Sunday Snaps

I started out the week ripping back my shawl and trying to get back where I was...

Lots of Tinkerbell love this week.  She's gotten to be so big and finding her groove in our family.

I wrote up an fabulous recipe for a tuna casserole with some zip and zing to it - it's wonderful!

I made myself a new hotpad on the last day of school, enjoying the final quite hours for the next 12 weeks.

I got back to were I was before I had to frog a large section of earlier in the week... but this time it's right!

First named storm of the season came through - nothing major but we did get some much needed rain.

I am honestly keeping up with the FMS photo a day challenge this month, which makes me very happy.

Hobbit turned in her first homework assignment over at the HPKCHC - Divination.  She made it all by herself too.

I kept keeping up my end of things by cheering on Hufflepuff for Quidditch, with some Slyther-love thrown in.

Yesterday, I had an idea for a hat and so instead of just figuring I'll do it later, I sat down and got to work on it...

I really love how the crochet lace plays off the knitted base.  It's going to be wonderful, at least I hope so.

Weekend Wonderment ~ 6/7 - 6/9

This is all I can share because I'm actually going to be spending all weekend working on my mama's birthday presents!

I've got my own little personal one woman sweatshop going on here this weekend.  I've managed to complete two of the presents that I want to make my mama for her birthday but I've got three more waiting in the wings.  I can't wait to show you but the best I can do for now, so as to not ruin her surprise in case she's poking her head in here, is to show you the pretty yarn.  I promise to share the finished goods with y'all once she gets them.

I've also got something else happening right now - a new pattern in the testing phase!  I believe my math is sound so this testing section of the process should just whip right along.  I am really jazzed about it but I'll warn you, it's a pattern for a niche market really but that market will hopefully adore it.

Back to the mines with me.  Have an awesome weekend!

Nibbles and Narratives

Summer is officially here at our house.  We're on our second day of summer break from school and Hobbit has been enjoying the freedoms that it brings.  I figured I'd give her the rest of the week off from structured events and we'll just start our routine on Sunday.  During these unstructured days, I've managed to sneak in a bit of reading which has been wonderful.  I must say though - my mind is starting to wander in this section of the story so I'm hoping things will get engaging again soon but I'm almost done so either way, I'm thinking a new book will be on the horizon.

Lazy Pasta... I think that's what I'll call it.

Speaking of lazy summertime fun - I've got the perfect supper.  All you need to sacrifice is ten minutes of your time to toss it all together while the oven heats up, then you can go back to relaxing for the 40 minutes it takes to bake.  Sounds good, doesn't it?

Ingredients:

1. 1 16oz box of Ritoni
2. 1 24oz jar of your favorite tomato sauce
3. 24 oz of warm water
4. 2 cups of your favorite cheese or several slices of singles

Directions:

1. Set your oven to 425*F and lightly spray your 9x13 dish with cooking spray.  It helps with clean up after supper but you can skip this step if you want to, it isn't necessary.
2. Mix together your dry pasta, sauce and jar of warm water.  I shake the water in the jar to make sure and not leave any of the goodness inside.  Make sure your pasta is good and wet, then pour it in to your baking dish.
3. Cover your dish with foil, sealing it up good and tight.  Toss it in the oven for 40 minutes.
4. Uncover it, stir it up really well.  Make sure you scrape down the sides and get the sauce mixed up with the noodles evenly again.  At this point, your noodles will be al dente so if you like them softer, cook it a bit longer.  I would think another 10-15 minutes covered would do it but taste and see.
5. Now put your cheese on top, evenly so you don't have burnt peaks and unmelted valleys.
6. Toss it back in the oven for 10 more minutes or until you cheese is melted and your pasta is tender.

If you normally 'doctor' your sauce, don't forget to do it - I did and had to add salt after, not my favorite way to do things so be sure to attend to your sauce as you normally would.

This yummy dish can be done with meat as well, just have to take an extra few minutes to brown it first then toss it in with the sauce in step 2.  Seriously, it's that easy and the best part - Hobbit loved it and even had seconds!

Wednesday Wound-Up

I've been having a bit of tunnel vision with my projects this week.  I want to make sure to be able to finish my Mission and my OWL but I'll be losing a lot of my summer crafting time starting on the 17th so I've worked double time on them.  Here is what I have so far...

I've made it to the roof candies but there is still so much more to go - 72 gumdrops, just to give you an idea... not to mention candy canes, door, windows, trees, peppermints... oh yeah.  Lots to do!

I promised to row 30 (I'm on 28) but I just might go longer for a full shawl instead of a shawlette.

I did sit down during Hobbit's last day of school yesterday and I made one project from start to finish to simply enjoy the quiet.  No TV, no music - just the sound of yarn running through my fingers and the raindrops falling outside.  Here it is...

