Needlework: Valentine Bear Hat

I found this adorable Bear Hat pattern and decided to add Valentine pins to it for the holiday.  The heart pins in two sizes can be found here and are, of course, detachable.  I did run into the pattern being a bit small for an 18 month old so continued to increase stitches up to 50 but could have added even more.  I also crocheted additional rows.  
In the photo above I added the larger crocheted hearts on the ear flaps which can also be removed after the holiday.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !

Needlework: Valentine Heart Barrettes & Pins

I found this cute little Valentine Heart pattern here and the snap clips are from the Dollar Tree.   I simply sewed the valentine heart to the clip.  This is the smaller of the hearts in the directions.  Below are the larger hearts to which I attached a pin.  I used a G crochet hook.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Materials:
Small amount of worsted weight yarn
G (4.5mm) or H (5.0mm) crochet hook
3/4 inch pin back
Needle and thread to match or hot glue


Small Heart Motif

Chain 4, make all stitches in the first chain. 3 trc, 3 dc, chain 1, 1 trc, chain 1, 3 dc, 3 trc, chain 2 slip stitch. Fasten off.

Sew or glue pin back to back of heart. Embellish with ribbon or yarn bow.

Large Heart Motif

Round 1: Chain 4, make all stitches in the first chain. 3 trc, 3 dc, chain 1, 1 trc, chain 1, 3 dc, 3 trc, chain 2 slip stitch.

Round 2. Chain 3, in first trc make sc and hdc, in next stitch 3 hdc, in next stitch 2 hdc, 1 sc in next four stitches, chain1 dc in trc chain 1, sc in next four stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch, 3 hdc in next stitch, hdc and sc in next stitch, chain 3 and slip stitch in joining. Fasten off.

Sew or glue pin back to back of heart. Embellish with ribbon or yarn bow.

Table Setting: Dessert Is Served

This table setting consists of dishes, place mats, napkins, water goblets, vases and the smaller porcelain balls from Homegoods/TJMaxx, along with slate place cards from Pottery Barn and a candle vigil light centerpiece from Crate and Barrel. The large porcelain balls, bearing the first initials of each member of our family, are from the Christmas Tree Shop.

And dessert was served!  The brownie waffles and butterscotch sauce recipes can be found here.

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Needlework: Woman's Cable Cardigan Sweater

This woman's cardigan pattern is made with knitted worsted weight yarn on circular needles. I knit both sleeves at the same time to assure they will measure the same in the end. Since this is a raglan pattern, only the sleeve seams will need to be stitched. This pattern can be found in Leisure Arts "Knitted Seamless Raglans" leaflet 159, available on amazon.com.

For the scarf, I simply knitted the same cable pattern that is found in the sweater until I reached the desired length.
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Recipe: Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus

Excellent appetizer that can be prepared ahead and baked just before 
serving.

Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus

(printable recipe)

Ingredients:

1 bunch of thin asparagus spears
1/2 (16 ounce) package frozen phyllo dough sheets, thawed per package directions. (Reserve second tube for later use - return to freezer.)
1/2 cup butter, melted
Wedge of Asiago cheese, shredded (could also use Parmesan)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375'.
Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus. Steam spears for a few minutes in the microwave to partially cook.
Unwrap the phyllo and cut the stack in half lengthwise.
Cover the phyllo with a damp towel to keep it from drying out. Take 1 sheet of phyllo and brush lightly with some melted butter. Cover completely.
Lay one asparagus spear across the short end of dough and add about a 1/2 tablespoon of cheese along spear. Then roll dough, spear and cheese jelly-roll style and place seam side down on a baking sheet.  Cover with damp towel as you prepare the remaining asparagus.
Repeat until all the asparagus spears are used up.


Before baking, brush with more melted butter. (If using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle on outside as well.)

Place baking sheet in oven and bake for 15 mins or until golden brown and crispy.

Delightful to devour!

Note: You can make these a bit ahead and keep covered in plastic wrap on a cookie sheet in the refrigerator. I have done this for a couple of days with leftovers and they were still great.

