Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Gluten Free Banana Bread for Breakfast



We are back in school! I excited. I have a college freshman and a first grader. I am homeschooling my first grader which is going great. I am using the Discovery k-12 program and it is a great guideline for our day. Which gives me real peace of mind. I really worry that I will leave out important "first grade" stuff. He will be going back to public school sooner or later and when he does I want him to be prepared. We are on day two and its just awesome so far.

During school time its always nice to have breakfast ready to go in the morning. Cereal isn't bad but they always claim to be hungry long before lunch when they have cold cereal.

I am not nearly gluten free but we do like to replace wheat with an alternative as often as possible because there is just SO much wheat around. It is in everything! And I feel better when I don't eat a lot of it.

This breakfast cake is filling, dense and tasty. This is very loosely based on a recipe from this post at a blog called Ceara's Kitchen.

1 tsp of ground flax seeds
3 tsp of water
(mix these and set aside...it will be your "egg" later in the recipe)

4 large bananas

(mash them and then stir in the...)

1/4 cup light agave syrup
1/3 cup coconut palm sugar 
1/4 cup cooking oil (coconut worked great)

(beat this together really well. then add...)

1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

(use a fork to stir your flax/water one more time, it should be a little gooey and then turn this into the mix well. Then stir in...)

1 1/2 cups rolled outs (ground up a bit in the blender)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup gluten free baking mix

Toss this in a loaf pan that is well sprayed with a non-stick spray.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

I make this the night before and the next day its awesome!


There are affiliate links in this post. If you use then then thank you so much for your support! <3






Friday, September 4, 2015

Izzys Pom Pom



Hello and thanks for stopping by!

I had the best time at the "DFW Its a yarn crawl, Y'all"! I can't wait to share each of my experiences.

But first. A hat. I stopped into the yarn shop with my little guy and he got bored. Yeah, not a surprise. To amuse him I had him go pick out the yarn for a winter hat because winter is coming. I directed him toward the Encore yarn. He went over and to a huge section and chose the brightest and most neon yarn they had...and a matching pre-made pompom. I tried to keep it positive.

1. I won't lose him in the park in this hat.
2. I can probably make this hat in the dark. Literally. I think it has its own light source in there.
3. He chose TWO skeins so I get to make matching mittens!

So, I got to work making him a nice big pom pom hat in two colors (in a low light environmont...to protect my corneas).

Finished product...



I found the link to the yarn just in case you NEED your own. They sell it at amazon.com. Here is my affiliate link to the yellow and Here is the link to the green! They do not have the pompom but I will do a tutorial soon on how to make hat pompoms.

I am so excited that recently I have had the chance to get the yarn stash organized and accessible enough to start shopping for more yarn. I cannot justify buying yarn that will be stored in bins. I have to see it to be inspired by its softness and color. But now its out! I have taken on several (too many?) crochet-a-longs. I am just loving it! Plus it gives me the opportunity to have more to blog about! Which is awesome because I have really missed it. I don't like blogging on "MelodyCrochet" when I don't at least have a little crochet madness to toss in between the recipes, knitting, family stuff, reviews, etc. I will get a chance to play around with blog gadgets and sharing all aspects of our lives! My goal is to work on my pattern writing my social media. I have never really made a pattern beyond writing it out on the blog and I know that can be hard if someone wants to print it out. I am so lucky to have such a great group following me and sharing with me what they are up to. They are so supportive and encouraging! I want to be that for them, too. So, I would like to get better about blending the social media, too. I use it all but I pick and choose what will go where instead of sharing everything everywhere. Ok! Back to the fun stuff.

I did not receive any money or merchandise to write this but I do use affiliate links in my posts. Thanks for your support.


Fringe Scarf Pattern






My son wanted a fringed scarf for his girlfriends birthday. So he searched around and came up with one...but it was knitted. It was triangular and had a very open stitch and lots of fringe that fell down in front. I set out to create something similar with my hook.




I started with a N hook and a ball of yarn that he picked out from the craft store. Lion Brands Heartland in Great Smoky Mountains. (Not the Thick and Quick). It's really pretty. It's black with silver undertones. Its very soft and has a drape similar to Simply Soft, with a bit more body to it. This project only took one ball so I will be making another tonight. I used a 6" x 8" notebook to wrap the yarn around to make the fringe. My scarf ended up being about 62" wide minus the pompoms on the corners.
Here is the PDF if you would like to Download it! 

