Broken Bones, and Downton Abbey

Current afghan I'm working on for Bridge and Beyond.  Called Learning Logs.  Started it some time ago to learn how to use multiple colors/stands at the same time.  This was through a lesson I purchased on Crafty's.  The lessons were flawed, as was the pattern and through lots of complaints it was removed from Crafty's, along with the instructor.  However, I did actually learn how to slip stitch and use multiple colors.The pattern was 6 large blocks all with these different patterns and colors.  FAR too busy, I think for one afghan.  So, am adding to it in solids with some texture at the moment.  I may decide to add some additional color with stripes as it's grows; but will try to keep the center the busy part.

You see me wearing the boot in the afghan picture.........here's the reason why.  Fractured 5th Metatarsal Bone on Right Foot.  

Watching this, courtesy of a friend has helped pass the time while I sit with foot elevated.  Never had the chance to watch it when it was on, so have been enjoying her collection of the entire series.

Am so very tired of winter.  We've been wetter and colder than normal.  How are things for you all?

Cuisinart Food Spiralizer

 This is my new toy/Spiralizer.  I bought it at Cosco's for $15.00.  It's a 4 cup basically plastic model from Cuisinart.  A friend of mine had been talking about one she got that was a combination of Spiralizer and food processor.  It's nice and light weight.  Comes apart easily to be washed, see picture below.

There are 3 settings: Ribbon Slice, Thin Julienne, and Thick Julienne.  Thus far I've used both thin and thick Julienne.

My first go round was thin Julienne using both summer squash (yellow) and zucchini.  It was easy to use.  I used almost 2 Zucchini's and one summer squash.  Was not sure how much I needed for 2 people.  Also, was unsure how much it would shrink when cooked.  The pan is the top of my double boiler with nice holes.  I had my water hot and simply set the pan with Zucchini and Squash inside the larger pan with water and stirred a few times.  Basically I heated it through for about 1 minute...similar in texture to Angle Hair.

I had mushrooms, onion, cherry tomatoes and pine nuts at the ready.  Once I drained the squash, and the pan was still hot, I added the veggies and put the hot squash on top and stirred to warm the veggies.  Topped with grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh ground pepper.  It was pretty good, but I think more flavor is needed AND next time, I will saute the veggies.  Drizzled nice olive oil on top before adding the cheese.

My 2nd attempt, the following night is Thick Julienne Sweet Potatoes.  Look how pretty.  Used almost 2 whole potatoes which was more then needed for 2 people.

I used the same process of hot water and dipping the pain with holes into the water, but heated the sweat potatoes about 3 minutes, which was a nice aldente...the way we like our pasta.  I sauted onions, mushrooms, pine nuts, and handful of bacon bits.  Added the potatoes into the pan used to saute veggies and mixed them all together.  Drizzled with olive oil, and freshly grated Romano cheese.  The better cheese, the little bit of bacon both seemed to make the 2nd dish more tasty than the first.  

Served with salad and wine.  A definite repeat.  This is suppose to be a healthier alternative to eating lots of pasta.

The little brochure that came with the machine says the following can be Spiralized:

• Zucchini
• Summer Squash
• Radishes
• Beets
• Potato
• Sweet Potato
• Turnips
• Onions
• Firms pears
• Wide Carrots
• Apples
• Seedless Cucumbers

I'll be experimenting further with this new toy/tool/machine.  I think it will be particularly nice in summer when it's hot and you want to eat even lighter.

Counting Days til Spring

This is not my idea of a pretty day, I want Spring.  I basically start counting down for Spring almost as soon as fall hits.  I used to like fall, but now all it does is make me sad summer is over.  Fall is always too short and I know what follows......scenes like above.  BOO!!

Some people like snow, some think it’s pretty.  I did when I was younger.  I do think it’s ok to look out if you have to go no where and you can watch the kids next door or across the street making a snow man or something along those lines, but like it.......NOPE!!

