Little Crocheted Angels Brighten Christmas

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Kitty

With Christmas just around the corner, I decided to crochet a few angels. My grandma used to crochet them for the family. I loved them as a child and got to pick out ones that were special to me. I still enjoy them, and they make really nice ornaments. She let me have her crochet pattern book that I will keep forever. It’s called Angels by Becky Stevens, and it was published by Leisure Arts.

Crocheted Angels

Before Grandma gave me her book, I found a few free patterns online. I finished one large and two small angels from some of those I found. After crocheting, I felt they needed more color. So, I laced ribbon through the wings and dresses. There are several more designs I would like to try:
Peace on Earth in Oombawka Design by Rhondda
Angel in Flight Ornament by Priscilla Hewitt
Angel Bells by Sue Childress
Victorian Vintage Ornament by Tammy
Tree-Topper from Patons
Treetop
Cute Poofy Skirt from Crochet ‘N’ More
Little One from Crochet ‘N’ More
Mini Treetop by Julie A Bolduc
Little Bobbles by Julie A Bolduc
Lora’s Angel by Lora Johnson
All of these patterns would make great ornaments for the tree or any space that needs brightening.

This year, I crocheted using different colored thread instead of just white. The metallic, silvery thread is very pretty but difficult to use. So I only made a small angel with it. Some of them could use some hair, but they are cute enough without it. Even though each pattern is unique, it is still possible to customize each angel more by adding ribbon and halos.

Victorian Pattern Crochet Angels

Thread angels can be starched or left as is. For a more sparkly effect, add glitter during the stiffening process. I usually prefer not to stiffen them though because it makes cleaning easier.

Crocheted Angels

Leftover Roast Helps to Make a Hearty Stew

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Kitty

After having a tasty roast dinner, I decided to use the leftovers for stew. There is a little bit of preparation involved, but it is worth the effort. Since the leftovers stay cold in the refrigerator, the fat hardens, making it easy to skim off the top. Use a spoon and bowl to remove excess fat, then set it aside for sauteing vegetables later. Any remaining vegetables can be cut to the size desired for stew. For the meat, I separated it into chunky bits while taking away any fat. Finally, I sorted through the remaining broth for any unwanted particles. A mesh strainer could be used for no particles, but I enjoy the added texture and flavor. All of this can be done ahead of time and put back in the refrigerator until needed.

There weren’t enough vegetables leftover for my liking, so I used more. Keep in mind there is no hard-and-fast rule that dictates what can be used in stew. Using what you like is always the best way to go. The flavor powerhouse of the meal is the fond, which is made from browning the meat and adding water or stock. Seasoning that was used for the roast is also in the fond. If spiciness is desired, sriracha sauce goes very well with this stew.

Leftover Roast Stew

1 Large Sweet Onion
5 Garlic Cloves
3 Carrots
1 Small Head of Cabbage, Halved
2 tsp. Roast Fat
3 Hothouse Tomatoes
12 oz. Okra
3 Large Potatoes
3 Bay Leaves
Leftover Beef, Vegetables, and Broth
32 oz. Beef Broth

Dice the onion, garlic, carrots, and cabbage to desired size and put them in a pot that has some roast fat in it. Saute the vegetables, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent. Keeping the stove on medium, add the broth to the pan. While that is heating, dice the tomatoes and potatoes. The rest of the ingredients should be added at this point and allowed to reach a low boil. Allow to cook like that for about an hour or until the okra is tender.

Leftover Roast Stew

Delicious Roast Dinner Perfect for Cold Weather

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Kitty

Nothing is quite as delicious as biting into a delectable, tender roast on a cold day. It’s been a tradition in my family to prepare beef roast when temperatures drop, and it’s a good one! If any meat or vegetables are leftover, I just use them for stew. My grandma taught me that. Although the cost of some roasts may seem high at first, they are actually very economical. Luckily there are several to choose from in both price and flavor. My preference is for the rump or bottom round cut because of its texture and taste.

When selecting a cut to be roasted, it’s always a good idea to pick one with some fat. The fat imparts tons of flavor while cooking, and it can be taken off later after cooling or deglazing. Another important factor to look for is height of the cut. Make sure that it can fit inside a pan comfortably with the lid on tight. Vegetables for the meal can be picked on preference, but I personally enjoy carrots and onions. Potatoes are always welcome, too. This time, I added some cabbage to see what it was like. Anything that can fit will get bathed in roast flavor.

Planning ahead is a good idea for this recipe. Big hunks of meat take time to cook thoroughly, making this meal great to start in the morning to have by lunch. It also makes a great weekend dinner. I use Lipton beefy onion soup mix to add more to the meal, but any seasoning and beef-based broth are good. My family always used Lipton, so I grew accustomed to the taste. Now the soup mix contains no MSG, making it healthier than it was.

