A Trip Down Memory Lane

 I almost stumbled across this blog today, and have spent a not inconsiderable time looking back at over a decade’s entries.  I have moved to the South West since its creation, but of course bought my favourite pastimes of knitting and  crochet  with me.  Currently knitting another Gansey. I tend to knit very traditional garments and accessories.  Have sent for some yarn today from Flamborough Marine and will do a review when the garment is complete.   https://www.flamboroughmanor.co.uk/flamboroughmarine/index.htm

Lockdown

 Thank heavens I can knit!  It has helped pass the time for the  last nine months or more .  And I have been trying to keep up with sign language signs I know so I dont get too rusty. The knitting is my favourite fairisle technique with wool from Jamieson and Smith in the Shetlands https://www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/

Back Again!

It has been over two months since I put an entry on here. (Sounds as if I in a confessional box!  It had become something of a chore rather than a pleasure and now I intend to write only intermittently.  Those who read it, know that I put an alert on Facebook and Twitter when I update.

Just a few items this time, 1) Convertible scarf/cowl with pattern, and 2) a Kindle mention. 3) podcast.  4) Its done at last! 5)Something to be grateful for.

1)What is it?  Well, a stash buster for a start as granny squares lend themselves to that.

Well, I made it with the original intent of it being a cowl, but discovered I liked the idea of it being a scarf.  To overcome the dilemma I made two chain cords, and laced the ends together securing with tie bow.  This way I can simply remove the cords and revert back to a scarf. 

I used size 4.00 hook and double knitting yarn.  I then joined 12 granny squares in a line, and then did four rows of trebles clusters of 3 trebles each (doubles in USA) round the length, putting 2 clusters in each corner. 

For those who are not sure how to do granny square there are good instructions on sites like this http://crochet.about.com/od/learntocrochet/ss/Crochet_Granny_Square.htm

Remember USA and UK abbreviations and stitch names are slightly different but sites like this give conversions at a glance

http://www.yarnfwd.com/main/crochet.html

The two chain cords were threaded through the chain gaps.

2) Free Kindle Books, I have been watching the Father Brown series on tv (yes, daytime tv!  A girl has to do something while sitting with feet up!), and found that there are a number of free Kindle books by the original author G K Chesterton on Amazon.  I have enjoyed so far what I have read, and love the detail and descriptions written.  It was also pleasing to see that the tv series had well depicted the central character unlike when televising Morse. So here on Amazon is a GK Chesterton link showing the free ones first.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_st?keywords=gk+chesterton&qid=1359285343&rh=n%3A341677031%2Ck%3Agk+chesterton&sort=price

3) I continue to enjoy the podcast “Stuff your Mom Never Told you”, The “stuff” podcasts are easily found by just putting “Stuff” in the itunes search, and other good ones are “Stuff you Missed in History Class”, “Stuff to Blow your Mind” etc etc all emanating from the site http://www.howstuffworks.com/

4) Finished at last the Rowan Ariadne . 

 This project seemed to take forever, and I will not be knitting again with the yarn Creative Linen as I found it to be “splitty”, and weighs a ton when knitted up into a garment.  But the garment looks OK I think 

5) What is it I am grateful for?  For the fact that when I walk in the snow it doesnt come up to my tummy like it does for Oliver 

Just Dont Say the "C" word

This week, I shall be a) moaning, b)2 positive comments, c) sharing a recipe, Kindle book review, d)rustic recipe, e)Added to my Ravelry queue knitting suggestion

1) Moan

I wish everyone who celebrates the Yuletide/Christmas a very happy festival.  But I am reaching saturation point with the whole thing already!

Probably because I do not actually celebrate Christmas in the usual way.  But our local supermarket was the first in the UK to decorate the store in October (apparently as an exercise for other stores in the chain to study), and it seems to have heralded the December festivities for a lifetime now.  Meanwhile now I am getting older, I am not in a hurry for another year to pass!

Vegetarians and vegans who want a “traditional” Christmas are faced with some interesting prospects today compared to when I had my first meat free Christmas back in the early 1970s. In fact those of us who are no long omnivores have no difficulty in finding plenty of convenience food all year round.  Which leaves the person responsible for “catering” with lots more free time to indulge in favourite hobbies. But on the down side  I just wish more restaurants would realise how interesting vegetarian food can be and afford more choice.

The reason I no longer eat out, is that I do not wish to see a menu four pages long for everyone else, and a line at the bottom saying “vegetarian option available, please ask”.   Without asking I know it will be based on the premise we all eat nut cutlets.

