Crocheted Beanies!

I am definitely transforming into a grandma these days. I am constantly knitting and cooking. It's strange for a 21 year old college student... but I don't even care. I am in LOVE with crocheting. One of my favorite things to make are these beanies. I have them for sale on my etsy page and they are SO COZY. Please go and check them out!

Above the knuckle ring tutorial

Last night I couldn't get to sleep and was craving something crafty. 

I'm sure you've been seeing a lot of those mid-knuckle rings

I had some wire in one of my craft boxes for my art classes and figured I'd take a stab at making them and they are SO EASY!  

here's a mini tutorial...

What you'll need:

-soft 18 or 20 gauge wire. 

-pliers

-wire cutters

-chap stick (to make the rounded shape)

 

1) cut the wire about 3 inches long

2) wrap it around the chap stick

3) slide the wire off the chap stick

4) take the pliers and bend the ends toward the center

5) squish the wire together so it has a soft end (as seen in the picture above on the right)

6) do this to both ends

7) once the ends are bent down, use the pliers to gently turn them outward so they lay flat (as seen in the picture above on the right) 

8) slide the ring onto your finger and fit it to where you want it to stay

9) this is what it should look like from the front and back once it is finished

-E

Infiniti Scarves

As I said in my last post, I am turning into a grandma and crocheting fanatic. I am in love with these cozy infinity scarves. So many colors so little time. Go to my etsy page and check them out. I have some colors up there now but I can do any color you would like. Just message me and let me know!

 -E

Broccoli Cheddar Bites

Finally a new post!! The other day I was looking for something somewhat healthy but super yummy to have as a side for dinner or just a snack. I came across a post on Pinterest for about the umpteenth time and decided I would try it. If you know me then you know how much I HATE broccoli. I don't know what it is but I've just never been that fond of it. After making this recipe, I can't get enough of it!! (I can't find the original recipe so don't think I'm trying to steal the credit from someone else!)

If you have children this would be a perfect recipe that they could help out with! They get to mush up all of the ingredients and smush them into little patties. 

Ingredients:

-16oz broccoli

-1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (original recipe called for cheddar, but I used mozzarella)

-1 cup Italian bread crumbs

-3 eggs

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl. Mash into small patties. Place on a baking sheet with tin foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Flip half way through cooking time so both sides are equally cooked. 

These are great as sides for dinner or even lunch with some soup. 

Could also be a great snack for on the go.

So I've been MIA for a while. Mostly because I'm frustrated that I can't figure out how to personalize this blog more and make it more creative. But I guess I'll just have to figure it out eventually. Anyways, Happy Holidays! Ive been super busy with school and work and haven't really had much time for any blogging but I think I need to get back into it. Although I might just wait until I'm home for Christmas break.

While I was home for Thanksgiving break I was at an old neighbors house for game night with my family and boyfriend one night. We had some drinks, one of which was a mixture of the two above. Baileys original Irish cream and this Crave chocolate chili liqueur. HOLY COW. They were delicious together. Especially served with some ice. So good. Definitely my new favorite holiday drink!!

I'll try to post some more crafts/food ideas soon.

-E

Chocolate Strawberries

Who doesn't love chocolate covered strawberries!?

But taking that first bite, when the chocolate breaks and falls all over the place, isn't that great. 

SOLUTION: fill the strawberries with chocolate!

This way, when you bite, the chocolate doesn't fall off.

Ingredients:

1 package of strawberries (the bigger the better)

 1 bag of nestle chocolate chips (any flavor will work)

Directions:

1) hollow out the strawberries with a knife. (be careful not to cut all the way through). 

2) melt the chocolate according to the instructions on the bag

3) use a spoon to scoop the melted chocolate into the strawberries.

4) the chocolate will try to slide out so tip the strawberries up on the rim of a plate

5) refrigerate for 10 minutes or until chocolate is hard

6) ENJOY!

I used a spoon because I didn't know what else to use to transfer the chocolate. But another way you could do it is by putting the chocolate (melted) into a plastic bag and cutting a small hole in the corner. (Kinda like a homemade icing applicator)

Apple & Sweet Potato Hash Browns

I was feeling like having some breakfast for dinner tonight so I decided to make some hash browns. But I wanted something different and after some searching, I found this recipe here. I added some bacon and it was delicious!

Ingredients

2 tbsp canola oil

1 granny smith apple (peeled & sliced thin like matchsticks)

1/2 cup thin sliced onion (I used a little less cause I don't like much onion)

3 medium sweet potatoes (cut thin like matchsticks)

^^p.s. WHY ARE THEY SO HARD TO CUT!?!?!

cinnamon - add to taste

Directions

-in large skillet, heat 1tsp of oil over medium-high heat

-add apple & onion and cook untill they're soft (4 min.)

-set aside in a covered bowl

-add 1 tbsp oil to skillet again

-spread potatoes in pan in an even layer & press lightly with spatula

-cook until potatoes are golden brown on the bottom (5 min.) 

-drizzle with remaining oil & flip over for another 5 minutes

-add apple & onion to potatoes and mix together (leave on for 2 min.)

-sprinkle with cinnamon and add salt & pepper to taste

 (apples and onion after being on the skillet)

(potatoes after I sliced them.. HOLY COW! SO HARD.)

(potatoes, onions, and apples)

(afterwards with bacon.. nom nom nom!)

DELICIOUS!!!