by Kat | Jul 8, 2012 | General
It has been a quiet week here at Casa del KatKnits, with temperatures climbing into the triple digits causing many to hibernate to an air conditioned place to beat the heat.
My garden is growing nicely, even if my lawn looks like the Sahara Desert. We have had little to no rain here, but the bonus of container gardening is easy watering and the ability to move things out of the scorching heat, for which my plants are grateful, I am sure!
With a brief respite from the heat for a few days – it is amazing how cool the 80’s can feel after a stint of 100 plus degree-days. I am enjoying open windows, blowing breezes, and chirping birds.
I have begun my summer knitting project, in preparation/training for the highly controversial Ravelry “Ravellenic” Knitting event. Who knew that knitters could be such a divisive lot? My summer project is the lovely Buttercup by Heidi Kirrmaier, knit out of Elsebeth Lavold’s Hempathy. It is indeed the right yarn to be knitting with on these hot summer days and nights. Now, bring on the Olympics to maximize my knitting time!
Happy Summer all!
by Kat | May 20, 2012 | General
I read with great regularity the Red Spoon Blog, however many times her recipe ideas do not work in my budget or on my time schedule. However, as she so aptly said, sometimes simpler is better.
This recipe is one that fits both categories – affordable and quick. I had my quiche in the oven in about 50 minutes. Now, the better part – I now have a healthy and nutritious lunch to bring to work – and it is delicious served room temperature!
I tweaked her recipe a bit – so if you are a “purist” for homemade piecrusts, you can find the complete directions here. However, my Pillsbury Pie Crust worked just fine, I just popped the extra crust in the freezer for the next time I make this dish!
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by Kat | Apr 15, 2012 | General
It was the best of times… Charles Dickens
It was a truly spectacular 9 days, but who was counting. There was good food, great conversation, some awesome beer, a little Idol, and photography – lots of great photography.
We went to Van Raalte Farm on a couple of different days – I live here and had never been there. It is really an amazing place; the paths are all clearly marked and imagine my wonder as I saw so much wildlife in the city limits – the first morning a fox barked at us! We also saw plenty of birds – even bluebirds and turkeys! I will indeed visit there again.
Here is a little montage of our week. Enjoy!
by Kat | Apr 24, 2011 | General
Greetings Gentle Readers!
Is your life as hectic as mine is. Do you drag in from work at the end of the day with waning energy and do you then open a can of nothingness and make something less than satisfying for dinner? On the other hand, perhaps you stop at Mickey D’s and let them prepare your dinner? Or, do you take a page from my book and pour yourself a bowl of cereal because that is all the energy you can muster?
Well, stop the presses; I have an answer for the Work Day Cooking Blues!
I found this recipe at The Red Spoon Blog, and I must confess – I believe I have perfected her already perfect recipe!
Simple ingredients that you probably have in your refrigerator, with one or two exceptions and with a couple of additions to your weekly grocery list, you will be all set. The best part…you can reheat the soufflé in the microwave! Yes, I indeed said, reheat in the microwave, I kid you not! Add a fresh salad, a slice of crusty bread, and a nice glass of white wine and – voila! A good and healthy dinner for you, just what one needs to pamper one’s self at the end of a long day!
I can hear the collective groans out there, Gentle Reader – but trust me, making a soufflé is easy! If you can separate eggs, you can make an amazing soufflé!
Therefore, without further adieu – I give you my “go to” soufflé recipe…
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by Kat | Apr 10, 2011 | General
Hello everyone, a big thank you if you are still here reading this post! All has been quiet here recently with work and life consuming my waking hours. In the world where I work yard maintenance is king and the “grass season” officially began on April 1 and trust me when I say that the coincidence of that and April fool’s day is not lost on me.
Why, you might ask? Well, it ushers in the event of 12-hour workdays, beginning at five o’clock in the morning. Which means rising at the ungodly hour of 3:30AM.
I had been enjoying seeing sunrises as I got up to start my day. Now, I am up long before the sun is. Not quite the way is should work, but the pay is a bonus. 60-hour workweeks make for a nice paycheck!
Anyways, here is a recent sunrise and sunset.
Frosty sunrise….
Mourning Doves at sunset
Have a great week everyone!
