image source: Cross Stitch World
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Monthly Archives: December 2011
Change Yourself in 2012
Lonely Planet by The The
Planet Earth is slowing down
Overseas, underground
Wherever you look around
Lord, take me by the hand
lead me through these desert sands
To the shores of a promised land.
You make me start when you look into my heart
And see me for who I really am.
If you can’t change the world. Change yourself.
If you can’t change the world. Change yourself.
I didn’t care if the sun didn’t shine
& the rain didn’t fall from the sky
I just cared about myself
From this world to the next
And from the next back to this.
By our actions we are bound.
We’re running out of love
running out of hate
running out of space for the human race.
Planet Earth is slowing down.
You make me cry when you look into my eyes.
And see me for who I really am.
If you can’t change the world. Change yourself.
If you can’t change the world. Change yourself.
And if you can’t change yourself….change the world.
I’m in love with the planet I’m standing on
I can’t stop
I can’t stop thinking of
All the people I’ve ever loved
All the people I have lost
All the people I’ll never know
All the feelings I’ve never shown.
The world’s too big. And life’s too short.
To be alone…To be alone.
Crochet Bunny Toy for Baby
This crochet bunny is to pair with the baby blanket I made from the same yarn.
The Bunny Buddy pattern by Vickie Howell was published in the May/June 2009 issue of Crochet Today!
If you have a Ravelry account, you can learn about it here.
It only takes a few hours to make and I think it is perfect to pair with a blanket or kimono set.
The head has a rattle in it: I found a ping pong like rattle in the toy section of PetSmart.
Cluster Stitch Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern
I like crocheting, rather than knitting blankets (for babies or adults), because crocheting is so much faster. For this blanket I used the cluster stitch. This stitch creates a lovely lace-like look.
I’ve provided the crochet baby blanket pattern below the video from Crochet Geek. Watch this video to learn how to crochet the cluster stitch.
Materials Used:
- Hook 5.5mm
- Yarn: Deborah Norville Everyday Worsted – Pill Free – Snow White
Pattern:
- Chain 84 (multiple of 3)
- Row 1: Make the first cluster in the 5th chain from the hook. the first 3 chains count as a double crochet. Work a V cluster part 1, chain 2, work V cluster part 2 in the same chain space. Skip 2 chains, work a V cluster in the next chain – repeat across. Double crochet in the last double crochet. (You should have 27 clusters.)
- Row 2: Chain 3, turn, work a V cluster in each chain 2 space (that’s the center of the previous clusters) across. Finish with a double crochet in the last stitch which is chain 3 of the previous row.
- Repeat for length of project.*
- For border, double crochet around entire blanket with 2 double crochet stitches in the corners.
*Note: My finished blanked is 30 x 35 inches.
Anise Tea Cookies Recipe
Well, I’ve finished another batch of cookies. Anise tea cookies are very good with coffee or tea because they have an almost scone-like texture (good for dunking) and they are not horribly sweet, even with the icing. The anise adds an interesting taste which reminds me of my very favorite cookies – biscochitos (a traditional New Mexican Christmas cookie).
Anise Tea Cookies Recipe:
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon anise flavoring/extract
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and sugar. Make a well in the center and add the oil, milk, anise flavoring, and eggs. Mix together until dough clings and takes the shape of a ball. (I use my hands to knead everything after all the wet ingredients are mixed in well.)
- Pinch off dough (approximately one heaping teaspoon) and roll it into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet one inch apart. Flatten slightly.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. This will vary depending on your oven.
- Let cool for about five minutes and then spoon on icing.
Icing:
I like a lot of icing so I made this up 3 times.
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon anise flavoring/extract
Mix all together. If the icing is too thin add more sugar. If the icing is too thick add a bit more water. Use a teaspoon and let icing drop from spoon on to cookies.
This recipe is based on the recipe for Italian Anisette Cookies.
Coconut Snowball Crisps Recipe
Ah success! These coconut crisps are easy to make and they taste great. I’ve provided the recipe below. You can also find it in its original format at EveryDay with Rachel Ray.
- 3 large egg whites (see note below)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 200°. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk, beat the egg whites and salt on medium speed until thick and foamy. Sprinkle in the confectioners’ sugar and, once incorporated, beat at high speed until firm and glossy, about 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, toss together the coconut, rice cereal and cornstarch. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold into the egg mixture until combined.
- Drop rounded teaspoons of the mixture about 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake until firm and dry to the touch, about 1 hour. Let cool completely.
Note: Separate eggs when they’re cold, but wait until they’re at room temperature for most volume when whipping.
Back to the Start
Last night I made two holiday treats which were failures – buttermilk fudge and chocolate pretzel-almond-cranberry chews. The fudge is too soft and the chews are ugly. Neither tastes bad, but I can’t give batches away, which was my plan. I really dislike failure in the kitchen! So, it’s back to the start for me. I’m going to make fail proof fudge with marshmallow cream and coconut meringues. If either turns out well, you’ll see a post here with the recipe/s and picture/s.
“Back to the start” reminded me of the video below, which I first saw in the neighborhood movie house. I love Willie Nelson’s cover of the Coldplay song The Scientist. The lyrics are awesome and work well with the video.