Destash continues, I hope

I recently posted more photos from knitting I've done this spring and summer.  It's too hot to be knitting prayer shawls, but I have been knitting dishcloths and little purple hats for Cook Children's in Fort Worth.  The hats are to be reminders for new parents about The Period of Purple Crying:  http://www.purplecrying.info

Home Again

We (my friend Bonnie and I) just completed a 3 week (4/18/12 to 5/8/12) trip out West. We started in Texas, and drove west to San Diego (via Albuquerque and Grand Canyon), then north to Portland, OR, then east (through Idaho and Montana) to Yellowstone National Park. Snow prevented us from driving directly from Yellowstone to Teton National Park, so we spent the night in Jackson WY. After viewing the majesty of the Tetons, we went to Pocatello ID, then Salt Lake City, then home by way of Colorado. It was a great trip and we are planning the next one for 2013! Photos will be posted soon. Thanks to all my email and FB friends who allowed me to post photos of our trip.

Destash Challenge Update

Finished another prayer shawl. But I bought more yarn (on sale) at Tuesday Morning. Now I really have enough for 2012! Thanks to 2 completed prayer shawls this year, I am still on the positive side.

Destash Challenge Update

I finished the prayer shawl last night. I used a Boucle yarn (2 strands) and it is wonderfully soft. (photo below) I started on a new shawl in a new (to me) pattern: Row 1 knit, Row 2 & 4, purl, and Row 3 K2to, yo. Happy to report that, despite recent purchases of yarn for prayer shawls, I am now in the "positive" on the destash challenge, meaning I have used more yarn than I have purchased. Now if I could only say that for my material stash!

Destash Challenge

I joined the Destash Challenge at http://thespringmount6pack.com/2012-destash-challenge/

So far, I have completed 4 dishcloths and have vowed not to buy any more cotton yarn until I have used up my current supply. Photos are posted under Knit/ Crochet.

I did purchase more yarn . . . that sort of goes against the whole idea of the challenge. I rationalized it because [1] Yarn was on sale at Michael's at 3 / $10, instead of the normal $5 -6 per skein and [2] the yarn is designated for a particular project (Prayer Shawls). I now have enough yarn that I probably won't need to buy any more this year (at least that's my plan).

I am also planning to make some more Fishy Hats. http://www.deadfishhat.com/ I made one for my grandson and now am planning to make some for the Bazaar and maybe also for Cook Children's Hospital. That is a good use of left over yarn.

New Year's Resolution

Last Wednesday, 1/25/2012, I joined the Stitchers at Cook Children's Medical Center. I stitched "procedure pillows" which are small (8x11 inch) pillows of brightly colored material. The children get to pick their favorite and stuff it themselves. I was happy to have sewn about 20 of them and, thus, met my goal for the day: to leave with less material than I arrived with. Oh happy day!

Then, on the way home, I stopped to visit a woman who was a caregiver to one of my hospice patients. She was in the process of going through the couple's belongings and grouping what would go home with her, what would go to the garage sale and what would be thrown away. When she found out I was a sewer, I came home with 3 more tubs of material. Hmmm. So much for the plan of the day. I did go through all the material and sort it by color (lights in one tub, darks in another). I went through the tubs of material in the garage and put together a box of material for the women who make neck pillows for the servicemen and servicewomen who come through DFW airport.

The next day, I took my box of material to my Curves in Hurst, only to find out that the women are no longer making neck pillows. One of my fellow Curves members rescued me from taking the box of material home. She said she would take it to her church, as there are women there who quilt. Thank you quilting ladies!

New Year's Resolution

My New Year's resolution is to use up some of the yarn and material I keep stashing away. To that goal, I have joined the 2012 Destash Challenge at http://thespringmount6pack.com/2012-destash-challenge/
I hope this will keep me on track to USE more material and yarn than I BUY or acquire through donations. I am already behind for the year, but hope to make amends for the material I recently acquired.

How to make a neck cooler

It's the end of September, and 100 degree days are behind us, but . . . just to get ready for next summer, here is a link to the site that taught me how to make neck coolers. It's a good use for scraps of material and it really does help to keep you cooler in the heat of the summer. We tried them out at a Rangers game in July with the temperature over 100 at 7 pm. Neck Cooler Directions

Granola Bars

This recipe came from the All Recipes website as Granola Bars III
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/granola-bars-iii/detail.aspx

I have adjusted the original recipe as follows:

Place parchment paper into 9 x 13 inch baking pan
(I do not spray the parchment paper)

In a large bowl, stir together:
2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup raisins (or cherries or other dried fruit)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 to 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

In a smaller bowl, thoroughly blend:
1/4 cup applesauce, no sugar added
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract

Pour applesauce-oil-honey-egg mixture into flour mixture and mix by hand until the liquid is evenly distributed.
Press evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes at 350. Look for edges to be golden.
Cool completely in pan before turning out on cutting board and cutting into bars.
9/14/11 Ran short on the honey and added about 2 Tbsp molasses to the honey to equal 1/2 cup total.

