last time I posted a recipe around here?! Well found one last night that I had to make dinner in a pinch.  This was a yummy soup that was quick and tasty as soon as I put it on the table I barely had time to take this picture and there wasn't much leftover.

Chicken & Salsa Soup

32 oz box of chicken broth

1 1/2 cups chunky mild salsa

3/4 cup frozen corn

1 cup of cooked chicken diced

1 cup cooked rice

tortilla chips

shredded chedder cheese

In a pot bring to a boil the broth and and salsa then add corn, chicken and rice.  Cook till everything is heated through.  Ladle into bowls top with chips and cheese and enjoy.

I love this because it's great to use up any leftover chicken and rice which then brings it all together for a meal.  While I was eating  this soup I thought the only thing missing was maybe some beans.  I'm thinking next time to make it vegetarian I'll use vegetable broth and skip the chicken for red or white beans.  Skip the cheese and it's dairy free.

Enjoy your weekend!

Yarn Along: Dismemebered Bears

This week I have something to show for the yarn along. These bears were started back in November or December and they were meant to be Christmas gifts. Ahem they are now going to be Easter Bears

Some are starting to look good coming almost together at least now they have limbs.

 These guys are on their way to having limbs.

 Reading right now?  Well I pick up this book and carry it around everywhere and read a page when I can.

These magazines are the treat of the week can you blame some of my favorites.  I got the Crochet World because I can't resist the cover.  Cupcake potholder are too cute perfect for when we have our baking sessions.

A Warm Week

It may be a bit quieter in this space this week.  There is lots of sunshine and warm weather in New England and signs of spring are popping up everywhere. Hoping to spend more days outside playing, knitting, crochetting, treasure hunting and reading.
Have a great week.

Friday Moment-Spring will be here soon :)

Missed Yarn Along

I missed the yarn alog yesterday but it's ok I don't have anything to show for on the needles this week.  Although I am enjoying these reads.

Enjoying Taproot it's all over the place right now.  Found Knitting Block by Block at the library and well that got my wheels turning.  Reading The Romeo & Juliet Code from the kids section at the library so far I'm liking it.  Found at Barnes & Noble the purple book it's got some natural homemade remedies for health, beauty & home.

This is the most dangerous book of all Cookies, Pies, Breads & Tarts.  The desserts and breads are mouth watering do not read when hungry or tired like before dinner or bedtime.

Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been wanting to try this chocolate chip cookie recipe. I was wondering even with my substitutions could they still be that good?  According to the kids the answer is yes they loved them. These cookies are not as sweet and taste really good.  My version with the changes I only made half the recipe.

Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

1/2 cup dairy free margarine

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a cup mix 1 1/2 Tbs oil, 1 1/2 Tbs water and 1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 tablespoon soy milk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/4 cups flour

Preheat oven 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets.  In a bowl cream together margarine, sugars vanilla and baking powder mixture.  Then add oil and milk.  Mix till smooth then add dry ingredients.  Mix well it maybe crumbly not like a regular cookie batter definitely use an ice cream scooper and drop onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 10 minutes the cookie will be light in color but the sides will be brown. 

They are not like a regular chocolate chip cookie and yes they did stay puffy.  Yummy :)

Weekend Fun and Banana Bread

From Saturday to today...

:: Browsing a really delicous and dangerous baking cookbook.
:: Loving the local  library.
:: Finding fun scraps from a local quilt shop.
:: Apple crisp for dessert.
:: Making up a recipe chicken paella.
:: Found a good banana bread recipe that vanished.
:: Coffee in the warm sun tastes better.
:: Having a really warm Monday outside cleaning out the car, reading, scavenger hunting and more...

Came across this banana bread recipe on the box of Corn Flakes here is my version that I made allergy friendly and it cooked through and tasted good.

2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 ripe bananas mashed
1/2 cup dairy free margarine
3/4 cup sugar
In a cup mix 3 tablespoons oil, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons baking powder.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x5x3 inche loaf pan.  In a bowl sift together the dry ingreadients and set aside.  In another bowl mix margarine, sugar and baking powder mixture till creamy.  Add in mashed bananas and blend well.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix till smooth. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes. ( Do not bake more than 1 hour it will burn.)  Insert toothpick it should come out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes in pan and then remove from pan.

Note this cooked through really well considering I had to substiture the egg.  The original recipe is from Kellogg's cornflakes and one of the ingredients was the cereal but I ran out.  Oh well another time.

Monday Links on Sunday

This is the usually my Monday links post but I don't know if I'll get to it tommorrow so thought I'd post it today.  Some more links I found that I love from this past week.

-BB Cream great to make my own make up concotions.
-I should make flowers like these for the winter because then I know I can't kill them.
-This pork chop recipe looks yummy something I could finagle someday.
-This on my table would make me more addicted to crochetting.
-What creamy corn dip?  Have to try this. And how about the Key Lime Pie?
-I would love to make these fun earrings.
-I'm alway collecting essential oil recipes like this.
-Love this round afghan I'm almost afraid to click on the rest of the links.

Hope you're having a good weekend. I'm hoping  to share some pictures this week.

Wednesday Yarn Along

Joining in on the yarn along a day.  I meant to post this yesterday but time ran out so today is a new day. 

 Finally finished this bag from Crochet Today.  I had been eyeing this bag for a while and thought it would be great carry around other projects in progress.   Love the size and design.

 This came in the mail a couple of days ago so excited because it's a lovely read. 
Phew loving these two things today!