Mmmm Smells Like Grandma's Cooking

For many years I have been dreaming of my grandmother's Mediterranean Chicken. The smells and tastes were so beautifully intoxicating. Since I didn't have her recipe, I had to rely on my childhood sensory to make this not knowing any of the ingredients that she put into it.

"Warm and Savory Mediterranean Chicken"
I used my Le Creuset Pot (cast iron enamel) on the stove to lightly brown the chicken in a little bit of butter and tiny bit of olive oil. Not cooking the chicken all the way through at this point. I sprinkled a little turmeric, paprika, garlic salt, pepper and squeezed a little bit of fresh lemon juice tossing in the halves of lemon too. Next about a 1/4 largely chunk slices of onion for taste. While that is browning I cut up bite size pieces of potatoes,carrots and flat leaf parsley. Sprinkled little bit of cinnamon and sugar on the carrots! Toss all that into the pot adding a little sprinkle of turmeric, paprika, garlic salt and pepper to the potatoes and put the lid on. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Oh my, this is so close to it! The next day we had it for leftovers and it was even better! It must be how all the spices sat and mingled together.

Baked a loaf of Rustic Bread with it.

Darn addictive pattern! Knitting another Clapotis. This one is a bit more narrower. I like it normally twice as wide but so far...not a single mistake! I am using a spreadsheet that I found on the Internet and it's working like a dream. Right now it's at about 40" long after finishing 12 rows on the increase section but still have a long ways to go and about 6" wide. When I am finished knitting this I hope that blocking it will give me a little more width.

Using the sKnitches merino/bamboo fingering wt yarn on US size 8 needles. Notes: I worked Section 2 only once and repeated rows 1 to 6 once. *Next time repeat it at least twice or two 1/2 times to make it wider.

Nothing But Homemade

It's ready for the freezer!

The best homemade Banana Ice Cream ever! It's been at least 25 years since I made this last. I lucked out remembering all the ingredients. It makes 1 1/2 quarts.

Banana Ice Cream
1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
1 (tiny 5 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 3/4 cups whole milk
2 teaspoon of vanilla
2 tablespoons sugar
two mashed bananas

Put all ingredients into a blender so you can mix it together better. Then quickly pour into the cold ice cream maker container and run it for about 25 mins. Pour into a large tupperware with lid and into the freezer overnight to harden. Easy enough!

Here I am trying out KnitPicks Essential Sock yarn. I think it's about time I knit a pair of socks and break my promise. Just a simple pair of ankle socks with the one ball.

My husband put the Calming Scarf pattern up on my side bar in a pdf file if you would like to print it out. I am really enjoying wearing mine. I hope you like it too.

Well, the day after tomorrow my husband goes in for surgery again. He's ready and strong! While he's laid up in the hospital, I plan on taking him some of my Paula Dean's Baked Mac and Cheese, sausage beans and rice, peanut butter cups and snickers. I had a long talk with him on how he has to eat the hospital food no matter what.LOL Tomorrow his parents arrive. His dad will stay a few days and his mom maybe a week.

God Speed! I know it's going to go great this time around, I just know it. Thank you all for your sweet prayers during the last few months. It's working.

Calming

There's nothing like having a good read take you away to another place. This book took me away to New York City. "Sunday At Tiffany's" by James Patterson was just what I needed. As I was reading , it played out like a movie. It wouldn't surprise me if Sunday At Tiffany's ended up becoming a movie later on. A quick read. In fact, I read it in four days.

I have been working on this scarf whenever I get a chance here and there. It's been pretty calming to me so that is why I think the name suits it just perfectly. Here is the pattern if you would like to make one too.

US 8 needles

Sports weight yarn (used here Louet Gems 100% Merino Wool Fine/Sports weight) 225 Yds a skein.
Also would knit up very nicely in a fingering or worsted weight yarn using alpaca, merino wool, bamboo or silk blended yarn.

Calming Scarf

Cast on 40 sts

First knit two rows straight across.

Row 1: (WS) K2, P6, *K2tog tbl, YO twice, K2tog, P6*, K2. Repeat * * (should have 40 sts left on needle)

Row 2: (RS) K2, K6, *p1, P into first made st and K into the second st, P1, K6* , K2. Repeat * * (should have 40 sts left on needle)

When reached desired length, knit last two rows straight across and BO all sts. Make sure to block your scarf when done. That's it!

