Full Blue Moon

Have you heard yet? This year the New Year's Eve will be blessed with a great big Full Blue Moon. A freak of distorted light? A figment of excessive imbibing? No it actually just means it is the second full moon in the same month. But it is still a special way to begin the year. Should we dub this the year of the blue moon? I can see t-shirt sales now...

Week 33 of the Recipe Challenge

Since my daughter and grandkids are still here it was impossible to get into the dining room for our traditional Christmas Eve Dinner. This is the table that is usually laden with homemade goodies. So my daughter went over to my son's house and cooked for us all there. I made my homemade Pumpkin Pie. I can at least eat the filling on this. Everything smelled and looked wonderful. I had to settle for jellied cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes with pie for desert. I am sure that was all I needed but next year will be different! At any rate here is a photo of the pie.

More Crocheted Christmas Bookmarks

I just finished these last bookmarks. They have been sitting waiting for the beads for some time now. I was working on the slippers as gifts so whenever someone would walk in the room I would switch to these bookmarks as a cover. The beads are a prettier red than shows up in this photo. But you can get the idea. These are also from Suzies. Isn't she talented? I think my hair elastic was a little larger than she called for in the pattern so I added more stitches on the second one to fill it in better.

Crocheted Slippers by Christmas

These slippers were an easy pattern once I got going on them. One pair for my daughter and the other for my granddaughter. I got them done with 2 hours to spare! Whew! Not easy to work on with them staying with me and still be a surprise.

Week 32 of the Recipe Challenge

I know I should be sharing my favorite Christmas Cookie recipe or maybe the cake I always bake. So many wonderful things that I always make this time of year. But not this year. I guess maybe the Grinch did steal Christmas after all. At least the baked part. I am still recovering from the last oral surgery and am on a soft diet so not motivated to bake. Add in the turmoil of family staying with me and still dealing with the repairs from the fire, it just isn't happening this year. While I am not pleased I am trying not to stress over it. And bless his heart my son brought me a box of See's Chocolates, (soft ones) which is definitely helping!!!

Wishing one and all a Blessed Christmas, with or without homemade goodies.

Christmas Bookmarks

These are some of the bookmarks I have been crocheting. The patterns are from suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com .

I just love them and her instructions are easy to follow. The poinsettia seemed too plain (on the left), so I simply added another round of petals (on the right). I guess it makes a difference if you have your flower in the book or hanging out the top as to how thick you would want the flower to be.

Week 31 of the Recipe Challenge

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Warm from the oven. What better way to start your morning? Especially on a foggy day! With the help of a bread machine to do all the work who can resist?

Carol was here

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Week 30 of the Recipe Challenge

Tuna Noodle Casserole is one of those standbys you can throw together and most people like. I like to add crushed Frosted Flakes to the top of mine before baking. The nice thing is that it is good reheated when no one shows up to eat after you cooked!

Full Long Night's Moon

A full moon tonight for those who can see it. I guess the name is pretty self explanatory. It has been quite blustery here today with lots of clouds so not easy to see. Besides I choose to stay inside and crochet!

Week 29 of the Recipe Challenge

Confession time. I actually made these before my surgery but saved this for now. And why not? I bought this candy mold months ago and just finally found an afternoon to try it out. Yes it is a candy mold that you put some melted chocolate into. The hearts can be 'painted' with colored candy melts first but I was short on time and it isn't any where near Valentine's Day! But I digress. After putting in the chocolate and tapping the mold to release air bubbles and settle the chocolate you place one sandwich cookie in each mold. I used Oreos and maybe a tad bit too much chocolate but really, can you have too much chocolate?

Into the freezer they go to set up for a few minutes before popping them out on the wax paper. This photo I thought to get showing before and after. These were by the way a hit with the grandkids although both admitted that one was plenty of chocolate at a time! Can you imagine those words coming out of a kid's mouth? Yeah, I know 18 and 19 are big kids but still!

This was fun and an easy treat. I made 2 dozen with one bag of Wilton's Chocolate Melts but as you could tell I was probably a tad bit generous with the chocolate and will probably get more next time.

Crocheted Christmas Ornaments

As I tapered off the pain killers from my latest surgery I began work on these ornaments. I intended to tat over them but my mind was too blurry and I had to fall back on crochet. Even then I had to rewrite the pattern as it was for the larger glass balls and what I had sitting on the shelf were the smaller ones. I had one box each of red, green and silver so I decided to mix them up to make sets. The last set is half done and then I need to type up that pattern before I forget.