Roast Roast

Beef Roast

1-2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
1 Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix Package
Roast That Fits Pan
~ 2 Cups Water or Wine
Vegetables (Carrots, Onions, Cabbage)
Potatoes
Extra Seasoning for Veggies (optional)

Start by putting oil in the pan and heating it. Add the meat and brown all sides as best you can. After browning, add water or wine to deglaze the pan. Pour the soup mix on top of the meat so that it is coated. Allow the liquid to come to a low boil with the lid on, then turn the temperature down so that it stays simmering. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the cut. Typically, I cook almost a 2-pound roast for about three hours before adding vegetables. Vegetables usually take about an hour if left to simmer constantly. So, the meat will cook four hours. The best way to tell if everything is done is by checking tenderness with a fork. The meat should fall off, and the vegetables should be soft. Potatoes take longer, depending on their size. So it may be good to put them in a bit before the vegetables by about thirty minutes. Season vegetables and potatoes to taste.

Roast Additions Roast

Beef Roast

Fall Planting and Preparation for Winter

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Kitty

Before fall began, I found some plants that I had to have in my yard. My first thought was it was too late for anything to get a head start before winter. However, that thinking was completely wrong. After speaking with some experts at my local nursery, I discovered that it’s all right to plant any perennial about a month before the first frost of the season. I even found more evidence on the internet to back up that claim. So, hopefully, the new garden phlox and echinacea will survive and be prolific in the spring.

New Perennials Planted in Fall

Even though I absolutely love echinacea, I never tried growing it before now. I can’t wait to see how many butterflies and bees it will attract. Last year, my husband and I planted pink-colored phlox, and we couldn’t get enough. So this year, some blue (Blue Boy) and red (Peacock Cherry Red) colors were added. Garden phlox are easy to care for and provide bright colors and strong fragrance. While new hybrids claim to be mostly mildew resistant, it is still best to keep good air flow around them.

After flower and bulb planting, I weeded and tidied up the gardens for winterizing. It is important to weed everything one last time before cold temperatures arrive in order to keep spring-cleaning easier. Fall is perfect for mulching and finishing any big garden project. Cooler weather and fewer bugs make this time ideal for really getting things done. I dug deep to get Bermuda grass from in and around the edges of all my beds. While it is not a fun job, I know it will keep the grass at bay when spring comes. I put mulch around my plants to protect them from weeds and the winter cold. Every plant should be ready for showtime when warmer weather returns.

Fall Blooms

Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate Fall Blooms

Fall Blooms

Fall Blooms Carolina Jessamine

Fall Blooms

Atari 2600 Video Games Still Lots of Fun

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Kitty

When I think of Atari, my mind goes to the Atari 2600 model. It made its debut in October of 1977. Astonishingly, it sold for $199- $229 which adjusts to $797- $917 in today’s market. Originally, the system’s name was the Atari VCS (Video Computer System). The name remained the same until November of 1982, when a newer version called the Atari 5200 was released. That’s when the most popular model’s name was changed to the 2600 because of its part number. There are different varieties of it as well. The history of the company, games, and developers is very interesting and well worth a read.

My history with the console began when I was around four years old. I had no previous gaming experience. My dad let me try his old 2600 model with some classic games such as Space Invaders and Pac-Man. I loved every second of it! The controllers were easy for me to use, and the graphics were so cool. Strangely, I never had any Nintendo console growing up, so Atari was my childhood. Adventure was my favorite game from the small pile my dad brought me. The dragons scared me every time. Hearing the noise they made as they caught and ate the little box sent chills down my spine. It still gets me today sometimes. I haven’t tried all the games yet, so I am not sure what my all-time favorite is.

Atari Atari

For a few years, I didn’t have access to the 2600 because of storage. When I finally got it, I couldn’t hook it up to my T.V. My husband did some research and found that all we needed to play was a coaxial adapter. It doesn’t cost very much and works perfectly. Unfortunately, the original joysticks that came with the system were broken. So, we had to get new ones from our local video game store. Retro-bit is just as good as the original if not better. I am now able to enjoy Atari again! My collection of games was very small in the beginning. My husband suggested we build it up since he enjoys them, too. He had to have E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Atari Video Games

As bulky and clunky as they are, these games are awesome and durable. If they don’t work right away, all it takes is a Q-Tip and some rubbing alcohol to clean them. One of the neatest things about the cartridges besides game play is the art on them. Some of the art is misleading for certain games, but it is still nice to view. I’m very happy to have the 2600 again and hope to use it for many more years.

Rambutan Fruit Tried for the First Time

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Kitty

While looking for strange fruit, my husband discovered rambutan at our local grocery store. It is an odd-looking fruit that is closely related to lychee. They are covered with spines that are harmless. Tasting extra sweet and delicious, the fruit also has several important vitamins and minerals.

