Sunday, January 31, 2010

Remaking my Mandala

I started remaking my "Ojo de Dios" Mandala.
As many of you know, my Mandala was one of the finalist of the Vanna White/Lion Brand Yarn Contest of 2009. It was damaged/destroyed on it's way to New Jersey for the final judging.
Once returned, I carefully removed the yarn from the 36" broken dowels.
I started to weave the Mandala a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, and then put the project to sleep until after the Holidays.Slowly but surely it is starting to take shape.







Saturday, January 30, 2010

Making our favorite: Hummus

Hummus
“A Vegetarian’s Delight”
Garbanzo Bean Purée with Tahini
I adapted a recipe out of “Alice’s Kitchen” cookbook, to mimic our favorite restaurant’s version.

2 cans garbanzo beans (Name Brand only, it does make a difference. We use Bush Brand.)
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1 cup liquid (½ cup broth and ½ cup water)
4 Tablespoons Tahini (sesame seed paste)
4 Cloves Garlic (crushed or minced)
2 Lemons or Mexican Limes (juiced)
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

1. Drain beans saving the liquid. Keep beans in can and fill can with cold water and one tablespoon of baking soda in each can. Let sit until ready to use. (Rinse beans thoroughly before using.)
2. Mix ½ cup broth from the beans with ½ cup water and set aside until needed.
3. Rinse beans and put in blender with 1 cup liquid, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil.
4. Blend on chop, then puree, and then liquefy, until smooth.
5. Spread into a thin layer on a plate with the back of a spoon. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with paprika or cayenne. Garnish with parsley and serve with pita bread.

This goes great with cherry tomatoes, olives, green onions, and radishes.

Note: Depending on your blender, you might blend one can of beans at a time. I burned up a brand new blender last year. Only used it a couple of times to make hummus, and then it burned out. My new one has a feature that turns itself off before it gets too hot. This feature kicks in every time I make this recipe.

Crochet Star Stitch Caps

I made these hats for my cousin and her toddler granddaughter.

Caps I made for youngest grandsons

Sis-in-Law "M" making quilted jacket

We are making quilted jackets, out of sweatshirts, at the Quilter's Hideout in Weslaco. Classes were held in the "Tea Room" and both are located in an Antique Store. It is an awsome place to browse around. I took this class last year, but my sis-in-law went back home before the class. (Winter Texan) She has waited a year to take this class and nothing was going to stop her. Not even a blow-out on their RV on the way here (near Falfurrias) the night before the class. Luckily they got here safe and we were able to take the long awaited class.
My theme, once again, is Dia de los Muertos. Her theme is beautiful birds surrounded by patches of coordinating colors. We both have new electronic sewing machines that have so many beautiful stitches to accent our quilting.

Quilted jacket out of a sweatshirt















Photo on left, making my jacket at "Quilter's Hideout" in Weslaco.
Photo on the right, working hard on finishing my jacket.

I love being so busy

Welcomed my sister-in-law and brother-in-law to the Valley. (Winter Texans are pouring in since November 1st.) The second day she was here we attended our first class. "Making a quilted jacket out of a sweatshirt."
It was great. Can hardly wait for all the craft sales and quilt shows that we will attend together.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Häagen-Dazs® | Products | Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream | Details: Rum Raisin

Häagen-Dazs® Products Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Details: Rum Raisin

This is my favorite ice cream, snack, treat, dessert, etc....
I haven't eaten it in 19 years. snif, snif.
One day I will eat a whole pint and then check myself into the hospital.
It is the one thing I want to eat before I die.
(lactose intolerant)

How to Use Left Over Candy Canes | eHow.com

How to Use Left Over Candy Canes eHow.com

I love all these ideas, but love mine the best!!!

Edible straws/Candy Canes and Oranges

Great way to use up any left over Candy Canes.
I usually buy the peppermint sticks at Christmas. When they are all gone, I miss them all year long.
1. Pick an orange off your tree. Okay, buy an orange. I was just showing off.
2. Break the hook off a candy cane, or use a peppermint stick.
3. Roll the orange on table or counter until soft and juicy.
4. Make a hole in the orange.
5. Insert candy.
6. Suck on candy cane like a straw. Yum.
7. Eat the candy once all the juice is gone, of course!
Note: Do not squeeze the orange too hard, or you will have a mess on the front of your shirt....No, I will not post a photo of the mess I made. Next time I will drink this over the kitchen sink...lol

Learned this in Girl Scouts years ago.


Friday, January 15, 2010

C h e m o C a p s

I was recently asked for the following pattern, that is no longer available on the Hancock Fabric website.
My copy was a mess of handwritten notes, so I copied it and inserted a scan of the sewing guide.