Week 28 of the Recipe Challenge

This week I tried this super easy recipe called Catalina Chicken from "The Lazy Cook". It was OK but nothing outstanding; though pouring Catalina Dressing over chicken tenders and baking is definitely an easy dinner entree.

What's been happening

To find out what has been happening check out my other blog:

silver by fire

Week 27 of the Recipe Challenge

Farmhouse Barbeque Muffins were on this week's menu. This is one my granddaughter enjoys and are just as good popped in the microwave to reheat. I knew I would be getting home late so cooked up the meat mixture earlier in the day and left it in the refrigerator to spoon into the biscuits, top with cheese and bake. Very easy!

Week 26 of the Recipe Challenge

This Mushroom Pot Roast is easy but makes a great sauce like gravy with mushrooms. It was a nice midweek offering that brought the entire family plus friends home.

Full Hunter's Moon

Tonight's full moon was beautiful and known as a Full Hunter's Moon. I guess that doesn't need any explanation. Here it is a beautiful evening out and we had dinner with friend's so a terrific way to enjoy it.

Brought back memories of years back enjoying a feast at a hunter's cabin under a full moon. The best food, wine and pastries seated at tables under a full moon in northern California. Wonderful.

Week 25 of the Recipe Challenge

This is a photo of the Bee Sting Buns that I made Friday morning. Friday was nice and chilly!!! So the perfect day to have warm from the oven buns for breakfast. This was a recipe I got from my crochet group. They are delicious! The perfect balance of cream cheese and sweet! My only complaint is that they overflowed onto the oven and now I will have to clean my oven. I have never had a self cleaning oven before as my wonderful totally awesome late husband always did that for me! Can you believe it? I was extremely careful not to spill things so he did not have to do so often and even more so after his death. Which is why I bought a self-cleaning model when I had to replace it this past year. So that will be my next adventure. And soon, as we are out of cookies!

Halloween Sweaters

I finished the dog's Halloween sweaters. The Chihuahua needs sweaters to go outside in the colder weather. My Schatten has a thin coat from the hot weather and being inside but he would probably survive, however these two get so jealous that I had to make him one. He actually behaved while I put it on him, which shows just how jealous he gets! My granddaughter says she will help me get photos of them together with their sweaters on but they both move so fast that I have grave doubts about that actually happening. So I went ahead and took separate photos just in case we don't get any good ones when she gets off work tonight.

Week 24 of the Recipe Challenge

Crock Pot Chicken is not a very descriptive name for this dish but it is a good one and of course you can't beat any meal that comes out of a crock pot for convenience! This recipe has a layer of dried beef on the bottom and the chicken breasts are wrapped in bacon so not for the vegetarian! The sauce is canned soup with sour cream so no telling what levels it will take your blood pressure to. Needless to say this is an older recipe before I started thinking much about such things. I guess that is why it is not a regular but rather a splurge.

Ghost Cookies

GHOST COOKIES! They may not be glamorous to behold but they are so very good to eat. I don't know if any of my kids or grandkids have even brought friends over to try these because that would mean sharing. The recipe only makes about three dozen and there are...wait a minute, I don't believe I've been getting my full share! This year I have agreed to make more than one batch. Not sure I can find the time to make the four batches they have requested though.

Week 23 of the Recipe Challenge

They're coming........

That's right. It is that time of year when I make my famous Ghost Cookies! My family waits eagerly for the arrival checking daily.

Now these are really just frosted sugar cookies some would say but my family will shake their heads knowingly. These have to be made from a particular recipe by scratch and use particular brands of ingredients. But the most important secret of them all is the cookie cutter. It must be a particular cutter or it changes how they taste. I don't know how or why but my family swears it makes a difference.

What worries me this year is I have a new oven. And I am still adjusting my recipes to accommodate the difference. Fortunately they will eat any mistakes and forgive me as long as I eventually get it right!

So keep checking back as I will do my best to get some photos before they disappear!

World Bread Day

Tomorrow is World Bread Day. So I am hoping I can finish my errands early enough tomorrow to bake some bread. I have several favorites so will have to think about which one I want. What would you bake?

Week 22 of the Recipe Challenge

Goulash and green beans were on the menu this week. My family loves the leftovers so I make a big batch of goulash. These are not written down recipes just the kind you sort of throw together based on something you've had or seen or heard about and adjust to whatever you have on hand at the time. Everyone has their own version of goulash and mine is very bland.

