Elementary, My Dear Watson

Friday 19 October 2012
Hello and Welcome!

Have you seen Elementary, the television show?

                                                       Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu on Elementary

I do not really watch TV. I watch Netflix (Merlin and Once Upon a Time, right now) and movies, (oh, and Downton Abby, for sure) but watching most of the TV shows out there, that I have seen in the past few years, just feel like they are wasting my time. True, I have not spent much time watching television, so I may not be a good judge. My time is spent doing other things unless I am just too tired and sit mummified in front of the TV; that is how I found Elementary. It came on after a football game my husband was watching and I sat down in the living room with him.

I saw a preview and thought, not interested. But, when it came on I realized it was Mr. Knightly (from Emma 2009) and Lucy Liu. I like Lucy Liu and Jonny Lee Miller. And I like this show. It is Sherlock Holmes brought to current day New York City, solving crimes with likable characters who each have their own regrettable pasts... layers.

This is something to look forward to on Thursday nights at ten (in my area).

Here is a link to view last night's episode:
http://www.cbs.com/shows/elementary/video/

Here is link to information and a guide to upcoming shows:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_(TV_series)

If you have some time take a look and let me know what you think!

Enjoy your day today and have some fun!
Terrie

Peach Snack Cake

Saturday 6 October 2012
Hello and Welcome!
Today I would like to share a recipe with you. I had some leftover peaches and I wanted to use them up. My grandma used to say you could make a cobbler with a cup of flour, a cup of sugar, a cup of  milk and fruit. This is a variation of that, but it is not really like a cobbler, it is more like a snack cake. I should have taken a picture, but it is too late... I like recipes that use leftovers. I feel like I am being frugal.

Peach Snack Cake
1 stick of butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup milk
leftover canned peaches, drained, or whatever you have on hand
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Melt the butter in an 8x8 inch square pan in a 350 degree oven.
Coat the peaches with the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Mix together in a mixing bowl with a spoon, the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the milk and mix until smooth.
When the butter is melted pour flour mixture on top of it, then spoon the peaches on top of the batter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until top is browned.
Really good served warm with ice cream.

I have finished three hats and started a pair of slippers, so I am on my way!
I would like to mention a couple of things I have learned from these patterns so far,

This pattern works up really quickly and is fun to make, but it is tight. I added two double crochets to the very beginning in Round 1, so 14 double crochet instead of 12, and I just worked them into each row afterwards. I like the size better for an adult man.

I started this hat with a skein of leftover yarn I had on hand. I ran out so I have to wait to finish it. This pattern is really fun. It is another one of those you can carry with you. It seriously has two rows; well, row 2 is repeated until it measures about 19 inches; so you can pick it up and start again without having to find your place on the pattern and count to figure out where you are. I love these types of patterns, easy-peasy.

This is the first time I have worked in the back loops only and I really like the way it looks like knitting.

I hope you had a good day today and enjoy your day tomorrow!
Terrie

Slippers and Hats, Oh My!

Tuesday 2 October 2012
Hello and Welcome!
Okay, rethinking my last post. After a good night's sleep I decided that maybe not every man (big or little) on my list would like a pair of granny square slippers, so... I will also make caps or hats... not exactly what grandma made, but a new twist on an old tradition, right?

                                      Beginner Crochet Cap, free pattern from Red Heart

I already had this one started in Redheart Super Saver Windsor Blue so I finished it today. Yay, I finished a project! http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/crochet-head-hugger-cap

My four-year-old grandson was over and I tried it on him. It fit. So, if I make it again I think I will add a few stitches right from the beginning circle. This hat was fun to make though.

This is the one I want to try next. This pattern is called Caramel Corn Hat and is from Lion Brand. The link to it is below:
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0512.html?noImages=

This hat seems more traditional, but maybe not as manly? Anyway, I won't know until I try, right? So, this is the next project. I will let you know how it turns out.

I hope you had a good day today!
Terrie

Monday 1 October 2012

Hello!
October first already! There are eighty-five days until Christmas. We have decided to draw names this year for the adults, so yay, that cuts down on the stress of presents for everyone, but...

I remember when I was a little girl my grandmother on my mom's side would make us slippers for Christmas and I have wanted to do this for some years now to kind of revive the tradition.

I found this great granny square slipper pattern on this web site http://www.purlbee.com/granny-square-slippers/ I am going to try to make a pair for everyone. It will take only little bits of yarn, so I should certainly have enough and this will be a great way to use it up.

I am excited about this! This will be fun. I love making things for people I love. It is so personal, picking the right colors, the right patterns, the right size, and thinking about them all the while you are making their present.

Oh, and I did get the bathroom painted. The color is called Apple Orchard. It makes you think red, but it is apple green and cream is the ceiling and accent color. Maybe I will take a picture when I finish decorating it. I want to put as many sweet regency and Victorian pictures on the main wall as will fit. So, I am still working on it. And, I have started working in the kitchen. I am not painting in there, but I am going through the cupboards and drawers. So, I have still been busy.

I am off to the yarn box now! I hope you enjoyed your day today and had some fun of your own.
Terrie