Bitch & Stitch Session

It's not just your grandmother's past time anymore.  Knitting and crocheting is a great way to be creative, keep your mind sharp, and relieve stress.  If Sex in the City star does it in public, it can't be too lame right?



I know the basics of knitting too, but I'm not too quick.  I prefer to crocheting.   For me, it's faster and easier.  I recently crocheted a Spiderman ski mask for The Boy.  He loved it and it has been super useful during this cold snap.  I bought the right shade of red and pale yellow to attempt an iron man ski  mask.  Now, just trying to get motivated to make it. I have to be in the mood to crochet, otherwise it's just work.   Much like 'other things' in life too *wiggles eyebrows* heehee.

Not sure if there is interest, but I'll put it out there.  Anyone interested in getting together to crochet/knit over some snacks/wine/coffee?   Some ideas come to mind for a get together:

• Newbie session - you don't know how, but we can teach each other


• Help the Homeless - we each make a couple of granny squares during the session and make a blanket


• Keep Preemies Warm - we could make a preemie hat to donate to hospitals


• Work on your own stuff with an excuse to b*tch about our husbands/bf/both (LOL), see each other  and eat rich food

Hopefully I don't get caught up with all these questions in my head or suffer Paralysis by Analysis.

Date, time, location, topic will be arranged based on interest.  Vote using the poll below or comment and let me know if you want to make a made-with-love, hand-crafted, cool hat/toy/blanket/booties/mitts for your special person.

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Baked Brie

I had never tasted this delicious, creamy, combination in my 20+ years before I met a great French Canadian friend of mine.  Baked Brie was never served at my family functions back then.  It is now though!  It seemed so uppity when I first heard of it, but really it's easy and delicious.   I just had never been exposed to such rich gorgeous cheese that goes so well with the sweet butter and brown sugar combination and fruit that was served with a satisfying crunch on a cracker.

There are so many other ways to make this.  I've heard of it being served in puff pastry with more savory flavours, but I like this recipe because it is so easy and I usually have everything on hand except the cheese.  Also, I've never worked with puff pastry, so it sounds a bit intimidating.

It takes only 10 minutes of prep before you stick it into the oven.  And you look so fancy and worked so hard on it when you impress those lucky taste buds of your guests.

Ingredients:

1 wheel of Brie or Camembert cheese
butter
brown sugar
chopped dried fruit (i.e. cranberries, apricots)
crackers

Steps:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread a thin layer of butter on top of Brie.

Spread a thin layer of brown sugar on top of buttered Brie.

Spread a thin layer of chopped fruit on top of brown sugared Brie.

Place cheese on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until softened, 15 to 20 minutes.

Transfer to a serving plate; cool about 15 minutes.

Serve with crackers.

NOTE:  If I'm going to bring it to a friend/family function, I place it in my circular cake pan and open the Brie, but not take it out of the package, just exposing the top.  Prepare a Brie with the butter, brown sugar, and half a wheel with cranberries and the other half with apricots.  The wrap it back up.   Now you can easily bring it with you and bake on location.

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Recipe Exchange

One reason I love gatherings/hanging out/chillin' together/dinner parties/breaking bread is trying real home cooked foods from The People.

You may not cook, bake, bbq, or entertain often, but you are always asked to bring Your dish.  The one you are synonymous for.  People ALWAYS say how amazing it is and ask how you made it or for the recipe.  Sometimes it's the only item in your menu repertoire, but you make it damn good.

Now, some people do not want to share their recipes.  I don't mind sharing, as long as you remember that it's MY recipe when we are in the same room or talking to mutual peoples.   I will do so also with your recipe. Otherwise, you can now be famous for Spinach Dip/Baked Brie/Pineapple Upside Down Cake/Rainbow Cupcakes/Layered Jello.

