Just Being Me - Let the Creativity and Writing Flow

Smothered Pork Chops

2023-12-05T23:57:00.000-05:00

Smothered Pork Chops

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 pork chops, 3/4-inch thick, bone-in
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup buttermilk
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
Directions
Put the flour in a shallow platter and add the onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels to remove any moisture and then dredge them in the seasoned flour; shaking off the excess.

Heat a large saute pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat and coat with the oil. When the oil is nice and hot, lay the pork chops in the pan in a single layer and fry for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the pork chops from the pan and add a little sprinkle of seasoned flour to the pan drippings. Mix the flour into the fat to dissolve and then pour in the chicken broth in. Let the liquid cook down for 5 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly. Stir in the buttermilk to make a creamy gravy and return the pork chops to the pan, covering them with the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until the pork is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/smothered-pork-chops-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Living Greenland - Qaqortoq (20230611) Ice Ice Baby!

2023-06-11T20:00:00.001-04:00

Cotton Cuts - Village Green (Begonia) #TeamBegonia

2023-03-31T00:17:00.000-04:00

Cotton Cuts Puzzle Mystery Quilt Along

Village Green - Begonia Clue 1

I will share each step I took sewing each part of the clue so that you can see how easily the directions are.

First, here are some tips:

Do not use starch on precut pieces. It will distort them.
Do not iron the precuts. Press only
Use 1/4" seam allowance although some will say to use scant. (This part will be your decision) I use 1/4" seam allowance.
Your quilt will be beautiful if you stay consistent throughout the process.
The directions will also ask that each section of the clue be labeled. Do that! It's important! I didn't do it the first time I participated in a PMQ and when it was time to pull the clues together, I realized I had to go back and label them to follow the final clue directions.
I label each of the precut colors based on the letter given to it in the instructions.
Press 1/4" seams in the direction of arrows in the directions.

A note about that from me: I press seams to open especially on clues where multiple seams are coming into one point. I am not stating that everyone else should do the same. :)

Section 1:

l. Sew a rectangle D to the top of Rectangle F. Then add a rectangle C to the top. Make 8 (my photo shows them on their side to make the photo easier to look at.)

2. Sew a small triangle A to the top right of a large triangle F. Press, then join a small triangle A to the top left.

Make 4

3. Sew a small triangle B to the top right of a large triangle A. Press, then join a small triangle B to the top left. Make 4.

4. Sew a small triangle C to the top right of a large triangle B. Press, then join a small triangle C to the top left. Make 5.

5. Join steps 2, 3, and 4 as shown. Make 4.

6. Join a Step 1 unit to the left and right of Step 5. Make 4. Label these as Section 1.

Note: If you discover that you have a precut missing or if you have an issue while sewing go to Cotton Cuts Puzzle Mystery Support

Stay tuned for clue two!

Cotton Cuts Village Green - Begonia

2023-03-13T03:41:00.003-04:00

Cotton Cuts Puzzle Mystery Quilt Along

It's been a minute since I've posted any blog writing on my blog page. I'm going to rectify that by writing about a cool Quilt Along that I have been fortunate enough to participate in since 2019. I decided that I wanted to share what it's about and how much I have enjoyed creating a quilt from mystery clues as well as building my skill set as a newbie quilt builder.

So what is a PMQ? PMQ stands for Puzzle Mystery Quilt. Every month I receive clue instructions for developing the parts of a quilt for that month. There are ten months of clues produced using pre-cut triangles, squares, and rectangles along with strips. Cotton Cuts does all the cutting of these pieces. All I have to do is follow the instructions on building the clue each month.

During month ten we receive the final instructions to take all the clues and begin to sew them together to make a quilt top. It's a lot of fun watching the clues transform into something beautiful! Also on the tenth month, Cotton Cuts goes live to reveal the quilt. Cotton Cuts offers two different sizes for the PMQs.

Small Size 48" X 60"

Large Size 72" X 72"

Cotton Cuts offers a spring PMQ and a fall PMQ. Both will overlap each other for a couple of months.

I will be writing a blog once a month for the newest PMQ so that I can share the process of creating a clue. It will be fun to share with you the final results. I will post all links at the end of the blog for how to become involved in becoming a detective for the PMQ.

Village Green - Begonia

I chose the Begonia colorway for the Spring PMQ. The fabric used for this colorway is all batiks. (Seaside by Artisan Batiks for Robert Kaufman Fabrics) I love batiks. I love how vibrant the colors can be not to mention it's fun to sew as well. I will share with you the steps taken to create clue one of the PMQ along with pictures of each step.

This is everything that came in Clue one the kit

When Cotton Cuts opens signups for the PMQ Subscription, several different colorways will be available for a person to choose from. Cotton Cuts also makes available the choice to purchase an oops kit (used for replacement of mistakes made during the sewing process) as well as a thread kit and if a person wants to make their quilt even larger, extra borders are also available for purchase at the initial signing up.

Oops kit

I chose to purchase two oops kits along with the thread kit. Below is a photo of what came for clue one.

Thread with Begonia Kit

Now I will describe what I do to make a monthly clue as well as write about the different things a potential detective might want to know about.

Clue 1 - Village Green (Begonia)

When I open clue 1 of my kit I pull out the brochure that comes with the kit. Each detective should keep this brochure for the entire ten months because it has the colorway on the back with the labels of letters marking each color. This is very important. The clue cannot be followed if the color card is lost.

