Thursday, April 30, 2015

Knitting Link, Recipe Links and Handbag Madness

I changed today's post.  I originally had written something else but after the events of the past few days, I felt it wasn't appropriate.  It breaks my heart the more I read about Nepal's devastating earthquake that took place less than a week ago. The death toll is rising every time I read about it.    But, it really hit home, so to speak, when I read about two young women missing from my home state of Washington.   They were on an around the world trip and were last heard of in the Langtang Valley in Nepal when the earthquake struck.  This could have been my child or your child.  It has to be devastating to the parents who don't know where their loved ones are.  It's made me realize that whatever issues I think I may have in life, they are nothing.  I should have no complaints.  I have so much to be thankful for.  My thoughts and prayers are with all the families are are in despair and have been displaced.

This week was a bit different as my best friend (who is also my husband), was away on a business trip.   It was quiet around here.  Luckily, Lilly (my cat) is always near to keep my company.  And, my children are constantly texting me via Viber.  Do you use Viber?  It's an amazing app. We text all day long.......

I'm still working my on Easy Peazy Shawl which is a super easy pattern but somehow I "forgot" a couple of yarnovers and had to frog like 14 rows!  Maybe it wasn't noticeable, but to me it was.   You can find the specifics on my Ravelry page. I do love using this Berrocco Ultra Alpaca yarn.  It is so soft and has a wonderful colorway.


We have had "hot" temps in the high 80's with Santa Ana winds this week.  The garden is growing and it's so much fun to see it take shape.  Unfortunately, we don't have a dedicated garden area but we do have some flower bed areas which we have used to plant some vegetable plants.  Here's a photo of my cherry tomatoes......



Since my  husband was away, I decided to prepare some curry for myself.  He truly hates "hot, spicy" food.  But, I love hot, spicy food.  Isn't that funny?  Maybe because my dear Mom, who was such a wonderful person, cooked meat and potatoes style.  I love anything exotic.  So, this week I made a sweet potato curry.  Instead of serving it with rice, I ate it with paratha.  I found the recipe online.  I tweeked it a bit; I used 1 1/4 cups chicken broth and 3/4 cup coconut milk and added 1 crushed garlic clove.  I used peas since I didn't have spinach and I added fresh tangerine juice instead of frozen orange juice.  I couldn't find the "yellow" curry paste so I left it out.  It's really one of the best curries I have tasted.  Such a wonderful, fresh taste that's not overpowering.  I did add in 1/2 teaspoon chili sauce to give it a tiny bit of kick!


Speaking of food, I wanted to share with you a recipe for a quick lunch idea.  It's called Tofu Egg Salad. I had 1/2 pound of tofu left over from when I made the hot pot recipe last week.  I didn't follow this recipe exactly; I drained the tofu in the frig for a couple of hours.  Then I chopped it up just like you would for egg salad.  I added in the remaining ingredients; I went easy on the mayo and I served it with crackers.  Oh, and I added a minced shallot to give it some more flavor.  It's really quite pleasant tasting.  You know, I could easily be a vegetarian as I so enjoy making these types of meals.  I prefer vegetarian food; especially when I go out to eat.


I love handbags.  They have been by passion for many years.  And, I probably have spent too much money throughout the years on designer bags that are now lost in my closet.    But, lately my taste in handbags has started to change.   I really enjoy fabric handbags or bags that are  kind of quirky and unique.  This week I saw a "Sak" handbag at Costco.   Do you remember when Sak first came out about 20 years ago?  They are crocheted  bags that are perfect for summer.  I have a small one that I use when I don't want a huge bag.   I've even washed it and it still looks perfect.  Anyway, I found this one at Costco for $29.99!  It was $10.00 off and on the Sak website it retails for $69.00!  I think it will be a great bag for summer.



