Joyful Abode

A lot of times, pork recipes seem to include all sorts of sweet fruity flavors, incorporating apples and raisins, oranges and cranberries, apricots and ginger. And honey. And sometimes I’m not in the mood for that sort of dinner, even if I plan to cook pork chops or tenderloins.

So one night, I decided to bread my pork chops in a mix of half flour, half cornmeal, along with salt and pepper. After cooking them in a pan with a little olive oil, I drizzled a balsamic reduction over them and the spinach I served with them.

If you haven’t tried a balsamic reduction before, you should! All you do is dump some balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan, and simmer (stirring) until it’s thickened to your preferred viscosity. Then drizzle it over meat or veggies, and voila! A punch of flavor, aroma, and prettiness (even though you can’t see the prettiness in my picture up there. The pork wasn’t feeling photogenic).

Everything was yummy. The balsamic vinegar was fantastic with the spinach, and soaked into the breading of the pork. The next day, the man had a pork chop sandwich with a leftover piece, and it was amazing.

Sometimes you don’t feel like cooking up a storm, but you still want something delicious for dinner. Enter: the quesadilla. Simple, quick, delicious, and filling.

All you need are flour tortillas (which last almost forever in the fridge, so you should pretty much always have them), your favorite kind of cheese - shredded (which can be easily frozen, so you should have that too), and some other fillings.

We had some sort of yummy steak in the fridge, so I seasoned it with Lawry’s seasoned salt (very Latin of me, I know) and cooked it in a pan, leaving it rare. Then, while it was chilling out on the cutting board, I sauteed some onions in the pan I used for the beef, also adding a bit of Worcestershire sauce.

After that, all I did was slice up the beef really thinly, then assemble the quesadillas!  Warm a tortilla in a medium-heated pan, on both sides. Then sprinkle cheese and your fillings. After the cheese gets pretty melty (about 30 seconds after I took the above picture), fold the tortilla over, and make sure both sides are warm and everything inside is gooey.

Serve with sour cream and salsa, if that’s your thing. Guacamole if you go that way, or pico de gallo if you’re into it. However you eat it, a quesadilla is always a simple answer to, “What’s for dinner?”

There are some cleaning tasks we always seem to keep up with, no matter how busy we get. Things like swishing the toilet or dusting a relatively clear flat surface only take a second, and because we notice they need to be done, we do them.

When was the last time you thought about cleaning your stove hood filter though? Yeah… me too. (Especially considering I’ve been renting for the last year and a half.) What about the floors and walls in your pantry? Have you washed your curtains lately?

Because these things need to be done, but only periodically, they are easy to overlook. That’s why I was so (strangely) excited when I found RealSimple’s “Elements of Cleaning.” (PDF) It’s in the style of a periodic table, because the items on it need to be done periodically. Each period of time is represented by a different color, and has two columns of household tasks that should be done during that time.

I printed mine out on card stock and plan to laminate it and put it on my refrigerator. Then, I’ll be able to use a vis-a-vis marker (wet-erase) to check off when I’ve done the things on the chart. For the longer periods of time (like refrigerator interiors need to be cleaned every 3-6 months, or drapes should be professionally cleaned every year or two) I can mark the date on it too.

How do you keep track of your periodic cleaning tasks?

If you didn’t have a good way to do it before, hopefully this will help!

This is an elegant (and warm) version of a classic look. Wear it low on your shoulders with something strappy, or drawn slightly higher and paired with a sleek turtleneck. If you’re daring, try it as a drawstring miniskirt matched with bold tights and boots.

You will need:

• 2 skeins (140g each) of Bernat Soft Bouclé Yarn (I used the “Tropical Spray” color)
• G/6 hook (4.25mm)
• 3 yards of a satin ribbon in a coordinating colour (1/2 inch wide)

Sizes:Pattern is for size M (S, L)

Gauge: 12dc and 8 rows = 4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm)

Notes:

US pattern notations used

st = stitch
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
dc = double crochet
fpdc = front post treble crochet
bpdc = back post treble crochet

In this pattern, the cross stitch (which appears as a row of Xs) is made using this technique: fptc around second st from hook, fptc in the skipped st.