Note* if you would like a wrap size width cast on 76 sts.

Warmth!
Warmth doesn't always have to be pretty, does it? So what if I lounge around the house wearing a super comfortable pair of red velvet sweat pants, long sleeve pink thermal t-shirt, my beige wool handknitted Boogie vest, a pair of thick handknitted yellow socks and this big blue bulky hat. All in the name of WARMTH. So what if my husband points it out to me. All the different colors I am wearing at the same time asking me if I KNeW I didn't match. Getting a chuckle are we? Well at least I was warm, ugly but warm.

In the last few weeks, I have knitted another Peaches and Cream cotton dishcloth, a bulky hat and must have gotten a wild hair up my arse because somehow I managed to crocheted a scarf. The dishcloths I realized need to be larger so I casted on I think 35 sts on US 7. If you know a good cast on amount of sts for dishcloths, let me know. This seems to be ok. All the others I made were too small. I would really like to give a few to some friends that baked a big fat cheese cake for us. We shared it along with a hot pot of coffee:) The bulky yarn for the hat is Wool-Ease knitted on US 10 cast on of 52 sts. A good hat to wear in our house that tends to be on the chilly side. Too goofy looking on me to wear in public. The pattern is in my Ravelry que. It was too tall so if I made this again, note I will stop at 5" not at 7" before beginning the decreases. The scarf is made out of a cashmere wool blend. I am digging this scarf and in this color. If I were to think I was brave enough to just grab some yarn and start hooking, then note I would like to make this scarf twice as wide. I'm just saying. I just saying that I still don't know how to crochet.

Dumb To Think I Could Knit Another One Of These I knew I had a few mistakes as I knitted on this Clapotis Scarf. This was one that I couldn't fix.

It's ok, really:) Frogged.

Have been trying to think of what project to knit next.

Wonderful Cranberry Scone Recipe. The recipe actually called for currents which sounds just as good. These turned out great! I was so worried that they wouldn't because of some of the stories I hear. They can be too dry, crumbly or too moist. I chose to cut little scones out by using a small OJ glass making them a nice small size 2 1/2" diameter. We are enjoying them with a cup of hot tea.

As you know today we went to the hospital for his appt for the surgeon to remove his tube and that didn't end up happening. A set back. My husband still has a small air leak in his lungs, he is anorexic 137 lbs at 6'1" and not strong enough to withstand the next bigger surgery. The doc said that he doesn't have enough albumin in his blood and has to recover from this surgery before he can do the next. Due back next Thursday to see if his lung sealed and put on any weight in one week. He has been down and even more today. Hadn't hasn't had an appetite and should be moving around more. I will be pushing him harder. His mom and dad might drive up from Pennsylvania Monday which I am so happy about. They can't stay long but I might have talked them into staying at least long enough to go back with us to the hospital on Thursday. Have you ever met a doctor that says "you have to eat more". My husband told him he would get some Enure Plus. Doc says "Why would you drink that stuff? Don't you like McDonald's? You can eat anything and need to eat everything to add as much calories as quick as you can. You need it." He said normally he wouldn't be telling his patients this. By the way, my husband is the youngest one everytime we sit in the large waiting room with everyone that has cancer of all sorts. I tell you what though, they seem in good spirits for what they are going through. So after we left, I talked my husband into eating two slices of peperoni pizza. Then at the grocery store picked up some chips and dips, German chocolate cake, white bread, Friday's potato skins and two bags of peanut butter mm's. His cousin called from San Antonio tonight and she said to eat Mexican food, especially the beans! We are eating at a Mexican Restaurant tomorrow! She also recommends Vitamin Shops acidophilus "Ultimate 10 Probiotic" brand name that's pretty good with it's 13 billion organisms. I hope you don't mind the updates once in a while when there is news:)

I need a knitting project so bad.LOL You gotta know what that feels like!

Knitting Abundance Cotton Baby hat and washcloth. A gift I knitted for my thoughtful and caring next door neighbors. They had there first grandbaby, a boy. I haven't seen him yet but hoping this hat will fit a three month old. It should. The hat is made with "I Love My Cotton" yarn in aqua purchased at Hobby Lobby. This is a wonderful yarn to knit with. Reminds me of Bernat Organic cotton. The washcloth is knitted using Peaches and Cream cotton Yarn also in aqua.

Another Clapotis on the needles! Can't wait to finish this one. I really love the last one I made and wear it almost every time I leave the house. It's so lightweight and yet keeps me warm. It will probably be the last time I knit this pattern since I continue to still make several mistakes knitting it. Requires way too much attention, line for line. sknitches Kettle Drum yarn in bamboo wool fingering weight. A special request color. This yarn is a little thinner than my last bamboo wool yarn but close and knitting on US 8 needles. On the lookout for a simple yet close replacement scarf pattern for the next time.

These plain dishcloths keep me calm during his critical days in and out of the hospital. I found them to be the perfect thing to knit keeping my hands busy and my mind relaxed. Used Peaches and Cream Cotton yarn on US 7 metal needles. Three things I thought I would never use or do. Knit using this thick cotton yarn, knit on metal needles and a plain washcloth. I prefer the softness of Bernat Cotton Organic yarn for a facecloth. That yarn in my opinion is the best cotton. The bright orange-yellow white cloth on the right is my favorite so far.

Fiesta! If you had told me I would actually be using one of these and in these bright colors, I would have said you are crazy. It's cheery and I do use it! Who'd of thought.

Finished these socks and not in the mood to knit socks for a long time.

We thank you very much for all your heartfelt comments. He would read them during the nights up at the hospital and it made him feel so thankful. You know how excited we all get when we get comments from one another. It makes us feel connected and he feels that.

He needs care 24/7 and so I found it hard to believe I was able to kick out this many knitted items. It's a tough and very scary thing he is going through. His first surgery is done but his lung still has a leak and we are waiting for it to reseal. He had to come home with a tube coming out of the side his lung. Something extremely painful for him. He has to sleep on the chair and ottoman sitting up. Never out of pain and can't do anything for himself. Showering will be out of the question until he will no longer have the tube which might be sometime in February. He had about 5% of his right lung removed. He might get the tube out this Thursday (only to look forward to another chest tube this next surgery) . If his lung is sealed and the tube comes out, then the big surgery for his left lungs will be as scheduled on the 12th.

This hospital, the doctors and nurses were all great. All at the top of their game. He was on the heart and lung transplant floor. What a sight to see all these patients walking their rounds in hospital gowns, trying to walk more laps with each day. It was sorta cute, they each joked amongst one another.

He did have dangerous night though. The first night after being in the recovery room, he had become nauseous, crying, screaming, scrunching up coughing, choking, turning blue, having very low oxygen levels for hours on end, even when I got there the next day. They ended up administering him oxygen. The problem was that they didn't give him but the 1% of his self induced pain medicine. The machine was suppose to be giving him 10% every time he pushed the button. Someone had put in the wrong dose So in other words, he had surgery to remove some of his lung, to wake up in recovery without any pain medicine until the next afternoon when someone figured it out. He was getting cyanotic.

At the hospital he had some really good nurses. They however stopped coming in as frequently when I was there because I was then able to take care of him, except check his vitals or give his meds. Everyday, every minute of the day, it is constant care taking and we are doing this again soon. At first, I thought I was going to collapse with exhaustion but I just kept going, praying with all my heart and soul for God to please help me take care of him. My fatigued shoulders, hip bones and feet gained strength after the first week and we finally have a good routine figured out. We both know what's in store most likely and what will happen again this next time around so we will be better prepared for it. Although taking out most of his left lungs about 60% percent if not then all of it on his next time is suppose to be more critical. I am confident he will be ok by March.

I am sorry that my writing is so terrible but then again I am not a writer for a reason. I know I am very wordy. Sometimes I like to make you feel as if I can transport and make you feel as if you were there or whatever the case is. Sometimes I don't feel like writing and just want to post photos of the things I knit or make. Photos in it's self tell a story don't you think? I just write to get my story out and enjoy blogging. It's relaxing. It's so nice to hear from you , it really is.

