elfcroft

Old recipes are new again!  We made six batches of Chex mix and have ingredients to make three more.  It is delightful to use the microwave which is both quick and easy.  This has been a team effort with some experimentation on the flavorings.  We decided the prepared seasoning packet was too easy and added Worcester sauce as well as garlic and onion powder.  We also added Cheez-its and M&Ms to the pretzels, nuts and Chex cereals.

Chex mix marathon

Add the Chex mix recipe to pineapple-carrot lime jello salad, corn chowder soup and broccoli rice casserole, which have come out of the recipe files this year to bring back familiar aromas, flavors and sights to our dining table.

This contrasts to the new recipes that I have followed from http://thestonesoup.com/blog/ by the very interesting Jules Clancy, Australian chef.  New Year’s Resolution:  Try more of Jules recipes!

winter solstice 2011

On this the shortest day/longest night of the year, let there be holiday lights to delight and warm glow of fireplaces and candles!  Best wishes for peace and joy. Merry Christmas!

Katrina has done a beautiful job of illustrating 5 creative gift wrapping ideas this week.  She also has discussion on the environmental impact of wrapping packages.  Check out her blog Splash of Something.  http://splashofsomething.com/2011/12/12/wrapping-week-2011/

These blog posts reminded me of what I count as my most original wrapping project, using a low profile ceramic dish.  That same year I also repurposed flat ornaments for wrapping decor.

Special gift wrap for a special girl

Merry Christmas!

5234

Simplicity pattern 5234 was the first to capture my imagination last year for children’s clothes for Helping Hands Touching Hearts.  This pattern required less material than other choices.  I made six size 14 dresses last year from my fabric stash, some with pockets, all sleeveless finished with bias tape.

To complete my sewing for this year’s donation, I returned to 5234 making four size 10 dresses with cap sleeves.  Sleeves are a better value than bias tape (unless you make your own).  The turquoise and brown fabric was a $3/yard remnant.  The solid brown fabric was  part of my stash.  I ran out of time to try appliqueing a flower on the solid top.  Next year 🙂

Peas and carrots

My sister Susan gave me her counted cross stitch works of “Peas” many years ago.  Probably the same year, she gave our grandmother Tuggle her counted cross stitch “Carrots”.  About six years ago, I found the “Carrots” and claimed it to make a pair.  I smile when I see them together.  It reminds me of a line from “Forrest Gump”.  Forrest says he and his best friend Jenny go together like “peas and carrots”!  Here’s a tribute to things that go well together.

From The History of Beads, Concise Edition by Lois Sherr Dubin, 1987 & 1995, Introduction, page 7:  “They (beads) are kaleidoscopic, combined and recombined in an astonishing wide range of materials; they express social circumstances, political history, and religious beliefs.”  Alas, being a typical westerner, like she says, I confine myself to draping them around my neck.

Thanks to my dear friend Pimla15, three of my bead necklaces are now repaired.

Necklaces better than new

Double thanks again to Pimla15, she made two amazing necklaces from beads that I had neither the time or inspiration to make.

New from Pimla

I found these charming porcelain tags to label herbs at Talbot Street Art Fair last weekend.  This was the 54th year for the street fair on Indianapolis’ near north side.

Herb tags

These were among a beautiful selection made and sold by Kate Lally Ceramics of Dayton, Ohio.

http//www.katelally.com  A future post will feature these tags in my herb garden which is under redevelopment.

Next to tomatoes grown in my backyard, my favorite tomato products are sold by Red Gold.  The canned products seasoned with Italian or chili flavors are particularly good.  www.redgold.com

I took this photo at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  (This year is the 100th anniversary.)  The condiment cart struck me as a brilliant marketing strategy.

Red Gold marketing strategy @ Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Bold and beautiful cart, "Ketchup anyone?"

Baby bunnies

Big Bunnies

Artwork and ceramics are a couple of ways of bringing the outdoors inside.  These examples are great for Easter and year round.