Soup Weather!

It's fall and that means soup! I got this recipe from my neighbor and tried it today and loved it. I'm sure you could adjust this to use it in a crock pot. I did change a bit of the recipe so I'll give you the "real" recipe and then my modifications. Taco Soup
1 can golden hominy
1 can creamed corn
1 can pinto beans
1 can of kidney beans
1 lb of meat
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can rotel
1/2 a package of ranch seasoning
1 onion
Throw it all together and simmer.
add ins - salsa, cheese, tortilla chips.

I strongly believe in using what you have.so I used:
1 can golden hominy
1 can white hominy
1 can creamed corn
1 can pinto beans
1 can of black beans
1 lb of meat (ground turkey)
1 packet of taco seasoning
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can diced green chili's
1 a package of ranch seasoning
3 cloves of garlic
1 onion chopped
I browned the ground turkey in the bottom of the stock pot and then added the taco seasoning and I filled the packet of the seasoning with water to mix it in with the meat. then I started open cans and just dump them in. I let the soup "boil" while I opened and dumped. I added in some garlic b/c garlic is yummy and good for you. and I used the whole package of ranch seasoning b/c I dumped it in way too fast. After everything was in I turned it to low and let it simmer with a lid on for 1-2 hours or so. When it was dinner time I topped it with some cheddar cheese and it was wonderful!
Enjoy!

Such a Procrastinator

I finally typed up the pattern for this cute little toy. I named it the "Completely Fierce Dragon". Which it totally isn't it's so freakin cute you just want to hug it to pieces! In fact when I made this I made it as a baby rattle. so it's cute enough to chew on! I have the pattern in testing right now. But it will be available on Ravelry and eventually over at my etsy store some time next week. I'm also working on a cloche hat pattern right now. I've been meaning to do this for some time and I'm finally doing it.
I feel that ravelry is killing my blog. I spend all of my time over there when I'm online. where I used to regularly write for your enjoyment. LOL
If you knit, crochet, spin or weave you should know what ravelry is. if you don't go on over there and sign up it's worth it. I like it b/c it's the place to connect with other fiber obsessed people, talk about projects. You can keep track of your projects and what yarn, hook, needles you used for them. Not to mention you can spy on other people's projects. you can also make a queue of patterns you want to make. it's wonderful!
OK enough of my "ad" for ravelry I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Just a few advertisements!

I have many many many patterns and ideas swirling around in my mind these days. my problem seems to be finding the time to put them on "paper" so to speak. Not to mention uploading them to ravlery and etsy. (I know not everyone is on ravlery yet) I just wanted to do a little advertisement for my patterns.


I finally put the pattern up on ravelry for the Learn To Knit Sampler Scarf. I'd written it up for teaching how to knit at Forget Me Not Floral shoppe. I've had many people asking for the pattern. And I debated for a bit if I should make it available to people or just those taking my classes. as you can see I decided to make it available to all.


One of my fave patterns is the Diamond Wrap Socks. They're knit toe up with a short row heel. but of course you can substitute any heel you'd like in there. They're a great knit! and the pattern looks good with variegated and also solid sock yarn.


For Christmas time I've a great Toe Up Striped Stocking pattern. It's an extra large pattern using bulky yarn knit super tightly for a great sturdy fabric. I've made it in different colors One in Steeler's colors and one in Bronco's colors. It's a fun and easy pattern to knit. Though gauge is key with this pattern.

And I hope you who crochet don't feel left out because I've got a felted crochet bag pattern for sale. It was the first pattern that I've ever written. It's original and fun to crochet. I really like the way it looks. The Shunky Pattern!

Some of my patterns are free for your pleasure those are available on ravelry or crochetme and this very blog. I'm very nosey so if you've made something from my patterns LMK b/c I'd love to see photos!

Enough with this humidity!

This past weekend I've been sewing like crazy! (when I was home that is) I've also successfully broken most of my machine's needles and I fear I may need to take my Gma's old singer in for a look over. But it probably needs it anyways. It did force me to get out my new and much neglected sewing machine. I'd forgotten how much of a love/hate relationship I have with that new machine.. but it works well when I have the right needle in it. Tomorrow I've got to go and get new needles so I can finish what I'm working on. Most of what I've been sewing I'm going to take in to the LYS and see if they will sell there.

But I'd like to show you what I've been sewing. First I made a shoulder bag blue and browns, I love these colors together in any shape or form! I've found that I'm a little obsessed with buttons and using them on the bags this weekend. Inside the bag you can see it's a blue embossed fabric and I used the outside fabric to make some pockets. (there are two pockets) The bag is 13.75 inches tall and across the flat bottom it's 10 inches long and 4.75 inches wide. It's a great bag and fits wonderfully over the shoulder and will hold some great knitting or crochet projects.


This one cracks me up I can't explain why it just does. I made a needle roll using some left over fabric from a Halloween costume I made years ago. I went for the brightly striped inside fabric, mostly b/c I couldn't figure out what would look good with it. So I picked some striped fabric that always catches my eyes when I'm sewing. I used a button again but this time a loop of elastic to "close" the roll. This is for the Diva who loves animal prints. even if that diva is hidden deep inside. (at least that's the story I'm going with) I've got to make some more needle rolls for the store. I'm pondering a circular needle case but that's still in the works.