*Update Sat night 12/20. The downstairs heater system just stopped working. Actually it happened slowly for the last week. It's pouring rain and cold out as my husband went to go check it out underneath the house. Repair man coming this morning to take a look.*

Sometimes things happen. Sometimes things happen for unforeseen reasons. My daughter was about three weeks pregnant and now she is not. My beloved shitzu dog that I gave to my brother about six years ago had to be unexpectedly put to sleep yesterday. My husband we found out has to go into the hospital Monday for surgery one of the two surgeries he has to have for both lungs. I will try to sum this up because it has gotten so complicated and more has happen to him. He just had a bronchoscope where they took a biopsy only on the left lung(worst lung). The bad area is too far over that they can't get to it with the scope so it was a tiny biopsy. They said on the right lung, something that was a spot, has grown or changed. They couldn't biopsy that right lung because they can only do one lung at a time to avoid lung collapse. Then we had to go back for him to have this tube/scope down his nose/throat because they found a polyp on his right vocal cord. They aren't sure what it is but it looks like an ulcer bump of sorts. Could be caused by his coughing every few seconds everyday since last May when all this started. It will be getting more irritated with the surgeries so that doctor will maybe biopsy that in his throat once he has recovered from both surgeries.
In three days, Monday Dec 22, he goes in for the right lung surgery to remove about 5% of this lung. For these surgeries they have to collapse the lungs. They say maybe two days in hospital for this side, then home to recover for two or three weeks. Then right back into the hospital for the left lung. The worst side. I mean bad. This is not good at all. They will be removing about 60% of his left side of his lung and will require alot longer time in the hospital. This will be a long recovery. The surgeon said he won't be back to work at all until maybe around the middle of February. They are unsure until they take all this bad stuff out, lungs and do the biopsies, let the cultures grow. So far we were told he has an aspergillus fungus ball that has very much invaded his left lung tissue, some emphysema, something on his right lung, something on his right vocal cord. Yesterday, I didn't know why I had the worst stomach ache as I lay across my bed talking to my daughter and then my father. It was just getting worse and the pain deepened. Anyways it was my ulcer. Ha. It figures also set off by a few panic attacks. Which is all still going on as I sit here typing. I mean, we knew the left side might have to be operated on someday but the right side? That's what's got me all messed up. Everyone in the family is so worried that he needs to be strong enough for that second surgery on Jan 12. I mean, his right lung has to reinflate and he has to be fever free. That's what we all want. For him to be strong enough to endure the second surgery. Faith. Thank God for our faith in God.
We had to open our Christmas presents to each other early and above is what I got from Knitpicks. I love him!

Yarns Remembered & Socks Needed
This is a photo that was taken back in the beginning of the year 2006! The first yarn to the far left, is the one I am going to be knitting my next pair of ankle socks out of. I named it "Frigid". Hence, reminded me of freezing cold. You might recognize some of the others like the one right next to it I named Burberry. Dyed it after my Burberry purse. Those were the days of dyeing. Now it's far and few in between. Don't know why. Maybe it's because I don't feel at home here yet or because my kitchen is the size of a studio apartment kitchen.

These vibrant beautiful colors are all wound up into a nice little ball awaiting to be casted on for a pair of quick ankle socks. I am down to maybe only a few pair of thin socks left in my dresser drawer due to the rest all have of holes in the soles. Sad for me not being able to wear my old socks, my old memories. I dare not throw away a single pair. I will wear them around the house in my house slippers if I have to. Handmade socks are precious to me. So, I must try to knit as many ankle socks as fast as I can for the bare necessity!

These are blocking now! Hot off my needles. Took me longer than they use to take me. It seems that I knit furiously when sitting at the hospital waiting or during times of anxiety. I also clean the house furiously if I am under stress or upset.

Knit on US 2 Dpns

Lornas Laces Shepherd Sock colorway: Black Purl

Cast on 44 sts

1 1/2" cuff

Cherished Newborn baby hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts book. Knitted in a super soft acrylic, I Love This Yarn. The color is Cranberry. I bought more of this yarn from Hobby Lobby. One of the few acrylics I will knit with.

This baby blanket had to travel with me to Florida and Pennsylvania. We loved going back home to PA even for the two days. Snow was on the ground. We ate sushi at our usually resturant and saw our friends there, shopped at King Of Prussia Mall and IKEA then drove the two hrs to his folks house. So back to this blanket. I ended up cutting two inches of purple yarn to tie the squares to each other. It worked out perfectly. As I sewed a section, I would simply untie the purple yarn that held the squares together.

Baby stroller blanket is finished and blocking in the sun. From the book Debbie Bliss Baby Knits For Beginners. I used a fantastic soft yarn Vanna's Choice. The knits needed to be easy wash care. This is a yarn that doesn't at all feel like you are knitting with the typical acrylic.