Ch 3 at the beginning of a round will count as the first dc.

The Pattern

Starting: Ch 142 (122, 162). Sl st to join.

Row 1: Ch 3. 1dc in each st around. Sl st to join.

Rows 2-3: Ch 3. Alternate fpdc & bpdc around. Sl st to join.

Rows 4-11: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to join.

Row 12: Ch 3. Cross stitch around (see note, above). Sl st to join.

Rows 13-19: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to join.

Row 20: Ch 3. Cross stitch around. Sl st to join.

Rows 21-23: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to join.

Row 24: Ch 3. Cross stitch around. Sl st to join.

Rows 25-26: Ch 3. 1 dc in each row around. Sl st to join. Finish off, weave in end.

Finishing: Weave your ribbon of choice through the third row, between fpdcs and bpdcs. Leave the ribbon long or cut to the desired length.

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I cannot believe I haven’t already posted these! I was all ready to do a “I made these again, and here’s a link to where I put the recipe” type post… but I couldn’t! Because I’ve been keeping these a secret! So so sorry.

These muffins are best with homegrown fresh blueberries, but if you don’t have access to those (or a farmer’s market) then regular store-bought fresh or frozen will work fine.

You will need:

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup orange juice (though once I didn’t have any and used apple juice… it was fine)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Mix the oats and orange juice together and let them soak while the oven preheats to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a different bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Then incorporate the oil and egg. Fold in the blueberries last.

Spoon the batter into a greased muffin pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick jabbed in the middle will come out clean.

Enjoy!

Mothers and moms-to-be could use some pampering. This Springy, cheery bath pouf will be a great gift, don’t you think? (Hint: It’s a great gift for your mom, too. Mother’s Day is only in a few months…)

You will need:

• Lily Sugar ‘n’ Cream (or other worsted weight cotton) in white and coral swirl (or other preferred colours). One ball of each.
• Size G/6 (4.25mm) hook

Note: Do not join rounds. This pattern is crocheted in a spiral.

US convention used.
sc(s) = single crochet(s)
sl st(s) = slip stitch(es)
st(s) = stitch (es)
tog = together
flo = front loop only
sk = skip

Begin FrontUsing pouf base colour, start with a magic ring. Sc 6 into ring.

2sc into next 6 scs.

(2sc into next sc, 1 sc into next sc) 6 times

(2sc into next sc, 1 sc into next 2 scs) 6 times

(2sc into next sc, 1 sc into next 3 scs) 6 times

(2sc into next sc, 1 sc into next 4 scs) 6 times

(2sc into next sc, 1 sc into next 5 scs) 6 times

(2sc into next sc, 1 sc into next 6 scs) 6 times

Enlarge last loop. Remove hook. Tie loop into a slip knot.

Petal Base

Join petal colour to the center of the pouf base. Sl st, following the spiral pattern of the base for 125 sl sts. Cut petal yarn. Weave ends in on back.

Back

Untie slip knot in base colour. Reinsert hook, work 1 sc into next 48 scs. Mark this round using stitch markers or a bit of yarn.

(sc next 2 sts tog, 1 sc in next 6 sts) 6 times

(sc next 2 sts tog, 1 sc in next 5 sts) 6 times

(sc next 2 sts tog, 1 sc in next 4 sts) 6 times

(sc next 2 sts tog, 1 sc in next 3 sts) 6 times

(sc next 2 sts tog, 1 sc in next 2 sts) 6 times

(sc next 2 sts tog, 1 sc in next 1 st) 6 times

(sc next 2 sts tog) 6 times.

Fasten off. Weave in end.

Petals

Join petal colour to center sl st of petal base. Ch 1.