2) Positive comments.

I was really pleased to see in the Morrison’s Supermarket free magazine, that they used women of normal proportions as models for the clothing article.  At last.  Realistic article without catwalk model types.  I hope this trend continues.

I went to Currys and bought a dry fryer, and politely and  tentatively asked if that was the best price they could do.  (It was cheaper than anywhere else! I had checked before going shopping)

The nice assistant gave me 5 per cent off!!  Couldn’t believe it, I have never haggled in a shop like this before.

3) Kindle book.

I downloaded free a book called Midwife: Liza by Valerie Levy. First and foremost that makes me like this book is the last page! There is a proper ending.  Nothing left in the air.  I hate books that leave the ending untidy.  The author writes midwifery textbooks, but has also written this fictional account of a midwife in 1339. Well written book and I will be reading her next book in the series.  Well written and informative of the trials and tribulations midwives and their patients had in the 1300s.   The one I read wasfree on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Midwife-Liza-ebook/dp/B00422LGZA/ref=la_B00422814E_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353599431&sr=1-1

Being free I have not lined their non tax paying pockets! 

 But if it is not free when checked out, visit another time as books are offered free periodically but for short periods.

4)Recipe

Rustic SunnyTomato flans/plaits

 Why are they called “Rustic”?  Well, one look at the pics shows I have a somewhat rough and ready approach to baking and so it is a cop out to suggest they are rustic in origin.  If anyone can make them looking more palatable (which shouldn’t be difficult), then another posher name can be given.

1 packet puff pastry

Sun dried tomato paste

Cherry tomatoes

Optional sweet pepper roasted, peeled and cut into strips.

Optional grated cheese or vegan cheese substitute

If a suitable shallow container is available like a flan dish then that can be used, otherwise roll the pastry into squares and press the sides upwards to form a shallow container.  Prick the base and spread base with the paste. Add sliced tomatoes and pepper if used.  Also if grated cheese is used this is added.

Oven number 7 for 13 to 15 minutes.

Plaits are made by rolling into oblongs, spread centre with paste and add tomatoes, cut slanted strips down each side from centre to edge and then fold the strips alternatively over the centre. Seal the ends.  The pastry can be brushed with milk or soya milk to get nice brown shiny glaze.

Can be eaten hot or cold. 
5) Knitting suggestion
I like the idea of "convertible" garments, and Lion Brand have come up with a free pattern that fits the bill. (There is also a crocheted version).  It is a good stash buster too.  So this pattern is in my Ravelry queue, and is called Snapped Convertible Cowl Shrug
http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/patternFinder.fcgi?search=Search&searchText=convertible&I2.x=23&I2.y=7&craft=0&categoryKey=&subcategory=Any&size=&edition=&cost=Any&componentCategoryKey=Any&yarnClass=Any&searchType=0

 A different entry today, not craft/podcast/kindle/recipe related.  So you have been warned!

 Have you turned it off and on again?

How often have I groaned when hearing that solution offered to technical issues with the computer!  Well, my iphone went on 3g strike and would happily make calls and texts, but decided not to surf.  I rechecked all the settings.  I read forums with various bits of advice, and still the recalcitrant gadget would not strut its stuff.  Until we were in Comet waiting tor out internet order to be sorted, and I had to tell the salesman I couldn’t show the email as required due to …….  He then stated the dreaded phrase.

So I did.

Bingo!!!!!

So it does work sometimes.

Clocks have gone back and to me that is the harbinger of winter approaching.

Winter usually means I spend more time indoors.

More time indoors means I spend more time knitting.

Knitting more, means I buy more yarn.

I think you can see where this is going……

To fund the habit, I like to see where I can be a bit thrifty but invisibly so.  I am not into leading an austere life totally bereft of pleasure for the sake of a ball of wool.

I am not about to melt scraps of soap and mould them into a “new bar” of soap (I use liquid soap anyway!).  But I have begun to realise how wasteful I am with shampoo, washing up liquid, laundry liquid etc.  I cannot believe how little shampoo I now need to get a full lather.  Hitherto I was using copious amounts and therefore buying shampoo of a near weekly basis.  I have realised too to notice if the washing up liquid I am using has the word “concentrated” on the container.  Otherwise I liberally disgorge a  good dollop, (I know bubbles per se have no cleaning properties, but I do so like a bowl of them!).  Laundry liquid manufacturers must love consumers like myself.  I hurl in a stack of liquid and then another squirt for good measure.  The other day I actually dispensed the recommended amount and found I had…..tarara… clean washing!  So I have been pouring money into my washing up bowl, and washing machine, and losing valuable yarn money in the process.

