DOODLES...What?

I have been really enjoying doing DOODLES...What?

~~You know the stuff you do when you are on hold, on the phone...and scratch around with paper and pen.

This has been fun for me and I hope to pass along this interest by sharing a few Doodles, here. They really are easy-peasy. Just let your imagination take you on a trip of fantasy on a small peice of paper. I use a 2 1/2" X 3 1/2 " section of white paper to work on.
There are other variations and I will share them as time moves on. Tell me if you enjoy this "art."

Everyone is welcome here; please comment.

I need to eat Radishes, but want Bean Cake!!

[Radishes, are low in calories!]

Things are going well around here, but not the weight loss.

Honestly, I think I need to live far away from all the temptations. Even so, I could exist and gain, by making myself the easiest food, which I like, such as baked goods. Since I pursue all the vegetarian recipes and such, even they aren't free of calories! [Radishes, yeah, dipped in Ranch Dressing!]
~~If you are going to eat, try this one:
It is good, but try to have just a thin peice with a bit of fat-free whipped topping as a garnish!

Nutritious Bean Snackin' Bread/ Cake

Mix wet ingredients together

1 can brown or red beans [drained and mashed]
1 1/4 C. water
1 egg or egg sub.
1/3 C honey

Mix dry ingredients together:

2 C low fat biscuit mix
3/4 C Splenda
1/4 C cornmeal
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 C cocoa powder
1/4 C wheat bran
1/2 C oatmeal

Add wet mix to dry, combine well.

Pour into 9 X 12 pan or one slightly smaller for deeper product.
Bake at 375 until test tooth pick shows it is finished!
This is a thick product, so about 25 minutes or more is needed, according to pan size.

To change this from chocolate: add 1/4 C. less water and add instead of the cocoa powder use 1 cup of pumpkin.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

~~You never know what will pop up here.

~~Happy Saint Patrick's Day from my whimsical Doodle Leprechaun!

Enjoy your day of wearin' of the green!

Friday the 13th...FUN!

"Death by Dessert"

In honor of Friday the 13th...Something FUN!

When you are stressed, turn it around. It spells desserts.

First Recipe... for Healthy Eating Shares

Thanks to Whole Foods Market for this delicious start to my sharing for Healthy Eating. They have a wonderful website to draw from.
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

I'd like this recipe for Tofu salad served hot as well as cold.
I would add some fresh orange slices or spiced pineapple chunks as a finish.

Spiced Pineapple Chunks
Drain a can of pineapple chunks, heat the juice with 1/2 t. of cinnamon.
Simmer a bit to reduce the juice and pour over the pineapple chunks.
Chill and serve.

Quick Noodle Salad with Tofu and Vegetables

salt
1 (8-ounce) package pad Thai-style rice noodles or whole wheat linguine
1 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 (8-ounce) package baked tofu, cut into small cubes
1 large carrot, grated
1/2 cup prepared peanut sauce ...or use recipe below

1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped roasted and salted peanuts

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add noodles and cook until tender. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again and transfer to a large bowl.

Add sprouts, green onions, tofu, carrots and dressing and toss to coat. Transfer to bowls and serve garnished with cilantro and peanuts.

Peanut Sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons tamari
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3 tablespoons water
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 teaspoons German mustard
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes

Healthy Eating Chat Coming Soon!

I plan to be covering some Healthy Eating Chat here in the near future.
Friends and acquaintances all seem to be watching what they eat and I find this to be a very interesting subject. I see so many good things that are available as tools to better health and weight management. So I plan to add that to my blog ASAP.

December Sneaks Up On Me!

I wonder if December shows it's self in this sly mode for others?
I seem to feel fall is still with me, and then December comes FAST, and it sneaks up on me!
It totally eclipsed November...Well, I have been pretty busy!

Trying to get into the "mood" for the holiday ahead is hard, when we really don't do much celebrating. Family is 1,200 miles away and it isn't snowing here.

Snow does set the scene doesn't it!

A blessing to distances is...that I never Christmas shop, just write the checks, so that nasty part of Christmas is avoided.

I can see I am sounding rather Scroog-ish!

The knitting has been fun, for we in our group are making another [the last before Christmas] blanket for the Child Crisis Nursery. It's red and green. I have two 8" squares done. The blanket takes 12, and we are all contributing to it. One lady is putting it together. Let's hear it for crochet! I just do plain stuff in knit.

I have a few paper art swaps to complete and some cards to make.

I am sweating the repair of my CPU. It has some serious stuff wrong. I can't get a lot of my scanning done until I get it back on the desk. Sure miss being able to use my printer.
The laptop has it's own printer in Oregon, so I am just waiting to get this feature back on line when the big guy comes home from repair.

I don't realize how much I print, until I have to scribble out [by hand!] paper art ideas and recipes with a pencil!!

Learning to do what I *say to others so I will try to CREATE today!
*Just Do It!

Return Via Fall

Arizona sunsets are especially lovely in the fall.
This card was made to show sunsets, to share with friends in an AZ Stamping group

Perhaps it is symbolic that I would finally return to my blogging in the fall.
I do like this season a lot, as things change not only in weather... but in activities and the return to AZ from OR makes life interesting and different.

