Enter to Win

For my friends in the U.S. or Canada, Knit Picks is having a drawing for a couple goodies. Go here to enter. (it is the Fresh Start Contest). YOUR chances of winning will be better since I have entered too! You see, I never win any giveaways. I wish I felt the same way about bridges and such. You see, I KNOW that when I cross a bridge, MY CAR WILL CAREEN OFF THE SIDE INTO THE DEPTHS BELOW. Honest. My poor husband and daughter can attest to that. I drive them nuts. My husband says that for all of the billion to one things that ARE GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME....I should play the lottery! So anyway....maybe you or even ME will win the Knit Picks giveaway. Ha. Good luck! O.K. no such thing as luck...and I will probably never go flailing off the side of a bridge or win the lottery or get struck by lightning...but you never know. :)

Update

Over the Christmas weekend, we spent time with my mother and family, my husband's brothers and families and my husband's children and families. We met his kids and their families at the Olive Garden in Indianapolis for lunch yesterday. With six little ones, the hostess had great insight in providing us with a room in the back all to ourselves. I think everyone had a great time. I like the Olive Garden giant salads they provide, but I just have never liked any of the main dishes I have ordered. I ordered 'chicken spiedini' and although I ate it because it cost $9.95, I didn't care for it that much.
It kind of reminded me of a crawfish boil. To me, everything in the crawfish boil tastes the same. That is the way the chicken dish was, it all tasted the same. Perhaps it is my taste buds. But anyway, I survived. It was all o.k.
Then my family of three found ' Whole Foods' and did a little shopping.
Then after that we were able to get home for church at 6 p.m.
A busy but nice day.

On the drive to Indy and back I was able to get considerable progress done on my pink moebius that I have been working on. Almost finished.
Also, last Mon.Tues. & Wed. I made Chris a nice hat for Christmas. So I have still been getting some knitting done.
Also, as I mentioned before, I have a little part time job a few evenings a week. I deal directly with customers and not one of them told me Happy Holidays. Those that chose to say anything said, "Merry Christmas".
I thought that was sweet.

Sweet and Sour

This morning, as our dog Jenna, was wanting my attention, I remembered how dirty she used to get when she lived outside.
She is so clean and lovely now. I retrieved this post from my previous blog so you can see our version of "Sweet and Sour".

Out and About

Today, Maggie and I will be out and about the town to do some Christmas shopping. We need to look for a present(s) for The Husband and pick up some ingredients for next weeks 'fun' cooking. We are going to make "Aimee's Russian Tea" and some cinnamon rolls and whatever else sounds fun. We need to decide what our Christmas Eve dinner will be....so far it is leaning toward pizza from Maggie's favorite pizza parlor. (We usually exchange gifts on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning because, well, frankly, Santa has never been to our house. ) I will also look at a certain store for some cast iron cookware. I like Lodge. Of course, we will stop by Jo Ann's at some point today. I sense there is yarn calling my name.
But, before we leave, I will surf the web for some great crock pot recipes. I took a part time job, a few evenings a week and although Maggie is quite willing and helpful to cook,it would be a nice break for her to just have to serve it instead of cook the whole meal. So if you have any great little slow cooker recipes, just let me know.

Christmas Recital

Margaret's piano recital at her teacher's house.
This year she played "O Holy Night".
Very pretty.

Although her musical instruments include the guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano and recorder....next year we are hoping for a cello. That is where her heart truly lies.

EZ's Baby Surprise Jacket

As you know, I am a big Elizabeth Zimmermann fan. If you are having trouble "owning" your knitting or can't quite find 'that freedom' in knitting that you KNOW is there....read her books. All of them are great. I am so glad that I read her books first when I began knitting in 2009. I have wanted to make the BSJ for some time. I splurged and bought the actual step by step pattern HERE.
I didn't have any good yarn to work with so I just used some scraps....just for practice. The next jacket will be with good yarn. It is suggested that one knit the BSJ first to understand the construction, before knitting the Child's Surprise or Adult Surprise Jacket. So I did.
Here is what I ended up with. It was quite a surprise.

