A bit down-in-the dumps today, but with new Pee-Wee and this, how can one be too sad? :)
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies!!
I wanted to use up some cereal that we've had since the fall. We got them practically free after coupons. I wanted to make a s'more something using the graham, chocolate, and marshmallow cereals. So I did some googling. I did not want to do a no-bake recipe; if I'm going to indulge in cookie sweets, I want them BAKED! Following is a good recipe for whole puffy cereal: Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp (does that still exist?), Captain Crunch (which is the next one I'm doing!!), etc.
1/2 cup Creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup room temp. butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 - 3 1/2 cups cereal of your choice.
3/4 cup semisweet or milk chocolate (whatever chocolate you have around) chocolate chips
Oven @ 325. Mix peanut butter, sugars, butter, baking soda, baking powder, egg and vanilla. Then, stir in cereal and chocolate chips.
Spoon into balls and place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Put sheets on cooling racks until sheets are cool to the touch, and gently put cookies on cooling rack.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Goodies in the mail!!
Recently, (and on-going) I organized a knitters swap on the Ravelry group, Tiny Owl Knits. It's where secret partners are matched up round-robin style and send packages to the person that they are assigned to "stalk" on Ravelry. I initially wasn't going to participate, but due to math error on my part, I thought I had to for the partnering to work. Oops. However, a sweet woman named Julie jumped to volunteer to send me items, and now I am soooooo glad I decided to participate because what I received in the mail was incredible!
On top of a knitting carry-all that she handmade is a scarflette with a beautiful shawl pin:
That's actually the WS! But it's so versatile that it looks great WS or RS:
And it's incredibly, incredibly soooffft! One of the softest things I've felt. I have considered sleeping with it. :p She sent the left-overs along with some recommended patterns. The mitts I've considered, as this yarn needs to be on contact with skin, due to the luxuriousness of it. I also was wondering if I'd have enough to make a Bedknobs and Broomsticks. I could try, and if it doesn't work out... frog it and make mitts. :D
Patterns and natural, handcrafted soap!
In the second picture, on top of the bag is Koigu!!!! My first Koigu ever! I've never had Malabrigo, either... it's a shame, but I'm waiting for one particular colourway on that one, anyway. Along with Koigu, is some similar-hued Mountain Colors handpainted yarn, so that I can extend the Koigu into knee socks, as those are mainly what I wear!! :D
On the bag here, is a Mr. McTweedy!! He is up high, on a shelf, next to a tin. I panicked and shoved him at my partner, saying: "Quick.. get him up high! Higher than beverages!!" He is recycled and amazing. <3
Also, in the box was hand-dyed and hand-spun yarn from Julie! The handspun is amazing, and I cannot think of how to properly treat it. Maybe a B&B for that? I need something that can bring out the amazing twists and bursts of colour. It's like a carnival in the middle of the forest!
The hand painted yarn came with some beads that are orange, yellow, and gold. I could swear they were named sunset (or sunrise?), but now I can't find that anywhere for the life of me. Maybe I named it? The handpainted yarn is primarily the dominant teal colour, which has been my colour this winter, but with hints of pink and orange at the bottom. Oh, did I mention it was tweed? Yeah!
Inside the bag...
...were two other bags! A larger bag for straight needle projects, and a smaller bag for sock knitting and thinner yarn projects!
Inside the small
Inside the large.
Also tucked away in the bag was a beautiful DPN wallet:
Whose cover was a repurposed leather book cover!
Inside:
What's this? a bookmark?
No! Beautiful rainbow scissors!! I'm always losing mine, so these are perfect, and special. It's like that last tapestry needle..cling to it for dear life!
Speaking of tapestry needles!
And what's in this pocket?
Owl stitch markers, she made herself! They're so lovely! And I'm working on a project right now that is using up all available stitch markers AND some waster yarn-turned-stitch-marker. Yay! :D
I had to move some of my DPNs in already. :)
Julie also noticed my favourite spice, cardamom! I usually only use it in sweet things, but she gave me advice (and rice) for a savory dish!
