Fresh Friday... You Are What You Eat

 

Here we are in November already.

I think it was just June yesterday...

I have to admit, albeit somewhat grudgingly,
 because I usually cling to summertime white knuckled,
that I am  loving every single beautiful thing
 about this multi-hued Autumn we are experiencing this year.
 The misty grey days provide an ethereal seeming background
 for the sheer profusion of color all of the trees and bushes are bursting with.
 Although I know this must happen all around me every single Fall,
 for some reason my senses are extremely heightened to it this time around.
 I feel as though I am soaking it in through all of my pores
 and every fiber straight into my soul.

These cooler days make me want to stay inside where it's warm
 with my tea kettle going, my doggies around me,
my knitting on the go and something warm and healthy on the stove.

I told you in the last post I would introduce you to my daughter Chelsea.

She's my youngest of two daughters.

My eldest daughter, Hilary, is a Librarian in our local library.

 Chelsea has a Cosmetology license,

 which she uses to specialize as an Aesthetician. 

She works for a dermatologist in a medical day spa.

 Both of my daughters are excellent cooks and healthy, clean eaters. 

Due to ongoing health issues of my own, 

when they were still in grade school and I was in my early thirties,

 I became a vegetarian and thus began my journey 

into grasping hold of the real truth of :

"You Are What You Eat"

Everybody has heard it and even said it at times

 but after years of suffering

 {and I mean truly suffering}

 from serious digestive issues, 

among various other ailments, 

I began the journey of taking hold of that one simple truth

 and what a difference it made and continues to make for me.

 Plus, I believe it made it easier for my girls to make healthier choices as adults.

Eating as healthy as I possibly can helps in my battle against

 two rheumatoid diseases, which cause digestive issues,

 inflammation throughout my entire system and a whole host of issues.

 I will admit right from the start that I am not a person who has a huge appetite and a lot of the recipes I share with you will be on the simple or light side.

 I don't tolerate "heavy" foods. 

Always bear in mind I do not eat the basic American diet and

 have not done so for more than 22 years.

 In the area of food, I have to travel lightly through this world.

Today's recipe is from Chelsea.

  The measurements provided are just enough for two servings.

It's perfect for lunch with a friend or spouse.

Chelsea and I enjoyed it together for lunch one day last week.

Thai Coconut Stir Fry

1 Cup Thai Coconut Broth

1/2 Cup Brown Rice

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

{Organic Virgin, Cold Pressed, Unrefined - if possible}

1 1/2 Tablespoons Liquid Aminos

1/2 Cup Snap Peas, broken in half

1/4 Cup Match Stick Carrots

1/4 Cup Red Peppers, sliced

1/2 Cup Tempeh, cubed

Cook Brown Rice in Thai Coconut Broth instead of water

 by simply substituting, using exact measurement. 

Saute' Tempeh in Coconut Oil on medium - low for approximately 3 minutes.

Add prepared vegetables and continue cooking until barely tender but still crisp.

This makes two nice sized bowls.

 The first delightful flavor that hits the tongue is coconut. 

It's very filling for lunch or supper for two.

 If you want to stretch it to accommodate more people 

just adjust the proportions and play around with seasonings and add ins.

It's healthy, warm and comforting on a cold day and looks like

 a bowl full of beautiful Fall colors to me!

 I just love it!

You can make it ahead and store it in individual containers

 for your busy work week ahead.

It reheats wonderfully and tastes just as good, if not better.

For those of you who have never used Liquid Aminos,
 this is what you are looking for:

If you like soy sauce you'll love it. This is a healthier alternative. It is gluten free, contains no preservatives, alcohol or fermentation and has 16 healthy amino acids. Also, it is lower in sodium than soy sauce. So run straight to your local grocery market and buy some {and chuck the soy sauce in the trash can}.
Here's what the Thai Coconut Broth looks like as well:

You know I can't leave you without showing at least one thing
 that's been on my needles recently.
In my next post,
which will focus on my current knitting projects at hand,
 I'll show you much more.
However here's a tiny sampling of some baby knits
 I worked on last week during my time at the coffee shop.