The yarn I used to knit the cardigan and hat in . I can't tell you how much I enjoyed knitting with this yarn. It's I Love This Cotton in Antique Gold from Hobby Lobby. Feels like butter.

Blocked and finished Baby Cardigan from Debbie Bliss Baby Knits For Beginners. The Cotton Hat is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. All these baby knits are going to be put away in a hope chest for the day my daughter does have a baby.

I finally got tired of looking in all the stores for Salted Chocolate Covered Caramels. Here's one of the batches I made at home using Trader Joes Salted Caramels which aren't salty tasting enough but a good caramel. I simply melted my chocolate, dipped the caramels, placed on wax paper and sprinkled sea salt on top. These lasted a few minutes. Made another batch last night.

My husband goes in for a bronchscope Monday. Not only is the Fungus ball in the left lung, they also found something on the right side of the lung that seems to have spread.

I wanted to thank Pamela and Jennifer for your comments on my last post, the quiz. It was long and I appreciate your taking the time out to read it. Thank you so much, you are too sweet!

Copied this from Zonda

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Two nights ago.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? No, not at all. cringe.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yep, a precious 25 yr old daughter.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, without a doubt. I tell it like it is, very honest, funny, strong inside, very dependable, responsible and reliable. I would never be bored. I can't stand to be bored.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Not at all. This is a trait that annoys me.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Post Selects Great Grains cereal "Raisins, Dates and Pecans".

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No, I never do.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Very

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? It's what I had two days ago and probably two days before that! Coldstone Creamery. So far I only like their Cheesecake ice cream with real strawberries cut into it in a small cup. My daughter got me hooked on this and now I think I got my husband on it too. He didn't like any of their flavors with combinations. He thought they were too sweet until just the other day when I talked him into trying mine. It's more fun to eat ice cream with someone:)

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I am going to say what they are wearing just because fashion has always been my first love. Although, I can eye up details quickly which is why I enjoy painting portraits so much. If I saw a person for a nano of a second I could tell you every little detail about them.

15. RED OR PINK? Pink

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? The fact that I don't have family living nearby. I wished I did.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My grandmother. I miss her all the time.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO DO THIS? That would be interesting and very cool to read. Go for it!

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Tan. They are my fuzzy favorite house slippers from Brookstone!

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Umm, I know it's early in the morning but I grabbed a few small handfuls of Trader Joe's Kettle Corn. It's in the light pink striped bag. My husband had been telling me for years to try it and now I am hooked. Even for breakfast. I'll eat a bowl of cereal when I get off of here:)

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Jazz Sirius satellite radio on the tv, turned down. Hubby is still sleeping. It's so soothing.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I am going to say SKY BLUE.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Clean fresh scents like soap. Philosophy Pure Grace and lemon! Not really anything else.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My dad. He feel asleep a couple of times on the phone. So does that count?

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I am not a sports person but I like for football to be on. It's a comfort thing.

27. HAIR COLOR? Dark brown naturally but color over my greys.

28. EYE COLOR? Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No. Do have to wear glasses.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Seafood like lobster, scallops, shrimp, fish, fried calamari..... also like Italian food. For instance a really good veal marsala or veal parmesan.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? All the way happy endings. Not even scary movies, no way.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? It was not so good, Mama Mia. I don't think I can endure another musical. Although Meryl Streep did sing well! If that really was her voice singing. Was it?

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White t-shirt

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer!

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs!

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Creme Brulee, tiramisu, strawberry cheesecake ice cream and pie, banana pudding, dark moist chocolate cake, coconut cream pie, chocolate creme pie, carrot cake. German and French cookies.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Have no idea.

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Everyone too busy. I'm busy but couldn't resist this:) Thought it would be fun!

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Looking through cookbooks and baby knitting books.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Nothing, plain grey.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? News was on in the background. Rarely have time to sit and watch.

42. FAVORITE SOUND? Sometimes there is not just one answer. The ocean, jazz music, someone speaking a beautiful foreign language, sounds in the country out here where we live. Really early in the morning on a warm day you can hear all at the same time cows mooing, roosters, horses and birds. Also laughter, just people being sweet and happy.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles!

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Paris, France.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don't know. I like to do alot of things craft wise. I have a good ear for hearing what's wrong with a car, house things, electrical and structural engineering type of things. Oh and budgeting! My husband sayss to everyone how good I am at this. Pretty much accounting.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? NJ

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? All of you. These would be exciting to read!