Next step – first crochet project

~ DMWCarol ~ 1 Comment

I’ve practised the single crochet enough that I am now convinced that I know what I am doing, so it’s time to be brave and tackle an actual project to put my new skills to the test.

Strangely enough there aren’t vast numbers of projects for a total beginner, they all seem to expect you to know double crochet and all sorts of other obscure magics that I have yet to attempt.

I could just make squares and call them dishcloths – and don’t think I’m not tempted – but that would feel like too much of a cop out so I have searched the internet and finally found something I think I can manage.

This shopping tote.  It’s pretty much just single crochet and chains so it really can’t get any more basic than that.

So far it  just looks like a really dodgy doiley but I have hope

  

 Fingers crossed!

So much for that idea

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

A friend of mine started a facebook group a couple of days ago, aimed at those of us who fear that the new tory government will mean more suffering for those most in need.  The idea being that rather than just moaning about how unfair it all is we’d try and do what we could to provide mutual support.  I think this is a brilliant way of looking at the situation – practical help and emotional support can make a real difference to those who need them, and lets face it that could be any of us.

This time last year I had a nice full time office job that I knew I was good at and that felt ‘safe’ – now I think it’s unlikely that I will ever work full time again.

Anyway, one of the things I decided to do as a way of making a little bit of a difference was to volunteer with the local food bank.  There’s one run from the church in Ramsey that’s part of the Trussel Trust.  I found their website and tried emailing them but the email bounced so when I went to the craft course this morning I thought I’d call in.  The website said to ask at the cafe in the indoor market – only when I got there they told me that was no longer the case so I went down to the church where the food bank was actually in session.

I had a chat and gave my details and it all looked to be going ok until they started talking about “Revive” which is a prayer group which also serves food.  I said that wasn’t for me as I am not a Christian and just wanted to help with the foodbank.  And at that point I was told that I couldn’t be a volunteer as it was a church thing only.

If that’s their attitude to potential volunteers what on earth are they like with non Christians who need help?  That’s over 40% of the population if we match up to the national average.  We probably don’t match up given how ‘middle England’ Ramsey is but I know there are pagans and buddhists and muslims in the area at least.

Single crochet

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

i think I’m getting the hang of this. I managed to get hold of a new crochet hook this morning, plus some nice soft cotton to play with.  I’ve done a few rows and unravelled it to do again a few times. It still feels a bit awkward, but the stitch is coming out fairly even now.  Maybe I can master this after all 🙂

  

Project crochet

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

My mission for this year is to learn how to crochet.  I have a vague idea how it works, my friend Pam tried to teach me at an alt.fan.pratchett meet some years back.  I was sort of getting there, but I didn’t really try again after that couple of days in a field so I never really got the hang of it.

I’ve got loads of wool and I’ve managed to find a couple of crochet hooks in amongst the knitting needles I’ve picked up at car boot sales etc so I should be all kitted out.

Next step – watch some how to videos on youtube and see if I can find a really easy project to start with.

Pico de gallo

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

I’m having a treat today, loads of pico de gallo to nom on with tortilla chips

It’s a bit on the chunky side, but I like it that way.  If I was making it to share I’d probably make it finer just to be posh.

It’s the easiest thing in the world to make and so flavoursome, it’s even healthy! I don’t know why I don’t have it every day.

All you need is tomatoes, onions, a couple of chillis, a clove of garlic, some fresh coriander and lime juice.  The exact proportions don’t matter, it’s just a case of mixing until you get the balance that works for you. Everyone makes it slightly differently and they all taste great.

Mine has – 12 smallish tomatoes, one small onion, one clove garlic, 2 green chillis, a handful of coriander leaf and the juice of one lime.

Cheeseburger bread

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment


Cut almost all the way through a loaf to make squares about an inch across, stuff cooked seasoned minced beef and grated cheese into the gaps and put in a warm oven until the cheese melts. Yum!  You’d be amazed how quickly a loaf can disappear.
Next time I’m going to use chilli instead of hamburger and top with jalapeños and guacamole.

Voting

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

I’ve just been and voted.  It only took a few minutes, the polling station is within walking distance.  It doesn’t seem like such a big deal really, but that just shows how fortunate we are.  There are places where people face violence for exercising the same right I have just, so casually enjoyed.  I live in what is considered an ultra safe area so the chances of our current MP being replaced are slim to none, but even so I can be sure that my vote will be counted and that only the votes of those who made that minimal effort to turn up and make their mark or arranged a postal vote in advance will be counted alongside mine.

I don’t like the current government and I like some of the parties standing against them even less.  To be honest there isn’t a single party I am 100% in favour of, but even if my choice of government won’t win this seat at least I can vote against the ones I really dislike.  It’s good to know that even if they win outright they will know that there are people like me who object, perhaps it will be enough to sway their minds on some of the policies.

I have no idea what the outcome is going to be, but I think it was worth taking part.

Cranberry bread

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

Since I had the oven on for the beer bread anyway I decided to make another favourite – cranberry bread.  This is so sweet it’s more like a cake than a bread but it makes an amazing cheese sandwich

  • Half a cup of sugar
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 and a half cups of self raising flour
  • 1 small jar of cranberry sauce (about 1 cup)

Mix everything together in a bowl. Pour into a buttered loaf pan.  Cook at  175/350 for about an hour.  Remove from the tin to cool – although I’m not very good at that part and end up eating it still warm from the oven.

I’m sure you could swap the cranberry for redcurrant or apple sauce and it would still work.  I’m also planning on trying this with elderberry once I’ve picked some later in the year.

Beer bread

~ DMWCarol ~ Leave a comment

Taking a short break from the essay writing today I decided to have a go at making beer bread.  The result looks rather yummy


It’s so much easier than ordinary bread, only takes a few minutes to mix.

Recipe:

3 cups flour (I used a mix of wholemeal with seeds and self raising)

2 tablespoons sugar

12oz beer

You can also add any flavourings you fancy so mine has some Italian herbs and crushed garlic.  This is completely optional though.

Just stir together – you can even mix in the cooking tin for minimal washing up.   It’s designed to be baked in a regular loaf tin but I wanted mine round so used a cake tin.

Some recipes say to pour over some melted butter, I was running a bit low on butter so used a tablespoon of garlic infused olive oil instead.

Cook for about an hour at 190/375

I’m planning to turn my loaf into a tear apart cheeseburger bread but that won’t be until tomorrow.  It was very hard to resist just tucking in while it was still warm though – I hope it was worth it 🙂