Inspirational Quotes:
Who we might have been . . .
Keys to happiness. . .
What we look for . . .
Inspirational Sewing:
I love how easy this Sparkle Punch Quilt Stars are! I think I may have to use this soon in finishing up some Pay It Forward gifts(yes from last year)!
Inspirational Other Crafts:
I do not make my own soap and probably never will, but this tutorial for Seaweed Soap makes me wish I did or knew someone who did, because I would love some of my own!
I still love macrame, even if I don't really do it often, this Cobbled Solomon Bar Paracord Bracelet is quite spiffy though and makes me want to make one!
This embroidered Tortoise and Strawberry is just magnificent. I love the layering and how detailed it is!
Inspirational Recipes:
I have never been much of a biscuit person, but one every now and again with some good gravy is nice. So these Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits sound delicious and look good. I'm thinking a little sausage with country gravy . . . yummy!
Now, this isn't gluten-free, but I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to make them so. It's the lemony and caramel part of these Crepes with Salted Lemon Butter Caramel that drew me in. Sounds delicious!
With days being busy with work, I love things I can make and we can reheat as leftovers for lunch or a quick dinner and this Spinach Lasagna with Mushroom Ragu definitely fits into that theory. I will be buying the stuff to make this today. I think I am even going to try making my own lasagna noodles!
As for desert, these GF Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies with Salted Caramel Filling sound delicious . . . can you tell I love caramel? This just sounds so very tempting and bite size!
I love jalapeno poppers! A bit more difficult to eat when you are gluten-free, but this Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich looks beyond delicious. With a GF bread thrown in instead, this is definitely viable!
My sister sent me the link for these Homemade Jack-in-the-box Tacos as she knows I am a die-hard Jack-in-the-Box taco fan and you just cannot get one here. I will say, that I learned they are even more unhealthy than I thought! Doesn't change their deliciousness though! Not sure if I will ever get around to trying this, but definitely seems worth it!
I love making my own soups, similar reasons to the lasagna theory, but I can also be certain they are gluten-free that way. Plus, just so much more freedom in making your own soups, which is why this Buttermilk Potato Soup with Bacon and Roasted Jalapeno is also on my grocery list for this week. Will let you know how it goes!
Along the fast food lines of the Jack-in-the-Box link, these Perfect French Fries are meant to imitate those yummy fast food fries!
Quick breakfasts that are filling are difficult to find, but these Oatmeal Freezer Pucks are a quick morning breakfast with really not much prep work for what you get out of it. Will need to make myself some of these with GF Oats.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Happy Birthday to Woo!
Hey interwebs, it is me, your lovable Wookie and today I turned 2!
It was a great day, I played with Mommy and Daddy after Mommy was done at work, then we went and bought some treats and a new toy! It was a great day! Mommy is even making me a special little dinner for my birthday . . . let me tell you, it's been a tiring day for a little dog like me.
So as my birthday gift to you all, I'd like to show you some pictures of just how much I love this stuff called SNOW!!
Isn't this stuff just great?!?!?
First you have to run around like a crazy dog!
Then investigate . . . I know it would make more sense to investigate first, but it's really no fun that way.
Investigate further . . . yes, you make get some snow in your fur and some snow up your nose, but that's okay.
Then taste, lets face it, everything in life is worth a taste.
Then of course you realize that this snow stuff taste delicious and you try to sneak it and hide from others the deliciousness of it.
Then, you run around in it some more!
I will admit, it does make everything a little bright though . . . I look a little like a cranky old dog here, but I swear I am only 2!
Don't get me wrong, I am not really a fan of WINTER, or normally anything that includes such things as WIND, RAIN, or COLD, but this SNOW stuff is wonderful!!
P.S. Mommy says this isn't appropriate, but I feel I need to share with my friends that this snow makes it much easier to be territorial, because it makes it so much easier to see where those other puppies have been! There is prints and oddly enough . . . snow that changes color. I am a quick learner! :)
It was a great day, I played with Mommy and Daddy after Mommy was done at work, then we went and bought some treats and a new toy! It was a great day! Mommy is even making me a special little dinner for my birthday . . . let me tell you, it's been a tiring day for a little dog like me.