What to do when temperatures are over 100 degrees

What to do when it is so hot?  From 2 separate blogs, the answer is . .. bake cookies in your car.
Meringues

Chocolate chip cookies

September 11

10 years ago, I was getting ready for work when I heard that a "small plane" had hit the World Trade tower. I turned on the TV in the back bedroom in time to see the 2nd plane hit the tower. "That's no accident," I thought, but had no idea at the time just what was going on . . . much like you all. As I went through my day of visits to hospice patients, I saw the same news reports repeated over and over. It seemed like there was no respite from the horror. By early afternoon, I remember feeling just overwhelmed and wanted to go somewhere quiet to gather my thoughts. I went to my church, only to find the doors locked. (I guess they had closed the office and sent everyone home.)  I went to a nearby church, St Vincent's (in Bedford TX) and found several other people in the sanctuary, probably for the same reasons. We didn't speak, but nodded to each other in sad acknowledgment. After a few minutes, I left and went on to finish the rest of my visits. On every September 11th, I think of the people who died . . . the people who were just going about their every day lives and the rescue workers who made the ultimate sacrifice to help others. I especially think of my nursing school classmate, Jean Hoadley Peterson, who was on United flight 93. We must never forget.

How many different colors of green felt are there?

My current project is a Christmas tree skirt, from Simplicity 2488.  The tree skirt is a dark green (seemed like a good idea when I purchased the material).  I am now to the part where I have to cut out 4 trees, to be appliqued on the tree skirt.  Good news:  I found some dark green felt in my "stash"  that actually looks good against the dark green material.  Bad news:  I have enough for 3 trees out of one color and 2 trees from another piece of green felt.  No problem . . . I'll just take both pieces of felt to Joann's and get a matching piece.  HA! HA! HA!.  My old "kelly green" is nowhere near the new "kelly green."  Sigh.  So while I am at Joann's, trying to match colors, I buy 2 pieces each of Kelly Green, Apple Green, and Pirate Green.  (What is Pirate Green? I didn't know Pirates had an interest in greens.)  I am determined to get this right on the first trip to Joann's.  I did learn a lesson, when I tried to match navy blue bias binding (from years ago) with current dye lots.  Doesn't work.  Maybe this is a conspiracy to sell more sewing notions?  I'll have to investigate that, just as soon as I finish this Christmas tree skirt.

Dottie's Oatmeal Cookies

These are the legendary cookies that Dottie Fulbright used to make.  "They are the best!" according to my granddaughters.
Note:  due to my grandson's peanut allergy, I omitted the pecans and added chocolate chips.

Beat until creamy:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar

Add
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Beat well.
Combine and add to butter mixture
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix well
Stir in:
3 cups oatmeal
1 cup raisins
1 cup pecans

Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet.  Use parchment paper to make it easy to take cookies off sheet.
Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes.  Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet.  Move to rack to cool.  Store in airtight container.

Note:  When you leave them cooling on the cookie sheet, they continue to cook a little.  When I took them out of the oven, they were not as brown as I thought they should be, but by the time I removed them from cookie sheet, they were golden brown.  So, don't over-cook them in the oven.

Pineapple Peach Dump Cake

An easy dessert for a pot luck meal.  I have made it twice.  First time I used fresh peaches, the second time I used canned peaches.  The first time it was very moist; the second time there were a few pockets of cake mix that didn't get any fruit juice on them, but that may have been because I didn't use enough peaches.

I don't know who gave me this recipe.  It was written on a scrap of paper, so probably someone at a pot luck meal gave me the recipe.

It would be good with other fruits.  If you don't use the crushed pineapple in the bottom, you would need to add some water or juice (see the cake mix box for amount of water needed).

In a 13 x 9 inch cake pan, layer:

Large can crushed pineapple

Layer of canned sliced peaches (no syrup)
Dry white or yellow cake mix
Another layer peaches
sprinkle brown sugar
scatter raisins
1 stick butter sliced

Layer each without mixing

Bake for 1 hour at 350.

Note:  don't be stingy with the peaches.  You will need several cans of them.  They should be almost touching each other.

