Sunday, October 21, 2007

A Very Harlot Poncho

Pattern: A Very Harlot Poncho
Yarn: Rio De La Plata Yarns Wool Multi
Needles: size 11

I made this because I found a yummy yarn on sale. The orange and black yarn matches the school colors for LPHS. All the schools in the district like to support the high school football team by wearing Slicer colors. So, in addition to Halloween in about a week, I really could use a shot of orange and black to my wardrobe.

I am not adding fringe, as I am not the fringe type. I am pleased with the final poncho, and I think I should get some use out of it. I have never been a fan of ponchos, I don't think they are flattering to a big girl like me, but the bias cut of this isn't half bad.

Happy Knitting!

Friday, October 19, 2007

MMMMmmmm GOOD!


So, I am starting to write out my recipes. I wanted to start with soup because I love soup, and one of my favorites is Corn Chowder. It is warm and comforting; the perfect dinner on a winter evening. Best part, it doesn't take long to cook, and it is made with ingredients we all have on hand. While this soup has meat, you can make it vegetarian and it is still warm and comforting.

Ingredients

4 slices thick cut bacon (totally optional. The butter can stand as the fat, or you can substitute olive oil for a healthier vegetarian version)
2 pats butter (optional, but why wouldn't you want butter with potatoes and corn?)
1 medium onion diced
2 stalks celery diced
2 carrots diced
3 good sized potatoes cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 tablespoons flour or corn starch
1 or 2 cans of cream corn (2 cans corn is best, but I can't fit two cans in my smaller pot, so I often use one can when the big pot is dirty)
2 quarts milk (to help with the cost of milk, I use powdered milk. You can also use soy milk)
1 package of kielbasa type sausage cut into bite sized chunks (lite and turkey sausage is fine. The sausage is optional, but it does make a nice one pot meal when added)
1 half pint of cream (again, optional, but oh so yummy, and you won't be the least bit sorry)
1 pound package of frozen whole kernel corn (thanks Kayt)
2 teaspoons dill weed
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook bacon in soup pot until crisp. Remove bacon and save for garnish. Sautee onion in rendered bacon fat and butter. Add celery and continue to sautee. Add carrots and dill. At this point, you will want to add salt and pepper. The salt will help the veggies release moisture, but you don't want to add more then a good pinch at this point. The bacon and the sausage have lots of salt.

Sprinkle the veggies with the flour to cook out the raw flour taste. Add potatoes and cream corn and mix everything well. Slowly add the milk, stirring to deglaze the soup pot. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for about 20 minuets.

Add the sausage and turn up the heat to bring soup up to a boil. Add the cream.

You will want to taste the soup at this point to check for salt. Add frozen corn, and remove from heat.

Serve in bowls and garnish with left over bacon. A nice crusty, chewy bread is the perfect side for this soup.

Please let me know if you try this soup and what you think!

Happy Knitting and eating!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Copying Suz

FOs and Thoughts

Pattern: Vary Warm Hat by Elizabeth Zimmermann Knitting Around

Yarn: Blue: Philosopher's Wool Cream ~ Lion Brand Fisherman Wool

Needles: size 8

I finished this hat last weekend. Blogger, however, was being rather stupid, so I haven't been able to post the photo before today. I love the hat, and it is actually a very warm hat. It was a simple pattern. It was a great thing to work on while watching Ken Burns new film "The War."
I finally got around to felting my new Fibertrends clogs. I wear them all the time. Such a fabulous pattern.
It is hard to decide what to do with this blog now. I keep my stitches at Ravelry now, so it seems a tad redundant to post everything here too. My life can be somewhat dull. I am not sure you all would want to read about the life of a boring woman in a small Midwestern town.
Maybe I should start sharing some of my recipes. I am a very good cook. I do a lot of "comfort" food. This is the time of year to share warm, hearty one pot meals. So, do you all want to be let in on my cooking hints as well as knitting?
Happy knitting (cooking)!

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Quikie


Pattern: Umbilical Cord Hat from Stitch n Bitch
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Angora Cotton
Needles: size 7 16 inch circs

Just a quickie gift that I made for someone at work whose wife just had a baby. I love making these hats for gifts. Quick, simple, practical, and appreciated. I also like to do them out of *nice* yarn to make it special.


I am busy finishing up many WIPs. The Very Warm hat is nearly done, and I am felting those darn clogs as I type.

I haven't been on any trips. Work is keeping me busy. This is a dull post.

Happy Knitting!