Just thought I post the picture, as I reminder of what winter in Ohio looks like.  I know some who visit the blog are from the South and wonder about snow.

Winter is a good time to read, to knit, to crochet or do other indoor activities.  If you scroll back, you’ll see some of the projects in the works for me during my inside time.

Works in Progress - Project Bags

Some time back these stripes were donated to Bridge and Beyond.  They are crocheted and were intended as scarves.  However, they weren't really large enough to meet the needs of homeless that are served on Bridge and Beyond, so they were laid aside for awhile.  My daughter helped me design future afghans from these stripes.  As always, we name afghans that made from various peoples donations.  I like the blue, green and purple which made us think of mountains, and thus the name of Mountain Haze.  The stripes aren't all equal size, so will need some edging to make them all fit nicely together.  Then there will be a good size border to make the afghan a good size.

This  future afghan is called Orange Julius and comprised of both knitted and crocheted squares, and rectangles.  Like the stripes above in Mountain Haze, they are not the same size and will be fitted together after edged.  It too is resting in one of the project bags below with the necessary yarn and crochet hook.  I've packed these 3 projects bags in hopes of completing these 3 projects soon. 

How many projects and or projects bags do you keep at the ready?  The green and brown are more stripes which were intended to be scarves, but weren't large enough.  People mean well, but sometimes they donate items without reviewing the requirements and guidelines.  In order to be sure the donations get used, I try to be creative.  We've titled this one Rolling Hills. 

And below is an afghan I've started knitting after raiding my stash.  I found burgundy, gray, teal that you see below, but also have orange, lavender, and gold that are the same type and weight of yarn.  I'm calling this one Eclectic Afghan...unless someone can come up with a better name. 

My idea for the new year, 2018, is to have a project bag for each day of the week.  But, I've not yet gotten there.  I thought by having a bag a day (7 project bags), I could have both large and small projects, some knitted and some crocheted to constantly be making progress.  That might keep things moving along vs trying to work on a large project, then starting others and having too many things laying around without reasonable progress.  We'll see how it goes.  I hope with having small projects that be worked on without being home and larger items for home, we'll make progress.

A YEAR in Review

Today is January 1, 2018.  Happy New Year to you all.  We stayed in last night, had a good dinner, then popped the cork at 12 mn, watched a bit more tv as we were enjoying the bubbly and called it a night.  I hope if you were out and about you were safe and warm.

That's the last completed projected, emphasis on the word completed for the year 2017.  This knitted afghan wasn't yet laundered or blocked in this picture, thus it's not laying out super nicely.  Once blocked it will be added to the donations for the homeless through my blog, Bridge and Beyond.

This afghan was completed just prior to the one above.  Was pushing hard at the end of the year to get them done.  The center pink was a small square someone had donated to Bridge and Beyond, and I added to it, to make an afghan.  It too was laundered, blocked, and donated.

This was a cute ferry garden we saw while traveling in Ireland in the fall.  The trip truly being a highlight of the year.

You can talked about Ireland and Scotland without thinking about Castles!  WOW and then some.  I've posted some, and will continue to post about Ireland and Scotland on my travel blog, Traveling Suitcase.  Please enjoy traveling virtually with me.

In some respects this has been a good year, I traveled to Ireland and Scotland, as mentioned above.  I returned to a favorite spot, Hilton Head and Park City in Utah for vacations both with hubby, daughter, and girl friends on different trips.  I love to travel.  But, it's also been a difficult year.  I've lost a cousin rather suddenly that took me by shock.  Somehow we all think we have endless time and can do tomorrow, or call someone tomorrow.  Just isn't always the case.

Politically, I am extremely dishearten by the person occupying the White House when he's not playing golf at one of his private clubs and charging The American Public for it.  

I hope 2018 holds some improvements for people suffering from illness.

And tomorrow, will be another day, January 2, 2018

Hope you noticed a new badge I added to this blog to join a blog linky party that focuses on yarn!  Oh lovely yarn.  Check out the badge upper left, Ginx Craft.