A two sided pot holder.  It's super squishy and I'm really tickled with how it turned out.

So now I've got five other classes in the HPKCHC to work on (CoMC is taken care of now with the pot holder) and they will be covered with my collection that I'm making for my mama.  Her birthday is coming up next Thursday and this is what I would like to make for her...

They're all out of this awesome book she gave me for Christmas called "Quick-Stitch Crochet".

I'm hoping to be able to get these done all done before I see her next weekend.  I hope she likes it all.  I'm going to go with bright, happy colors because they best represent my mama.  I have a wonderful rainbow variegated that I want to use on the jar and lots of bright leftovers for the other pieces.

That's my week in projects... what are you working on right now?

Tasty Tuesday Tune

Normally I just pop up a song that means something to me and go on about things but today, I had to share with you the most delicious tuna casserole I ever made.  I already have something planned for Thursday and I didn't want to wait an entire week to tell you about it so I'm sharing today... and trust me, it's not your mama's tuna casserole!

This casserole has just enough kick and cool to keep you satisfied!

Ingredients:

1. 8 ozs fine egg noodles
2. 2 6.5 oz cans of tuna, drained
3. 5 hard boiled eggs, chopped
4. 3 tsp crushed red peppers
5. 3 tsp garlic salt
6. 2 tsp onion powder
7. 1/2 cup miracle whip
8. 1/4 cup ranch dressing

Directions:

1. Cook noodles per package directions, drain.
2. Add tuna, spices and miracle whip - mix well.
3. Add eggs and ranch dressing - mix well.
4. Enjoy hot or put in the fridge for lunchtime treat with crackers or chips or over lettuce.

I'll be honest - these measurements are eyeballed guesstimates because I'm not one to measure things out normally.  I cook by the "toss and dash" method so if things need a bit of extra seasoning, go for it.  I swear though, I made this for my husband to take to lunch this week - I got six servings out of one batch - and there is the perfect blend of warm spice to cool dressing to have everyone asking for more!

Now, since I made this for Pokey, I thought I would put up a song that he's been humming this past week...

Motivational Monday

Summer is almost here and I, for one, can't wait for the break!  We have been working very hard this school year and it's paid off so this vacation is going to be a well deserved rest for everyone in this house.  Hobbit has been working hard - on her studies and herself as a person.  Pokey and I have too - at being more patient and creative in directing her.  Some days we all failed, some days we all triumphed... and some days, we were just too tired to try.

One more day.  3:45 p.m. tomorrow... that's when we can kick up our heels and sigh a big sigh of relief... proud of a job well done.  That's it... just one day more.

Sunday Snaps

I've been drinking tea instead of coffee - mainly because I couldn't justify the creamer into our budget.

I'm in mass production to keep the elderly in the Unite Kingdom warm this winter.

We made the most delicious, moist and tasty treat for Pokey's birthday - Sparkly Streusel Bread!

I took stock of my homework assignments and I'm on track for my Silver Serpent - First Class badge.

I'm loving how my shawl is turning out and I've already begun planning my next one by this designer.

Weekend Wonderment ~ 5/31 - 6/2

Craft a bit, read a bit and watch some of my favorite movies.  I think that sounds like a plan!

This is my last weekend of the school year.  The last time to feel a pause in the momentum of days.  It's bittersweet.  One the one hand, I'm very excited to have summer vacation finally here but on the other... well, that other hand is something that parents will understand.  12 weeks of blank time that needs filled with fun, inspiring, educational and exciting things.  Not all of it mind you but a large portion of it... and it doesn't matter how well prepared and planned out you are - those two little words will sneak in and slap you silly and they will do it faster than you think possible.  What two little words?

...I'm bored.

Nibbles and Narratives

Yeah, I've fallen off my "Narrative" band wagon but I've already promised myself that I will pick back up where I left off this coming week.  In the meantime, I made something super delicious for Pokey's birthday yesterday... with a bit of help from Hobbit.  You see, Pokey doesn't like cake or sweets really so this year, we made him some Birthday Bread instead.  It was most delicious Sparkly Streusel bread and I'm here to share it with you.

We used purple on our bread and it was fabulous!

