HOW EASY IS THIS

Last October my knitting group had it's first "ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL"  Those who wanted to participate made homemade treats and brought their latest canning to exchange with others. Of course there was more food to nibble on than we could possible have consumed

 A table full of our work was set out for all to see and gush over. You had to bring one to taste and I think 8 to exchange .............such fun.

We had jams jellies homemade cracker jacks cookies beets herb vinegars granola and so much more. You also brought the recipe for all to have.Which brings me to the simple part. ALL THOSE CHRISTMAS CARDS THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH......

I made a pattern of the top of my canning jar using a thin plastic cover.The plastic actually allowed me to see what I wanted to cut.

Then I just cut out the circles..............

And now I'll have lovely toppers to place on my canning jar for our next annual festival






Not to mention just the perfect look for Christmas gifting.....pretty pleased with this. Just the right amount of crafting for January......said the Hobbit

WHAT'S IN THE PANTRY , can save you money

My hubby and I are playing a money saving game,that will give us more than we need for our Christmas shopping. He's not much of a saver but, got real excited about THIS post. Of course.....he's a guy and immediately thought we should make this a competition.So, not having a real income but, having a functioning household budget I have to be a little more creative with my savings.My first thought was to check the pantry and the freezer and see what I can come up with that would keep my from spending my grocery money and having a little extra to tuck away in the fund.This is only week 2 but, he has managed to put away $2 more than I.............Hmmmmmm patience little grasshopper.

My son attended a Christmas party and rescued the turkey carcass. His host was too tired to properly clean and rescue any remaining meat. My son knew I could handle this project and told his host to pop it in a plastic bag and I would be happy to dispose of it for him. My children are well trained to put enormous guilt on their friends when it comes to wasting food,and then offering them my help.After boiling down the carcass for broth I had 4 containers of turkey meat. Also in the freezer was a small bag of homemade cheese tortellini . Can you feel a plan coming together yet?

In the fridge I found carrot onion and celery which I sauteed in a little bacon fat.Once the veggies where tender I put in the turkey chunks and the broth..........took it to a simmer and let it blend for 1/2 hour.

Checked the fridge for a little color and found baby spinach that I added along with the tortellini and thyme for added flavor.

when all was simmered to perfection :-) I had enough for 4 servings.  

Topped with homemade croutons and my husband was most impressed.No,I missed the photo with the croutons you can stop looking for them.Of course, you can do this with any leftovers. I've even simmered a beef bone,added ramen noodles and pea pods with a little onion and bok choy  .Do you make leftover soup? What's your favorite?Well, I have no intention of losing this contest so hubby better not look in the mirror he just might see ........ the hobbit.

The Best Part of Christmas and a Happy New Year!

First let me wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR! This is when we think on what we want to accomplish for 2014 however, what greater joy was there in 2013 than to see these little ones gathered to celebrate Christmas at there Uncle Thom's home.Gift's were placed under the tree for sharing.

SANTA was a big hit when he granted Aaron his biggest wish."Please Santa, come to my home and sing me Happy Birthday" how can you say no to that!

HARPER WAS HOPING FOR FINGER FOOD AND SHE GOT IT

COTTRELL AND AARON OPENED THEIR PRESENTS WITH SUCH CAREIt was a pillow for TV watching but she thought it was a pony........doesn't every little girl want one?

AND THEN WE MET JAYNE,THE BABY MASTIFF, I DON'T THINK HE, YES,IT'S A HE ,

WILL BE SITTING ON PEPERES LAP NEXT YEAR................SAID THE HOBBIT

"THE SWEATER"

Every year I have made a sweater for a family member using the wool from my brother's farm I always  thought this would be a great thing to have as a keepsake.My sister-in-law is a spinner and probably the closest person to Tasha Tudor that I know. This being year #4 they are starting to get the whole idea of what I'm doing and my youngest actually chose a pattern for her sweater. In previous years I just made a simple sweater that I thought I could handle.

THIS IS the pattern that she choose. After reading the instructions for 3 days,I hear you chuckling out there, I finally felt confident enough to give it a try. The rectangle above shows the complete pattern that is repeated on the front and back of the sweater.

                                                               Here you see the back. Tadah!

                                                                   and this would be the front

It was quite the learning experience and mistakes were made, you think? I'm glad I pushed the envelope and got it done.Actually I think the hardest part was the blocking. I need to work on that......
.but, all in all it was a successful journey................said the Hobbit

it's here it's here!!!! It's CHRISTMAS DAY!!!!!

