Knitted Socks

I now can add socks to my knitting repertoire. They are a lot easier to make than I originally expected. The hardest part is working the heal. I also learned two new things while knitting this pattern. I first learned how to pick up stitches along an edge and work on from that point. I also learned how to use a Kitchner stitch. It's not hard, but a little intimidating when doing it for the first time.

I am very lucky to have fellow, experienced knitters around to answer any questions I may have when working on new projects. EG and Geneva gave a lot of support and advice when completing this project. I would have been lost if I was unable to ask them questions along the way. I will admit I restarted my right sock after a failed attempt at the heel and frustration. Sometimes being a perfectionist is stressful...this was one of those times. I wanted my first sock to be perfect because I didn't want to redo it (like I had to do with my first fingerless glove). Perfection comes with time and practice, but let's face it...I'm impatient!

I followed a pattern from Premier Yarns called "Silky Soft Socks" which I found on the back of balls of yarn used to make these socks. I used a set of double point needless - US 2 and two balls of Serenity Sock Weight Yarn (yarn color - Harlequin). I like fun socks, so I picked a yarn that would create a nice pattern when knitted. I was also careful to check the color lot on both balls...that way the colors SHOULD match. If you look at the pictures you will notice the yellow in the sock on the left is brighter than the sock on the right....same color lot, yet still different color shades.

I am very excited to have these done. I cannot wait to where them and display them (under my pant-legs and in my shoes where people won't be able to see anyway). Now I can make socks for my family and friends. Who's thinking Christmas presents? This girl, that's who! If I do end up making socks for a few people this holiday I hope they like them. Now onto the next project! What should I tackle next?....

Pumpkin Zucchini Bread (and Muffins!)

I truly enjoy trying new recipes. I've been itching to make some type of pumpkin baked good for awhile and I've finally gotten to it! I love the smells that come from baking. When I'm baking any type of bread I always think of my grandmothers. Each grandma had her individual bread(s) I (and most of the family) enjoyed. Grandma Bert always made dinner rolls and zucchini bread (with fresh zucchini from her garden). Grandma Alice use to make the best homemade bread. Meals were not complete on either side of the family without dinner rolls or sliced homemade bread. I have not made any bread with yeast, yet, but I'll get there (to at least try it once). Dinner rolls sound like a good challenge to tackle.

They look and smell delicious! 

Now back to the recipe at hand. I stumbled across this recipe when searching for different recipes using pumpkin as an ingredient. The Allrecipes app assisted greatly in my search. It was very easy to make and I made a slight alteration. Instead of making two loaves like the recipe dictates, I made one loaf and a dozen muffins. The muffins will make it easier to take to work tomorrow and share with the girls. The kitchen smells delicious and I can't wait to try the muffins tomorrow at lunch! I tried a slice of the bread and it was very good!  I hope they like the muffins! 

Quick Meals: Chicken Taco and Cheese Ravioli

Disclaimer: I did not eat these two meals together. This is simply a collaboration of quick meals to piece together when you get home from a long day. The chicken tacos were for dinner earlier this week and the cheese ravioli was on the menu for tonight. I can't believe it's Friday already! Next Friday is fall break and that means relaxation (I hope) and closer to the end of marching season. I still haven't adjusted to my very busy schedule when it comes to dinner (and eating a good dinner). These two meals were whipped up quickly and effortlessly when I got home from rehearsal. 

Chicken Tacos: Fall is a great season. And it's a time when most people bust out their crock-pots. (I don't use my crock-pot enough). The crock-pot came in handy for the chicken tacos. Cooking the chicken in the crock-pot makes it easier to shredded the chicken. Mix the shredded chicken with some chopped peppers and onions, toss in some shredded cheese and then wrap it up in a tortilla. Top with either salsa or sour cream (or both)! It didn't take very long to mix everything up and fill a tortilla shell. Most of the work was done by the crock-pot! The end result was delicious! 

Cheese Ravioli: When it comes to dinner on a Friday night I'm all for quick and easy mix together dinners. I didn't measure anything out. I eyeballed everything. Two easy steps and dinner is ready!

