Present Time!

A Christmas gift from my husband, I think my fellow knitters can appreciate this mug! (Click on image to enlarge). As far as I know, this is a one of a kind coffee cup that he got at the Handmade Detroit craft show.

Cowl Time!

My husband has been pestering me for weeks to knit him a cowl, little did he know there was one done and wrapped under the Christmas tree! I came up with every excuse in the book for why I couldn't start it just yet, but he went as so far to email me patterns and ask me to just use my scrap yarn! On Christmas morning he excitedly tired it on with his fancy (thrift store) jacket!

The pattern I used was very simple, as this was my first time knitting a cowl, I would say it was a success! 

		Cowl Cast on 136 stitches. Place marker for beg of round. Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle and being careful not to twist stitches. Round 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of round. Rep Rnd 1 for K2, P2 Rib until piece measures about 13 (15) in. (33 (38) cm) from beg. Bind off loosely. The End: Weave in ends.

Christmas Time!

 

Merry Christmas!! It is cold and snowy here in Michigan! Luckily we have coffee and my mom's homemade, gluten free, praline french toast to keep us warm!

Try it for yourself, just keep in mind, with all the butter and calories, it should only be enjoyed once a year! This time my mom also added a splash of vegan egg nog to the mix!

Recipe:

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/09/overnight-pecan-praline-baked-french.html

Christmas post coming soon!

Pot Pie Time!

 

I have been craving comfort food, and pot pies are one of my favorite winter dishes! I found a recipe for a vegan pot pie then split it up into 4 mini dishes, covered each of them with filo dough and then baked them for 30 minutes at 425 degrees! I had enough veggies left over, so I put them in the fridge to make pies again the next day!

You know you want to make this:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/veggie-pot-pie/

Dishcloth Time!

This is one of my favorite dish cloth patterns. I have made it about 6 times so far, mostly for gifts! From start to finish, this design takes about 7 hours.  This dishcloth is for my Aunt, who loves skulls and zombies!  The only problem I have come across giving this to people is that they don't use them because they don't want to ruin them! I used white yarn, because it can be bleached if used in the kitchen. 

Find the Pattern Here:

http://alittlebackwards.blogspot.com/2009/10/skull-and-crossbones.html

Christmas Decor Time!

 

I love the holidays! I have decor for all the seasons stored in labeled tubs in my basement.  Christmas is my favorite because my decorations combine two things I love, Disney and Christmas! I used to live in Florida, so all my decorations are actually from Disney World!

Kahlua Latte Time!

I am not sure I will ever really grow-up, and like most kids, when it snows, I want hot cocoa! I got Kahlua earlier in the week to make Christmas cookies so I decided to experiment with in in my espresso! I am glad I did!

Hot Stuff!

1 shot hot espresso

1 shot Kahlua

1/2 c  steamed milk with milk froth

1 tsp  hot cocoa powder

Make milk, add cocoa powder and mix, add espresso and Kahlua, stir then top with frothed milk, garnish with candy cane! Drink up!

Banana Bread Time!

I love just made quick breads in the morning. My favorite to make is banana bread because it is so easy to change it up! I always start with my basic recipe then add spices/flavors depending on what I have in my pantry.  This morning I replaced the vanilla extract with coffee extract, then added an extra tablespoon. I also topped it off with some pecans I toasted on the stove top.

Knit Scarf Time!

Every year I spend a month knitting myself a perfect scarf, with expensive, soft yarn and every year, without fail, something happens to it. This year I decide to keep it simple and think with a wide basket weave.  I found a style I liked and came up with a pattern. 

Tools:

2 skins Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Gray

2 skins Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Black

Size 10 needles

Pattern:

CO 36

Row 1:     K3,  *P6, K6, Repeat from * to the end of the row, end with K3

Row 2:     P3,  *K6, P6, Repeat from * to the end of the row, end with P3

Row 3-24:  Repeat Rows 1 & 2

Row 21:    Switch Colors and Repeat 1-24

Make desired length the cast off and add some fringe!

  Check out this simple pattern and video for tips:

  http://www.wikihow.com/Knit-the-Basketweave-Stitch

Dutch Oven Bread Time!

We hosted a potluck style, vegetarian friendsgiving a few weeks back, some how fitting 12 friends into our tiny apartment! We may have lacked space, but we made up for it with many tasty, experimental dishes!  I was also excited to host as this was a perfect excuse to try out those new Lodge and LeCrueset dishes we got off our wedding registry! I went a bit overboard with the cooking, but I couldn't help myself! Between the things that I made and what friends brought, it was a gourmet feast! Some of my favorites were drunk'n stuffing, ginger molasses carrots, pumpkin bread, beer battered mushroom tempeh, dutch oven bread(recipe posted below), cranberry jell-o shots and of course a party would not be complete without lots of local beer!

MMMMMM Bread!

3 cups   bread flour

1 tsp    active dry yeast

1 1/2    tsp salt

1 1/2    warm water

Part 1: Whisk together dry ingredients then slowly add water and mix with a wooden spoon. Cover so the bowl is air tight and let the dough rise 12-18 hours. 

Part 2: Place dutch oven in oven at least 30 minutes prior to baking. Turn oven temp to 450 degrees. Lay parchment paper on counter, dust with flour, use this space to shape bread into round ball. The dough will be sticky, so leave on parchment paper.  Cut 1/4 inch deep slits about 1 1/2 inches apart on top of ball. Sprinkle with flour and favorite spice. I dusted mine with rosemary. 

Part 3: Pick up the dough in the parchment paper and place it in the heated dutch oven. Cover with lid and return to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake for another 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven and place bread on cooling rack. 

Part 4: EAT IT ALL UP!

