What's happening??

It is so hot and humid here I feel like I'm back in New Orleans. We have been blessed with some much deserved sunshine however by late afternoon it's raining so hard you can't see across the street. This is often accompanied by these micro burst of winds strong enough to uproot trees that have been standing for 80 years. Our weather pattern is really messed up. But this is New England, if you don't like the weather just wait a few minutes and it will change. I just notices I haven't shown any of my crafts lately .This is a shopping bag that I crocheted.Was too lazy to find a pattern so just winged it.It's been so long since I picked up a crochet hook that I'm not sure if I did any real stitches . I'm thinking of lining the bottom third. Haven't made up my mind yet.What would you do?

I got my friends hooked on these mini hand and face clothes from Canadian Living craft department and Betty from our stitch and bitch was sweet enough to make a set for me. She used a Greek cotton and it is really wonderful. Of course being born in Athens she doesn't miss an opportunity to support the Islands whenever possible. If you are interested just go to http://www.canadianliving.com/ hit the craft department and look for a pretty vintage towel. The face clothes are from another blogger friend. She has it in her sidebar with a llink to the pattern.

This is my fun project.I cut strips from some of my husbands T-shirts,connected them like you would rubber bands and with a size 11 knitting needle I have been doing a bathroom rug. It's just knit every row as long as you wish and you wouldn't believe how thick and comfy it is. I think I see Christmas prezzies coming. I never thought these colors were right for him but, don't tell him you heard that from me.................said the hobbit

Nothing but good food here

Summertime has got to be a favorite for every foodie in the world. This morning I drove into work and found John and Rebecka washing the just picked beets and getting them ready for the barn.

It was going to be in the 80's today and field workers try to get as much done as possible.No one goes out between 11:30 and 1pm on a day like today.

This gorgeous food inspired me to try a new salad
I found in Cook's spring issue.Of course I had to

give it a personal twist to make it my own.

So many customers have asked for a potato salad

with no mayo or dairy products.They are either

concerned about allergies or have safety issues with food left outside

on these oh so warm days.I think this one fits the bill.It calls for green beans about 1 1/2 lbs and potatoes with the skin left on.I used 2 lbs of Russian fingerling's. Mix EVOO 1/2 cup s&p and a tbls of sugar.Toss your veggies till all are shiny.Pre-heat your cookie sheet in a very hot oven on the lowest rack possible.They said 500 but, honey ,I cook nothing at 500.
I settled on 425 and it did the trick. I'm sure you all know your ovens and can plan accordingly.

When your sheet is hot 8-10 min.Throw the veggies on and roast in a single layer for 25 min.Do not turn stir or rotate.While this is going on,put a third of a cup of oil in your bowl.(I hope you haven't washed it yet.)2 minced garlic cloves and vinegar of your choice. I used raspberry vinegar about 3-4 tbls.When the veggies are roasted toss them with your dressing and let cool about 30 mins.Then add something to give it crunch. I slivered a small radicchio.It's like an Italian cabbage no bigger then the palm of your hand.This salad is great warm or cold and you don't have to worry about leaving it in the sun on a hot summer day.Hope you give it a try and don't be afraid to give it your own twist..............................said the hobbit

Coming up for air!

Oh how I have missed my people. Yes that would be you. June is just a blur still but, I've finally made it back to my computer. We had moves to help out with,a few family crisis,rain that went on for weeks,a summer cold that just wouldn't quit not to mention 2 additional house guest that needed the use of my computer.Things are adjusting now and I have a little more time for me. Alright enough complaining and excuses,let me till you what I've been up to. Stitch and Bitch is still alive and strong.We changed our gathering place and so far everyone is happy with our new coffee shop.Cynthia is one of our newer students and, has discovered the fine art of potholders.After a week on her own she came up with these.I have to say,I think she has the knitting bug. Her talents are many and I plan on showing her off in the coming weeks.



Michelle came in with her newest accomplishment.She saw this pattern on knitpicks
and jumped right on this project. She was quite pleased with the results and so were we. Nice job Michelle. This is Sarah,we just finished moving all her possessions into a storage facility and she is currently making dish towels with borrowed yarn.Everything she owns is currently out of reach but that didn't stop her urge to knit.
She will be staying with us till hubby comes back from being on tour.His band is currently doing a 2 1/2 month tour of the U.S.A I'm exhausted just hearing about the schedule.

In my corner I've also started with the canning thing.Last year went pretty well and I thought it was going to be the same this summer. What was I thinking. The little garden has had more rain then necessary.June had 23 rainy days and the rest was overcast or on the chilly side.The pickling cukes came in before the spring peas. Hard to believe the peas were picked on July 11 for the first time.Crazy, I know.I decided to do up some dill pickles this year.

I got the jars all packed with the grape leaves and dill on the bottom. I stuffed as many of those slices in there covered them with the pickling concoction and processed for the mandatory 10 minute boiling bath. They are now resting comfortably on the shelf where they are not to be TOUCHED for 6 weeks. This is suppose to give them the proper amount of pickling time to produce the perfect dill pickle. We'll see.Back in the garden I'm fighting with the mother of all woodchucks. He loved my broccoli and is even more fond of my mescalin. Soon he will die. I'm this close to the last straw.

With all the new schedules going on around here I needed to do something mindless so I went into the kitchen and stirred up a batch of banana muffins. I didn't have any granola to sprinkle on top and I went to the freezer to get some of the cobbler mix I have tucked away for just such emergencies. I haven't used it in a while so I thought I'd taste before sprinkling it on my muffins. It was awful !!! Gone was the buttery flavor,the crunchy nuts and the brown sugar sweetness I was hoping for.I spit it back into the freezer bag and as I did so I remembered this was the foccacia/sun dried tomato/Parmesan cheese breadcrumbs I use for my meatballs. I must make a point of marking those freezer bags.Looks like we won't be having meatballs anytime soon...........................said the hobbit