All things considered, it was an uneventful but safe and enjoyable trip back to AZ and the only earth shaking thing that had to be taken care of was the unpacking and none of that is new news. This complaining I do every year is about the same. My worst scenario is never really getting things put away "nicely." It seems in the final moment, that tossing is the easiest and speediest way to unpack!

So that is done, except the large amount of stamps that still sit in a box and a large woven basket. They are my reality of life, nothing is ever complete in my studio. I promise it will be better each day, but those stamps mock me!

The kitties and doggy were good travelers and seem to be glad to be home. The cats must live with no outings in the 32 ft. 5Th wheel all summer. Trudy does love her visit in OR, where she can run around with her doggy buddies... but is doing fine here.

Bob completed all his many clean up chores in the out and inside areas. He had the biggest job in the return to AZ, as driver stevedore and yard man.

He is back to bowling, limited tennis, until more players return; exercising and riding his bike.


As many know, I am really working hard on my eating toward a healthy lifestyle. So far the vegetarian with some additional fish /shell fish has been helpful to me and now to Bob too, in our weight loss. I guess that style is called pescatarian.
There are so many good vegetable recipes out there and with commercial faux meats available, it is fun and interesting to plan good meals.

Today it was fish sauteed with a coating of ground walnuts and a bit of flour and spices, peas and carrots and would you believe...oatmeal muffins with baked beans mixed in the dough. These are delish.
Our fresh fruit was marginal. I think fruits are too long in cold storage and then never really ripen properly.

If nothing else the new way of eating has prompted some different recipes to try. We had a very tasty pie...only the filling no pie shell. It was a mock coconut pie, made with cooked spaghetti squash instead of coconut. Basically it is a custard pie. The cooked spaghetti squash needed to be chopped, as the long spaghetti strings were still in tack even after baking. Still this pie is a success and very healthy. Here's a tip: If you make a custard pie, use egg substitute and half Splenda for your sweetener.

My paper arts chores are coming along with some pretty stamped leaves and a wreath to set them onto, as well as a basket theme card that is in the works.

Because I complain wildly about the weather in AZ being too hot in the late spring summer and early fall, I have to give a thank you to Mother Nature, as today is cool, with much lower temperatures. We actually have re installed the electric blanket onto the bed, anticipating cool nights, at last!

Nice to be home and settled in.

Packing for the Summer Escape!

Ah yes, it is time to pack for the "summer escape."

Did you know that Hades is synonymous with Mesa, AZ in the summer?
We would melt here in the summer I think.
[Hope to never have to find out.]
Think of all the AC power we save.

On to Oregon!
This means decisions on what to pack in the totes, yarn, art supplies, clothes.
I am actually cutting way back. We started out with a 5th wheel trailer and then just the large truck with a canopy, then a smaller truck with a canopy and now a Dodge van. Impossible you say? Nope. Cats in their big cage, doggy has her space, totes of supplies, and even my porta potty fit in. The bikes are going too, in a rack that fits on our new hitch!
Bob really slaved getting that attatched !

I have finished my charity knitting and started a cute multi color kid's vest.
I found the yarn at the Goodwill for $1. YAY! I really needed more yarn.

I don't knit on the trip as I am too concerned with the traffic on part of the trip and the wonderful scenery. I love the outback route we take through AZ, NV and CA. So much to see; with awesome mountains and wide open spaces. We have very little boring city traffic. We zip past Vegas and Reno on the outskirting freeways.

This year we have some upgrading in the trailer to do, and will put in a short line to the sewer system. Not fun but much needed.

I am excited to meet this year with a new stamp group that Char heads up. It will be great to get back to the knitting gals that Patti introduced me to last year. So stamping and knitting will not be left out of the summer lazy days.

It seems that the more interests I have, the more lovely people I meet.
See you again soon!

Trying to "Keep Up"

It's hard to keep up.

Life tosses in too many obstacles...anyone else feel that way?

Even cooking a meal you are hungry for often interrups the arty flow!



The doodles are sort of like a muse that keeps callingfrom somewhere in the forest and you hear it, and yet don't have the time to find the path there.
I can get so tied up with any paper art! I've enjoyed adding color to my doodles

The weather in AZ right now is great and believe it or not I actually have been riding my bike. It has been nearly 2 years. The pain from my arthritic hip kept me off, the hip replacement operation and recovery kept me off, and the slight fear of falling has kept me off. But I got on [!] and like they say: "You never forget, once you learn to ride a bike, it stays with you!" I am riding pretty much every day.

Because of our "vacation," from the AZ heat, I have to begin planning my list of what to take to OR. Not nearly as much as before, as I am learning to travel light
I forget there are stores there. Ha!

The next international trip we take, we are toying with the idea of carry-on bags only. Can trip clothes and needs, for two weeks, be stuffed into these?
Help! Any suggestions?

I am rather proud to be working on my fish and veggies only, meal plans. So far so good. There are a LOT of alternate protein sources!

