Knitting...it's a start, right?

Friday, October 29, 2010

So it's not exactly a New Year's Resolution, but I really, really, really want to learn how to knit! It has become my super goal of the moment (Super goal=the one I will probably accomplish before any of the other 100 goals I have; the goal that is the most fun). This is as far as I've gotten:

Yes, all I've done is "cast on", but that counts for something. I've joined a knitting group that I'll meet with for the first time soon. Hoping they can teach me...a lot. It's an excellent lesson for the kids anyway...they see me excited to learn something. They see me try to figure something out. They see me practicing and (hopefully) getting better. All good things.

Halloween costumes are DONE! They have been since last week actually. I will try to take some pics and post. Super easy costumes and the girls LOVE them! It's a lot easier when they are young and kind of have similar interests...you'll see!

Now, for the yummy part! The whole family has been down this week with colds and when I get sick I really just want to make simple, vita-packed foods. So here are two things which fit that description:

Butternut Squash "Fries"

Preheat oven to 425

1. Peel, cut in half lengthwise and scoop seeds out of squash.
2. Cut in half short?wise...I don't know how else to say that...(so you have 4 pieces)
3. Cut those pieces into french fry like size and shape.
NOTE: about half of a butternut squash fed my family of 4...so don't cut it all up at once if you don't intend to make more fries within the next day or so)
4. Put the fries in a bowl and lightly coat with olive oil and kosher salt. (Probably about a 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil)
5. Place on cookie sheet and bake for about 25-30 min or until they have a little browning on the edges and corners of a few of them. (Mine only take about 22 min bc my oven is exceedingly hot)

Probably the healthiest "fry" you'll ever eat!


Oatmeal Biscuits

Preheat oven to 375

1 1/3 c. whole wheat flour
1/3 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (if you like, I did)

Mix all that up

Cut in 1/3 c of butter or margarine until it looks like big crumbs
Add 1 c. rolled oats
Add 1/2 c. of milk (and maybe a splash more)

Mix all that up. It'll be thick, but moist.

At this point you CAN roll it out and cut out biscuits. I am lazy. I just roll a ping-pong sized ball and squish it to make a biscuit-like shape. It'll make about 10 biscuits.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 15-20 min.

It's kinda like a slightly sweet, cakey, oatmealy breakfast cookie!


Enjoy these two recipes! They are both great for this slightly cooler fall weather we've recently gotten in North Texas! Hope nobody else has been suffering with this terrible cold that's going around. I'm just really hoping it is gone by oh, say, tomorrow(!) so we can have some fun on Halloween!!

Air Plants...who knew?? Probably everyone, but me...

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

I've had this glass thing for I don't know how long. It has always been empty. At first, I appreciated it's simple, emptiness. Now, I am sick of it's emptiness and I feel it should be filled. With what, though? I'm not into decorative balls or pinecones or that sort of thing. I do, however, love plants. There aren't many plants that grow indoors though, with little natural light and, well, maintenance. Especially plants that are not totally boring looking. (Yes, some plants are exciting and some are boring.) I thought about a terrarium, contained type, but I just don't know about having constantly wet dirt and plants in the house...seems like mold would grow...?
What to do, what to do...
Solution: AIR PLANTS!! What in the world?! A plant...that doesn't need dirt...or sun. That's two of the three things plants normally need, right?

And they are so pretty and unique! These next pics are from To Hold on Etsy. Very reasonable.


The best idea ever: suction cup some in your bathroom and you will never have to water them...the showers you take will take care of that!


I love repetition in design.



Anyway, I'm about to put a million air plants all over my house!! I love them!! So, I think I'll just take the top off that glass thing and air plant it up!

PS-- I am adding a new category, out of necessity, called "Why Haven't I Ever Heard of This Before??"