Prickly Pear Jelly:
3 c. juice
2 oz. pectin powder
1/2 c. lemon juice
5 c. sugar
To prepare juice, gather 2-3 qts. of ripe dark purple fruit. Singe off stickers over open flame. Cover with water and simmer 45 minutes. Strain thru jelly bag or several layers of cheese cloth. Bring juice and pectic to boil in large kettle, stirring constantly. Add sugar and bring to full boil while stirring. Boil 2 minutes, remove from heat, skim off foam. Pour into sterilized jars and seal. Water bath.
Ok - my mom made jelly for years and sealed it with wax. That is how she did this as well. I know that is not the proper way to seal the jars. So, I would recommend wc for the same amount of time you do any other jelly. Enjoy!
Oh, and wear leather gloves while you're messing with the fruit.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Liebster Award
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RULES
This award is given to new or up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The award is then passed along to other bloggers in the same category to help spread the word and support one another.
1. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
2. Then, create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.
3. Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post.
4. Go back to their page and tell them about the award.
5. No tag backs.
Thank you Christine Olson http://www.christineolsonoriginals.blogspot.com
for the nomination. Now to the questions and answers:
Christine knows I knit, so most of these questions concern knitting, so let's get started.
1. Natural fibers or man-made? I love natural fibers. I never really knew anything other than acrylic (man-made) until about 7 years ago when I learned how to knit. I do like acrylic for some items, like baby hats or something that you know a child will be dragging thru the dirt and it's easy to just toss in the washing machine.
2. Cables or lace? Can I say both? Cables used to terrify me, but after I saw how they were done, I am much less intimidated by them. I still get a bit worried when I see a pattern with cables in it, but it doesn't intimidate me anymore. Lace is something I have grown to love. It amazes me how you can put stitches together and form beautiful flowing patterns to form something so beautiful that it makes you want to knit it.
3. What is your favorite color or combination of colors? Well, I used to have just two favorite colors - purple and pink (as a young girl, who didn't??). Now, well, I still like them both, but I have since added lime green, royal blue, caribbean blue, bright yellow. I guess I like them all. Right now I am infatuated with lime green - anything with lime green.
4. Top-down or bottom-up? I am assuming this is either socks or hats or even shawls. Hats I prefer bottom-up, just so much easier and I feel like I am accomplishing something when I see those decreases happening. Shawls, it can go either way, I have cast on 3 stitches and I have cast on over 800. They both have their appeal, so I can go either way. Socks - hmm, I'll let you know. I'm going to be attempting socks this year.
5. Seamless or knit in pieces then sewn up? Well, I guess seamless - I have sewn up very few items and it's not my favorite thing to do, but I do want to make a top down seamless tank for this summer, so I'm hoping that encourages me to expand my horizons.
6. Coffee or tea? I like them both - just depends on who I am with and where I am at. I used to only drink coffee if I was at church or at a coffee shop, or someplace I could buy a cup of coffee. I recently bought my first "real" coffee pot. I have also discovered peppermint tea. I really like it and have added it to my collections.
7. What is your favorite season and why? This is the easiest one to answer by far. I grew up in the northern part of the state and we hand a lot of snow and cold winters. I LOVE winter. Where I live now I crave cold. When it's 115 or more outside, I dream of living somewhere that has lots of snow where I can bundle up and just enjoy the cold. You can always add more clothing, you can only take so much off.
8. What crafts do you enjoy besides knitting? I've done so many. I've done ceramics (own molds and a kiln), rubber stamping (own thousands of stamps), scrapbooking (own thousands of stickers), cross stitch (used to own hundreds of patterns and just as much thread). But really, I've just gotten to where I focus on knitting and I guess baking. I love to bake and even though you might not consider it a craft, it can be and I love it.
9. What are you reading right now? I try and only read one book at a time. Right now I am reading The Hunger Games on my Kindle. I like my Kindle, but it doesn't make up for the smell or feel of a real book. As for a real book - I've been working on Atlas Shrugged for a while.
