First Prayer Shawl completed

Finished tonight my first prayer shawl. I used yarn that I had on hand, Red Heart Designer Sport, the color is celadon, a size K hook. Its quite soft.

My girlfriend finished hers today and we will deliver them tomorrow to our parish along with the lapghan. When she finished hers I held it for a few moments and said a few prayers, she will bless mine tomorrow. I believe that the person who will receive them will know the love, prayers and thoughts that were put into them.

In making these, although an easy pattern, we both found that several times we needed to rip out many inches and re-do. Re-dos can cause frustration, however, we never experienced this in doing these. I think we also have been given a blessing in the making of these. Its hard to put into words, but there a kind of peace in doing these. We will continue making them.

Fresh from the garden

The next door neighbor to my mother-in-law gave us freshly picked zucchini...mmmmm! And fresh cucumbers from my good friend. The zucchini is simmering right now on the stove with whatever else I could find in the refriderator. Very yummy!

Here is what is simmering:

olive oil
l large red onion, diced
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 eggplant, cut in cubes
2 zucchini, cubed
1 red pepper, chopped
3 stalks celery
1 28 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
with 1/2 can water
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup of green olives
handful chopped cilantro

Saute onion and garlic, then add all the vegetables cooking additional few minutes
add tomatoes, olives, cilantro, bring to boil and then simmer for 1 - 2 hours.

As for the cucumber ... that's going on the chopping block with onion and a nicely reddened tomato, from our plants, to have with dinner tonight; oil and vinegar, fresh basil.
Doesn't get much better that that!

good stuff!!!!

Table Topper Finished!

I really enjoyed this pattern, it was fun to do and I love the look of it. The last row of picos was a little tedious, but once its done, its worth the finished look.

Table Topper, Crochet Updates

I'm half way through row 39 on the table topper and one more more row after that and it will be completed. I'm hoping that this will be done this week. (actually going to work on that shortly!). I also hope to complete the prayer shawl so I can get ready for the next one and the beaded bowl cover (which is being made from the 7318 doily).

Somewhere along this week I am planning on working up (at least starting) my first time ever pattern of my own. The other day while I was waiting in the car for my husband and son I started thinking of how to create a doily and started putting together some ideas. We'll see where this goes.

So with that said, have a wonderful, blessed evening!

Sunday Nite Monday Menu Prep

For some reason I have gotten into the habit of making some (or all) of Monday's Menu on Sunday evening. Seems that it makes the week go smoother in trying to plan for meals. In the cooler and winter weather I usually plan Monday thru Thursday (with Friday being anything from leftovers to take-out, Saturday is always steak night and spaghetti/macaroni and sauce (who said gravy???) on Sunday. but with summer hot weather after Monday its a "depends on the humidity/temperature" type of decision for dinner. So for tomorrow's

Monday Menu

barbecued chicken thighs (skinless)
rice pilaf (that's done too, just a few minutes in the micro and good to go)
corn salad
lemonade
watermelon slices



Corn Salad

2 15 oz. cans corn drained and rinsed well
3 tomatoes, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 large red onion, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup olive oil
4-6 tablespoons white vinegar (to taste)
salt and pepper to taste

Recipe

I love collecting recipes and adding this one. I haven't tried making these yet but found this on one of the groups I belong to. Sounded like they would be very good and s u p e r e a s y. I think would be a great fall day tea time snack.

Easy Banana Muffins

In a microwave safe bowl
melt 1/3 cup butter

Add one egg, stir

Add 3 ripe bananas and mash with fork

Add
1-1/2 cup flour,
1/2 cup white sugar,
1 tsp. bak. powder and
1 tsp. bak soda and
1/2 tsp. salt.
Stir well.

Pour into 12 paper lined muffin cups.
Bake 350 about 20 min. or until light brown.
The person who wrote this recipe said they are outrageous!! ... and
they make your house smell wonderful.

Lapghan completed ... shawl started

The first of hopefully many lapghans is completed. Its 43 inches wide. They're a fun pattern to work on and go up rather quickly. For this I used what yarn I had on hand. Will be looking for some vibrant, happy colors. In any case, they are made with love and prayers. I hope that whoever receives these gets as much comfort from these as I get pleasure in making them.











The shawl is called Cozy Comfort Prayer Shawl.
The size will be 20 x 60 inches. This is the first time I've used this pattern, it is very easy and very pretty. Would make a lovely blanket as well.

The pattern can be found here:
COZY COMFORT PRAYER SHAWL

Tuesday Treasures ...

actually Tuesday Tiny Treasures. These are some little doilies made using size 30 thread. So far that is the smallest that my fingers can handle. I've seen them called Elf Doilies and many using thread much smaller then 30. But aren't these just adorable? They're some of my favorite doily pieces.

added note: the vegetable orzo salad is great when served cold!

Monday Menu

Summer Supper:

Sausage Patties with red onion slices and dill pickle relish
on Sesame buns
Vegetable Orzo Salad
Watermelon



Made this "Vegetable Orzo Salad" tonight.

Olive Oil
1 red onion, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
1 yellow squash, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
(I used baby carrots, about 8
sliced)
2 cups vegetable broth
1 can chickpeas, drained
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp ground cardamon
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
16 oz. cooked orzo
salt & pepper to taste
tomatoes, sliced thin

Saute onion, zucchini, yellow squash, and carrots ... about 3 or 4 minutes,
then add red and yellow peppers, continue to cook for another 3 minutes,
add vegetable broth, paprika, cardamon, cilantro, cooked orzo, salt & pepper
cook another few minutes. Serve with sliced tomatoes on top.

This was very tasty and much better as it cooled. Its in the fridge waiting for tomorrow night, will see if it is as good cold or will it have to be warmed up some. Either way it is a wonderful summer night "salad".