I needed a goal for 2011 and decided to pass up the normal resolutions like lose weight or eat healthier. Already started on my list of things to do before we leave Alabama, I decided to use my new love of PaperBack Swap as the jumping off point for my goal/resolution: 50 books in 2011.
I know a lot of people have their goal set at 100 books or even 75. But seeing as there are only 52 weeks in a year I knew that both those would be completely out of reach for me. I wanted this to be fun, and attainable. So 50 it is. I think the biggest challenge will be getting/finding enough books; 'ordering' books from PaperBack Swap usually takes a little longer than just picking some up at your local B&N.
So let me begin my list of 50 books in 2011...
1. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
This book had me hooked from the start. It began a little slowly and I was looking for a more action but as the plot began to speed up I was wanting to pump the breaks (in a good way!). This one will make you giggle, cry and, most of all, appreciate the people in your life who love you. Oh, and if you don't knit already you'll want to go out a grab a pair of needles before even cracking this one open!
Reading Now: Mr. Maybe by Jane Green
Monday, January 17
Wednesday, January 12
handmade christmas: part III
First post of the new year...I can't believe we're almost halfway through January already. I've spent the past 2 weeks in serious wedding-mode trying to get things checked off. We went dress shopping in Louisiana, then booked our venue, caterer and coordinator!
I've also been busy getting a few last minute things together to send to my sister and brother-in-law who are expecting their first baby in February.
In my last two posts, I showed you the beginning of my hand-made Christmas gifts here and here, but I also made these adorable booties for the infamous future-niece....
I've also been busy getting a few last minute things together to send to my sister and brother-in-law who are expecting their first baby in February.
In my last two posts, I showed you the beginning of my hand-made Christmas gifts here and here, but I also made these adorable booties for the infamous future-niece....
Also handmade this Christmas - cards! We didn't have a picture that we wanted to use to order cards and I also didn't like the idea of spending a bunch of money on them. So, since I recently learned to emboss, we had handmade cards instead. Here are a few of my favorites:
Monday, December 27
handmade christmas: part II
One of my goals was to learn to crochet. After watching a few youtube videos and scouring the photos in my two crochet books I finally figured out a few easy stitches.
I practiced just a tiny bit before jumping into my first project. I couldn't find a pattern on Ravelry which I loved that was also easy enough for me to complete - so I did what I'm sure you're not supposed to do when you begin to crochet: I made up my own.
In fact, I made up my pattern as I went and repeated it in different colors. It was fairly simple - but I will admit it took me FOREVER. I give you, my future-niece's baby blanket:
I practiced just a tiny bit before jumping into my first project. I couldn't find a pattern on Ravelry which I loved that was also easy enough for me to complete - so I did what I'm sure you're not supposed to do when you begin to crochet: I made up my own.
In fact, I made up my pattern as I went and repeated it in different colors. It was fairly simple - but I will admit it took me FOREVER. I give you, my future-niece's baby blanket:
Sunday, December 26
handmade christmas: part I
Anyone else busy this past month?! I know I was! Mostly busy crafting that is...
The kick start to my -partially- handmade Christmas was the ornament exchange on The Nest craft boards during the month of November. I had never made an ornament before (okay, unless we're talking handprint ornaments in kindergarten) so I started with some Google research. I found a ton of cute felt ornaments and decided on these since I could easily stay within the exchange's $5 limit. I designed my own snowmen ornaments and here's the result:
The kick start to my -partially- handmade Christmas was the ornament exchange on The Nest craft boards during the month of November. I had never made an ornament before (okay, unless we're talking handprint ornaments in kindergarten) so I started with some Google research. I found a ton of cute felt ornaments and decided on these since I could easily stay within the exchange's $5 limit. I designed my own snowmen ornaments and here's the result:
Sunday, November 21
j's birthday sushi cake
J's birthday was fast approaching, and I had my eye on fun cakes that were made to look like sushi platters. Since working with fondant (and making my own) was on my goal list I figured this was the best time to try it out.
It wasn't perfect, getting the fondant smooth over my cake was the toughest part. I made a 6 inch, 2 layer Hershey's Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. The Hershey's recipe is the one from the back of the cocoa container and it's always been my favorite. As always, I made the cake (and frosted it) the day before because day old cake is 100 times better than fresh cake.
