XOXO
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
Recipe -- Popcorn Balls
This is one of my very most favorite recipes. It makes absolutely delicious, chewy popcorn
balls. (Or pieces, if you don’t want to
form them into balls.) (I usually
don’t.)
And it’s easy! No
candy thermometer needed.
I try to make them for Halloween every year, so it’s kind of goofy that I’m posting this in December.
But it’s delicious any time of the year to me! (One year I made them for myself for my birthday instead of a cake!)
I found this recipe in a cookbook put out by a calligraphy
guild, maybe in Utah. I can’t
remember. I wish I knew who to credit
better, because it really has become one of my favorites.
Here’s the recipe:
SIMPLY SCRUMPTIOUS
POPCORN BALLS
4 qt. popcorn, already popped
1 c. real butter (2 sticks)
1⅓ c. sugar
½ c. light corn syrup (Karo)
2 c. chopped pecans
1 t. vanilla
Put the popped popcorn in a giant mixing bowl.
(I
use the cover/lid to my Tupperware cake holder)
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
Add the sugar and corn syrup.
(I
use a long handled wooden spoon to stir with.)
Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes.
Take it off the heat.
Add the vanilla and blend well.
(It kinda erupts--don't freak out. :)
Add the pecans and mix well.
Pour this over the popcorn and mix well.
(I
use that long wooden spoon for extra leverage.)
Let stand 2 minutes to cool.
Either pour out onto a Silpat-covered cookie sheet to be
broken into pieces when cool, or with dampened hands, make into small
balls.
(If
I make it into popcorn balls, I leave the water on just a trickle, and re-wet
my hands a little before making each ball.)
It's delicious, and SIMPLE.
Enjoy!
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
Static Dog
The Polar Vortex brought some snow
and apparently some very dry air...
I think I'd better get the vaporizer going!
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Monday, November 3, 2014
Cozy Mysteries
I just love mysteries.
Always have.
Whether it’s a who-dun-it on TV or a cozy mystery book,
I'm a big fan.
I'm a big fan.
I love watching reruns of “Murder, She Wrote” or “Diagnosis:
Murder” on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel.
And I love reading mysteries, too. When I started reading my first series,
though, I didn’t realize that a “cozy mystery” was a specific genre.
To quote Victoria L. Webb:
To start with, I would describe a Cozy Mystery as "safe".
To start with, I would describe a Cozy Mystery as "safe".
In a cozy mystery, the hero (heroine, mostly) of the story
is an amateur sleuth. And the story is usually
set in a small town. It’s much easier
for everybody to know everybody that way and find clues. The victim is generally peripheral, someone
that no one in the town will miss very much.
And typically there’s no bad language or violence in a cozy mystery.
These elements make my little mysteries wonderful
bedtime reading. (!) It ends my day with a lovely, absorbing little
escape that isn’t too stimulating for that hour.
And these days, there are so many themes to pick from, many of them hobby-related: culinary, travel, needlework, knitting, cats, even cookies… (with recipes included)! J
And these days, there are so many themes to pick from, many of them hobby-related: culinary, travel, needlework, knitting, cats, even cookies… (with recipes included)! J
I am currently re-reading my needlework mystery series, written by Monica Ferris. My first series was The Cat Who books by Lilian Jackson Braun, which features 2 Siamese cats. (Koko and Yum Yum, for you Gilbert and Sullivan fans.) ♥ And don’t forget the knitting series set in Colorado, written by Maggie Sefton.
I usually try out
the first book of a series by checking it out of the library, and so could
you. Free is free. I’ve always said that I could never afford to
buy all the books that I want to read!
Plus, the older I
get, the choosier I am -- not only with what I spend money on, but also with
what I want to store.
It’s so easy to have too much stuff!
It’s so easy to have too much stuff!
Besides, my closet has to hold both my books and my yarn,
right?? J
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Sweet Blessings
I found this on
Pinterest today.