The green beans I cut up some bacon and put into the liquid from the beans and heat until the bacon is cooked. Then add the beans and heat them. Drain the liquid to serve and then sometimes I add a dollop of butter and crush saltines over it. Tonight I just sprinkled on some sliced almonds. Just a quick and easy family night dish.

Week 21 of the Recipe Challenge

This week I made this Green Bean - Red Potato Salad. So good. A favorite with my grand kids who are here.

Full Harvest Moon

Two years out of three the Harvest Moon is in September. This year it comes in October, due to it's proximity to the autumnal equinox and traditionally giving farmers enough light to work by harvesting crops.

With all the thunderstorms we have been having lately I am not sure we will get a good view of it on the 4th when it is full. But the cooler weather more than makes up for that.

Week 20 of the Recipe Challenge

After two weeks I finally managed to bake this new recipe I ran across for Butter Rum Banana Cake. It smelled wonderful and was delicious. My grandchildren are not that fond of Chocolate Cake so this was a nice alternative. I used canned whipped cream as I had some in the fridge but whipping fresh cream would make it an elegant guest dessert.

Loom Weaving Progress

Here is the photo of the 'playing' I have been doing with my new Love and Money Looms. I was trying out the different sizes from Coaster up to Place mat and most of the patterns and then reversed the colors. There are different methods of finishing the edges but you can see I liked the fringe the best but did not brush it out as suggested. I bought some yarn so I can make some Christmas gifts. These go quickly so hopefully I can finish before I become bored and move on to another project.

Week 19 of the Recipe Challenge

The cooler weather this week has me so looking forward to the first day of fall and to get into the mood I photographed this Nutty Caramel Apple Dip. It calls for chopped peanuts but this time I left them out as I was wanting something a little softer. I do love the flavor and this is my version of a carmel apple since I dare not risk pulling out a crown with the real McCoy!

First Bloom

I was out back checking out this velvety black beauty that was single handedly decimating my mint when low and behold I looked up and saw the first bloom on my Pineapple Sage.  Does this mean it is officially fall?  It feels like it as it was only 80 degrees with a slight dry breeze!  Which explains the slightly blurry photo, as it kept moving.

Week 18 of the Recipe Challenge

Today I tried this new recipe in the crock pot.  The chicken came out tender and moist but we all felt like the orange flavor was a bit too strong.  I may try working on this as it is good.  Obviously is is called Slow Cooker Orange Chicken.

September on the Third Coast

It is September which means the temperatures are starting to cool down to mid to low 90's for the highs and lows dipping occasionally into the 70's!  My chives are in full bloom now and have such a lovely fragrance, which is seldom mentioned.  Chives are the one thing I have managed to not kill here.  And I have them in several locations around the yard with seeds from last fall still left.  Maybe I should consider edging the driveway with them.  Or better yet as a border out front, but they probably won't get enough sun there.  Oh well, I will continue to enjoy them out back and share the seeds with anyone who asks.

If this photo looks slightly 'softened' it is because the humidity causes my camera lens to fog up so I have to act quickly to get a photo most days.  Just another challenge.

09-09-09

I decided to get a photo of these two, my grandson and mein Schatten today.  Years from now I hope I remember to give it to him so he can remember what he did on this date.  I have a difficult time getting a decent photo of my black dog, Schatten.  Shadow is such a great name for him on so many levels.  He is especially fond of my grandson but is really fascinated with the pointer on the laptop screen!

Week 17 of the Recipe Challenge

This week I tried this recipe for Banana Cookies as I am trying to increase my Potassium levels.    I made about three dozen of these and then couldn't resist putting a chocolate chip in the center of each one on the next batch.  I have to say I really like the chocolate ones better.  A nice thing about this recipe is that the batter can be refrigerated and baked later. 

Full Corn Moon

Today, September 4th is the Full Corn Moon, a time when corn should be ready for harvesting, but usually this is known as a Harvest Moon. More on this next month.  In the meantime if weather permits take the time to step out and enjoy a view of our celestial neighbor.  You won't regret it.

More Caterpillars

I discovered these fellows munching on my tomato plant this evening.  I have no idea what kind they are other than they are not Monarchs.  What I want to know is why the birds keep eating the Monarch caterpillars but left these fat guys alone?  They only have one evil looking spike!

At any rate I decided to limit the damages and cut off the branch they were on and put it with them in the butterfly house while I wait to see if my daughter wants them for the science lab.  They do demonstrate the ability to blend into the background successfully!  Natural camouflage.

