Solving murder with soup.

 

Every afternoon I’ve been wanting a cup of soup. The reason is, I’m reading these mystery books and they’re always talking about FOOD.  I can’t escape them!! 

I was reading the Lorna Barrett series, “Booktown Mystery”.  Three so far.  She’s a book store owner and her sister is a cook.  And of course she is always coming up with the most mouth watering dishes.  Then to really torture myself I’ve been reading Katherine Hall Page’s..Faith Fairchild’s mysteries and she IS a COOK.

And they keep making these delicious recipes, furthermore they put them in the BOOKS.

 

I never had Potato Leek Soup.  Heck I never bought a Leek before. I had to ask the grocery guy if I was getting the right thing.

I did get the directions from the books, then I did some online checking.  Emeril had one also.

 

I went to the store and bought a leek: 

Then I knew I needed more help so I turned to my favorite advisor, and

the best book ever written (for me).

Miss Julia Child’s………….The Way to Cook

 

 

 

 

 

 

And found her advice very helpful.

 

I did what she told me, cut it the way she said,

 

 

Washed it,

 

 

Chopped it

 

 

 

Put it in a saucepan with 4 cups chicken broth, and

one diced russet potato.

 

 

brought to a boil then simmered till all was tender and it

looked done.

Then put in food processor to give  it a nice smooth finish.

Returned to stove

 

Took the Creme Fraiche (regular cream would have done

just as well, and that’s what I’ll use the next time)

 

 

And put it in the pan with the warm soup

 

 

Blended it in, let simmer a bit so everything married,

 

and now I finally have my soup!!

 

 

 

 

 

And I have to go solve a MYSTERY!!

Yarn Subsidy Program!!

Boston is having the mayoral elections today..Voting DAY!!

 

 

Today’s calendar by the Yarn Harlot (Stephanie Pearl McPhee)

 

Tuesday November 3, 2009

 

GO Vote. Then ask whomever is elected to create a yarn

subsidy program.

 

I LOVE Stephanie.  I got her calendar  Christmas. I

didn’t actually get into it until around March. Now every day

is a surprise.   I’ll post more on what she has to say some other

day.  If you’re looking for something to get a knitter for Christmas,

for her kitchen, bedroom or dorm room. This could be a nice

stocking stuffer.

 

 

 

 

Whilst I was deprived of the outside world, I comforted myself

with shopping. Yarn Shopping.  Like I don’t have enough yarn

already. I found a sale on Red Heart, and bought the Vanna White

that wasn’t on sale. Vanna White by Lion Brand, it’s a sturdy yarn

and washes well. It’s not delicate by any means however I do love

her colors. It’s the colors that get me.   It’s perfect for hats and

mittens, even the lost ones. Because when they’re found you can

put them in the laundry and they come back brand new, from the

laundry fairy.

..

 

First I made a hat.  Excellent yarn for a hat, especially if someone is

allergic to natural fibers.

Colors are…”Lamb”,  “Cheery Cherry” ” Dusty Green”

 

I did the mittens this week, (last night).  This is the first I’ve seen them in

day light.

 

It’s a good yarn, for winter.  Works up quickly, doesn’t fray/split, you don’t even

need a gauge with the hat. Especially if you’re going for warmth.  I always do

what I call storm hats, with extra length.  Everyone knows how cold it can be

commuting, shoveling, even starting the car.

See how nice and long the brim is, I swear it only took me a couple of hours.

 

 

Basic directions,

 

Size 7 needle..in the round.

 

Cast on 72 stitches, work rib pattern for 6 inches, change to knit, work in the round 4 1/2 inches, decrease 7 and 8th, knit even, then 6 and 7th knit even …until you have 8 stitches and pull through with the strand of yarn.  You can make a pom pom too!!!

Welcome November.

  

November 2010,

Farmer’s Almanac

 

Time on his wing, fast hastes away,

And chills each warm succeed;

To capricon sol hastes each day,

So nights the day succeed.

I had to read it twice to figure it out. Days are shorter, nights longer

and December is nigh..(I stuck in the “nigh”..don’t you love it!)

.

.

.

  

Hello everyone.   I’m sorry for my month long blog neglect.

I had a computer problem and once that was eradicated I had

a connection problem. Which did take a little time, however

that was my fault not Verizon’s.  And I must say, they are the

nicest people. They have a wonderful attitude dealing with

customers. Either that or they’re faking it, either way I’m pleased.

  

Well I thought I’d start the week off with absolutely nothing, ..

which is really the theme for this blog anyay!

  

This is two weeks ago.  It’s a view from my window where I

blog, knit..complain hahaha.

  

It’s a pretty red caught in the morning sun.  And if you look close

you can see the remnants of our first snow squall.  Actually squall

is a kinder word for it.  We had 4 inches of sopping, wet snow that

came down in splats.  And a great deal of damage. I’ll post more

on that later.

  

 

  

This is an afternoon view from the kitchen door. It’s so peaceful.

  

 

  

Have a good day everyone.

 

Mary Ellen

 

 

This is a walk down our road, it was a rainy misty day, and the colors were

very sharp.

 

 

Things are getting bare.

 

 

African Violets

 

 

While I’m wasting my time knitting and frogging a sweater,

these little beauties decided to bloom.  I know they’re

supposed to bloom all the time..except in Mary Ellen World.

  

  

  

  

So I’m going to bore you with the delicate blossoms. They

remind me of bone china.

  

x

x

x

x

 

  

  

 

 

I have a Elatior Begonia in there hoping he gets the idea to bloom too.

x

x

x

x

x

I have a few more on other window sills.  They’re still sleeping!!

 

 

I’m trying!!

 

This is the “Top Down Sweater”.  Looks sad huh!

