The Magic (Yarn) Ball

My friend Leslie over at Wool Mountain Studio told me about 'the magic ball' the other day. How have I not heard of it before? You take your leftover yarn odds and ends and tie them end to end to make one long ball. Voila! You've found a use for all those short lengths of yarn and created a 'magic' yarn that is full of surprises. I'm crocheting this hat with a magic ball made from a big tangled glob of leftover wool needlepoint yarn. I must admit it IS fun watching the colors change as I go along. And in case you are wondering, I haven't crocheted in the loose ends on purposes. I kind of like the way it looks - it fits the whimsical nature of the Magic Ball, don't you think?

Easy Crocheted Hooded Cowl

Our first cold snap put me in the mood to create something warm. This cowl will keep your neck warm. Or pull it up over your head like a hood to keep your head and ears warm. Or pull it down over your shoulders to keep them warm. Or do all three.

Pattern available in my etsy shop.

Ready for the Renaissance Faire

This Juliet cap was specially requested by a friend. It takes less that 100 yards of yarn, can be easily finished up in a hour or two, and it's absolutely perfect for the Texas Renaissance Festival! If you've never been, I strongly encourage you to go - and wear your walking shoes.

Pattern available in my etsy shop.

Double, Double Boil and Trouble

DH pointed out that I haven't posted to my blog in a LONG time. The killer Texas heat has definitely been a huge factor in slowing me down. Combine that with malware that brought my PC to its knees (I'm still trying to recover - I am currently using my son's borrowed PC) and I'm surprised I even get up in the morning. Not really, but it feels good to complain.

I have tried one new thing - I finally dyed some old vintage white hobnail bedspread fabric using Rit dye. I wasn't brave enough to dye it in the washing machine so I used a pot on the stove. Very easy after all! And the end result is a much more interesting color than white. Now to figure out what to do with it. Suggestions, anyone?

How to buy a bread machine for $10 or less

The short answer: Goodwill. I've noticed that Goodwill stores are a great place to find expensive appliances (like bread machines) for a few bucks. The trick is knowing that Goodwill lines them up along a back wall in the least interesting part of the store. My eyes used to just bounce off of them like some high-tech reflective surface. When I seriously started looking for a bread machine a few months ago I finally noticed them. Now I know what electrical treasures lay buried in the nether regions of the local thrift store.

For example, this morning I saw two juicers, three bread machines, a deep fryer, and several other appliances I couldn't even identify. For $10 I picked up this bread machine, brought it home, cleaned it, found the instruction manual online, printed the manual, and then made a loaf to be certain it works. My husband was convinced that something must be wrong with it, that it wasn't going to work, that no one would drop off a working bread machine at Goodwill. I, of course, knew better. Because I understand how those appliances get to Goodwill in the first place. One gets a fancy new gadget, uses it a few times, gets bored with it and finds somewhere to store it. Later (could be months or years) one gets rid of it while in a frenzy of de-cluttering.

By the way, this bread machine is headed for a friend who needs one - it's pictured loaded up in my car ready for delivery. I was tempted to pick up one of the juicers, too, but I already have one in storage that hasn't yet been de-cluttered.

Oxymoron of the Day: Kosher Creole

Can this be? Can shellfish-rich creole food be kosher? Can Nawlins Jazz and Jewish Klezmer make beautiful music together? What do YOU think?

Second Liners Jambalaya

• 1 1 lb jar gefilte fish, drained
• 2 C cooked rice
• 2 T butter or pareve margarine
• 1/4 C chopped green pepper
• 1/2 C chopped onion
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp thyme
• 1 10.5 oz can condensed tomato soup, undiluted
• 1 C milk
• paprika

Saute onion and green pepper in butter until tender but not brown. Add salt, pepper, thyme, soup, and milk. Mix with rice. Pour into greased 1 1/2 qt baking dish. Arrange fish on top. Press into rice mixture and sprinkle with paprika. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

The Chard that wouldn't die...

Swiss Chard, that is. If we ever experience another Great Depression, my family won't have to worry about having greens on the table. My one plant has been going strong for right at a year now and shows no signs of slowing down. If you have any interesting chard recipes, please let me know. My latest find is this 'greens soup' which is actually quite tasty:

• large bunch of mustard, kale, chard or spinach; chopped


• bunch of cilantro, arugula or parsley; chopped


• 4 leeks, sliced and rinsed


• juice of 1 lemon


• chicken stock


• 2 cloves garlic, minced


• 1 tsp brown sugar


• 1 tsp salt

1. Sautee leeks in olive oil with a few bay leaves and minced garlic


2. Add brown sugar and salt. Cook for a few more minutes.


3. Throw in greens. Cover with stock.


4. Simmer 30 minutes.


5. Stir in herbs and lemon juice.