Pet Peeve

Today's Pet Peeve is the incorrect use of the apostrophe.  You know, that little mark that goes between the "n" and the "t" in the word "don't" or "can't" or wouldn't" . . . . In the past 5 years, it seems, the apostrophes of the world have multiplied and now show up every time there is an "s" at the end of a word.  Today's rant was brought on by the brochure from Performing Arts Fort Worth, Inc.  This is the organization that presents musicals and plays at the Bass Hall in Fort Worth, Texas.   Several of the shows were listed as "Subcriber Add-On's!"  If you had an English Teacher in 7th and 8th grade like my teacher, Miss Dibert, you would have immediately recognized the error.  A word should be followed by an apostrophe + s, if it is possessive (the boy's dog) or a contraction (it's hot  = it is hot).
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/621/01/   This is a resource from Purdue University.
My favorite resource is http://www.apostrophe.org.uk/   The Apostrophe Protection Society.

My second pet peeve is the common response from a waiter / waitress :  "No problem."  The correct response usually would be "You're welcome."   But that's a rant for another day.

A Prayer for Rain

Almighty God, we are in need of rain. We realize now, looking up into the clear, blue sky above, what a marvel even the least drop of rain really is. To think that so much water can fall out of the sky, which now is empty and clear! We place our trust in You. We are sure that You know our needs, but You want us to ask You anyway, to show You that we know we are dependent on You. Look on our dry hills and fields, dear God, and bless them with the living blessing of soft rain.  Then the land will rejoice and the rivers will sing Your praises and the hearts of men will be glad. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN.

She who has the most material . . .

Today, I spent most of the day at the VITAS office, helping to sort through all the craft items/ thread / material, etc., which belonged to a patient, C.D.   Sigh.  It reminds me of all the material I have in my "stash" and makes me wonder what my family will say when they have to clean it out after I die.  After sorting through 10 big tubs of craft items / material and taking out what the "Quilting Ladies" can use, there was still a lot of material left.  My rational for keeping some of it, is that I can make vests or wall hangings out of the panels and they can be sold at the Bazaar in October.  Most of the material (that is not going to the "Quilting Ladies") will be donated to the Bazaar Workshop.  But . . . there were a few items that I just had to have:   Sunflower material and a few Christmas prints.  By the time I finished, I felt like C.D. and I were friends.  So stay tuned for photos of Halloween vests and Christmas wall hangings and Christmas ornaments.

I did find a quilt that she had started; it was beautiful.  I left it (and several other items that I thought her family would want) with a note for her daughter in law.  I hope they will have it quilted and finished; it would be quite a keepsake for C.D.'s family.

I also have a new Memory Bear project:  to sew 3 bears out of a cotton blanket with the Footprints poem.  I am not sure how I am going to cut out the bears from it.  I looked at it tonight and am still thinking about how to lay out the pattern pieces.  More later.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches (without the Sweet Potato Fries)

Tina at Mommy's Kitchen has shared her menu planning for the month.  What a concept!  Planning ahead, instead of looking at  the pantry and wondering what combination of ingredients might just work?  One of the recipes she listed was Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Sweet Potato Fries.  I went on a search for this recipe and found it at http://sassandveracity.com/2009/04/21/crock-pot-pulled-pork-and-sweet-potato-fries/  Since I could single handedly eat all the sweet potato fries and I don't want to count the points for them, I didn't make them.  I did make the pulled pork in the crockpot, and if you are all out of Coriander, it will be OK.  Very delicious, along with the slaw.  I have a lot of pork left over and very little slaw.  If I made this for more than 2 people, I would make a lot more slaw.  John had several servings, so I think this one was a hit.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Sweet Potato Fries

5 lbs. pork shoulder roast
1 lg. white onion, sliced

For the rub…
1 tsp. fennel seed
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground corriander
1 T smoked paprika
1-1/2 tsp. chili powder
1-1/2 tsp. onion powder
1-1/2 tsp. sea salt

For the braise…
1 can mango apricot nectar (14.5 oz)  (I could only find apricot nectar, and was lucky to find it)
About 1 c. water

Rubbed Pork and Onions Slow Cooker

Mix the dry ingredients and rub over all surfaces of the pork. 
Divide the sliced onions in half and place one half on the bottom of the crock pot, place the meat over the top, then spread the remaining half of onions over the top. 
Pour the mango apricot nectar over all, and add about 1/2 can of water. 
Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on high for about 5 hours. 
(Judy's note:  I cooked it on low for about 9 hours)
Lift meat from the broth and set on a platter. 
Scoop out the onions and add them to the pork. 
Using a couple of forks, pull apart the pieces of pork, removing any bones.
Taste and correct seasoning.  (Not sure what this means; seasoning tasted fine to us-- jg)

