Red velvet rice krispie treats.

It was just before Valentine's Day, I think, when I first saw red velvet rice krispie treats popping up all over blogland.

Five months later, I finally whipped some up.  I really should not have waited.  Here's how I made mine.

Red Velvet Rice Krispies

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons salted butter
• 11 ounces of marshmallows
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup red velvet cake mix
• 6 cups Cocoa Rice Krispies cereal

Directions

Line the bottom of a 9 x13 inch pan with parchment paper and spray generously with cooking spray (lining the bottom is not absolutely necessary but I like the insurance).  Set the pan aside.

Place the cereal in a large bowl— my wide stainless steel bowl worked perfectly for this.  Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter and marshmallows over medium-low heat, stirring frequently.  After the marshmallows are melted, add the cake mix and vanilla and continue to stir until fully incorporated

Pour the marshmallow mixture over the cereal (working quickly) and stir and mix until the cereal is coated.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, gently pressing into shape, filling the pan and evening out the top. 

Allow to cool.  Cut, eat, repeat.

Enjoy!  

Sandra

Thinking about installing a gallery wall. (after adequate obsessing)

We have a nice staircase that leads to our upper floor.  And more than a few times, our contractor has commented on the width of the staircase--it's evidently a smidge bigger than typical? Makes for a nice feature, he says.  And who am I to argue?

It's got me thinking I should appreciate it more.  Enter the idea of a gallery wall.  We had one in our first house--down the hallway of our one-level ranch--and I loved it.  Plus, I can't ignore the call any longer.  Every design blog I visit seems to showcase one these days.  

But it was actually a couple of years ago, when I first spied Ashley Putnam's home featured in Lonny, that I started obsessing over gallery walls.  Her take was probably the first time I saw an eclectic mix work beautifully in a gallery wall .  Before that, everything seemed to trend towards the Pottery Barn matchy-matchy (which I also like, but I like this more). 

I think a not too fussy arrangement, jam-packed with color and texture, will work really well, considering my current residents.  I want a mix of photos, prints, and artwork.  I've started collecting simple pieces from Etsy and have found some great frames at thrift stores (painting a few orange!), and am checking out several online shops for affordable art.  I also fully intend to incorporate some of the boys' drawings. 

On the upper level, if all goes well, I might do a ton of family prints.

A picture I took last week at the beach will surely make the cut.  

 Oh--and this print--how I love this print (available here).  

It probably won't go on the gallery wall but I think it's a must for the basement play space.  Or maybe the top of the stairs?  Plenty of ruckus happens there, too (Stair Wars, get it?).  Yep. It's perfect.

Sandra

Planters Punch.

Still working on my beach recap post.  I am hopeful I might find time to make another slideshow.  I was thinking of using the song Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.  I came across that song again and have been humming it nonstop.  I think it's so quirky and catchy.  Plus, I like the hook as I truly--and cheesily--feel home is when I'm with "you"--not you you, although I'm sure you're quite nice.  My "you" is Charlie and the boys.

But first, so, so many things left to do--I wish I didn't feel overwhelmed so easily.  Maybe that's why I love knitting so much.  Because I finish things. Recently, it was this sweater.

Test knit for Thea.  My knitterly crush on her and her designs continues. The pattern has a new-to-me construction technique for the neckline.  It's top-down, which I prefer, but she shows you how to get a nice scooped neck.  I dislike many top-down patterns that suppose our fronts are the same as our backs (and mind you, my front is almost shaped like my back and those patterns still don't work well on me).

The pattern is called Planters Punch and includes directions for a summer and winter version.  The recommended yarn for the summer pattern is Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton.  But I felt obliged to stash bust and knit mine out of Elsbeth Lavold Hempathy in a pretty sea foam green.  

The Hempathy turned out a nice, drapey fabric, which was my goal so I knew I'd sacrifice crisp cables.  It's a perfect summer top to throw over white capris or a skirt--I really adore it.  I hope to do a winter version later this year, too.

Info on Thea's pattern is here and my notes are here.

Other WIP updates:  I am still plugging away on my KAL sweater; I started and am almost done with a Stripe Study shawl; I couldn't resist casting on a Rayures (though it will be a long-term knit); and I am finishing up another test knit.  (Most of those are Ravelry links, but I imagine if you've read this much of a knitting post, you have a Ravelry account).

Sandra 

Beach break cont'd.

More pics to follow but this one makes me smile--especially when I ran it through some vintage-y photo actions--so thought I'd post.  A steady diet of ice cream + Italian ice + unlimited tickets to Wonderland rides = plenty of hug tackles.  This momma knows the tricks.  

On a more serious note, we learned of the passing of a family friend this week.  Someone very dear to Charlie, and by extension, to all of us.  We are reluctant to accept the sad news, but find much comfort knowing she joins her daughter after being apart for so very long.

As you might imagine, this has me feeling reflective and sentimental.  

Life is so precious.  

Hug who you love.  And do it often.

Sandra

Beach break.

Be back from the beach soon (having a ball).  Until then, happy 4th of July!

Sandra

2012 Summer Sweater Knit Along.

Setting the scene:  me, standing in front of my wall unit that houses my stash, drawers open, glass doors flung wide, just staring.  (for a long, long time)...  

oldest:  Uh, mom.  Whatcha doing?

me:  Thinking.

oldest:  'bout what?

me:  What to knit.

oldest:  For who?

me:  Well, that's part of the thinking, see.

oldest:  And the wall's gonna tell you?

me:  No, silly.  The walls can't talk.  I'm listening to the yarn.