I have, however, “upset the apple cart” with my well meaning measures.  I will not forego decent toilet paper, but read somewhere that if the roll is squashed to an oval before being put on the holder it would not roll so freely and therefore the user would have more control.  This did not go down with a certain person who thought this was a step too far.

(Off the topic of frugality for a moment, but another instance where bog roll got me into trouble).  Many years ago when working for a public body that was undergoing expenditure cuts, on 1^st April I put a notice on the staff notice board, stating that due to the cuts in public expenditure, only one sheet per visit to the toilet was permissible and if staff wanted more they must bring it from home.  How was I to know that the Big Boss was coming to the staff room for a meeting that very morning?

It was not appreciated!!

Back to domesticity.  I also like “handy tips” that make daily life cheaper and more importantly easier. My best email friend sent me an email this week containing a list of them, and some were really clever I thought.  (thanks Viv).  Like the one where a pull ring from a drinks can, is slipped over a metal coathanger hook, and then another hanger can be hung from the ring thus saving room on the rail and making a wardrobe accommodate more clothes.    I also liked the idea of using a staple extractor to hold a key ring open when putting on another key, this saves damaging nails. Or using a tin opener to get inside blister packs designed to keep the user out.

The problem with some frugal living solutions, is that the amount of effort needed to achieve a saving is off putting.

I make bread which is cheaper than shop bought, but only because I enjoy making bread.  I am not about to become a domestic slave for the sake of a penny or too.  But I am also not happy to knowingly waste money. 

So if anyone has any pain free tips I will receive them gratefully. The trouble with some “tips” is the idea seems novel but however clever they are, does the item made in the Blue Peter style ever actually get used like this one or the little cord holder?

THEY COME IN HANDY!

This is a short entry as keyboarding is rather problematic at the moment due to carpel tunnel syndrome!  Great, another syndrome to add to my Holmes Adies syndrome.  I really would rather not go through life collecting syndromes as I age. This has meant my knitting activities are severely curtailed and I can only knit for short periods of a time. Also my cooking is reduced as chopping and cutting is not a joyful experience to say the least.

This week the knitting chat is about gloves,

Knitting can be an expensive hobby but not when such projects as these are made.  Time consuming and yet not yarn eaters, so they are more than affordable.  But more importantly they instill a great sense of satisfaction upon completion.  Also they do not weigh much on the needles!  I particularly like these sort of projects that are steeped in history and tradition.  These gloves above I made last week are made from a pattern currently sold at https://www.wordsworth.org.uk/home.html,  or the Winter 2011 edition of Knitting Traditions.  They are in the Dales tradition and called Mary Allen's gloves. So far on Ravelry there are only 7 projects which surprised me. 

Once I had completed the Mary Allen’s gloves, I started another pair with my own design on the back of the hand and deviated from tradition by continuing the pattern up the length of the fingers.  It is only now after decades of knitting that I have the confidence to “do my own thing”.  Hitherto all patterns have been carved in stone.  Here is the result:

The project has yet to be named so if anyone has any ideas what these gloves should be called I would welcome the suggestion.

The recipe is a minimum fuss, quick make, lunch and a leave it alone as long as you like casserole till you want to eat it!

The quick one:

Roasted veggies on warm baguettes - makes a change from pizza!

I find the bake at home baguettes ideal size for this.

Ingredients: baked baguette, from the following use one or any or all tomatoes, sweet peppers, mushrooms, onions.

Garlic and decent olive oil.  No cheating on the oil, if it is crap oil it will ruin this entirely.  Prepare the veggies used by halving the tomatoes, cutting onions into chunks, halving peppers and removing seeds, clean and slice the mushrooms.

Method: half baguettes lengthwise and lay crust down on baking tray.  Liberally spread oil over the surface and rub in crushed garlic.  Arrange the veggies used over the bread and drizzle over olive oil.  Bake number 6 for 15 mins.  Check and ensure veggies cooked. 

The casserole can be cooked on the stove top and eaten immediately or it can be put in a slow cooker/casserole dish and slow cooked for ages.  So it is a good dish to prepare say before going shopping and then on home coming it is ready to eat.

