The Food of Love

The Food of Love

You can’t escape the taste of the food you had as a child. In times of stress, what do you dream about?

Your mother’s clam chowder. It’s security, comfort. It brings you home. – Jacques Pepin

It’s Tuesday and you know what that means! Carole wants to know:

10 Favorite Foods Your Mom Used To Make

Now this poses a bit of a problem for me… Why you ask? Well, truly my mom was good at many things, but cooking was not one of them. At all. And, while I loved her dearly – it was not for her culinary skills!

food collage

Rather, I will make this about the foods of my Nana and my dear Mother-in-Law (though I did not know her when I was a child, she made things that the child in me loved!) My list starts with 2 things from her and the rest of the items on the list are devoted to my much beloved Nana (my maternal grandmother) she was a fantastic cook and I spent hours in the kitchen with her. Add to that, the number of times I called her while cooking a meal to see what she thought – and it was LOTS of time! It is because of her that I am the cook I am today.

  1. My Mother-in-Law’s Sloppy Joes. So good, and my kids most commonly requested birthday meal. Very deserving of the #1 spot!
  2. In slot #2 would be her Æbleskiver’s – to die for!
  3. Nana’s mashed potatoes.
  4. Denver Omelets – a treat for breakfast if you spent the night there. These also could be a supper treat to eat while watching Charlie Chan movies!
  5. Baked German Pancake, especially delicious when topped with raspberries from my Nana’s garden!
  6. Smelt – key factors here, they must have been dipped by my Uncle Denny and fried outside on the Coleman stove.
  7. Coleslaw – she made the best!
  8. Knödel – German Dumplings. She made them by hand, grinding the ham and the potatoes to an exact consistency. Absolutely amazing!
  9. Potato Salad, while she was a good German – she did not make a typical German potato salad. How she made it is how I make it still today. Potatoes, celery, radishes, and Hellman’s. The best!
  10. Mexican Wedding Cake cookies – these were the ultimate treat! Getting a “care package” in college that contained them and made you extremely popular.

The foods of my youth that bring warm memories to my heart whenever I think of them.

What food takes you to another time? Please share!

Right Now

Right Now

We had a bit of a wonky weekend – Steve had a work function Friday and Saturday, so there was no usual Happy Hour. It made for weekend that did not feel like a weekend at all, but I did get some reading and knitting done.

Drinking: Iced Coffee – warmer weather makes me very glad because I really love iced coffee to start my day.

Watching: Game of Thrones (along with the rest of the world, I am sure!) and Call the Midwives. Two shows that are the exact opposite of each other, and I love them both!

Contemplating: The Me Made May phenomena – I consider myself a serial maker. I have been a maker as long as I can remember but, do I need a month to point that out to the world around me (or at least my Instagram feed!) I don’t want to take any of the wind out of the sails about those participating, but I think that helping new makers along their way is the approach I would rather take. So, I am going to commit to fostering new makers in their journey and there is a group at my church who want to learn to knit so I am going to help them. Hopefully, by the end of May there will be a new flock of knitters in the Pittsburgh area!

Knitting: Socks, Pincha, and using some stash to knit along with Simone (OwlCat Designs) in her wedding shawl knit-along.

Cooking: All things asparagus – and it is so good! Grilled, roasted, in stir fry, and I am going to try this recipe for Asparagus Pizza!

Anticipating: Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival! Steve and I are going for the day on Saturday (he is thrilled beyond believe, I assure you!!) I will try to foster his excitement during the week so that he enjoys himself (oh the food! and the sheep!) I might challenge him to a little photo contest, which I am sure he will win!

Planting: Our “safe to plant date” is Mother’s day, so I will be getting more plants in the garden very soon! I have been watching Mr. Knitspot expand his garden beds with great interest. Gardening and the expansion of the garden is one area that Steve and I are in complete agreement on!

That is all I have for this list filled Monday, but tell me – what “right now” thing are you loving?

Friday with Merchant & Mills

Friday with Merchant & Mills

Whatever plans I had for today went right out the window when the mail-woman brought this gem to my doorstep yesterday! A huge thanks my dear friend for loaning it to me! Fabric stash contemplation is commencing in three, two…

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But, before I go, I do have some amazing links to brighten your weekend!

If you count yourself a maker, then perhaps this will interest you!

You still have time for a Whistle Stop

Interested in some color work that is modern?

A metronome for knitters

Do you fear yarn pooling?

Perhaps a quick trip to Etton is in your plans

Are you multi-craftual, then Kollabora might be the spot for you!

It’s a beautiful day to honor Mr. Rogers, so put a sweater on!

Have a good one, gentle reader! See you back here on Monday.

The Unbelievable Cuteness of Bunnies

The Unbelievable Cuteness of Bunnies

Nestled between the Lavender and the Butterfly Bush, is a fairy tale nursery in my back yard. A trio of cuteness was discovered residing in my back yard yesterday. Last year there were baby bunnies under our rose bushes – perhaps the same Mom? Anyways, this year they were found in a better spot and it even has a night-light! Weeding this bed will have to wait until the babies are bigger and the nursery is empty.

On the garden front, it looks to be a banner year for strawberries, if the mass of blossoms on my plants are any indicator! This will be very welcome, as the strawberry plants I brought from Michigan did not fare well at all with Pittsburgh winters. Michigan gave them a nice insulating blanket of snow as protection from the frigid temperatures. Pittsburgh does not do the same – snow is a rare commodity here. Add to that temperatures that get much, much colder and my plants did not make it through the winter. A gardening lesson learned – what works one place will not necessarily work in another.

And, thanks to a link that Bonny shared my Rhubarb plant has had its blossom pruned and it has now almost doubled in size! Good thing,because this recipe looks so good and will definitely be debuting in an upcoming Friday Happy Hour.

That’s all I have for today. Have a good Thursday everyone!

Reading with a side of knitting

Reading with a side of knitting

Wednesday, how I love you! You usher in the downhill ride to Friday while giving me a nice pause to review my week and refocus my priorities. And, you are also all about reading and knitting! Just ask Ginny!

I started this book yesterday and I am hoping to get some uninterrupted reading time today.

And these socks. I am enamored. The yarn is lovely, thank you Yvonne for the stellar recommendation.

How is your week progressing?

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