At the half way mark-above. (all of the yarn was different in weight and texture so...it pulled and stretched at different areas)

Getting ready to bind off in purl, which is quite lovely. (above)

Well, it doesn't really look like a jacket.

But flip it a bit and TaDa!!!! It even comes with buttonholes.

The back. All that is needed is to stitch the shoulder/arm seam shut with yarn. Sew on buttons.

This pattern is very easy to read. All you have to know is how to do simple increases and decreases, knit and purl. It is just garter stitch back and forth.
You can add a hood or extend the bottom into legs for a snow suit type thing.
You can Google Baby Surprise Jacket and see all of the endless color possibilities.
I think my practice jacket turned out cute. Can't wait for the real thing...our family has two new babies coming within the next year so I can knit at least two. :)
P.S. If you don't know how to knit.....You Tube videos are helpful. Join Ravelry.com and get info from there as well.

Movies

GREAT movie moments (in my opinion).

Best death scene : Ben Hur: Messala after the chariot race.

Best downhill run by a horse: The Man From Snowy River.

Funniest scene (s): The Great Outdoors (Big bear chase me, leeches & the bats)
The Money Pit (when Tom Hanks has had enough after the bathtub falls through the floor)

Most pathetic scene: Enchanted: (Chipmunk hanged by his little feet on the hanger)

Favorite soundtrack: King Arthur (Hans Zimmer), How to Train Your Dragon ( don't know who did it, but it is quite pretty), Civil War Documentary by Ken Burns ( again, don't know who did the music, but beautiful)

Favorite Movie Cowboy: Sam Elliott (love that voice and the jingle of his spurs :) )

Anywho.....these are just a few of my favorite movie things. What are your thoughts?

Honey Wheat Bread - Bread Month Two

After kneading and before rising.

After first rising.

Cooling.

(the bread above was from the small pan-below from the larger pan)
Cooled and sliced.

I have made this bread on and off for a few years. Actually I have made it harder than it really is for a few years too. :)
Here is how I make it. You will need two bread pans.
The pan in the front is smaller than the one in the back. So you can use two smaller pans or two larger pans. The larger pan makes a longer, not as TALL loaf, while the smaller pan makes a shorter HIGHER loaf. But I find that with this recipe, three of the smaller pans would probably be perfect. But, alas, I have only two.
The smaller pan measures 4.5 x 8 inches across the rim.
The larger pan is 4.25 x 10.25 across the rim.

You will also need the following:

4 and 1/2 tsp. yeast 1/2 C. warm water ( 105° - 110°) Dissolve these two together while you.....
Put 3 C. wheat flour
3 C. bread flour
2 crushed vitamin 'C's
2 tsp. salt
1/3 C. flaxseed, crushed (optional)
in a large mixing bowl and mix together really well.

Then you add to that; 1 and 3/4 C. warm water
1/4 C. butter, softened or melted
1/3 C. honey
and the dissolved yeast mixture
I let my Hamilton Beach mixer that I have named E.V.A. mix it all together with the dough hook for about 5 minutes.

If, during this time you need a tad more flour, add a little bread flour at a time to reach the desired consistency.
Then turn the dough out on a clean counter top and knead, adding a little flour if necessary, for another 5-10 minutes. You will know it is right when the dough is smooth and springy to the touch and you have a happy feeling.

Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and put the dough in it, roll it around to coat all surfaces. Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm area to rise til doubled for about 45 minutes. I sit mine on the hot water heater and some times I even heat up rice bags (for soothing sore muscles) and stack them around the bowl if my hot water heater seems too cool.

After it has doubled in size I turn it out on to a clean surface and divide it in half. Gentle deflate. Shape into a rectangle about as wide as your pan and as long as you wish.

Then roll it up tightly, tuck under the ends and put them in greased bread pans.

Cover and let them rise 30-45 minutes, generally when the dough has risen about 2 inches past the rim of the pan.