On the table today:
Stuffed poblano chilles...Quorn chik'n, oatmeal muffin mix with chopped olives, extra oatmeal, a bit of Mexican BBQ sauce. This is topped with cheese and a sprinkle of the chopped olives. So far it looks good and smells great.
Baked Hubbard squash and fresh squeezed orange juice.
[No-meat-meal ideas are welcome!]

OTN:
A rather attractive blue beanie hat. Simple with rolled brim in medium blue worsted yarn, some lighter blue: K2 P2 rib rows; then back to the darker blue for the of the hat. I will share the pic, later.

Time to squeeze the AZ Sweets!

First post in a month, but I am here!

This is my latest doodle.

It has been a long, Gee, nearly a month, since I had time to check in and post.
So many days of computer gazing...which is mesmerizing. The hours fly by!

Knit Report:
I am trying my best to finish and send all my charity projects before we travel to OR for our hide-away from the AZ heat.

One more button to sew on a vest for Warm Woolies, have two to send.
href="http://www.warmwoolies.org/">

Nearly finished with a man's scarf for Scarves from the Heart; three to send.


I have a shawl ready to complete the last 5 rows, for myself. [!]

Paper Art Report:
The doodles, previously Zentangles, are coming along, what fun!
The doodle above is the first done with my technical pens. They are great, but I have to get used to them.
Cards are on the work space and ATCs are near completion.
So, not is all computer gazing! ["Rolling my eyes."]

Great participation in our ATC-International group, so we are be moving forward creatively. It will be swell to se the next swap, which is stained glass/outlines.Everyone will come up with some neat shares, which we all enjoy. Mine are both stained glass and use of outline stamps.

Waving bye for today! I promise to be a better blogger!

Returning after a long hiatus!

Nice to be back.

It took too long to accomplish all the things we added to the house. Seemingly, with all the muss and fuss, I just lolled around not being motivated.
I will try to improve.

Carpets are now cleaned, which means I think the renovation is over! Yay!

I continue my Needle Notes, twice a week. I believe I will put them on the Knit Groupies Jabber Yahoo group. It is easier to do this on that site, as then the links are activated automatically.

Not a lot of progress with my art but I do have, a little bit of paper art now coming across--> called "Zentangles" [One of the Zens, is the image above.]
...actually they are pen and ink doodles.
Paper doilies are my card and ATC projects, which are on the art table now.

Knit: Working on a pretty soft mohair-with glitz, shawl, for my sis. I will make one for myself, if I like the drape and feel of hers.

Continuing to enjoy the Sun's basketball games and plan to see a few more hockey games soon.

I think this catches me up.
I will try harder at setting down at least weekly blogs, in the future.

I'll Read...Let the Counters Continue!

O-Kay...

It doesn't take more than one day for granite counters to go in...but the travertine part is taking longer...it has to do with all the cutting and grouting. I think one more day will do it. Pretty sure...Yes. It will but then I don't think the sealing can be done when the grout is wet...so...?
In the meantime:

It has been nice to get some computer time in, while keeping the cats company in their exile from the tile guys work space.

I enjoy reading and on the computer, it is even more fun, because people share their lives and we can interact with subjects that please us and see a lot of wonderful graphics and photos.

I happen to have read all the Larry McMurtry books our small community library has, but I should double check to see if anyone has donated anything new, lately.
Since "Comanche Moon" will soon be on TV, I have been backtracking by looking up older info about past programs, such as Lonesome Dove Sagas and one we missed: Streets of Larado.
I am reading that book's last 30 or so pages tonight.
McMurtry has a special way of writing that I like, and his characters are fantastic. The non western type reads are equally as much fun, even without the shoot-em-up action.

So, now to think up an excuse for why I am not doing more paper art. I do have something started and my ATC group has a new swap, so I will pull myself together.

All the construction we have had, has thrown me off my arty path.

Let The New Counters Begin!

DIRT?
Does this look like dirt?

Gee, actually, it is beautiful granite and it is going in our kitchen on Monday!
The house is in termoil once again.
[...or still, since we have been renovating for months!]
Funny to see the household cleaners and kitchen soap sitting on the living room coffee table! Even the cats approached it all with careful footsteps and a question on each whisker!
Soon we may be able to stop rinsing dishes in the bathroom sink...at least I hope the installing only takes a day?

More to report ASAP.

Beginning a New Year : 2008

01/04/08 "Thinking of You"...a card made for my one renmaining aunt:
Velma, in Salem, OR

Somehow the last of 2007 was too tied up in the renovation of my studio space and with all the hustle and bustle, I didn't work on my blog.

So...This is a New Year and I am going to work hard to keep up!

My knitting was done by the end of December [YAY!]and to play catch up I will tell you that I am pleased to report that with donations, sale of knit "peopl" scarves and knit "doggie's" scarves I was able to donate 120. to AZCats.org. This is a spay/neuter program in my area of AZ.

I have completed a few more projects since the year ended and started: a peach kid's vest, sans button...which I must go out to buy; a white hat, a pink and blue hat and I started a guy's beanie cap, with about 2/3 to go.

When time, I will scan and share the pics.