Materials List:

Lion Brand Heartland: https://amzn.to/2Nft1pf
Clover Amour Size N/10mm: https://amzn.to/2lNUHFp
Scissors: https://amzn.to/2MmH3ox
Yarn Needles: https://amzn.to/2t4LifR


Chain 124 loosely.

Row 1) Single Crochet (SC) in 3rd chain from hook. *Chain 1 (Ch1), skip a chain, Double Crochet (DC) in next next chain*. Repeat *-* until there are only 3 or 4 chains left. Then Ch1 and SC in the last chain.

Row 2) Turn, chain 3, SC in second Ch1 space from the hook. *Ch1, DC in the next Ch1 space*. Repeat *-* across until 2 Ch1 spaces. Ch1, skip a Ch1 space and SC in the last Ch1 space.

Repeat row 2 until one or two Ch1 space are all that remain. Fasten Off.




Making the Fringe! Wrap the yarn around the side of a notebook or dvd box (or something similarly sized) about 100-200 times. Cut the yarn in one place. Cut just a few strands at a time and work across them. So you have lots of twelve inch yarn strands.

I attached eight strands in each edge chain space along the edge of the pointy side of the triangle scarf. More or less is fine. I have attached as few as 4 strands on the gray one below and it looks just as fun. I was running low so I did not take it all the way to the tips on the gray shawl, either. I stopped 2/3 of the way up. You can see it in the picture on the left.



Making the Tassels! On the ends I attached 10 of the strands through the corner spaces. I took another stranded and wrapped it around the tassel strands at a point about one inch from the fold over point. I wrapped it about 10 times, then tied the ends together in a square knot. Then I use my crochet hook to work the two knotted stands into the rest of the tassel.

Here is a great video about making tassels. Instead of making it on the string...make it on the end spaces of the scarf. The rest is the same.

TADA!!!
Izzy is showing that the yarn is super soft and snuggly. And that he is a ham. And that he has lost is two top teeth. :)

I hope you try the pattern! It was fast and fun and would be GREAT for a going back to school gift or even those of you that are already Christmas crafting. You are guys are my hero.

I did not receive money or supplies. But, I use affiliate links. :)


Monday, August 3, 2015

Knitting In Progress!

Hi!

It is a beautiful and warm summertime. I have had the best time but missed yarn and blogging so much! My oldest graduated high school, turned 18 and we moved. Not far. But a wild time none the less. Summer started very mild considering this is Texas but we are now in full swing "woo, its hot!". I love the hot summer days and the late sunsets.

Yarn wise I am working on knitting my very first sweater. I got this amazing yarn from a friend. 



The color is gypsy and its a beautiful red with light and dark variations. Very soft but tiny! The sweater is meant to be lightweight for spring and summer. It uses thin yarn on thicker needles. (sock weight on size 8 40" circulars in this case). I am a slow knitter still. I just learned a year or so ago. But I am loving how this sweater is coming together. Now I need to get through 11 inches of back and forth. I have not had the nerve to do the math and see just how many rows that will be---I am a little intimidated. I really need to find a great show on Netflix to serial watch and get those 11" inches of sweater behind me. Here is the pattern! It was written by Uncommon Clouds and I am really excited to see how it turns out. So far the fabric is soft and light and working up quickly (relatively...for me). 


Being a new knitter one of my challenges is learning to have a regular tension.

I found some great suggestions!

- Give it time. 
- Try to make the same motion with your hands each time. Rest when that gets tedious.
- Give it time. 

It seems that long, repetitive rows are just what I need.

My next project will be a shawl in some MadelineTosh DK Twist that I found at the yarn festival in Dallas this year! Its so pretty. I really want it finished by the time winter comes for cuddling up with a cup of coffee.








Thursday, December 4, 2014

I survived Black Friday weekend!

When did "Black Friday" turn into 4 days? Oh! It was amazing. I am not a big shopper (except yarn stores). I really just love the energy of it. People are all full of food and family love in fancy outfits. I am really big on people watching. I grab coffee and just wander and smile at everyone. They miiiight think I am crazy but they always smile back... so it works for me.