Week 16 of the Recipe Challenge

This week I decided to try a recipe for "5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake" along with some variations. I had received it in an email and it sounded good and easy so I whipped up 5 different 'cakes' in no time including Chocolate Peanut Butter, Orange with White Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Butterscotch Vanilla and Cherry Chocolate with White Chocolate. I invited my daughter and granddaughter over to help me taste test.

The verdict? Great idea and flavors but the texture just wasn't up to expectations. So much for baking single serving cake in the microwave. Oh well, it was nice to get together anyway.

Happy Hunting

The other night on the way home from the store we startled a large bird in the street I live on. It looked like one of the herons that we frequently see in the ditches feeding on frogs and crawdads. Having never seen one out at night much less in the middle of the street I had to wonder if the lack of rain is drawing them out after other food sources. There were certainly a large number cicadas out as one was extremely shrill with us when we disturbed him by the front gate. Personally I like frogs more than cicadas so I see this as a good thing and wish that lovely bird happy hunting!

Week 15 of the Recipe Challenge

I can't believe I have to admit to getting nothing done for a second week in a row. My recovery is slow but I am reminded by friends and family that I was down for a month so recovery won't be overnight. I am feeling better, so it is just a matter of regaining my strength now.

I did decide that this was the perfect time to have a plumber do something with my garbage disposal and with my grandson's help moved everything out of the way. He was supposed to come last Thursday afternoon but stood me up. I left a message the next morning and he finally called on Saturday from the hospital. Family emergencies come to us all. I forgave him and he came yesterday to assess the situation and promised to come back this afternoon! I have discovered that when you are still too weak to drive/shop it isn't nearly as irritating sitting at home waiting for workmen!

Real Monarch or Imposter?

Aren't these great photos my granddaughter shot of the caterpillar munching away on the milkweed plant? I keep hoping to raise Monarch Butterflies. I got hopeful when this plant came back and the butterflies started laying eggs. We even saw a couple of caterpillars but they keep disappearing. Then we saw this impostor. He looks very much like the real thing which is his camouflage. Apparently monarch caterpillars taste bad. I think someone forgot to tell my local birds because they aren't surviving here. The big giveaway is that this impostor has an extra set of 'spikes' in the middle while the real thing just has two at each end.

Actually if you look closely at the first photo, (click on it for a full size version), you can see the real monarch caterpillar peeking through a hole in the leaf to the upper left of the impostor.

Week 14 of the Recipe Challenge

I am so tired of this soft/liquid diet that I have pretty much just quit eating. Good news is I have lost 11 pounds but not the right way. So while I have no recipe post for this week I am dreaming of baked Salmon and Quiznos sandwiches and Lasagna and....I hope all of you are doing better than I am on this right now but I knew there would be weeks when life gets in the way.

Looking Back 40 Years

40 years ago today we spent hunkered down on the Navy base in Pensacola, FL while hurricane Camille came ashore as a category 5! As we left the next morning we were surrounded by snapped off power poles from the tornadoes that passed us by and the gate guard asked as we left what we were doing there as the base had been evacuated. We were not only young and stupid but too poor to own a television or even a radio and did not know of this impending disaster until our landlady stopped to ask us to put the garbage can inside when we left. She was kind enough to let us use her phone to find a shelter to go to when she realized we and her other renter were unaware. We piled into two cars with our babies and in the driving rain headed for shelter, stopping at a phone booth long enough for me to call my folks to let them know. How did my mother ever survive me? As a mother and grandmother I sure am grateful for all the ways we are able to stay in touch today.

Week 13 of the Recipe Challenge

I have had two fairly major oral surgeries in two weeks so I have left all the cooking of my new soft diet to my daughter who has been helping me. We have been trying to come up with a variety and so she tried a new recipe for me that sounded like it might be good but which neither of us was pleased with. It was lime jello with mashed avocado and mayo mixed in. In all fairness I reduced the ingredients as I did not want 10 servings going to waste with no more than I am eating and she misread the instructions and let the jello set completely up before adding the rest of the ingredients so it might be a good recipe for others but this is one of those that did not work for us. Not every one is a keeper! Thank goodness - I don't have room to keep them all!

Full Sturgeon Moon

The moon will be full on the 5th of Aug. and is known this month as the Full Sturgeon Moon as these fish are most readily caught in the Great Lakes this time of year. It is also known as the Full Red Moon because as it rises it often takes on a reddish color. So step outside tonight and see if it looks red to you.

Week 12 of the Recipe Challenge

Well, I have to take a pass this week. Due to some extensive oral surgery I have been living on jello, broth, cream of wheat, applesauce and instant potatoes. I am happy to report that jello has added some interesting new flavors and you might want to take a new look at an old friend. Thank heaven I have had help from my daughter.

