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.

It's coming along.....

We Got Seedlings Coming Along

When You Walk in the Garden......

Starting plant seeds indoors.  I am starting my first vegetable garden this year.  Between this, crochet, private belly dance lessons, and my family I have more than enough to fill my plate.  Better make sure I don't take on anymore.

So far I have started Cherry Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Zucchini, and Summer Squash indoors. I used peat pots because the decompose, and made markers with skewers, masking tape, and a sharpie.

Next up: Planting Sugar Snap Peas and Romaine in the actual garden patch...........

and this is why I am starting them in a dog crate.

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.

Never Trust Me......

Well I hope to be a skinny chef. OR rather a healthier, more energetic, and of course smaller chef.  Well since this blog has been neglected for so long, and I have a problem with committing to something for a short time, and come back to it over and over again (see name of blog) I'll just go ahead and get right into it without a long introduction.

Week 1 Goal- Eat Mostly Whole Grains, and Eliminate Fast Food, Soda, Sugar, and Processed Foods and Cardio Exercise for 45 Minutes Every Day
This is a tough one.  I don't eat a ton of fast food or soda, but I know that number tends to go up when the husband is not here because of the *ahem* Coast Guard. It also means finding substitutes for the refined grains I have been eating, and cooking more things from scratch (ugh! I like cooking, but I do have cooking strikes pretty frequently. Again see above blog name) There is more, but for now I will leave it as is, because I really don't have any idea what I am doing, and hopefully I don't give up before it can become a learning experience.

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