Eclectic Post

Just a variety of thoughts to journal...

I'm over at B&N pursuing books as they have a special right now.. spend at least 10.00 (on certain items) and get free shipping. So, somehow I end up reading a chapter from a book I remember from my childhood "Betsy, Tacy and Tib" by Maud Hart Lovelace.

I about fell over laughing at one of the sentences.."And Tacy's Mother had ten children, besides Tacy, so of course there wasn't much for Tacy to do." (this was in regards to housework) Um.. excuse me?? Not much housework with 10 kids??? I find it difficult to keep up with only 2 kids. Maybe it's different with lots of them, I don't know, but I found that statement amusing, amazing, and totally unreal.

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A not so funny thing happened this week. Went back to the oncologist for a checkup and she found a place that needed a biopsy. OUCH. Not so fun to have a slice (even though very small) taken out of your sitting down parts. I got through it with some lidocaine (or it's equivalent) and some hand-holding by the resident working with her. Now I just feel like I'm sitting on a sandspur or a small pinecone. One week or so till I hear results. She doesn't think it's anything serious, but did the biopsy just to be sure.

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Back to funny again....

This morning as my dh was leaving for work, he kissed me, said he loved me (awww). I asked with a smile in my voice, when he was going to show me how much he loved me. He said perhaps tonight, with a wink. I reminded him that he would need to "prime the pump" .. ya know women take longer to get ready in all things, not just getting dressed... And my smart-aleck, unbearably cheerful in the mornings, nerdy, geeky husband bent over and kissed my cheek a few times and whispered in my ear "3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19"

(For those who aren't math inclined.. those are examples of prime numbers.)

What a smart ass. And I have a son just like that.. only he's not a morning person.
I had to laugh.

Nerds make really good husbands btw..

Braised Brussels Sprouts in Mustard Sauce

This is soooo good, and not that difficult.

The original recipe is here

I'm going to post what I did differently.

Ingredients

1 12oz package frozen brussels sprouts
Some vegetable oil spray (butter flavor if possible)
1/4 cup minced white onion
4 tbspns water, divided
1/4 cup plochmans mustard
2 tablespoons splenda

Directions

Microwave Sprouts 1/2 of the time suggested on package. I did 5 minutes, which was just a tad too long.

While sprouts are in microwave, chop onion. set aside.

Cut sprouts in half, then each half in half. If a really large sprout, cut each 1/2 in thirds. Repeat with all the sprouts.

Spray a large, heavy skillet with Pam type spray and heat over medium for 1 or 2 minutes. Add onions; sauté for 2 minutes.

Stir in sprouts, and 2 tablespoons water; spread everything evenly across the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, measure mustard, add splenda and remaining water into the same measuring cup and stir until blended. Once sprouts have cooked for 5 minutes, pour mustard mixture over them and stir. Reduce heat to low, cover, cook for 5 minutes, then stir. Remove from heat or, if you prefer, cook for 5 minutes more—the sprouts will get browner and more intensely flavored.

Serve hot or warm. We had them with little beef filets and portobello mushrooms. Made a wonderful dinner. DH had 3 servings of the sprouts.

Finally an update

I've neglected this blog for so long.. been incredibly busy.

I just finished an afghan.. didn't know who or what I was making it for, just wanted to make it. I got started because I bought some Vanna's choice to make a couple of squares for a comfortghan that someone else was going to put together, but once I got started.. I wanted to keep making squares.

I couldn't get enough of the same dyelot in two colors, so I did a hodgepodge of what I could get.. here's the results... (excuse the unmade bed.. I'm getting ready to strip it and wash sheets).

The square pattern I used is called "Winter's Dream" and is available here.




Full view



slightly closer



The edging.

The edge is two rows of sc, then a repeat of the last two rows of the square. Right now it's tending to curl a little, but it hasn't been washed yet. I'm hoping that washing and drying will allow it to unfurl.



And this is an afghan that I made back in November 2009 with Red Heart Fiesta that I found on clearance.. again not knowing why or who for.. and ended up giving it to a counselor at FSU who was so helpful to my daughter this past fall.

The pattern is called "Little Windows Granny Throw" and you can find it here. I didn't like the fringe, so didn't do it. I think I just went around the edges a few times with sc, but honestly don't recall exactly what I did.

I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I had never used Fiesta before, but quite like the results.

It seems that when I'm inspired to make something, but don't know why.. God eventually lets me know who it is for. Like the VC's afghan shown first.. I just found out one of the medical providers I've been seeing for about a year or so is getting married and moving away. I think maybe it's meant for her.

And last but not least.. is an snuggly blanket I made for myself at Christmastime 2008. I call it a Candy Cane ripple.



It's made from RH light and lofty. It's so cozy, I love to sleep under it at night. I wish I had a better selection of the colors where I shop.

I don't remember where I found the ripple pattern, any simple ripple would make a similar blanket. :)