Procrastination At Its Worst :(

Approximately a year ago I started getting this post ready to publish.  Looks like I was learning how to create links.  Mmm, funny only one seems to have worked.

November  2012

It's that time of year again and I have to get my projects in a row.  I always have so many things I want to make.  This year is no exception!  I've been buying yarn at Micheal's for the last two weeks at awesome prices...plus the senior's discount!!!  So, now I need to get going and create.  I've started one of my daughters a pair crocheted knee socks to wear in her new, expensive ..........rubber boots.  I found the pattern (here) it uses worsted weight yarn.    Of course, I'm worrying that they'll be too thick.  So today I bought some Patons, Kroy Sock yarn.  I must learn how to knit socks!!!!  I also am making a South Bay Shawlette in grey Bernat Softee Baby yarn for the same daugther.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/south-bay-shawlette

Old Fringed Afghan

Wearing thin as time goes on, I should have used a better yarn.  

Retro Look Apron 

Daughter # 2 will be getting my planned for quick and easy crochet infinity scarf shown here............this time in Vanna's Choice 'Barley'  a really pretty light-ish brown tweed.  I fell in love with the colour of the Red Heart "Soft'  -  I'm dreaming about a pretty scarf for me with that one, they call it 'Toast' but I call it coppery   I'm still working on the black crocheted blanket!  It's coming along and could be finished by Christmas - but no promises!!  LOL
This I plan to make all the females in my life make-up type bags.  I went through my ever growing zipper inventory (thanks Value Village!) and discovered I could make at least 50 of them..... oh my.

I want to make my only grand-daughter & her mom a pair of matching Pj's.  Really cute purple & pink heart flannel.  My mom gets a pair of fleece slippers.  I need to figure out something for the men in my life next.  Any ideas?   Crocheted hats for winter, maybe a scarf.  

How I Got My Groove Back

Hats

It all started when I bought my grand-daughter a fleece jacket from Costco in Bellingham .  It was so cute but I knew it needed something else - a hat in pink or maybe striped, incorporating all the colours.  Then I thought why not make both.  And I love how they turned out!  They went up to Quesnel with my youngest daughter this weekend so I hope I get pics of my little Dalie modelling them soon.

 Made with Charisma white & black, doubled pink Vanna's Choice and Astro's tripled green yarn to get the proportions right. 

Made with Vanna's Choice and  4.5 mm hook.

Rag Doll 

Then I started looking at the doll I made Dalie in the summer & I thought 'she needs a hat' too and why not use up the left over pink yarn to do it?  She looks cute as a button although I wish I had embroidered a smile on her face.  Black shoes and a jacket are next, then off she goes in the mail for Christmas!

Boot Cuffs

 Next I saw these and many others on Pinterest lately and thought ' my girls would like those' so I'm making a prototype and darned if my youngest didn't see them in progress.  So they won't be a surprise 

but I least I know she likes them.  

 Vanna's Choice and 5mm hook.

Yummy Yarn

Oops I did it again -  some of my recent yarn purchases form Micheal's - awesome good sale plus 25% off.  I may have bought a few beading supplies too...oops

 Hat for Me

I made this hat two summers ago.  I love it.  

 I made a rose which I plan to sew onto a pin backing so I can wear or not wear it, depending on my mood.

It is kinda cute.

 Homespun yarn. 

Ear Warmers 

Without and with the detachable rose.

 Vanna's Choice again.

 I'm experimenting with a cute double rose idea from Pinterest.  

Slippers for Daughter Number One 

Found all over Pinterest.  Quick and easy in Charisma and size 6mm hook.  Nice and warm too.

 

Chicken & Veggies in Curry Peanut Sause

 

Makes 2 servings

2 boneless chicken breasts

1 T oil (I use olive oil)

1 medium onion, sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 t gingerroot, minced

1 carrot, sliced thin

1 T curry powder & 1/2 T oil

1 tsp tumeric

1.5 cups broccoli pieces

1/2 yellow or red pepper, sliced

1 c chicken broth

2-3 T peanut butter (I used crunchy)

Hot Sause as desired

Cut chicken into thin strips.  Heat oil over high heat & stir fry chicken till no pink remains.  Remove to plate & set aside for now.

Add onions, garlic, ginger & carrot to pan over medium-high heat.  Stirring frequently.  Stir in curry, tumeric & oil till blended.  Add broccoli and peppers, cook for a couple minutes.

Return chicken to pan, stir in broth, peanut butter & hot sause.  Cook until broccoli is tender.

If using smooth peanut butter, toss in a few chopped peanuts too.

Enjoy!

Exercise and motivation: Finding your 'why' | Chatelaine.com

Exercise and motivation: Finding your 'why' | Chatelaine.com

This is something I need to remember more often!  Good article.

Fabric & Ryan

I finally got to my local fabric store.....it's been several LONG months - I was experiencing withdrawal symptons - you know, getting hot & sweaty at the mere mention bolts etc. 

It's so hard to decide, so I took a few pics of some fabric I liked.  This stretchy lace is beautiful but it sure looks like it'll snag easily. 

 I love black & white prints.  Mostly all rayon-poly blends - nothing interesting in knits.  I wish buyers up here would scout out more fun knit fabrics.

