CATNIP CREATIONS

More needle felting this week......this time for my favorite Cats, Oliver & Ellie

I wrapped roughly 2 tbs of Catnip in a little scrap of cloth and tied it tight with a bit of embroidery floss....then covering it with the wool in a criss crossy pattern, felted around the Catnip, once they were mostly round I added some decorations.....They were a BIG HIT!

 

 :: Below is their thank you note ::

Hi, Thanks for the REALLY FUN catnip balls!  We play with them every night--we stalk and hunt them, we run around and carry them in our mouths and we chase after them when mom throws them for us!

Meow!

Ellie and Oliver (who wouldn't hold still for a photo)

CARDAMON & FLAX SEED OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

These have turned out to be the best cookies I have ever made.....they are based from a recipe in SUNSET MAGAZINE.  Now these are in NO WAY good for you, however they are a fun thing to make to satisfy any sweet craving.  I would suggest freezing half the batter because otherwise I have found the need to eat ALL of them :)  The recipe has rather a lot of ingredients-so honestly if you're shy the allspice just skip it....also goes for the Cardamon & Cinnamon... you may find a cookie that you like even more of your own creation.  Best of all, with all the measuring the help of my 4 1/2 year old was greatly appreciated....how we love to measure and mix....

::INGREDIENTS::

• 1 Cup & 2 Tbs All Purpose Flour
• 3 Cups Rolled Oats
• 2 Sticks Butter(If using unsalted be sure to add 1 tsp salt)
• 2 Large Brown Eggs
• 1 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 Tsp Cardamon
• 1 Tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 Tsp Allspice
• 1/2 Cup Toasted Flax seeds(I used Trader Joe's Organic)
• 1 1/2 Cups Raisins(Golden or Regular) Dried Cranberries or Chocolate Chips can make a wonderful substitute for those that have an aversion to raisins (you know who you are :) 

::DIRECTIONS::

1. Yields 5 Dozen, Preheat Oven to 350*
2. Mix all ingredients together-really doesn't matter in what order-if you don't have a Kitchen Aid mixer it makes it easier if the butter is softened
3. Drop 2 Tbs sized scoops onto greased(or silicone pad)cookie sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes.  
4. HAPPY CREATING(& EATING)!

LOST.....

Let me first say that this post contains absolutely NO creative inspiration whatsoever....it is more of a cautionary tale.


When Lost first aired, I was pregnant with my first child visiting a friend in Colorado-we watched the first episode, proceeded to lock all doors, close all shades and vowed NEVER to watch the show again.... Yes, two grown-ups were TOTALLY freaked out....


Fast forward three years....to some very sleepless nights nursing my second child....I found that while reading was FAR beyond my overly-tired brain-Lost was just the perfect combination of drama & pure confusion......Thanks to a VERY hungry baby and my laptop with an earphone....I got hooked.


My husband has not shared my interest/obsession of Lost, but last night we sat down to the most recent episode on or Tivo....and this is kinda how the conversation went....


Tim :: Honey, what was that? That one part, I don't understand.
Me :: Just one part? because that's less than the writes of the show :)
Tim :: That....black smoke.....
Me :: Oh, that's the smoke monster....


As the words smoke monster escaped my lips I realized....what? are you kidding me....who says smoke monster and expects the other person to understand, right?


Tim :: But, what is it?
Me :: Oh, well, the smoke monster is John Locke, but it's not really John Locke because he's dead and this other guy, Jacob's nemesis, took over his body and now he transforms into the smoke monster....I think it's this whole Cain and Abel thing they're trying to work into the plot......seriously.....what kind of crazy just escaped my lips?....


To all those who love and hate LOST......

MITTENS IN MAY?

 While some may think it odd to be knitting mittens in the spring....because frankly, it is......

 Nevertheless gloves and mittens have been a big hit here amongst the smaller peoples this year, so why not.......

I'll give a hint as to who's took a longer than expected.... Tucker's of course :) Z's were a creation of mine, while T's were the Lapland pattern from the lovely book::Folk Mittens by Marcia Lewandowski

 

TWO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

MUD SEASON MUSHROOM & LEEK SOUP

Mud-season is an actual season in Maine....the long winter finally coming to an end bringing with it springtime....

Here in California it only lasts a day or two so we took full advantage, much to the dismay of our washing machine :) 

This is a surprisingly simple and delicious spring time soup.....didn't even get a chance to snap a photo before it was all gobbled up......so the pics are from last week at our favorite park down the road....

::INGREDIENTS::

•  1 pound White Mushrooms(Jacques Pepin promises the white contain just as much flavor as the more exotic & expensive mushrooms & I agree)
• 2 Leeks, trimmed & washed
• 1/2 Cup White Wine/Vermouth/Sherry(lighter flavor with the wine, stronger with the Vermouth and Very rich with the Sherry)
• 4-5 Cups Chicken Broth(or Vegetable Broth) 
• 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

::DIRECTIONS::

1. Chop the Leeks into 1/4 inch pieces and saute in Olive Oil for 5 minutes until softened
2. Add the Mushrooms chopped in 1/2 if small(if large quarter them) cook for 10 minutes stirring
3. Add Wine(or Vermouth or Sherry) cook for 5 min to burn off  the alcohol
4. Add Chicken Broth, Salt and Pepper to taste and simmer for 20 min
5. Immersion blend or let COOL and put in Cuisinart to puree
6. ENJOY!