If anyone has a favorite soft recipe that is easy to fix I would love to know about it! Unfortunately it needs to be non-dairy. Usually I can cheat on that but not right now. Hopefully by the end of the week I will be able to move around without throbbing and chew without rubbing stitches.

On the positive side I have been in collaboration with Darlene on the possibility of starting a recipe blog, so watch for updates.

Memory Lane of Crafts

The Crochet Dude posted a review on the new Simplicity Rotary Cutting Machine in which he recalled the making of rag rugs in his childhood. He asked for comments on reader's favorite childhood crafts. I was relieved to discover that I was not the only one who recalled so many wonderful times and many of us recalled the same things, especially the pot holder loom, knitting spool and, embroidery. I would have to add cracked marble jewelry, dipping fall leaves in wax, worm painting, paper dolls and crepe paper flowers. As a teen I added sewing, crocheting, crewel embroidery, macrame and drawing.

Of course it never stopped. As an adult I added calligraphy, tole painting, counted cross stitch, a number of painting techniques, candy making, cake decorating, latch hook, candlewicking, quilting, card making, machine knitting as well as hand knitting, hardanger embroidery and drawn work, both shuttle and needle tatting, weaving, and fine silver jewelry.

I love seeing new techniques for old tools and new tools for old crafts. There is always some fun new thing to try like Friendly Plastic or any of the many clays like polymer and eraser and paper. Then there are makeovers like the old cribs in my garage waiting to be turned into benches... Hmmmm I have to go start another project, don't you?

I'm sure there are other things. Some of them I have revisited many many times. Others I have yet to try. But it keeps life interesting. I am so glad that I have shared many of these adventures with my children and grandchildren as well as others I have met along the way. So thanks to Drew (That Crochet Dude) I have had a lovely journey today, down the memory lane of crafts!

Week 11 of the Recipe Challenge

Remember the Lollipop Cakes and Graduation Cap Lollipops I made for my granddaughter's graduation last month? Well, this week I finally typed up those recipes and put the photos with them. I am glad I am doing this challenge. Even though I am not trying as many of my recipes as I had expected to I am making headway in getting them organized! I had not anticipated such a hot summer but at least this way I am making progress.

Oding

It often amazes me the quality of the articles in some community newspapers after reading the worthless drivel in big city ones. Maybe it is just that I am a country girl at heart and so the content is more appealing. At any rate I certainly found it enlightening to read about Oding the other day and was reminded of it on the way home today when I drove through dozens of these dainty creatures.

Oding is like birding only you watch Dragonflies and Damselflies instead of birds. The species is called Odonata, hence Oding. My dear friend Vanessa loved words and we often shared finding new ones. She would have appreciated this one.

I probably have read at some point the difference between Dragonflies and Damselflies but had forgotten so I appreciated refreshing my memory. In case yours needs refreshing, the main difference is that Damselflies have more slender abdomens and perch with their wings folded over their backs while Dragonflies set with wings horizontal over stouter abdomens. The Dragonflies have eyes that are closer together and are stronger fliers. Darlene located these photos and helped me add them so you can see for yourself. (By the way all of these photos came labeled as Dragonflies, but one is obviously a Damselfly. Can you tell which one it is?)












Oding is particularly popular in Texas where 225 out of the 457 known species in the world have been seen according to this article in the Sealy News. Some may think this to be all too close to watching the grass grow but the vision of myself sitting on a veranda, sipping iced tea while listening to the cicadas buzzing and watching the dragons and damsels darting around sounds quite peaceful indeed. I would invite Darlene to join me but I fear I have scared her off with updates on the heat and mosquitoes.

Week 10 of the Recipe Challenge

This week the heat seems to have gotten the best of me and I have been taking it easy and not eating much so not cooking. Which means no photos this week; instead I typed up a recipe for Mint-Fondant Filling. I will make some candies up at some point with this filling and show photos then.

Full Buck Moon

The full moon in July is known as the Full Buck Moon as the new antlers are pushing through on the buck deer. The moon was full on the 7th and was lovely as always, I just now am getting around to this post.

It is sometimes also known as the Full Thunder Moon due to more thunderstorms in July but that is not the case so far this July.

Peanut Buter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Darlene, here is the recipe. Enjoy!

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, and 2 large eggs in a medium bowl with a wooden spoon until blended. Stir in 2 cups chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are lightly brown. Cool on cookie sheets 2 minutes beore removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 84 cookies.