Sc in first sl st and every sl st in spiral. Ch 1. Turn.

Working in flo, 5dc into 3rd sc. Sk 2. sl st in next sc.

Continue to work in flo. (sk 2, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2, sl st in next sc) around spiral, ending with a sl st in the last sc.

Finish off. Weave in ends.

StrapTurn pouf so that the back faces you. Join the base colour to the row previously marked.

Row 1: Ch 1. work 7 scs across one side of the hexagon.

Rows 2-19: Ch 1 and turn. Sc across.

Row 20: Cross the strap over the front of the pouf. Sc across, joining strap to the opposite side of the hexagon.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Flip the strap to the back of the pouf.

Gift suggestion: “Wrap” a bottle of mother’s favourite body wash with the pouf.

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This meal was definitely a collaboration between me and the man… that’s how we roll.

He picked out the chicken recipe, which was certainly a winner! And I improvised on the side dish, which turned out to be full of perfect flavor.

For the chicken:

Marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts for about 3 hours in a mixture of

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup soy sauce (only Kikoman!)
• 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 1-2 Tablespoons liquid smoke
• 1-2 Tablespoons spicy mustard
• 1-2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder

Then grill the chicken on a preheated grill for 6-8 minutes on each side. It will turn a beautiful orangey color.

For the pasta:

Spread on a cookie sheet:

• cubes of peeled acorn squash
• lots of cut-up onions

And sprinkle with:

• EVOO
• cumin
• coriander
• nutmeg

Then roast it in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, until the squash is tender, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, cook some spaghetti and toast some pine nuts in a pan (careful not to burn those!)

Drain the spaghetti and stir in sliced black olives, the roasted veggies, and the pine nuts. If you used enough olive oil and spices on the vegetables, there is no need to add anything. The flavor will convince you to never doubt my culinary word. If I say it’s good, it’s good.

Whether you’re lounging by the pool, skipping rocks on the river, walking by the ocean, or relaxing on the lake, you’ll find that this swimsuit cover-up fits perfectly into the scene. Make one to match each of your swimsuits, and more to match your moods. One simply won’t be enough!

You will need:

• Hook, size H/8 (5.00mm) OR size needed to obtain gauge
• Worsted weight cotton (I used about 2.5 balls of Lily Sugar ‘n’ Cream to make a size 32” with 23 pattern rows.)
• Two buttons, about 3/4” diameter
• 1 needle that will fit through the holes in your buttons

Gauge: 4 sc per inch

Note: When choosing a size, measure where you’d like the top of the cover-up to sit.

Sizes: 32” (34”, 36”, 38”, 40”, 42”)

US pattern conventions used
ch(s) = chain(s)
sc(s) = single crochet(s)
dc(s) = double crochet(s)
sk = skip
bet = between

Foundation: Chain 135 (144, 153, 162, 171, 180).

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 4. Turn.

Row 2: 5 dc in 4th sc. Ch 1, sk 3, dc in next sc. (Dc in next sc. Ch 1, sk 3. 5dc in next sc. Ch 1, sk 3. Dc in next sc.) 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) times. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 3: 2 dc in first dc. Ch 1. Dc bet 2nd and 3rd dcs in shell. (Dc bet 3rd and 4th dcs in shell. Ch 1. 5 dc bet 2 dcs in pair. Ch 1. Dc bet 2nd and 3rd dcs in shell.) 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) times. Dc bet 3rd and 4th dcs in shell. Ch 1. 3 dc in top of ch-3. Ch 4. Turn.

Row 4: 5 dc bet 2 dcs in pair. Ch 1. Dc bet 2nd and 3rd dcs in shell. (dc bet 3rd and 4th dcs in shell. Ch 1. 5 dc bet 2 dcs in pair. Ch 1. Dc bet 2nd and 3rd dcs in shell) 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) times. Ch 3. Turn.

Rows 5 -?: Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until your cover-up is the desired length.

Finish off. Weave in ends.

