Finished Objects!!!!!

A quick review revealed that I've been less productive this year than any year since I started this blog. Of course I haven't done anything since May, but still... Grr....

Anyway, I decided since I hurt anyway I may as well do something. I finished DD#4 cowl and added a hat. It's the

Chunky Button-Up Neckwarmer and


Nik's Republic Hat:



I also made The Capitan Hat. I needed a casual cap and have loved this one since I saw it:



I also completed Elizabeth Zimmerman's Rib Warmer. It is a complete wadder and will be going to Goodwill. Since it's assembled in two parts, I think I miscounted the rows and I need to short row the back. The yarn is a Bernat acrylic and while I'm not a yarn snob, this was really difficult to work with. It's not worth it to me to frog and re-do. I started this last winter and was really looking forward to wearing it. I'll do it again, probably with a Cascade 220.



Although looking at the back, it may work if I take the seam out a bit more in the back, we'll see.

I used large needles, large yarn and took frequent breaks. My arms and shoulders do hurt, but it's manageable. I was hoping that doing these would take the itch off the need to do something. It didn't. But I'm not anymore until next week. No need to be foolish!!

I'd like to thank each of you for dropping by reading my blog and leaving comments. I read each comment and I miss you when I don't hear from you. I wish each of you the Happiest and Healthiest New Year. See you in 2011!


TTYL,

Melodye

Holiday Ramblings

Christmas Day is just a warm memory. There were 11 of us. I did the majority of the cooking which surprises me. My mother wasn't with us as she decided to go home right after Thanksgiving and one sister and her husband were with her. There was only one minor squabble (started by someone who should know better) so it was pretty much an uneventful day. DD#1 didn't make it home, DD#2 had a houseful of sick kids, and DD#4 is young, single and free. And did whatever 25 year olds do when they don't come for Christmas dinner!

Everyone ate their fill and took home the majority of the leftovers!! I deliberately cooked a lot less this year. For example, I usually make three types of dressing. This year I only made two and cut those amounts in half. Everyone says they like dressing, but in reality they only eat a spoonful or two. I had about a combined cup left, so I'm calling it a win. This picture was taken as I was putting food on the table. Even though I cut way back you couldn't see the tablecloth when all the food was on the table.

Whats more problematical for me than mountains of leftovers is putting away the dishes. I can never remember what goes where. It would probably also help if I didn't have so much, but I love every piece. When we married Harold brought 3 sets of china and two sets of silverware with him, so we have loads. As of now the kids don't want them and I've gotten rid of all that I can bear to part with.

I've started using them a lot more. I've used Harold's aunt's set for Sunday dinner for the two of us. I had a book club meeting in November and used my luncheon sets. I'm on a self-imposed moratorium not to buy anymore. Most of mine have come from thrift shops, antique shops, yard sales, etc. So not to tempt myself, I stay away from the crack dens. Also, I realistically have no space to put anymore. Even after getting rid of some, the cupboards are packed.

There is only one exception. I bought these two pieces several years apart in two different cities. I love them and these are the only two pieces I've ever seen. If I ever see anymore I'm buying it all. They are not marked and I'm going to assume they're American. I've looked on EBay and in all the glass books, nothing. These can't be the only two pieces ever produced!





I bought two desserts from a local place that supplies desserts to high end restaurants, but the hit was the trifle I made. There may be enough left for a generous serving. It's easy and makes a pretty presentation. I don't have a trifle bowl, but I used a clear glass bowl. You can use angel food cake, but I used leftover pound cake. I cut it into slices and then cut the slices into cubes. Melt a jar of strawberry jam in a pan over medium heat. Make a box of instant vanilla pudding according to package directions. My bowl holds two layers so I place half of the cake in the bottom of the bowl, sprinkle with orange juice, pour half the jam over it and then half of the pudding. Repeat. Refrigerate approximately four hours or over night. Before serving spread Cool Whip over the top layer and serve. You can decorate with chocolate shavings or sliced strawberries. The first time I made this I'd made a cake that fell apart coming out of the pan. My aunt was visiting for the first time and I had to have dessert! She loved it!



Well, this post has certainly lived up to its name. I've rambled on enough, hope you all are enjoying your holidays!!

TTYL,

Melodye

Merry Christmas!!!

Harold and I wish each of you the very Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest New Year!!

I didn't get around to making candy today. I had an MRI this morning and I still hurt. I know I've had one before and I don't remember it hurting. But my arms and joints feel as if they're being pulled apart.

