Furniture Painting

On top of everything else lately I have been painting. In our previous home this bureau was in my bedroom but here it seems better suited for the linens in the dining room.  The color of the dinning room is golden mustard and the black furniture goes really well with it.  The bureau fit perfectly between 2 matching shelves only problem was the color because it was wood.  So on went the primer and then 3 coats of black paint.   I changed most of the knobs to a white knob with the initial of our last name it looks great against the wall. I apologize the picture isn't greatI couldn't get a very good shot. Now all I need is 4 more matching knobs a couple of lamps and oh yes a table and chairs for the dining room.
For a little while longer it will remain a painting furniture room because it's too cold to paint furniture in the basement.  I have one more piece to paint a night stand for the older girl's room.  That tiny white drawer in the third picture actually goes to the night stand.  Hope to get that done soon between everything else.

Valentine's Weekend

Reading and decorating.

Lemon cake from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World.

Finally made one of these hearts this morning.

Also tried this heart and but them on bobby pins.  

Hoping for some sugar cookies today too. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Friday Moment-around the table....

Yarn Along with FPdc

 Joining in this week on Ginny's yarn along.  I don't have anything new to show I'm still working on the hat I started  last week.  It actually looks more like a thick doily.  I'm hoping it will form into a hat soon.  As for reading same book as last week because all I have beenn doing is reading this pattern over and over.  The level for this hat is experienced.  I think by the end of this projects I will be experienced. 
What I did learrn from this pattern is FPdc.  So instead of a new book this week I thought I'd share a tutorial on Front Post double crochet.  Hope that's ok with you all and I hope this helps anyone out there trying to decipher those crochet acronyms :)
Here is a sample.

 First thing you need to know with front post double crochet is that you are NOT working the stitches on top like we usually do when crochetting. 

 Instead you are going to double crochet right into the post here.

 Start by yarn over hook then insert hook on the right behind the post and come up on the left. 

 You now have on your hook the post and two loops.

Next yarn over hook and pull it through.  (I don't have that picture it didn't download.) What is on the hook now are 3 loops.

 Yarn over hook and pull through two loops.

 Two loops remain.  Yarn over hook and pull through both loops. 

 One loop remains and you have completed FPdc.  Neat.  I was excited figuring this out. I know just something simple to make me happy. 

 I did a few more and this is what they look like.  They are raised and a little thicker compared to the rest of the stitiches. 

Random::
If anyone is interested in homeschooling I have another post up over at 5 Good Reasons.

Now off to check out everybody else on the yarn along :)

Another chili

Yes another chili simmering in the crockpot yesterday  for dinner.  This one is a white bean chili with chicken.  If you choose to make it vegetarian omit the chicken and use vegetable broth.

White Bean Chicken Chili

1 can routelle

16 oz of chicken or vegetable broth

1 can cannellini beans rinsed

1 can white kidney beans rinsed

1 diced tomato (fresh or frozen)

1-2 cups cooked chicken diced

1 medium onion chopped

1 garlic clove chopped

 salt and pepper to taste

1/8 teaspoon cumin

1/8 teaspoon coriander

Put all ingredients in crockpot and put on high for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.  Maybe spicy.  Goes well with rice.  Enjoy!

Friday Moment

Sewing a new bag.

Random :: Forgive me for my shameless plug.  But I was a bit behind over at 5 Good Reasons this week so come on over and check out this week's posts.
Happy Weekend!

Chcken Pot Pie

Latley we have been in that mood for comfort foods.  To be honest not every night around is a homemade meal night.  Last night it was tater tots, fish sticks and ramen noodles and today there was grilled cheese on fresh bread with a side of hot dog wieners.  Sometimes there are lunches of just french fries and a salad.  We did a lot of take out while I was pregnant.  My favorite foods were the worst things. 
I had to come out with it because I tend show the better meals and share the recipes I get excited about but truth be told we are not vegetarians, we still shop at the grocery store and the food club.  I am buying less processed than before. I love to make homemade food. We love fresh fruits and vegetables.  But we love them more in the summer from our csa and farmer's market that's when it's way easier to buy local even the eggs and meat.  Love that.  I am well aware of where our food (after doing some research) comes from but ignore it till summer when better choices can be made.  After watching Oprah the other day with  Michael Pollan and where our meat comes from I'm thinking  a little more tofu in my diet wouldn't hurt even if kids don't agree.  They aren't too fond of it.  But I'm back in that mode thinking about food, signing up for the csa again and possibly a small garden this summer. Possibly keeping my fingers crossed. I also have hopes of canning pickles and peppers.  If you have been following this blog for a while you know I'm not a fan of canning.  I just get tired and dread the thought of all that boiling.  But pickling vegetables with vinegar.  I'm open to the idea.  Maybe it's time to read Animal Vegetable Miracle before the summer. 
Well after showing you this beautiful chicken pot pie I had to get this all out what's been on my mind about food lately.  I also didn't want to give the impression that every meal is a wonderful homemade meal.  Because nothing is ever perfect no matter how ideal we would love it to be.
Now for the chicken pot pie.  The crust I made it myself I never buy a crust because the allergy ingredients but here is the rest of the recipe.

