Not Jimmy Choo

If I had to create an audio backdrop to my childhood, I think it would be covered in words.  Specifically, folk sayings.  Growing up,  this was just the way my parents talked.  My Dad's were a bit saltier than my Mom's but hers could be pretty earthy.  None of my friends had parents who talked in sayings.  There was one to suit any occasion.  I finally decided it was because they came from Nova Scotia and no one out on this coast had the same language. 

Recently,  I've been hearing one of my father's more common pronouncements:  "A fool and his money are soon parted",  each time I look at my latest purchase.  You know that this is the most expensive roll of tape I've ever bought!

But then I remember what really sold it to me and I hear my mother's gentler voice saying: "Every little bit helps, said the old woman as she piddled in the sea". 

So, I think my father is mistaken.  I am richer because I smile whenever I see the fun pink shoe on my desk. I have helped even if only in a small way.   And, because I have such a  treasury of sayings that I also use every single day.  Just ask my kids!   I wonder if they also use them?

Giveaway

In celebration of being the lucky recipient of two giveaways,  I wanted to share something with my blogging friends.  Well, with just one lucky friend  since there's only one prize.

Last night I finished the Cherry Bomb scarf - it's so pretty and cheerful.  It's knit from Zig,  a rayon and cotton novelty yarn with several textures and shades of cherry pink.  It is 60 inches long and 6 inches wide.  Very soft and slinky and the shiny bits give it a glam factor.

I'll make a random draw on Saturday, November 27 at 9 am PST - I'm a morning person.   To be entered into the random draw just leave a comment on this post  before that time.  That's it...and good luck!

You asked!

Here's a close-up of the Jughead Beanie and Mitts that I was wearing to count bottles last Saturday.  I don't look nearly as cheerful in this photo, do I?

I knit these as a spin-off from a project Yarnway challenge.  I wrote about the challenge here and there's another photo of the beanie.  The model used there is very elegant.   I, on the other hand,  look like I'm ready to deliver a karate chop to the photographer.

Not-so-Top Chef

I like to experiment with cooking.  I'm not very fond of recipes anymore and like to just kind of throw things together.  Those 'black-box' cooking shows are my inspiration.  Hey!  If they can throw sea urchins and parsley root in the blender and make ice cream, why can't I?  This past week, I was using up some stuff in the fridge -  just call it 'white-box cuisine' and making soup and salad - my two favorite food groups.  Not always according to plan, though.

Experiment number 1: Spicy Yam Soup
  Take two yams, dice and throw in the soup pot with a chopped, onion which has been sauteed in olive oil with 4 cloves of garlic.  Add a couple of chopped carrots, however much chopped zucchini you have (or not), a big tablespoon of grated ginger,  some cumin and saute together with onion mixture.  Add about 5 cups of veg. stock, about 1/4 cup of peanut butter - I used chunky.   ** Definitely, the optional part:  I added one whole chipotle pepper  (seeds removed and chopped).  Cook until veg. are soft then whir up with the hand blender.

I love chipotle pepper's smoky heat but this might have been a bit too much - half would have been better.  Adding yogurt to the soup before serving cooled it down.    Really warms the cockles!

Experiment number 2: Pear & Fig Salad
 This is more method than recipe - in a large salad bowl, tear up a head of romaine lettuce.  Add a diced fresh pear, some diced figs (mine weren't fresh but a very soft dried kind), some green chopped green onion.  Splash on olive oil, balsamic vinegar and maple syrup and toss.  Add as much fresh goat cheeses as you like and some toasted pecans.  Yum!

Last night my experiment went a bit sideways.  I had this grand idea of reducing some maple syrup and coating the pecans .  I took my eye off the pan for just a minute and they all started smoking!  Not too charred so we ate them anyway but plain toasted is better as the extra syrup made it way too sweet.

Experiments don't always work but mostly the food is edible.  The photo is another soup but it looks like what I made.  And I like to have a picture of something!