Green Harlot Slythersocks

They're done!    Actually, they were finished on Dec. 21st but that's just the kind of unreliable blogger I am.

Here's a picture of my Harlot Slythersocks....so named because I started them at my class with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee aka. The Yarn Harlot.   And they are a crazy green, almost Slytherin Green one might say...and since I was in Slytherin playing the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup this term.

They are knit using the lever knitting style on dpns, which I was so desperate to learn, and did!  Yay!  I really enjoyed knitting them.  Now I just want to knit socks! socks! socks!

New bread recipe

This is the new bread recipe I'm trying...it's currently on it's first rise.   I used butter instead of shortening, and I used 1 cup 3% milk and 1 cup of water in place of the 2 cups water.   My new Christmas KitchenAid did all the work for me.... ohhhh I can't wait for fresh bread!   I hope it turns out.

Dec 31, 2012 update:  I realized that I didn't say how it turned out!  Well...it turned out quite well, but just not what I'm looking for.  I found it somewhat cake like...  not light and fluffy...It did slice very easily!   Perhaps I should try it again as written instead of adding milk.  Hmmm.   Overall though, I think my baguette recipe is closer to what I'm looking for.    Maybe I'll just try making it in loaf pans instead of baguette shaped....

Amish White Bread

Basic white yeast bread recipe

Source: www.food.com

Course: Breads

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 Hr
Cook Time: 30 Min
Total Time: 5 Hr 30 Min

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 1/4 ounce dry yeast
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons shortening
• 6-7 cups all-purpose flour or 6 -7 cups bread flour,
• 1/8-1/4 cup butter

Directions

1. 1 Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water.
2. 2 In large bowl, combine sugar, salt, 2 cups water and shortening.
3. 3 Stir in yeast mixture.
4. 4 Gradually add flour to form a soft dough.
5. 5 Turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth.
6. 6 Place in a greased bowl and cover and let rise for about 2 hours.
7. 7 Punch down and divide into 2 portions and form loaves.
8. 8 Place in greased 9 x 5 loaf pans and prick tops with fork.
9. 9 Let rise until higher than pans (about 2 hours).
10. 10 Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
11. 11 Cool for ten minutes.
12. 12 Rub butter all over tops of loaves.
13. 13 Place pans on sides until loosened.
14. 14 Remove bread from pans and cool completely on racks.

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 145.7
Fat: 23
Cholesterol: 2.5 mg
Sodium: 203.7 mg
Carbohydrate: 26.7 g
Fiber: 0.9 g
Protein: 3.3 g

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Socks...and turkey

We've had this huge 12kg turkey in the freezer for too long.   I kept wanting to cook it, but the timing never worked out...or it was summer!

Just remember, when your husband suggests "this is a great sale, should I just get the biggest one I can find"   there is a limit to the size that is good.   When your oven rack bows like that, probably not a good thing ....it just barely fit into the roasting pan....  phew!

I always cook our turkeys from frozen now.  I don't think I'll ever go back.  There are so many benefits and the only drawback I can find is that you can't stuff it.   I'm not a huge stuffing lover so I don't really care.

So...yes... I've cooked a massive turkey.  Which means massive amounts of leftovers.  I've tracked down a bunch of recipes to use up the leftovers and I'll share them as I make them.    It's the week of TURKEY!!!

Oh, and I had another class with the Yarn Harlot!  Yes, I know, but don't be jealous :p    She showed me how to do the lever knitting on dpn's and a bit on circs.   I'm almost done my first sock.   I'll post a picture.

Now back to that turkey!    ...and the bread I'm baking so we can have hot turkey sandwiches.  It's a new recipe called Amish White Bread.    I'm still using Plan to Eat, so I'll post the recipe right from there  :D

knitting, knitting, and more knitting!

I really have been doing a lot of knitting lately....but...ummm...not posting any of it! Why? I have no idea! Here are some of my more recent projects from the last few months.

A sweater for a sweet baby boy (not mine) 

A sweater that was supposed to be done LAST fall, for my dear girl...it is too small now...

