I always say that I don't crochet

Is this the cutest?  I saw it and thought I should have that as a sample in the store for Fall. I talked to my Crochet instructor Linda and she said "Oh sure, no problem"  Well during one of the crochet classes I became inspired to work it myself.

This Beret is pattern number 30 in Vogue's Knit Simple Fall 2014.

As I worked thru reading a crochet pattern (which I still think is a challenge) i discovered that one can "improvise" much more easily than in knitting.  There's something to think about!

A possible convert!

Ciao for Now!

Wearable Art

OMG! there is a lot to do to get ready for "the crawl"

Sorry I haven't been around for a while but I was very busy getting ready for our 5th Annual Chicago Area Yarn Crawl.

i designed this Gaiter (tighter than a cowl) about 2 monthes ago, it's called "Modernism" I love it, it's like wearing art.
The Noro yarn, Koromo, just has such a great color palatte.  It makes it look much more complicated than it actually is.  I do cut out colors that I do not want to show up.  In this case there was some pink and lilac and I just wanted the colors of the sea to be predominant.  The pattern has gotten rave reviews.  To some the fair isle work is daunting and others have embraced it full on.

It's Tuesday of the crawl and just a few stragglers have been in the store.  The weekend was busy and I expect that next Saturday will be as well.  Come Sunday I will be more than ready to float in my pool and probably think of more wearable art I can design.

KALE CHIPS BETTER THAN POTATO CHIPS

CLEAN YOUR KALE BY CUTTING OFF THE STEMS. RINSE IN COLANDER WITH COLD WATER. DRY OFF IN SOME PAPER TOWEL.

HEAT OVEN TO 400 F

LAY ONTO A SHEET PAN ON A SINGLE LAYER (OR AS WELL AS YOU CAN) 

LIGHTLY DRIZZLE WITH OLIVE OIL, PINCH OF SALT AND A PINCH OF CAYENNE PEPPER.  I ALSO LIKE TO SPRINKLE WITH FINELY CHOPPED PEANUTS OR EVEN SUNFLOWER SEEDS LIKE I DID ON THIS BATCH.

ROAST FOR APPROX. 15 MINUTES, TOSS DURING THE ROASTING..

THE CHIPS WILL BE TISSUE THIN AND DELICATE.  EAT THAT DAY THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO STORE.  THEY GET TOO SOFT.

ENJOY YOUR KALE CHIPS INSTEAD OF POTATO CHIPS!

CHOW! FOR NOW :)

ROASTED CHICKPEAS a delicious protein

Place chickpeas on a paper towel lined sheet pan. Place another towel on top and roll peas around to dry. Place in oven per recipe

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas with Rosemary & Brown Sugar

2 (14 oz) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
2 tbsp plus 1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt, divided
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dry
1/4 – 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Drain chickpeas into a strainer. Rinse and drain very well. Dry the chickpeas on a large sheet of paper towel, with another sheet laid over top. Pat gently to remove excess water.

Roast chickpeas dry  by arranging in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Roast for 40-50 minutes, or until chickpeas are golden brown and rattle when you shake the baking sheet.

While the chickpeas are roasting, combine brown sugar, rosemary, 1 teaspoon olive oil, cayenne pepper (the amount you use depends on your heat tolerance), and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium bowl. 

Pour the roasted chickpeas into the bowl and toss with the brown sugar mixture. Cool completely. Serve. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Remember you can use any spice combo you enjoy. 

Ginger, Garlic Garam Masala

Lemon, Thyme fleur de sel

cinnamon brown sugar pumpkin pie spice

im sure you can come up with interesting combinations

I have been saying lately that I am officially an old lady since I order from QVC.  No disrespect to either older woman or QVC.  I have to say that I have been delighted with everything that I have gotten from shoes to electric toothbrush to my gallon on WEN.  Have you heard of this stuff.  It is a shampoo and conditioner alternative for your hair.  I have seen these infomercials for a couple of years and have heard some people talk about .  Well I went BIG or I could just go home right?  RIGHT I bought a freakin gallon of this stuff.  I ended up selecting the Lavender scent/composition I thought it was appropriate for my type of hair as well as enjoying the fragrance.
I used it for the first time this morning and I think I like it.  I used no other styling product, and my hair is very smooth, especially the ends, it's VERY shinny, andn I did not use any other product when I blew dry.  I have very fine hair that I think is beginning to fall out when I look at the part.  After using WEN it seems that the part looks fuller.
Who knows?  I will get back to you in a week with a picture 
so far so good.
Now I am going to go order more yarn!

Ciao for Now

knit for life and keep yourself sharp and sane

In the Early Fall 2014 VOGUEknitting issue there is an article by Leslie Petrovsky,  that many of you may find interesting.  It substantiates what I have mentioned in the past, and that I find in my own personal life, is that knitting does the mind good!  I myself have been hospitalized for anxiety, in the form of "I think I'm having a heart attack"  Knitting has absolutely brought me to a calmer place.  Anyway...In a publication of the Occupational Therapy International "purposeful and meaningful activites" such as music, drawing, meditation, reading, arts, crafts and home repairs  could ward off stress related diseases and reduce dementia risks.
Take a look at this 2 page report,  It's worth getting the magazine to read this if not for the beautiful patterns.

Ciao for now

Chilly Summer? Think about this Chili Recipe

Made this Friday nite, it was so good with a dollop of Sour Cream on it too!  here's the recipe... 

INGREDIENTS

• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 pounds ground chicken
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic, crushed with a press
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• Two 15 to 19-ounce cans whitekidney beans (cannellini), rinsed and drained
• One 16-ounce jar mild salsa verde
• One 14 to 14 1/2-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

• 
  

• TWEET
• 
  
• 
  

DIRECTIONS

In a 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 1 teaspoon oil on medium-high until very hot. Sprinkle the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt. Add the chicken to the Dutch oven in two batches, and cook until the chicken is no longer pink, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes per batch, and adding 1 teaspoon more oil for the second batch. With a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a medium bowl once it is done. 

After all the chicken is cooked, add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil with the garlic and onions to the Dutch oven, and cook on medium heat until browned, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in thecumin, oregano, cinnamon and cayenne pepper, and cook 1 minute. Add the beans, salsa verde, broth and browned chicken, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook the chili for 15 minutes to blend the flavors. To serve, garnish with cilantro. 

Each serving: calories 370, total fat 18g, saturated fat --, cholesterol --, sodium 815mg, total carbohydrate 25g, dietary fiber --, sugars --, protein 25g, calcium --