Halloween

Happy to report that all is well in our neck of the woods following Sandy's visit.  There are still some without power in the surrounding area but the work is being done to restore.  We were more fortunate then those in NYC.  Prayers for all.

Happy Halloween to all those little goblins out there.  Treat early and be safe.

Waiting and Crocheting

Waiting for the storm.  Sandy is supposed to show her effects late tomorrow into Tuesday.  Hoping (and praying) that this is not as bad as they are predicting.  While waiting I will have the hook moving. 

I am currently working on another wool eater which will be a gift.  Shades of purples and greens.  Its been a while since I made mine so I am totally enjoying this again.  Its such a great, heavy blanket.  I just love mine, hope the recipient of this will feel the same.

Started the Holiday Cables Throw which is the 2nd Christmas freebie provided by Red Heart. 
I am so pleasantly surprised at how easy this has been so far and what a beautiful afghan.


I am doing this in the aran/ecru color but I will have to have one sometime in the future in the red.

Either one of these ghans is such a wonderful treat for the cold months, all warm and cozy.

Thinking of you all along the east coast.  Prayers for everyone's safety.

Monday Menu

I like starting the work week off knowing what dinner will be, seems to take the pressure off a little especially when Monday is going to be a busy day.



Tonight's fare:

Oven Barbecued Pork Chops 
Vegetable Barley Bake
Corn
Salad
Apple Slices

Oven Barbecued Pork Chops

1 1/2 bone in, 3/4 inch thick porck rib chops (fat trimmed)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 teaspoons oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup orange juice
1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Sprinkle chops with salt and pepper.  Heat oil in a large skillet, add pork chops and brown, 1-2 minutes per side, transfer to a plate.

Add onion, saute 3-4 minutes until softened.  Stir in garlic, cook, stirring until fragant, 30 seconds.  Add orange juice and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated - 30 seconds to 1 minutes.  Stir in barbecue sauce.  Put pork chops in pan, turn to coat then put in baking dish.  Cover with remaining sauce.

Recipe said to bake 6-10 minutes but I covered them with foil and baked 20-30 minutes beside the vegetable barley bake which had alreay been in the oven for about 20 minutes.

Vegetable Barley Bake

3 medium sweet red peppers, chopped
4 cups mushrooms, sliced
2 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups vegetable broth (used chicken broth)
1 1/2 cups barley
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Saute the peppers, mushrooms and onions in butter till tender.
Transfer to 13 x 9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Stir in broth, barley and pepper.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes until liquid absorbed.

I'm usually not a big barbecue sauce fan but I was pleasantly surprised with these pork chops and thought they went well with the barley.  I could even make a meal out of the barley dish alone.  Both are in my keeper recipe file.

Oh and by the way, any leftovers, chops and barley, can be mixed together and heated up, very nice!

Hope your week is a good one.

Finally a Finish and A Happy Weekend

For my little grandpumpkin.  Finally finished and just in time for the cold weather that is setting in.  The ripple is about 50 inches so this should add comfort and warmth for quite some time to come.  As I write this its spinning in the wash so it will be squeaky clean when it goes to him tomorrow.

Lets see ... I have two ghans in the works and yes, I will be adding another ... I am looking at another wool eater in shades of purple, green and cream for a very special friend.  The wool eater is quite heavy and just perfect for those cold winter evenings. 



This is the one I made for myself over a year ago.  I just love it.

Have a great weekend.

Flower Power and Some Inspiration

My next in line ghan project is the daisy ghan I'm working on with Stitchy. This one too will be going to a friend who has been dealing with cancer for a very long time so I am now working to try and get this done quickly.

The only difference from this and the pink and white one I made a while back is that this one's flower has twelve petals, 4 more then the pink and white one.  So far I have gotten 22 squares done.  Not sure if 44 squares will complete it.  I'm thinking I may want it bigger.  Will see as I add squares.

   


I also going to look for a chemo cap pattern and look to donate at our local treatment center.  My inspiration comes from Sandy of Sunflowerz Crochet.  She had been making these and now has recently become a family caregiver.  Thank you Sandy for sharing your thoughts, they have touched my heart. 

Blessings