I also made another shoulder bag. This one my DH said "that bag is sooo cool I really like it!" So it's got his seal of approval on it, if that means anything to you. This bag is 13 inches high with a bottom that's 9 1/2 by 5 inches. I really like this black and white scene fabric. I paired it with some black, brown, green and red striped fabric. Again I used the button to close it. I figure if it's used as a knitting tote you don't want a zipper near your yarn so a snap or button closure is the best, right? This one also has 2 pockets for your notions and pattern or whatever you want. Though with the trend of big ol' bag purses that I see my babysitters and other teens carrying around it may make a great purse too. HMM that's something to ponder.

I really like those two fabrics together. So I made myself a new purse with it them. And I can't wait to go out and use my new purse. I even made a zipper inside pouch. I like how it looks like the tree has a zipper in it. I didn't plan that at all btw.
Anyways I seem to be rambling so I'm out!

July Recap

So July was busy. Very very busy.
Last week we spent some of the time in MD visiting with my Grandma as she was sick. She's getting better now and we were able to "rest" a bit at the farm. While we were there it was hay baling time. and the girls sat down for a good hour or so to watch it happen. the novelties of life huh?

This past month was also Stitch N Pitch with the Pirates. We went and had a lot of fun. I'd like to get a group from my LYS to go next year. B/c I think it would be loads of fun to go with some friends. We got some cool stuff too. See the black and white bag we got this year? It had some yarn and a magazine in it. I also picked up a sticker that I now stuck on my car. (you can see a photo of it on flickr)

July was also the last month for my Harry Potter Knitting/Crochet House Cup over on ravelry. they're taking a month off and then we'll start back up again for September. I love that group it gets my creative juices flowing!

I completed my Muggle Studies OWL. 2 Weasley sweaters. The girls each picked out the colors they wanted. I did a gauge swatch and bought yarn according to the pattern but I have at least 1-2 balls left from each of the main colors and most of the letter colors. So I'm pondering a BSJ or really a not so baby one. since I have the yarn and it goes well together.

For Quidditch our wrist warmers were due. I made them for the girls. they love them. I heard the bead singing, "I'm in gryffindor, I'm in gryffindor" after I gave her the one that fit. I think she's lost it now though... oh well.


For potions this month I made a necklace. Which then I gave to my older sister to have. b/c she likes gold and I do not. So she'll probably wear it. I hope she likes it that is. I really love the color of the beads and the butterfly but I really really don't like gold and I thought about wearing it but just couldn't... sigh. I have some of the beads left so I may have to make something from them but with silver. We'll see.

For Charms this month I made 2 headbands. One green with some left over sock yarn and one in gryffie colors left over from my scarf. They come in really handy and work really well. (esp with my thick curly hair) I'm going to have to make more of them I think! In fact I was all set to see the new movie wearing my new headband (that the bub is modeling) tonight when we were told that they wouldn't be showing it b/c of rain. (it was at the drive-in) so we'll wait until next weekend I think. unless we can get the girls' grandparents to watch them for a matinee sometime this week.

For muggle studies this month I made some socks. I love them. though it's too warm to wear them now I know I'm going to love them come winter. I also joined a new Sock a Month KAL. So I'll be knitting a pair of socks every month for a while. I wrote a small post about these socks there. They're your basic of basic toe up socks 2x2 ribbing with Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn.


And last but not least for Astronomy I made an invincibility star. I made it with Glow-in-the-dark yarn. It's awesome! And simple simple simple. I snapped a photo of it playing the xbox. which I thought was rather funny. It's arms are too short to maneuver the Wii remote I guess. he he he he he.

OK that's it. you're caught up for July. Now on to August.

Flatbread YUMMO!

I made some flat bread on the grill today. I've been wanting to try it out for a while now so after reading this post I decided to try it. You start with your regular stored dough. Heat your grill. Roll out your dough. If you'd like add some sesame seeds or poppy seeds. then you grill it about 2 min on each side. It turns out wonderful! You should try it out! YUMMO

Playing Catch Up again.

Lately it seems all I do here on this blog is play catch up. I need to get back in the habit of posting more regularly. I guess the busier life gets the more this poor blog gets neglected. Anyways on with our catch up.
Over the 4th of July weekend we went to WI to visit with my family. It was a lot of fun. While there I made this necklace. I find doing the Harry Potter House Cup helps me to finish more projects than if I'm working on my own. This particular necklace (ravelry link) I turned in for my July Potions homework. The assignment this month was Felix Felicis (sp?) So we needed to make something that was small and golden.

Also on the trip I finished my June Charms homework. I didn't have enough time to finish it in the month of June. I made an illusion scarf to wear to the HBP movie. (which we've yet to go see) The scarf is in the Gryffindor colors but the illusion is of the Heroes sign. Just something for fun!

