Our Eccentric Projects - Making Hats for Chemotherapy Patients and My New Sewing Addiction

My niece Michelle from Africa was visiting this summer and shared with us her love for knitting and crocheting.  She knits squares for a charity called Knit-a-Square where knit or crocheted squares are used to make blankets for abandoned babies, children, and AIDS orphans in Southern Africa. She got my Mom and Aunt "hooked" and they are all making loads and loads of squares.  It warms my heart knowing their blankets are helping to keep babies warm.  Yes, it gets cold in Africa.

Over Christmas break my neighbor Juanita shared with me some pictures of hats she is making for chemotherapy patients.  Her hats are being snapped up at Hope Boutique in Columbus, Ohio, because they are comfortable, colorful, soft and beautiful.

All of these women inspired me to get busy, so I dusted off my crochet needles, bought lots of yarn and jumped in making chemotherapy hats.

The Cancer Research Center in Lancaster, Ohio, where I dropped off my first batch of hats, had lots of crocheted hats but they desperately need headbands and sewn hats.

With my first check from this blog ($85) and a few extra bucks thrown in, I was able to purchase a sewing machine online at a reasonable price.  I am supposed to receive it tomorrow.  I hope it works, because I purchased a lot of material to sew hats and headbands.

Quick Update: I love my new sewing machine, and I have been sewing up quite a few hats. I'll have to write more later.  I gave my neighbor some hats for Hope Boutique and the report back was that every single hat was gone almost as soon as they were put out.  Wow!  Here is a picture of my favorite of the sewn hats so far, a pink camo hat that is super soft and comfy.

My fav hat so far, pink camo hat

I lost track of how many hats and headbands I've donated or given away, somewhere around 75. So, to supplement my new sewing addiction I've started selling hats in my Etsy store, AllThingsBlooming.


Here are my crocheted hats.  I am sharing my pattern for the easy flapper hat inspired by Downtown Abbey with you and a quick and easy headband (below).  The other hats were made from free patterns available online.

Downtown Abbey inspired Hats, pattern below

First batch of crochet hats dropped off at the Cancer Research Center in Lancaster, Ohio

Headbands

Child sized Polar bear hat pattern from Repeat Crafter Me

Downtown Abbey Inspired Flapper Hat Pattern with Bow

DC = Double Crochet
Gauge: 2" width = 6 stitches,  2" height = 3 rows
Crochet hook = I-9, 5.5

Notes: Increase rows 1-8 only.  First 10 rows main color, 3 rows accent color (stitch in back loop if you want a decorative line in your crochet, as shown above), Rows 15-16 1 row main color and 1 row single crochet main color to finish.

Row 1,  Magic ring, 11 DC, join, chain 2

Row 2,  2 DC each, join, chain 2 (22 DC)

Row 3,  2 DC, 1 DC, repeat, join, chain 2 (33 DC)

Row 4,  2 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, repeat, join, chain 2 (44 DC)

Row 5,  2 DC, 10 DC, repeat, join, chain 2 (48 DC)

Row 6,  2 DC, 11 DC, repeat, join, chain 2 (52 DC)

Row 7,  2 DC, 12 DC, repeat, join, chain 2 (56 DC)

Row 8,  2 DC, 13 DC, repeat, join, chain 2 (60 DC)

Rows 9-15 DC, join, chain 2 (60 DC)

Row 16 single crochet each, join, fasten off

For bow:
Notes: Make a rectangle then wrap yarn around the center to make a bow

Row 1:  single chain 14, turn
Row 2:  Double chain 12, turn, chain 2
Row 3:  Double chain 12, turn, chain 2
Row 4:  Single crochet all around entire rectangle to give it a finished edge

Weave yarn to center edge and pinch rectangle to make a bow.  Wind yarn around several times to keep bow pinched then with a darning needle, sew bow to hat around center adding more yarn to center.  Sew corners to hat if desired, fasten off.



Here's a quick and easy crocheted headband I made this morning while waiting for everyone to wake up.

Easy Crochet Headband Pattern

DC = Double Crochet
SC = Single Crochet
Gauge: 2" width = 6 stitches,  2" height = 3 rows
Crochet hook = I-9, 5.5 

Main color yarn: Vanna's Choice Oatmeal
Accent color yarn: Black, Soft Red Heart

Row 1:  Single chain 66 (measure your head to see if it fits, will stretch a bit), join
Row 2:  SC each, join, chain 2 (65 SC)
Row 3:  DC each, join, chain 2 (65 SC)
Row 4:  DC each, join, chain 2 (65 SC)
Row 5:  DC each, join, chain 2 (65 SC)
Row 6:  DC each, join, chain 2 (65 SC)
Row 7:  DC each, join, chain 1 (65 SC)
Row 8: half double crochet each to finish, fasten off.  

And just for fun...my hat when I work son's Happy Puppy food cart.

