Canning tomatoes and sweater update

This weekend I canned 7 quarts of diced tomatoes and 3 pints of salsa, loaded with peppers -- jalapenos, a few cayenne, banana peppers (sweet and hot) and some green pepper.

 (All photos by E.A. Seagraves. Do not use without permission.)

One quart didn't get quite full of tomatoes, so I topped it off with water.

I also finished my sweater! I still need to wash it and block it before I wear it.

The collar is supposed to be stitched together in the front, but I didn't like it. So I clipped it and decided to let it hang.

The sweater is "Tanglewood Pullover" by Beryl Hiatt and Linden Phelps from the book "Handknit Style II."

Chris and I also picked out some fabric for some other Christmas present projects and I started crocheting other gifts last night. Here's the fabric we picked out (not sure why the photo is uploading sideways):

We picked the fabric up from Mountain Plain Fabrics in Hillsville, Va.. It mostly carries quilting material so the selection isn't that varied as far as fashion fabrics go, but the fabric they do have is beautiful and the staff is incredibly helpful.

I can't wait to stitch this fabric up and present them at Christmas!
_____________________________________________________________
Here are the knitting book and preserving book for the projects above. I highly recommend both. The sweaters are superb and the Ball canning book is full of useful tips and recipes.

   

Hubby's shorts, some tomatoes and brie dessert

Current projects

I haven't undated with any photos of my current projects, mostly because none have been finished in awhile!

For the past two weekends I've worked on a pair of shorts for Chris. I am using BurdaStyle's Jochen pattern. This is the first time I've used a print-at-home pattern. I've been using the traditional tissue paper patterns, which I use to trace out the size I need and then use that.

Let me tell you, I think I like printing out the pattern so much better. Because I've got the pattern saved on my computer, I don't feel the least bit guilty in cutting off the larger sizes. If I need a larger size, I can print it off.

I also don't spend hours taping together tracing paper and tracing out the pattern I need.

The downside is printing at home does use a lot of ink and paper. I did use the back of recycled paper so that helped somewhat. And recycled printer paper lasts longer than tracing paper because it's thicker. Still a bummer about the ink though.

I am using remnant material that Nannie gave me. I really liked the fabric, but didn't have enough to cut all pieces out of it. So, luckily, I had a blue in a matching shade and it works perfectly for inside pockets. Thanks to Ferny and lonemoose, BurdaStyle members, for the idea!

(Please do not use photos without permission.)

This is the front pants leg and pocket./Photos by E.A. Seagraves

With this pattern, which is actually a really nice pair of slacks that I've altered into shorts, I had to learn how to put in a back pocket. It took a while for me to study it and figure out what I needed to do, but I think I handled it okay. What do you think?

I hope to finish these before it turns cooler. All that's left is the center seams, waistband, zipper, buttons and hemming.

I've also been working on this sweater since February. I'm knitting on the collar now. So it'll most likely be finished before the fall.

Tomatoes

I have to say, despite early nibbling by deer, rot and insects, our garden has been a success! Look at this haul.

I plan to can these this weekend. Probably can more diced tomatoes and some salsa. I canned 2 quarts of diced tomatoes with chilies and 4 quarts and 1 pint of diced tomatoes the other weekend.

A dessert to try

For my birthday earlier this week, we bought a small wheel of brie cheese. I turned four triangles into dessert last night with left over egg roll pastry I had on hand and blackberry jam.

I got the idea from the web, but can't seem to find the two recipes I'd found before.

I basically placed the brie in the middle of the pastry and topped it with jam. Then I folded it up and placed the folded side down. I sprinkled it with brown sugar and put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

It was very tasty! You should give it a try.

Birthday Bagel

I made 8 poppy seed bagels last night so I could eat one this morning. Today I'm a year older and I wanted something special.

I used this recipe here.

Kimchi quesadilla, new knitting needles

So, I did it. I made kimchi!

I've eaten a lot of it already. Here's my third kimchi quesadilla. It makes a great, light lunch.

I truly recommend trying out the recipe if you have any cabbage you need to cook up.

Unrelated news:

I'm just about finished with the Tanglewood Pullover sweater I've been working on forever. According to Ravelry, I've started the project Feb. 27. But I haven't been knitting since then. I put the needles down for a couple of months.

My sweater is going to be all green. I can't wait to wear it this fall!

All that's left to finish is the second sleeve, stitching everything together and knitting up the collar.

While in Cincinnati a couple weekends ago, Chris and I stopped at a yarn store suggested by Chris' aunt — One More Stitch.

I wanted to pick up a size 5 circular knitting needle for the sweater's collar and I didn't have one in my knitting supplies.

This store is HUGE and is filled with a lot of beautiful yarn and needles. If you happen to be out that way, stop by and check them out.
____________________________________________________________
The Tanglewood Pullover is found in this book: 















For some Korean fare, check out this cookbook: