Hang Ten Pullover

Another pattern... This one has been kicking around for a long time. My sweet aunt test knit it for me, then I let the pattern languish for too long. The Hang Ten Pullover is sized for a generous 6-12 month size with some positive ease. Today's the day- it's up on Ravelry!
This pattern will be free until April 1, 2013. After that date, it will be $1.99, so get it now!

Punky's Hat

In a recent bout of scrap busting the yarn stash, I came up with a simple pattern to use up some leftovers. I really liked the way it came out, so I've written it up and put it for sale on Ravelry. It's named after my youngest, who can wear a hat with some serious attitude.


Now you can make your own Punky's Hat. Click the link to buy the pattern. Thanks for checking it out!

Zoom! Cardigan

I've written a pattern! The Zoom! Cardigan is a newborn sized sweater that uses just two balls of Lion Brand Superwash Cashmere Merino. It's a sweet and quick little knit.  Available for download now on Ravelry!

Cocoa Almond Pops!

You are probably thinking that I am a little obsessed with my Zoku Pop Maker by now. You are probably a little bit right. I have another pop recipe for you! I saw this recipe for Nutella Pops, and I wanted to adapt it for the Trader Joe's Cocoa Almond Spread I just bought:

Cocoa Almond Pops

1 c. Almond Milk (I used Whole Foods Almond Milk)
1/3 c. Trader Joe's Cocoa Almond Spread*

Blend the two ingredients in a blend until well mixed. Chill in the fridge until you are ready to rock the Zoku (or whatever pop-making method floats your boat). This mix makes a total of about 5 pops, so you may want to double it and keep the rest in the fridge. You should probably just do that. These are so good you are going to just keep thinking about them until you make them again anyhow.

They have a real cocoa flavor and the almond is just the right contrast. Delicious- and they beat any store bought fudgsicle hands down.

*If you have a Trader Joe's near by, you can pick up a jar of this for about $3.99. (It's in the Fearless Flyer). If not, and you are desperate to try it, you can get it on Amazon for a RIDICULOUS price.

Zoku-To-Do!

Round up of my Zoku-To-Do for 2012~

Nutella Fudgesicles

Blue Bottle Macchiato Pops

Raspberry Limeade Pops

Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles

Raspberry and Peach Pops

MMMM.......

Pineapple Whippy Pops!

We received a Zoku Pop maker for Christmas this past year. We had a brief flurry of pop-making excitement before coming to the conclusion that even in California, there is a limit to the number of popsicles one can eat in January.

Fast forward to today! It was a nice warm evening, just perfect to bring the Zoku back to the kitchen table. We had a pineapple that had been just sitting in the kitchen, just ready to become something tasty.
A few days ago, I was "pinning*" (on Pinterest) and I found this recipe, for a "Dole Whip", just like the one you get at the Tiki Room.

Since R has been swearing off of dairy, I decided to adapt this recipe for the Zoku maker. Here you go, my own Pineapple Whippy Pops!




Pineapple Whippy Pops


1 Pineapple, diced in 1"-2" chunks
Juice of 1 Lime
1 tsp lemon juice
4 tblsp sugar
3/4 c. soy milk (I used Whole Foods Plain Unsweetened Soy Milk)

Blend all ingredients well and chill in the fridge until you are ready to make pops. I have the 3 pop model and I made two batches (6 pops) in one freeze of the base. I think trying to get 9 pops might be pushing it, since these are pretty thick. I saved the extra mixture in an air tight container in the fridge for another day. I also tapped the pop maker gently on my table, to help settle the mixture in. Make pops per the instructions with your Zoku, and enjoy!

(If you have a different pop freezing thingy, like this cute ring pop mold, this recipe would work great too!)


*You can follow me on Pinterest by clicking here.

A Bit of This and That...

We've got a new resident dolphin over at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Experts are concerned that he or she might be ill, but my girls decided that he/she just really likes the fish and all the attention. Here's hoping he's ok! We went to visit and the kids were just thrilled about seeing him. We also saw some interesting birds, too.
My dad says this guy is a "skimmer": And this fella is a blue heron: It was a nice day to walk around and see all sorts of bugs and birds and assorted wildlife. It's refreshing to get outside and just breathe some good salt air and feel the sun on my back once in a while.

A Bit of This...

I haven't much to say, but thought I would share some pictures instead...









And we have a new kitty!



Hopefully I'll have an actual post soon!

Tarte Tatin

I made a cake. Well, I made a "Tarte Tatin", based on this Barefoot Contessa recipe.

SOOO good. I'm not a big fan of cooked apples, but the burnt sugar taste with the apples and the cake were wonderful together. Next time, with fresh whipped cream!

I am planning on a Pear Clafouti for my next desert. Yum!

Not-Quite-Resolutions and some Granola!

Happy New Year! Do you have some resolutions this year? I don't. I just want to cook more, go new places, pay attention to what's around me and just be more present this year.

On the first goal, I have been cooking a bit already. I made this Orecchiette With Leeks, Peas, and Pecorino which came out great. I will completely be making it again. I got some of my ingredients for this recipe at Whole Foods, and we bought a new (for me) brand of cream: Strauss Family Creamery, which was a little bit life changing. When I poured it from the glass bottle, a big knob of cream fell into the pot. It was totally delicious! I used the leftover cream to make a softly whipped cream with a tiny amount of sugar and Nielsen Massey vanilla to eat with blueberries. I think my husband would have married me all over again, just for more of that whipped cream.

I also made my very own granola.
I mean, come on! It tastes GREAT and it is quite good for you. You can make it too:

Granola

Dry Ingredients
6 c rolled oats
2 c rolled barley flakes
1 c sunflower seeds
1 c wheat bran
1.5 c sesame seeds
1/3 c flaxseed meal
3 c chopped almonds
1.5 tsp kosher salt

Wet Ingredients
1 c Avocado Honey*
1/3 c agave nectar
2 4 oz cups of unsweetened applesauce

Mix the dry ingredients well, then add the wet ingredients. (You will need a BIG bowl- this is a lot of stuff). I bake this on a half sheet jelly roll pan on top of my silpat (this makes cleanup easier). You'll need to bake it at 350 degrees F for about 25- 30 minutes. I have an older oven that can be a bit persnickety, so your mileage may vary. It should be just becoming golden- and it will still be soft coming out of the oven. I usually let each batch cool a little bit then transfer to a cold baking sheet to finish cooling. Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

*If you can't find Avocado Honey (which you should try- it gives the granola a molasses sort of flavor which is yummy), find a darker honey if you can. Otherwise, it will still taste good with a wildflower or clover honey.