Monday 26 December 2011

Monday 19 December 2011

Episode 36 - Expanding Horizons - Monday, December 19, 2011

Link to Episode 36!

Creativity Studio

Link to Lacy V-Stitch Afghan by Heather Tucker.  .pdf file available under blog post.  Free pattern.

See post for Episode 35 for info about "Knotty Needles", the new LYS in Grande Prairie.

Link to Backyard Alpacas website.

Link to the Oregon Woodworker Yarn Swifts website.  I am looking at the Mama Bear swift with counter.

Link to Hornshaw Woodworks, the other swift maker I was discussing.

Monday 12 December 2011

Episode 35 - Matter - Monday, December 12, 2011

Link to Episode 35!

Creativity Studio

Link to Governor's Lady Tablecloth pattern.  The link is to a "for sale" copy:  I'm quite sure I got my copy by joining a Yahoo group from Ravelry.

Country Living

Link to Rum Balls recipe on food.com

Link to Maple Cream Meringue Pie recipe on tasteofhome.com

The yarn store Knotty Needles is at: #102 10001 100ave, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0V2
Times open are:
Mon - Fri:9:00 am-8:00 pm
Sat:10:00 am-6:00 pm
Sun:12:00 pm-4:00 pm

Monday 5 December 2011

Episode 34 - Play Time - Monday, December 5, 2011

Link to Episode 34!

Creativity Studio


Straight No Chaser: The 12 Days of Christmas.



Country Living

Jo Hamilton: Think of Me


Agnes Obel: Riverside


Basia Bulat:
Before I knew


Heart of My Own


Gold Rush


And finally... Maru accompanied by Hundred Little Reasons

Monday 28 November 2011

Episode 33 - Busy Day Blues - Monday, November 28, 2011

Link to Episode 33!

Country Living

Link to Grooveshark, a free music listening website.

Beautiful blues!



Monday 21 November 2011

Episode 32 - When the Weather Outside is Frightful... Prioritize! - Monday, November 21, 2011

Link to Episode 32!

Creativity Studio

Link to snowflake pattens in Hungarian.  Patterns are charted.  Free patterns.

Critter Corner

Pics of the coyote that has been near our house:




Monday 14 November 2011

Episode 31 - Pot Roast and Mashed Potatoes - Monday, Nover 14, 2011

Link to Episode 31!

Sanity Sanctuary

Link to "No Longer Quivering", a website for people who have left the "Quiverfull" lifestyle.

Monday 7 November 2011

Episode 30 - Curling Inwards - Monday, November 7, 2011

Link to Episode 30!

Creativity Studio

A pic of "Obie's Lament (Leaves and Diamonds)" Stole and working pattern:

DSCF0002 Scan 4


The "Hexagons are my Stars" tutorial .pdf by Daniela Herbertz is only available over on ravelry.com.  Free pattern.

Critter Corner / Country Living


I must share the cute that is "Griz", the dog who wandered up to our house on the weekend:
DSCF0008

Monday 31 October 2011

Episode 29 - Shifting Normal - Monday, October 31, 2011

Link to Episode 29!

Creativity Studio

Link to Little Smoky Blueface Leicesters; fleece availability in a link on right hand side of blog.

Link to Sanguine Gryphon, yarn dyers.


Monday 24 October 2011

Monday October 24, 2011 No episode this week

Hey listeners:

Obie passed away quite suddenly on Thursday of last week.  I am still kind of reeling from this, so there won't be an episode this week.  I will return with a new episode next Monday.

Anne

Monday 17 October 2011

Monday 10 October 2011

Episode 27 - Giving Thanks - Monday, October 10, 2011

Link to Episode 27!

Creativity Studio

Link to Cabbage Rose Cap by Melissa Mall.  Link to di Ve' Teseo yarn on cascadeyarns.com.

Link to Interweave Crochet Magazine, Summer 2010 where the Lisa Naskrent's Midsummer's Night Shawl pattern was printed.  Link to yarnplace.com where they sell "Heaven" laceweight yarn.

Monday 3 October 2011

Episode 26 - Kilometer-stones - Monday, October 3, 2011

Link to Episode 26!

Country Living

Link to The Crimson Petal and The White, by Michel Faber, on amazon.com.

Monday 26 September 2011

Episode 25 - Steady Progress - Monday, September 26, 2011

Link to Episode 25.  Hooray! No sound or technical issues this week!

Critter Corner

Willowrock Pet Cemetery and Crematorium does not have a website.  However, their entry in the yellow pages is here.

