A Knitter's Foxtrot

I've decided that I like the assortment of my active W.I.P's to resemble the beats in a Foxtrot, slow slow quick quick...slow slow quick quick...
In other words...2 slow projects, 2 fast projects.

My 2 Slow projects: Another Clapotis and the Every Way Wrap

My recently finished Quick projects:

Starry Starry Night Artyarn Scarf

Pattern: Drop Stitch Scarf
Cast on: 13 sts
Yarn: Cool Climates Starry Night

Waterbottle sock
Pattern: Bottle Sock
Yarn: Pink Purple Tie Dyed Cotton Yarn from GoodnessGraciousWV

My latest Crockpot Sunday Concoction:

Pulled Pork!

Recipe: Pulled Pork

Notes:

• WONDERFUL!!!!
• Seasoned 4# Boston Butt roast with salt/pepper/onion powder/garlic powder/cumin
• Added 1 c. ginger ale and 2 onions-sliced
  
• Took about 10 hours to cook on low
• Strained liquid AND onions...shred meat...added 1 bottle of BBQ sauce
• Cooked about 1 more hour-that's all that was needed!
• Easy-Cheap-Delicious!
  

An Apple a Day....

I love Fall with it's colors and flavors. Last week it was all about the pumpkin. This week, apples!

My recipe of the week for Crockpot Sunday:

Crockpot Breakfast Risotto

I pretty much followed this recipe (actually the original one shown in the picture on the blog)
except ...

• I halved the recipe and cooked in my 2 1/2 qt. crockpot
• Used 1 c. apple juice and 1c. evaporated milk for the liquid.
• Served on a bed of sliced bananas and topped with dried cranberries and a few almonds. I also sprinkled some more brown sugar and cinnamon on top.

Notes:

• It cooked about 6 hours on low. I was crazy and got up about 3:00 to get this going. It was worth it! Very good and filling! A perfect breakfast for a cool/rainy Fall morning. I plan on reheating left overs for breakfast this week!

• MUST use arborio rice-do not sub anything else!

In keeping with my theme of the day, added these apple-themed lovelies to my stash not too long ago:

Twiggy Knits Caramel/Candy Apple Superwash sock yarn

Fiber Fancy's batts, one in Candy Apple and the other Carmel Apple. I started spindling this past summer. Still need lots of practice!

And for dessert.....

Apple Dumplings

Oh My! What can I say?! Bliss Bliss Bliss!

• I again halved the recipe. Cooked in an 8X8 pan
• Doubled the amount of apples.
• Cut the butter/sugar/Mt.Dew by a third.
• This was A M A Z I N G! I'm anxious to share with friends and family so I won't end up eating the whole pan!
  

Catching up!

Time for a Crockpot Sunday Update!

Last Sunday DH made his version of chili in the crockpot. Even though it was a bit warm for chili that day, we both knew it would be good for leftovers (freezer) plus it can be used in so many dishes! He went for the bowl of chili with saltine crackers route, I went for chili dogs...Yum!


I'm not going to post the recipe since everyone has their version and knows what they like. DH makes a beanless chili using diced stew meat and coarse ground chili meat along with this package mix.

DH stated earlier in the week he was ready for a break from a crockpot weekend so I decided to make something more for my tastes. Inspired by it being October and the promise of a cool rainy Saturday decided to go with a pumpkin soup. I pretty much followed this recipe for Pumpkin Sausage Soup.

My changes:

• I peeled/cubed a 3# pumpkin, tossed it in the crockpot on high for an hour with about 1 tablespoon of butter (coating the pumpkin pieces once the butter melted).
• I browned the spicy sausage and then onion/garlic and added it to the crockpot along with the chicken stock and Italian spices.
• Skipped the mushrooms.
• Cooked the above on high for about an hour, then switched it to low.
• Smashed the pumpkin pieces when they were soft enough. About 4 hours from the start.
  
• I did not add any water/cream to the crockpot since I wanted to freeze the majority of it.
• I did top a bowl with a dollop of sour cream along with a dash or two of hot sauce and some roasted pumpkin seeds with Italian seasoning.
  

I was surprised at how much I liked it and can hardly wait to pull it out of the freezer for a lunch on our rare cold days. Even DH thought it tasted pretty good! Not sure I liked wrestling with the pumpkin and might take the easy way out next time!

In other news....
I bought more art yarn. I love this stuff!