Per cookie: 11 calories, trace of fat and protein, 2 g carbohydrate, 0 g dietary fiber, 4mg cholesterol, 1 mg sodium.

Have to tell you though that I make adjustments to all my recipies. Cookies are always larger ;-) and depending who I am baking for determines whether or not or how much I add nut, chips etc. So I recommend you use this as a starting point and make it to suit your tastes.

Week 9 of the recipe challenge

We had one glorious day of rain this week which brought the temperature down so low I was able to open the windows and bake cookies! While peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are my granddaughter's favorite, my son was thrilled with the treat and she has been busy working so doesn't know what she missed! I have several different peanut butter cookie recipes but this one is his favorite. For those who have allergies, this one is made with no flour or milk. Best of all it doesn't require a mixer so cleanup is easy!

Hawk and Mockingbird

I kept hearing this terrible bird racket outside and looked to see a hawk on the neighbor's roof so I got this not too clear photo through the window.

After a few tries I managed to just barely catch the mockingbird that was doing his best to chase this intruder out of his territory. I have seen them go after cats and heard of them nipping at people but this was the first time with a hawk, who by the way did not seem at all impressed.

Week 8 of the Recipe Challenge

Well, it just would not be the 4th of July without hot dogs and potato salad at my house so I photographed just plain old potato salad - a family tradition and typed it into the computer. Some years I have done more elaborate desserts but I kept it cool and simple this year.

Happy 4th of July

It is still in the triple digits here and we have started water rationing which means watering is a lot more labor intensive and leaves us wanting to be indoors more rather than outside at the bbq. But to get into the spirit of the day I got out this vase of red, white and blue fake flowers. The blue ones are roses I crocheted years ago, even though I am not any good at arranging flowers. I love baskets, especially lined baskets so I often change the liner in this basket to match the holiday. It also keeps the yarn from snagging on the basket. This lovely yarn is for a jacket as I am almost finished with the purse which I will photograph soon.

On this 4th as always I wish everyone a safe day as we remember the cost of freedom and what it means to each of us.

Name that bug

Can you name that bug? This is actually the underside as it was on the outside of the storm door. It does kind of look like a giant bug walking upright on it's back feet. Wow, look for this on the next scifi/monster bug movie!

Knit Wit

The other day I was looking for some jewelry findings and came across a little kit for the Knit Wit. Remember that? It came out in 1954 and basically is just weaving around pegs on a square or circle but after you finish the edges you turn the knob, retracting the pegs and it just pops off the Knit Wit. I remember seeing them advertised years ago but could not afford such a luxury at the time. Well, this time it was on clearance and I splurged a whole $1.08 with tax! It is in a cute little zippered bag and has both the square and round looms with two needles, instructions and even a little dvd. What a bargain! I haven't located any free patterns yet and seems a shame to spend $1.95 to download one off the www.knitwit.com website. It did actually come with two patterns but neither sparked my interest so if anyone has any suggestions on where to get free patterns let me know.

Week 7 of the Recipe Challenge

This past week has seen triple digit temperatures here making cooking very undesirable. So I took advantage of the sale on pineapples and tried my first fresh pineapple. Oh my gosh, it is wonderful! So sweet. However, instead of twisting off the top as the directions showed, I sliced it off so as to be able to try starting my own pineapple tree. My reading suggests letting it dry out a few days before planting. I will keep you posted as to the progress. I realize eating fresh fruit isn't exactly trying out a new recipe but it was the best I was willing to do this week. Hopefully next week we will be a little cooler.

Four Generations

Last week my daughter and granddaughter and I visited my mother and we took a photo of our hands so I played with the photo just for fun. I need to learn more about adjusting photos one of these days.

Dinner without cooking?

I harvested the first squash of the season tonight but since it was 104 today I did not cook. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little cooler. I could use more dinner recipes that do not require cooking or baking and I don't have a bbq either. Any suggestions besides salads? Hmmmmm, maybe a jello salad. Haven't done one of those in a long time.

Growth

OK I was warned and didn't listen. Darlene said that the watermellon plant would really spread out. But I never dreamed it would grow along the top of the fence! This could get interesting if fruit starts setting up there.

In the left corner is crook neck squash which is starting to produce while in between is garlic chives that really needs to be thinned out. The grape vine on the fence is doing well this year.

I need to get busy with my jewelry and use some of these interesting leaves. The pure silver grape leaves are especially stunning and I did some sketches last week of new ideas.