Just as I love for my food to be as wholesome,
 chemical free, organic and pure as possible,
I also prefer for the fibers I work with to be as natural as possible.
These cable knit baby ear flap hats and booties are knit on size 3 needles
 using divinely soft, soft, soft pure Baby Alpaca.
There is nothing like the feel of it gliding gently
 across my fingers like a mere whisper.
As I work with it, I daydream of and pray for
  the sweet baby that will be cozied up inside these snuggly little accessories
 in order to keep Winter chills far, far away from delicate fresh from heaven skin.
As most of you know, I am a die hard, constant tea drinker.
However, I occasionally enjoy coffee or a coffee latte like this one pictured.
It's the delicious Fall Signature drink at
 Thirty-Thirty Coffee Shop
in Peoria's Junction City.
 A lovely hot drink is just the perfect thing for an evening of knitting!
I typically choose tea because I actually love it so much more than coffee,
which is hard for the coffee drinkers of the world to even fathom.
Also, it is much easier on my sensitive digestive system.
Keeping myself less acidic is always the goal.
For a final note on today's recipe and any future recipe's I share...
Feel free to toss in some chicken in place of the Tempeh if you have to.
But I would like to encourage you to do two things...
If you are a meat eater, try to eat a meatless meal on occasion.
Also, always purchase the leanest, cleanest form of meat you can.
All of the food I share with you will be vegetarian.
This is what I have to do for my body.
You do what is best for yours.
In the meantime,
I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful Autumn
 if you live in an area where this is your season like it is mine.

"The heart of the home beats in the kitchen
and a healthy one beats three times a day."
Bangambiki Habyarimana
The Great Pearl of Wisdom

"Dear Friend,
 I pray that you may enjoy good health
and that all may go well with you,
even as your soul is getting along well."
3 John 1:2

Butterfly Days

I love this time of year when every day gradually slips into a new season.

One of the things I love best is that each day

holds its own beauty and element of surprise,

as the weather is all over the place.

 Late Summer and Early Autumn are dancing with one another ...

Hot, humid days followed by thick muggy nights...

Then suddenly a cool fresh morning of blue skies and fluffy white clouds I could float away on...

Some days Summer wants to leave her cares behind and

let Autumn reign and other days she stands her ground...

Then a storm wraps itself around us.

I love it all.

Only God could create such glorious wonders.

I have come to think of these days as butterfly days.

Never in the whole of my life have I ever seen so many butterflies.

From early Summer my yard has been so filled with these lovely creatures

that they've flown into me, landed on me,

lighted next to me as I've sat knitting on the porch swing

and fed from my hummingbird feeders.

While I know it has to do with their migratory habits towards Mexico,

it seems so ethereal and even magical to me.

Like tiny particles of Heaven coming down and flitting all around me.

They bring me peace and make me pause and cause me to remember

to breathe and give thanks during these hectic days of my life.

Days filled to the brim with the blessing of family and overflowing

with the ever constant work of my hands... knitting and crocheting...

This photo depicts both family and my work.

My daughter Chelsea is modeling my Happy Vibes Crocheted Shawl.

We just happened to catch that exact perfect moment

when the sun was beginning to descend westward,

slipping towards its restful time of gloaming. 

All of the elements lined up perfectly...

The softly setting sun, 

the dogwood tree that's donning her Fall foliage,

the spider web shawl with colors that entwine the seasons together

and Chelsea....

My Autumn hued beauty.

Each day finds me switching over from needles to hooks repeatedly as

I knit awhile then finish up bits of crochet.

It takes nonstop work to prepare for an upcoming event.

First I'm making shawls, then I'm covered in stuffing and surrounded by various colors of pumpkins.

Turquoise is a new addition to my line of pumpkin colors this year. 

I've been told that it symbolizes allergy safe candy and

items for children with allergen issues.

It's also the color for Ovarian Cancer and September

is the month for this dreadful disease.

I stand in support of both.

Being a lover of all soft colors, 

I always make a variety of choices to accompany

the traditional orange pumpkins.

The Soft White and Green have always been my personal favorite.

I also really love the almost black one pictured here.

The unique thing about this one is that it's made from

undyed and unprocessed virgin wool.

That's the exact color of the sheep it came from.

There are tiny specks of white throughout.

I love the raw, natural look and feel of it.

Then, of course, because Fingerless Mitts are always my cup of happy,

some of these will make an appearance at our September Sale as well.

Some have knitted cables and bobbles with tiny embroidered rosebuds.

While others have pretty meandering lacework eyelets.

Every year as Summer begins to recognize her eminent defeat,

allowing Autumn's crisp and cooling breath to blow over us,

I feel my heart being tugged to provide warmth to cold hands.