10. How long have you been a knitter? I became a knitter in the fall of 2007 after my mom died from a 12 year battle with multiple myeloma (a blood cancer). I learned to knit for two reasons - one was to keep my sanity during the pain and loss of someone who meant the absolute world to me and whom I missed and still miss daily and the other was because I wanted to make hats for chemo patients. I have never looked back. Knitting has kept me sane thru some really hard times.
11. If you could go anywhere right now, and money was no object, where would you go? I guess I would say Italy. Both sides of my family are from there and I would love to take my daughter to go see my family on both sides. I have never been there and it's always been a dream. I am very proud of my Italian heritage and I would like to meet my family "in the old country".
My Nominees:
My questions to all of you:
1. I know some of you knit and some write and some bake and some quilt or scrapbook. What do you like the most about your craft?
2. How do you come up with your ideas for the items you create?
3. Who taught you how to knit, crochet, bake, etc.
4. How long have you done your craft?
5. What is your favorite book?
6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
7. Many times people talk about role models, who is your role model?
8. If you could DO anything in the world what would it be?
9. If someone walked up to you and told you that you were their role model, what would you say or do?
10. What are your favorite foods and colors?
11. If you could use your craft and develop it into a business, would you?
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Dyeing Yarn and Felting Hats
Happy Thanksgiving!
Time seems to have flown by. I can't believe I haven't been keeping my blog up lately. It seems like I have been so busy.
Since February 2012, I started a yarn dyeing business with a friend. We specialize in hand painted and hand dyed yarns. Here is a link if you're are interested. I am in the process of building our web page, so right now we are on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BellaDulce-Yarns/112353575557405
Below are some pictures of some of our yarn:
Time seems to have flown by. I can't believe I haven't been keeping my blog up lately. It seems like I have been so busy.
Since February 2012, I started a yarn dyeing business with a friend. We specialize in hand painted and hand dyed yarns. Here is a link if you're are interested. I am in the process of building our web page, so right now we are on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BellaDulce-Yarns/112353575557405
Below are some pictures of some of our yarn:
So, there you go - I've been playing with wool and dye!
The other thing I have been doing lately is getting ready for a craft fair. Here are a few pics of my felted hats. Can I say I think I'm addicted to felting???
And before you say anything, yes the shower curtain is upside down - that's what your father gets when he goes to a dollar store.
So there you have it. Dyeing and felting. Opening a business and trying a new knitting technique - what a way to spend a year!!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and Memories...
It dawned on me a few days ago that I can no longer remember my mom's voice. As I type this I am trying not to cry. I loved my mom so much and no matter what anyone says, you will always miss your mom. On August 21 of this year, she will have been gone for 5 years. It seems like only yesterday. I lay in bed at night straining to remember what her voice sounded like. I can see her in my mind, but I can't hear her anymore. I never thought that would happen.
So, I realized this when I was a thinking about her oatmeal raisin cookies. They were one of my favorite as a child and as 20something. For years I thought I had her recipe. I tried it a couple of times and it just didn't seem the same. Well, I went searching the recipe box my mom made me when I moved out of my parents home 30 years ago and low and behold the recipe I thought was my mom's was written in my handwriting. My mom hand typed all the recipes on 3x5 cards and put who she got the recipe from. (Moms - this is such an awesome gift for your kids - I love this box. It holds the history of what my family used to cook - both sides of the family, and my mom). She put all my favorite recipes in there along with family recipes and ones that she liked. I treasure this box.