I would like to create a discussion for a recipe exchange.  Not sure if people will participate, but I hope you will.  I ask that if you use one of 'my' recipes that you leave one that is in your recipe box.  I look forward to trying all of your diverse family favourites.  Drinks, dips, appetizers, snacks, spreads, dinner / breakfast /  brunch /lunch ideas and my favourite, desserts!  I love making cookies, bars, & muffins.

Should there be many recipes, I could make this post 'sticky' so it's easily available.  Now, post your signature dish my multicultural readers!

Men vs. Women Household Chores

When Franklin and I first lived together, who knew who should do what?  Who knew that there were so many things that needed to be done when you have someone else with you.  You'd think there would be less to do since there are two people to cut all the chores in half.  Ha!   Oh to be young and naïve.  There are growing pains.  The first few years, everyone is on their best behaviour.  You get things done without being asked.  Then you're into the 7-12 year mark and things start to get blurry.

 

Once upon a time, there were specific chores that were expected to be done by woman and specific chores done by men.

Woman - Everything that has to be cleaned inside the house, including cooking.  Take care of all the needs of people in the house, with her last.

Man - Maintain the outside of the house, including taking out the garbage.  Pay all the bills.

Well, things have changed.   Or have they?  Woman work and help with the bills since life has become so expensive.  That leaves less time to do all the cooking and cleaning.  Men, will have to help with the chore list.

Have kids?  Add this to the mix:

• Bath time


• Diaper changes


• Medicine/Vitamins


• Changing clothes


• Crafts/Book/Playdates time

Good luck newlyweds.  You're going to need it.  (or is it just us?  we both hate to do housework.  like it or don't like it, it doesn't matter. somethings just need to be done)

Household Chore List

Kitchen Meals Plan/Prepare Set/Clear Table Wash Dishes/Load Dishwasher Clean and/or Organize Counter/Stove Top Drawers Cupboards Fridge/Freezer Sink Microwave Bedrooms Make bed Pick up/put away clothes Tidy closet Clean off dresser/work desk Pick up toys Bathrooms Clean Shower/Tub Toilets Sinks/Counters Mirrors Drawers/Cupboards Family Areas Pick up books and toys Organize bookshelves Clean/Dust Top Surfaces (computer workspace, tables, etc.) [polldaddy poll=4526573]

Laundry Sort into loads Wash them Hang permanent press Dryer items Fold/Put away Floors Dry mop/Sweep Wet mop/scrub floors Vacuum Shampoo carpets Wax (If you are really ambitious!) Additional Take out garbage Dust anything else! Take care of pet(s) Wash Windows Outside Clean Pool Camper/Boat Garage/Shed Wash/Vacuum Vehicles Weed/Plant Garden/Pick Ripe Foods Plant/Weed Flowers Mow Lawn Rake Grass/Leaves Shovel Snow Fill Birdfeeders

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

We have tons of fruit in the house.  Grapes, cherries, mango, blackberries, strawberries, apples, banana, and a pineapple.  If you keep it cut up and available it will be easier to choose a healthy snack rather than cookies, chips, and candy.  For me and The Boy!

This is my first attempt at Pineapple Upside Down (PUD) Cake .  If you have an amazing  PUD cake recipe that you are famous for, please share!  I am willing to do a recipe exchange.  Inbox me on FB, share it here in the comments section or email me (either you have the email address or you don't.  sorry, not going to share it on this public forum.  I know, paranoid right??)

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted


• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar


• 3 cups fresh pineapple - peeled, cored and cut into 1 inch chunks


• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose whole wheat flour


• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened


• 2/3 cup white sugar


• 2 eggs


• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


• 3/4 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).


2. Put 1/4 cup butter into 9-inch circle pan and place into oven until butter is melted. Then stir in brown sugar.


3. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.


4. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in three parts alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat well after each addition. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.


5. Place the cake in the middle of the oven. Bake for 40 to 55 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a rack for 15 minutes. Run a thin knife around the edge, and invert the cake onto a plate. Serve the cake warm or at room temperature.