Heat your oven to 375°. Place the bread on the lowest rack.

Bake for 45 minutes. Put an aluminum tent on after the first 15 minutes to prevent excessive browning.
Remove the bread from the pan and cool on rack.
These can be frozen after completely cooled.

This bread is also great to use in bread pudding.
I have just recently found
Bread101. It has wonderful information.

Ron Santo

You can't be married to a life long Chicago Cubs fan without the news of Ron Santo's death breaking your heart.
During baseball season my husband listens to the Cubs games on the radio, no matter where he is or what he is doing.
He listens in the truck, on the back porch, while bathing, while 'sleeping', while eating, while working.
The church steeple was built to the sounds of Pat and Ron and the Cubs on the little battery operated radio he carried with him in the truck.
We will miss you Ron.

Tidbits

We sent out a 'care' package to a soldier yesterday. We know his mother from church.

We are studying this area. the soldier is not here.

Margaret finished up her round blanket. She crocheted it. It is Vanna yarn. Very lovely colors.

The little snow fall that we received yesterday is now melting.
Jenna is doing fairly well with no eye sight. She is learning a little about "step up". When I lead her to a step, I stop her and tell her "step up" and she raises her foot extra high for it. So I think she is getting it. She has tripped over the step a few times and smashed her poor face on the concrete slab that the step leads to. So I decided she needed to learn what step up means.

The Cake That Mom Makes

Chocolate Sheet Cake

**Disclaimer**
Make and eat this cake at your own risk. Do not be left alone in the house with it.

I made this cake for my daughter today, even though she will only eat a piece or two. I plan on taking some pieces to church tomorrow evening. I think the last time I made this cake was when we lived in Iowa. Long time ago.
It is important that you have all ingredients measured out before you make it. Have your oven heated up to 350° so when the cake is mixed you can pop it right in.

It is taken from a 1973 favorite cookbook. Here is the recipe.

1/2 C. Crisco oil ( I used Canola oil)
4 T. cocoa
1 C. water
1 stick butter
Bring these to a boil in a saucepan. Then pour it over ....

2 C. sugar
2 C. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
that has been mixed together thoroughly.
Then add,

2 beaten eggs
1/2 C. buttermilk OR 1/2 C. milk that has had 2 tsp. white vinegar added to it
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. soda

Bake in a sheet cake pan ( @ 12 x 18 ) at 350° for 20 minutes.
Immediately ice cake with the following icing.

6 T. milk
4 T. cocoa
1 stick butter

brought to a boil in a medium saucepan, then add
1 box powdered sugar ( 16 oz. measured in weight)
1 tsp. vanilla

This should be put on the cake while cake AND icing are both hot.

Sugar Cream Pie Revisited

So I made the requested Sugar Cream pie. I was a little nervous but got through it. Said pie is on its way to the recipient as we speak. I forgot to take a picture of it. :( But you can get an idea from this post from the Year of the Pie. Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. WE will be going over the river and through the woods....to Grandmother's house..... HONEST.

Happenings

Some good things HAVE happened this week.

Our dog still has a good attitude, although her eyesight has been severely compromised.

My husband got to feeling better and was able to get out and about yesterday to work.

Some 'anonymous' person gave my cousin's husband $20.00 to give to ME so I could make him a Sugar Cream Pie. I will share the recipe with you soon. I think I will make the pie tomorrow so 'mystery person' can have it for Thanksgiving Day.

I spent three very lovely hours yesterday with my Aunt Rosie. She taught me how to 'patch' pants. She started patching her brother's clothes when she was 12 and has been patching clothes since. She is now well into her 80's. Yesterday she also made two dozen chocolate chip cookies for the roofers that were putting on a new roof- in the WIND I might add.

My daughter and I will take the rest of the week off school. Hopefully, we can help, Jenna, with her new way of life and drive into town with my $20.00 and buy 'whipping cream' for the pie. There will probably be about $18.00 left. Hmm...what shall I do with it???