I delight in introducing a new pattern or two of mitts every year.

For some reason, they give me great joy and deep satisfaction with each stitch.

Something about knitting mitts is uniquely different for me

than any other thing I ever make.

Maybe it's because our hands are such a vital part of who we are.

They carry our whole essence.

We love with them,

We feed with them,

We talk with them,

We heal with them,

We give with them,

We receive with them,

We show the world who we are with our hands.

We can't speak of love without the mention of babies.

These Pumpkin Hats are another make of mine

that hold a special place in my heart.

They combine both of my fiber art passions with a knitted "pumpkin" 

and crocheted pumpkin leaf and vine.

The one pictured here is Newborn {0-3 month} Size. 

However I'll have a full range of sizes available as shown below.

For those who are unable to purchase something you want

from the Sale due to my being

SOLD OUT before you arrive, or your inability to be there, NO WORRIES.

I will be taking custom orders after the Sale.

Also, as much as I knit, knit, KNIT...

I am still just one person with just two hands and a whole lot of happy,

active life going on in abundance around me.

Although I am a fast knitter, and a constant one, it's not an instant job.

So...

All that being said, 

I will have as much as possible with me at our September Sale

and then you can contact me afterwards if you want something specific.

I can always make it happen.

I got up one day last week and realized I had probably worked too late

into the night before when I took a good look at this photo...

At exactly midnight the previous night,

I attached the stem to this pumpkin

then set down my work and called it a night. 

The next day I posted this photo to my Instagram and Facebook pages.

Later in the day, when responding to a comment, 

I noticed I had attached the stem to the bottom of the pumpkin!

Of course I had to remove it and reattach it to the top.

Though my days are filled with butterflies,

my nights are full of pumpkins...

And apparently at the stroke of midnight

they do their own thing.

Or maybe Cinderella just needs a bit of sleep...

Especially if she wants to dance with the butterflies.

"Take time to be a butterfly."

Gillian Duce

Magic and Mayhem - The Winning Game

"When nature moves, butterflies take flight."

Anthony T. Hincks

Pressing On

As August nears its end I will finally be moving onto my next big project for the upcoming Pumpkin Festival. One of my absolute favorite yarns of all time to work with is Knit Picks Billow. It is literally the softest cotton yarn I have ever experienced. It's a bulky weight pima cotton that runs thick to thin and is downright buttery in its softness. As we all know cotton has no negative ease, or give to it, which causes some knitters and crocheters to shy away from it or not like it at all. However, in my opinion, cotton just requires the proper pattern. What cotton does have, when used in the right pattern, is beautiful drape due to the fact it is very lightweight. Also cotton is the perfect choice for anyone with skin sensitivities or for someone who just simply loves whisper soft, supple, barely there feeling things against their skin.
My favorite pattern to use Billow for is this hat that I make every Fall.

This is my youngest daughter Chelsea wearing the hat. Billow comes in sixteen gorgeous color options but I especially love the Turmeric on her beautiful red hair.

This hat is very pretty in the back with its little flower like effect. And see what I mean about the nice bit of drape? The fact that the cotton is so very lightweight and the pattern is lacy makes this hat have the perfect slouch to it.

This hat is lovely for Autumn weather. It provides some warmth and beauty without being too heavy and hot. It's fun to knit and it makes the most beautiful gift. Like the fingerless mitts, I can never make too many of these. People love them. So starting on Monday I will be making a whole lot of these as I am finally calling it a wrap on my mitts. Although I have two more pairs of adult size to knit over the weekend,  I just added the last pair to my little girl size stack yesterday. Each color stack goes deeper than the picture makes them appear. When I peer down into the crate I feel happy with what I have managed to accomplish.

Now... if I can just get the same reaction out of others.

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends."

Walt Disney

Pretty Puffy Hat

Back in the Winter I crocheted a couple of hats that I really love.

While scrolling through my pictures,

 I realized I never posted them to my blog.

The pattern is just so cute that I hate for you to miss out

 in case you want to make some yourself.

You can find it on an Etsy Shop called

 Mon Petit Violin Patterns.

It's the 

Tiered Hat

My youngest daughter,

 Chelsea,

 is modeling the Green one for me.

It's  for sale on my Etsy Shop.

Vita, 

the designer,

 gives permission for those who purchase her patterns

to sell the finished product.

