Fish'n'Chip crochet version

Just finished my friends crochet version of what I think the knit version used to be known as the African Aids Babies jumper. Why Fish'n'Chip you ask ? Read all about it here . I did make a few modifications so it would fit my Charlotte who is a size 0000. I made the neck opening a bit bigger and added a few rows to the length of the arms.

Here's my little model Charlotte ....


And here's a close-up


The first picture is a little dark as I had the flash turned off. You can click on it to get a better look.

Back to the knitting needles now. I have a few UFOs which I really ought to get done and I think I'm going to frog that top-down toddlers cardigan I started a few weeks ago as I now realise I won't have enough yarn. Its a good easy pattern though and I'll certainly be using it but next time I'll make sure I have enough yarn to finish it.

Dear Daughter's Dip

Here as promised is the recipe for my daughter's favourite dip which only takes a few minutes to prepare. Very more-ish.

Ingredients
1 pkt Frozen spinach
Pkt French Onion Soup
1 cup Sour Cream
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 finely chopped onion
1 Cob Loaf

Method
Cook spinach and allow to cool. When cool, drain off as much liquid as possible.
Mix together the soup mix, sour cream, mayo and onion. Add to spinach and mix well.
Hollow out the cob loaf and break the bread from the middle into slightly larger than bite size pieces.
When ready to serve, put the dip inside the loaf and lay the pieces around the outside of the loaf. Enjoy !!

I haven't tried it yet but think you could substitute the loaf bit and use crackers with the dip.

Decisions, decisions

My heart was broken/stolen (?) when I delivered the Knit4Charities kitten blankets to the RSPCA today. I saw a cat there who is the image of our Madison - and the same breed. He is 9 years and 9 months old and was pleading for a cuddle which of course he got. He climbed up the front of his cage to 'talk' to me and when the lady got him out for me to hold, his purr was so loud and enthusiastic I thought he was going to gag. I am so torn - I'd love to rescue him but don't know how our girl would feel with another cat in the house. This poor fellow's owners, an elderly couple had to move into a retirement village and were not allowed to take their beloved pet. Isn't this a shocking thing when you think about it? Pets are so good for elderly people - they are their 'babies' and I believe research has proven that older people do much better if they have a pet.

Here's Pixel - isn't he gorgeous?


I have another great recipe for you but will post it later tonight.

I'm a bad blogger !!

Gosh, three weeks since I last posted anything here ! I've been busy with one thing and another - mainly collecting on behalf of the K4C group for Vinnies Night Patrol in Canberra. This afternoon I counted and photographed all the items group members had knitted or crocheted and generously donated to this worthy cause - 186 items in all. Vinnies Night Patrol van travels around Canberra and the surrounding areas at night, giving out free food to homeless people. I've seen the van at one of our local shopping centres (Dickson) and feel so sad to see so many homeless people. The weather in Canberra gets very cold at night and after checking with the wonderful lady who runs K4C, I approached Vinnies to see if they would hand out our donated beanies, scarves, fingerless gloves etc. to these poor souls. I will be delivering these items on Thursday.


Figured that while I was at it I might as well count and photograph the kitten blankets that will be going to the Canberra RSPCA tomorrow -

This will be the first delivery (80 blankets) in the 1500 Kitten Blanket Challenge in the K4Ckal group. A kind member also made three beautiful dog coats which you can see in the front of the blankets.

Its back to knitting for me tomorrow. Last week I visited Past Times at Cooma and bought some interesting wool from New Zealand. It was in a kit which included the wool, pattern for a diagonal garter stitch beanie and a pair of 4.00mm bamboo needles. I've promised to make a beanie for my grandson so this one will be for him. I'll post a picture when its finished - or even well on the way, to show you the interesting effect the combination of pattern and wool is making.

Here's a recipe for Stir Fry Chicken. My daughter created this one and I made it last night - very nice !!

Stir Fried Chicken
Ingredients:
Garlic and Ginger (out of the jars from the supermarket)
500g Chicken breast (diced)
large onion chopped
carrot, capsicum, zucchini, mushrooms, corn (0pt) all julienned
Chicken Stock Powder
Soy Sauce
Hoisin Sauce
Method
Put about 2 tsp garlic and 1 tsp ginger into a non stick frypan and mix around for a bit.
Add chicken and brown for a few minutes
Add all the vegetables and mix well.
Sprinkle chicken stock powder (no liquid) over the veges (at least 1 desertspoon)
Add a splash of Soy Sauce and a good dash (few tablespoons) of Hoisin Sauce
Enjoy !! Oh, you can serve it with rice, noodles or couscous. Depends on how hungry you are but I made this serve 3.

Time Flies when you're having Fun

Hard to believe its been over a week since I've posted anything here. Its been a busy week one way or another but I have achieved one thing .... a FO (for the uninitiated, that means a finished object) !! This afternoon I finished this scarf which is going to the sister of one of my very dear friends in Tasmania. I hope it will keep her warm.



Earlier in the week I received a lovely surprise in the mail. It took me ages to work out who sent me this lovely potholder as the back of the package just said 'for you from me'.



Last week I had lunch with my friend Lucille and gave her the pattern for the square I made for an exchange on AustraliaCrochet. (there's a picture of it in an earlier post) Lucy made the square, added a knitted back and a loop and voila .... a pretty potholder.

I'm still suffering from my day out at the Canberra Show yesterday. Talk about aches and pains !! Still, it was fun and I'm glad I went. The knitting and crochet sections were of particular interest to me but I can't say I totally agreed with the judge for the placings in the crochet rug class. You be the judge - see what you think ..

First Prize ...


Second Prize ...



Third Prize ...



Don't get me wrong .. all three were beautifully done but I just felt the placings were a bit off. To make matters worse, I was commenting about this to one of the stewards and she said 'well, some judges get to know who has entered and who wins all the time and they like to share it around'. WRONG !!! I hope that really wasn't the case.

Reserve Champion went to this stunning piece


The knitting section had some interesting items. These toys were cute

and I love the pattern in this rug


I want to leave you with something special today. When I say sea-horse, do you think of something small, exotic and elegant? It has been said that these creatures are an endangered species considered to be on the edge of distinction. Well then, have a look at this elegant creature .......