Because yessiree...it's here!  The second Summer Sweater Knitalong hosted by the lovely Shannon, aka, Luvinthemommyhood.  

I have such affection for this KAL.  It's hard to believe it was only a year ago that I discovered the group on Ravelry and set about knitting my Narragansett.  Since then, I've met and connected with so many wonderful knitters--I truly love my virtual knitting friends and enjoy being a moderator for the group.

I had always read Shannon's blog but it wasn't until I fell for knitting and she began her KALs that we "met"--and I feel so lucky to be a part of the community.  If you're a knitter, hope you're joining the fun, too.  Sign ups and information can be found in this post and in the Ravelry group here. See you there!

Sandra

p.s.  I have three (three!) projects planned for the KAL.  I'm starting with a linen shrug that should be a great knit to take to the beach next week, followed by a lovely pullover, and finally, I hope to at least start a long overdue sweater for Charlie.  I'll post pattern detes and yarn pictures asap.

Summer bag.

 

My knitting guru, Jenn, knit the cutest bag last summer.  Yup, last summer. She planned to line it but wasn't sure she could/would, so I happily offered. She handed it over at the end of the summer with some cute fabric.  She also tucked in a skein of Shelter as payment--which she shouldn't have.  No really.  She shouldn't have...read on!

Because then fall and winter came along and there was "no rush" as it's such a seasonal bag.  But I finally got it lined in spring.  But then!  Then a whole bunch of strange scheduling snafus prevented a handoff of her bag.  And suddenly (well, it felt like suddenly) it was summer and she was still without her bag.  I think she might have suspected some ownership via possession was afoot.

But we finally met up at an impromptu knit night and I am happy to report, the bag is with its creator.  Lined--with pockets and a key fob--and everything.  

Enjoy Jenn!

Sandra 

Salsa staple.

Since I discovered it, I have made this salsa nonstop.  Here is a weekly vignette on my countertop.

I like this salsa far better than any ready-made jar version I've tried, even though it starts with canned tomatoes--which, by the way, is another reason I love it.  Sure, if we're having company or headed out, I will make my signature salsa and plan for the chopping.  And more chopping.  But this one?  This one comes together in no time in the blender with ingredients I always have on hand.  And it can sit in a huge vat in the fridge for up to two weeks--though I'm guessing on that as it has never lasted past a week.  Yes, we like our salsa.  This one especially.  

Restaurant Style Salsa, via The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice 
• 2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies) (*I use one can mild, one can normal*)
• 1/4 cup Chopped Onion
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin (*usually omit*)
• 1/4 teaspoon Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 cup Cilantro (more To Taste!) (*usually 3/4 to a full cup*)
• 1/2 whole lime (juiced)

Preparation Instructions

As the Pioneer Woman notes, this makes a huge batch*.  I put mine in my Blendtec blender but she recommends using a 12-cup food processor.

Blend ingredients until you get the consistency you'd like---we like this particular salsa pretty smooth.  Add additional seasonings to taste.

Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour.  Serve with tortilla chips or cheese nachos.

Enjoy!

Sandra

*it makes so much, we often send over a jar to some fellow foodie neighbors (pssst, Harriet, this is what we send over when we're feeling share-sy). 

Summer snacking prep work.

The other weekend I thought I'd get ahead of the game and bake several loaves of banana bread and put them up in the freezer.  As summer officially starts next week, I thought this would put me in good shape to have something on hand for snacking.

Problem is, I haven't baked banana bread in a while.  The boys went nuts, eating an entire loaf in an afternoon.  And then they inhaled the second loaf the next day.  I didn't tell them where I hid the third.

I was left with merely an end slice (which was delish with my morning cuppa).

I went with the Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze again.  I can't believe this but I need to head to the store to buy ripe bananas for baking this week--I've also alerted the non baking neighbors to drop off any black bananas (yes, I totally do that).  I figure I have a fighting chance to stock the freezer if I do the baking while they are out of the house.  I have new recipes to try--both banana based and not--and will report back.  And maybe, just maybe, I'll write down and capture the chocolate chip cookie recipe we've finally deemed our "keeper"...it's only taken me 2.5 years to decide.  I am so fickle.

Sandra

Memorial Day, 2012.

Oh, the annual water fight.  As usual, I took a ton of shots while trying to stay dry.  I think I'll let the pictures speak for themselves for once (flashback to 2011 and 2010).

But first, I should back up a bit and toss out a reminder that our neighbor's son declared war on our boys three years ago at the Memorial Day cookout.  It's important to note that our neighbor's son is fully grown.  With a job.  And discretionary income he happily spends on fancy shmancy squirt guns each year.  In contrast, our poor boys are usually stuck with last year's broken bits because their momma has yet to make it to the store to replenish the armory.

But not this year!  This year Santa brought all new water guns.  And we started early in the day preparing water balloons.  

We also called in some additional troops.  I think everyone had fun. 

 Even the dads, in the end, could not resist getting into the action.  

The kids pulled off another victory.   

And I've rarely seen Max happier.

It's a great way to welcome summer.

Sandra

p.s.  We had a special guest that weekend.  My dearest, sweetest friend who got me running and is an organizational whiz.  Miss you Hallie!  You will be so proud to see how I'm continuing to tackle some spaces...