 Maybe there's not as much demand for it - judging from what I see on many blogs - a lot of people still think working with knits is difficult.  But nothing could be further from the truth. I love sewing knits- so fast & easy - me likey a lot!

 There were some fun polka dot blends, lots of colours.  I have no idea what I'd make.  I just like polka dots.

This challis print would make a nice dress or a skirt .......mmmmmmmmmmm

And then of course Ryan offered to help fold it all for me....that's when I woke up without fabric or Ryan.  Of course I was broken hearted....

Healthy Meatless Dinner Recipes

I've started cooking with dried beans, quinoa, soy products & brown rice.  I love it because I can be as creative as I want and in the process turn out beautiful, hearty, healthy & yummy rmeals.

Here are two of my recent favourites. 

 

Chickpea Curry

Soak chickpeas in water overnight. or 12-16 hours.  Rinse then cover peas with cold water & a dash of salt. Cook for 2 hours

• 1T olive oil
• 1/2 small onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 inch ginger, grated
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp tumeric
• 1.5 c cooked chickbeans
• 1c bean cooking liquid
• 1 c snow peas or edame peas
• 1 c shredded cabbage
• 1c chopped canned or fresh tomatoes
• 1/2tsp garam masala
• 1c cooked quinoa

1. Saute onion, garlic, cabbage and ginger in oil till softened & browned. 
2. Add spices, tomatoes, chickpeas & liquid from chickpeas. 
3. Add peppers & sown peas, cook till softened.  Stir in the quinoa.
4. Heat through.  Serves two.  Add extra veggies, etc to feed more folks.

Tofu Veggie Stirfry

     

• 1 T olive oil
• 1/2 small onion chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves crushed & chopped
• 150 g medium tofu, cut in pieces
• 1 slice ginger chopped or grated
• 1/8 c soy sauce or to taste
• hot sause to your taste
• 2 fresh or 1 c canned tomatoes
• 1/2 medium zuchinni, sliced on the angle
• 1/2 bell pepper chopped or sliced
• 1 c shredded cabbage
• 1 c cooked quinoa or brown rice

 Saute onion, garlic,ginger & tofu in oil till browned - approx. 5 minutes.

Add veggies stir & steam till desired softness.  Season with soy sauce.  Add hot sauce or jaleppeno pepper as desired.

Sir in qooked quinoa or rice.   Serves 2.

Well I hope you like eating healthy as much as I do.   Sometimes instead of tofu I'll brown chopped chicken breast with the onions, etc......hmmm.   I'm not a vegetarian, but I do feel better since I've started eating meatless meals 3 or 4 times a week.  I've also noticed I have less craving for sweets ( my weekness) and I'm losing weight without even trying - especially in the stomach area!!   What's not to love?!

Crocheting

Work on the black afghan for my daughter is progressing.  She didn't want anything holey so I'm using stable stitches that produce a thick fabric.  I've always wanted to do a highly textured blanket.

Pics to come.



This and That

Sheesh, I haven't posted in so long!! Went to Cuba, loved the country!! Beautiful sand, beach & people.  Things didn't go so well though...................let us just say I'm single again.   That's ok though. I am used to being on my own.  I have finally lost 6 lbs!!!  No more late night snacks.
Finished my black & white print dress in time for my trip - no pic yet.  It's comfy & cute.  I was happy with it.   Started another dress but did not finish it yet.  Have not got back into sewing yet.
I haven't been doing too much - came back to find out my ei ran out.  So, I`ve  been appling for jobs & looking into retraining. I have lots of experience but nothing on paper.  At my age, you need both!!

My new hair colour - by mistake...but it`s growing on me.

 It`s getting really long. I plan on cutting it and donating it.  But now I`m curious to see how long it will grow!  Definitely need a trim though.  It`s been over a year.

 I`ve been making extremely yummy healthy food lately.  This dish consists of one chicken breast sliced up , fried with onion, garlic & olive oil till almost done.  Then I added snow peas, shredded cabbage & yellow pepper.  I used Chipolte sauce for the seasoning.  Then I stirred in some prepared brown rice & quinoa.  Hmmmm, it was delish!!!! 

 This is where I want to live!!  Lovely pink apartment - just so long as it is in Mexico!!!!

 Another yummy, healthy stir fry.........this time no meat, just veggies.

 I took a pic of my green onions before chopping them up & freezing them (as seen on Pinterest).  I just love this pic!!!!  It speaks to me!  Just wish I still had Picassa to crop, etc. 

 This is my beautiful baby daughter Jo & her handsome prince on St Paddys Day.  I think he may be the one.  How exciting!!  I do still believe in love even though it may never be mine.

 Self bought flowers - they lasted for two weeks!! Gerbana daisies.

 Hair previous to the mistake.................I will get around to finishing the walls soon!  God..I need Picassa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 My new clogs - they seem really narrow - only $50.  I think I will have to get them stretched or wear them bare foot. for the summer.

My old, very comfy clogs from Value Village!!  I need to wear two pairs of socks with them to keep them on my feet. 

Back to normal soon I hope. Oh, I did start an afghan for my Jo.  Will post pic when I have gotten more done on it.