So as my birthday gift to you all, I'd like to show you some pictures of just how much I love this stuff called SNOW!!
First you have to run around like a crazy dog!
Then investigate . . . I know it would make more sense to investigate first, but it's really no fun that way.
Investigate further . . . yes, you make get some snow in your fur and some snow up your nose, but that's okay.
Then taste, lets face it, everything in life is worth a taste.
Then of course you realize that this snow stuff taste delicious and you try to sneak it and hide from others the deliciousness of it.
Then, you run around in it some more!
I will admit, it does make everything a little bright though . . . I look a little like a cranky old dog here, but I swear I am only 2!
Don't get me wrong, I am not really a fan of WINTER, or normally anything that includes such things as WIND, RAIN, or COLD, but this SNOW stuff is wonderful!!
P.S. Mommy says this isn't appropriate, but I feel I need to share with my friends that this snow makes it much easier to be territorial, because it makes it so much easier to see where those other puppies have been! There is prints and oddly enough . . . snow that changes color. I am a quick learner! :)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sunday Inspirations
Recipe Inspirations:
Salad dressing is another iffy thing for gluten free people, all the more reason to make my own, right? I want to try this Tangy Cilantro Dressing as I am a huge fan of Cilantro. I also want to try this Tahini Sauce a little more diluted as a salad dressing. I had tahini sauce on a chicken salad before and it was delicious.
I'm not sure if I'd like them or not, but Lemony Pickled Cauliflower Florets sounds very interesting and worth a try.
This Christmas Panettone Bread sounds interesting. I have seen similar stuff in the store, but I have never had anything like it before.
These Giant Cinnamon Rolls look so good. It makes me want to try them with Gluten Free flour.
I love marshmallows, but not sure I am patient enough to make Marshmallows home-made. Have any of you ever done it? Is it worth it?
These Cream Wafers are adorably small and cute. They look like it would be way too easy to eat too many of them!
Most tacos do not look light and delicious, more like heavy and satisfying, but these Korean Tacos look like they fall more into the first category. They seem a little more like carnitas. I must try these.
Salad dressing is another iffy thing for gluten free people, all the more reason to make my own, right? I want to try this Tangy Cilantro Dressing as I am a huge fan of Cilantro. I also want to try this Tahini Sauce a little more diluted as a salad dressing. I had tahini sauce on a chicken salad before and it was delicious.
I'm not sure if I'd like them or not, but Lemony Pickled Cauliflower Florets sounds very interesting and worth a try.
This Christmas Panettone Bread sounds interesting. I have seen similar stuff in the store, but I have never had anything like it before.
These Giant Cinnamon Rolls look so good. It makes me want to try them with Gluten Free flour.
I love marshmallows, but not sure I am patient enough to make Marshmallows home-made. Have any of you ever done it? Is it worth it?
These Cream Wafers are adorably small and cute. They look like it would be way too easy to eat too many of them!
Most tacos do not look light and delicious, more like heavy and satisfying, but these Korean Tacos look like they fall more into the first category. They seem a little more like carnitas. I must try these.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Justice's Desert Socks
Another pair of socks for Justice, but these ones aren't complete yet. I am shooting for Valentine's Day or Easter. We shall see.
I love that Justice's favorite color is orange, but it is hard to find a good machine washable and dry-able yarn in orange. So this is a bit of a compromise on my part, it's more of an orange/brown/yellow colorway. I am hoping she will like them anyways. I plan on dyeing up some yarn this Spring/Summer to make this easier in the future. I also bought a couple sock blanks through Knit Picks and I am hoping to fly Justice out to Buffalo this summer so she can hang out with me and her uncle (whom she thinks is just so nifty). I figure when she is out here she can dye up some yarn for me to knit her some sock . . . she'll be 9 then, that would be interesting to a 9 year old, right?