Guest Post

Guest Post by Margaret

Aren't those eyes so beautiful? With more intensity and emotion than any other dog I've ever known, Jenna could always captivate someone with her human like eyes. Now they are cloudy and a pale blue, as she has now succumbed quite rapidly to cataracts.

She used to have perfect posture, now she runs into things, and trips as she's walking. A fine Frisbee champion, she now can no longer see it right before her eyes. Her favourite past times are now burdens as she tries to navigate through a much darker world.

But we, in our love for our little Border Collie, are quickly making her world a little brighter...

A radio at night that keeps her company...

a Frisbee scented with bacon grease....

and bells on the cats, will all let her know that we still love her.

A Visitor

TV Guardian

Do any of you have TV Guardian or something similar to it?
If so, would you recommend one?

Knitting in the Pink

Lately I have been knitting pink things.
Below are baby socks.
Knit Picks Stroll Fingering Weight
75% Superwash Merino Wool
25% Nylon
Carnation

Below is the Moebius in Pink.
I am trying it in 'Thick & Quick' Wool-Ease Yarn
If it is too bulky for around the neck, I can certainly rip it out and create something new.
This yarn comes from Lion Brand Yarn
80% Acrylic ( I know..this is just WRONG...don't tell Elizabeth)
20% Wool
Blossom

It has taken two skeins and will probably take a couple more. I need to go acquire some.
It is 36 inches long at this point.

You can see the built in I-cord border

You can see the 'invisible' cast on at the bottom with waste yarn holding it for me til I can weave the ends together.

Not A Pretty Sight

Our television is not new and fancy like some. It is one that is still 'fat' in the back and sits on a stand. It isn't high def. We get one channel...sometimes two. Honestly, I don't know what channels we DO get, but it is the one that had the Olympics. It is just a typical lovely television set.
Sunday we drove to Bloomington for a birthday party and sat in a living room that had a HUGE flat screen television on the wall. High Def and all the bells.
They had football on. Colts vs. Bengals.
To my surprise...they had about six football announcers....all men all lined up behind a desk. They were huge on this TV.
Are you kind of picturing this.....?

O.K. My point is this.

Um let me see, how can I say this gently.....if you ain't easy on the eyes on regular tv ....you ain't gonna be on high definition. I don't think the magic of television goes that far. Actually, in my opinion, high def...just intensifies the issue. Yikes.
Maybe if they just didn't get such 'close-ups' of the announcers....oh the pain.

This Evening's Sunset

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3

Socks are Done Finally

My socks are finally done.
This particular one tested my nerves to say the least.
I did a sewn (see below) bind off, which I like a lot.

My daughter volunteered to be the model.

You can see the "Tuscany" pattern in the picture above, just below the ribbing.
Below is the ribbing turned down. They don't look the same size in the picture below, but they ARE.

50% Merino wool
25% Bamboo
25% Nylon (I believe Nylon is to strengthen the sock)
Premier Yarns
Serenity Sock Weight
Colorway: Chili

Happy Hamburger Buns-Bread Month One

I picked up a copy of The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion, The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook from the library the other day and found this delightful bun recipe. They were quite easy.

Bake, cut in half, butter it, fry it.

Put sandwich together.

If you don't want sandwich buns you can shape them into round balls and crowd them close together in a pan to make dinner rolls.

Here is the recipe.

1 C. (8 0z) warm water (110°-115°)

2 T. (1 oz) butter

1 large egg

3 1/4 C. (13 3/4 oz) unbleached all purpose flour

1/4 C. (1 3/4 oz) sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 T. instant yeast

1 tsp. onion powder (optional) I didn't use.

1/2 tsp. dried minced onion (optional) I didn't use.

Combine all the ingredients and mix and knead them together-by hand or mixer-until you've made a soft, smooth dough. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour.
Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape each piece into a flattened ball. Place the buns on a greased baking sheet (I used parchment paper), cover and let rise 30 to 40 minutes, until they're quite puffy.