Because the new addition and renovation, our new space took much reorganizing, I have just...with a LOT of help from Bob, [he did most of it!] gotten the pictures framed and hung in the sitting room. I also have a ceramic circle of woodland creatures painted and antiqued. It looks great!

There are a few last minute things still coming for the room; more on that later.

I think a lot has been completeed in the first week of this year, so I am taking a bow along with Bob, for making so much headway.

I will try to get my Needle Notes pages set here as time allows. It isn't hard, but activating the links takes time. If I get a few pages on the blog, you nay have to copy and paste a few of the links if I don't get with the activation program right away.

My first properly done Links!

I am celebrating my fist success in adding the clickable links. YAY!
I hope someone enjoys using them. I don't know why I was so dorky about getting them done right, but I guess practice makes perfect!

Be sure to go to the "Carrot Museum"...WOW!!
Hee!

Halloween...are we getting ready?

NEEDLEWORK FOREVER!!! HOUSEWORK WHENEVER.

[Don't you love this?]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Yes it's coming!
Are we ready for Halloween?

On Cat's blog, http://tinyurl.com/3yaqpg
she shows some lovely table arrangement for their Canadian Thanksgiving, which will easily morph into Halloween.
I am going to drag out my ceramics of a cat and pumpkin and a really fun ghost holding a pumpkin. One year I forgot all about them and other years remembered so close to the date that I decided to forgo using them. DUH!
I went with ME to Michael's as you may recall and while we were there, I saw those 4 ft. scarecrow people, that push into the ground to display. They are so cute and not very spendy.
Problem...where to store them? I am going to get a couple when they come on the after Halloween sale and utilize the under the house space to store them for use next year. A friend in our community does this. She puts things in sturdy plastic bags and "under they go!"
How sly is that?

There are so many neat ideas for the Halloween/fall décor of knit/crochet.
Have you any needlework creations to display? Please share.

In my snoop~surfing, I came across the Carrot Museum. Honestly, I must be nutty...OK I am nutty, because this was the most fascinating place I have found for ages. Check it out and tell me what you think. If you look through the site...for hours, if you want, there are carrots to knit and to crochet and to make into jewelry. Links are below--> Pretty amazing!

Our Monday adventure was a swell trip, but alas, no leaf color. We didn't go to high enough elevations, where they are getting frosts. We did see some extremely interesting sights and in AZ copper country you can see the working mine, HUGE digger and trucks, then see the separator and finally the ingots of copper worth probably close to 1 million dollars being hauled to the working plant that utilizes it for making copper products.
FYI: http://www.azcu.org/index.php
My narrow warm weather scarves, for the critter fund are coming along. I have several finished and one OTN. I will scan and share soon.

Happy Creating!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sharing
from Susan: I just discovered wikihow.com
-- there's not a lot in the knitting section:
http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Knitting
and even fewer items in the crochet section:
http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Crochet -- so maybe people on the list would want to check it out and share!
[I looked, saw the listings and loved that "How to knit a cherry pie was there!" Why don't some of you gals,who are advanced enough to give some directions...put some info into the site? B]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~How To
Another e-site for how to:
http://www.ehow.com/articles_4108-knitting.html
http://www.ehow.com/articles_4104-crocheting.html

for you: How to give yourself a salt glow!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2043436_give-yourself-salt-glow.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bizarre

There IS a Carrot Museum! [Who wuda thunk it?]
http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/craft.html
Hmmm..jewelry?
http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/hbsoler.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Halloween
I know you will enjoy this page:
http://www.mummble-jummble2.blogspot.com/

It's a cutie!
http://www.curlypurly.com/pumpkin.html

A lot of...Free Knitting Patterns For Halloween
http://knittingonthenet.com/holhalloween.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Would you carry these purses?

See http://crazyauntpurl.com/
for October 4.
While you are looking...the pumpkin hat is darling; it will come up first.
She writes such a funny blog

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Have heard good things
about Vanna's Choice Yarn by Lion Brand

I looked at it in Michael's and thought it was really pretty.
The 23 colors are enough for most of us to find one or two...[or 23] that we like!
I believe the price is good and it has been on sale there, too.
Here is a little one's cardigan...not sure I love the color choice as shown though.B
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60698A.html

...comment from AW on Knit list group:
"I love this yarn. I was so surprised. The colors are beautiful and it knits up so smoothly.
I am making the Mod(ern) blanket http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70174A.htmlthat is on the Lion Brand Web Site .
This yarn looks fabulous in this project. I would definitely buy it again.
I think for baby clothes it is a must. It is machine washable and dryable."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Christmas giving
...Soft and warm and pretty: headband
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzewqwy3/id10.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hmmm...very interesting!
Seen knitting on the bus and check out his crocheted outfit!
http://www.in-public.com/store/image/file/1266/new09.jpg?1155047972
.
...Which reminds me: Did I ask if anyone had knitted/crocheted anything strange? or odd?
Haven't heard from you

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If shoes are your thing

Made from flip flops...remember when we called them thongs!! Hee!
http://floofle.blogspot.com/2007/04/yay-recycling.html