It is funny how late it always feels. It is just so dark so early this time of year.

My big guy was visiting an uncle for the holiday. He had a great time! So, I just had to put the little one to bed and sit the husband in front of his monitor to work through his turkey coma on FFXIV... and away I went.

First, was Walmart. I was nearly hit in the parking lot but that did not phase me. I scored the Nabi 2 at half price. So I am pretty much done for the little ones Christmas. Half price! *cheesy smile* No drama involved either. I walked up, she gave me a wristband. A few minutes later I came back to her and she gave me the box. I grabbed a few other items at irrisistable prices ($4 character jammies...yes, please.) The lines at checkout weren't even long. I was starting to worry about Black Friday. Was it a passing trend?

Next, I hit Ulta. I filled up a bag and then looked at the line and I put that bag down. Don't worry. Black Friday is not a passing trend. The Ulta line proved it. The deals were not beefy enough to warrant that line. Nothing was beefy enough to warrant that line. I could just feel other deals slipping between my fingers if I stood near THAT LINE. It was crazy. So, I left. I hope I find that dirt cheap perfume sampler on Ebay.

I went to a local outdoor mall. It was CHRISTMAS! Christmas music, twinkling lights, people all bundled up. It was right out of a holiday card. *sigh* I wandered. It's what I do. I grabbed some odds and ends over the next two hours and then headed home. I hugged everyone. The holidays do that to me. It's a month of alot of hugs.

This weekend I made cocoa from scratch and finished my shark slippers. See!


These are off to to sit under a tree for a few weeks....just lurking. *insert Jaws music*



Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful holiday!


Wednesday, November 26, 2014

A Walk at Oak Point Park

We got out this beautiful fall day and took a walk at Oak Point park. I have never been. It is very close to home and I look forward to going back. The trees are all bright colors and everywhere you step it goes crunch from the leaves that have fallen. The grass is sparse so the interesting weeds are really making themselves seen. Such amazing nettles and grasses. The sky here in Texas really is just amazing.













Tuesday, November 25, 2014

One week off...

Its official! Happy Holidays.

The kids are off of school all week. 9 days. Today is day four. I feel the pressure to "do something" with them". Something warm and memorable. It can be a challenge to entertain with kids that are 12 years apart. One is always waiting on the other to finish having fun so that they can start having fun. And neither has anyone to "have fun with" in this situation. Fortunately, they are both really good sports.

So here we are in what still feels like a strange new place and I want to find "nature" and "beauty" to share with them. Not so much cultural beauty or contrived fun. Play-lands like Chuck E. Cheese kind of turn me off. They get plenty of junk-fueled over stimulation without me seeking it out.

So were to find that? I found a book to help me in my seeking.



Thank you, Lune Blog. I have had her on bloglovin forever and she always inspires me by the pictures of her little ones in the wilderness. It makes me want to move. It makes me feel kind of lazy. Darn mommy guilt.

But, I am excited about getting this book. It looks like a bit of a "nature checklist" of things to seek out with the boys. As for now I will be looking into nearby hiking trails and parks.

Wish me luck?
Mel

Friday, October 10, 2014

I Love Yarn Day

Happy Friday! Even more monumental...Happy I LOVE YARN DAY!!! 

Today I am riddled with messy allergies (ragweed *glare*) but I pushed through and after helping out the teacher at my little guys school I went yarn shopping. Michaels and then Hobby Lobby.

Haul time!!! I figure I will divide them up by store in case anyone wants to go get something that they see.

First Michaels!

And now Hobby Lobby!

The driving force behind my shopping was threefold.

Firstly, I have been serial watching "Once Upon a Time" on Netflix this week. I am really enjoying the show. I believe I am on episode 14 now. There is some amazing yarn smut on this show. But, I had to push pause and search Ravelry when I saw this picture:


Its amazing and I need it. So I grabbed some grey bulky yarn today and downloaded a free pattern for it. 

This one is next: 


Here is the free pattern for it. Thank you, movieknitters!

And I will need Ruby's hat, too. (Pattern) I grabbed the red sport weight yarn today. 