Caffeine was also included, and appreciated! She says she's picky with coffee, so I am totally looking forward to it! She also sent chocolate covered coffee beans
And she even found a vintage handkerchief that fits the teal/brown theme! For those that don't know, I have amassed a large collection of handkerchiefs for everyday use. I find it's less wasteful than napkins or kleenex, and much, much prettier. I'm very hygenic with them, and am constantly washing them. However, this will probably go in the special hankies box with my great-grandmother's. :) (Tulips, too! Perfect for this time of year.)
A pair of vintage earrings were in the bag, too; urging me to repurpose them into something else. I'm thinking chunky buttons for something like this.
And of course, a sweet and lovely card!
The package was so incredible, my cat threatened to steal the bag.
I gave him the box, instead!! :D
Did I miss anything, Julie??
On top of a knitting carry-all that she handmade is a scarflette with a beautiful shawl pin:
That's actually the WS! But it's so versatile that it looks great WS or RS:
And it's incredibly, incredibly soooffft! One of the softest things I've felt. I have considered sleeping with it. :p She sent the left-overs along with some recommended patterns. The mitts I've considered, as this yarn needs to be on contact with skin, due to the luxuriousness of it. I also was wondering if I'd have enough to make a Bedknobs and Broomsticks. I could try, and if it doesn't work out... frog it and make mitts. :D
Patterns and natural, handcrafted soap!
In the second picture, on top of the bag is Koigu!!!! My first Koigu ever! I've never had Malabrigo, either... it's a shame, but I'm waiting for one particular colourway on that one, anyway. Along with Koigu, is some similar-hued Mountain Colors handpainted yarn, so that I can extend the Koigu into knee socks, as those are mainly what I wear!! :D
On the bag here, is a Mr. McTweedy!! He is up high, on a shelf, next to a tin. I panicked and shoved him at my partner, saying: "Quick.. get him up high! Higher than beverages!!" He is recycled and amazing. <3
Also, in the box was hand-dyed and hand-spun yarn from Julie! The handspun is amazing, and I cannot think of how to properly treat it. Maybe a B&B for that? I need something that can bring out the amazing twists and bursts of colour. It's like a carnival in the middle of the forest!
The hand painted yarn came with some beads that are orange, yellow, and gold. I could swear they were named sunset (or sunrise?), but now I can't find that anywhere for the life of me. Maybe I named it? The handpainted yarn is primarily the dominant teal colour, which has been my colour this winter, but with hints of pink and orange at the bottom. Oh, did I mention it was tweed? Yeah!
Inside the bag...
...were two other bags! A larger bag for straight needle projects, and a smaller bag for sock knitting and thinner yarn projects!
Inside the small
Inside the large.
Also tucked away in the bag was a beautiful DPN wallet:
Whose cover was a repurposed leather book cover!
Inside:
What's this? a bookmark?
No! Beautiful rainbow scissors!! I'm always losing mine, so these are perfect, and special. It's like that last tapestry needle..cling to it for dear life!
Speaking of tapestry needles!
And what's in this pocket?
Owl stitch markers, she made herself! They're so lovely! And I'm working on a project right now that is using up all available stitch markers AND some waster yarn-turned-stitch-marker. Yay! :D
I had to move some of my DPNs in already. :)
Julie also noticed my favourite spice, cardamom! I usually only use it in sweet things, but she gave me advice (and rice) for a savory dish!
Caffeine was also included, and appreciated! She says she's picky with coffee, so I am totally looking forward to it! She also sent chocolate covered coffee beans
And she even found a vintage handkerchief that fits the teal/brown theme! For those that don't know, I have amassed a large collection of handkerchiefs for everyday use. I find it's less wasteful than napkins or kleenex, and much, much prettier. I'm very hygenic with them, and am constantly washing them. However, this will probably go in the special hankies box with my great-grandmother's. :) (Tulips, too! Perfect for this time of year.)
A pair of vintage earrings were in the bag, too; urging me to repurpose them into something else. I'm thinking chunky buttons for something like this.
And of course, a sweet and lovely card!
The package was so incredible, my cat threatened to steal the bag.
I gave him the box, instead!! :D
Did I miss anything, Julie??
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thoughts...