Also for this Month we needed to turn in wrist warmers for our Quidditch team. I made a pair and let the girls each have one. they were super excited. and Have been wearing them ever since. I had to make the Bub leave her's here at home when she left for camp on Monday morning.

Monday Night I finished 1/2 of my OWL for this term. (I'm working extra hard on it so I'll be done at the end of the month) The bead was super excited and proceeded to wear it most of Tuesday. I also started on the bub's sweaters (the other 1/2 of my OWL). I'm using Vanna's choice yarn and after washing the sweater it's super soft. I made it s size bigger (5/6) so she can wear it longer. Of course it's being summer it's a little warm to wear it.

For this month's astronomy homework I choose to do an invincibility star. The pattern can be found here. (here's my ravelry link) It's a really easy pattern and I used glow-in-the-dark yarn. it's pretty cool. Being crochet it was a quick project.

I wanted to share something that isn't knitting or crochet. This past Wednesday my DH called and said you have to come get this playhouse. someone had left a plastic playhouse out by the side of the road with a "FREE" sign on it. So I packed up the bead and we went to collect it. It wasn't a pretty sight. when we got it home we had to deep clean it. It looks a lot better now. and the Bead has been sooo excited playing with it all the time. We've been talking about getting something like that for the girls to play with. so we were lucky that we got one for free. I really love getting things for free don't you?

man it's the middle of july already?!?

It's definitely summer! And it seems that finally the weather is getting sooo warm that it feels like summer. I finally got my garden in and I'm not sure I've enough time to get a good crop. we'll have to see.

This year we were able to secure childcare so that we can go to Stitch N Pitch. I'm excited. It's next weekend. We got our tickets in the mail this past week. I was hoping to get a group from the LYS to go but I wasn't able to get it together. hopefully next year.
Though first this Monday the bub goes off to camp. It will be fun for her but I'm not sure how the bead is going to take it. So I've found a polish pottery tea set that I've had for "just in case" that I picked up ages ago in Poland. I'm going to give it to the bead to play with while her sister is gone. I think she's really going to enjoy it.
well I've got things to do I'll TTYL

Potter Puppet Pals in "The Mysterious Ticking Noise"

I'm sure you've seen this before, if not it's pretty funny! gotta love good old voldy

We've missed it.

Usually when you hear the words thread, crochet and pineapple in the same sentence you think "grandma, or doily" Well I don't want you thinking that anymore. From now on I want you thinking SEXY!
This past week I made my sister a garter for her wedding. We're not able to attend the wedding so I wanted to make her something. pretty huh? The pattern is from Interweave Crochet. (ravelry link) up close you can see the beads. very cool I had to overnight the package to her and I'm not sure if she's gotten it. she was supposed to get it by 12 today.. but I haven't heard from her. I know she's doing the whole day before the wedding stuff so I'm not too worried.

I also wanted to make her something for after the wedding (eye wiggle) so I found this pattern on ravelry. super sexy pineapples huh? Note: that link isn't child friendly so watch who's watching when you click it. I had some red thread laying around and thought it would look wonderful in red. I hope she likes it!

OH Holy COW!

I can't believe how long I've been gone. right after my last post (with in the next few days that is) I hurt my back. I went to the chiropractor and was feeling good until I stretched the wrong way or bent over or something and then last Saturday and Sunday I spent in bed with maybe about 5 min or so sitting up. (it was sooo painful) I went back to the chiro and he confirmed that I had/have a bulging disc. UGH not fun so he tried some traction and sent me home. my next appt was for wed and I was remarkably better. I could sit up at least. Then yesterday I had another appt. and I'm doing soooooooooooo much better. the result of all that is not much knitting or crocheting going on. Though it did make a dent (a smallish one) in my reading queue.
Yesterday was the last day for the girl's VBS at our church so they had a closing program. They sang songs and each grade level did their verse. I know the girls had a lot of fun this week. My Dh was the valet and he also went and picked up my nephew and took him to the VBS.
I brought my Sock Wars SIP's to knit on during the program. and I got a good part of them done. I'm seriously surprised I'm not dead yet. (in the game I mean!) I actually have a goal to finish them and send them off this weekend. It's a good goal! I'm also going to use them as my DADA project this month. now to get off the Internet and knit... LOL.. not sure when that will happen. Oh ravelry, I love you!

more projects!

Just in time for may classes I finished my tote/bag. for Charms class. The charm was repello muggletum. so on our trip to the new movie I can hide goodies and knitting in this tote and those muggles won't know.. LOL. I'm a dork I know! I really really love the Asian print I used as the inside lining. It's larger than it looks and I can carry a book or two inside and the pockets give me room for other things. and the straps are a comfy. I love it!
I have a baby shower to go to today and I made some baby bibs and a pineapple hat for the gift. The hat turned out rather cute! I hope she likes it. I also turned it in for my herbology class. We had to use bobbles for this month's project. I'm not the hugest fan of bobbles. but like I said this hat turned out cute.
I'm still working on my 2nd pair of Socks for sock wars. I'm ready to be done and just waiting to die... for some reason I'm having a hard time finishing this pair. We'll see if i "die" before finishing them.. anyways gotta jet.