-----------------------

Umm whoops. In the Creativity Studio section, I talked about the craft-a-long. I mentioned Socks That Rock, and said that it was by Dream in Color. I should have said that they were made by Blue Moon Fiber Arts. My bad. Sorry about that.

Tuesday 20 September 2011

Episode 24 - Simple Indulgences - Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Link to Episode 24.  Please note:  Volume is quite low on this episode.

Critter Corner

Link to "Shelter Bombshells" on facebook.com.  This is the fundraising calendar for the GPSPCA.  Molly's and Obie's pic is there;  look for a rotti and a large dark reddish-brown dog sharing the same picture.

Link to Scott's facebook page.  If you like what you see, please "like" it!

Monday 19 September 2011

Yikes! Episode 24 is delayed!

A bunch of stuff has happened to prevent me from doing my podcast today.  All of it was unexpected.  Obie has to go to the vet because his infection is back.  We also rearranged our network, and twice I have "lost" what I recorded.  I am taking these things as signs to try to record later.

I truly apologize for the delay, and any inconvenience.  I am hoping I can get this episode done tonight; if not, then it will absolutely be ready tomorrow.

Will keep everyone updated as best I can...

Monday 12 September 2011

Episode 23 - Get It Together - Monday, September 12, 2011

Link to Episode 23!

Note:  I am currently having some technical issues.  The sound problems ("p popping" and background hum) will be fixed for the next episode.  As well, we are having intermittent internet connectivity issues.  Hopefully, this will be fixed shortly.

Creativity Studio

The Camille Shawl/Scarf pattern by Cheri McEwen is only available over on ravelry.com.  Free pattern.

Monday 5 September 2011

Episode 22 - Fall Learning - Monday, September 5, 2011

Link to Episode 22!

Creativity Studio

Link to "Diagonal Owl Dishcloth" by Janelle Schlossman.

Link to Mystery Labyrinth; website about labyrinths.

Basic Knitting Videos:






Link to Cyberseams' other youtube videos.

Country Living

Don't Heat Your House Up BBQ Potatoes

potatoes
oil
salt

Poke a few holes in the potatoes, and cook in microwave until cooked.  Rub oil and salt on potatoes.  Place directly on preheated grill on high.  BBQ until grill marks appear and potatoes are crispy, about 10 min or so.  Serve with butter and sour cream.

Monday 29 August 2011

Episode 21 - Two Sides - Monday, August 29, 2011

Link to Episode 21!

Creativity Studio

The "Wisteria in Bloom" Doily info is over on ravlery.com.

Country Living

Four Seasons In One Day

Four seasons in one day
Lying in the depths of your imagination
Worlds above and worlds below
The sun shines on the black clouds
Hanging over the domain
Even when you're feeling warm
The temperature could drop away
Like four seasons in one day

Smiling as the shit comes down
You can tell a man from what he has to say
Everything gets turned around
And I will risk my neck again
You can take me where you will
Up the creek and through the mill
Like all the things you can't explain
Four seasons in one day

Blood dries up
Like rain, like rain
Fills my cup
Like four seasons in one day

It doesn't pay to make predictions
Sleeping on an unmade bed
Finding out wherever there is comfort
There is pain
Only one step away
Like four seasons in one day

Blood dries up
Like rain, like rain
Fills my cup
Like four seasons in one day


Monday 22 August 2011

Episode 20 - Playing Catch-Up - Monday, August 22, 2011

Link to Episode 20!

Creativity Studio

The pattern for my alpaca shawl is called "Governor's Lady" in the pamphlet "Crochet for Tables, No. 202" by The Spool Cotton Company, 1943.  Head over to ravelry.com to check out projects made with this pattern!

Country Living

Pecan Brown Sugar Shortbread

1 c unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c brown sugar, packed
2 1/4 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c finely chopped pecans (or so)

In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.  Stir in flour and salt.  Stir in pecans.  Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth, about 3 minutes.  Pat out to 1/3" thickness and cut into squares, rectangles, triangles, etc.   Poke each cookie with a fork (to prevent puffing while baking). Place cookies about 1" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 300F until browned on the bottom and cookies have firmed up (not hard, just until when you touch them lightly they still have a bit of an indent left), about 20-25 min.  Don't over bake or they will be dry.  Makes about 42.
N.B.  This is a recipe to use good quality ingredients in.  Fresh flour, fresh nuts and fresh butter does make a big difference!  I would suggest using dark brown sugar if you have it for the most flavour, but I regularly use light brown because that is what I normally have in the house, and the flavour is pretty good.  These are a "sandy" style shortbread, not the "melt in your mouth kind" that typically uses cornstarch.