It wasn't perfect, getting the fondant smooth over my cake was the toughest part. I made a 6 inch, 2 layer Hershey's Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. The Hershey's recipe is the one from the back of the cocoa container and it's always been my favorite. As always, I made the cake (and frosted it) the day before because day old cake is 100 times better than fresh cake.
Thursday, November 4
baking, cooking & crafting list
I recently saw a few blogs where people were keeping track of their lists of things to do before a certain time or a certain age etc. I decided to start a list of things to complete before we leave Alabama...I'll keep this list updated (and probably add to it) as I go along. All suggestions are welcome!
Baking:
Croissants - Nancy Silverton's Breads From the La Brea Bakery (or from Flour)
Doughnuts - Allrecipes
Cake w/Fondant - Allrecipes 11/19 birthday sushi cake
Homemade Naan - Allrecipes
Cooking:
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Popcorn Balls
Curry Chicken
Homemade Udon
Sushi
Sewing:
Baby Booties - like the baby snugg boots 12/19 booties for my future niece
New apron for me
Fleece baby jacket
Dog Jackets for Mac & Zoe
Yarn:
Other Crafts:
Learn to emboss (heat) 11/14 made anniversary & birthday cards
Ornaments 11/7 felt ornaments for exchange & family
All suggestions are welcome!
Updated 1/12/2011
Baking:
Croissants - Nancy Silverton's Breads From the La Brea Bakery (or from Flour)
Doughnuts - Allrecipes
Cake w/Fondant - Allrecipes 11/19 birthday sushi cake
Homemade Naan - Allrecipes
Cooking:
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Popcorn Balls
Curry Chicken
Homemade Udon
Sushi
Sewing:
Baby Booties - like the baby snugg boots 12/19 booties for my future niece
New apron for me
Fleece baby jacket
Dog Jackets for Mac & Zoe
Yarn:
Learn to crochet 11/10 thanks to youtube!
Knit or crochet baby blanket 12/19 baby blanket for my future niece
Knit or crochet baby hat 12/24 newborn baby hat
Crochet something out of 'plarn' 12/27 started plarn market bagOther Crafts:
Learn to emboss (heat) 11/14 made anniversary & birthday cards
Ornaments 11/7 felt ornaments for exchange & family
All suggestions are welcome!
Updated 1/12/2011
my grandfather's chili with a twist
My grandfather on my dad's side outlived my grandmother for almost 20 years, and took care of her for many years before that. So unlike most men in their 80's & 90's he was great in the kitchen (if only my own father had inherited some of those skills!). I have since adapted his chili recipe to my own taste, but it still smells like Grandpa's!
Grandpa's Chili with a Twist
1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes*
1 (15oz) can dark red kidney beans
1 (15oz) can light red kidney beans
2/3 cup preferred salsa*
2 tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
1. In large sauce pan over medium heat, combine ground beef and onion and saute until meat is brown and onion is tender, about 10 mins.
2. Stir in garlic**, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, salsa, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 1-2 hours.
Serve warm with cheddar cheese on top & a side of corn bread!
*You can use diced, stewed or crushed tomatoes.
**I always make my garlic into a paste so there aren't any chunks. Here's how it's done:
First, mince garlic & sprinkle with salt (large grain salt preferred). Second, let garlic and salt sit for a few minutes, then use a wide blade knife to smash garlic into a paste.
I use this recipe from Allrecipes: Golden Sweet Cornbread
Grandpa's Chili with a Twist
1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes*
1 (15oz) can dark red kidney beans
1 (15oz) can light red kidney beans
2/3 cup preferred salsa*
2 tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
1. In large sauce pan over medium heat, combine ground beef and onion and saute until meat is brown and onion is tender, about 10 mins.
2. Stir in garlic**, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, salsa, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 1-2 hours.
Serve warm with cheddar cheese on top & a side of corn bread!
*You can use diced, stewed or crushed tomatoes.
**I always make my garlic into a paste so there aren't any chunks. Here's how it's done:
First, mince garlic & sprinkle with salt (large grain salt preferred). Second, let garlic and salt sit for a few minutes, then use a wide blade knife to smash garlic into a paste.
I use this recipe from Allrecipes: Golden Sweet Cornbread
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