shellebellecreates

We did it!!

As I type this my fine manthing is bravely heading to the post office. I am proud yo say all family packages are headed out before Christmas. This might be a first for us, I have no problems mailing any time during the 12 days of Christmas. I still have to finish a hat, make something for j and make more lip balm because I miscounted or didn't count and find myself short.

holiday fun

Originally uploaded by shellebellecreates

Last night we visited the Denver Botanical Gardens to see the magical holiday lights. I love these gardens year round and the lights did not disappoint. Now there is some debate in the clan as to who puts on a better light display the zoo or the gardens....
On the way home from the garden I made a wager with the manthing about the incoming snow storm. Let's just say I do not have to shovel this one!!

another hat

another hat
Originally uploaded by shellebellecreates

I knit this hat for money!! I have never done that before, I feel I could start making a stock of them to sell at craft fairs next year.
This hat was knit with Mano and the usual pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I think the pattern knits up large and use the smaller size than I normally would. I also knit this hat while it was freezing out which made the brim longer for more double coverage. I do hope the recipient loves the hat as much as I do. The yarn is so lovely!

Happy Solstice

"Glance at the sun.
See the moon and stars.
Gaze at the beauty of Earth's greenings.
Now,
Think.
-- Hildegard of Bingen

I love winter for snuggling up by a warm fire. I struggle with winter's ice, for i may have to try out the treadmill at the gym!

a trio of hats

a trio of hats
Originally uploaded by shellebellecreates

I made these hats for someone special in Ohio. She requested a pink and brown hat but I couldn't find just the right yarn so I made due with a few pretty one. Starting on the right side we have:
Hat 1. My favorite, pink is manos, brown something from the stash. Pattern from Last Minute Knitted gifts.
Hat 2. The better bucket hat, yarn is patons merino. This hat was knit to gauge but it was enormous, I stuck it in the dryer for 20 minutes and it is better but odd fit. I really wanted this one to be awesome.
Hat 3. Ysolda's urchin hat, bernat felting yarn. This hat is cute, I am afraid it is going to stretch though.
Hopefully I will see some photos of the lovely MissM in the hats.

my favorite bread recipe

 

I love baking muffins, cookies, cake and especially bread. I remember as a kid watching cooking shows and then trying to replicate their beautiful loaves. I even tried to use as many dishes as possible, the rule in our house was if you cooked you did not have to do the dishes.   In the beginning, I successfully made bricks and not all were even edible. My husband still teases me about some of my less successful loaves he pretended were "not that bad" at the time. I have wanted to share recipes here for some time but I have a very hard time following recipes, I bake and cook with what I have on hand and love to experiment. Often I make the artisan bread but sometimes I need the comfort of kneading the dough. I turn to this bread recipe based on one from a must have vegetarian cookbook, (newly updated website!) I have made this loaf many times without fail, I highly recommend it. (My changes are honey instead of maple syrup which I never seem to have, milk powder for milk, and extra butter.)

Oat Bread with Honey

3 cups boiling water

1 cups dried milk powder

1 package dried yeast

1/4 cup local honey

2 tsp salt

1/2 stick of butter, cut in pieces

3 cups white wheat flour

3 cups bread flour

Step 1. To large mixing bowl add oats, butter, milk powder. Add boiling water, mix and set aside for about an hour. The mixture should be about body temperature. 

Step 2. Stir honey into oat mixture. Add bread flour and yeast. I like to stir it about 100 times and have no idea where that number came from. Cover with towel or plastic wrap. Set aside in warm part of kitchen for about an hour. (I have left it for much longer without problems.)

Step 3. Stir down the dough. Add the white wheat flour 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well. When it is too stiff to stir, use hands to knead in the flour until the dough is no longer sticky. I have a big bowl and knead this time right in the bowl. Let rest about an hour.

Step 4. Punch down dough. Knead the dough on floured surface. Divide dough into two loaves, shape. Place into oiled loaf pans set aside to rise until double.

Step 5. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven about 30-45 minutes. Until tops are browned and loaves sound hollow when tapped. Ovens vary greatly so check loaf during baking.

Step 6. Let cool on wire rack. Enjoy!