If you have a favorite pattern or recipe to share with me, I'd love to hear from you. I do read all my comments and will try and answer too :) 

Today I'm linking up with:
Amy at Love Made My Home
Ginny at Yarn Along 

take care,

Pat


    


21 comments:

  1. I cannot stop thinking about Nepal too. The top of the world so to speak and all the devastation of lives, changed for ever and destruction. No words x Sending you love x

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    1. Hi Selma, yes it's so sad. It will never be the same I believe. I hope you are enjoying spring and your beautiful garden. Luckily, it's suppose to be a little cooler here which is wonderful. My best to you! Hugs, Pat

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  2. The earth quake is heartbreaking x Your curry looks delicious, my husband doesn't like anything too spicy either and my mum was Irish, therefore we only ever ate potatoes and meat. When I became a vegetarian she told me it was unnatural - bless her. Have a good weekend xxx

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    1. Hello Lisa, that's a cute story. Where I grew up, I don't think it was even possible to buy the spices for curry. Times have changed. Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend :)

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  3. I like the sound of the tofu salad, I have scrambled tofu often but not tried it like that. Thanks for sharing. I love your shawl and the bag.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. It's always fun to discover new recipes. I will have to try scrambled tofu. Enjoy your day :)

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  4. I understand your mixed feelings about writing on your blog, I felt the same today. It is a very odd thing this blogging business at times, especially when world events impact on us like this. I hope that your husbands trip away has been successful and that you have enjoyed eating your spicy foods! Your curry sounds delicious. Love your new bag too!! Thank you so much as always for joining in. I hope that you have a great weekend. xx

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    1. Thank you Amy for your kind comments. And, thank you for hosting such a great party on Fridays. I agree with you about mixed feelings. I'm thankful for each day. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for taking time to stop by today.

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  5. My heart keeps going out to Nepal too! So sad. I say prayers and I've donated. Just so devastating.

    I relate so well with a lot of this post as I also love spicy food and my hubby does not. Lol And, I'm sad to admit, I also have a too strong love of handbags!!

    And your shawl is looking lovely. Thanks for sharing and wishing you a great weekend! xo

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    1. Hi Carrie, yes it is a sad situation. Isn't that funny that our husbands like the complete opposite of what food we enjoy? And, handbags are a story themselves. It's been a good week but I'm looking forward to getting back on my regular schdule (which means no curry!). Take care. Hugs, Pat

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  6. Nepal was on my list of places to visit and it's heartbreaking for those poor people.
    Your tofu egg salad sounds lovely - I'll definitely have to give that one a try. Love your new bag too. Have a good weekend. x

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    1. I too have dreamed of visiting Nepal one day. In my younger years, I read every book I could about this area. It is so sad. I hope you will like the tofu egg salad. It's a quick and easy dish to prepare. Thanks so much for stopping by. I always enjoy hearing from you. Hugs, Pat

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  7. It is heartbreaking to see the disaster unfolding in Nepal. So many people dead and so many more still unaccounted for. It must have been on your mind even more with your husband away; at times like these we want our loved ones close at hand. Your shawl is knitting up beautifully and I can't believe that you have tomatoes on your plants - it was snowing here the other day! xx

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    1. Hello Christine, I agree that I sometimes feel like a mother hen who wants all her family accounted for. I feel so bad for those families who don't know. And, it has been a bit lonesome around here, too. Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you have a fabulous weekend with your knitting activites and weekend plans. Hugs to you :) Pat

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  8. I know just how you feel about disasters. I suppose being grateful for our loved ones, and all the wealth of things we can enjoy in our lives, is the most important response.

    I recently knit a bed jacket from Ultra Alpaca and it was a joy to knit, and is a joy to wear. I love the colour you chose for your shawl, very heathery.

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    1. Hi Christine, yes, I agree with you. I need to be more thankful for each day and not worry about the next. Thank you for your kind comments about my shawl. I have always loved heather yarn and this yarn is not a disappointment. Hopefully, I can finish this project on time so that it doesn't become a WIP! My best to you and your family. Hugs, Pat

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  9. The news is so sad from Nepal, it is so hard to imagine the devastation. Love the food you have made and that wonderful new bag.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  10. Such sad news from Nepal - it is hard to take it all in isn't it? I like the feeling of just sometimes being able to eat what you want and when you want which you can when you are on your own. I love your new Sak handbag - such pretty colours;)

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  11. My heart goes out to the people in Nepal too. I can't begin to imagine the devastion. It has been miraculous that survivors have been found five days after. X

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  12. Pat thanks for visiting my blog...I'll be back again. I'm not a handbag junkie. I like bags that a small and easy to carry vs big hefty ones. And I don't by one very often. My current one is a Baggolini, small with lots of compartments, and light weight. Also washable.

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  13. That curry looks delicious! I often eat things my husband doesn't like when he's away too. I have a thing for bags. I go from small to large and back again, I love your new one :-) xx

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