Home Coming Casserole

In the picture it can be seen that there is pasta, but this is an optional extra and not totally necessary.  400g tin of chopped tomatoes, 1 tbs tomato puree, 1 tsp sugar, 1 clove crushed garlic,  large onion chopped, 1tbs olive oil, seasoning,  4 oz dried pasta cooked as directed on the packet. Veggie meat free  Meatballs from Asda http://groceries.asda.com/asda-estore/search/searchcontainer.jsp?trailSize=1&searchString=vegetarian+meat+balls&  or Redwoods http://shop.redwoodfoods.eu/vegideli-meat-free-meatballs-350g.html

Saute onions in the oil and garlic, add the chopped tomatoes, puree, sugar, seasoning. When well combined add the “meatballs” and pasta if used, and thoroughly heat, or cook in the oven.

 

I did it myself

 

This week: knitting, recipes, kindle stuff

I have at last developed a measure of self confidence to try to create rather than slavishly follow patterns and recipes.  Obviously some efforts are not as successful as others, but this week my two creative efforts were successful

Success/Sockcess!

In last blog entry I mentioned discovering after heel socks.    After thought heels on socks are widely known as a type of heel, but all the patterns I came across said either waste yarn technique, or cutting was involved.

I like the look of the heel and it is created easily and no gussets etc, but wanted to incorporate the heel as I went along rather than go back when the sock was completed.

My method works on cuff down or toe up socks.

So here is my heel…

For cuff down,  It is achieved by putting half the stitches used onto a holder and then casting on the same number of stitches just put on a holder.  Start knitting in the round again for three rounds and then decrease as if knitting a toe.  When the decreasing has reached the desired number then either Kitchener or turn inside out and three needle bind off. 

To continue the sock put the needles held on the holder on to a needle and then pick up stitches from the cast on edge of the heel and continue in the round to the toe.  So if the sock starts with 60 sts, 30 are the amount put on the holder, and 30 are the amount picked up from the cast on edge of the heel.  If anyone wants more explicit instructions with pictures just contact me.

Recipes this week are “cheesey bread rolls” and “creamy sauce” which is base for a number of dishes.

Cheesey bread rolls:

12oz strong flour (white or brown or mix the two)

3 oz margarine

1 sachet of easy yeast

½ pt milk tepid

4 oz cheese or vegan cheezly grated

1 tsp sugar and 1tsp salt

Add yeast, sugar and salt to flour

The margarine can be added by rubbing in, or by melting it and adding with the milk

Knead for 10 mins and set aside to double in size covered.

Knock back the dough and roll out into 4 large or 6 smaller oblongs.  Put grated cheese in centre third of  each oblong and fold over an end piece of dough.  Add more cheese to the folder over piece and then finally fold over the remaining third.  Then roll out the dough to an oblong. Sprinkle top with cheese

Put aside to rise and 20 mins later put in oven 7 for 10 mins.

Cool on a rack

The creamy sauce recipe is versatile as it can be used as sauce to go with pasta, or if cheese is added it can be used as a base for a macaroni cheese type dish as in the pic.

Creamy Sauce

2 onions, 4 medium or 2 large cucumbers peeled, carton of single cream or vegan equivalent, 3desert spoons of  margarine

Remove seeds from cucumbers and sprinkle with salt and set aside for an hour.

Rinse cucumbers and cut into chunks

Saute onions in the margarine and add cucumbers.

Put lid on saucepan and leave on very gentle heat for about 45 mins, incorporate the cream and stir well.

This sauce is then ready to pour over pasta.

Alternatively

Saute onions and cucumber as before, but instead of cream add a cheese sauce.  Then combine the mix with cooked pasta and bake in oven 5 for about 25 mins.  I topped mine with cherry tomatoes and sprinkled more grated vegan cheese on top.

Kindle

Living in Lichfield http://www.visitlichfield.co.uk/ 

Decided I would read about its famous son Samuel Johnson who wrote the first English dictionary and whose birthplace is in the centre of town http://www.lichfield.gov.uk/sjmuseum/.  So downloaded free book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samuel-Johnson-ebook/dp/B004TQEOSA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346419979&sr=1-1

Bit heavy but interesting biography, and gives interesting glimpse into the period of the time. 

Another book I have dipped into this week is Behind Jane Austen's Door by Jennifer Forest http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behind-Jane-Austens-Door-ebook/dp/B006YITPAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346422109&sr=8-1

Again a free book when I downloaded it. The book visits room by room a Regency house and delves into what life was like for the residents, it draws on the Jane Austen characters and their dwellings.