The Newest Hobby

I've been dying to try out Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts, that I mentioned long ago. And yesterday, I finally had my chance!

I have officially taken up origami. That's right. I have yet to make a bird, but started off with mini lanterns.







It should be a known fact that I adore string lights- or as I so lovingly call them- "twinkle lights." You know this if you've ever been to our apartment. The only room that we don't have twinkle lights in is the bathroom (because there is only one measly outlet). Anyway, our new set of twinkle lights are up. I painted the origami paper red and orange to give it a Chez LuLu cafe feel.



I'm expecting a lot of good quality time with my Brother now that my sewing desk is beautifully framed with chinese lanterns!

Granola

While my nephew, James, was here visiting, we did a lot of cooking to pass the time. I finally got the chance to try a granola recipe from a wonderful cookbook (thank you Lauren Brooks) Food for Thought. It was maybe some of the best granola I've had in a while! Our family loved it.



Granola

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cup oats
1/2 cup instant dry milk powder
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts (we used 3/4 c.)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup tightly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup honey (I only had a 1/8 cup so we put in an 1/8 cup maple syrup... a little bit more sugar, I'm sure, but really yummy)
1/2 cup raisins (I LOVE raisins so I put in a lot more, plus some dried cranberries... mmmmmm.)

Combine first 8 ingredients. Place in a large jellyroll pan, and bake at 300 for 40- 50 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Stir in fruit. Cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

So easy!

Why haven't you heard from me in a while?

Because I've been crocheting my fanny off...



Take a look at my new circle scarf!





I'm also halfway through my blanket... it's looking different from the blanket I originally started, but I'm hoping to be inventive enough to make it into something special!

Hoping to make more scarfs soon- maybe to put up on Etsy? I think I'll see how this one holds up first.