Boot Shoes on DIY
http://tinyurl.com/yw7tvt

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Youth knitting
Nice website to see:
http://www.woollythoughts.com/schools/index.html
[Math and knit really do mix and that is where I fall apart! B]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Aran doggy coat

http://tinyurl.com/2o44ye

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Knitting Daily
Always help and nice stuff here:
http://tinyurl.com/37n7y8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Soaring Eagles
...sharing for kids
Hi ladies!
I just wanted to inform you that we will be doing the Soaring Eagles Project again this year. However, it will be a little different as we have enough hats left over from last year, to give one to every child at the new school already!
Please take some time to offer feedback on the blog as I am trying to make some decisions regarding what direction we will head in this year. I wasn't sure we were going to do it this year, but I had so many emails about it that I just couldn't let it go by!
Stop by the blog by Friday the 12th if you want to have your voice heard! Also, there should be a Ravelry group together by the end of the week as well!
Rachel - aka theprocrastiknitter
http://soaringeaglesproject.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Smiling
Great quote from Gayle in Abilene, TX
"If you're not using your smile, you're like a man with
a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook."
Les Giblin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipes
Cover your eyes...
...if you don't want an instant 5# to rush to your middle
Gosh these both sound great!

from VA

Chocolate~Chocolate Chip Cookies

Duncan Heinz Dark Choc Fudge cake mix [...decided other dark chocolate would be fine]
2 lg eggs
1/2 cup butter/margarine melted
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup semi sweet choc chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts

350 degrees
put cake mix, eggs, butter, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl
stir with spoon until blended. stir in chips and nuts.
drop level tablespoon full onto greased cookie sheet,
12 min for chewy cookies
14 min for crisp cookies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I admit it, I am addicted to using Bisquick! I usually use the lower fat version. B

Sour Cream Dill Bread
[for the sake of cutting calories...a combo of fat free and low fat sour cream and cheese might be used]

Prep Time: 10 min
Start to Finish: 3 hr 5 min
Makes: 1 loaf (16 slices)


3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (5 ounces)
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1 egg

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Generously grease loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches.
2. Stir together all ingredients just until moistened. Pour into pan.
3. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove from pan and place top side up on wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 10 days.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Generously grease and flour pan.



Nutrition Information:

1 Serving: Calories 145 (Calories from Fat 65 ); Total Fat 8 g (Saturated Fat 4 g); Cholesterol 30 mg; Sodium 390 mg; Total Carbohydrate 15 g (Dietary Fiber 0g); Protein 5 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 10 %; Iron 4 % Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 1/2 Fat
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.



Success
Most quick breads are removed from their pans to a wire rack. This produces a drier, crisper surface. If left in the pan, the bread would become steamed and soft.
Success
Keep a light touch when combining bread ingredients. Over mixing can result in tough, dry bread.
Variation
For Cheddar-Topped Sour Cream-Dill Bread, sprinkle the loaf with 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese about 5 minutes before the baking time is up.

Weekender

Ok Gals since this is the weekend I bet you will do a little shopping...Maybe?
If you do, and just happen to hit the LYS or shop on line, let us know what you bought!

To blog readers...please leave a comment! Thanks

I said I wouldn't get anymore yarn, but while at Michael's Friday with ME, getting fall floral stuff
[to change our decor and hopefully bring on some fall weather...cool/rain we need so badly.]
I did get some very Halloweeny color yarn for use in my paper art.
[+ Two other skeins to add to yarn for the critter scarf sales, which is a good excuse
and they were ON SALE ...don't those words make your heart glad! ...Only 1$ each.]

In my surfing for today's post, I found the most delightful pirate...[no darn it, not Johnny Depp]
I found: Ta Da!...

Barnacle Bill the Pirate, complete with parrot!
http://www.carascreations.biz/Caras_Creations_Blog.htm
Quite an undertaking and a lot of fun. Take a look on her blog!

Now, if you are making toys or other interesting projects, please tell us about them.

We also want to know the most ODD item you ever knit or crocheted?
[Mine were crocheted green snakes made with Aunt Lydia's Yarn...
that tells you it was eons ago, like about 40 at least.

I had such a nice time in Bend, OR ...knitting with the gals at the Senior Center, that I thought it would be fun to continue with this plan here in Mesa.
We have been getting excited about the group forming in November here in our community: Needle Crafts Circle.
Any sort of needle work will be neat to see.
We are planning a show and tell and refreshments and Ev has shopped for cake mixes, so we have things coming together. It will be a bit of nice companionable visiting and creating.
We will keep you updated.
If this gives you an idea for your friends and you want to "join us," in this sort of thing...be sure to let me know what you are planning for your area. If you already get together, what are you working on and how do you structure your meetings?

My latest critter sale scarf is about 1/2+ finished.
We had a crochet "tune up" session with Ev and Helen for our baby hats...as learners H and I frogged and started over! As we slowly did our rows for the band, Ev finished a hat and a whole band and I think H and I did about 4 inches. [Snarl!]