Pickle Time!

 

 

My family loves anything hot & spicy, as do I, so for Christmas I decided to attempt to pickle some peppers! This was my first foray into pickling and canning. My favorite pickled peppers come from Pot Belly Sandwich Works so I sought out a recipe close to theirs. My husband came across the purple cauliflower, which shares the same antioxidants as red cabbage and red wine! It also tastes delicious!  While these are gifts for the guys in my family, I could not resist tying them with Hello Kitty ribbon!  

 

Here's the recipes along with canning tips!

http://userealbutter.com/2012/09/23/hot-giardiniera-pickled-peppers-recipe/

Soup Time!

I

I miss the comfort of chicken noodle soup, so I searched the web for a recipe to satisfy my cravings...a vegetarian, gluten free recipe!  I found a few different ones, but as usual, I couldn't find that was just what I wanted, so I made up my own! Yesterday I found lots of fresh veggies at the farmers market and today is the perfect rainy day for some homemade soup!

Happy Halloween!

The Hearty Insides

3 Carrots, peeled and chopped

6-8 Celery stalks, chopped

1 yellow onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, pressed

Hot peppers, season to your liking

1 8oz package of Ancient Grain Fusilli pasta(or your favorite GF pasta) 

5 cups of Swanson Vegetable Broth

2 cups of water

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Heat 2T of olive oil in a stock pot, add veggies and saute 7 minutes.  Season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper.  Add the pasta and cook for 3 minutes. Add any fresh spices you may like. Add broth and water, bring to a boil. Cook covered 6-8 minutes.  Add lemon juice and keep at on low heat. Can serve immediately, but I prefer to let it sit at least an hour.

Halloween Party Time!

My husband's work Halloween Party was this week at Wiard's Orchard and the weather threatened snow, so we had to rethink our costume ideas! Thanks to Spencer's Gifts we found these great Adventure Time pajamas! I did make myself a voice translation box and Ben made himself Jake's sword! While we didn't win best costume, I am pretty sure we were the warmest. We both had full outfits on underneath the fleece!

Shepherd's Pie Time!

We started doing a bi-weekly dinner with our friends. It has been a great way to test out my vegan, gluten free cooking and baking skills. I couldn't find a shepherd's pie recipe that got me excited, so I made up my own!

Try it, tweak it, let me know what you think!

Preheat oven to 350 

Bottom Layer:

2 cups of cooked Lentils

1 1/2 t Chipotle Chili Powder

Salt & Pepper to taste

Mix together in a bowl, then press into the bottom of pie plate. I did bake it in the oven about 10 minutes before I added the filling.

Top Layer:

4 Large Gold Potatoes

1/4 c Nutritional Yeast

3 or 4 T of Earth balance butter

1/4 c unsweetened almond milk 
2 cloves Garlic, pressed

Salt & Pepper to taste 
Chives, chopped

Peel, cut & quarter potatoes. Boil with salt. Once soft, drain water and mash. 

The Guts:
1 T Olive Oil

Head of Celery(chopped)

2 or 3 Carrots(peeled and sliced)
Yellow Onion(chopped)

4-6 Mushrooms(sliced)

1/4 c Fresh Green Beans(chopped)
4 cloves of Garlic, pressed
1 can Diced Tomatoes with Italian herbs(drained)
1 c Vegetable Broth
1 T Balsamic Vinegar
2 t Sage

Heat oil and garlic in Wok. Saute the celery, carrots and onion until they begin to soften. Add mushrooms and green beans. Add tomatoes, veg broth, vinegar and sage. I brought to a boil and let the sauce reduce. I used a slotted spoon to get the veggies out and place them in the pie. Top with remaining sauce. 

Gently spread potatoes on top and sprinkle with chives.

Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes.

Cookie Time!

Tonight I made vegan, gluten free, banana, chocolate chip, peanut butter cookies! They are quick and easy to make, but best of all they are a healthy treat!

Try them yourself!

http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/gluten-free-vegan-banana-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Brownie Time!

Today I made Mexican Brownies. Normally I prefer to bake from scratch, but I am still recovering from my vacation! I used a box of dark chocolate Ducan Hines brownie mix, added a teaspoon of cinnamon and a teaspoon of chipotle chili powder and replaced the 1/3 cup of water with 1/3 cup of El Mole Ocho stout from New Holland's High Gravity Series(use a little, drink a lot). 

The beer is from Whole Foods, but I have visited the New Holland Brewery! Check it out here:

http://newhollandbrew.com/ 

Time to Go!

Last afternoon in Orlando. I had a fantastic trip! I ate a lot, drank even more, met some cool people and had a blast adventuring with my friends. 

Halloween Horror Night Time!

Last night my friend and I put on our Finn & Jake hats(that I made for the occasion) and went out to Universal Studio's Halloween Horror Nights! We braved 8 haunted houses, the Bill & Ted Show and avoided getting bit by all the Walkers(aka zombies). 

For more info on Halloween Horror Nights click here:
http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando/ 

Food & Wine Time!

   

Currently visiting Orlando! Yesterday my friend and I ate and drank our way around the world at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival. Being vegetarian, I was impressed with how many food options I had. They also recently opened a cart called "Terra" which featured vegan food and alcohol. 

For more on Epcot's Food & Wine Festival click here:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival/ 

Pumpkin Time!

My husband and I carved a pumpkin together for the first time! We got a book of Hello Kitty templates at Target. As a bonus, it came with Hello Kitty tools!

Craft Time!

I love Hello Kitty and Halloween, so when I found this pattern I knew I need to do something with it! I used the Simplicity Pattern 5151. The straps were a bit short so I added about 6 extra inches to the arms.