 

 

I have to admit. I have no idea what I’m doing.

I think there were increases that I ignored.  So

I pulled it apart and gave it a good study. (I didn’t

care at this point).

 

 

Yes that’s what it looks like.  It would be okay if we didn’t have arms.

However we do ..hehehehe.

 

This is what I had to do.

 

Isn’t this sad. 

 

THEN

I started all over and I think..okay HOPE. I’m doing it right this time.

 

I think I should have done  a child’s size first. That

way I would have a better understanding how the pattern

works.

 

I’m doing it this way to avoid seaming. obviously I hate

to sew.  I should have paid attention to my Home Ec.

Teacher.

Rainy Day, and leftover yarn

Yesterday was dark and rainy. I didn’t want to do anything, so

why not make a Chemo Cap.  I have so much left over yarn.

I thought that a nice bright color would be perfect for this

fabulous fall weather. 

This is so red, all the other reds are jealous.

 

 

I used size 9 US, round needles then finished off

with the dpns.

 

      

 

It’s not a bad little hat

 

 

She can roll it down, over her ears

 

 

Or roll it up, as a cap.

 

            

 

 

This is my next ..”use up the yarn” project. 

This is the Cashsoft yarn.  It’s softer than soft.

       

We’ll be getting many more rainy days.  So I’ll have time to figure out what I’M DOING.

                                                     

Top Down Sweater..it’s a start.

 

  

 

I’m knitting my very first top down sweater. 

I never did this before so it should be a riot.

My problem was getting the pattern. When I

found the one I wanted, it was sold in yarn

shops only.  I drove an hour to find out the

store that should carry the pattern. They  didn’t have

it.  They did have one very close and I

chose this.

 

 

It should make a nice warm winter

sweater.

 

I wanted to get some of the gorgeous

yarns like Rowan. However the price is

pretty steep.  It’s okay for hats and mittens

but a sweater requires much more.

 

Then I was wandering around Michaels

and found some fantastic yarn on sale.

Red Heart.

 

It’s their Super Soft line, on sale ..4 skeins

for $10.00.  I couldn’t believe it. This sweater

was going to run me close to $50.00 (maybe

more).  It screamed BUY ME.

 

I did the cast on yesterday.  It’s confusing

although,  I think I finally got the hang of it.

 

 

 

Because it was confusing I did some research on top down knitting.

And what did I FIND?  The pattern I originally wanted, sold ONLINE.

 

It says cardigan, although the site has  the pullovers too.

 

Click here: Knitting Pure and Simple :: Women’s Sweaters Patterns – 298 – Top Down Shawl Collar Cardigan Pattern at Jimmy Bean

 

 

NOW back to knitting.  It’s a perfect day, sunny, coolish..the

sticks are calling me.

 

Have a fun day everyone!

Friday Favorites…Reading Signs

I was at the Christmas Tree Shop, the other day

and picked up some signs. I always liked to

put up some humorous notes around the house.

The “Little People” get a big kick out of them.

 

I thought this was cute, and it fits among the

Impatiens.

 

 

I also got a couple that fits the season. This is for the

kitchen.

 

 

And for the porch

 

 

An older one. The children love the kitty Kat.

 

 

Then there are my standards. I pull these out when I need

to have my own way.

 

 

A reminder

 

I had a fun sign here. Also some beautiful

wrought iron work.

 

 

 

  The sign said
“Let it Snow”. It was fun in the dead of summer.

My brother took it, and it now hangs on his

house.   The painters removed the other art

work.

 

I think this defines me the most.

 

 

And these are some of the “Little People” who

have fun with all this.

 

 

It was their very first  Boston Red Sox  game.

 

My most favorite thing.

More boring blooms.

 

 

 

This is another annoying post about my orchids.

She’s opening up more and more and I can’t

take my eyes off her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one my husband gave me on our anniversary

a couple of years ago.  I had terrible luck with it

and then last winter I repotted and trimmed

a lot of the stems. I also chopped the leaves.

I always have dreadful luck with orchid leaves.

 

It always bloomed but not worth noting because

the blooms were so pathetic.

Look at HER now!

 

I thought the white blossoms would show

better against the pine.

 

 

 

Can you feel the breeze yet?

 

This is our porch. I love it here. The hottest day

is always pleasant because of the soft breeze

from the woods.

 

 

We have breakfast, lunch an supper here

all summer long.

I took these to show off the beautiful woodwork.

 

 

 

I hope you have a fun special place for

summer too!!

 

And a few orchids!

China Doll Plant

I bought a cute little “China Doll”

(Radermachera sinica)

 plant today.

The leaves are shiny a delightful green and this

plant will annoy me to no end. I’ve probably

owned 10 so far.

 

 

They sell them as small houseplants.  Story

has it that they will grow to 6 feet. (not under

my watch.).

  They have a delightful

green and are wispy in the light.

 

 

They are sold in supermarkets this time of

year and I always make the effort.

 

 

It loves bright light. It needs strong screened

light all day. It hates drafts, needs 65-75 degrees,

hates to be moved and loves being root bound.

 

Hmm sounds like neglect to ME. I can do THAT.

And I did. I left it alone (for two years).  Watered

once a week, feeding was every other week,

and we keep the house temp. at 68 all winter.

I put it on the porch in the summer. It will

drop some leaves, but at least it doesn’t die.

And when it drops leaves and a woody stem

remains I cut it off.

 

 

It’s in a nice spot, morning sun, mid day glow, and

afternoon screened light.   It gets a breeze but not

a draft.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m very proud of neglecting this lovely plant.

It only took me years to figure it out but I

caught ON!

 

 

 

 

In a couple of weeks I’ll move her and her new sister

into the greenhouse. I hope little sis is able to adapt

to my wicked ways.