Preheat the over to 375°F. Bake the buns for 12 - 15 minutes, until they're golden brown. Remove them from the oven and cool them on a rack, split and use for burger or sandwiches. For burgers, butter the split sides and fry them, buttered side down, until they're golden brown and warmed through.

Very tasty.
 For small sandwiches divide the dough into 15 or so buns.  Bake accordingly.  I bake these a couple minutes longer when making these into dinner rolls, since they are attached.

It Is What It Is

Today I put together two coconut cream pies for a charity pie-bake off.
One pie is to be judged. The other pie is to share with the crowd. There will be a pie eating contest which sounds like fun. I have never witnessed one first hand. After all of the fun they will auction pies off to raise money for local food ministries.

The pie closest to you will be put in the judging. The meringue just came out nicer than the back one.


I plan on going and just enjoying myself and just relax after an afternoon of pie making.
Julia Child says..."when cooking, strive for perfection and if it isn't, never apologize! no excuses! no explanations!"

It is what it is.


(isn't coconut cream pie what MaryAnn always made for Gilligan on Gilligan's Island?)



********UPDATE*******
The pies were taken and eaten and judged and that little pie in front got runner up in the Cream Pie division. The fella in the back was auctioned off for the rescue mission at the price of $45.00.
I hope it helps them a great deal.

A Bread Journey

For the past few months, my daughter and I have tossed around the idea of the Year of the Pizza. The making of a pizza trips me up every time. My sister can make a delicious pizza with her eyes shut. But when I try it, the crust never cooks all the way through. If I leave it in long enough for the crust to cook, then the toppings burn. So making a pizza each 'month' for a year might help me get it right. But I kept putting it off and putting it off. My dad used to say....'when in doubt, back out'. So I didn't do it. Then all of a sudden, yesterday, as I was attempting a round loaf of bread, it hit me. We need to do a year of bread. I need to get the hang of this. So with much agreement in my spirit and from my daughter, we have decided to do a year of bread and post ONCE a month about our bread experience. Bread seemed to be more of a necessary thing to learn than pizza. Although, I have a feeling that getting the hang of bread will automatically give me the hang of pizza dough.

So, our bread journey will be posted once a month. If you have any suggestions or ideas please leave a comment. We need all the help we can get.

Let the baking begin!

Oh, and my sock update-ugh.....this pair of socks has caused me much stress. But I am almost done with them and will post a photo of them soon.

Until Next Time.

Decorating on a Budget

Our lunch today consisted of a celebratory home made sub with a flag topper! We posed the sandwich with our most current decoration.

My daughter likes to purtify things. My husband is a carpenter and he brings home a lot of unwanted items and Margaret immediately starts thinking of ways to make them feel loved and useful again.
She has had this old window for several months now and has had a plan for it. Just this week she was able to complete it. She decoupaged (one of her favorite things to do) a poster board with pages from an old book and then added some extra pictures and draped a little bitty garland over it and tada, you have a lovely wall hanging. The fun thing is that when the mood hits she can change the poster board to another theme or old family pictures in each frame or old quilt blocks, or .....well you get the idea.

Chris has brought home more than his fair share of old unloved toilets.....and he sits them out back til they get thrown out or find a new home. Sometimes folks just need an old toilet for some reason. Right now we have THREE lovely toilets sitting out back. They are lined up in a majestic row and the one in the middle is PINK. It is as pink as a toilet can get. She has already laid claim to all three, especially the pink one, to plant flowers in next spring. I know that sounds goofy to some folks, but I just betcha she will make them look nice. I can imagine wave petunias flowing out of the openings.

Year of the Pie Recap

As some of you know I recently completed my "Year of the Pie" journey here on my blog. Today I sat and transferred pies from my old blog and now have all of my pie posts on this blog. If you click on the label on the side bar called Year of the Pie, you will be able to view all 52 pies there.
Until next time.

Moebius Revisited

I wore my moebius that I knitted in June, on my excursion into town today!! It was windy and brisk and in the 40's. I could still just wear a sweater, but my neck needed some attention.
I was so excited about the warmth of it. I was imagining all of the different fibers I could knit with to create TWENTY MORE! Ha.
Have a look and a look.

