Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Crafty Creations

I've had a cold this past week or more and I've been quite fatigued. I haven't been feeling up to much of any real work or outside activities while I'm trying to rest and recuperate.

Usually when I'm sick, I like to read a good book but this week I got crafty.

First up was this jumble of knitting. I made two sets of dishcloths.
This first set is made with a smaller needle. I like this colour combination for kitchen cloths and have made a set for myself in this colour before.

This dishcloth and it's mate (not in this photo) was made for a friend of mine who recently helped me pack up mom's apartment. Her kitchen has whites, pink and browns so I thought she'd like this colour combination. I've made it in a slightly larger knit which I've found works very nicely for dishcloths.

I love this colour blue and actually made this one in the Autumn. This week I've wrapped a bar of dove soap inside and will gift it to a friend who loves this colour blue.
This yellow item is an aborted experiment in crocheting a baby dress. I didn't have the right size of hook and I don't think the yarn is soft enough for a baby.  As I progressed, I could see that the dress was really too small at the top. I believe I know what the problem is.  I think it is missing the chains at the ends of each row. I may try this again when I get the right size hook and softer yarn.

Determined to make a baby dress, I started a different pattern. I am using some light pink yarn that was given to me by a friend.  The colour looks washed out due to the lack of good light at that hour of the morning.

In this photo you can see the proper colour of the sweater. This is the first time I've tried this pattern. I always find the first time making something to be quite challenging and I don't usually work in yarn as my preferred material is crochet cotton.  Now that I am getting close to the finish, I think it looks very cute. I will post a photo of the  finished product after I find some ribbon and rosettes to adorn this sweet little jacket.
Close up detail of the sleeve.


I hope you've enjoyed a peek at my crafting week.
I'd love to know if you've been busy making anything 
and whether you have any knitting or crochet patterns 
of baby things to share with beginners like me.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Chocolate Chip Cookies for Those Who Love Chocolate

Welcome to my newest follower, Snow white who lives in Nara, Japan.
Dōmo arigatō (thank you). Hajimemashite (nice to meet you).

Every since I found out I was diabetic I have not been baking as much as before. I miss baking cookies and eating a cookie while drinking my tea.  Lately it has been cold and windy here and  Tuesday night was no exception. I went on line and found this easy recipe for chocolate chip cookies.  These cookies are different from others I have tried because you add cocoa to the mixture.

Recipe Ingredients:

3/4 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 tbsp water if dough is dry ( I had to add a bit of water)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts ( I added some leftover pecan nuts as I don't have any walnuts)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

The mixed cookie batter.

Recipe Instructions:

Beat together the oil, sugar, and egg. Add the rest of the
ingredients and stir to blend well. Let stand for 10 minutes. Drop
by spoonfuls, about 1 inch apart, onto a lightly oiled baking sheet.
Bake for about 8 - 10 minutes (or until done) at about 375 F.
My batter  made 30 cookies.

There are two cookie shapes here, one round and one flattened with a fork tine.

One cookie - 106 calories, 1 starch/bread, 1 fat exchange 2 g
protein, 18 g carbohydrate, 6 g fat, 124 mg sodium

Quick & Easy Diabetic Menus by Betty Wedman, M.S., R.D. 1993 ISBN
0-8092-3853-5

These cookies were tasty and not too sweet but flavourful enough with the added cocoa. The cookies are also a bit crispy.

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