Beverly asked for the candy recipe. I used half of the one found here:

1 7/8 cup cane sugar (Domino's)
3/4 cup white Karo syrup
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons extract (I used lemon, orange, mint, and cherry)
4 -5 drops food coloring
1/4 cup Confectioners' sugar
Candy Thermometer


1.In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil. Without stirring, heat to 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C). NOTE: Stir just until sugar dissolves. Maybe 1 minute

2.Remove from heat and stir in flavored extract and food coloring, if desired. NOTE: As the alcohol in the extract cooks, it may splatter. Be careful. Pour onto a greased cookie sheet, and dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Let cool, and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

NOTE: Instead of pouring it onto a cookie sheet I used a buttered 9 x 9 Pyrex dish. Once the candy is slightly cooled, I cut it into strips about 1/2 - 3/4 inch wide. Using kitchen shears I cut the strips into pieces into a pan that has about 1/4 cup sonfectioners' sugar. Work quickly as the candy is hot. The Pyrex dish will keep it from cooling too quickly. Stir the candy in the confectioners' sugar to keep it from sticking together.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

1. I used silicon spatulas since DH can't stand the sound of metal on metal.
2. Be sure you don't stir after the initial stir. And don't scrape down the side of the pan while the syrup is cooking.
3. I bought a digital thermometer from WalMart but Hobby Lobby has a real candy thermometer. With the candy thermometer it can rest on the side of the pan without the heat affecting the temperature. If you use a digital thermometer, keep a cup of water on the counter near the stove. After you test the temp put the probe in the water. It dissolves the syrup left on the probe.
4. If you can find LorAnn Oil (Hobby Lobby once again) I think it gives a better flavor. You'll use about 1/2 a bottle, but the entire bottle is only a dram.
5. Be sure you have the extract (oil), food coloring, buttered platter and pan ready before you start. Once the syrup reaches the desired temp you have to work quickly.

As I said the entire experience was a walk down memory lane. We used the oil when I was a Scout so maybe that's why it tastes better to me.

this candy is really easy to make and I hope I haven't made it sound complicated. If you have any questions, send me an email to: mbrayfivefouratcomcastdotnet or leave a message on this post. If you make any, please let me know how you like it!

The local Dollar Store had the cutest containers:

TTYL,

Melodye

I hope everyone is staying warm and at least has control of Christmas in their sights. Surprisingly enough, we're almost there. One more trip to the stores tomorrow and we're done. Part of it is retirement, the other is that we knew we were having company today for the game, so I wanted the house decorated and it became the quasi drop dead date for everything else. We're really only buying gifts for the grand kids and grandniece. Unless there's a special request our kids prefer gift cards or outright cash. My hands and arms are still bothering me, so hand made gifts were severely restricted. In fact there's only one. Daughter #4 lost her scarf and asked me to make her a replacement. Since she asked I really wanted to get it made. I made no promises, though. I knew I couldn't complete a scarf, but I made the Chunky Button-up Neck Warmer. It only had 40 rows but it took me three weeks. I've started Nik's Republic Hat, but if I don't get it finished I'm not going to stress it. I still need buttons for the neck warmer, so no pics just yet.

But I have been making candy. Back in the dark ages (the early seventies!) I was a Senior Girl Scout. We made hard candy and a peanut butter flavored candy every year as a fund raiser. In early October we'd meet for an all-day candy making marathon. A couple of Saturdays ago, I awakened with the idea that I really wanted to make this candy. I found the recipes easily on the Internet. A trip to the cupboards revealed I had everything necessary except a thermometer that measured in excess of 300 degrees. A couple of trips to the stores I had it. I've made almost 13 pounds of the hard candy so far and a batch of the peanut butter. Harold likes the flavored candy but has commandeered the peanut butter.

It tastes just as I remembered it, but it also brought back memories of the camaraderie and just plain fun we had. I've lost track of all those girls but I wonder if any of them make it now. With all the disclaimers you'd need now, I don't know if making it is even possible. Baby boomers have taken the fun out of everything!

Here's a shot of the flavored candy. Harold didn't leave enough of the peanut butter candy to take a shot. I'm making more tomorrow and will get a shot then. It's easy and takes maybe 90 minutes from start to finish.




I haven't posted because I couldn't find my camera and I refused to have another pictureless post! When the painters were here things got displaced. Yesterday I made it a priority to find it. The painters were great, it took them just one day and it looks great. Sometimes it pays to bite the bullet and just write the check.

My mother didn't get here after all. I had her room ready and everything. The week after Thanksgiving she decided she was ready to go home so my sister, brother and brother-in-law took her home. She sounds much happier at home than she did here. I wonder what that's about??

TTYL,

Melodye