And check out the website in the corner:
www.swtblessings.com
She has a blog, an Etsy store,
and some great printables on her site.
Too much fun!
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
The Cure for Elbow Pain
Wow, I can’t believe I haven’t blogged about this yet!
I finally stumbled upon The Cure for golfer’s or
tennis elbow!!!
It’s the TheraBand FlexBar.
(the red one)
I had googled and searched Amazon for answers, but somehow
had always missed this. But once I found it on Amazon and read the reviews, well, let’s just say I couldn’t order it fast
enough.
And the instructions say to do so many reps once a day… I must confess, I didn’t. I just did “some” and it still worked for
me!!!
And I promise you, I could feel that it helped me the very
first time I used it. I don’t see how
that is possible, but it’s true. Who
knows? Maybe it “released”
something. All I know is, it’s the
closest thing to a miracle, without being a real miracle.
And it was $15ish, less than one co-pay! And with Amazon
Prime, I had it within 2 days. All of
life’s problems should be solved this easily.
Do you want to calculate how much I spent at the physical
therapy place 2 years ago for my then-golfer’s elbow? 16 visits, $20 a pop? Yeah. I coulda had an iPad.
And they didn’t even fix me! I still
hurt after all those appointments, 3X a week, 2 hours each time. (All that money and all that time!)
But this thing really works.
And I don’t know why we all don’t know about it. Once I read the Amazon reviews about it being
featured in a NY Times blog article back in 2009, it seems that word would get
out. (That blog article was written 2
years before all my PT appts!
<aarrgghh!!>)
Well, I’m doing my part -- trying to spread the word. J !!
So! If you know
someone with tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, give them this link, and let them
read about it for themselves.
(Or you could google “Tyler Twist” and “TheraBand Flex Bar”.)
It has 488 reviews, so there’s lots to check out. But I’d bet that if your elbow’s hurting, you
order it before you read too very far.
Mr. Man had a mild case of golfer’s elbow, and this cleared
it right up for him, too.
And then if you knit too much, or work outside and overdo it and
your elbow starts hurting again, just pull out your flexbar, do a few reps while you watch TV, and there ya go. Problem and solution.
Too bad I didn’t know about this months and years and $$$
ago, but at least I finally found the answer.
And now I can lift that gallon of water with no pain. Yay!!!
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Labels:
answer,
cure,
elbow pain,
fixed,
golfer's elbow,
helped,
tennis elbow,
Tyler twist
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
2014 RV Show and Bargain Expo!
Mr. Man and I went to the big RV show
out at the State Fairgrounds this past weekend!!
out at the State Fairgrounds this past weekend!!
Oh my goodness, some of them are so fancy and decked
out! And most of them are absolutely so
huge, I can’t imagine how people drive them!
They had all kinds, of course. We saw the very basic Sportsman Classic, that Uncle Si won on the donut eating contest episode of Duck Dynasty. It wasn’t fancy, but for a weekend of stargazing
in dark sky territory, it would work quite well for Mr. Man.
(That’s the dream, of course.)
And then we saw one that was a bit bigger and nicer than
that, at twice the cost. And it was
really roomy feeling.
We never saw any cute pop-ups, but we sure saw some huge
RV’s! Oh my soul. Slide-outs, and drop-down decks. Outdoor grills with outdoor TVs and outdoor sinks right next to
them! And virtually all of them had
built-in awnings, some with nice rope lights along the top.
Ironically, our favorite was not one that you drove, but one
that you towed behind your big truck. (We
don’t have a truck.)
It was pricey, but not compared to a huge Winnebago, which
is easily 6 figures plus. But it was decked
out like one of the new, fancy homes that we saw at the Parade of Homes this
year!
Can you believe it??
Yeah, I told Mr. Man, that this would do quite nicely indeed. I would be very happy, parked in the leather easy chair, sitting in front of the faux fireplace watching TV and knitting.