Anyway, back to the cookies. So, last night as I laid in bed trying to remember her voice, I realized I did have a couple of her cookbooks. So, first thing this morning, I got up and went in search of the books. I really didn't think I'd have much luck finding the recipe. As a child, I don't remember seeing my mom use any book to make her cookies, so what are the odds??? The first book I pulled out was one I had never seen her even open. In fact, I didn't know she even had it. I didn't go thru the index, but I went to the cookie section. Going page by page, I looked at each recipe. On one page was a recipe. I stared at it and wondered. I went thru the rest of the cookie section and then went back to that one recipe. It was so simple, just a little reminder for herself. A simple "x" by the title of recipe in pencil. The recipe wasn't called Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. It was called Spiced Oat Drops. So, I have made the cookies up and can I say, the memories are wonderful!
Here's to you Mom. I love you and miss you, but you left me a surprise in a book. Thank you.
Mom's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies or Spiced Oat Drops
1 cup shortening
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp soda***
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
2/3 c. sour milk***
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
1 c. raisins or chopped dates
1 c. chopped nuts
Cream shortening and sugar together. Add beaten eggs and mix well. Sift dry ingredients together and add alternately with milk to the creamed mixture. Add oats, frut and nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 min.
**Omit if you want to use "sweet milk" (regular milk)
So, I realized this when I was a thinking about her oatmeal raisin cookies. They were one of my favorite as a child and as 20something. For years I thought I had her recipe. I tried it a couple of times and it just didn't seem the same. Well, I went searching the recipe box my mom made me when I moved out of my parents home 30 years ago and low and behold the recipe I thought was my mom's was written in my handwriting. My mom hand typed all the recipes on 3x5 cards and put who she got the recipe from. (Moms - this is such an awesome gift for your kids - I love this box. It holds the history of what my family used to cook - both sides of the family, and my mom). She put all my favorite recipes in there along with family recipes and ones that she liked. I treasure this box.
Anyway, back to the cookies. So, last night as I laid in bed trying to remember her voice, I realized I did have a couple of her cookbooks. So, first thing this morning, I got up and went in search of the books. I really didn't think I'd have much luck finding the recipe. As a child, I don't remember seeing my mom use any book to make her cookies, so what are the odds??? The first book I pulled out was one I had never seen her even open. In fact, I didn't know she even had it. I didn't go thru the index, but I went to the cookie section. Going page by page, I looked at each recipe. On one page was a recipe. I stared at it and wondered. I went thru the rest of the cookie section and then went back to that one recipe. It was so simple, just a little reminder for herself. A simple "x" by the title of recipe in pencil. The recipe wasn't called Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. It was called Spiced Oat Drops. So, I have made the cookies up and can I say, the memories are wonderful!
Here's to you Mom. I love you and miss you, but you left me a surprise in a book. Thank you.
Mom's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies or Spiced Oat Drops
1 cup shortening
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp soda***
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
2/3 c. sour milk***
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
1 c. raisins or chopped dates
1 c. chopped nuts
Cream shortening and sugar together. Add beaten eggs and mix well. Sift dry ingredients together and add alternately with milk to the creamed mixture. Add oats, frut and nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 min.
**Omit if you want to use "sweet milk" (regular milk)
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Peanut Butter Cookies
This is a favorite of mine. I got it from a magazine a few years ago and it is my go to recipe. I love that I can make big cookies or small. It is a soft dough, so don't panic when you scoop it out. Enjoy!
4 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 c. creamy peanut butter
2/3 c. sugar
2 1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1/3 c. vegetable oil
3 large eggs, PLUS 2 yolks
2 T. vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 deg. Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven.
Makes 40 +/- jumbo cookies
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
Beat together buyer, peanut butter, sugars and oil with an electric mixer at high speed just until pale and creamy (about 2 minutes in a stand mixer; longer if using a hand mixer). Add whole eggs, yolks and vanilla and beat until just incorporated. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture slowly, mixing until well incorporated.
Using a large ice cream scoop, scoop dough and place on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Flatten the cookies with the floured tines of a fork making a cross hatch pattern. Cookies should be about 1/2" thick. For smaller cookies use a cookie scoop that scoops 3 T.