Rambutan

From the picture above, you can see that rambutan are small and have slick, whitish fruit. The fruit is actually an aril, meaning that it’s the fleshy outgrowth of a seed. Seeds from this fruit are inedible and considered poisonous. To prepare the fruit, rinse in cold water then dry. After getting a cutting board and knife, make a superficial cut along half the length of the leathery shell. Continue cutting until the halves are separated, revealing the soft flesh. Some shells come off easier than others, but there is no hassle to cleaning them. I like to rinse any debris off the flesh after unsheathing.

Rambutan Health Benefits

Flesh from the rambutan fruit is low in calories with 75 calories per 100 grams of edible amount. In that 100 grams there are 30 mg of vitamin C, which constitutes 50% of the daily recommended value. There is also a decent amount of fiber (0.24 g) that helps with digestive health. The fruit has a good amount of B-complex vitamins as well. Minerals provided by the fruit are calcium, phosphorus, copper, and potassium. All of those are key components of our bodies that keep our systems running properly. The little fruits are filling because of their water content, so it doesn’t take many to be satisfied.

Rambutan

It was fun trying a new thing, and my husband and I now both like rambutan. To me, it tastes like a slightly sweeter and milder grape. A good way to eat one is to put the whole thing in your mouth and gently suck on it. Make sure the seed isn’t eaten or chewed when getting the flesh separated. It’s best to eat any peeled fruit immediately, but unpeeled fruit can keep 10-12 days inside a refrigerator with proper humidity.

Bulbs Planted in the Fall Should Bloom in Spring

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Kitty

Bulbs make gardening easy, especially with beginners. They require nothing more than good drainage and water. If you want to get fancy, putting some bone meal and compost with the garden soil helps make bigger blooms. But, neither are required unless the soil you are working with is very poor. Clay soil is a good example for needing extra care.

Last year, I made a small garden to plant some irises. This year, I decided to extend that garden so I could have more flowers. Most of the work involved digging up grass and loosening dirt. Once that was done, I measured the length to determine how many stones I needed. My husband helped me keep the stones straight as I put them in place and helped carry them.

Garden Extension for Bulbs

Bulbs Used in New Garden

I chose three different colors of tulip and one kind of purple allium (purple sensation) for the new space. The tulip varieties are Apricot Impression, Purple Prince, and Parade. When I was looking at bulbs at my local nursery, I couldn’t resist getting some crocuses. They look wonderful in any yard and are super easy to grow. For my walkway area, I bought ten bulbs of crocus Jeanne d’Arc.

Crocus Bulbs Bulbs

After all the hard work of cultivating and placing stones, the fun part begins: placing bulbs in colorful arrangements! Well, there’s still some digging involved, but it’s worth every sore muscle. Because in spring, there should be a beautiful, natural bouquet.

Bulbs for Fall Planting

I can’t wait until springtime when these bulbs will pop up and produce gorgeous blooms. This whole project took me two days, working a couple hours each day, to get finished. Luckily, my yard received a good dose of rain before I started, making it easier to dig up grass. A liner could be used to better keep out Bermuda grass, but I prefer to just keep a close trim around the stones. I am very happy with the new garden and will enjoy it for years to come.

Oriental Turkey Soup Makes Eating Healthy Simple

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Kitty

Oriental turkey soup is my husband’s favorite, and it is simple to make. My mother-in-law gave me the recipe for it, and I changed it a little. Sometimes the grocery store doesn’t have items that I need in stock, so I have to improvise. Improvising creates lots of possibilities in the kitchen!

Oriental Turkey Soup

Traditionally, oriental turkey soup is served with rice. Any rice can be used, depending on personal preference. If you are staying away from carbs, riced cauliflower can be a nice substitute. I found it in the frozen vegetable section. It only takes five minutes to microwave the cauliflower, making it fast and healthy. Nori sheets can be cut up and added on top when serving. However, this soup is delicious enough to stand on its own.

Riced Cauliflower

Oriental Turkey Soup

2 Tbsp. Oil
2 lbs. Ground Turkey
1 Sweet Onion
3 Cloves Garlic
3 Stalks Celery with Leaves
8-oz. Package Fresh Mushrooms
1 Quart (32 oz.) Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1 Can, Drained or 1 1/2 Cups Bean Sprouts
1 Can, Drained or 1 1/2 Cups Oriental Vegetable Mix
1 Small Can, Drained Water Chestnuts
4 Tbsp. Low Sodium Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp. Teriyaki Sauce
1 Tbsp. Sesame Oil (optional)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Saute the turkey, onion, garlic, celery, and mushrooms in the oil on medium heat. This can be done in a large pot for a one-dish meal, or it can be done in a skillet, making it a two-dish meal. This time, I chose a skillet because it was quicker. After the meat is thoroughly cooked, add the rest of the ingredients. Make sure to have a pot large enough to hold it all. Let the soup simmer for ten minutes, then it is done. If making rice, it’s good to plan a little ahead of time to ensure it’s ready when the soup is. Brown rice takes as long as fifty minutes to cook, and jasmine takes fifteen.

