Run, Run, Run

Much of my energy these last days and weeks (has it been weeks since I last posted?)  was spent on the storm, the election, an audit, and one really good thing granddaughter and her husband coming from Chicago to visit.  I’ve been “run like the wind” busy!!  By the time we finish with Thanksgiving and Christmas I will be ready to put earbuds in my ears and listen to audio books while knitting for the next year.  Maybe two! 

One especially good thing that happened is that I received my shawl pin which I won on Kathyb’s blog.  It is beautiful and is the first and only shawl pin I have ever had.  I feel so lucky!!

In case you don’t watch TrishaYearwood’s Southern Kitchen on the Food Network I have to tell you about her No-baste, No-bother Turkey.  While knitting the Bears hat I was watching cooking shows and was awed by this idea.  Set your oven for 500 degrees, rub a 12 to 15 pound turkey with butter and place in a covered pan.  Roast for an hour.  After the hour, turn the oven off but DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR.  When the oven cools and all remaining heat is gone (Approximately 4 hours) the turkey will be done to perfection.  Caveat:  I would test that with a meat thermometer!!  Trisha says it is the best turkey you have ever eaten.  Since I’m not wild about turkey I must try it.

It has turned cold in Texas and the dogs are hibernating.  They soak up the afternoon sun and then take long naps.  That’s just exactly what I plan to do after all the holiday hoopla.  Look for me under the afghan.

Life is good!

Not Much

How much does it take to help those who lost most or all to Hurricane Sandy?  NOT MUCH!!  First our prayers are needed.  Our thoughts and positive energy are needed.  If you are able to open your home to a now homeless family or go to an area ravaged by the storm to help in clean-up efforts you are fortunate and will be blessed by your service.  Many are only able to give a bit, so I want to give this information here:  we can donate by going to www.redcross.org OR simply text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10.  It’s not much but it will help!!

In the not much category of knitting, I sorta, kinda stopped everything to knit two Chicago Bears team hats (using this pattern) and I’m enjoying the round and round and round of them.  The yarn I’m using is new to me and I can happily report that it is extra soft, bright and colorful, and very inexpensive.  It’s called “I Love This Yarn” and I really do!!  It is pure acrylic but I love it anyway.

Not much is happening with the pups.  They work and play and sleep.  That’s about it for them, except that they are so darn cute while they are doing it.  Max loves to create a pile of toys and sleep on top of them.

When it’s cold they both snooze in my lap while I knit around them.  BTW we have had some COLD weather during the last week, but not much!

Not much is new in the crockpot except the best chicken, tortilla soup I’ve ever made/eaten!!  I threw a bunch of stuff together and was rewarded with kudos from friends and family.  DH must have eaten three bowls of the soup and when a friend stopped over and said “Something smells wonderful,” I dished up a cup for him.  He sat down, ate it, and announced he was staying for dinner.  It’s so easy:  just two boneless chicken breasts, 1 can of enchilada sauce, 1 can of Rotel, 1 cup corn, 1 can black beans and chopped herbs from the garden.  I cooked it all together for 4 hours on high, then added tortilla chips and shredded cheese.  It was good.

And so is life!!