Link to Hardcore History podcast archives.  Dan Carlin is the host.  Episodes are also available over on iTunes as well.

Monday 15 August 2011

Episode 19 - What I Did On My Summer Stay-cation - Monday, August 15, 2011

Link for Episode 19!



Creativity Studio

Link to Annie Lennox singing "Something So Right" (sorry, no embedding :( )

Country Living

That Beefy-Noodley Thing

1 - 1.5 lbs. ground beef (or thinly sliced/cubed/ground pork or chicken)
2 packages ramen noodles (I used Sapporo Ichiban brand, link to amazon.com)
2 - 4 c frozen mixed veggies (or so, I don't measure, just use what you've got)
2 c hot water
additional: onion powder, garlic powder, soy sauce (just a bit), sambal oelek (fresh chili paste) or other hot sauce, or substitute fresh veggies for frozen (pre-sautee if needed, like onion)

In a large non-stick pan, sautee ground beef (or brown if cubed/sliced meat).  Add noodles (slightly crushed), soup flavouring packages, veggies and water.  Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 5-10 minutes, making sure noodles are moistened and cooking.  Add a bit of cornstarch in cold water if too wet, and cook for a couple of minutes.  Serve!  NB: Try and use a decent brand of noodles.  The really cheap ones just don't have good flavour, or stand up to the cooking and get mushy.

Monday 8 August 2011

Episode 18 "Re-" - Monday, August 8, 2011

Link to Episode 18!

Creativity Studio

Link to jayfroggy on etsy.com.  This is the artist who does the "Ojo de Dios" (or Eye of God) mandalas with yarn.  Really cool and fabulous colours!

Link to Studio E G K on etsy.com.  Woodblock prints of rural life and animals.  Link to Studio E G K personal website.

Link to Tugboat Print Shop on etsy.com.  Very detailed woodblock prints.

Link to D. Michael Coffee Prints on etsy.com.  Abstract prints using 3 colour reductive ink process, as well as block prints.

Monday 1 August 2011

Episode 17 - Down Time - Monday, August 1, 2011

Link to Episode 17!  This week's episode picture is reclaimed cotton yarn.

Creativity Studio

Link to "How to Reclaim Yarn/Unravel a Sweater"

Critter Corner

Link to darford.com.  We get Obie's dog treats from them.  Treats are no gluten, no grain and no GMO's.  His last box of treats had a bag of free dog food for stray dogs attached to it, and I fed it to the strays that came up to me this week. 

Monday 25 July 2011

Episode 16 - The "Un-Passionate" Artist - Monday, July 25, 2011

Link to Episode 16!

Yikes!  Technical issues!  Will fix pronto and have new link up A.S.A.P!

New link to Episode 16!

Creativity Studio

Hmm.  I seem unable to find the links for the free .pdfs I mentioned in the podcast.  However, here is the link to the Johnny Taylor Art website.

Monday 11 July 2011

Episode 14 - Shocking! and Balls! - Monday, July 11, 2011

Link to Episode 14!

Creativity Studio

Link to Soar Crochet Shawl pattern by Vicki Mikulak.  $ Pattern.

Sherbet Wrap pattern by Kimberley K. McAlindin is only available on ravelry.com.  Free Pattern.

Country Living

Link to IMDb's entry fro Season of the Witch with Nicholas Cage and Ron Perlman.

Link to Friedel's Old-Fashioned Baked Beans recipe on food.com
Note: I double the amounts called for: vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, molasses, ketchup and bacon.  If using blackstrap molasses, do not quite double amount due to the intense taste.

Link for Curley's Old Fashioned Cornbread recipe on food.com
Note:  For the buttermilk, you can substitute: milk soured with lemon juice or sour cream diluted with milk.

Baked Beans and Cornbread.  Drool-worthy!

Sunday 3 July 2011

Episode 13 - Designing Woman - Sunday, July 3, 2011

Link To Episode 13!

Creativity Studio
  
Link to mypicot.com, where I found the stitch patterns for my orange shawl.  Go to "crochet  patterns" tab, then click on "openwork and lace" to find them.  The numbers are 2017 for the body of the shawl and 2038 for the "wings".

