Give Me More Jeff Beck and Imelda May Please!

Crochet Valentines for Your Sweethearts

Do you want to send your friends and family something special for Valentine’s Day? Crochet them a hanging heart ornament. I used a modified version of the heart pattern found in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Crochet Today. The hearts in the magazine are coasters. They are larger (12 rows and edging) and do not include a hole in the center. Here are my variations on the pattern to make a hanging heart valentine.

• Work only rows 1-7 of the pattern found in the magazine.
• Row 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in ring – 6sc. (this creates the hole in the center)
• After completing row 7, you’ll need to finish the edges between the two humps at the top of the heart. I picked up stitches to single crochet. I just eye-balled the hearts to judge the number of stitches.
• I used Sugar ‘n Cream Pinky Stripes yarn, which you can find at nearly every yarn outlet, including Michaels, where I also picked up the ribbon.

I plan to mail my sweeties each a heart. The perfect packaging can be found at Staples – anti-static CD/Disk Mailers. I like these because they are constructed of light cardboard. Also, they’re the perfect size and you can decorate the outside of the envelope (I used a fine point Sharpie pen.). If you want to include a message, make your own card or visit this site for free down-loadable valentines. You can also download vintage valentine images to create your own cards.

Even Picky Eaters Like this Spinach

My son loves this dish and has since he was old enough to complain about what goes on his plate. Often I make this and flaky biscuits with butter and marmalade for a two-person meal. It’s a great side, but it can be a meal all by itself. If you like it as much as we do, you’ll make it a meal.

Ingredients needed:

• 4 slices bacon ( I use Pederson’s Uncured Apple Smoked Bacon. The fat is clear and doesn’t smoke. Additionally, the flavor is awesome.)
• 1 large shallot (If you don’t have a shallot, a whole small red onion is good too.)
• 1/4 c. red wine (I use whatever I have on hand.)
• 1 heaping tablespoon of light brown sugar
• A handful of dried cranberries (I don’t measure, I grab.)
• 1 5-oz package of baby spinach (Pre-washed. Nothing is more tedious than washing spinach. I use Earthbound Farm Organic.)

Slice bacon into bits. Saute. Drain excess fat, but leave a tad in the pot to saute the remaining ingredients. When lightly browned, add sliced shallot and saute until opaque.

Add dried cranberries and stir. Saute for just a minute. Add brown sugar and wine. Stir to dissolve brown sugar. Add whole package of spinach. Cover. Stay close at hand because after about a minute, you'll want to open the pot to check on the spinach. You should notice that the liquid and steam are reducing it. Give the spinach a stir, coating it with the dressing. Cover for another minute. Stir. You don't want to over cook the spinach. You want it to retain its pretty green color.

When the spinach is at this stage, it's ready to serve.

I hope you’ll give this recipe a try. If you do, let me know if you were satisfied or not.

How to Wrap a Cat

I would think you could wrap a cat for any occasion!

Friday Cat Blogging – Tiny Sitting Pretty

This is Tiny. She has her winter coat and spends time outside even when it’s too cold for common sense.

I’m a little early with this post, but I wanted to make sure I got to play.

Cat blogging every Friday, learn more at The Modulator.

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese – Easy Recipe

I needed comfort food today. I also needed to use up some cheese. Fondue is a great way to pool a variety of cheeses, but I wanted something more casserole-like. Additionally, I wanted to be able to pack it for lunch tomorrow.

This recipe is from Southern Living’s 2002 Annual Recipes book.

My variations on the recipe include:

• I used the cheese I had on hand – mild cheddar and smoked gouda.
• Rather than layering noodles, cheese, and crackers as directed – I put all of the noodles in the baking dish, tossed them with cheese, salt, and pepper and half of the cracker crumbs. I then topped the casserole with the remaining crumbs before putting it into the oven.
• I replaced one cup of milk with a cup of half and half.
• I also used only 5 eggs. I didn’t want a custard.
• I used 20 saltines. Some were crushed finely, others were not.

The outcome: Yummy, creamy, cheesy noodles that were not dry.

Here is the original recipe. Modify as you like.

• 1 (8-ounce) package of large elbow macaroni, cooked
• 16 saltine crackers, finely crushed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon seasoned pepper
• 1 (10-ounce) block sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 (10-ounce) block extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 6 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 cups of milk

Layer one-third each of macaroni, crackers, salt, pepper, and cheeses into a lightly greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Repeat layers twice. Whisk together eggs and milk; pour over pasta mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until golden and set. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Fleece Beanie – Easy Sewing Makes a Quick Gift

I’ve whipped up a few fleece beanies to give as Christmas gifts. I used a pattern from The Green Pepper (Polar Beanies).

Beanies that I plan to give the gals in the family, I’ve decorated with fancy buttons (like that above). I did add extra length to the bottom of all of the beanies because I wanted a clean interior edge (the extra length allowed me to create a hem). The pattern is for all sizes. I created copies of each size by recycling large paper grocery bags. The nice thing about paper bags is they’re more durable than pattern paper. This beanie is snuggy and warm and can be completed in two hours or less. I have a few more cut out, but I’m pretty tired of making things, so those who will be missed this year, may get beanies next year.

Here’s a helpful tip when buying fleece for small projects like hats, scarfs, and mittens. Watch for fleece sales – lots of remnants are created during these sales. There is plenty of variety and you get the added remnant discount on top of the sales price. Picking up discounted fleece remnants is the way to go!

Cute Kitten Gets Surprised

Ellen showed this video on her show today.

Recipe – Easy to Make Coconut Custard Pie

I contributed a couple of pies to our recent Thanksgiving feast. This pie recipe was a first for me and I wasn’t sure of what to expect. I was very pleased with the end result.

This happens to be the easiest pie in the world to make. If you like pie and custard, but hate fuss, you’ll want to try out this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick room temperature butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend until well mixed (this won’t take long – don’t over blend). Pour into a 9″ deep dish pie pan. During the baking process, the flour drops to form the crust and the other ingredients form the filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. You can test the pie’s readiness by slightly jiggling it. If it’s firm it’s ready. You can also insert a knife in the middle and if it comes out clean, it’s ready. Serve with sweetened whipped cream.

[from: Gooseberry Patch Christmas Pantry]

The pie is good at room temperature, but I preferred it cool. The pie will have to be kept in the refrigerator, as it is a custard.

Enjoy!

Winter Rose

I have been carefully watching this rose come to full bloom in my garden. The cool fall weather has created a beauty. Texas summer heat has a tendency to dwarf blooms. This pink blossom draws one outside to appreciate its loveliness.