Oh SNOW, you didn't!

Here in Southwestern PA, we have had a very mild winter.  After the last few years of heavy snow and storms, this weather has been refreshing but any deviation from the mild weather is annoying.  So for the first time in what seems like months, we have Snow.

Taken this morning outside of my Apartment on my way to work

The worst thing about all of this is that the forecast is calling for 65º F weather later in the week (bye bye snow!)

This was the accumulation yesterday around 2 PM EST

Snow and cold weather just inspire me to cook and bake, this weekend I made soup and a cherry pie.  I was going to make Chicken Parm for dinner but ran out of time before an event Dad and I had to go to Sunday Evening. 

My mom loved soup and usually made it during the week to have for lunch and with dinners.  I learned to cook through helping out and can now make a mean Chicken Noodle Soup.  I don't have exact measurements for this recipe but here it is anyway.

Note: Vary the ingredients to taste, that's the best part of cooking and I only know how to make soup in large quantities.

Finished Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

4 Chicken Thighs
Celery (Chopped)
Carrots (Chopped)
Onion (Chopped)
Parsley (Minced)
1 Box of Chicken Broth
2 Chicken Bouillon Cubes
Water
Noodles (egg, stars, alphabets)

Combine all of the ingredients and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for at least 2 hours but longer is better.  Drain liquid into a separate pot and remove Chicken Thighs.  Remove meat from bone and discard bones and skin.  Return chicken meat and veggies back to the stock and put back on low heat.  Skim any fat that may accumulate.  Cook noodles according to package directions drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.  Mix into Soup.  Serve.  (Makes a lot)

Now from there I doctored it up.  I added a bouquet of Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage as well as a pierced lemon to add additional flavor while the broth was simmering. 

Stock bubbling away.

Tip:  If you want to remove herbs later, bundle them in cooking twine and leave a tail to wind around the handle of the pot.  When finished cooking, it can be removed like a tea bag.

Mirepoix of Onion, Carrot and Celery

Now the quantities of veggies are vague because it's to taste but mainly its 1 large onion, 2-4 stalks of celery and 2-4 carrots.  Depending on size.  Dad helped me with that.  He made a good Soux Chef.

Dad the Soux Chef

I also made Cherry Pie and I took pictures, but I think I am going to save that for tomorrow.  It was yummy and so you will just have to wait to see how awesome it is.

Did you have a good weekend?  What do you think about the crazy weather?

<3 Heather

Week in a Day

Hello all, I know for many it is Finished Object Friday (check out Tami's Amis Blog for wonderful finished objects) but I was sick all week.

Tuesday started with the headache that wouldn't go away and Wednesday and Thursday was the stomach flu.  I didn't have a fever but I was not a happy camper.  Luckily I took my work laptop home and was able to work from home.  The good news is that my project is rolling out this weekend but that means I had a ton to do this week and being sick was not a motivating factor to get that and my blogging done.

I usually don't mention work here but I have to crow a bit because I have been working on this project for 2 years and am so happy to finally see it come to light.  I am really happy and nervous for the system to turn on.

Anyway, now that I am feeling better I figured I would condense a week of posts in a day and update everyone what's been going on.  This past weekend was so much fun,  I attended the Section 65/66 Alpha Phi Omega Conference. Alpha Phi Omega is a national co-ed Service Fraternity that I pledged in college and am now an alumni volunteer.  Really the conference was great, students got to network and learn how to make their chapters great.

Sunday, I didn't do much.  I didn't make it home but was able get some laundry and house cleaning done as well as crochet 5 more Lego Blocks! I mentioned them here and got a bunch more done plus all of my yarn has arrived.  I hope to get 20 done this weekend.  Wish me luck!

Monday I went out to dinner with a friend and Tuesday my headache prevented me from looking at monitors, screens, lights, sunshine so I became a vampire and hid in the dark.  My flu hit on Wednesday morning and I had all of these plans for WIP Wednesday but I didn't get around to it.

Aside from working on the bobbles, I was able to get some work done on my socks.  The ankle portion is about 3 inches and really I don't cuff or like tall socks so I think I am going to start on the heel. I admit this is a little scary but I think it will be okay.  Hopefully I will have more to show next week.

I love this yarn, the colorway is awesome and so soft

I started the next project after last WIP Wednesday but I found the pattern and couldn't wait to use the yarn.

It Sparkles!

  I bought Space Cadet Creations - Lucinda Yarn in the Mars Colorway at The Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival in February.  This is hand dyed locally and I love supporting local artisans plus really its gorgeous yarn.  I could not wait to get it on my needles the trick was finding the right pattern.

I found the Falling Water pattern on Ravelry and knew this would show the yarn well.  Okay, I needed a bit of encouragement today from Samie but as I look at the picture I can really see it coming together.  The picture doesn't show the color to it's fullest potential but it does show off the pattern and the sparkle.

Lastly, I started on a scarf for Katherine.  Katherine is a huge Harry Potter fan and is graduating this fall and I wanted to make her a Hogwarts Scarf as a present.  I got the yarn in this week and had to start.

It doesn't look like much but Gryffindor colors will shine through once I start adding the rows of Gold Stripes.  I am using the pattern from Year's 3 and 4 from Charmed Knits.  I got the book from my friend Amy but hadn't started to knit yet.  I am so happy I am able to use it now.

I haven't been reading as much as I like but have the following books in my queue:

• The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen
• Unclaimed by Courtney Milan
• Highlander for the Holidays by Janet Chapman
• So Shelly by Ty Roth
• Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas
• The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

I have a proclivity towards romances but I have still read 17 books so far this year.  The aim is always 100 so I need to remember to put down the knitting needles and pick up a book every so often.  Perhaps, I need a timer to have equal reading and yarn time.  Thoughts?

Well, hope you all have a good weekend and I hope to have some good pictures of recipes on Monday!  I am thinking of baking a pie this weekend.  Yummy!

<3 Heather

2012 - February Recap

Another month has passed and another Mosaic of everything that happened last month.  I am feeling really calm and relaxed which is something I haven't felt for a year.  February was full of yarny goodness, I went to the knit and crochet fest, a knitting lesson, and took lots of pictures for the month of craft project.  I can't wait for what March brings (cough basketball cough).

This week has been rough, I have had migraines and sickness but am finally starting to feel better. Hope everyone else is having a good week.

<3 Heather

PS Who else is excited for March Madness?