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Loomin’ Knit

Recently I decided it was time to teach AJM an add on skill to her ever growing repertoire of home economics type skills.   She already knows how to finger knit, basic embroidery /hand sewing , chaining for crochet (with a hook! ) and some basic cooking. Girl is on fiyah!  Anywho. . .

The latest add on came about because I was searching the internet late in the evening (probably lurking through Pinterest or something) and happened upon an upcycling project for plastic bottles (well basically for any plastic tub, bottle, container , etc) and a cute project for a backpack (using a loom) .

I set to work the next morning and after collecting my supplies:

  • 2 containers (empty vitamin containers a friend gave me)
  • a pair of metal cutters (borrowed from J’s room)
  • a sharp knife
  • a pair of scissors
  • a piece of sandpaper
  • a permanent marker
  • a measuring tape

The rest of the process is a blur of plastic clippings and pieces of sanded plastic, ending with me very happy and two very simple circular knitting looms!!

I spent the morning searching the internet for knitting loom instructions, stitches and patterns and was super excited when I fell upon this thorough and well put together site on ALL THINGS KNIT LOOM!!

AJM really enjoyed learning how to do the basic “e-wrap” knit stitch and happily sat at my desk “knitting” on her loom.

This was a successful lesson and she finished her first “sleeve”  (for a summer dress she now wants to sew) just before dinner today successfully binding off using The Crochet Crowds video. She seems very pleased with her first project .
Later this evening I found a few “spool”  loom projects  and decided to try out Guppy Girl’s adorable Mini Cream pattern.

AJM stayed up a bit late tonight watching me finish up the double scoop version.  She informed me that if I made a few more her dolls could have an icecream party.  I told her she could make a few tomorrow and sent her to bed.
Now I’m off… to figure out some more things we can make . . . .

Teddy bears and Lizards? ?

Oh my !

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This post and website contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you make a purchase using any of the links you see here. Even if you purchase something other than what is advertised in the link/banner, I will still receive a percentage if you purchase by clicking my links first to shop on their website. Thanks in advance for helping support my family and our adventures!

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Easy Granny Triangle Pattern

Hey everyone ! 

I found this great video online about making a cute granny square triangle and it didn’t have written instructions . I decided to write out the pattern here for my own memory and share it with you along with the video link!  It was posted as a free pattern by WoolyWondersCrochet

 
Written Pattern:

Easy Granny Triangle

4mm Hook

US Terms

Worsted Weight Yarn scraps

Create a Magic Circle 

R1 Ch3, (counts as 1st DC), 2DC in magic circle, *Ch3, 3DC, repeat from * once. SS to top of ch 3 at beg. Pull magic circle closed.

Cut Yarn

Change colour by creating a slip knot, insert into any of the ch3 spaces and secure with a slip knot.

R2 Working into Ch3-Space, (SS of attached colour counts as ch 1) Ch2 (this counts as ch3), 2DC, Ch1, * in nxt ch3- space 3DC, Ch3, 3DC, repeat from the star once, in last ch3-space, 3DC, Ch3, ss to top of ch3 at beg of rnd.

Cut Yarn

Change colour by creating a slip knot, insert into any of the corners and secure with a slip knot.

R3 Ch2 (counts as ch3 with ss attaching new colour, which counts as 1 DC), 2DC, Ch1, * in next space 3DC, ch 1, in corner 3DC, ch3, 3DC, ch1, rep once from star, in last corner at beg, 3DC, ch3, ss to top of ch3 at beg. 

Cut Yarn

Change colour by creating a slip knot, insert into any of the corners and secure with a slip knot.

R4 Ch2 (counts as ch3 with ss attaching new colour, which counts as 1 DC), 2DC, Ch1, * (in next space 3DC, ch1) x2 in corner 3DC, ch3, 3DC, ch1, rep once from star, in last corner at beg, 3DC, ch3, ss to top of ch3 at beg. 

Cut Yarn

Change colour by creating a slip knot, insert into any of the corners and secure with a slip knot.

R5 Ch2 (counts as ch3 with ss attaching new colour, which counts as 1 DC), 2DC, Ch1, * (in next space 3DC, ch1) x3 in corner 3DC, ch3, 3DC, ch1, rep once from star, in last corner at beg, 3DC, ch3, ss to top of ch3 at beg. 
Repeat for as many rnds as desires. 

