Sandra's Crochet BlogTalk: January 21, 2009 Before Meal Centerpiece

I'm working on the Mother of all doilies....the Before-Meals Centerpiece or BMC for short. I've posted my progress shots in Ravelry.com.

I started this one on Jan. 1, 2008, but thought I boo-boo'd so I put it away.

I got it out the other day and found there was nothing wrong with it, it's just a bit gangley, but gets better as it grows. It's going fast.

I'm 50% done and the thing is too big for the scanner bed now...next shot will likely be a camera phone pix in a sunny location.

Sandra's BlogTalk Recipe Entry for January 16, 2009

Minestrone Soup

1 lb Italian sausage
5 qts water, or 1 large container of beef broth
1 15 oz can cannelloni beans
1 24 oz can whole pear tomatoes
1 large white onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, sliced (I used baby carrots)
1 package frozen chopped spinach
2 c. shredded cabbage (optional)
2 large potatoes, cubed
1 T parsley flakes
Red pepper flakes to taste
Salt and pepper to taste

Add 2 swirls of olive oil to the bottom of a deep roasting pan, add sausage pieces and brown. When almost done, add onion, garlic, carrots and celery and sauté for about 3 minutes.
Add tomatoes, beans and broth and bring up to temperature. Cover and reduce heat to simmer. An hour before serving, add potatoes and bring temperature up to medium, cover and simmer until potatoes are done.

Serve with Italian Bread and a good red wine.


Bon Apetite!