Ingredients:

For Streusel -

1. 2 Tbsp sugar
2. 1 tsp cinnamon
3. 1/2 tsp nutmeg
4. 2 Tbsp softened butter
5. 3 Tbsp edible glitter

For Bread -

1. 2 eggs
2. 2 cups flour (all purpose is what I use)
3. 1 cup sugar
4. 4 tsp baking powder
5. 2 tsp cinnamon
6. 1/2 tsp nutmeg
7. 1/2 tsp salt
8. 1 cup buttermilk
9. 1/3 cup oil
10. 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350*F and grease the bottom of your loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together all the bread ingredients.  Be sure to get out all the lumps. I prefer to add the flour last and do it a little at a time to ensure that it's all mixed well.  Set it to the side
3. Take all your streusel ingredients and mash them together with a fork in a separate small bowl.  This should make a since crumbly consistency - like if you were making a graham cracker crust.
4. Pour half of your batter into the loaf pan and even out.
5. Sprinkle and gently spread half of the streusel crumble on top of the batter.
6. Add remaining batter and top with remaining streusel.
7. Sprinkle your edible glitter on top - use a generous amount to cover the entire top of the bread.
8. Bake in the oven for 40 - 50 minutes or until your toothpick comes out clean from the center.
9. Let it cool for 15 minutes in the pan and the pop the loaf out to complete cooling on your wire rack.

Enjoy this tasty treat for breakfast, snack or dessert.  It's sure to be a family favorite and it's a ton of fun!

Wednesday Wound-Up... sort of

I know it's Thursday technically but I had the post idea and I thought I had done it but with Pokey's birthday being yesterday, I was a tad preoccupied... though I do have a delicious recipe for you!

So... here is what I've been working on this week -

My OWL reached it's proposed 50% mark yesterday so I am thrilled about that!

My Mission is plugging right along as well.  This photo is now 'out dated' as I have worked up to row 15.

I'm going to spend the rest of this month flipping between these two projects so that I can get a nice cushion on them - because I got a job!  Yep, it's a work from home position as a Concierge for a major credit card and it looks like it will be a blast.  For me, I'm just happy that it will give us a nice addition to our income so we might be able to loosen our belts by one notch, maybe two, and then once the economy turns around we will be able to put my paycheck into our savings entirely. 

It's a part-time night gig so with the exception of training in mid-June, it won't really interfere with regular life around here - not that Hobbit is complaining about being able to spend two weeks with her grandparents.

So that's the Wound-Up and now I'm going to work on the regularly scheduled post...

Motivational Monday

How will you be known?

Sunday Snaps

Red Heart shared my image on their Facebook page and it got a lot of positive feedback!

I created an amazing pasta dish and added it to my Recipe Magic collection.

I get to start on my shawl today and I'm super excited and equally nervous!

Weekend Wonderment

Nibbles and Narratives

No narratives this week - it's all nibbles because I wanted to share the most amazing creation that took place in my kitchen on Monday night.  Even my idol, Gordon Ramsay, would approve of this one.  It's that good!

You're going to need these ingredients -

I worked it out and with the six servings, it worked out to about $1.25 a serving.. can't beat that!

Ingredients

• 1 lbs of ground beef
• 8 ozs of angel hair pasta, broken into thirds
• 15.25 ozs of corn, drained
• 10 3/4 ozs of tomato soup
• 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of minced onions
• 1/4 cup of rough cut parsley
• 3 tbsp of crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp garlic salt

It's super simple to make and tastes like a million bucks.  Even Hobbit ate it so that's saying something!

Directions

1. Set water on to boil and cook your noodles per the package directions.
2. Toss onions, crushed red peppers and corn into a hot skillet and saute.
3. Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt and half of the parsley.
4. Add in your ground beef in chunks to help brown it quicker and easier so you don't break or burn your corn and spices.  Drain once your ground beef is cooked through.
5. Replace mixture on low heat.  Add in the tomato soup and water, mixing thoroughly.  Let simmer for about five minutes or so to marry the flavors.
6. Drain your pasta and add to the meat mixture, combine so all the noodles are wet with sauce.
7. Mix in the Parmesan cheese and add the rest of the parsley to the top for color.

Hungry?

This stuff was so good, I swear! I got six servings total so in our house, that's two complete meals. I think a nice cool salad would compliment this dish really well and if I had had the fixin' in house, I would have made one to go with it. Enjoy - and let me know what y'all think!

Wednesday Wound Up

I know I haven't done one of these in a while but that was mostly because everything I was working on was a present for someone.  I would hate to ruin the surprise if they stumbled on my post so I just kept it all under wraps.  I think everything has been distributed now so I'll give you a recap of what I've been doing.

I made Hobbit a shawl, a couple of bows and my mama got a grocery bag holder...

This is the one I'm most proud of though - a Hello Kitty scoodie that I made in a weekend!

The project my mama volunteered me for is coming along - this yarn hurts my hands but I'm hoping it's just the brown version.

Third time lucky - going to use my Three Irish Girls for my Mission, which starts on Sunday.  I can't wait!

My larger blankets have been put on hold because I've just not been feeling it at the moment.  I'm sure I'll pick them up again soon but that's the beauty of a blanket - you can pick it up and put down at your leisure because the project is so mammoth to begin with, a little down time from it won't hurt anything in the big scheme of things.