At end of each round change colour. 
Bobble border. 

Working in WS

Cut Yarn

Change colour by creating a slip knot, insert into any of the sts just after a corner and secure with a ss. 

R1 – Work a SC in same st as beg SS, SC in nxt st, TR in nxt, *SC in nxt 2 sts, TR in nxt st, rep from star until the corner, at corner 3SC, 3CH 3SC, rep twice around. SS to top of beg st. 

May rep border for added fanciness. 

Written out by Dashaina while listening to video. Please comment with any errors.

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The Wonders of Yuca (aka cassava) 

A few months ago a few neighbors came by on different days with various parts (and quantities) of the yuca plant for my family. I was so grateful and a bit overwhelmed with the generosity of this gesture and not quite sure how to handle storing it, planting it, using it all before it went bad.

Which brings me to today’s bounty… yuca root! Locally I sell my homemade bread and yogurt. Some customers pay in cash others pay in trade, we all benefit from the exchange. This morning one neighbor showed up with his part of our recent trade, yogurt for yuca, and boy did he bring me a big pile this time!

I made a video about chopping it up here.

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Creamy Dill Honey Mustard Dressing

1/4 c Apple Cider Vinegar
3 Tbs Honey
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp dried dill
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 Tbs Prepared Mustard
1 cup Mayonnaise

Put the first 6 ingredients into a clean glass jar, whisk until combined.  Add mayonnaise or ingredients for homemade mayo and combine using an immersion blender until creamy and homogeneous.

Refrigerate for about 20  minutes until thickened.  Serve over or tossed in salad.

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Adventures in Fermentation – The Ginger & Turmeric Bugs

Today,  my friend, I am going to let you in on two magical soda making creatures… the ginger and Turmeric bugs! These little bubbling beauties are what you’ll need to begin your soda making adventure!

I have included two of my favourites posts on how to make a ginger bug below:

My Beloved Bakery

Wellness Mama

I have also recently learned,  from a friend in Australia,  that you can use the very same process above with a turmeric rhizome! How exciting is that??

I am getting my hands on some turmeric this week and will be back with an update, once  I’ve gotten my self organised.

In the meantime, go to the store and buy a big ol’ organic ginger rhizome,  some regular white sugar, and start fermenting your new kitchen friend today!

I’m also going to share a few of the many awesome and delicious recipes of soda you can make with your new baby(ies).

Wellness Mama’s Ginger Ale

My Beloved Bakery’s Ginger, Lemon or Strawberry Soda

And for those not ready to take the leap into fermentation, but still would like a soda substitute that’s healthier, with ingredients you can pronounce or imagine as food,  see these great recipe options.

My Beloved Bakery’s Quick and Dirty Soda

She Knows Seltzer Soda

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This post and website contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you make a purchase using any of the links you see here. Even if you purchase something other than what is advertised in the link/banner, I will still receive a percentage if you purchase by clicking my links first to shop on their website. Thanks in advance for helping support my family and our adventures!

 

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Adventure in Alternatives to Wheat & Dairy – Wheat Free Bread attempt #1

Today I present to you my first attempt at making a bread free of wheat! AJM approved and enjoyed her first ham sandwich in a few weeks, since we took her off wheat and dairy products. I decided, after perusing the GF options on the web, to just make my own dang recipe. I gathered some intel on which flours and substitute gluten things do what and went to work. First I got to work making brown rice, almond and oat flour. Next I perused some recipes and got an idea on a binding agent (eggs and ground flax). I combined my flours and flaxseed, threw in some yeast, salt and sugar and mixed together. Then I mixed th eggs and water and made a thick batter. I poured it into a loaf pan and let it rise for a bit. As soon as it looked risen enough, I turned on the oven and baked for half an hour.

The result? Cake bread!

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AJM is currently enjoying it and BAM approves as well! I’ll probably tweak this recipe next time, but for a first attempt, it’s pretty good!