Watching this classic 'Kids in the Hall' sketch this evening, and re-enacting it with my partner got me thinking...
..about dominant eyes. Yes dominant eyes. When "crushing a head" I close my left eye to give ample room for my right, dominant hand to crush. Wouldn't my left-handed boyfriend be the same, given his love for using his left hand? Nope. He closes his left like me, and claims it feels more natural to do so. I'd always thought, and joked about often with him, that left-handed people were just mirror twins in which one twin got absorbed in the womb. But the fact that he has the same reactions I do wonder if some left-handed people just trained themselves to be early on. Either way, it would be fun to ask my mirror twin grandmother (left handed) and her twin (right handed) to do this experiment. Though, perhaps with a microscope instead of 'Kids in the Hall'? I'd like to see what the natural inclination is for people, which is the dominant eye?
..about dominant eyes. Yes dominant eyes. When "crushing a head" I close my left eye to give ample room for my right, dominant hand to crush. Wouldn't my left-handed boyfriend be the same, given his love for using his left hand? Nope. He closes his left like me, and claims it feels more natural to do so. I'd always thought, and joked about often with him, that left-handed people were just mirror twins in which one twin got absorbed in the womb. But the fact that he has the same reactions I do wonder if some left-handed people just trained themselves to be early on. Either way, it would be fun to ask my mirror twin grandmother (left handed) and her twin (right handed) to do this experiment. Though, perhaps with a microscope instead of 'Kids in the Hall'? I'd like to see what the natural inclination is for people, which is the dominant eye?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Mojito Cake!
(No, those are NOT marshmallows; they are dessert mints. You know, mojito...mint? I couldn't find fresh mint leaves. I really need to start growing some.)
Adapted to US units of measurements from, Domestic Sluttery's Mojito Cake!
Cake Ingredients:
-8.82 tablespoons butter (1 stick and a sliver ~ room temp)
-3/4c superfine sugar (I put granulated sugar in a food processor for a bit - when you do this, add about 1/2c or more for the glaze later)
-2 eggs ~ room temp
-1/4c rum (I used light from from the Conch Republic)
-zest of 2 limes
-1.4c of self rising flour
-1 tsp of baking powder
(I did not have any self-rising flour, so using the old adage of 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt per 1 c of flour to make self-rising flour, I added 2 7/8 tsp. baking powder, 5/8 tsp. salt, and 1 1/4 c all-purpose flour, total. If my math is too confusing for you, go ahead and use self-rising flour.)
Glaze Ingredients:
-100ml water (between 1/3 and 1/2 c if your liquid measuring cup does not have ml)
-1/2c superfine sugar (from above)
-3 tbs. rum
-juice from the two limes you zested earlier
Frosting Ingredients:
-8 tbs. (1 stick) butter ~ room temp
-1 1/4 c confectioners sugar (to start)
-juice from 1 lime
-altoids mints
(optionals: green food colouring [I used moss coloured food paste], thin slices of lime, mint springs for decor. I could not find any so I used green and white dessert mints. [I really, really need to just grow some mint.])
Ready? Set? Bake!
Set oven to 325 degrees. With a mixer, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. In another bowl, beat together eggs and rum. Slowly add rum mixture to butter mixture with a mixer until fluffy. Fold in zest, flour, and baking powder. Pour into cake pan, and cook for 35 - 40 mins. (Check after 30)
For the glaze, put water and sugar into saucepan and stir until translucent. BTB RTS, (Bring to boil and reduce to simmer) for 5 - 7 minutes. Let cool all the way and then add the 3 tbs. rum and lime juice from zest. (yes, the rum is not cooked away. Woo-hoo!
When the cake is done and completely cool, poke all over with a fork, and use a pastry brush to "paint" the glaze all over the cake. Then, make the frosting:
Add 1 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar to butter and mix. Gradually add lime jucie until you get a frosting consistency. You can always add more sugar if it gets too thin. Once the frosting is a good consistency, ground up some altoids (I used 17 total) in a mortar and pestle or food processor. Add some to icing. Just keep tasting until it's perfect!
Frost and decorate with sliced limes or fresh mint leaves, if you have them. :)
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