Slow Cooked Pork Pulled Pork

For the slaw…
3-4 sliced radishes
2 c. sliced green cabbage
1/4 sliced red onion
1/2 head radicchio, sliced
1/4 c. cilantro, chopped
3-4 bottled peppers, sliced (like pepperoncini)
2-3 T red or white wine vinegar
sprinkle of salt

About 1 hour before serving, mix all ingredients in a large bowl, cover and let sit at room temperature. 
Toss occasionally.  (I made it several hours before supper and put it in the refrigerator -- jg)

For the corn…

Shave the kernels off two cobs of fresh sweet corn.  Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat until very warm and pour in the kernels.  Heat, stirring only occasionally to allow the corn to begin to brown.  Add seasoning, and a few pinches of chopped cilantro and some sliced green onions.  A squirt of fresh lime juice finishes it.  Remove from heat.

To make the sandwiches…

Partially split some crusty sandwich rolls and fill with the pork mixture.  Add some of the slaw and top with a sprinkle of the skillet corn.  Season with salt and pepper and dig in.

To make the sweet potato fries…
(Didn't make them, but they sound yummy!-- jg)
While the pork is in the crock pot, place 2-3 whole sweet potatoes in a pot of water to cover.  Bring to a boil and cook for10  minutes, then remove from the water to let cool. 
After you’re finished making the slaw and corn above, peel the cooled potatoes and slice into 1/4″ sticks.  Heat a deep narrow pot with vegetable oil.  Using a thermometer to keep an eye on the heat, allow the oil to heat to 325 degrees F.  Working in batches, carefully lower the sticks into the hot oil.  Let fry about 3 to 4  minutes then remove to a platter covered with paper towels.  Repeat until all the sticks are cooked.  Allow to sit for at least 10-15 minutes.  Bring the oil back up to 375 degrees F for the second fry. Cook in batches until just beginning to brown.  Drain on a fresh set of paper towels and sprinkle with some season salt, or any seasoning of your choice.

Notes:

    The pork has nice flavor.  It’s lightly sweet, but nothing like something smothered in barbeque sauce.  Don’t get me wrong.  I enjoy that once every blue moon, but prefer to taste the meat more than the sauce.  I know we just had these a couple of months ago, so this is somewhat of a record!
    I used two smaller pork shoulder roasts, each about 2-1/2 lbs. each.  They pack the crock pot so there’s not much room for liquid.  Speaking of liquid, I’d leave out the water and just go with the juice.
    If I’d thought about this longer than I did, I’d have left the rub on over night before cooking.
    The slaw just needs to be something you enjoy.  Whether it’s the vegetables or a type of sauce, play around with it.  I like a light, tart taste, so this was perfect.  I love the corn in the mix.  I love the corn period.  It’s so easy to make, and like the slaw, you can do what you want to it.  The most important aspect is to let it sit to begin to caramelize.  Garlic is good mixed in, any kind of onion, different herbs.  And if you don’t have fresh corn, then frozen works fine, but thaw it out first and make sure it’s well drained before it goes in the pan.
    Okay, so those sweet potatoes….Oh.  My.  The flavor is amazing.  We couldn’t get them crispy crunchy like the last batch of regular fries we made, but we’re hooked and ready to experiment.  I’m wondering about slicing rounds to get them thinner.  That just might work.  And I definitely know the oven is a possibility, but remember that if your oil is the right temperature, the fries won’t be greasy.
    This is one of the more inexpensive dinners we’ve had lately and it’s going to get even cheaper…
    We have tons of pork left over so I’m going to experiment with another sandwich.  Maybe a take on a Cubano.  Have you had one before?

Tagged as: corn, crock pot, great party recipes, pulled pork sandwiches, skillet, slaw, slow cooker, super bowl recipes, sweet potatoes
http://sassandveracity.com/2009/04/21/crock-pot-pulled-pork-and-sweet-potato-fries/

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks, who are now NBA Champions!  They have taught us that [1] the game is not over until the buzzer sounds, [2] to never give up, even when things are not going your way, [3] being part of a TEAM is how you win Championships.  The Governor of Ohio has declared that the Dallas Mavericks are "Honorary Ohioans." http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/basketball/nba/06/13/ohio.governor.ap/index.html?xid=si_topstories

Baby Quilt

The baby quilt is done!  I am so glad to have finished it ahead of schedule.  Now I can move on to other things, like Easter dress, First Communion dress.