Tuesday Tunes

For my Pokey

Motivational Mondays

Embarking on new adventures takes just one thing - belief that you will succeed.  Even if you fail, you succeed because you took the time to even try.  Leaving the comfort of  your world to do what needs to be done should always be rewarded.

This is the week for believing in yourself - seeing yourself as others see you - because you're beautiful.

Sunday Snaps

I got to spend the first Mother's Day in two years with both of my girls.  It was too short but I was thankful of the time.

I made my mama a present and attempted two new techniques in the process. She seemed tickled with it.

I made some serious progress on my OWL.  It doesn't look like much but it was hard on my hands!

I learned a new trick about meatloaf if you don't have any eggs on hand and was asked to join a new adventure.

We had a lovely picnic out at the park on Friday night and the weather was absolutely perfect for it.

We heard some bands play during a free concert.

We watched a beautiful sunset.

I shot the moon - something I've not for a long time and it was a lot of fun.

I was asked to write a tutorial series on HubPages for crochet so I figured why not and dove in.

I spent a beautiful day in the park with my beautiful little girl.  This child keeps me on my toes, I swear.

Weekend Wonderment ~ 17 May - 19 May

1. Working on my Hello Kitty scoodie for Hobbit.  Started it last night so I'm rather pleased with how far I got actually.
2. I need to finish that one side right there and hopefully get the other one done too while I've got this new found time.
3. I need to make 5 charity squares for Quidditch.
4. I've started writing on HubPages - my first installment was done today.  I plan on adding content every Monday, Wednesday and Friday so if you are wanting to learn how to crochet then might I suggest checking it out.
5. Tonight we're going to "Rock the Park" and tomorrow, Hobbit and I are going to "Family Movie Event" over at the local library.  Just trying to check what all is happening around our town.

Nibbles and Narratives

It's an interesting idea and it worked, mostly, which surprised me.

I am so close to being done with my book, I can taste it!  It's been delicious so far and I want to see how it all plays out in the finale.  Truthfully, I was concerned that I was not going to enjoy this title but my love of all things Bennett won out and thank goodness it did.  Has anyone else picked up "Death Comes to Pemberley"?  What did you think?

This week I was in need of comfort food so I was in a bit of a panic when I went to make my meatloaf on Tuesday, only to discover that I had not one egg in the house!  I did some quick thinking learned a nifty new trick... would you like me to share?  Potato flakes.  Yep, that's right.  To substitute the binding agent that I lacked, I used 1 tablespoon of potato flakes and 2 tablespoons of water.  Again, a nervous nelly was I while it was baking because I can stand a lot of things but ruined/wasted food is not one of them.

Not only did this work, you couldn't tell the difference.  There was no change in texture or flavor really which surprised me.  I was afraid that it would be somehow creamy instead of meaty.  Silly, but it's the truth.  So here you go - my recipe for smashing meatloaf...

Ingredients:

1 lb of lean ground beef
1 egg, beaten (or substitute 1tbsp potato flakes and 2 tbsp water)
2/3 cups breadcrumbs or oats
1 small onion, minced
2 tbsp parsley
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1/8 cup ketchup (or bbq sauce is also good)
1/8 tsp black pepper
2 tsp ground mustard (spicy brown is also good)

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients by hand, making sure everything is evenly distributed.
2. Scoop up the mixture and roll into a huge ball.  Slap it down into a baking dish (I use my 5x7 most often but you could use your loaf pan as well).  Form the mixture into a loaf by squishing together the sides and then patting down the top.  Repeat this process until you have a loaf that is roughly as high as your baking dish, with rounded ends.
3. Take your ketchup (or bbq sauce) and make a nice zig-zag pattern across the top and sprinkle some parsley or chives on top.
4. Bake in a 350* oven for about an hour or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf is at or above 160.  Let it rest for a few minutes and then transfer to a serving plate.
5. Enjoy!  This should yield you about 8 to 10 slices, depending on how thick you cut it.

Just curious...

I posted a photo to a community that I have been a part of for three years.  It's a photography community where you take a photo every day and post it.  Three years I've been doing this and today is the first day anyone has ever said anything nasty... but my question is simple - what was the point?

I wonder if Mr. Ben Whitley suddenly felt joyful and elated with life because he said something hateful and cruel to a complete stranger.  It doesn't matter how you look at it, it's just pathetic and sad.  I feel sorry for Mr. Ben Whitley because it is apparent that he does not have enough good things in his life.  Initially I was shocked that someone whom I've never interacted with before would randomly pop up and say something like that, then I was sad because I was allowing it to hurt my feelings, and now I'm just wishing that Mr. Ben Whitley is able to find one good thing today to make him smile.

I'm guessing that wasn't his intention.  Oh well, wonder what was... just curious.

Tuesday Tunes

I've been singing this a lot this week... and crying along.

Motivational Monday

I think this is the perfect attitude and way to face a Monday, don't you?