Secondly, I am sending three swaps. My main items are all ready to ship but I like to send fun little extras...candy and tiny crafted items. So I got some materials and fun stuff to throw in there.

Lastly, I have a project...moon jars! They are magical and amazing and I MUST make some. (I tried to get everything at Michaels and Hobby Lobby but had to go to Walmart for the solar lights). I will take pics and we will walk down the road of moon jars together.


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Chevron Cowl

Its Fall!!!!

Wow...you know I love fall. I have done posts just on the different flavors I like to hunt out in the fall. This year I have been digging my heals into a brand new goal: debt killing. So I will there will be less "what I like to buy" and more "favorite recipes" this season.

Saving is really amazing. It is amazing how little things really do add up. I am guilty of thinking that penny pinching is thankless. But no. Its so freeing to find more than you expect in the bank at the end of the month. It also appeals to the puzzle player in me. Hunting deals and seeing how little I can spend in a certain amount of time is just fun.

I think the trick to all things in life is to see it as a lesson and keep it positive. Life is too short to not keep your heart and mind in the moment and count your blessings.

Oh...and I crochet!




So this little chevron cowl is on its way to keep a good friend warm and add some color to her winter. I think I need to make one for myself with some yarny fringe. What do you think?

Here is an action shot:





Its abotu 24" long. I think I would make mine just a little longer so I can loop it. She loves tangerine and turquoise but I would probably opt for some purple. I used I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby/ You can buy it online if you dont have a local Hobby Lobby. It feels alot like Red Hearts "With Love" yarn...except this doesn't pill like theirs does. So "I Love This Yarn" is great for smooshy items like cowls and baby blankets. It washes great, too!

This is the pattern I used from Crochet In Color. Its for a scarf but I just crocheted for 24" of the pattern. Then I used a metal yarn needle and sewed it up the side with a whip stitch.

Booties!



Today has been a day of booties. Yes! Just a bootie-ful day. Just full of yarn and tiny, pretty buttons and flowers. It was so nice.

I have crocheted many booties and today I mixed and mingled all my favorite parts to make some booties for baby girl that is on her way soon.

Aren't they precious?!

I have had my babies and I am happy to be past that point in my life. Still things like this just make my ovaries do a cartwheel.

I wrote up a pattern in case you would like to make some yourself. But, if not I will be happy to make something for you over at my Etsy shop in a custom order.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Winter Is Coming!!!

Winter Is Coming!!!



My girlfriend and her family are stationed in Alaska this year. The kids are going to have recess outside even when its SUPER cold. I made this for her little guy to stay at the school and keep him warm.

Balaclava is an old fashioned name for helmet liner. It stems from long ago during the Crimean War. The British soldiers were not getting their warm clothing quickly enough while they were fighting in Russia. These were handmade from wool yarn.

This balaclava was crocheted from a paid pattern from Ravelry but I can definitely see writing a few balaclava patterns of my own. Such a convenient item for the little ones. I never would have expected my five year old to be this comfortable in something like this. It is usually such a struggle to get hats and scarves on him. It was super soft. I used "I Love This Yarn" from Hobby Lobby. A nice, easy care acrylic. The hook was a Clover I hook which made this work up really quickly.

The pattern works up in one piece and then you sew it on the side of the head and below the chin to form the shape. This is actually the toddler size on him.

My husband liked it so much that he asked me to make him one for when he is working in the cold this season. His will be two strands of Patons Classic Wool and a Clover J Hook.

Here are some more pics of my little guy in the balaclava!




Monday, October 21, 2013

Little Red Riding Hood

I have been crocheting. Quite a bit really. It kept my hands busy during the move.

This was for a swap last month. I sent Gozer a Little Red Riding Hood for her to wear.

I used the Ruadh pattern on Ravelry. It turned out beautifully. The pattern is fabulous. BUT...the stitch the body is in took much longer than I expected. So this is not a quick project.

 
 

This picture shows a little of the detail around the edge. It went all the way up one side, over the hood and down the other side. That was a long strip of crocheted cables. I got VERY familiar with the pattern.
But I am very happy with how it turned out. Hopefully it keeps her warm for a long time!

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