NOTE:  I gave away half and have eaten 1/2 of my remaining 1/2. So, not good for my diet.  I should have given the whole thing minus a slice for me.

It was not too sweet which I like.  While it was cooling and before inverting it on a plate, I poked holes into the cake with a skewer and poured some of the remaining pineapple juice.   I think I could have put it on a cookie tray and put it under the broiler to caramelize the top a bit.

I'm gonna LOSE IT!

1. I'm asking.


2. I'm just reminding you.


3. I'm gonna LOSE IT!

How many times do I have to ask before I am justified in 'losing it'?  Really.  How many times?  Now, if you finally do DO IT, then the next time it has to be done I'm jumping to Step 2.  I'll do another 'friendly' reminder, but after that BAM!  Get IT DONE!!

I've tried it your way.  I ask.  You say you'll get it done.  I bite my tongue day after day.  Well, it's been a week or a month or several months, and it's STILL not done.

You are turning me into a nag.  That's right.  YOU are making me a nag.  If you would just handle your business, than I wouldn't have to say anything.  Oh, wouldn't it be 'easier' if I'd just do it myself instead of getting all GRRR about it.  Well, I'm not your mother who will do all the b.s. tasks to make life easier for you.  This is a marriage and you are a grown adult.

I know procrastination has bitten you ten times over, but finding other things to do doesn't mean you are too busy to get these things done.   You have to shovel.  Touché.  But how do you explain the last TWO weeks for not getting it done?  There were days where you tired.  I get it.  You have kidney disease and do dialysis everyday.  But, how about when there are good days?  You will not use your illness as an excuse.  You are better than that.  and I love you too much to let you.

Buying club packs of socks and underwear does not mean you should skip doing laundry for eons.   But, what's worse is when you do DO IT, you try and say "Po' me.  I'm doing 6 loads of laundry."   You ain't getting no sympathy from me pal.  Maybe if you got it done on the regular you wouldn't have to spend the whole day doing it.  I'm  just saying.

We all have our assigned duties (post about the evolution man vs. woman coming soon).  This worked itself out years ago when we first lived together.  Remember, it started out as doing laundry together.  Then I just did my own and you did your own.  And it has evolved to where we are today.  You do it all.   It's fair and you know it! :)

Don't get me wrong.  I can be a lazy mofo too.  But, this post is my rant about me losing it on your oogly butt, not my cute behind. hehe

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Is anything in life ever REALLY free?

The saying goes "the best things in life are free".  Really?

Love is NOT free.  It costs effort, patience, and unconditional understanding.  Sometimes more, i.e. money, but I'll leave that for my gold digger post.  Haven't we all been there?  lol

NOTHING in life is free.  Depending who you are getting this "Freebie" from, it can cost your soul and your pride.  Now, pride is one of the 7 evils, but sometimes I'd rather travel the rough road starving then ask for help.   Others are willing to ask without even trying to get it themselves.  Have they no shame?

Don't get me wrong.  I get lots of freebies from my family.  When The Husband was in the hospital due to a stroke and my little one was still a newborn, I needed help.  When he was transferred to a different hospital because the one in our neighborhood does not have dialysis capabilities, I needed help.  Free baby sitting so Franklin wouldn't be there by himself.  Free rides to pick up The Husband from the hospital because I couldn't drive down.  Free food because I would forgo food to sleep.

I pay the price of guilt.  I hate that I have to impose on my loved ones time and time again.  I can do it on my own and drag my children into the hospital and hope they will sit for a couple of hours so Daddy won't be alone.  I can do it on my own and not bath so I can fall asleep exhausted.  I can do it and stick my kids in daycare and pay their crazy fees with credit card.  I can do it.

Fortunately, I don't have to.  I am forever indebted to them all andwill pay for the rest of my life with guilt, gratitude, love, appreciation, loyalty, and honour for all their free help.