Outdoor cooking: Such a good idea!

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FO Friday: New Knitting & Notions

Good morning all, hope the week has been treating you well, and you are recovering from the holiday festivities. This is not a resolution, but I am planning to lose 20 lbs. this year. My mother has the right idea, ask someone who has lost weight and kept it off. So I am taking advice and reducing my intake of white foods. Think about it, Bread, potato, rice, sugar, cream… kinda makes sense. I’ll let ya know, I’m a carboholic so this might not be so easy!

Meanwhile I have nothing finished yet. Started a sweater Jan 1.

However I did get some after Christmas fibre related treats from DH and that with some Christmas $$$ he got me this. I think he feels a little sorry about my delapidated state. I have physi-ow today, so things should start to improve soon.

I had been looking at this book for most of the year, a great reference for construction of almost every type of top-down sweater.

7 skeins, including the trade-in, I really hope I have enough.

With Sweethearts permission I exchanged one ball of yarn and purchased the six remaining balls for my Pure and Simple Topdown swing pullover.

and exchanged the larger knitting pattern folder for the smaller one, it fits better in my knitting bag.

Oh, and for after Christmas leftovers a recipe.

It was even better the next day for lunch, must make extra food next time, or limit consumption by guests ;0)

Turkey Dinner Casserole by me:0)

Yes totally simple, using leftovers and adding in, if the guests ate some needed ingredients. Tasted as good as the original dinner! I wouldn’t use Turkey gravy, makes it too oily and heavy, hense the soup… Enjoy!

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

1/4 cup of milk + 1/8 cup left over coffee cream (wanted to use it up)

1 1/2 cup Diced Cooked Baby Carrots

1 cup Cooked Mashed Turnips

1 can Diced Potatoes (none leftover from dinner)

Mix these ingredients together in large Casserole

1 can of Cranberrry sauce spread over top

and spread the remains of the turkey stuffing over top of that.

If you find yourself short of anything you can substitute eg. stove top stuffing or   whatever vegetables you have on hand.

Bake uncovered at 350F for 45 mins to 1hr.

This was a big hit around here!

The first audiobook for this year: Wuthering Height by Emily Bronte

read here

FO’s 2013 = 0

WIPS 2013 = 7 + 1 = 8

Stash Used 2013 = 0

Books 2013 = 1 + 2 = 3

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: Twas the Last post before Christmas

I have to admit I am hopeless about sending Christmas Cards!

So this year I am going virtual.

This will likely be the last post before New Years.

Happy news! MiL is no longer stoned (as my DH pronounced to his mother, always the good and thoughtful son that he is :0)

The ERCP procedure worked a dream, 3rd times the charm. She is free and clear of Gallbladder, stones and all for the first time since last January. Now she can actually enjoy Christmas dinner.                              The best Christmas gift for us all!

I have a sweet treat for you.

Here is a fast and super easy recipe for Mincemeat Squares

an old Christmas favourite from my mother’s family.

2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs

1 1/2 cups Mincemeat

15 oz can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

Mix ingredients together, Bake in well-greased 9″x 12″ pan

on 350F for 30 mins. Cool then Cut.

chop candied cherry and decorate top with a small piece.

I finish the Picot edged baby blanket

It was a good fast and practical baby blanket to knit. I recommend this pattern. This basic blanket was lovely and warm on my legs as I knit it and will be a good stroller or car seat blanket. I used 2 balls of Northern Worsted, knitting the first ball expanding to the 1/2 way point and finished the 2nd ball reducing to the end.

During my travels Christmas Shopping, I hit the Dollar Store (a chain of stores in Canada, that has most items in the $1 – $2 dollar range, think up scale five & dime) to get some Christmas wrap and stocking stuffers. I lucked out!

Totally cat proof bags, till they learn to open zippers!          Look all you wanta guys, Wahahaha!

This weeks Christmas audio book: A christmas treat my Dad used to read to my Brother and I.

Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

More favourite Christmas Carols:

Coventry Carol by  Loreena McKennitt

And Amid the Winters Snow by Kings College Cambridge Choir

For other music links and other Audiobook links

FO’s 2012 =  76 + 1 = 77

Patterns from my own Library = 6 + 1 = 7

WIP’s 2012 = 4 – 1 = 3 (plan to start the year at 0)

Stash used 2012 = 85 + 2 = 87 (stunned by this total!)

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 48

Books = 45 + 1 = 46

All that remains to be said is,

I wish you all a Joyous and Merry Christmas,

and to you and ours a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Next Year

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Knitting and Listening

Hello all!

I hope you’ve had a nice week, and you’re enjoying this weeks WIPS.

I’m making progress on

Handledsvärmare Påfågel

Handledsvärmare Påfågel Kal Nov (wristlets)

This months Carry along forum project. Sadly this pattern required some modifications. My first attempt had to be frogged, it was too small. I opted to work this pattern in the round on 48 st, instead of the original (38 – 2 edge st) 36 st.

Snakes & Ladders Washcloth

Snakes & Ladders Washcloth a gift for DS Christmas stocking, his univ colour.

Earlier this week I posted a recipe for a Sore Throat remedy to add to tea. I’m linking it here as flu season is beginning. Hope you don’t get sick, but if you do this may help :0)

Book of the week: I have been listening to

“Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings” on YouTube.

Here are the links to the complete book,

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, (of 13)

What a pleasure to knit and listen. Enjoy!

FO’s 2012 = 61

Patterns from my own Library = 6

WIP’s 2012 =  2

Stash used 2012 = 69

Beryl Blanket Hexes =  48

Books =  34 + 1 = 35

Thanks again for visiting,

cya on Friday.