Come and get me when you’re finished. The little dog and I will be right here.
(So much for being out in nature, or whatever people go RV’ing for! LOL)
(So much for being out in nature, or whatever people go RV’ing for! LOL)
Oh, well. A girl can dream, can’t she??
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
Tub or Shower??
It had to be done. It
was time.
The bathtub needed to be cleaned.
Not that we use it.
As in ever.
<aarrgghh!!>
And I don’t really mind cleaning it so much, it’s just that
it’s so crummy to have to clean something that we don’t even use. If I’m gonna get down on my hands and knees
to clean the CrAzY thing, it should be something that we have at least enjoyed
using.
"That’s alls I’m saying is all." J
And I’m afraid that back when we lived in San
Antonio for so long, with its daily aquifer level reports,
that I got positively nutty about wasting water while we lived there.
So you can imagine how much it practically hurts
me to fill that bathtub up twice, and run the whirlpool jets, just
to clean out all the gunk. Especially when
we haven’t even used it!!
It’s those crazy jets, I tell you.
If I could, I would “blink” this into a regular soaking tub. Those jets are trouble!
It’s almost enough to make me switch from showers to baths,
just so I can get something out of the whole process.
And they think I should do this twice a month!
<aaarrrggghhh!!> Such a
waste.
But very nice results...! J
XOXO,
Lucky Dog ♥
Friday, September 26, 2014
Oil Rainbows
I saw this on the Internet,
and think it is just yummy!
(It's no wonder I love abstract art, is it?)
Oh well,
TGIF!!
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
It was just one of those days...
Well, it started out looking good...
I was organized. I
was ready. I was getting it done.
In fact, I was making some bread with my new oven.
That photo is a picture of the starter that I
use for it.
Look at all those happy bubbles!!
I haven’t made bread in awhile, and I was wondering if I
could revive my starter. <eeeeeeek!> Thank heavens
he finally woke up and started eating and bubbling.
Then, as it turns out, the new oven has a “bread proofing”
mode! Wow, I didn’t even know to want
that! How perfect, so I popped in my
dough and was just letting it rise…
Meanwhile, I was making name tags for our small group class
at church and I ran out of labels there at the end, so I just needed to run to
Staples for another box of supplies before I could finish.
And then this little baby needed to go to the vet for shots, etc.
Well!
It all started out well enough,
but right when I thought I was home free….
but right when I thought I was home free….
First of all, the dog is fine. J
The bread dough, however, didn’t make it. L
When we came home, I checked the oven, and something about
the new proofing mode didn’t make my dough happy, and it didn’t rise well at
all.
In fact, it’s kinda hard to tell
what went wrong.
It “should’ve” worked beautifully. 100° and all.
It “should’ve” worked beautifully. 100° and all.
Good
thing it was trash day. *Poof*, out it went. All that
potential deliciousness, too… 28 soft-as-puffy-clouds,
yeasty, heavenly rolls. Dead.
And the first batch of name tags that I made?
*Poof*!
They’re out with the trash, too.
It seems that they no longer make the kind that I had, so I
had to buy the latest version. Which, of
course, uses a different template and a different badge. Naturally, that meant I had to re-type, re-print
and re-stuff all those name tags that were almost finished!
Hahahahaha
What can I say???
At least I had easy traffic everywhere I drove.
And I did get everything finished and delivered, put
the trash out, and sat down to watch “In the Kitchen with David” on QVC with a
hot dinner that I didn’t even have to make.
Thank you, Stouffer’s! Not bad
for such a long, crazy day.
(Ina Garten will be David’s guest on Sunday!)
I think I will chillax in a bit and read one of my little
mystery paperbacks, and hope that “Tomorrow is another day”.
J
J J
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Shall We Swatch?
I have fallen in love with knitting lace swatches.
And I am just beginning my collection.