To attach buttons

Using yarn or embroidery floss, sew one button onto a corner, attaching it to the row of sc at the beginning. Sew the other button on the same row of sc, just over the first dc pair.

Button Note
When sewing the button, don’t forget to leave a bit of space between the button and the fabric of the cover-up. Wrapping a bit of the yarn or floss a few times between the button and the fabric will solve this problem by making a shank.

If you’d like to use yarn to sew your buttons on, but can’t fit it through the eye of a needle small enough to sew the button on, try this: Cut a short length of yarn, and split it in half, using only 1 or 2 strands to sew with.

Your button holes are in the first row of pattern stitching opposite the buttons. The first is the hole at the corner, and the second is between the last two dcs in a pair. When you button the cover-up, one stitch pattern will overlap.

Click here for my other patterns.

Need a quick crocheted accessory? Panic no more! This super quick, totally versatile pattern will come to the rescue. It’s a belt! It’s a scarf! It’s a hair wrap! It does everything but carry your groceries, and adds that extra punch to your outfit while it’s at it. And if you live in Florida like I do, you don’t have any need for big fluffy scarves right now. Try it out!

You will need:

• G/6 hook (4.25mm)
• Various worsted weight yarns: 1 “short” piece 12 feet long; 19 “long” pieces, each 18 feet long

Finished Size

The Crazy Belt will be around 6 and a half feet long if your gauge is around 3 stitches per inch. If you’d like it to adjust the size, simply keep the 2:3 ratio of short to long pieces. Then, if your belt will be shorter, just stop wherever your yarn runs out. If you want it to be longer, when you get to the end of the “To Begin” section, start again from the beginning!

Note: This pattern is excellent for using up all that “leftover” yarn you’ve been collecting! You don’t need to use 20 pieces just because I did. You can use more or fewer strands to achieve the look you want. Also try experimenting with different textures of yarn, assorted color schemes, and using longer or shorter pieces (but keep a 2:3 ratio in the lengths).US pattern notations used
ch = chain
sc = single crochet

OK, here’s the pattern. Read every bit of it carefully, because it’s not like regular crochet patterns… once you get it though, you’ll be on a roll!
To Begin: Start with the shortest piece. Leave about a 7-inch tail when making your first slip knot.

Ch 6. Pull the long end of the yarn through the last chain as if you were “finishing off” at the end of a project.

Skip 4 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 6. Pull end through.

Skip 6 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 8. Pull end through.

Skip 4 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 4. Pull end through.

Skip 2 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 7. Pull end through.

Skip 3 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 8. Pull end through.

Skip 2 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 5. Pull end through.

Skip 4 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 7. Pull end through.

Skip 5 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 11. Pull end through.

Skip 3 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 6. Pull end through.

Skip 3 inches and make a new slip knot.

Ch 8. Pull end through.

To Continue: With each new piece, work in the same direction as the starting chain (i.e. starting with the Ch 6 section rather than the Ch 8 section).

Make a slip knot with a 7-inch tail. Join to the first chain.

Sc in each ch st.

After each sc section, ch 1 and pull the end through as if to “finish off” at the end of a piece. Skip the same amount of yarn before sc-ing in the next section.

Repeat with the rest of the pieces of yarn.

To Finish: Trim all of the “fringy” ends to between 6 and 7 inches long (all the same length). Now, experiment with your Crazy Belt! Wrap it around your waist, around your neck, around your head, and around your hair.

Run around and show everyone. Be sure to bring handkerchiefs for their drool.

Click here for my other patterns.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

I need to play with the header so that when you make your window smaller, all of the houses still show. (And I need to get rid of some pixely noise that happened for some reason.)

And I think I will probably get rid of the diamonds on the left, right, and bottom. Or maybe just turn them green (like the grass in the header).

Update: I think I’ve fixed the header. Please let me know how it looks with your monitor and browser settings!  I’ll worry about the diamonds later… they’re not really bothering me.