To determine the size of your scoop, fill with water and then empty into a measuring cup to see what size you have.
Bake cookies, switching position of the sheets half way thru the baking until they are slightly puffed and golden around the edges. Transfer to racks to cool. On the next batch, transfer the racks to the middle of the oven and cook until slightly puffed and golden.
Cooking times: for jumbo cookies - 18 to 20 minutes
for smaller cookies 15-17 minutes
4 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 c. creamy peanut butter
2/3 c. sugar
2 1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1/3 c. vegetable oil
3 large eggs, PLUS 2 yolks
2 T. vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 deg. Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven.
Makes 40 +/- jumbo cookies
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
Beat together buyer, peanut butter, sugars and oil with an electric mixer at high speed just until pale and creamy (about 2 minutes in a stand mixer; longer if using a hand mixer). Add whole eggs, yolks and vanilla and beat until just incorporated. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture slowly, mixing until well incorporated.
Using a large ice cream scoop, scoop dough and place on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Flatten the cookies with the floured tines of a fork making a cross hatch pattern. Cookies should be about 1/2" thick. For smaller cookies use a cookie scoop that scoops 3 T.
To determine the size of your scoop, fill with water and then empty into a measuring cup to see what size you have.
Bake cookies, switching position of the sheets half way thru the baking until they are slightly puffed and golden around the edges. Transfer to racks to cool. On the next batch, transfer the racks to the middle of the oven and cook until slightly puffed and golden.
Cooking times: for jumbo cookies - 18 to 20 minutes
for smaller cookies 15-17 minutes
Monday, October 24, 2011
Elongated Stitch Dishcloth
My neighbor asked me to make this for her. It was a dishcloth that her great-grandmother had for her and she hasn't been able to find anyone to make them for her. I learned how to make an elongated stitch while learning this. The dishcloth looks uneven in this pic, but really isn't. I may have been trying to even it out for the pic and open up the stitches, but it really is square.
Size 7 needles
Cotton Yarn
CO 38 stitches
Knit for 8 rows (garter stitch)
Row 9: Inset needle into stitch as to knit. Wrap needle twice, then draw thru the stitch. Repeat for the entire row.
Row 10: Knit row, dropping the extra wrap as stitch is pulled off the left needle.
Knit 7 rows (for a total of 8 knit rows - Row 10-17)
Repeat rows 9-17 to size desired, ending with a garter stitch row (don't end on the wrap row, but the row before).
Bind off
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Star Coasters
By LaDonna Maxwell
Materials needed:
Left over cotton yarn (app. 100 yds)
Size 6 knitting needles
Darning needle
Cast on 21 stitches
Rows 1-3 knit
Row 4: K2, P17, K2
Row 5: K2, K17, K2
Row 6: K2, P3, K1, P9, K1, P3, K2
Row 7: K2, K3, P3, K5, P3, K3, K2
Row 8: K2, P4, K3, P3, K3, P4, K2
Row 9: K2, K4, P9, K4, K2
Row 10: K2, P4, K9, P4, K2
Row 11: K2, K5, P7, K5, K2
Row 12: K2, P5, K7, P5, K2
Row 13: K2, K4, P9, K4, K2
Row 14: K2, P3, K11, P3, K2
Row 15: K2, K2, P13, K2, K2
Row 16: K2, P1, K15, P1, K2
Row 17: K2, K6, P5, K6, K2
Row 18: K2, P7, K3, P7, K2
Row 19: K2, K7, P3, K7, K2
Row 20: K2, P8, K1, P8, K2
Row 21: K2, K8, P1, K8, K2
Row 22: K2, P17, K2
Row 23: K2, K17, K2
Row 24: K2, P17, K2
Row 25-27 - Knit
Bind off.
Hide ends with the darning needles. Block to 4.25 x 4.25
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Week 6 - Am I there yet????