Country Living

Anne's Ribs

2 racks pork back ribs
1/2 c. bottled bbq sauce (this is the most you will need, probably less)
salt and pepper

Two (2) hours prior to cooking, remove ribs from the fridge to bring to room temperature.  Preheat oven (or set up barbecue for indirect cooking) to 300F.  Rinse and dry ribs, and score silver skin on the back of the ribs (or remove silver skin if able).  Rub a small amount of salt and pepper to taste on both sides of the ribs.  Place on a foil lined shallow pan (jelly roll pan for oven, a piece of foil for the grill) and place, uncovered, in oven or on cool part of grill.  Close grill cover.  Bake or grill for 2 hours.  Increase heat in oven or grill to 375F.  Baste ribs liberally with bbq sauce.  Return to oven or grill, and heat until bbq sauce is caramelized and crispy about 12-15 minutes.  Remove ribs to a cutting board, and let rest up to 15 minutes.  Cut between bones and enjoy!

Link to Ultimate Brownies recipe over on food.com.  N.B.  I added 1/2 tsp baking powder to the flour.  I baked the brownies at an increased temperature of 350F for 25 - 30 minutes.

Monday 27 June 2011

Episode 12 - Busy, Busy, Busy - Monday, June 27, 2011

Link to Episode 12!

Creativity Studio

"Serviceable" Shawl in Marina/Admiral colourway of Bernat Satin Sport

"Dreaming of Summer"  abstract art!

Spiral Rectangular Cat Mat
Sanity Sanctuary

My cousin Donna's blog about helping her sister, Meredith, who has Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Monday 20 June 2011

Episode 11 - Summer Bounty - Monday, June 20, 2011

Link to Episode 11!

Creativity Studio

Link for Woven Eyelet Scarf by Clair Louise Coult

Link for Scott's photography Facebook page

Country Living

This is how bright it still is at 10:30 pm.  It will get darker, but not completely dark.


Look at that beautiful fish with its rich colours!

Recipe: Baked Rainbow Trout with Caramelized Onion

1 rainbow trout, cleaned and cut into two fillets, deboned as able
1 sweet or cooking onion, cut in half and sliced thinly
1 tbsp. brown sugar (or so)
soy sauce (maybe 1 1/2 to 2 tsps, or to taste)
freshly ground black pepper
butter (about 3 tbsps.) softened

Rinse and wipe dry fish. Place in a shallow dish, and sprinkle flesh side of fish with soy sauce.  I just added enough to moisten the flesh, but not enough to actually drip off.  Add pepper and set aside.
Saute onion in a small amount butter (or oil) until well softened, about 5-10 min. on medium heat.  Reduce heat to medium low, add brown sugar and saute until well caramelized, raising heat if needed, about 15 minutes more.
Make a foil package large enough to lay the fish in one layer, as well as wrapping around it.  (Use no-stick foil if desired).  Rub foil with about 1 tbsp butter, and spread about 1/3 of the onion over it.  Lay fish over onion.  Dot with about 1 1/2 tsps. butter on each fillet.  Spread remaining onion over fish.  Bring up edges of foil and seal, leaving room for heat expansion.  Place in preheated 375-400F oven on a drip pan (I use a 10 x 15 " jelly roll pan) and bake about 15 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork (just poke a little hole in top of foil to test).  Remove from foil and serve with roasted potatoes and a green salad.

Sanity Sanctuary

Peter Gabriel - The Power of the Heart (Live version)



Peter Gabriel - The Power of the Heart (Studio Version)

Monday 13 June 2011

Episode 10 - Boxes

Link to Episode 10!

Country Living

Link to IMDb entry for the movie "District B13"

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Update - Pics!

Our buddy, the groundhog/woodchuck.

We ended up releasing him onto "Crown" land, with lots of trees, bushes, and water.

Why yes, that is snow...

...on June 3, 2011!

Gratuitous Molly pic!

Monday 6 June 2011

Episode 9 - It's a Trap! - Monday, June 6, 2011

Link to Episode 9!

Creativity Studio

Inga's Haekelbeutel by Inga Joana Mertens is available on ravelry.com (pattern for windmill bag)
I am using a pattern from "300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects" by Linda P. Schapper for the blocks; using block #35.

Pics of : polymer clay beads, polymer clay "goddess" and bag to come!

Country Living

Link to Grande Prairie SPCA.

Rural Hall of Shame Count: 4

Critter Corner

Pics of woodchuck/groundhog  to come!

Monday 30 May 2011

Episode 8 - I Have All The Yarn and Colours - Monday, May 30, 2011

Link to Episode 8!

Creativity Studio

Sundara Fingering Silky Merino in "Pine over Gold"

Spinning Colors Merino Lace in "Glacier"


I have *all* the Yarn!