 Finally ........we spent the weekend doing those last minutes chores . One last visit to the farmer's market.So many things to choose from but, I have a list and I must stick to it.

Do I need anything to brighten my home?











 Oh .......one can always use a little more color at Christmas time........right?

Oh my !! Looks like Santa has left the room and is ready to visit all good little boys and girls.I'd better get home because........













THE REASON FOR THE SEASON IS HERE...............
                                  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! ...............said the hobbit

It's almost here........Are you ready?

Are you cooking like  crazy right now........I know Christmas/comfort. It's a perfect match,isn't it? This should be such a fun time of year,but, somehow I make an almost impossible list than even Santa can't handle.While trying to decide what to make for the holidays I scan to see what my blogging friends are doing and by the time I've spent an hour or two oowing and ahhing over all their plans I'm just about ready to have a good cry.
Really....am I the only person out here who can't make 13 different cookies and 5 specialty candies for my family to enjoy?

But then I look out my window at the newly fallen snow and see my neighbors house looking like the perfect Christmas card, my heart melts and my blood pressure drops a few notches and I am reminded that I just have to be me.Although I love a good cookie I have to say that my true comfort food is ........

                                                                   
                                                                   SOUP........I think there is nothing more comforting than a hot bowl of soup.This week I made RED LENTIL WITH LEMON.When life gets a little stressful, this soup can really lift your spirits.There are many variations to this recipe,however I think this comes under the heading of "if it ain't broke,don't fix it" simplicity is an important thing to remember during the holidays.
Gather these ingredients:

4TBLS EVOO  
2 LARGE ONIONS CHOPPED
4 GARLIC CLOVES MINCED
2 TBLS TOMATO PASTE
2 TSP GROUND CUMIN
1/2 TSP KOSHER SALT
PINCH OF CAYENNE
2 QUARTS VEGGIE BROTH.........OR CHICKEN
2 CUPS RED LENTILS
2 LARGE CARROTS  PEELED AND DICED
JUICE OF 1 LEMON
1/3 CUP CHOPPED FRESH CILANTRO

Saute onions and garlic in Olive Oil till just tender
Stir in tomato paste,cumin,cayenne salt and pepper and continue to stir till  you have that wonderful aroma of onions and spice rising up from the pot.  Oh yeah ...... now you're cooking.Add your broth,lentils and diced carrots.Bring to a boil then slowly simmer till tender. 20 to 30 minutes.At this stage I use my emulsion blender to puree the soup.Stir in lemon juice and chopped cilantro and enjoy!! After consuming 1 or 2 bowls of this soup you should be ready to get back to your holiday list and probably check everything as "done"
Hmmm,have you thought of having it for breakfast?..........said the Hobbit

Moving right along to Christmas

 As you know .....daughter #1 took the first shift in holiday prep.......Part deux as we like to say, belongs to Sarah.

With Thanksgiving behind us, she quickly got her tree up and decorated as was ready for her annual Christmas card writing party.

We gathered our cards and stamps and quickly got to the task of writing those little notes to friends and family that we miss and haven't seen as often as we would like.Her party gives us just the right push we all need to get the job done.



Her wall was marked with the mantra of the day..........We shouldn't take things too seriously.

A table had been set to make it all seem like a fun time. She managed to find this coffee urn that reminded everyone of the good old days when time were less hectic. Isn't it a beauty?

When all was done there was time for chatting and tales of the wonderful events that had come to pass in 2013.......Then off we went to get a little Christmas shopping done and of course, get those cards and notes off to the post office. At least that was the plan,as soon as we had one more serving of that delicious breakfast casserole she had prepared.............said the Hobbit

Needles are still knocking

I've been a bit slacking with my news about my !knitting group but, they haven't 

New projects are being started every week...........I can't keep up with them I'm still in the attic finding the past..........quite the trip.

One that really amazed me was a pair of gloves done by CindyS. This is so far down on my to do list.But she whipped them up in no time at all.

Check out the detail on the back. Amazing isn't it. Some lucky person got these as a gift. 

New to our group is Deb. She got the bug to try doing socks This is her first attempt!!!Teeny tiny cables run up and down her leg. Great first pair don't you think? She is currently busy making socks for everyone on her Christmas list.Very lucky people ................said the hobbit

pushing the envelop with something new

All my sewing friends should get a chuckle out of this. January is the time we start to plan our Christmas gifts. Why you say? Because every year the goal is to do all the gifts from our own little hands. After awhile I start to think they will cringe if mom knits them one more pair of socks or winter hat so I'm trying to push the envelope and do something different. This was suppose to get done for Christmas 2012 but, my sewing curve is pretty steep.