Socks Again

My socks are coming along swimmingly. This is where I started.

They look a tad skinny, but they actually hug my feet quite nicely.

I Am Now In His Decade

My birthday gift will hopefully be a day trip to St. Joseph, Michigan. I don't know if we can get it done this fall or not, but if we do I want to eat at Clementine's, look out over the river and then walk on the beach of Lake Michigan and look at a light house...I heard there was one there. I have never been to St. Joe, but friends of ours have and when they can't be found you can just bet they are in Michigan. But yesterday was basically uneventful. We prepared @ 60 potatoes for baking, my husband went to the jail to minister to inmates on his regular cell block. He has several that voluntarily meet with him for Bible study. He picked up his grand daughter on the way home and she went to church with us last evening and after wards the whole church had....baked potatoes with various toppings. I gave her a little lesson on how to knit, she is seven, so the lesson was short and sweet. This morning she thought sausage and eggs sounded good for breakfast, so I cooked up some diced up baked potatoes sprinkled with Lemon Pepper, paprika and salt and pepper to the menu. He has just now taken her back home and I thought I would take a few minutes before lunch to share a photo or two of what I look like being FIFTY. Then after that Margaret and I will drive into town and deliver Bentley to his rightful owners. (we have dogsat my sister's dog since Thur. evening). AND I think I just might buy me a chocolate bar on the way home. Then I will probably heat up soup for supper (yes, when I make soup, we eat it off and on for days)....but I am thinking....broiled pork chops,mashed potatoes/corn sound good for supper too.....oh, decisions decisions.

Clean Socks

Yesterday I put the handknit socks in the washer for a bath. They are all superwash merino wool, except for the purple ones and they are wool and bamboo, and then the far green ones are ALL wool. I thought I would take a chance and see how they would do. I ran a small load of cold water and made sure each had enough room to swish around in. They all did great. Into the drier they went, except the 100% wool ones, I didn't want to press my luck. I took them out when they were about half dry and let them finish drying on top of the washer.
I think they all look quite happy.
From the looks of things.....I think I need to go with brighter happier colors....don't you? I will do my best to change my ways.

More Socks

I started my third pair of toe up socks on Thursday. The last pair fit me, but they are a tad big. I am determined to knit a pair that fits like the cuff down socks. I will knit these with 52 stitches around the food instead of 60. Of course, I will let you know how they turn out.
:)

My First Laptop Post

Ialmost teared up this morning when I turned on the laptop and could actually STILL get on line. Thanks Wesly. What a sweetheart.

I am still learning how to navigate this little fella.

No mouse and a finger scrolly thing that takes some gettin' used to!!!!

I visited a most lovely blog this morning, well it's a guys blog so maybe he wouldn't want it called lovely. :)

But if YOU want some LOVELY in your life today, go here. His name is Rob.

I didn't knit ANYTHING yesterday, which is weird.

Today, after I get my quart of sweet tea finished brewing, I will get ready to go out to the garden and get it cleaned up for wintertime. I hear there is a storm a'comin', so I best get to it.

My sweet tea...ahhh, I used to drink a couple quarts a day, but am now down to ONE and sometimes I still have some left in the evening. I hardly drink pop anymore, which is a good thing and I am trying to get my suppers in before 6p.m. With my husband's schedule it is always hard to plan suppers. So now I try to get them done anyway and Margaret and I can eat and he can eat when he gets home. The early suppers seem to help my heartburn and stomach issues. No pop helps too-a LOT!

Chris is working today and after the garden, we will probably make some sort of bread to go with the soup we made yesterday. Vegetable soup. It turned out really tasty. It is always better on the second day.

So off I go with my day, trying not to think about that fact that tomorrow is my birthday. Um.....my 50th.

Ugh.

Until Next Time!

