Apple Pancake and a Little Organization

After transporting grasses in my van, it needed a good vacuuming. Driving in a cluttered vehicle makes me a little crazy...I thought I would share with you my little organization helper I made for my van. This is a scrapbooking tote I bought from Michaels. It has lots of compartments to hold wet wipes, coupons, Chapstick, dvd's, etc. It fits perfectly in between my two front seats.

This morning I made a tasty Apple-Oven Pancake. I recommend doubling this recipe and baking it in a 9 x 13 pan. This would be great for Christmas morning.

Apple-Raisin Oven Pancake

1 apple, cored, peeled and sliced
1/3 cup raisins
2 Tblsp brown sugar
4 eggs
2/3 cup milk
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tblsp margarine, melted
Cinnamon and Nutmeg for seasoning
Powdered Sugar for garnishing
Pancake syrup (optional)

Shake some cinnamon and nutmeg over apples. Toss evenly. Combine apples, raisins and brown sugar together. Spread into lightly greased 9" pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 min. Remove and set aside. Whisk eggs, milk, flour, a few shakes of cinnamon and margarine together. Pour over apples and bake at 450 degrees for 15 min. until golden. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with syrup if desired.

A Doctored Cake Mix

I love finding a shortcut to a recipe...I love it even more when I can jazz it up! I made these mini muffins and my girls can't get enough of them! They're great school lunch fillers also!

Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 box of Spice Cake Mix
2 eggs
1 can of pumpkin purée
1/2 - 1 cup of mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix the first 3 ingredients with a mixer on med speed. Then stir in the chocolate chips.

Spoon into greased mini muffin tins (almost to the top). Bake for 13-15 min. or til an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Makes about 40 muffins. Enjoy!

Happy Fall!

Well it took a while but I finished my Fall mantel.  I had an old cotton tablecloth (checkered) which didn't fit any of my tables but I still wanted to use. So I cut a few triangles and sewed them to some black felt triangles....turned out pretty good! I went a step further and cut some runners from the cloth.

The lantern I found at Old Time Pottery. I elevated some candles in it and added a few leaves and mini pumpkins. I love finding a great deal!

This look will last me til November! Happy Fall!

I did it!

So I finished my first crochet'ing project! It seems that crochet'ing might be a quicker craft than knitting. As my experience grows I will get a better feel for the difference between the two. It might be like comparing apples to oranges. But for now I'm happy to cross this off my bucket list!

I Pledge Allegiance...

...to organization!  I have been busy this week checking off my organization to-do list as well as completing beer cozy orders so I have no new pictures to post on the knitting front!  I do, however have some organization photos for you!

This year I am determined not to trip over any one's backpack!  I pledge to have outgoing papers ready and waiting by the back door!  I will not run around like a crazy person every morning looking for lunch coolers!

This first photo is of my daughters' crafts.  I had a cabinet that was a disaster.  A quick trip to WalMart brought home an over-the-door shoe organizer.  Now they can open our hallway closet and help themselves to easily-accessible craft supplies!

This next photo is of our mudroom.  I re-purposed a cabinet door from an old night-stand to hold a pencil sharpener (no more searching for the little sharpener!) and cup of pencils.  I also installed hooks to hold backpacks.  Thank goodness they are off of the floor!  I also re-purposed a wooden box to become a shelf to house cell phones and hold lunch coolers.  I bought a 3-pocket wall file (spray-painted black) for each of my kid's outgoing papers....personalized with a photo-magnet of themselves.



Now it's time to switch to Fall mode!  This weekend officially starts the season!  This is a picture of my mantel from last Fall.  I'm not sure if I will style it like this again...we shall see!

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

So I just finished Crochet Class 2 of 3 and as you can see I have a lot more practicing to do!  I can see however the differences between crocheting and knitting....crocheting seems to take less time than knitting.  Of course it all depends on what pattern you're working on. 

Back to my craft of knitting, I am starting to get orders for my beer cozies.  These are especially useful this time of the year as the weather starts to drop.  While tailgating, out at a campfire, hayrides, etc., they keep your hand warm!  Cheers!

 

Here's a useful tip for knitting/crocheting...  Take an emptied and cleaned Parmesan cheese shaker.  Drop your ball of yarn in it, pull the thread through one of the holes of the lid.  Screw the lid back on.  Now your yarn won't roll all over the place while you work!  Don't you just love re purposing?

 

 

Some Comfort...

I spent yesterday reflecting on the events of 9/11.  In some way I felt it was my duty as an American to not change the channel, but to remember all of those who suffered those horrific attacks.  I watched the original footage of that morning, some actual recordings of passersby and then watched Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (with Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock).  I knew that the next day, I would get back to my routine. Today however, I needed to give my attention to those helpless people.  They deserve it.  My husband was flying out of town that morning which put me at a heightened awareness.  So when his flight landed tonight, I was thankful and grateful for his return.

I spent a very happy day today with my daughter, Ally and her class at our local apple orchard.  We couldn't have had more perfect weather.  I enjoyed laughing and picking apples with Ally.  Taking in those little moments....adding to my mental scrapbook. 