No, seriously, I am not done yet. Just thought it'd be a good post title. Well, last week was has been and gone. I didn't have a bad week. It seems to be more of a routine in my life that I watch what I eat. I have "splurged" a little, but even then I was careful of how much I ate. I discovered Emerald Cocoa Roasted Almonds. They have 1 g. of sugar per serving! They are awesome and have a crunch. That is the part I miss about eating chips - the crunch.
I tried on my pair of pants again on Monday - the buttonhole is a little bit closer.....I'm getting there. Slow and steady wins the race. My birthday was on Monday. Sunday I had a piece of chocolate cake. Figured I'm not going to die by eating just one piece. One piece. Seems like such a huge step. Not that I would eat the whole cake, but that I actually quit eating. I didn't even finish the piece.
I've noticed I have a little bit more energy than I did last week. I think I'll start exercising next week. That's the plan.
I tried on my pair of pants again on Monday - the buttonhole is a little bit closer.....I'm getting there. Slow and steady wins the race. My birthday was on Monday. Sunday I had a piece of chocolate cake. Figured I'm not going to die by eating just one piece. One piece. Seems like such a huge step. Not that I would eat the whole cake, but that I actually quit eating. I didn't even finish the piece.
I've noticed I have a little bit more energy than I did last week. I think I'll start exercising next week. That's the plan.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Week 5 - Still Plugging Along......
Another week gone by and a few lessons learned.
Soooo, I had a pretty good week overall. No big pitfalls. It seems like I'm getting a handle on self-control - almost....
I think trying to find snacks in this new eating lifestyle has been the hardest. I was so excited last week to find chips made out of refried beans. I think they're called "Beanitos". They were "ok". They satisfied the crunch desire, but I'm still out on the taste. It's just not tortilla chips, no matter how hard I try. But I did get to eat some salsa and chips, so it's all good!
I've tried a variety of nuts as snacks. I really like almonds, but not all the time. So, I've ventured out to pecans, walnuts, and nut mixes. However, I found some cocoa almonds that are to die for! I think they are by Emerald Nuts and WOW! Only 1 g. of sugar per serving. I can definitely live with that.
Cheese - I love cheese, but only certain ones. I've decided I don't like the string cheese that is half cheddar and half mozarella. It just doesn't work for me. I like the pepper jack and the co-jack sticks tho so they are always in my fridge.
I broke down and bought sugar free jello to make. I love jello. BUT, and this is a big "BUT" for me. I'm allergic to aspertame. It gives me migranes like you wouldn't believe. So, diet sodas and sugar free stuff is usually out for me. What to do, what to do???.... So, I found some Excederin Migrane and took it BEFORE I ate the jello! End result, dull ache, but no full blown migraine. There is hope :-)
So, what does this all mean in relation to my weight loss so far........well, I tried on a pair of pants that I haven't worn in almost 6 years (honestly, how many of you keep pants that don't fit you anymore for THAT long??? I think I have slight hoarder tendencies.) and (drumroll here) I got them on AND wore them to church! How cool is that??!! I honestly didn't think about trying them on until Sunday morning. Never dreamed I could get them on, let alone wear them! That has given me an incentive to continue. I went and weighed on my Wii Fit on Tuesday and lost another pound. Not a huge amount, but it's a loss and I'll take it. I just wish I had started weighing myself before I started this lifestyle change.
The jeans by which I measure myself every week (on Monday), are almost wearable. I can get the buttonhole to the edge of the button and I could probably wear the pants, but I want to be able to button them up and wear them without feeling like I'm cutting myself in half. So, I'm curious to see what this Monday will bring.
Well, that's this weeks' update!
Soooo, I had a pretty good week overall. No big pitfalls. It seems like I'm getting a handle on self-control - almost....
I think trying to find snacks in this new eating lifestyle has been the hardest. I was so excited last week to find chips made out of refried beans. I think they're called "Beanitos". They were "ok". They satisfied the crunch desire, but I'm still out on the taste. It's just not tortilla chips, no matter how hard I try. But I did get to eat some salsa and chips, so it's all good!
