The Importance of the Test Swatch

Above is a test swatch I made for a belly dance belt I am going to crochet.  Not only does test swatching help you practice gauge (I found out that I have more tension in my stitches than in my rows hence the rectangular shape), but is a great way to test for bleeding.  Recently I made a shawl that the rose color bled into the mint color.  I went to the yarn shop and found out that:

1) I don't have to block with warm water, cool water reduces bleeding
2) Soaking the article in a solution of 8 parts water to 1 part vinegar should set the colors
3) Test swatches are a great way to make sure you don't use colors that won't work together before you spend all those hours making that handmade gift

Another benefit is finding out how your natural materials will react to washing.  If you know a pattern will fit you in a medium, you wash your wool, and the water makes the wool shrink or loosen you can adjust accordingly.  Great for garments especially.

MENU SATURDAY?

My, what a past nearly 5 weeks it has been.  I have decided to confront some demons from my past, and boy has the process been much rockier than I EVER anticipated!  That being said a lot of what I thought was important has been put on the back burner, and a lot of what I thought wasn't has moved its ugly head front and center.  Right now the focus is to work on being the best ME I can be.  So that means simplification in other areas of my life.  I do love food blogging though, so here is a pared down version of this weeks menu.



IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER

Chicken Quesadillas with Salsa, Guacamole, and Fruit

Meatloaf, Homemade Mac and Cheese, and Steamed Green Vegetable (probably broccoli)

Meatloaf recipe courtesy of

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-meat-loaf-recipe/index.html

Whole Wheat Spaghetti, Quick Tomato Sauce, Green Salad with Vegetables, and Italian Garlic Bread

Tomato sauce recipe courtesy of

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/pantry-friendly-tomato-sauce-recipe/index.html

Mock Pot Roast, Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream, and Ginger Ale and Chili Powder Glazed Carrots

(I don't want to deal with buying a whole hunk o' beast so I'm just making Beef Stew minus the potatoes and carrots)

Beef stew recipe courtesy of

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/eating-well/beef-stew.aspx

The CORRECT way to bake a potato explained here

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/good-eats/the-baked-potato-recipe/index.html

Glazed carrot recipe courtesy of

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/glazed-carrots-recipe/index.html

The rest of our weekly menu will be determined by what we need to use up in our pantry and freezer.  I should take an inventory of what we have in there within a few days.  Again I say SHOULD.  Doesn't mean I will.  Please refer to blog title.  Hope everyone is well and happy.

FOOD JOURNAL-CABBAGE

Good lettuce substitute when you don't want nasty wilted lettuce.  Me, I prefer it to a bed of lettuce under Sweet and Sour Chinese Food, and on top of enchiladas.

Stir Fry

Shredded into a Green Salad

Food Journal-Summer Inspired

Popsicles

Ice Cream Cones

Grilled Hot Dogs

Grilled Hamburgers

Potato Chips

Cheese Puffs

Ice Cold Soda

Lemonade

Sweet Tea

Sun Tea

Picniks

Spicy Foods (i.e. Nachos, Buffalo Wings etc. which in International Cuisine is popular in other cultures during the heat because it makes you sweat to cool you off)

Cold Salads (Egg, Chicken, Potato, Pasta)
Watermelon

How I Plan My Menu-MENU THEMES

Image Source: http://www.stuffosaurus.com/c/fat-pride-humor/

A lot of the experience that I gain is applied to the cooking I do for my family at home. Some places I have worked at had a theme for each day of the week, that still allowed for some deviation and inspiration.  I like the idea of organization and having a set, albeit, easily adaptable schedule.  Here are the guidelines I usually go by when planning my grocery shopping:

MONDAY:  Kid Friendly Night, Sandwiches, Soup, Salads, Easy Meals

TUESDAY:  Mexican, Southwest, Central American, Southern

WEDNESDAY: Seafood, Shellfish

THURSDAY: Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese

FRIDAY: Fish Night

SATURDAY:  Italian, Greek, Mediterranean

SUNDAY:  Comfort Food, Indulgences, and some kind of Baked Good



MENU MONDAY

MONDAY

Homemade Chicken Nuggets Homemade Mac & Cheese and Blanched Chilled Asparagus

TUESDAY

Whole Wheat Steak Potato Bell Pepper and Cheddar Fajitas

WEDNESDAY

Shrimp Cobb Salad

THURSDAY

Curried Yellow Split Pea Soup and Naan

FRIDAY

Homemade Fish Fry with Salad and French Fries

SATURDAY

Antipasti and Build Your Own Subs

SUNDAY

Turkey Chili and Bacon Cheddar Corn Muffins

FOOD JOURNAL- AVOCADO

Avocado Compound Butter

Guacamole

Tortilla Soup

Food Journal-BUTTTERNUT SQUASH

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Crescent Rolls

Butternut Squash Casserole

Butternut Squash Dumplings with Brown Butter and Sage

Food Journal-PUMPKIN

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Soup with Sausage

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies



Food Journal-APPLES

Waldorf Salad

Apple Pie

Apple Crisp

Apple Compote with Ham Steak

Grilled Ham, Apple, and Cheese Sandwiches

Apple Yeast Bread

Crackers with Apple and Cheese Slices

Dip Apple Slices in a Mixture of Greek Yogurt, Cinnamon, and Honey (it's like apple cinnamon yogurt only yummier, and probably better for you since you eat the skins as well)