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Creating! [and shopping! ]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After chatting about cloths, I have seen a lot of good places for yarns and for patterns:

...here is a site with nice "Peaches & Cream" cotton yarn and a fall leaves ensemble "special" on a page to click to, on the site.
http://www.elmore-pisgah.com/index.htm
There is a "grab bag" section...looked fine and very inexpensive.

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/clothmiter.htm

http://knitted-kitty-creations.com
reasonably priced cloth patterns
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~More free-Bee's

http://tinyurl.com/2fdwhz
Knitting Daily free-bees
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For a Pal

Doggie's sweater
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/PATTpenny.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~See Arizona!
and More!
Nice page and it features some Arizona pics.
The free purse pattern is a cutie!
http://www.berroco.com/knitbits/knitbits_207_H.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Annie's Attic
for crochet addicts...Do you ever look on Annie's Attic for the Pattern of the Day?
Here is the link. She always has the neatest patterns!
http://www.anniesattic.com/free_pattern_day/index.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Getting ready for Christmas!
Slippers to...
~~knit
http://www.knitwits-heaven.com/pocket_book_slippers.htm
~~crochet
http://www.jpfun.com/patterns/free/wearables/f124002grannyslippers.shtml
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~On sale - on line
JAG's has a ton of new clearance fibers!!
http://www.jagsfunkyfibers.com/
Why Recycle? Recycling gives crafters the opportunity to work with the finest yarns at reasonable prices. My Fibers have been carefully hand selected from fine sweaters, thoroughly cleaned, and rewound into skeins. Because the yarn is minimally processed, it will be wavy. This will not affect the quality of hand or machine knitted items
[I made my last three scarves with Jag's yarn and Patti's...
my favorite way to use yarn is to mix it up!]
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't forget this site for very reasonable yarn prices and shipping. Get together with a friend to buy and it will save you a bunch! There is cotton yarn there too. I have some and it is good quality. All that I have from Smiley's has been great.
http://www.smileysyarns.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Knit Picks: another knit site with good prices
http://www.knitpicks.com/Yarns/Knitting+Yarn.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Helping Others
It is always interesting to talk about helping others and so when I saw this info on Talking Crochet page, I went there are decided you need to know this too! Look here and surf the site. It is a good one:
"Nice Things to Do"
We are always talking about helping others and so when I saw this info on Talking Crochet page
I went there are decided you need to know this too! Look here and surf the site.
It is a good one: http://www.nicethingstodo.net/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For Locals
Jessica Knits
10401 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
There is a nice map on the site. http://www.jessicaknits.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipe for the weekend

We are eating meat, but cutting back, as much as possible with smaller servings.
This recipe seemed a good one for forgoing the meat for one or two meals.
[The leftovers will be nice saved for another day with just us two eating, as this serves 6]. Leftovers of this sort always taste really good the second time around and no slaving to make the meal.
I have a *spaghetti squash to substitute for the pasta, which would pare it down from the over 500 calories per serving.
~~
from good old Betty Crocker
Spaghetti and Spicy "Meatballs"
Vegetarian meatballs?
Who would have guessed?!
Enjoy classic *spaghetti with red sauce.
~~
Prep Time:25 min
Start to Finish:25 min
Makes:6 servings
~~
1 package (16 ounces) uncooked spaghetti
2 cups cooked white rice
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup Progresso® plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups spaghetti sauce
Shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired
1. Cook and drain spaghetti as directed on package.
2. In large bowl, mix rice, oats, onion, bread crumbs, milk, basil, oregano, red pepper and egg. Shape into 12 balls. Roll balls in wheat germ.
3. In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook balls in oil about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown.
4. Heat spaghetti sauce until hot. Serve sauce and rice balls over spaghetti. Sprinkle with cheese.
>>Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 565 (Calories from Fat 90); Total Fat 10g (Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat ncg); Cholesterol 35mg; Sodium 470mg; Total Carbohydrate 107g (Dietary Fiber 7g, Sugars ncg); Protein 19g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 12%; Calcium 8%; Iron 32% Exchanges: 6 Starch; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 3 Vegetable Carbohydrate Choices: nc
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
>>Variation
Decrease the amount of ground red pepper for a milder version of this recipe.
Did You Know
These "meatballs" are rolled in a small amount of wheat germ to give them a golden brown color, bit of crunch and nutty flavor. Store wheat germ in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Gail's quotes
We know what happens to people who stay in the middle of the road.
They get run over.
Anuerin Bevan

Behold the turtle
He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out!
James B. Conant

Always a day of slow knitting!

Hello Friends!
I hope your week is going well.

I wondered if anyone is still making dish/face cloths?
I really think the spa idea for Christmas giving is neat...a basket with spa stuff like lotions and such and several of the cloths.
For so long they were all the rage and everyone was picking up on making cloths and variations on the theme. I like the scrubbies too, so when someone mentioned them in the dish cloth group I saved the link for us.
I think it is a repeat, but we have new folks here all the time
Here it is:
http://tankhouse.knitability.com/freepatterns/DishClothDuo.pdf
I haven't made any cloths since early summer.

