Teaching Myself to Knit

I've been teaching myself to knit. A body can find a lot of help on youtube. These wash clothes are some of my first projects. I have been knitting like my life depended on it. I've made a neck scarf and a pair of fingerless gloves as well. Can you guess what people will be getting from me this Christmas? Right, something knitted! I am looking forward to making a wash clothe for each person on my list. I learned to knit in mid-August and am having so much fun. I love it!
If you "google" knitting patterns you can find many projects. I am looking forward to making a rug for my "new" laundry room. I might try my hand at "felting". It looks so easy. The computer can be put to such good use. Hope you are enjoying yours.
Thanks for looking.
Becky

Pillows Covers

I've wanted to make pillows for my back yard for some time. Being the one that usually doubts her abilities I took the plunge. Finding material to give it a try would be my first challenge. I did not want to pay much for fabric. Knowing that outdoor fabric can be costly, I decided that I would not be picky when it came to color choices. I did have a couple of stipulations. The material had to be a remnant from the clearance section and machine washable. What do ya know, there were only two pieces of outdoor fabric to choose from, both happen to be blue with strips; one was machine washable the other was dry clean only. I do have a few blue lawn ornaments and the hammock is near the pond. Decision made. Boy that was fast. Isn't it nice when it all comes together like that.The total cost $3.32. Not bad. I already had the thread and buttons so I think I did pretty well with this project. I am curious to know how much these little pillows would have cost had I purchased them. I am truly inspired to tackle some bigger projects now.

I did use ideas from http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/freepatterns/pillows.html. The pillow with the buttons was my idea and made up pattern although I'm sure someone has a real pattern out there for a pillow cover with buttons.






This picture shows both pillows. The button pillow is basically a pillow case idea with the buttons added for interest and to keep the little pillow securely in place. The other pillow is an envelope style pillow case using a pattern from the website mentioned above. Years ago I purchased travel pillows for our family. They are now inside the new cases.


My son.

Pizza

Crust:
1 pkg yeast
1 c. water
3 Tbsp. sugar or to taste
2 Tbsp oil
1 egg
4 c. flour
Mix water and yeast; add sugar, egg and oil. Stir and knead in flour. Place in oiled bowl and let rest for 1 hour. Roll crust our and add saue and your favorite toppings. Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes.

Sauce:
12 oz. can tomato paste
1 1/2 cans water
1/4 c. sugar or to taste
2 tsp. oregano or to taste
salt and pepper
Mix all ingredients and stir thoroughly. Heat on top of stove or in microwave for 3-5 minutes.

Sweetness of Life

Often things just happen in life that make you, well, appreciate life. My brother, the youngest of twelve children, married for the first time this month at the age of 33. He will agree that his Jenny was worth the wait.

It is my mother, however, that I keep seeing in my minds eye when I review the time spent together with family for his wedding. What a pleasure it was just to see the joy on her face as she witnessed the marriage of her youngest son. This, through the Grace of God. You see, a year and a half ago she had cancer.
I am grateful to my dear husband for capturing the above photo.

My sister married when she was 40 of course thinking the time for children was passed for her. Today at 47 she is the mother of baby Isaac. When she was a younger woman the a doctor told her that it would be best if she waited to have children since she had curvature of the spine. God's timing is perfect.

"As for God, his way is perfect..." Psalm 18:30a

Recipe for Poppy-Seed Muffins

This post includes the recipe of the poppy-seed muffins shown in the previous post.

If you haven't already done so get yourself one of those cheap photo albums that you can find at a dollar store or hundred yen store, if your shopping in Japan like one of my sweeties. Just cut the recipe out and pop it into a sleeve and there you have it. You will be glad you did. Don't try to get all perfect and cute, it will lead to a slim recipe collection. I have found comfort in mine for many years.

The album with "Cookies" across the front was from a church Christmas Cookie exchange. Everyone sent their recipes in ahead of time and a gal took time to put each recipe in this little photo album turned Cookie recipe book. Fun.

Some of the recipes in my book are hand printed while others were simply cut from the back of something.

Interestingly, the bread and pancakes recipes that I always use are securely taped to the inside of one of my cabinet doors. Hmm... I'd love to hear how you organize your recipes.

Poppy-seed Muffins

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
  
• 1 1/8 cups vegetable oil
  
• 1 1/2 cups milk
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy-seed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 3 cups flour
  

Glaze

• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 teaspoons butter (melted)

Directions:
Beat together eggs, sugar,oil. Add milk, salt, baking powder, poppy-seeds, vanilla, almond and flour. Mix well.
Bake in muffin cups filled 3/4 full or use loaf pans. Bake in a 350 F degree oven (17 degree C) 15 - 20 minutes for the muffins or 50-60 minutes for the loaves. Tops should be golden brown and tooth pick inserted should be clean.
While still warm dip into the glaze. Pour over loaf.

To make glaze: In saucepan combine glaze ingredients warm until dissolved. Dip or brush onto room temperature muffins and loaf pans.

Poppy-Seed Muffins

These muffins are a big hit at our house. I found them at a website called All Recipes . I try to keep a batch of them in the freezer so that I can pop them into my husbands lunch. He enjoys a sweet snack about mid-morning with a cup of coffee, why not something from home. He saves a dollar every time he finds a treat from home in his lunch box.



Do you see that this picture has jumbo size as well as the regular muffin size? I have brownies in the freezer for this week. I think I'll get to it and make a batch of these as well. Variety is nice.


Gavin helping himself to a muffin.

Happy Birthday

What a fine day
for tea
Lady Katherine!

I do
hope your
birthday was special