teaching someone how to knit

I’ve had several people ask me to teach them how to knit. It’s good to start with the basis.

You’ll Need:

• Size 7 knitting needles
• 1 skein of bright (or light) worsted weight yarn

Here’s How:

1. Teach casting on. Cast on a workable amount, like 20-25.
2. Teach how to knit. Knit as many rows as necessary until it’s mastered.
3. Teach how to purl. Purl as many rows as necessary until it’s mastered.
4. Next rows try k2, p2. This demonstrates ribbing.
5. Start with an easy to read and knit pattern like Bev’s Basic Cozy Cap

youth soccer opening day

Last summer my husband and I volunteered as coaches for the Dorchester Youth Soccer Program. At the end of last season I made personalized awards for all the kids. These are super easy to make with not a lot of time or materials. These wooden stars and soccer balls can be found at any craft store. Simply paint them and use a paint marker to personalize. Attach magnets to the back so they can be hung on the refridgerator. Today is the first game of the 2007 season… GO STARS!

college care packages… just in time for finals

Care packages from home, it’s as crucial to a college student as their fake ID. Full of all the things that a scholar needs to ace those finals days: pencils, popcorn, pop rocks, goldfish, ramen, gum, homemade cookies and then those items specific to the genders:

Boys:
- Boy like magazines like Maxim & FHM
- A little piggie bank for beer money (use paint pens to draw a beer stein on it)

Girls:
- Anything Sex and the City
- A little piggie bank for Cosmo money (use the paint pens to draw a martini glass on it and color it pink)
- Lip Gloss
- Hair rubber bands

early spring planting in my “garden”

I use the term “garden” ever so loosely due to the binding conditions in my backyard. Let’s be clear, I live in Boston so any sort of backyard (even if it’s the size of a postage stamp) is a luxury. I have to deal with the hand that is delt: no space, no consistent sun and poor soil. Not to mention I have no idea what to do when it comes to gardening so I depend on my mom, my friend Maggie and the helpful folks at Mahoney’s.

So far I have kicked off the planting season with the following:

• Garlic
• Oregano
• Chives
• Lettuce (Black Seeded Simpson & Ithaca)

candle wedding present

Got a wedding or wedding shower to go to and your not sure what to get them? This is the answer. I’ve done different variations with substituting the “box” for a “basket” or changing the color or types of candles (either votives or tapers). You can also include candle holders, snuffers or matches to personalize the gift. If the couple registered for fancy candle holders but you feel like you want to add a special touch, this gift is perfect. Make sure you make the text couple appropriate. For example: if they already have a child, be sure to adjust the line “By this time we hope just maybe, You’ll light the purple candles to welcome another baby”. You get the general idea.

A box of candles for you two to share
Wrapped with love for the special “pair”

The white ones burn first, on the night that you wed,
To spark your dreams, for the many years ahead.

The green pair is no taller or no thinner,
Burn with the first company you have over for dinner.

The dark blue candles are for after your first fight,
Use them to burn while making up all night.

The pink candles set the mood and pave the way,
For your very first married Valentine’s Day.

Now when your first year of marriage is through,
The cream Anniversary pair will light for you.

Red candles aflame, both your futures are bright,
Celebrate accomplishments you’ve worked towards with all of your might.

By this time we hope just maybe,
You’ll light the purple candles to welcome a baby.

And when you thought you’d put these away,
Take the light blue ones out for your fifth anniversary day!

Now just one more pair for the big 25,
The orange Anniversary pair will keep your love alive.

Congratulations Lauren & Josh on the start of forever,
May the two of you always be happy together.

Now burn these candles the way that we said,
But don’t forget to blow them out before bed!

Love Always,
Dena & Matty

planting potatoes

The following is according to The Garden Helper and my Mom:

Potatoes may be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in the early spring

Use only certified seed potatoes. A week or two before your planned potato planting date, set your seed potatoes somewhere where they will be exposed to some warmth and lots of light. A day or two before planting, use a sharp, clean knife to slice the larger seed potatoes into “seeds”. Each seed should be approximately 1 1/2-2inches square, and must contain at least 1 or 2 “eyes” or buds.

Traditionally potatoes are grown in rows. The potato seeds are planted every 15 in., with the rows spaced 2 1/2 to 3 ft. apart. If space is limited or if you would only like to grow a small crop of potatoes, you may prefer to plant one or two potato mounds. Each 3-4 foot diameter mound can support 6 to 8 potato plants. More info on planting rules…

Keep your potato vines well watered throughout the summer, but especially during the period when they are in flower, and immediately thereafter. Water early in the day so that the foliage has time to dry completely before evening. When foliage turns yellow and dies back, discontinue watering and allow a week or two before harvesting.

Your may begin to harvest your potatoes 2 to 3-weeks after the plants have finished flowering.

Don’t grow potatoes in the same soil more than once in three years. Many diseases and insect pests will survive and remain in this area, in spite of your best eradication efforts!

knitted baby two tone socks

My latest purchase in the knitting baby book world is simply baby: 20 adorable knits for baby’s first two years. I was first attracted to the baby caplet sweater but then drawn in by these cute littly baby socks. These are super quick but do take mental power aka lots of paying attention to what you’re doing. But as you can see, the final product is really worth it.

stitch counter or golf stroke counter or both

Every since I started golfing, I’ve always had this homemade stroke counter attached to my golf bag. Just today I was working on a knitting project and was counting the rows with a pen and paper and thought how crazy this was. I could go to the craft store and buy one but why? If it’s good enough to count how many times I hit the sand trap it’s way good enough to count how many more rows to knit. The other bonus is that it attaches to my knitting bag so I always know where it is when I need it.

Easy Homemade Thank You Cards

I prefer to give “ho-made” cards over store bought cards but sometimes I just don’t have the time. Even in those situations if you have the right tools on hand, a hand made card is just as fast or faster than hallmark. Here are some examples of some cards I have made in the past that took no more than a minute to put together.

You’ll Need:

• 5 x5 Card Pack from Die Cuts with a View
• Mat Stacks
• Embellishments (I used these fun fabric labels)
• Pen to write a personal thank you message on the inside
• Papper Cutter
• Glue stick

Have fun with it by placing things off center or in corners. Your recipient will appreciate your artistic style.

beer battered fried fish

For the batter:
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dash Old Bay Seasoning
1 bottle brown beer, cold
1 1/2 pounds firm-fleshed whitefish (tilapia, pollock, cod), cut into 1-ounce strips
Cornstarch, for dredging

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cayenne pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. Whisk in the beer until the batter is completely smooth and free of any lumps. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Note: The batter can be made up to 1 hour ahead of time.

Lightly dredge fish strips in cornstarch. Working in small batches, dip the fish into batter and immerse into hot oil. When the batter is set, turn the pieces of fish over and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain the fish on the roasting rack. Serve with malt vinegar and lemon.

Recipe modified from the Food Network website.