Ingredients

cheese ravioli (I used Kroger's mini cheese ravioli found in the frozen section)

pasta sauce

onion, chopped

green pepper, chopped

Direction

1. Cook ravioli as directed on the package.

2. Add other ingredients. Mix well and ENJOY! 

Cake Mix Cookies

A day off! I got to sleep in...although if we had school we would have had a fog delay. Never-the-less I have had a relaxing morning. Most of my laundry is done and I baked cookies for the band kiddos. I also made some progress on my knitting project. I would call my time before lessons and rehearsal very productive.

I came across this recipe in college. One of my TB∑ sisters, Marcy I believe, shared it during one of our MANY baking sessions for our bake sales. It is simple and delicious! These cookies were a hit with those who wondered the halls of JCFA. (I wonder if this cookie recipe has been passed on to the current sisters and are still being made...) You can use any type of cake mix your heart desires for this recipe. You can find the recipe on the side of a Funfetti cake box.  During the bake sale we made cookies using various cake mixes. Once I think someone tried to use carrot cake, but that didn't work out too well. My favorite is the Funfetti cookies, hands down. A box makes 2-3 dozen cookies, depending on how big you make them. I personally don't ice the cookies like the recipe suggests. I'm not a big icing fan (as previously stated when I posted about my birthday cake). 

This recipe is great for bake sales and family gatherings with young children. Although people of all ages have been known to enjoy these cookies. The process of making these cookies is also kid friendly in my opinion. It's also a nice alternative to the birthday treat parents send into school when it's their child's birthday. Don't get me wrong, I love cupcakes. But when it comes to a classroom of 20 to 30 6, 7, or 8 year-olds, cupcakes can get really messy with the wrappers and especially the icing. These cookies give you the taste of cake (or cupcake) in the form a cookie.

Chicken Fajitas

Tonight's dinner was very simple and very satisfying. I had been craving fajitas for a few days and finally have had the chance to make them! It's still a little crazy with all that I have on my plate. This is a much better step up from all the PB&Js and Lean Cuisine meals I've been consuming lately. (Still wish I was joking....). 

Today marked the first time I cooked in the "new" kitchen at Sonny's new place. I burnt the first pancake I made for breakfast. This stove works a LOT better the one back in his apartment. I'm definitely okay cooking on an electric stove now. Before I was not a fan of electric stoves (growing up with a gas stove). I always felt like I was waiting forever for the skillet to heat up, but not on this stove! Now I have to make sure I don't have it too hot and burn the food!

Sonny decided on chicken fajitas, but beef can be substituted and used just as easily. Next time I need to remember where the fajita seasoning is in Wal-Mart...it took us a few minutes to find it. It would make sense to have the fajita seasoning (and enchilada sauce) along side the taco seasoning in the Mexican section of the world food aisle. Well at least it makes sense that way to me and the store chain I frequent. After leaving the aisle to go get sour cream, Sonny comes up with the brilliant idea that the seasoning is in with the other sauce/gravy mixes. Sure enough there is was and all was right again.

This batch of fajitas made 6 fajitas, enough for dinner and leftovers tomorrow! Hopefully I can get back in the kitchen soon and keep trying some more recipes I don't make regularly. I didn't follow a recipe this time, I just went with the flow of things. Here's my version of a delicious Mexican meal...

A's Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients

Final product - yum!

1 lb. chicken, cut into pieces

1 green pepper, sliced

1 red pepper, sliced

1/2 onion, sliced (I cut an onion in half, top-to-bottom, then cut the half into quarters)

1 pkg. fajita seasoning

1/4 c. water

2 Tbsp. oil

tortilla shells

shredded cheese

sour cream

Directions

1. Put the chicken, water, oil and seasoning in a bag and mix well. Let mixture marinate for 15-20 minutes.

2. Cook marinated chicken, peppers and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 7-8 minutes. until chicken is cooked all the way through and veggies are softened.

3. Soften tortilla shells in the microwave. Fill with fajita mix and top with shredded cheese and sour cream.