Free 'n easy knit pattern, the Patricia cowl

I'm in full marathon knit mode now, aiming to get at least 4 projects completed before I head to Texas to help DD and SIL move back home, Jan 3. So far, I've made 2 pairs of slippers; one child and one adult size.
The adult size was a compilation of two patterns, the crochet top of the Crocodile Stitch Boots, and the knit foot and sole of the St Louis Boots - Slippers in seed st in Eskimo by DROPS design



The childs' booties are done completely in crochet, according to the pattern. I'm not fond of crochet footwear, too holey and stiff, but will probably wear longer, at least one season, when she'll outgrow them. I used Red Heart Soft Multi worsted acrylic, for the child's booties.

I'm going to make another pair of the St Louis Boots, once I have snagged some nice bulky worsted, color TBD.
I'm on to the next quick project, the Patricia Cowl.



I'm using Berroco Voyage, Embers colorway, an interesting braided blend of yummy super fine Alpaca and polyester. The cable pattern is repeated over 20 rows, nothing too complicated, and is an easy pattern to memorize. This is the first two repeats.

Mr. Peeps is currently redecorating his cage; apparently the carpeting is very tasty!

Frost (and stew) on the Pumpkin

Fall is definitely here and there's nothing better than the aroma of a crock pot of stew to greet you in the morning! Almost better than coffee...almost.
Today our new relatives are coming over for Supper, and I'm making one of Chrystal's popular dishes, Pumpkin Pie Stew.

The recipe is easy:

2 lbs of stew meat, floured and seasoned.
1 McCormack's bag'o stew packet (save the bag for the veggie peelings)
Add whatever you normally put in stew. I used carrots, potatoes, onion, green beans and 1 small can stewed tomatoes. Brown meat in skillet, add crushed garlic and turn off heat. Add seasoning packet, 1 1/2 cups water and stir to deglaze the skillet. Toss in crockpot and cook on low overnight in a large crockpot.
Next day:
I had to add a can of beef broth, or you can add water to make more stew broth.
Preheat oven to 325• and prepare brownie mix. While those are baking, prepare 4 pie pumpkins by taking a large plastic cup, and score around the rim of cup to remove tops. Gut the pumpkins, clearing out all the seeds with your hands. Place the pumpkins on a sturdy cookie sheet for stability.



For those Divas who don't want to mess up their nails, you can use my special Candy Ass Pumpkin De-Gutting Tool for cleaning out the innards.



Set the seeds aside for later roasting.



When the brownies are done, the pumpkins should be cleaned out, amd filled sith juicy stew. replace the tops and pop into the oven. Bake at 325• for approximately 1.5- 2.5 hours or until pumpkins are done.





I only had room for 3 pumpkins, so the 4th was relegated back to the crock pot.



Note to Self: next time, don't forget the BAY LEAFS!


Peeps named himself yesterday, with one simple sound, "peep!"

Peeps says Good Morning, Punkinhead Peeps!