Monday Menu

I usually try to find a new recipe to make each week ... have had this recipe in my to try folder for a bit now and putting together tonight for this week ... I'm not sure where I got this from, might be Epicurious ??


Quick Chicken and Chorizo Paella

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
14 oz. chorizo, cut into 1/2 slices on the diagonal
1 onion, choped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 gloves garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp. pimenton or paprika
2 cups short of medium grain rice
1 pinch saffron threads
2 bay leaves
4 cups chicken stock
1 1/4 pounds roast chicken (meat from 3 lb chicken, skinned, deboned and torn into chunks)
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 tomato, chopped
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Heat over to 400 degrees F. Heat oil in large pan over high heat. Add chorizo and cook until browned and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add onion, red pepper and garlic, continue cooking, stigging occasionally, under vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes.

Add rice, pimention or paprika, saffron and bay leaves. Stir to combine and coat the rice, about 1 minute. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add roast chicken, frozen peas, and tomato; stir to combine.

Transfer to baking dish/pan and to oven. Cook uncovered until rice is tender and no liquid remains (about 20 minutes). Remove from oven, fluff with fork and enjoy.

For Valentine

This is really the first year that I have taken some time for Valentine decorating. Just a few touches here and there. Glad I am as it does add a "sweetness" to the house. I'm especially surprised at the number of Christmas items that fit in so well.



Last week when I was at Michael's I came upon this Christmas pot in a 90% off bin without a price tag, they charged me a whopping 10 cents! I really liked the pot when I first saw it, after the price I LOVE it! And yes, I think this will work into the decor for all seasons.

My dollar store dishes are still making their appearance. Certainly fit well into the season of hearts.











Now all this cuteness and sweetness is going to my head ... I think I may have to get some valentine day cards to mail out. Oh, maybe I should make hearts to go inside ... gotta run, get busy crocheting!

Bless your hearts.

New Doily Design

Just finished this doily ...haven't decided on a name yet but will be making this again to check the pattern and to make it in a solid color. This is larger then what I have been doing with 34 rows. After blocking, it measured 17 inches. I chose the colors here based on rose plates I have with pretty much these same colors. I like the plates much better, the colors here in this doily, not so much, however its growing on me. Can be a nice spring time piece.

Its still winter ...

The weather outside is frightful ... thought this was a Christmas time song ...

the past few days had melted all the snow and I was totally used to seeing bare ground when woke this morning to find this. Well, it is winter.

The weather reports say snow showers but with a few inches already and the fact that this doesn't look like its going to stop anytime soon now, the day has been cancelled and home bound.

Looks like a clean the house day with some afternoon crochet. Be back later.

Stay safe and warm. Blessings.

Monday Menu Prep

The rains are upon us and will be for another day so a nice stew is in order.

Tomorrow night's fare will be


Lentil Stew
Whole Wheat Croissants
Salad with the fixens
fruit and/or pudding

I found the recipe Argentine Lentil Stew at All Recipes http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Argentine-Lentil-Stew/Detail.aspx
and with a few minor changes* this is my version:

Lentil Stew

2 cups dry lentils
2 quarts water
1 veg. bouillon cube
2 15 oz. cans petite diced tomatoes
1 large onion, diced
2 carrots, chopped
1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced
1 cup frozen peas
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
1 can chicken broth
1/2 - 1 teaspoon paprika
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot bring lentils to a boil, while simmering prepare veggies. Add all ingredients and simmer for 3 - 4 hours. Season to taste. It is very, very good! A keeper! Enjoy.

*My changes (already included in the recipe above): I doubled the amount of lentils, water, and barbeque sauce, used two can diced tomatoes, 1 can chicken broth and increased the cooking time. Its an excellent stew.

Saturday Crochet in The Pink

Taking my tray with a hot mug of tea, a pretty crochet book

adding hook and thread and I'm in heaven.

There are so many beautiful things to crochet, just can't seem to get enough.

The doily I lined the tray with is one of my designs. It will be posted later on in the year.

May your day be filled with all things beautiful.

Peace, blessings and love.

Happy Birthday

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you


with all our love

Someone is having a birthday tomorrow

January 22, 1985

7:55pm

8 lbs. 13 oz.