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

For links to my blogwalk come join me in the blogpond :0)

Recipe: Sore Throat remedy

Great recipe for sore throats, a little in boiling water or tea.

Sliced Lemon, Ginger (peeled and shaved), honey

Sterile Jar

Will last for 2 to 3 months, store in fridge.

Getting ready for flu season!

This would make a good Christmas Gift too.

Events: Bowmanville Rockin Rotary Ribfest 2012

Great time at Ribfest in Bowmanville on Saturday.

Highly recommend ”Horn Dawgs”! Really enjoyed the Ribs, chicken and the pulled pork, with baked beans and coleslaw. Washed it down with real fresh lemonade, Yum. What really made this event special was meeting up with our dear friend Wilfred Reinke and our new friend Ann Burns. What else can you ask for good friends and good food in the sunshine!

Great time with Family and Friends!

Watch for “Horn Dawgs” at your local Ribfest! Really good sauce, yum. We use this sauce at home, you can order it over the web.

Horn Dawgs won the Peoples Choice award this year Yay!

Took 5 of us to finish this off. BBQ’d Ribs, Chicken, Pulled Pork, Brisket, BBQ’d Baked Beans and coleslaw, washed down with real lemonade, and a Bloomin Onion for dessert. I am on a diet this week after waddling home :0)

Lots of BBQ booths, Music, and tons of people!

Even rides for the kids!

As usual my boys were fat and sassy when they got home, can’t wait till next year!

Thanks again Horn Dawgs, you’re the best! :0)

For more Ribfests in Ontario Cda see

Oshawa Ogre’s, Views, News and BBQ’s

He did a great review of the event!

With far better pictures than mine.

Ribfests in Ontario Cda are sponsored by the Rotary Clubs,

Come out and be a supporter!

Recipe: Lamb Tangine with Apricots

This is the most awesome recipe.

Not only is it low Calorie, but the house smells like heaven when it’s cooking!

A family favourite!

 Lamb Tagine with Apricots

Gluten-free Review: What to take for a Potluck

Cool new logo!

I want to open with a thank you to Oshawa Ogre for my new logo! Kittens with Mittens goes Gluten-free :0)

Here is a recipe that is an old family favourite Ambrosia Salad or 5 Cup Salad.

Simple and inexpensive…

This is the 10 cup version that went to the family reunion last weekend

Recipe: note 5 cups, 5 ingredients, easy to remember when shopping!

1 cup Mini Marshmellows

1 cup Dried Coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

1 cup Sour Cream

1 cup Mandrin Oranges (1 can)

1 cup Pineapple Tidbits (1 can)

Mix together, fridgerate for hour before serving.

Enjoy!

Gluten free Review: Pancakes and Biscuits :0)

 I begin this post thinking of breakfasts past. My mother used to make thin Pancakes with a layer of brown sugar and orange juice drizzled over it then folded in 1/3 rds. Well I finally found a pancake mix that meets my standards!

 

Preparation: Easy

Pancake Mix

Texture: Excellent

Appearance: Great

Taste: Great

Value: Good (found at Metro, in Ontario Cda)

Tea Biscuits with my morning coffee have also been something I have missed. Leaving no stone unturned I went on the hunt for a mix that was easy and fairly quick to make. Some out there will ask; why not just buy all the ingredients for these recipes in the gluten-free place and surf the net for recipes to make them. Well I am the only GF in the house and the others still like the grainy stuff, though they can be fooled! “Munch, munch, this is good, wait a minute is this gluten-free?”  Well on to biscuits!

Preparation:Little more mixing involved need a little GF flour for the board

Texture: Excellent

Appearance: Good

Taste: Great especially with Marmalade (do not toast well)

Favourite GF Tea Biscuit mix so far!

Value: Good (found at Bulk Barn – most reasonable $, however I believe this is a more popular GF product and can be found elsewhere)

 I continue the hunt for those of us that are food challenged.

If you have found something that you like please let me know, or add your own review.

 

 

 

 

 

WIP Wed & Event: Happy Birthday to me!

What a lovely day to celebrate your birthday! June 21 ? the longest day in my mother’s life (3 days for me to arrive!)

Got up to go out for coffee (usual morning visit to Tim Horton’s) then a little gardening. Planted two types of Beans, then went in to

Yoke almost finished on February Lady Cardigan knit in Vintage

research them afterward and discovered that Butterbeans are just lima beans in disguise (loath lima’s)

I am working on February Lady Cardigan. I have been collecting the skeins a few at a time planning to make this sweater.

I have needed a replacement cardigan, you know when you need a new sweater when your best friends cringe when you

walk in wearing your old favourite.

The door bell rang and purolator delivered present from DH, a ASUS Netbook and it is a stylish white.

He is fixing it up as we speak, wonderful to have a computer consultant, IT service, wizard with magic computer stuff who works for

ASUS Netbook - wireless and my very own, no more arguments about computer use woot!

hugs :0)

For Supper MIL took us all out for the most splendid dinner at Zante Restaurant, a very nice greek place in downtown Bowmanville.

Our family the in-laws and my parents showed up too. Terrific visit with favourite people! I had the Zante Lamb Dinner (Gluten-free) and totally great!

Parents had the rack of lamb which looked good too. Caution portions are large and delicious!

Got home to a delightful call from my Brother who lives far away, so nice to hear his voice, made my Birthday complete.

My special day is almost over, it has been lovely, can we do it again next year?