Here are two:
The photo above is a swatch knitted with
Rowan Kidsilk Haze yarn
(of course),
US 7 Chiaogoo needles
(of course),
using a purchased pattern named “Orchid”.
Rowan Kidsilk Haze yarn
(of course),
US 7 Chiaogoo needles
(of course),
using a purchased pattern named “Orchid”.
And this is the beginning of a traditional lace pattern
called “Horseshoe”.
And here it is finished:
Book author and writer of the online Knitter’s Review,
Clara Parkes, says that she has been knitting swatches
daily for years. Just because.
Clara Parkes, says that she has been knitting swatches
daily for years. Just because.
You see, most knitters knit a swatch
(a small sample of their pattern),
as a test of how their yarn knits up with their chosen needles.
(a small sample of their pattern),
as a test of how their yarn knits up with their chosen needles.
This is so they can measure its “gauge”,
how many stitches per inch they get,
to ensure the knitted item fits.
how many stitches per inch they get,
to ensure the knitted item fits.
It is usually viewed as a necessary evil, a drag,
and is a very often skipped step.
and is a very often skipped step.
But I don’t knit things that have to fit.
(Isn’t that an unexpected blessing?) J !!
I knit lace scarves and shawls.
And I love trying out new lace stitches.
(Isn’t that an unexpected blessing?) J !!
I knit lace scarves and shawls.
And I love trying out new lace stitches.
So I don’t knit swatches to get gauge.
I like to knit up samples of different lace patterns
to see how they look before I commit to a whole scarf or shawl.
I like to knit up samples of different lace patterns
to see how they look before I commit to a whole scarf or shawl.
I like to knit swatches when I just want to try out a
pattern a little
and see if I like or enjoy knitting it.
...Take it out for a little test drive. (!!)
and see if I like or enjoy knitting it.
...Take it out for a little test drive. (!!)
It’s also just plain fun!! J
And I have decided to knit them
using my beloved Rowan Kidsilk Haze yarn.
That way my knitted swatch will show me exactly
how a pattern will look when using this yarn and those needles.
using my beloved Rowan Kidsilk Haze yarn.
That way my knitted swatch will show me exactly
how a pattern will look when using this yarn and those needles.
Plus, there’s no long-term commitment or expense
like you would have with a blanket, shawl, or even a scarf.
To me, these little handkerchief-sized swatches are probably
the closest one can get to instant gratification
in the lace-knitting world.
like you would have with a blanket, shawl, or even a scarf.
To me, these little handkerchief-sized swatches are probably
the closest one can get to instant gratification
in the lace-knitting world.
I think I would love to knit several
in all sorts of different hues of pink and grey and violet.
in all sorts of different hues of pink and grey and violet.
To quote an artist friend of mine:
“Never say purple to a color theorist. It’s violet.”
LOL
“Never say purple to a color theorist. It’s violet.”
LOL
And there are so many gorgeous colors to choose from,
how could you go wrong??
J
how could you go wrong??
J
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Friday, September 5, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
My Knitting Buddy
Knitting with my sweet little dog by my side...
This is truly one of life's best simple pleasures.
XOXO
Monday, August 25, 2014
Beyond Blessed
Before.
After.
We're in hog heaven
with our new stainless steel appliances!
I've been planning on getting them for 7 years now
and just waiting for one of our old appliances to die..
But this summer Mr. Man said,
let's just get them now
and enjoy them that much longer.
Isn't he the best?!
And so we are.
I thought I was just getting a color change,
but we got several new bells and whistles
which I didn't anticipate.
Like a dishwasher that is so quiet
that we don't even know it's on!
Beyond blessed, I tell you.
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Laceweight Circular Swatch
Well, I did it!
I tried the Pi Shawl pattern
with laceweight yarn.
Isn’t it yummy?
It’s only about 6 inches across.
I must admit,
it was a bit fiddly on the DPNs,
but... look at the results.
J
Now I need a new laceweight project.
(!!!)
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
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