I also made one in charcoal Grey for my sister,

 Bridget,

 who loves to wear hats.

It was part of her birthday gift from me in January 

and one of the very first things I crocheted with my

Laurel Hill Crochet Hooks

which I honestly don't know how I ever lived without.

My love affair with these is going strong...

The way this hat circles around in little puffs

 is what really does it for me.

This is Me wearing Bridget's

 because I had someone snap a picture before I wrapped it up.

 I knew once the birthday party started

 there would be too much commotion

 to try to get a picture of her sitting still in it. 

She really was so happy with it though.

It doesn't seem to matter how many

  grey hats

 I knit or crochet for her,

she is always thrilled.

Both of these hats were crocheted using 

Knit Picks Gloss DK

70% Merino Wool

 30% Silk

Green ~ Clover

Grey ~ Hawk

If you want to use this yarn to make this hat

 you will need to purchase 2 balls.

This is a lovely fiber blend for this particular hat,

as it is soft and silky

 with just the right amount of drape and a slight sheen to it.

It makes beautiful knitted and crocheted shawls as well.

And speaking of shawls...

I must get back to the one I'm currently working on.

Hopefully there will be pictures of it before much longer.

Many Blessings to You All,

Danette

The Season of Love

My little Grandson's

Parker

&

Archer

They get so excited when they see each other.

Sisterly Love

My daughters...

Chelsea

 {Parker's Mommy}

&

Hilary

 {Archer's Mommy}

Christmas Party with my Knit Night Girls

Left to Right

Kathy {my cousin}

Erin

Me

Carey

Ashley

And Mary Anne had gone home before we took the picture.

Phoebe and Mack

{and Phoebe's new "Baby"}

on Christmas Eve

Me with my Sweet Mother~In~Law Pat

who has been my next door neighbor for 29 wonderful years.

She's nearly 90 years old.

Isn't she beautiful?!

My Precious Granddaughter Gabby

{Parker's "Sissy"}

Wearing the Fox Cowl/Hood I knitted her for Christmas.

This was FUN to make!

There's just something about 

Little Boys 

in their Christmas Jammies...

From My Family to Yours

We Wish You 

A 

Very Happy 

Christmastide

Xo

    Xo,

Danette

So Happy To Be Back!

Oh My Goodness!

I'm BACK! 

:-)))

It has been FOREVER since

I've been able to post a blog.

I could NOT get

pictures to show up but

Sweet Hubby 

solved everything...

Finally.

So...

This is my Beautiful daughter

Chelsea

modeling a hat I just recently put on my

Etsy Shop

It's knit in Knit Picks Billow 

~Turmeric~

And just some more 

Pumpkin - y Goodness to leave you with...

I have missed all of you

So Much

&

I'm dying to know what's on your 

Hooks and Needles

these days...

Xo

  Xo,

 Danette

A New Little Monkey

Towards the end of May

we will have a new little monkey

in the family.

My sweet daughter Chelsea

is expecting her second baby.

She went shopping yesterday for this adorable outfit.

As it turns out we are going to have a

Grandson!!!

:)))

We are

SO VERY EXCITED!

Big Sister Gabby

{who, as you can see, is Grammy's biggest kitchen helper}

can hardly wait for her

Baby Brother

to enter the world.

She will be 7 just a few weeks before he is born.

They grow up fast, don't they?!

Ahhh...Grandchildren....what a BLESSING.

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

For my birthday

my granddaughter

Gabby

wanted to throw me an

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

at her house.

My Son~In~Law

Eric

came as

The Mad Hatter

He made this hat out of an old cowboy hat and blanket.

{Chelsea came as her darling self ~

a hostess that worked hard for her mother's

special party!}

The table was delightful from every angle.

I was the guest of honor so I had a special

Tea for One

Since PaPa {Sweet Hubby} was on vacation

he was able to join us as well.

Gabby was sure to instruct him on how to

"drink tea like a princess"

with pinky held high :)

Aunt Hilary {my beautiful first born} was able to take an extra long lunch break

from the library.

Grandma Brenda

{my Mom}

and

Aunt Bridgie

{my sister~ just barely visible to the left of the hat}

were also in attendance.

Jaxon

{Chelsea's dog}

came as

The Cheshire Cat

{that is until Gabby decided he would make a cute bunny}.

Good times were had by one and all!

They sure know how to make  me

Smile :))) 

OH!

And of course

Gabby

was there as well!