C h e m o C a p s

(Taken from the Hancock Fabrics Website Patterns Section-no longer available)
Although an all-cotton knit make these caps comfortable on sensitive skin, fleece is also perfect for cooler climates and seasons. We feature sizes from infant/toddler to adult large.
Takes 30 minutes to make.
Materials: Makes 2 of chosen size
Note: Yardage is based on 60” fabrics.
• ½ yd. (adult medium/large), (teen/adult small), (child medium)
Or
• 3/8 yard (child small)
Or
• 1/3 yard (infant/toddler)/
• Thread

Cut:
Note: Larger measurement in each is greatest amount of stretch in fabric.
These cuts are for two hats as previously stated above.

For adult medium/large:
(2) 17 X 21 ½” pieces (Band)
(4) 7 ¼ “circles (Crown)
For teen/adult small:
(2) 15” X 19” pieces (Band)
(4) 6 1/8 “circles (Crown)
For child medium:
(2) 14” X 18” pieces (Band)
(4) 6 1/8” circles (Crown)
 For child small:
(2) 13” X 17” pieces (Band)
(4) 5 ¾” circles (Crown)
For infant/toddler:
(2) 11” X 15” pieces (Band)
 (4) 5” circles (Crown)


¼ “ Seam Allowance....kind of hard to read.



Sing for Pie

There was a time in our lives when we would make the kids "Sing for Pie."
Now, we just eat it.  Let's get back to the singing......
From the movie "Michael"
Pie Pie Me oh my
Nothing tastes sweet, wet, salty and dry
All at once o well it's pie
Apple! Pumpkin! Minced! an' wet bottom.
Come to your place everyday if you've got em'


From Paula Deen
I made this Buttermilk pie and it was delicious and very easy to make.
Tastes like flan, or egg custard, or ....who cares? It is delicious.
If you don't have buttermilk, put a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in a 1-cup measuring cup and fill the rest with milk. Or, one cup plain yogurt, or one cup sour cream, or one cup milk and 1 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar.
NOTICE: I used my brand new Paul Deen knife to cut the pie.


Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Amazon.com: Finding Frida Kahlo (9781568988306): Barbara Levine, Stephen Jaycox: Books

Amazon.com: Finding Frida Kahlo (9781568988306): Barbara Levine, Stephen Jaycox: Books

Banana Tree Massacre of 2010

Jan 6,7, and 8th brought us freezing temperatures down here in South Texas.


We wrapped our citrus trees



and picked all our oranges and grapefruit.

Our avocado, lemon, and loquat trees were free of fruit. We covered most of our potted plants, but some still got frostbitten.


The banana tree massacre.

The leaves on the banana trees were black, and the stalk of bananas were starting to turn black. What a waste. These bananas are delicious and we were looking forward to harvesting them.




Monday, January 11, 2010

CARE PACKAGE TO IRAQ


Sending a care package to a dear friend in Iraq. SNACKS!!
Took the box (Special APO box-$11.95 Flat Rate is now $12.50) in the store. Once we packed it solid, we paid for it all and then repacked it to ship. Hot CHEETOS, nacho cheese cups (to dip them in of course), Pickles (found some in cups with peel off lids-didn't want to ship glass jars) double bagged them in zip lock bags in case of leakage, NABISCO variety pack of cookies (OREOS, CHIP AHOYS, NUTTER BUTTER) in small packs, PRINGLES, jalapenos in a can, green & red salsa in a can, FRITO bean dip, can of tropical fruit, Mexican sugar wafer cookies, SKITTLES, and Hawiian Punch singles (add to bottle of water) in two different flavors. Can hardly wait until he gets it. Sent one from his mom too. She packed it and left it with us, as she went out of town on an emergency.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Feliz Día de los Reyes Magos! May the Three Kings bring you lots of gifts!!

Today is the Feast of the Three Kings!!! The day they finally reached Bethlehem and found the Baby Jesus. They presented him with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
In Mexico and Latin American countries, the children put hay in their shoes and leave them outside their front door at night. In the morning they find the hay gone, eaten by the camels, and in place they find small gifts left by the Kings.
Some people say they never heard of this. WHAT? If you sing the "Twelve Days of Christmas" you are referring to Jan 6th.  From Dec 25 to Jan 5 are the 12 days of Christmas.
That is why my Christmas Tree is still up!!!! (it's coming down tomorrow)
I love this day. Only setback......anniversary of the death of my father.
Gone for 22 years.
God bless you daddy.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Fisk-A-Teers

Fisk-A-Teers

Faux Snickerdoodles

My sister's:  FAUX (CHEATER) SNICKERDOODLES


1  roll of sugar cookies  (dairy section of grocer)
1  sugar/cinnamon shaker (spice aisle of grocer) or make your own according to taste


Directions:
Pour sugar/cinnamon mix onto a plate.
Roll some cookie dough into a 1/2 inch-ball, and then roll in the sugar/cinnamon mix.
Bake according to directions on cookie roll package.
Yum. Faux Snickerdoodles

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Sleeping

I hate sleeping! It is a waste of time. There are too few hours in the day to be productive, and sleeping takes away too much time.
People who nap waste time; time that we have so little of at our age. I hate sleeping.....
We only need 7.5 hours a night.