I've tried a variety of nuts as snacks. I really like almonds, but not all the time. So, I've ventured out to pecans, walnuts, and nut mixes. However, I found some cocoa almonds that are to die for! I think they are by Emerald Nuts and WOW! Only 1 g. of sugar per serving. I can definitely live with that.
Cheese - I love cheese, but only certain ones. I've decided I don't like the string cheese that is half cheddar and half mozarella. It just doesn't work for me. I like the pepper jack and the co-jack sticks tho so they are always in my fridge.
I broke down and bought sugar free jello to make. I love jello. BUT, and this is a big "BUT" for me. I'm allergic to aspertame. It gives me migranes like you wouldn't believe. So, diet sodas and sugar free stuff is usually out for me. What to do, what to do???.... So, I found some Excederin Migrane and took it BEFORE I ate the jello! End result, dull ache, but no full blown migraine. There is hope :-)
So, what does this all mean in relation to my weight loss so far........well, I tried on a pair of pants that I haven't worn in almost 6 years (honestly, how many of you keep pants that don't fit you anymore for THAT long??? I think I have slight hoarder tendencies.) and (drumroll here) I got them on AND wore them to church! How cool is that??!! I honestly didn't think about trying them on until Sunday morning. Never dreamed I could get them on, let alone wear them! That has given me an incentive to continue. I went and weighed on my Wii Fit on Tuesday and lost another pound. Not a huge amount, but it's a loss and I'll take it. I just wish I had started weighing myself before I started this lifestyle change.
The jeans by which I measure myself every week (on Monday), are almost wearable. I can get the buttonhole to the edge of the button and I could probably wear the pants, but I want to be able to button them up and wear them without feeling like I'm cutting myself in half. So, I'm curious to see what this Monday will bring.
Well, that's this weeks' update!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Things I learned This Weekend
OK, so I learned some interesting things this weekend.
First off, I still crave sugar! Not nearly as bad as I did, but I'm kinda disappointed that I still have that craving.
Second, we went to Dion's for pizza on Friday night and we ordered a pizza and a pitcher of Dr. Pepper. We each got a small paper cup (12 oz?) and refilled as wanted. Well, I filled up my cup and I couldn't drink it! I was shocked at how sweet the soda was. I never remembered it being that sweet. I drank about 1/2 of the cup and threw the rest away. I was really pleased with myself that I didn't go hog wild over having some soda. I was also surprised that I didn't like the taste all that much anymore. I asked for a glass of water and drank that more than the soda.
Third, never buy donuts for church (especially krispy kreme). They just call out to you no matter what. I tried one of them also - way too sweet as well.
So, the lesson I'm learning this week is that yes, even tho I am craving sugar, the taste is nothing like I remember it. I'm pleased with my progress so far. I'm curious to see what this coming week will hold.
First off, I still crave sugar! Not nearly as bad as I did, but I'm kinda disappointed that I still have that craving.
Second, we went to Dion's for pizza on Friday night and we ordered a pizza and a pitcher of Dr. Pepper. We each got a small paper cup (12 oz?) and refilled as wanted. Well, I filled up my cup and I couldn't drink it! I was shocked at how sweet the soda was. I never remembered it being that sweet. I drank about 1/2 of the cup and threw the rest away. I was really pleased with myself that I didn't go hog wild over having some soda. I was also surprised that I didn't like the taste all that much anymore. I asked for a glass of water and drank that more than the soda.
Third, never buy donuts for church (especially krispy kreme). They just call out to you no matter what. I tried one of them also - way too sweet as well.
So, the lesson I'm learning this week is that yes, even tho I am craving sugar, the taste is nothing like I remember it. I'm pleased with my progress so far. I'm curious to see what this coming week will hold.
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