A few skeins of handspun...

...and a few more!


Cottage Shawl in Bernat Satin Sport in "Marina"
Summer Slice Shawlette in Cascade Sassy Stripes

Country Living

Potato Salad and Deviled Eggs

 Recipe for Potato Salad and Deviled Eggs

6 med. sized waxy ("new" or "table") potatoes
8 eggs
1 1/2 c Miracle Whip
approx. 2-3 teaspoons yellow mustard
salt and pepper to taste

 For the Potato Salad:

Boil potatoes whole, with skin on, until a little past "just" cooked.  Chill until cold.  Hard boil  all eggs.  Chill until cold.  Peel and chop potatoes in 1" cubes.  Sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste. Peel and chop 4 eggs and add to potatoes.  On top, add about 1 c. Miracle Whip and about 1 teaspoon mustard.  Slightly mix wet ingredients, then fold all together.  Taste!  If too dry, add more Miracle Whip.  If not tangy enough, add more mustard. 

 For Deviled Eggs:

 Peel 4 hard boiled eggs.  Slice in half lengthwise.  Remove yolks to a small bowl. Place whites on a plate.  Mash yolks well with a bit of salt and pepper.  Add about 2-3 tablespoons Miracle Whip and about 1/2 teaspoon mustard to mashed yolks.  Mix well. Taste!  Add more Miracle Whip, mustard or seasonings if needed.  Fill whites generously with filling.

 Assembly:

Place potato salad in a bowl.  Press 8 "divots" into top of salad.  Place deviled eggs in divots. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.  Cover with plastic wrap and store in fridge. Best if made a few hours to one day before serving.


Link to Redawna from Sexsmith's blog

Link to Hyperbole and a Half's blog, plus direct link to the "Why I'll Never be an Adult" post.


Critter Corner

Cows!

And another cow!

Monday 23 May 2011

Episode 7 - Bug-Pocalypse - Monday, May 23, 2011

Link to Episode 7!

Creativity Studio

Link to milobo's website.  "Eva's shawl" pattern .pdf is found under "Free Patterns"on right side of page.

Link to Red Heart's crochet sock monkey pattern.

Country Living


Link to Lamb's Navy rum page.  Must be of age to enter site.

Monday 16 May 2011

Episode 6 - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Monday, May 16, 2011

Link to Episode 6!


Creativity Studio


Link to pattern for Gulf Shores hat on crochetme.com


Link to Mark Hogancamp's website "Marwencol"


Link to Elly MacKay's Etsy store, and link to her portfolio website


Country Living


Link to IMdb entry for Akira Kurasowa's 1961 movie, Yojimbo


Sanity Sanctuary


Link to Trichotillomania Learning Center

Monday 9 May 2011

Monday 2 May 2011

Sunday 24 April 2011

Episode 3 - Changes - April 24, 2011

Link to Episode 3!

Country Living:

View of our creek (you are looking ESE)

View of our creek (you are looking WNW)

View of the bridge over the creek (you are looking south)

View of the bridge over the creek (you are looking north)

Sunday 17 April 2011

Episode 2 -- Sunday, April 17, 2011 "Expectations"

Link to Episode 2

Creativity Studio Notes:

What is an RAK? An RAK is "a random act of kindness" and can be anything!  Right now, I send out little packages within Canada to people who belong to the same group on Ravelry that I do.  It is a lot of fun!

Link for "Simply a Gnome" pattern by Else Tennessen on her blog.  Pattern is a .pdf and can be found in the section called "Patterns".  If you search through Ravelry, you will be directed to this link.

Crobaktus is only available on http://ravelry.com.  Pattern is by Christy Tchaparian.

 Critter Corner Notes:

Obie's glucosamine/chondroitin supplement is called Cosequin DS. Link to the Cosequin's website.

Pet pics:

Bruce!






Isabella!



Storm!

Molly!

Obie!

Kirby!

Sunday 10 April 2011

Episode 1, Sunday April 10, 2011 -- Show notes

Link to Episode 1

Link to Open Library's web page for Mary Konior's book _Crochet Lace_.

Link to ravelry.com; an awesome fiber site/resource.  Free registration.

Wiki links for:

Trichotillomania 

Depression (mood)

Complex PTSD

Thursday 7 April 2011

Hi and Welcome!

You may have found this blog by listening to my podcast "Rural Adventures In Creativity And Sanity".  Here I will be posting: show notes, links, videos, pictures and random musings.  I hope you like what you discover!