Anywho, onto these socks:
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Multi
Color: Sunset Multi
Content: 75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon
Care: Machine wash and dry
Needles: US 0 / 2mm Circulars
Almost finished with the first sock . . . it's been languishing while I work on projects for Ellie and John.
I am trying a new heel called the Yo Yo Heel. It is an intersting variation of a short row heel. I will definitely be trying it again on a sock, with maybe some small variations. I did change it up a bit this time too, but we'll talk about that more when I actually finish the socks.
I am enjoying the socks as far as I have knit them, they, among other knitted items, are bus knitting and bus waiting project. :)
I love that Justice's favorite color is orange, but it is hard to find a good machine washable and dry-able yarn in orange. So this is a bit of a compromise on my part, it's more of an orange/brown/yellow colorway. I am hoping she will like them anyways. I plan on dyeing up some yarn this Spring/Summer to make this easier in the future. I also bought a couple sock blanks through Knit Picks and I am hoping to fly Justice out to Buffalo this summer so she can hang out with me and her uncle (whom she thinks is just so nifty). I figure when she is out here she can dye up some yarn for me to knit her some sock . . . she'll be 9 then, that would be interesting to a 9 year old, right?
Anywho, onto these socks:
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Multi
Color: Sunset Multi
Content: 75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon
Care: Machine wash and dry
Needles: US 0 / 2mm Circulars
I am trying a new heel called the Yo Yo Heel. It is an intersting variation of a short row heel. I will definitely be trying it again on a sock, with maybe some small variations. I did change it up a bit this time too, but we'll talk about that more when I actually finish the socks.
I am enjoying the socks as far as I have knit them, they, among other knitted items, are bus knitting and bus waiting project. :)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tuesday Inspirations
Crafty Inspirations:
This Pear Shaped Coin Purse is adorable and made a little larger would make an adorable project bag also!
Love the look of this Crazy Stitching!
I love this Ball made from Hexagons! I want to make one, ten, or twenty!
Recipe Inspirations:
Scallion Meatballs with Soy Ginger Glaze, does that not just sound yummy even without seeing the picture? Makes me hungry.
I have never had a Cassoulet, but it sounds interesting. Plus, it sounds filling and potentially good to take for lunch!
Okay, people, I am going to admit to you that once upon a past, I was a Ho-Ho addict. Yes, yes, I was. Now I have found a gluten free recipe for yes . . . Ho-Hos. I am so excited, I just have to try these.
Gluten Free Raspberry Chocolate Brownies . . . doesn't that just sound wonderful?!?! Definitely something I will try.
I want to try a gluten free version of these Indian Fry Bread and Indian Tacos.
I love lasagna for a few reasons, leftovers and lots of possibilities. This Mushroom Lasagna looks and sounds yummy. My only concern is that with a white sauce it may be lost a little in the stronger taste of gluten free lasagna noodles. Only one way to find out though!
It's so weird getting older and liking food you wouldn't have touched as a child or even a few years ago. Taste-buds are an odd thing. This Chipotle Bean Soup with Bacon is definitely in my near future, but it wasn't so long ago I wouldn't have touched it.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Gems Socks
My niece Justice loves color, which is good, because so do I. So I thought this yarn would work perfectly. I needed just a bit of another skein to finish up the toe on the second sock, so I bought another skein and figured that would work perfectly to make Vera a matching pair.
Yarn: Serenity Garden Yarn
How much: 1.5 skeins
Color: Gems
Content:100% Dralon Microfiber
Care: Machine wash and dry
Needles: US 1 / 2.5mm
Gauge: 7.75sts per 1” / 9.75rows per 1”
Pattern: My own.
For: Justice & Vera
Size: Specially knit for Justice’s & Vera's measurements.
Justice's socks. I made no attempt to make them match as that doesn't matter to me and I figured it wouldn't matter to her either.
Justice's star toes.
Vera's socks, unfortunately do not get as much color since her feet are so small.
Vera's quickly decreased heels.
Vera's little star toes.