By the way, I was at the DR. for routine appointment and to meet our new DR. While there I didn't see the magazines [new office, too] as a large woman was blocking my view of the table they were on. So, I sat...didn't take my knitting, as we were nearly late.
[...due to sitting and talking over coffee and the newspaper, duh!]
When my BP was taken it was up.
I know partly due to do with pain from arthritis and my tweaked knee, but also because I was getting steamed, for having to wait with nothing to do! I hate that!
Always have some knit/crochet project to take with you...always!

Here's another person's perspective on knitting.
Read the Yarn Harlot's blog. http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/A "Real Friend," took over for Stephanie on Oct. first. Nice to read and enjoy.

I have to buckle down and get scarves knitted for critters, as I signed up for a table for our
community bazaar in November. Anyone in my area available to donate a scarf or two for this project? I am selling them for a reasonable cost in order to "sell," so if you make some do a fast and easy pattern with your toss away yarn. Let me know.

Did you know there was a MYSTERY A-FOOT? No, well...I didn't really tell the whole story about the yellow blanket.
Funny the yellow baby blanket [...which came out black and white on the scan] was a mystery for awhile, then I decided it was from Pat F, who lives next door, since there was no note and it was just hanging there on the knob. But, it wasn't her, then I called another lady, nope. Last night at the children's home sale and dessert [...by the way, beautifully decorated with Christmas and super fine delectable cakes and such...], I met up with another knitter pal and it was Judy who knit the blanket. Mystery solved! [It is a work of knitting perfection.]

I hope you have a creative day!
The Knitting Tortoise >>GRIN<<
Barb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sharing
I loved this comment by VA:
I crocheted an aqua bikini for me back when I had no hang overs. I for sure, never wore it out...[ and about].
and:
I just got a project to finish. I am worrying about the tension between what she was doing and now me. A vest on size 13 needles. There is only about 4 inches to do in the front and then the ribbings. Say a little prayer for me.
A Garden club member wants to learn to crochet again she says. Wants to make produce bags. I think I told you this before. She liked my little bulb bags and wants to make a big one.....have you seen a simple bag like this? Wants to use kitchen cotton. I made one last night but it is too big around and not tall enough. Once I got started I didn't want to "frog it". See how quickly I learn the terminology. I don't want to make another one to change it....I think I know what to do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Barb, Did you get Lion Brand newsletter? Lola is a riot and they have a bunch of felted coin purses done in Crochet and a couple in knitted versions I think I would like to try one just to see how to do it and if it doesn't work out....it's only a little bit of wool. Rocelle and Kimberly in my SnB group did really nice purses felted. I really liked them Hugs Cat
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60778A.html?noImages=
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60778A.html?noImages=
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Knitting Saint
This is an article mentioned on Knitting Novices group, that explains about a patroness for knitters and is an interesting story.
"...there is a saint who is unofficially the patron of knitters. St. Rafqa (or "Rebecca" for us English folks)" If you are interested, please see the article: http://tinyurl.com/2d7egd
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Knit/Crochet free-bees
I liked this site because there are a lot of simple things to make, such as a pin cushion and even how to crochet the covered hangers. Some oldies that everyone likes and make great Christmas tuck in gifts.
Love the crochet and knit bunnies!
http://frugalhaus.com/scripts/freepats.asp
Thinking...When you look at the round pin cushion, couldn't you sew a doubled thread through it and pull down the to to the middle, then run a double thread in at the bottom of the curve and pull it in and make a heart shaped pin cushion? Hmmm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Michael's on line
I seem to forget there are so many pages of tips and ideas through Michael's on line FYI...take a look and read through their informative pages on the yarn and needlework main page: http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=needlework[If you do other crafts there is a message board that is fun to read on many subjects, too.
snoop~surf around!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Knit Your Bit
Neat new "V" pattern scarf
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/education/knitting.htmlPlease check here for a great place to make scarves for the veteran's.
I have three done, but not the V.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Report in letter form:
[This is about the donated yarn from South West Trading Company in Tempe, AZ.]
www.soysilk.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Mindy,

I wanted to report about the yarns you donated to us.

Phoenix and the AMAIZING:
Jo Anna made 3 hats for people... and 11 snugglies for the animals!

I used one of the yarns...dumb me, not sure which, and added it into scarves for veterans and for cancer recovery group.
Also some of your yarn was added in a hat and blanket for the hospital, this was passed on to another effort, not the babies...
...As it turned out the Banner Hospital needed the tiny baby hats made with finer yarn, which they have donated to us to use.
One of my friends and her " support staff," so far have made over 500 *baby hats for the Banner Desert Hospital
this summer.
[24 babies are born there every day!! E-Gad!]

I am trying to learn to use the *crochet pattern they used...not too swift!