A New Laptop

My husband acquired a laptop through a friend for Margaret and I to share for our birthdays.
We ordered a router and after loading it and finding that I couldn't get the laptop to go on line, I called the maker of the router-Linksys.
After two lovely hours on the phone with two lovely ladies.....they realized that they couldn't help with my problem.
So on a whim, I called the number that was on the sheet of paper that came with the computer.
We had a bad connection and the young man called me back on his other phone.
Twenty minutes later.....the laptop was happy happy and so was I.
He didn't have to help me, but he did and he was able to do in 20 minutes what the gals in San Francisco couldn't do in two hours. Honest.
So, let me give his little company a plug.
They are very knowledgeable and quite pleasant. If you need your laptop fixed.....give them a look.

Avon PC Pitstop

OODLES of NOODLES

Thanksgiving time when I was young found oodles of noodles laid out on the kitchen table to dry. My mom made THE best noodles. Cooked them up in the turkey broth and then spooned on top of mashed potatoes. In our neck of the woods, we put noodles on top of mashed potatoes. (recently I have encountered a strange sort of phenomenon, where they DON'T put their noodles on their potatoes, but beside them on the plate)

Unfortunately, I did not learn how to make them when I was young.
I am a self-taught noodle maker from when I lived in Texas. I had a few cook books and even a Betty Crocker cook book, but none of them told me to throw them out on the table to dry. Ha.

Anyway, I experimented with noodles and dried them several different ways. What I didn't know was that they don't have to be dried to go right into the pot. But if you want keep them on hand....or make them in advance so you aren't doing it all on Thanksgiving Day, then you want to dry them. I usually dry mine and then freeze them and then I have them on hand. The recipe is at the bottom, but I will talk about each picture as we go.

Mix flour and salt together. Add the yolks and the one whole egg. Add food coloring (optional) with the eggs. Farm fresh eggs won't need the food coloring, but store bought eggs might-if you want the noodles to look 'rich'.

Stir the egg mixture together and then start incorporating the flour mixture and mix until you can 't use a fork any longer.

Then with a pastry blender mix it until it looks like this.

Sprinkle the water into the mixture 1 T. at a time and then stir with the fork. I tilt the bowl and stir quickly, but lightly letting the pieces come together at will. Keep adding the water until the dough doesn't stick to the bowl and you can easily make a ball. You don't want it too dry or too wet-somewhere in the middle. Cut the dough into 4 balls.

Then flour your counter top or a pastry mat.

Then pat one of the balls into a disc, flouring both sides.

I roll mine thin enough to just see the lines of the mat through the dough. I turn the dough and flour it several times while rolling it out.

Then I take my newest fun tool(from The Pampered Chef) and cut the dough into strips. I then slide a large metal flipper under them and move them to the table and scatter them out. (Make sure you put the cat up if you have one)

Let them dry for a while and then

put them in a strainer and shake it so the excess flour falls through the bottom.

You can then flash freeze them and move them to freezer bags tomorrow or just put them in your soup right now.

This particular soup has chicken broth, carrots,celery, onions and chicken. I have the soup boiling when I add the noodles and let them come back to a boil for a few minutes and then I reduce the heat and let them simmer for 20 minutes or so til done. Cooking time depends on how thick and wide you make your noodles.

I used to boil them to death until the broth evaporated and they would almost burn.
I have learned to cook them more gently.

I have cut them by flouring them extra heavy rolling them up like a burrito cut them into strips, unroll them and then let them dry. Shake off the flour. I have dried the whole rolled out piece of dough in a warm oven and then cut them and froze them. I have transferred the cut strips to cookie sheet and let them flash freeze and then the next day, just break them up and stick them in a freezer bag. All these work. It is just what ever works for YOU. I have even used a handy dandy pasta maker to roll and cut the dough. But this isn't my favorite method yet. Although the pasta maker makes good spaghetti.


This recipe is from the Betty Crocker cookbook.
2 C. flour
3 egg yolks
1 egg
1 tsp. salt (BC calls for 2 tsp....but I have learned that 1 tsp. works fine)
1/4 - 1/2 C. water
yellow food coloring is optional