Its Over!

Well, it's over! I can't believe it! There is such a let-down when a great project is completed. This project has given me that feeling twice. The first was when everything was turned in and ready for the installation. This is the second time-it is gone now! I can't drive to Tempe and see it any more. I can't send anyone to see the beauty that all those pieces of crochet created.

The count of visitors was over 18,000 people! I hope that all of them found something moving about the exhibit. Every time I was there, people would wonder about it and make such insightful comments. That part has been very rewarding.

So now, I wait and watch http://www.theiff.org/ for the next exhibitions and pictures from them.

If you are ever in the position to help the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project, PLEASE take advantage of it!!!! You will be well rewarded; both in your crafting and in your understanding of the earth and our role in the life of everything on it.

Microwave Fudge

I know I put this recipe on before, but I have changed it a little since then.

Microwave Fudge

4 cups Powdered Sugar
1/4 to 1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cube of butter cut in pieces (not margarine)
1/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla
1/2 to 1 cup peanut butter
nuts (optional)
peppermint pieces (optional)

Mix only the first 4 ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. DO NOT STIR. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and mix until smooth. Using an electric mixer is the best way to do this without leaving lumps of sugar.

Add vanilla, peanut butter and nuts (if using them) and mix until well blended. The mixture should be thick and able to hold it's shape. If it is not pulling cleanly away from the sides of the bowl, add a little more powdered sugar and mix until it is thick enough.

Pour into a buttered dish. Put into the fridge to set and cool. Make sure to lick the beaters and the bowl; you won't want to waste any of this. Cut into pieces and enjoy.


Make this once or twice before you give it as a gift or anything, just to make sure you get the right consistancy. It will be a hardship, I know!

How to stop thinking about the economy:

Many times I have talked about the health benefits of crocheting or knitting. I have quoted the Mayo Clinic study about this very thing. Since we all know that if it's on TV then it's true. . . Right? Well, here it is from TV:



Watch CBS Videos Online

Too hot to cook--But I want cookies

Okay, I have a craving for cookies, which seems to happen too often. But I live in the HOT DESERT and its 3:00 pm. I don't want to turn on the HOT OVEN! That would just be helping the outdoor heat come inside!

Need another option.

Cookie dough! Without the eggs!

Cream together:
1/2 cup butter -- softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Add and mix together:
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Last addition:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Lay out a piece of plastic wrap (about 15-18 inches). Put the dough on to one end of the plastic wrap, beginning about 4-5 inches from one end, and gently form a rectangle. You can make cuts so the dough will break apart or not, your choice.

Bring the long end of the plastic wrap up to cover the dough. Tuck the sides down to close and then fold them over the top. Now bring the 4-5 inch end over to completely cover the dough.

Put wrapped dough into the freezer for a while (as long as your sweet tooth will allow). After the dough has set (it will not completely freeze) open the end and break off your cookie serving.

# of serving this makes depends on the SIZE of the servings.

Mine should be about ready. Gotta go.

This is also great to add to homemade ice cream (after freezing is completed) to make your own "Cookie Dough Ice Cream".

DIY - Breakfast Cereal

Slowly but surely, I am getting my family to try things we can make instead of buy- like with the laundry soap.

Today I made breakfast cereal. Grape nuts to be exact. I made this years ago, but TK & Dear Daughter haven't tasted it. Yeah, it was a LOOOOOOOONG time ago. This is from my most treasured recipe book "Recipes for Self-Suffecient Living". Sorry, it's out of print!


Grape Nuts Cereal

3 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. brown sugar (depends on your sweet tooth)
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
2 c. milk or buttermilk
2 t. vanilla

OPTIONAL
1 t. cinnamon (I add more)

Maple flavor


Mix thoroughly and pour into a greased jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with sides). Basically any thing that is stiff, like a muffin batter, will work. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Cool completely.

At this point, this looks and smells like cake. Once the cake is cooled completely, cut it into pieces and whirl it into crumbs in the food processor. Don’t process too long because you don’t want it to get gummy.

Spread this crumbly mixture into two jelly roll pans. Bake at 300° for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the grape nuts in the pan in the oven overnight.


After the drying process.

In the bowl ready for milk.

They both tasted it and approved it. Without any sugar added to the bowl.

Let me know if you try this and what your family thinks.

Next week I plan to make the instant hot oatmeal in Maple/Brown Sugar flavor.

True Love at any age

Sometimes you see something that just makes you smile and warms your heart, no matter what kind of day you are having. This is one of those things. If I'm lucky, I'll be moving as quickly and happily as this couple.


They are in the lobby of a Mayo Clinic (which probably means that one of them is having some kind of test done). The husband will be 90 this year. They have been married for 62 years.

Make your own transfers

Many of my family & friends like to do Scrapbooking & Card-Making. So here is a new and very simple idea for you.

How to MAKE YOUR OWN TRANSFERS!

http://mollylikestodraw.blogspot.com/2009/02/packing-tape-transfer.html

Uses clear packing tape and water! So easy!

Have fun and send me your first try!