Knitting Goals for 2010

I think that knitting goals are about as close to New Years resolutions as I get. :) I am *so* enjoying this week between Christmas and New Year; Joe has been home every day, and we have had lots of fun family time. I look forward to picking this blog back up once the new year rolls in, but for now I just wanted to share my annual knitting goals. Of course I will very from the list a bit, but I mostly want to try a few new techniques. :)

1. Knit socks--this has been on my list for the last two years, and while I started a pair, I didn't get very far before Anthony pulled all of those tiny needles out. So I will be starting fresh, first with a pair for my Jenny in a pretty purple yarn that she chose herself.
2. Something with some color work in it. I have lots of pretty things in my favorites on Ravelry, so I know I'll have an easy time choosing something. The trick will be getting my mom to drop everything and walk me through the process over and over and over and over....
3. Knit for Joseph-- I have been working on a scarf for him for ages, and he has put in a request for half finger gloves and a hat as well. I'm going to try to make them for his birthday but we'll see. I figure I can at least get two of the three things done,with a promise for the third!
4. Knit for myself! Okay, I realize this isn't a technique, but of all of the things I have knit, I've never made anything that I've kept as my own. My mother in law gave me some beautiful yarn for Christmas and I can't wait to make myself a hat and scarf. (The colors are bright raspberry pink, and a soft dove grey; one of my favorite, girly combinations!)
5. Knit for charity-- There are so many cool knitting and crocheting based charities that I really would love to contribute too. This one in particular has always stood out to me as a cool thing to be a part of.

So...here's to knitting in 2010! :) Do you have any goals?

*~* Merry Christmas! *~*

I'm sorry to have been so absent lately! The auto posting didn't work as I had hoped, and things have just been to busy here to figure it all out. :) I look forward to resuming my blogging once things settle back down though! I hope all of you have a wonderful, love filled Christmas season!

An Irish Christmas Blessing

The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you
The hope of a childlike heart to you
The joy of a thousand angels to you
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

Just popping in...

I just wanted to say hello, so you know I haven't dropped off of the face of the earth. We've just been busy around here getting ready for the Christmas season. Lots of knitting, cleaning and every day life. :) I'm going to be gone all of next week to my grandmother's house for the famous cookie week, but I'm planning on setting up a series of auto posts for while I'm gone. Sort of a tour of our Advent. :) I will spend the weekend taking pictures and setting everything up for you all...I hope you will enjoy it!

A New Favorite

(picture from here)

I made this for dinner last night while on the phone with my very best friend. :) This means two things, 1) I got to talk to Anne for 1-1/2 hours! -and 2) This is so easy that you can do it while paying no attention at all. ;) This is definitely one of my favorite recipes now!

Chicken and Rice Pot Pie

1 sheet of frozen puff pastry (you buy it pre-made, and I just defrosted one sheet in the microwave for about 1.5-2 minutes at 50% power, just until it unfolds without breaking)

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I had them pre-baked in the freezer, so I just cut those up into cubes) cut crosswise into 1/2" pieces

salt and pepper

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter

2 teaspoons flour

1 cup instant rice (they say white, but I used brown and really loved it)

1 3/4 c. chicken broth

1/2 c. heavy cream

1 cup frozen veggie mix

(They say 3 scallions, but I forgot them and liked it without)

Okay, here is the actual recipe, and I'll just add what I changed in parenthesis.

1) Cut puff pastry sheet into 6 evenly sized pieces, and bake on lined (parchment or a non stick mat etc.) baking sheet until golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes.

2) Meanwhile, pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Melt 1 Tablespoon of the butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook half of chicken until no longer pink, 1 to 2 minutes per side; cut into cubes and transfer to medium bowl. Repeat with additional 1 Tablespoon butter and remaining chicken. (I already had cooked chicken, so I just cubed and and set it aside.)

3) Add flour and remaining butter to (now) empty skillet and cook until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. (I just used a bit over 2 Tblsp. of the butter since I didn't need to cook the chicken). Stir in rice, broth and cream and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, until rice is nearly tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in frozen veggies (and scallions), and chicken along with any accumulated juices. Simmer until sauce is thickened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Top with puff pastry and serve.

So quick and easy! I really loved it. ALLOT. I might try tossing in an egg or two, for more of a stir-fried rice feel, because, well, I just love it! I like this so much in fact that I might just make up a double recipe on the weekend and eat if for lunch all week. Love it!! Funny fact: I used to hate rice, like, I just couldn't eat it. E.V.E.R. Then, when I was pregnant with Jenny I started having this weird craving for pork fried rice...which turned into anything involving rice. Now it is my side dish of choice and I can't stop eating it! Weird, huh?

Something to share

Today I wanted to share a bit about a book I'm reading, I'm not very far into it yet, but I can already tell that it is one I will be rereading and referencing all through my parenting journey. It is "Simplicity Parenting ~Using the Extrordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier and More Secure Kids" by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross. (You can find it on amazon, but I got mine from half). First I heard about it on Grace's blog, then Kyrie's and I decided I needed to read it for myself. I can't say enough good things about this book, and I'm only into the second chapter! I think this might become my new parent gift it's so good. I'll give a proper review, along with the changes and their effects that we will be making as soon as I finish this book, but I just had to share about it...check your libraries, splurge a bit on half or amazon...this book is a must read! :)