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/