Dear son and hubby said they wouldn't wear one, lol.
 Pattern from Repeat Crafter Me, see link for polar bear hat above

Speculoos Cookie Butter Recipe

Speculoos from Trader Joe's

Apple Swan and Homemade Cookie Butter

This morning...New Year's Day on Facebook, my friend Sandy shared a YouTube video of how to make a swan from an apple.  Since I was waiting for everyone to wake up, and bored, I watched the video and decided to give it a try.  Fearful that my swan would be a total mess, I started with an old apple, a bit squishy and a bit past it's prime.  After I hacked the apple, my swan looked more like a turtle.  For the second attempt I used a firmer, fresher apple with much better results, pictured above.   

About 3 weeks ago we discovered Speculoos at Trader Joe's.  When I asked the sales clerk what Speculoos was and if she liked it, her reply was, "OMG, that stuff is get out of town good". She was absolutely right and when a cookie butter recipe magically appeared the next day in the December 2013 Food Network Magazine, we knew we were going to try it asap.

The cookie butter recipe is delish!  I saved my Speculoos jar from Trader Joe's and the Cookie Butter recipe from Food Network makes just enough to fit perfectly in the recycled jar.  I added a date label, since the cookie butter lasts 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

What a fun surprise for my family to see an apple swan on the table this morning with a yummy snack. 

We like the cookie butter with apples, but you can also use it as a dip with celery, pretzels, and other fruits.  Or drizzle on pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, and ice cream.

Happy New Year, 2014!  

Cookie Butter Recipe
Food Network Magazine, December, 2013

12 gingersnaps
6 whole graham crackers
5 shortbread cookies
3 Tablespoons cold water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
a pinch of cinnamon
1/2 cup coconut milk


Roughly crush, then pulse in a food processor until finely ground:
12 gingersnaps
6 whole graham crackers
5 shortbread cookies

Add 3 Tablespoons cold water and pulse until combined, then let sit 10 minutes.

Add 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
and a pinch of cinnamon

With the processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup coconut milk and blend until smooth.  Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Update:  We are on our 3rd batch of this stuff, so what to do with the extra cocconut milk?  Make chocolate speculoos of course, lol.

Use Special Dark Cocoa to make Chocolate Cookie Butter

 Here is the recipe:

Chocolate Cookie Butter Recipe
my slightly modified Food Network recipe

12 gingersnaps
6 whole graham crackers
5 shortbread cookies
3 Tablespoons cold water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
a pinch of cinnamon
4 Tablespoons Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Cocoa, pictured above (do not use regular cocoa, it will taste like milk chocolate).
1/2 cup coconut milk


Roughly crush, then pulse in a food processor until finely ground:
12 gingersnaps
6 whole graham crackers
5 shortbread cookies

Add 3 Tablespoons cold water and pulse until combined, then let sit 10 minutes.

Add 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
and a pinch of cinnamon

With the processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup coconut milk and blend until smooth.  Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.  Swirl with the non chocolate Speculoos for a flavorful butter.  Or, just argue over which is better, lol.


My son really likes this stuff, so this morning I cut a groove in a banana and filled it with cookie butter...he loved it!  I used to do this with peanut butter and called them banana boats :)

Here is the video on how to make an apple swan, from Grant Thompson's YouTube channel "King of Random". 

Our Eccentric Projects - Hobbes

My son is a Calvin and Hobbes fan so when dear hubby found a pattern on Instructables to make a stuffed animal Hobbes I was smitten and decided to make one.

The Hobbes took me a while to make since I hand stitched most of it, but I like the way it turned out, and I think my son did too. 

The pattern and instructions created by Seamster are very easy to follow, here is the link:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Stuffed-Hobbes-with-pattern/

If you check out the site, there are also accessories you can make...I'm thinking my son's Hobbes would like a new cape.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Headed out the door with a pumpkin pie donation to the Ashville, Ohio, Village Chapel Election Day Dinner

My friend Kim organizes the Ashville, Ohio, Village Chapel Election Day Dinner every year.  This year she needed extra pies and cakes, so I whipped up a batch of pumpkin pies.  The church smelled so good when I dropped the pies off, no wonder the event gets bigger each year.  My friend Kim does such a wonderful job organizing this huge event while juggling her job, school and family needs.  What a blessing she is to our community.

My pumpkin pie recipe is based on the Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie recipe (recipe at bottom of page), except I swap out one can of evaporated milk with a can of sweetened condensed milk and use 1/2 cup less sugar.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
4 large eggs
1 can (29 oz.) Libby's Pumpkin
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

2 unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie shells

Add all of the ingredients to a a large bowl and mix until combined.  Pour into pie shells.
Bake for 15 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. and cover crust with crust sheilds.  (I use foil but it is a real pain, and really wish I would invest in the sheilds). Continue to bake pies for 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Cool pie for 2 hours then refrigerate.  Note:  The pies will be puffed up when hot and will relax as they cool down.



Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie
(recipe from the label)

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
4 large eggs
1 can (29 oz.) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
2 cans (12 fl. oz. each) Carnation Evaporated Milk
2 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shells

Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl.  Beat eggs in large bowl.  Stir in pumpkin and sugar spice mixture.  Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

Pour into pie shells.

Bake in preheated 425 degree F. oven for 15 minutes.  Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F. bake 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack for 2 hours.  Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Note: Do not freeze pie, as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling.
*3 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice may be substituted for the cinnamon, ginger and cloves, however, the taste will be slightly different.

Southern Shredded Chicken

Dear hubby's specialty, and my day off from cooking :)  This chicken is melt in your mouth delicious.

We use shredded chicken for any recipe that calls for cooked chicken, but my favorite is simply adding barbeque sauce and making a tasty chicken sandwich.

Southern Shredded Chicken
1 whole chicken, guts removed
1/2 can of pop (Crush or Hawaiian punch)
wood twigs or wood chips
salt
pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
foil
propane grill

Preheat your gas grill by lighting one side on high, do not light the other side.

The set up, pictured left to right: a heat resistant pan or container with wood, (dear hubby uses wild cherry twigs), and a chicken grill stand with a pan to go under it, (dear hubby uses a cake pan).

Season the chicken cavity with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder.  Pull the skin back and season, then replace the skin.

Place the 1/2 can of pop on the stand and then the chicken.

Place wood on the lighted side of the grill and the chicken on the unlit side of the grill.  Face the chicken breast toward the wood.  Make a little foil hat for your chicken so it doesn't touch the top of your grill.

Close the cover of your grill and allow to cook for 45 minutes.

Rotate the chicken so the breast is facing away from the wood and cook for an additional 30 minutes. The grill temperature should be 300 degrees F.

Wow, this is spectacular chicken!  To make sure your chicken is cooked, the internal temperature should be 180 degrees F.

After the chicken is cool enough to handle, pull or shred the chicken from the bones.  Mmm, mmm, it's ready to use in your favorite recipe.

Baked Crispy Hash Browns

mmmm, delicious hash browns without the grease, a healthy alternative to fried, inspired by a Cook's Country recipe.

Baked Crispy Hash Browns

4 pounds of Russet potatoes diced
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 Tablespoons butter
1 1 /2 teaspoons salt
2 Tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

optional: onion, seasoning to taste

Place a large rimmed baking sheet on oven rack set to the lowest position. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

In a large pan bring to boil 10 cups of water.  Add potatoes and baking soda and bring back to a boil and cook for 1 minute.  Drain potatoes and return to pot over low heat to evaporate any leftover liquid, shake as needed.  Remove from heat and stir in butter, salt and garlic powder.  Potatoes should be covered with a starchy paste.

Remove baking sheet from oven and drizzle with oil.  Spread potatoes in an even layer and bake for 15 minutes.  Turn the potatoes over and cook another 15-25 minutes until potatoes are browned and crispy.

Chicken Tortilla Soup from the Poodle Skirt Slayers

We are the poodle skirt slayers.

Two weeks ago, 12 ladies from church got together to make poodle skirts for the girls starring in our Christmas play.  3 lovely ladies volunteered to bring lunch, and we are so glad they did.  Our luncheon turned out to be lots of fun with great food and great company.   

My friend Dianna shared her sister's recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup...not because I was licking my bowl and begging for her recipe...they are just nice folks that way.

Chicken Tortilla Soup
~from Dianna and Debbie

2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
2 cans Cheddar Cheese soup
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup
2 cans Cream of Celery soup
2(15 oz) cans Chicken Broth
1(15 oz) can Rotel tomatoes
1 cup Medium Pace Picante
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 to 1/2 packet of Taco Seasoning
4 cooked chicken breasts, cut in chunks
Tortilla strips

In large stockpot combine until smooth all cans of soup. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, picante, onion, taco seasoning and stir. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1 hour. Add chicken chunks and simmer 1 hour.  You can also make this soup in a crockpot.

If desired add 1-2 cans drained mild chili beans, a can of corn, shredded cheddar cheese. At the same time you add chicken.

Note:  This makes a huge batch of soup so I made half a batch with low sodium ingredients and still had enough soup for 6 large bowls.

Here are the ingredients for my half batch recipe, using all low sodium products:
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup (hubby doesn't like cream of mushroom soup)
1 can Cheddar Cheese soup
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 can Cream of Celery soup
1(15 oz) can Chicken Broth
1(15 oz) can Rotel tomatoes
1 cup Medium Pace Picante
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 to 1/2 packet of Taco Seasoning
3 cooked chicken breasts, cut in chunks
2 cups broth (reserved from cooking chicken)
1 can black beans
1 can Bush medium chili beans
1 can of corn
1 Tablespoon chili powder
Tortilla strips
Cilantro for garnish

Same cooking instructions as above.

p.s. In just one afternoon, we managed to finish all 19? of the poodle skirts we were assigned to make :)