I have to bring a main dish to an office party tomorrow and have no idea what to make. They have a very limited kitchen with just a microwave for heating something up.

It seems like all the exciting spooky food is either an appetizer or dessert (which other people are assigned to bring). Anyone have any ideas?

I think I might have to resort to sandwiches cut into coffin shapes.

For the first time ever, I'm making/hosting Easter dinner for my family this year! I've been seeing these egg wreaths everywhere and decided to try and make one to use as a centerpiece for the table.

Just hot glued plastic eggs to a styrofoam wreath form. I used mostly plain pastel eggs, and put some iridescent ones here and there. Cut a small feather boa into short lengths and tucked the pieces between the eggs where the styrofoam showed through.

The sides are not great because the eggs don't go all the way to the edges, but I think I'll put some of that plastic easter grass around it when it's on the table so no one will notice.



Pictured with my pug so you can see the scale of the wreath 

My mom's work has a themed holiday party every year. This year the theme is Candy Land. She has to bring a plate of appetizers. I volunteered to make them for her because she is always so busy.

So I am trying to think of an appetizer that is colorful, fun and would fit the theme. It can't be a sweet or dessert because it's supposed to be a starter. I thought maybe fruit skewers, parmesan cheese straws (colored somehow) or spiced nuts in colorful paper cups?

She doesn't want to bring anything that has to be hot or heated. I guess that's why I'm having a hard time.

Does anyone have any ideas?

This bag was made using the "Brea" pattern from Berroco. It's a Christmas gift for my MIL. The knitting went quickly, the finishing took FOREVER!

I used Lion Brand Wool-ease in Forest Green Heather.

Had to make my own pattern for the lining, that was quite an adventure!  I used a tapestry remnant I found for 1.99 at the fabric store. The pictures don't quite capture it's beauty, it has a subtle sheen to it. It turned out better than I thought, the stiffness of the fabric gives the bag structure.

I knitted the cabled strap and lined it with the tapestry fabric so it wouldn't stretch out with use.

The rings that attach the strap are from the hardware store. The button is from my MIL's mother's button tin, so it has more sentimental value than glamour.

This is a sort of strange project. These squares were originally intended for a sampler afghan I was making for a friend of mine. For reasons I won't get into, that friend isn't getting an afghan anymore , so I was stuck with these squares sitting around.

I dug them out the other day and decided to make a kind of scrap scarf out of them using different techniques to stitch them together. I was going to add crocheted ruffles and ribbons and extra embellishment, but it caught my husband's eye when I was working on it and HE wanted it!

So here it is (can't put ruffles and sparkles on it if it's for him!). It's really wide, but I like wide scarves you can pull up over your face when it's cold.



in action with the shirt he bought at Goodwill to match it!


closeup:

Here are some pumpkins I knitted. The pattern is really quick and easy. I made another set for my mom last night!

All of these are made with cheap acrylic yarn.

Pattern notes: I cast on 12 stitches for the large i-cord stem and the smaller ones were 9 stitches. I only stuffed the large stems on the ones in the pics, but on the set I made for my mom I stuffed the small size stems as well and would recommend doing so.

Here's the pattern:
http://www.curlypurly.com/pumpkin.html



The ghostly white pumpkin was a special request by my husband!

I came across this Thanksgiving craft today and I thought it was unusually cute!

See http://www.geocities.com/grammalowe/cookie.html#cookie17 for the directions with picture.

"Turkey Cookies
Makes 12 cookies

12 chocolate stars
12 caramels
12 scalloped chocolate-frosted cookies
12 pieces candy corn

To make each turkey, place chocolate star, point side up, on work surface. Place one caramel on waxed paper in microwave, microwave on HIGH for about 10 seconds (turning over once) or just until slightly softened. Place softened caramel on tip of chocolate star, pressing down so they stick together. To make the tail, press chocolate cookie, striped side facing forward, firmly against the soft caramel to stand upright. Press candy corn on top of caramel to resemble turkey's head."

I don't have kids, but I think I might make these for Thanksgiving anyway!

I just got PETA's cookbook, Cooking With PETA, and I am really enjoying the recipes! The mock chicken salad is one of my favorites so far.

But it occurred to me, is there such thing as eating too much tofu? I have been eating a lot of it lately, like at every meal!

Since it's bean curd, I'm thinking it's okay, but I'm curious to hear what more experienced vegetarians/vegans think about this.

I finished this shawl today! It's a Christmas present for my sister-in-law. Hooray for finishing Christmas presents in September!

I used the free "Lacy Stole" pattern from Lionbrand Yarn's site and the yarn was Patons Grace in Taupe.

I have never made jewelry before so I'm hoping the pendant things I made and attached to the ends of the shawl won't fall off! Oh well, I have plenty of extra supplies to make replacements if they're needed! 



closeup of the shell trim (the shell beads came from Michaels):


I kinda want to keep it!

I got this recipe from my MIL and she got it from a show called Rebecca's Garden. It is sooo good! You assemble it the night before and then throw it in the oven in the morning.

My MIL makes it with Egg Beaters and neufatchel cheese (cream cheese with 1/3 the fat), it tastes the same to me as the regular recipe.

Here is the link to the recipe with pictures: http://www.rebeccasgarden.com/articles/In_the_Kitchen/Baked_Goods/793.html

And the recipe:

Stuffed French Toast

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar
½ cup butter
2 tsp corn syrup
8 eggs
1 ¾ cups milk
1 ½ t. of vanilla. 8 oz. tub/brick of cream cheese, softened
1 loaf French bread

Step #1: Caramel Sauce:

Begin by adding the butter to the saucepan. As it starts to melt, add the corn syrup, then the brown sugar. Cook on medium heat until all ingredients are well blended and begins to bubble. DO NOT bring to rolling boil, because the caramel will harden into candy.

Pour mixture into a greased 9X13 casserole pan.

Next, slice the French bread loaf in ¾ inch thick pieces. Start by placing a layer of sliced bread on top of the caramel sauce, side by side, without overlapping. Spread cream cheese on top of the bread. (you will use all 8oz of the cream cheese). Top off each slice of bread with a second slice (like a sandwich).

Egg Mixture:

Mix eggs, milk and vanilla together in a bowl with a whisk, and pour over the top of the bread, being sure to coat each piece.

Can be prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator. In the morning, bake in a 350-degree oven for 40 minutes.

Serve the French toast warm, with the caramel side on top.

Top with syrup, whipped cream, or fresh berries.