One of Justice's socks with on of Vera's. The difference between an 8 year old and a 2 year old!
I like how these socks turned out and I really hope that Justice likes them and they fit her well. They were bus knitting and bus waiting knitting. I decided to knit Vera a version of Justice’s socks, since as the lovely little sister, she wants whatever Justice has. They were also bus knitting and bus waiting knitting. The gusset is decreased quicker though since the circumference of Vera’s heel is small since she’s so young. So I decreased on the top and bottom of the gusset every other row. I did a star toe for hopefully a better fit. I never much care for the tradition toes.
Yarn: Serenity Garden Yarn
How much: 1.5 skeins
Color: Gems
Content:100% Dralon Microfiber
Care: Machine wash and dry
Needles: US 1 / 2.5mm
Gauge: 7.75sts per 1” / 9.75rows per 1”
Pattern: My own.
For: Justice & Vera
Size: Specially knit for Justice’s & Vera's measurements.
Justice's star toes.
Vera's socks, unfortunately do not get as much color since her feet are so small.
Vera's quickly decreased heels.
Vera's little star toes.
One of Justice's socks with on of Vera's. The difference between an 8 year old and a 2 year old!
I like how these socks turned out and I really hope that Justice likes them and they fit her well. They were bus knitting and bus waiting knitting. I decided to knit Vera a version of Justice’s socks, since as the lovely little sister, she wants whatever Justice has. They were also bus knitting and bus waiting knitting. The gusset is decreased quicker though since the circumference of Vera’s heel is small since she’s so young. So I decreased on the top and bottom of the gusset every other row. I did a star toe for hopefully a better fit. I never much care for the tradition toes.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Perry's Plate
I have to admit I love finding new food bloggers. I usually find them accidentally through other food bloggers that I already read. So here is my latest find, Perry's Plate. She does a variety of types of recipes and seems a little more heavy on the vegetables, which is a direction I need to be heading more too.
Here are some of her recipes that I thought were interesting and would like to try:
~Pesto Zucchini Spaghetti - - I love the thought of trying zucchini as my noodles and I am also a fan of pesto!
~Crispy Shredded Tacos - - Absolutely have to try these, especially because she even links to another one of her posts on how to make your own corn tortillas!
~Marinated Chicken Skewers with Clementine Salsa - - Now these will be a hard push with the husband since he is not a fruit with meat type of person, but something tells me he will like these anyways. They just look delicious!
~Pesto Eggplant Rollatine - - I have never had anything like this before and it sounds delicious. Eggplant is something I like, if cooked well and not too mushy, but most recipes are loaded with tomato sauce and cheese! This looks a little lighter and definitely worth trying.
~Tangy Avocado Dressing - - There is a salad as part of this post too, but what I am really interested in trying is the dressing. As a huge fan of avocado, this sounds tasty!
~Spicy Green Tomato Vinaigrette - - I so want to make my own home-made dressings, since I am so limited at the grocery store due to my gluten issues. This one sounds like a good one to add to my list of ones to try.
~Fried Green Tomatoes, Two Ways - - I never thought of garnishing fried green tomatoes like this, it makes it seem more like the fried green tomatoes would be the main part, instead of a side dish.
~Portobello and Black Bean Enchiladas with Roasted Poblano Sauce - - Boy do these sound yummy! Plus, easily can substitute a meat in there for the mushrooms if needed.
~Baco-fried Green Beans - - Do I even need to say anything? Sounds delicious!
~Spinach and White Bean Dip - - A little more healthy version of a spinach dip.
~Cornmeal Crusted Catfish - - I am not sure I have ever had catfish, but assume almost any fish is easily substituted in there.
~Shrimp and Cotija Enchiladas with Salsa Verde - - Still loving my shrimp lately and this sounds very yummy, maybe I can get the husband to try them!
~Chipotle Sweet Potato Corn Chowder - - Still wanting to try things with sweet potatoes, plus who can pass up a chowder?
~Fruit-N-Yogurt Pops - - Who doesn't love a good popsicle? Exactly, what better than to make your own at home?