Oriental Turkey Soup

Homemade Soft Pretzels Pay Off in Deliciousness

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Kitty

Pretzels are delicious, especially when they come directly out of your own oven. When I first looked at Pretzel Making at Home, by Andrea Slonecker, I thought the process would be tedious. However, I was very wrong. Making pretzels from scratch is fun and easy once you get the hang of it. I started with the recipe for the soft variety, since it is recommended in her book. This recipe doesn’t taste like Auntie Anne’s because it is a traditional one, but it is super tasty in its own right.

Soft Pretzels

While the habit of making pretzels is easy to pick up, the first time was quite a challenge for me. The kitchen was a mess, and I reread everything, probably twenty times. No joke! But, that’s how I always am when trying anything new. While I know my way around pastry, I was treading unfamiliar water with yeast bread. For some reason it intimidated me. However, I found out that the most difficult part of making yeast bread is waiting for the dough to rise. Planning ahead is key, because, up to a certain point the dough tastes better the longer it sits.

Yeast, Warm Water, and Barley Malt Syrup Bread Flour Beer Added to Ingredients

Soft Pretzel Dough Soft Pretzel Dough Kneaded Soft Pretzel Dough Risen

After combining all of the dough ingredients, I kneaded the ball for seven minutes by hand. It could be kneaded with a stand mixer, too. Then I let it sit overnight in the refrigerator, where it doubled in size. I then deflated and cut the dough into eight equal parts as the recipe instructed. I took each part and rolled it out, keeping the middle thicker than the ends. Andrea instructs to let the rolled pretzels relax, then to stretch them more before twisting them. After twisting them, I covered them with a moist towel and let them rise by about half. While those rose, I had time to prepare the lye solution and preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Soft Pretzels

Dipping Pretzels in Lye

It is funny to note that the lye part didn’t scare me as much as the yeast bread until I had to stick my head near the steaming pot. It is extremely important to keep the stove fan on the entire time to avoid lye fumes. Even if there is no steam, the fumes are still caustic. Andrea suggests wearing a mask and rubber gloves to avoid any irritation. While it seems drastic, there is really nothing to be frightened of as long as you follow directions and keep good ventilation. Lye is very important in making that unique pretzel taste and dark brown crust. If lye seems too scary, there is a baking soda alternative.

Soft Pretzel Lye Solution

Soft Pretzels Dipped and Salted

After dipping the pretzels in lye, I salted them and placed them in the oven. Halfway through cooking time, I rotated the pans and switched where they were. It only took twelve minutes of actual baking to get done. Most of the work involves kneading and dipping the dough. Overall it was an awesome experience, and I have since made two more batches. I highly recommend pretzel making at home both the book and the practice.

Transplanted Lilies Make Room for Fire Pit

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Kitty

Transplanted lilies have made space for a backyard fire pit. Two seasons ago, I planted lilies in an area that I thought would be undisturbed. This year, my husband suggested putting a fire pit there. I thought that was an excellent idea, so I told him we would have to wait until fall. Experts recommend transplanting lilies in late September or early October, depending on the zone. Although the lilies did not need dividing, they still needed to be saved.

Transplanted Lilies Lily Transplanting

Above shows just how much the lily bulb changed in a year and a half. All of those came from a singular bulb! When I started digging them up, I had to be very careful not to damage the tender surface. Some were nicked, unfortunately, because it was difficult to see where everything began and ended. It is always smart to start digging far away from the stem. One of the most important things to remember when moving lilies is to do it quickly so that the flesh doesn’t dry. So, I preemptively dug a couple holes in the new area before exposing them to the air.

New Lily Home

After gathering all of the lily bulbs that I could find, I separated the different varieties. I put pineapple lilies on one side of the gladiolus garden and the white ones on the opposite side. When planting, be careful to deposit large bulbs 5 to 6 inches below the surface and small bulbs 3 to 4 inches below the surface. Also, keep them 8 to 12 inches apart. It is important to put mulch or compost over them to protect them from extreme temperatures. That doesn’t need to be done until just before the first frost though.

Transplanted Lilies

Transplanted Lilies Transplanted Pineapple Lilies

There isn’t much to see of the transplanted lilies, but they should come up next year. I kept the green attached to the bulb so that it could absorb more nourishment for the winter. Very soon, I will purchase some mulch to cover the whole garden since both gladiolus and lilies need protection.