Chicken Pot Pie
1/3 cup dairy free margarine
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup onions chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 3/4 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup soy milk
2 cups of cooked chicken diced
2 potatoes (boiled, peeled and diced)
2 carrots chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
1 cup green beans
1 cup frozen corn
Pie crust (your own or store bought)

1. Prepare ahead of time the following and set aside:  cook the chicken and dice it,  steam or boil carrots, celery and green beans, boil potatoes then peel and dice into cubes.
2.  Line your plate with half the crust.
3.  In a pan melt dairy free margarine over medium heat. Blend in flour, onion, salt and pepper stirring constantly till it gets thick or bubbly and onions are clear.  Stir in broth and milk and heat to a boiling stirring constantly.  Let it boil for 1 minute it will start to look like gravy.  Remove from heat stir in all vegeatbles and chicken.  Then pour into pie plate.  Cover with pie crust, tuck the edges in and make a couple of slits in the top to let out steam. 
4. Cook uncovered 30-35 minutes at 425 degrees till crust is gloden brown. 
Enjoy your comfort food.

Yarn Along

Joining in this week on Ginny's yarn along.  Love seeing what eveyone else is making and reading.
This week I haven't even started my new book World of Pies .  I hope tonight or later this afternoon.  I'm done with crochetting dishclothes to wipe down the table and I think I'm finally ready for a crochet pattern.  I have never followed a pattern and I think now I'm ready.  I feel like I just learned to read a new language.  What do I have in mind? A hat I saw over at Field Wonderful.. I just loved it and read the pattern and I think I can handle it.  I'm hoping this off white Green Mountain Spinnery yarn will work and I have enough.  Wish me luck. 
Can't wait to see what you're making or reading: :)

My pie plate and crockpot are tired.

Ever have one of those days that didn't go the way you planned. Yesterday  wasn't a bad day but an off the blog day internet was down, blogger was not cooperating and more snow to shovel..On the brigher side I caught up some of the kids homeshcooing stuff.  Here is what has been going on in the kitchen.   
After last week's snow we stayed in over the weekend and I just kept the kitchen warm the past few days with the crockpot, the oven and some candles. I was in the mood for making all those winter comfort foods.
Here's why my pie plates and crockpot are tired.



 Made a tomato sauce and let it simmer in the crockpot instead of on the stove for a couple of hours. I have a pretty simple recipe of 4 15 oz cans tomato sauce, 1 diced onion, 1 sliced garlic, 2 basil leaves and 1 teaspoon of sugar.  The sugar is if the sauce needs a little sweetness.  Put it all in the crock pot on high for about 3 hours. 

 There's that hand again trying to get into the chicken pot pie.

 A slice of peach pie.  This recipe is the same as the Cranberry Pie.  Instead of cranberries I used frozen peaches from the summer and omitted the orange extract.  Very sweet.

 Shepherds pie with a ritz cracker topping.

What's winter without chili? I'm finding  it's easy to have something warm simmering on these cold snowy days so there has been a lot of chili lately.

My version of chili:

1 diced tomato fresh or frozen

1 can routelle with chili

2 -15 oz cans tomato sauce

1 medum onion chopped

1 garlic clove chopped

1 can of white kidney beans rinsed

1 can of red kidney beans rinsed

1lb of cooked ground beef (optional)

dash of chili powder

1/8 teaspoon of cumin

1/8 teaspoon coriander.



I apologize if the quantities are a little sketchy. I have been making it enough that I forgot to write down exactly what goes into the chili. If using ground beef cook it in a pan first till it's brown. Otherwise omit it all together. I use about 1 tomato but since it's winter and I don't buy any I have a bag full of diced tomatoes in the freezer and just grab a handful of those. As for the spices. If you like it hot add more chili. The cumin and coriander I'm guessing about 1/8 teaspoon but if you like add more. Put everything in the crock pot and set it on high and cook for about 3 1/2 - 4 hours. Enjoy with fresh bread or with a little rice.

Random:

-Phew finally this is done afer 2 frustrating days with blogger.

-I finished reading The Red Garden.  It was awesome perfect for these snowy days when yo want to curl up with a good book you can't put down.

-Hoping to share my chicken pot pie recipe and do a tutorial on Tunisian crochet.

-After all this frustrating internet and snow  as well trying to upkeep the home and my messy library/office I read this post.  My friend sent me the link and I have been meaning to read her blog and realize I have nothing to complain about.

Fussy Internet today.

I'll be back late late tonight tomorrow can't wait to share what was going on in the kitchen.