Thanks again for your sharing. It helps so many.
Barb Kipper

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipes

"Martha's" recipe for marinade on Salmon
[Because I love to use liquor in my marinades I would add 2 - 3 Tablespoons of brandy or orange flavor liqueur.
I need to get the hoisan sauce, I love to use it and lobster sauce, in so many oriental dishes B ]

1 tablespoon orange juice
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons honey
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 salmon steaks (8 to 10 ounces each), 1 inch thick
Vegetable cooking spray
Heat broiler. In a glass measuring cup, whisk together orange juice, hoisin sauce, and honey.
Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil, and spray the top of the pan with cooking spray.
Season salmon with salt and pepper, and place on pan.
Brush half of the hoisin sauce mixture over to coat.
Broil salmon about 4 inches from the heat source, basting once, until opaque in center, 10 to 13 minutes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~More on Sannies

Because I have my thrifty [8$ at the Lutheran Thrift!] George Foreman grill, I am thinking of all sorts of grilled sannies.
On Martha's site I saw a BBQ-ed chicken sanny...just get the cooked chicken from the broiler at the market, pull it apart, add *BBQ sauce
and put it with fresh spinach leaves on whole wheat bread and stick it in the griller.
I spray my bread on the outside with Zero Calorie butter, or you can use a thin spread of light mayo.
[We use the *zero cal BBQ sauce from Walden farms http://waldenfarms.com/]

If you grill stuff, let us know...and any recipe is welcome!

Needle Notes ~~ leaves and things

Happy October
As you can see today's picture is a lovely fall tree scene.
It is from Gail in North Pole AK

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today I am having a slow time of getting going on my message to you.
Maybe because it is now "muggy in Mesa," [supposed to rain..?]
it is Monday...
and I tweaked my knee getting into the car yesterday and am a limper today.

Enough of these excuses...
I do have good news:
this week another 1.7# off my zaftig body!! Slow, but coming off!

I received a charming surprise hanging in a sack on my door knob when we came home from a play last evening.
A yellow checkerboard stitch baby blanket for a baby at Banner Desert Hospital!
Thank you Pat F.!

I want to run to the Dollar Store; they are advertising Lion Brand Chenille and some other yarns! Holding back since I have enough yarn to knit for years. If they have it in your area, let us know what you picked up.

My burgundy scarf is all but finished: one end needs fringe and the even-ing of both fringes. I am not sure what I will select next...maybe a soft green mix.

I am excited that our community will have a needle group. We are planning to meet twice a month, beginning in November. A title may be: Needle Crafts Circle. This will encompass all needle arts. Anyone have an better title? Let me know!

Love the sharing and hope to hear more from you all!
Barb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sharing
This looks good!
from Cam:
Are you a member of eons.com? If so, then you already
know of the Knitting Group (along with the other
crafting, cooking, etc groups).
Reply,from Barb:
It looks really interesting and fun.
I plan to take more time to see if it is a place that I will enjoy joining.
My problem is time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from Cat:
A darling pony tail hat and what a pretty page it is shown on!
http://tinyurl.com/364cmf
Pumpkin head!
http://tinyurl.com/2p3jqm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Does this say fall or what?
http://tinyurl.com/ytyndu

What a pretty sweater in fall shades and even has leaves for the trim. Pattern is free.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Blog to enjoy
The Yellow Dog Blog
http://tinyurl.com/ysfbxa
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~knit your own...
Leaves!
http://www.pokiedot.com/knit.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A variety of free patterns
leaves, again
http://www.kidsknits.com/free/cherryleaf.htm
~~~~~
http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/5/Issue5.php
Vine Lace Vest in Four Seasons.
Finished Measurements: 33 (40½, 48, 55½, 63)"
~~~~~
http://knitting.about.com/od/stitchglossary/g/horizontal_dash.htm
This looked like a fall stitch to me...not sure why, but maybe you will enjoy it:
I can see it on the kids vests featured here:
http://www.warmwoolies.org/
This is easy to knit and great to send to kids less fortunate than yours or your grandkids
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipes
To help cut calories and for Diabetic baking

[I might make this as a 9 X 12 cake and add a bit of fresh peaches on the top with "Free" whipped topping.]

Fresh Peach Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins
Ingredients

1 cup peeled, chopped fresh ripe peaches
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon mace
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, or 1/4 cup egg substitute
1/4 cup canola or corn oil
1 cup fat-free milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick pan spray or line the muffin cups with paper liners.
Combine the peaches and lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir to mix; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, mace, and salt; mix thoroughly.
Beat the egg, oil, and milk together in a small bowl. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until the flour is moistened.
Fold in the peaches. Divide batter among the muffin cups; each will be about 2/3 cull.
Bake about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the pan immediately to avoid sticking.

Calories: 154
Protein: 4 g Sodium: 156 mg Cholesterol: 18 mg Fat: 5 g Carbohydrates: 23 g
Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 1 Fat
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Grilled Sannies:
As you may recall, if you read my Saturday blog, I shopped for a rice cooker and grill and by golly I found them at the thrift store! YAY It fits two regular size bread sandwiches side by side.
Last night, we had lovely grilled veggie/albacore tuna sannies, with several cheeses and walnuts added in.
There are a lot of recipes to use with my George Foreman grill, on line
I love the panini effect with the grill.
http://busycooks.about.com/od/breadrecipes/a/grilledsandwich.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Fuzzy Friends
Oodles of our fuzzy friends ...on fabric:
http://www.fabricattic.com/cats_and_dogs.htm