I was determined to make something for the children and by golly it was going to have nice clean french seams. I cut and pinned my fabric and looked and envisioned the next step. THEN, I unpinned and turned the fabric and re pinned..........well you get the idea. I just couldn't do this with so much pressure (from me) to get it done on time. I decided it would be the first project done for 2013.

Finally I mastered the french seam.........breath a heavy sigh of relief.

But, I wanted to be able to put bias tape on this project also.........January passed.............there went February and still I hadn't finished the project. Finally in March I thought "this is it ...I need to do this!!"Again with the pin and unpin and sewing and ripping out AUGGG!! From the time I bought the fabric to the time I pressed and put it away for giving was 5 MONTHS!!!!!

WHO KNEW MAKING A PILLOW CASE WOULD TAKE SOOOO  LONG.  I'd better get back to my sewing machine. I have one more to make and Christmas is almost here........said the hobbit

What I made for Christmas

Christmas has come and gone and now I can talk about a special Christmas present that was made this year.My children are champions at finding out what I have planned for Christmas.So I don't dare speak a word about my plans till they have their present in hand. Even then they seem to have that look that says.............I know what's in this box! Know what I     mean?

Every year I try to make something for one of my children using the wool from my brother's sheep.My sister-in-law always makes sure that some of her wool is available in the most natural state.This coffee/latte color is my favorite and I finally was ready to make my firstborns sweater this year.I decided to go with a simple sweater that had a loose and comfy look.After much research I decided to go with this PATTERN It's the Harry Potter sweater without the initial.Smart choice if your doing a sweater that can't be tried on for a size check.

                                                                    Nice full 3 inch cuff

                                                              Comfy rolled collar with plenty of stretch

The results a sweater that looks and feels great!! He loves it so much that he has asked several times if I could make another just like it. He'll have to get to the back of the line as I still have one child left to make THE SPECIAL SWEATER  for. Do you think she'll figure out that she will be next??? I won't say a word if you don't.............said the hobbit

The Christmas cookies

Do you make a traditional Christmas cookie?  I use to make the same one every year and although I loved it and enjoyed sharing the whole process every year, I soon heard that little baker voice inside saying "come on,try something different" So, the past few years I have been venturing away from my comfort zone and going where this baker has never been . This year I turned to Martha Stewart' Everyday Cook Book and made APRICOT WALNUT RUGALACH

This recipe fit right into my schedule. The dough had to be mixed in my food processor. Aw,too bad. So simple. Place 2 STICKS OF COLD UNSALTED BUTTER
                     1SOFTENED 8 OZ PACKAGE OF CREAM CHEESE
                      3 TABLESPOONS SUGAR
                      1/4 TEASPOON SALT
mix till WELL blended then mix in
                      2 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
Pulse till a dough forms ........divide in 1/2 and place in fridge 2 hours or overnight.In a sauce pan cook
                        1 CUP DRIED APRICOTS
                         1/4 CUP BRANDY
                          1/2 TEASPOON CINNAMON
Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer till about 1/2 the liquid is gone. About 6 or 7 min. Stir in
                           1/2 CUP SUGAR
                           1 CUP CHOPPED WALNUTS.
Actually after making this several times I put the apricot mixture the sugar and the nuts in my processor and gave it a few pulses till it looked chopped but not a paste.

Now with my trusty patry rolling pin and a little extra sprinkling of flour I rolled 1disk at a time to resemble the size of a pie pastry topping  12 inches across.

Then I spread 1/2 the apricot filling over this leaving about a 1/2 inch edge with no filling. I rolled it out on parchment paper,to make pick up easier.

Now with a knife or pizza cutter I cut the dough into pie wedges They recommended 16 pieces. Here comes the fun part. Starting at the widest part roll your dough crescent style

Put that little pointy part down on your cookie sheet. Parchment was used here also. Don't know if it was necessary but hate to find out at the last minute that the cookies won't come off the sheet.

Now brush each cookie with a beaten egg or heavy cream

Stick them in the freezer for 30 min.

Bake 325 degrees for 35 min. They were so yummy. Once they were frozen I popped half of them in a freezer bag and baked as needed.After several batches of apricot I started to do my own thing. I used dried cranberries in place of the apricots and candied ginger instead of cinnamon and replaced the walnuts with pecans.Such fun. I still have some in the freezer. I think I'll go and bake 8 or 10 for tea break Jiggy (the hubby) will be watching the Notre Dame game and I'll be a happy camper..........said the hobbit