Aviatrix hat from my own handspun.  I LOVE it!

A SanDiego Chargers hat for my sweetums' birthday gift

A cute and bright owl headband for my swap buddy

Another headband for the swap

A sweet preemie bear hat, in memory of a sweet baby girl who was too good for this world

A crazy colour hat knit from my handspun

A little chemo cap for the niece of a lady in my bible study

Some little scrubbies...there were 10..but this picture is cuter than the one with all 10 in it.

A super last minute bunny ear hat for our "Max" of "Max and Ruby" for Halloween

Hats for a charity hat challenge

A beautiful blanket pattern...but...not working out for me in this yarn... I can't wait to find some nice superwash wool, this pattern is WONDERFUL!!!

A cowl for another swap... the colour is hidden so if someone finds the picture..they won't know :D

Now...HOW have I knit and crocheted so much!?!?!   Well...it turns out that I'm a wee bit competitive...and if you perhaps join some sort of knitting game...with points and challenges...and prizes...I will forgo the dishes in favour of knitting!!!  My poor house...LOL...

Our anniversary...all year long

So, I've found "Plan to Eat"  meal planning system.... I'm on my 30 day trial but I'm pretty certain I'll be buying a year subscription.   I'm really loving how easy it is.   Seriously...check it out!

There is a link on my sidebar.

Anyways....all those recipes I've been pinning on Pinterest...well...now I'm actually making some of them...because I can so easily add the recipe into Plan to Eat.  Then add it to my menu, and POOF!  All the ingredients are on my grocery list.  It's fabulous!

I made these the other day.   My husband really liked them.   He ate.... a lot of them...  At first he couldn't place where he knew this taste from, then I asked him about our anniversary.  We go to Red Lobster for our anniversary every year to "recreate" our wedding meal, of lobster and steak.   I usually end up having shrimp, scallops and crab more than lobster or steak!

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Source: www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

Course: Appetizers

Ingredients

• Biscuits:
• 2 1/2 cups Bisquick
• 4 Tbsp cold butter
• 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• Butter Glaze:
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp dried parsley flakes

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease or line one cookie sheet with parchment; set aside.
2. Combine Bisquick with cold butter in a medium bowl using a pastry cutter (I just used 2 forks). Don’t worry about mixing too thoroughly; there will be small chunks of butter in the mix about the size of peas. Add cheddar cheese, milk, and garlic powder. Mix by hand until combined, but don’t over mix.
3. Drop 1/4 cup portions of the dough onto the lightly greased or parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes in preheated oven or until the tops of the biscuits begin to turn light brown.
4. While the biscuits are baking, melt butter is a small bowl in the microwave. Stir in garlic powder and dried parsley flakes. Use a brush to spread the garlic butter over the tops of all the biscuits. Sprinkle a little kosher salt on the freshly coated biscuits. Makes one dozen.
5. Need to use up some zucchini? Grate a small zucchini, about 3/4 cup. Strain the grated zucchini in a cheesecloth or some paper towels to get rid of the excess moisture. Add the grated zucchini to the biscuit batter when you add the cheese and milk.

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Easiest dye job ever!

 I had this yarn...which...I just did not love....

Enter my big jug of vinegar, my little bottle of blue food colouring, and my crockpot.

 And now I have this yarn.   Purple, blue, and green.   I love it!

I love it! I love it!   Now...what to knit with it....hmmmm... I do have a little something in mind...for a little someone...we shall see... I'm not totally decided yet.  :D

Perogie Casserole....super tasty...

 


This is so easy:
 
Spray or grease the bottom of your casserole dish
Frozen perogies in bottom of casserole dish.
Top with some pasta sauce,
Add some stuff, like ham, or whatever - I just added 1T of Epicure 3 onion dip mix
Top with cheese....we like lot's of cheese,
I topped with bacon bits... I put the bacon bits on top instead of underneath because I like'em crispy!

Bake at 350-400 for 25-35 minutes...