21 inches

Heart of Mary Doily - February Doily of The Month

With Valentine's Day less then a month away I wanted to post my February Doily of The Month now. Two dear friends of mine have given this doily its name.

Heart of Mary Doily
With size 5 steel hook and size 10 crochet thread

1. Chain 4, sc in 2nd ch and across (3 sc) ch 1 turn.
2. 2sc in 1st st, sc in next sc, 2sc in last sc (5sc) ch1 turn.
3. Sc in each st., ch 1. Turn.
4. 2sc in first st, sc in each across with 2sc in last st, ch 1 turn.
5. Sc in each st, ch 1, turn

Repeat rows 4 and 5 until you have 25 stitcches.
Continue another 10 rows on the 25 stitches, (ch 1, turn at the end of each row)

1. Decrease over next two sc, sc in next 10 sc, ch 1, turn
2. SC in each sc, ch 1, turn
3. Decrease over next two st, sc in next 7 sc, decrease in last two sc, ch 1, turn.
4. SC in each sc across, ch 1, turn
5. Decrease over next two st, sc in next 5 sc, decrease over last two sc, ch1, turn.
6. SC in each of 5 sc. Fasten off.

Attach thread opposite outside edge, ch 1, turn.
Repeat rows 1 thru 6 but DO NOT fasten off.

7. SC around heart, join in first sc.
8. *Chain 3, sk1 sc, sc in next st* around, join.
9. Slip stitch into chain 3 space, ch 3, 2dc in same space,
3dc in each ch3 space to bottom point, 3 dc in sc at bottom point,
3 dc in next ch 3 space and each space to
top three spaces, yo and draw up thread in each of these 3 spaces,
you will have 7 loops on hook, yo and draw thread through all 7 loops.
3dc in each remaining ch 3 space and join.
10. Ch1, sc in same st, *ch 5, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc* to last join, then ch 2, dc in first sc.
11. Ch1, sc in same , *ch 5, sc in next space* around, join in first sc.
12. Sl st into space, ch3, 4 dc in same space, *5 dc in next space and around, join.
13. Sl st to 3rd dc, ch1, sc in same st, *ch 5, sc in middle dc of group* around to last space, ch 3, dc in first sc to join.
14. Ch 1, sc in same space, *ch 5, sc in next space around, join.
15.St st into space, ch 3, dc, 2tr, 2dc in same space, *2dc, 2tr, 2dc* in next space and each space around, join and fasten off.
Starch and block.

Monday Menu

Off to a running start on the week with dinner simmering as I type. The only change I made to this is that I am cooking it on the stove top rather then crockpot as right now I am home. I don't know if that will make a difference or not, it did seem quite tasty so far. Time will tell.

Tomorrow's dinner menu:

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Rice
Salad
Fruit
Chocolate Pudding

another recipe from All Recipes
I love this site!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Pepper-Steak/Detail.aspx

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Ingredients
2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 2 inch strips
garlic powder to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cube beef bouillon
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 large green bell peppers, roughly chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar (I'm leaving this out)
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Sprinkle strips of sirloin with garlic powder to taste. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the vegetable oil and brown the seasoned beef strips. Transfer to a slow cooker.
Mix bouillon cube with hot water until dissolved, then mix in cornstarch until dissolved. Pour into the slow cooker with meat. Stir in onion, green peppers, stewed tomatoes, soy sauce, sugar, and salt.
Cover, and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

addendum = this was quite good, would thicken it more next time, will be keeping this one too.

Tweaking a centerpiece from Christmas to Valentine's Day

Red is so versatile

and obviously so right for Christmas and Valentine's Day.

With just a few tweaks Christmas decorating is being transformed into Valentine's Day. Removing the reindeer, adding a few more roses, a pillow ornament and a bit of red beaded garland from the Christmas tree and I'm good to go.

I did purchase a white rose from Big Lots, I think it was about 39 cents in the Christmas after sale but that is all I bought.

I just love being able to make it from what I have!

A lovely afternoon to crochet.

A heart table topper I made last year, one of my favorites.

This beautiful angel was a gift from a very special friend. We met over 40 years ago, I treasure this angel as I do her friendship.

An afternoon of tea, a simple dessert

and of course ...

crochet!

Perfect.