~Spicy Citrusy Black Beans - - These will be tried soon, I need some good recipes for black beans . . . even the Wookie LOVES black beans!
~Creamy Dill Foil Packet Fish - - This just looks so good and sounds so good. I love dill though.
~Thai Corn Chowder - - This sounds unique and interesting.
~Thai Noodles with Ground Chicken and Crispy Shallots - - This looks interesting with the layering of the items and also sounds good.
~Huevos Rancheros in Tortilla Cups - - This is such a nifty idea! Love it and would make a quick breakfast when made in advance.
~Home-made Taco Seasoning - - Lovely!
~Baked Corn Tortilla Chips - - I need to try this, I always think the ones at the store are WAY too salty!
Yes, there are a lot of links, but I went through the available archives. There are sure to be more that you may find interesting that didn't peak my interest, so I recommend not just clicking the links I provided, but heading over there and checking out her blog for yourself! :)
Here are some of her recipes that I thought were interesting and would like to try:
~Pesto Zucchini Spaghetti - - I love the thought of trying zucchini as my noodles and I am also a fan of pesto!
~Crispy Shredded Tacos - - Absolutely have to try these, especially because she even links to another one of her posts on how to make your own corn tortillas!
~Marinated Chicken Skewers with Clementine Salsa - - Now these will be a hard push with the husband since he is not a fruit with meat type of person, but something tells me he will like these anyways. They just look delicious!
~Pesto Eggplant Rollatine - - I have never had anything like this before and it sounds delicious. Eggplant is something I like, if cooked well and not too mushy, but most recipes are loaded with tomato sauce and cheese! This looks a little lighter and definitely worth trying.
~Tangy Avocado Dressing - - There is a salad as part of this post too, but what I am really interested in trying is the dressing. As a huge fan of avocado, this sounds tasty!
~Spicy Green Tomato Vinaigrette - - I so want to make my own home-made dressings, since I am so limited at the grocery store due to my gluten issues. This one sounds like a good one to add to my list of ones to try.
~Fried Green Tomatoes, Two Ways - - I never thought of garnishing fried green tomatoes like this, it makes it seem more like the fried green tomatoes would be the main part, instead of a side dish.
~Portobello and Black Bean Enchiladas with Roasted Poblano Sauce - - Boy do these sound yummy! Plus, easily can substitute a meat in there for the mushrooms if needed.
~Baco-fried Green Beans - - Do I even need to say anything? Sounds delicious!
~Spinach and White Bean Dip - - A little more healthy version of a spinach dip.
~Cornmeal Crusted Catfish - - I am not sure I have ever had catfish, but assume almost any fish is easily substituted in there.
~Shrimp and Cotija Enchiladas with Salsa Verde - - Still loving my shrimp lately and this sounds very yummy, maybe I can get the husband to try them!
~Chipotle Sweet Potato Corn Chowder - - Still wanting to try things with sweet potatoes, plus who can pass up a chowder?
~Fruit-N-Yogurt Pops - - Who doesn't love a good popsicle? Exactly, what better than to make your own at home?
~Spicy Citrusy Black Beans - - These will be tried soon, I need some good recipes for black beans . . . even the Wookie LOVES black beans!
~Creamy Dill Foil Packet Fish - - This just looks so good and sounds so good. I love dill though.
~Thai Corn Chowder - - This sounds unique and interesting.
~Thai Noodles with Ground Chicken and Crispy Shallots - - This looks interesting with the layering of the items and also sounds good.
~Huevos Rancheros in Tortilla Cups - - This is such a nifty idea! Love it and would make a quick breakfast when made in advance.
~Home-made Taco Seasoning - - Lovely!
~Baked Corn Tortilla Chips - - I need to try this, I always think the ones at the store are WAY too salty!
Yes, there are a lot of links, but I went through the available archives. There are sure to be more that you may find interesting that didn't peak my interest, so I recommend not just clicking the links I provided, but heading over there and checking out her blog for yourself! :)
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