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This post and website contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you make a purchase using any of the links you see here. Even if you purchase something other than what is advertised in the link/banner, I will still receive a percentage if you purchase by clicking my links first to shop on their website. Thanks in advance for helping support my family and our adventures!
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Exploring Wild Fermentation – Sourdough Starter

Some of you may know how much I just love baking bread.. and cake… cookies… heck cooking food in general seems to have become quite a passion for me. I just love feeding people good food! I don’t mean something all fancy and expensive… I mean delicious good for you food. It therefore came as no surprise that fermentation would eventually find it’s way back into my heart. I’ve made a few things via fermentation in my life.. all with good outcomes and tasty results. I just never really stuck with it until my good friend SM sent me her yogurt maker last year.. and I’ve never looked back. I couldn’t imagine not being able to make such a basic easy food for my family and I don’t have to nowadays!

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Today I’m going to tell you about one of my latest fermentation creations.. my sourdough starter! I just love her bubbly yeasty form sitting so happily in a bowl in my fridge. Honestly I thought there would be some complicated trick to making a starter.

I’m here to tell you.. there isn’t!

It is so dang easy.

All you need is a little time, a little flour, a little water and a warm place to get it started. Instead of recreating the wheel of tutorials, I’m going to send you over to one of my favourite blogs,  The Kitchn. Here you can find a wonderful and easy to follow tutorial on making your own sourdough starter. Emma explains the how’s and why’s of making sourdough. It has beautiful photos of each step and an excellent running commentary at the end with lots of Q&A!
Here’s a little video of my starter waking up from a nap in the fridge for a few days.

So if you’ve been waiting for an excuse to use the basic chemistry you learned in school, here’s as good a reason as any. Make a living culture right in your kitchen in a few days! It is a rewarding experience and the kids will really enjoy watching the sourdough starter in action!

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This post and website contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you make a purchase using any of the links you see here. Even if you purchase something other than what is advertised in the link/banner, I will still receive a percentage if you purchase by clicking my links first to shop on their website. Thanks in advance for helping support my family and our adventures!

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Corner Bookmarks!

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Today we made corner bookmarks and paper tulips! AJM really enjoyed these projects. She calls the flowers “Tuhlulips” and made several, including a double “tuhlulip”. She also went on to make her own corner bookmark characters.. tiger, hummingbird and another monster.
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We really had fun following along with our new found blogger Maggie of Red Ted Art. We started by watching her super easy to follow instructional video about paper tulips.
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Then we followed her easy video about making a corner bookmark bunny. Eventually we ended up on her monster corner bookmark.
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Seriously there are so many bookmarks, we could be making bookmarks all day!! It really was quite a treat making these and letting our creative process unfold.
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I even designed BAM her very on selfie bookmark.
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Hooray for easy paper crafts!

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This post and website contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you make a purchase using any of the links you see here. Even if you purchase something other than what is advertised in the link/banner, I will still receive a percentage if you purchase by clicking my links first to shop on their website. Thanks in advance for helping support my family and our adventures!

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MF Week 2

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It’s been going well with the daily exercise routine. I took a day off last Wednesday and then Sunday. I have also been recording what I do on each days routine, because some of the number of reps are just beyond my level at this point. I hope the next time I di this program I’ll see a difference in what I’m able to do then. So don’t feel discouraged if you have to adjust the workout. As long as you’re pushing YOUR limits and feeling good, then keep it up!  I have also been doing this quick yoga routine everyday so far, except Sunday. I feel like I’m getting stronger already and have definitely noticed a difference in my stretching and overall body. Looking forward to another successful week of daily exercise!

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This post and website contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you make a purchase using any of the links you see here. Even if you purchase something other than what is advertised in the link/banner, I will still receive a percentage if you purchase by clicking my links first to shop on their website. Thanks in advance for helping support my family and our adventures!

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The Woven Bracelet

Lately there have been a pile of tutorial style videos popping up on my Facebook feed. Some of them are pretty cool and inspire me to get creative! Here was my latest inspiration after watching a video about making bows using an easy technique. 
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It caused me to pull out the ribbons and search a bit more for other stuff that could be made using ribbons.  I stumbled upon this blog, showing how to make a headband refashion. 
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I just loved the look of it and have since fashed several paper ribbon bracelets following my first satin ribbon success.
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I’ll probably make a video of me and the girls using paper ribbons in another post. But for now hope you enjoyed the pictures of my woven bracelet.
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This post and website contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you make a purchase using any of the links you see here. Even if you purchase something other than what is advertised in the link/banner, I will still receive a percentage if you purchase by clicking my links first to shop on their website. Thanks in advance for helping support my family and our adventures!