Tonight I made apple crisp....my comfort food.  This is my husband's favorite (ok, one of his favorites).  I am including the recipe and hope you enjoy it too!  Just a note, I would double this recipe and bake in a 9 x 13 pan....it goes fast! 

Oh, and so far so good on the crochet'ing!  My next class is Friday so stay tuned!  : )

Apple Crisp

 

6 gala apples - peeled and sliced

8 graham crackers (2 1/2 x 5 inches), coarsely chopped

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup quick or old-fashioned oats

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Various spices...nutmeg, ground cloves, allspice

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Toss apple slices with  a few shakes of your preferred spices.  Place apples in greased 8 x 8 baking dish.  Mix together graham crackers, brown sugar, flour, oats and cinnamon..mix well.  Melt butter or margarine and add to graham cracker mixture til moist and crumbly.  Sprinkle over apples.  Cover loosely with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes.  Remove foil and bake an additional 10 min. til golden brown.  Top with ice cream.  Enjoy!

Go Bears!

Well the Chicago Bears had a great season opener!  They beat the Colts 41 to 21!  With the start of football season, it's time to break out my crockpot and crockpot recipes.  Here is one of my favorites...

Taco Stew

 

1 lb. Ground Beef or Ground Turkey

1 15 oz. can Pinto Beans (drained)

1 15 oz. can Kidney or Black Beans (drained)

1 10 oz. can Rotel Tomatoes with green chilies (not drained)

1 15 oz. can Diced Tomatoes (not drained)

1 cup corn

1 Packet Taco Seasoning

1 Packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix

 

Brown beef or turkey in skillet and drain.  Dump all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low 5-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

 

Serve over Fritos and top with cheese, shredded lettuce, sour cream, etc.  Don't you just love crockin'?  : )

Popcorn Fest!

I'm at the annual Valparaiso Popcorn Fest enjoying some crafts, food and spirits!  Did you know Orville Redenbacher started his popcorn legacy in Brazil, IN?

...in front of my favorite (yarn supply) store, Sheep's Clothing in downtown Valparaiso.

...this is the food and spirits part of the entertainment ; )

Cheering in our friend, Dave - finishing the Popcorn Panic 5k....He finished just over 32 minutes.  Way to go Dave!

And So It Begins...

Well I did it!  I finally took my first crochet class (1 of 3)!  I completed a chain stitch flower and 3/4 of a granny square.  With a little learned muscle memory I hope to be crocheting away soon.  So many ideas have already popped into my head!  Little girl hats with switchable flowers, Christmas ornaments, pot holders - I'm sure I will be out of control with crochet madness!

Switching gears, the hubby is still sick so today's soup was Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque.  I will include this recipe also.  Hubby loved it!  I'm sure it would be delicious with a grilled cheese! 

 

Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque

 

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 celery stalks (diced)

2 red peppers (seeded and diced)

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 small zucchini (diced)

2 1/2 - 3 lbs grape tomatoes

4 cups chicken stock

1 Tablespoon sugar

2/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

2 cups half and half

1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper

Butter and Garlic Croutons for topping

 

1.  Heat oil in large pot.  Add celery, red pepper and garlic.  Cook for 2 minutes.  Add zucchini and tomatoes.  Season with salt and cook for 5 minutes.

 

2. Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until tomatoes start to pop.  Press tomatoes against side of pot until crushed...a potato masher would also work.  (Soup will still be chunky, no worries!)

 

3. Remove from heat.  Stir in sugar, couple of shakes of salt and pepper and basil. 

 

4.  Process soup (small batches if needed) in processor or blender until desired consistency.  Pour back into pot and add half and half and parm cheese. 

 

Top with croutons and enjoy!



Soup of The Day...

So the hubby is working from home today due to a severe sore throat.  I whipped up one of my staple soups - Cheesy Vege Chowder.  It's one of my favorites. 

CHEESY VEGE CHOWDER

1 cup each of carrots, celery and onion (chopped in cubes)
1 stick of butter
2 - 32 oz. boxes of chicken broth
1 bag of baby broccoli florets (I use Birdseye)
1 to 2 baking potatoes (peeled and cubed)
1 tsp. paprika (red pepper)
1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
2 - 12 oz. cans evaporated milk
2 - 8 oz. packages of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

In large stock pot, saute carrots, celery and onion in 1/2 of the stick of butter for about 6-8 minutes (til tender).  Add salt and pepper.  Pour into pot the two boxes of broth, potatoes, broccoli, paprika and worc. sauce.  Bring to a boil. Lower heat and cover.  Simmer for approx. 18-20 min. (til potatoes are tender).  Meanwhile, in large sauce pan melt the other 1/2 stick of butter and whisk in flour, keep whisking for about 3-5 minutes til smooth.  Gradually add evaporated milk and continue to cook and stir over low-med heat.  Once milk has become thick, remove from heat and add the shredded cheese....mix until cheese has melted.  After the vegetables have simmered, add the cheese sauce and stir til well-combined.  Enjoy!

Just a little taste...



Hello!  As I dip my toes into the pool of blogging, I am posting just a few of my knitted projects.  Enjoy perusing while I get my feet wet learning this new blogging thing.....
(is there a foot fettish going on here?)...