Number Of Servings: Makes about 32 asparagus spears

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Needlework: Knitted Baby Dress

Here is a cute little dress I knitted for my granddaughter.  It is made with the same yarn as a sweater set I knitted for her earlier,  seen below.  The pattern can be found in "Lovable Hand Knits, Infants to 4 Years" on amazon.com. It is called "Striped Poor Boy Dress, No. 3012 - I eliminated the stripes and added rosettes from Lion Brand Yarn, "Crocheted Rosettes/Flowers"
I made up the bag in the same pattern, k2,p2, as the dress.  

The matching hat is crocheted and from Lion Brand free patterns online, Floppy Brim Hat.  I added another rosette and took it in a bit on the top for the time being.   

This set is similar to patterns which can be found here on this blog.

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Recipe: Enjoy Some Turkey Soup

Thanksgiving means turkey and turkey means leftovers.  I have trouble just tossing out the turkey carcass which is ideal for making turkey soup sooooo, soup it is !  This can also be frozen to enjoy at a later date. 

Turkey Soup

(printable recipe)

Making Stock

1. Remove all the usable turkey meat from the turkey carcass to save for adding to the soup later.

2. Break up the leftover bones of the carcass a bit, so they don't take up as much room in the pot. Put the leftover bones and skin into a large stock pot and cover with cold water by an inch. Add any drippings that weren't used to make gravy, and any giblets (except liver) that haven't been used already.  Add a yellow onion that has been quartered, some chopped carrots, parsley, thyme, a bay leaf, celery tops, and some peppercorns.

3. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce heat to bring the stock to a bare simmer or just below a simmer. ( If you would like to have a clear stock, do not bring the stock to a boil, but keep the stock below a simmer, as the more you simmer, the more cloudy the stock will be.) Skim off any foam that may float to the surface of the stock.

4. Add salt and pepper, about 1 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of pepper depending on how large your turkey is. You can always add salt to the soup later.

5. Cook for at least 4 hours, uncovered or partially uncovered (so the stock reduces), occasionally skimming off any foam that comes to the surface. 

6. Remove the bones and veggies and strain the stock, ideally through a very fine mesh strainer.

7. If making stock for future use in soup you may want to reduce the stock by cooking it longer, uncovered, at a bare simmer or just below a simmer, to make it more concentrated and easier to store.

Making the Turkey Soup

With your stock already made, add chopped carrots, onions, and celery in equal parts. Add some parsley, a couple cloves of garlic. Add seasoning - poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, marjoram and/or a bouillon cube. Cook at a bare simmer until the vegetables are cooked through.  You can add rice, pasta or noodles . Take some of the remaining turkey meat you reserved earlier, shred it into bite sized pieces and add to the soup.

   

For another version of a turkey soup recipe click here.

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Needlework: Flower Afghan

I made a couple of these afghans years ago and love the finished product.  I came across the pattern recently in  Red Heart's  Afghans & Crochet Classics available on Amazon.com.  It is called "Grand Gardenias" and can be found on page 72.  The finished size is 47"x62" and each square measures
 7 1/2".  Because it is worked in squares, it is a nice project to take along when you are out and about.  

After locating this afghan tucked away in the linen closet, I offered it to my daughter as this is the accent color in her family room.  And she snapped it up. I was happy to see it get a second life in my daughter's home!
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Crafts: Using Chalkboard Paint to Personalize a Vase

I have seen chalkboard paint used many ways and thought I'd try my hand at blocking off an area on a simple vase I had and spraying it with a few coats of chalkboard paint.  I would recommend covering the entire vase with painter's tape or paper as the spray does find it's way to uncovered areas especially when spraying in a cardboard box.  It does however, come off easily with a scrubby sponge.

After seasoning the chalkboard area on the vase with the side of a piece of chalk, you can write any message you like depending on the occasion.   This would make a nice addition to a gift of flowers for an event or as a hostess gift.

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Travel: Family Vacation Time is Here!

Enjoying a family trip to see Mickey at Disney World's Old Key West Resort in Orlando!  So glad we made that Disney Vacation Club purchase 20 years ago....