Aurifil 50wt 100% Cotton Thread

On the front of the brochure is the colorway sample along with the name of Spring PMQ (Village Green) and the name of the colorway (Begonia). I chose the Begonia colorway. Cotton Cuts has offered several different colorways for someone to choose from. There will be a hashtag (ex: #Team Begonia) for when each clue is finished, which can be shared online and the hashtag will add your finished clue to others who are doing the same clue.

Front page of the Brochure

On the second page, there are Puzzle Mystery Quilt "Tips and Tricks" along with a "Mark Your Calendar" for Fall 2023. The Fall PMQ opens for signups on May 28th with the first clue shipping out on July 2023. This will have an all-new choice of colorways as well as the beginning of a new mystery.

Page 2 of brochure

On page 3 there is information about missing pieces or something wrong with the clue itself, and where to go for help. Cotton Cuts Puzzle Mystery Support Cotton Cuts' customer service is exceptional and they will do whatever they need to do to resolve the issues that could happen.

On page 3 there are PMQ shipping dates along with providing information on where to go to become a member of the FB group. The FB group is exclusive to the PMQ detectives. Mystery Quilters There is also an email to contact a team member at Cotton Cuts. (help@cottoncuts.com)

When I start a clue, I take the clue out of the shipping bag along with the instructions. I lay out each precut based on the color they are and then I take Alphabitties to label each block. I put them in order this way so that not only am I making sure there are no pieces missing but I"m also organizing them so that when I start to sew each piece together I don't make a mistake while sewing them. Labeling them makes it so much easier for me.

Begonia colorway, #TeamBegonia

On the back of the brochure, there is a colorway with each color labeled. The other thing that is on the back is how to become a detective for the Puzzle Mystery QAL. Cotton Cuts PMQ - How to Get Started

A gift that is sent with the first PMQ

Inside the first clue also comes with a gift. Throughout the ten months, there might be one or two mystery gifts that are placed inside the clue.

Cotton Cuts Color Challenge Card

Inside the Puzzle Mystery Quilt Along there will be a Cotton Cuts Block of the Month that is used for the CC Color Challenge. On one side there is a block with measurement directions and a good graphic of the block that will be made.

Cotton Cuts Color Challenge

On the back of the same card is a coloring page. Color the card and then upload it to Cotton Cuts and tag it with #CCColorChallenge. Coloring the card and uploading it with the tag, gives a person a chance to win a prize from Cotton Cuts. If the card is colored and a block is made out of the fabric of the same block as the card, it can also be entered into the drawing. So that means two chances of winning a prize.

I have participated both ways and won a couple of times! It's lots of fun sharing the coloring cards along with a sewing block. Below is an example of one of the blocks I made from the coloring card.

One other piece of advice: Make sure you join the Mystery Quilters Facebook page! By being part of the group, there are many who can help a person when they need help! Also every third Thursday, Cotton Cuts opens a Zoom meeting for PMQ Detectives. This is a great place to make new friends, to sew with all who are detectives, and also a good place to ask any questions you might have! I have made some really nice friends and I feel so blessed to have met so many nice sewers! Come sew with us, you will enjoy the comradery.

2020-09-13T17:35:00.000-04:00

Hello (Allu)

My name is Katy Joelsen and I've been a member of Cotton Cuts for over two years now. I wanted to participate in the #ccstaycation fun to tell you more about who I am and where I currently reside. I'm a navy brat born in Charleston, SC but raised in Florida. I love Florida and I never thought there'd be a day I would leave it. I used to say I would never move away from Florida but things change as a person ages and the things that happen in life.

Thomas, Kriston & Lynnette

I'm a mother of three beautiful children whom I love more than life. They have been a joy of my life even when we all were left with wreckage from the suicide of their father after 21 years of marriage. It was hard during that time having to pick up the pieces along with helping my children get through such a rough patch in their lives. My oldest daughter was just entering adulthood while the other two were in their last year of high school. We all have made it through for the most part but during that time I had decided that I wouldn't ever let another man treat me badly or make me feel I wasn't good enough ever again. I thought that I would be alone after that and at the time I was okay with that idea. It was strange being responsible for just myself. My youngest daughter went into the Navy and she served four years. I think it was what she needed at the time.

In 2009 something happened I never thought would. I got a second chance to finally feel loved and to find peace and happiness. Up until then, life had always been hard and a struggle. Then the light of my heart came into my life. It was unexpected and neither of us was looking for love at the time but we had an 8-year long online friendship that ended up bringing us together. Out of the blue in 2009 he told me he was coming to Florida for vacation and wanted to know if I'd like to show him some of my state. He was going to be in Florida for two weeks and I said sure why not. So when I drove two hours south and pulled up to the hotel he came walking out at the same time. When we hugged something happened that both of us didn't expect. It was like we were meant to meet. We clicked. We sat up all night like two teenagers laughing and talking and asking questions. The two weeks we spent together was fantastic. He is an exceptional human being. Oh, I forgot to mention, He is a Greenlander from the country of Greenland. When he left I felt so sad because he took a piece of my heart with him. Funny how life does things at the right time too. A long time friend of mine would always quote "It's all about timing."

In 2010 he came back and spent another six weeks with me and we had a great time together. During that time he asked me to marry him and I took a leap of faith and said yes! My heart light works for a big fishing company. He works on a factory shrimp trawler that takes him to sea for weeks at a time. Later in 2010, I flew to Greenland. It was my first time flying over the ocean and going to another country. It was scary but I was just so excited that I would get to be with my heart light again. I flew into Greenland in the middle of December and stayed till mid-January 2011. We did this so that we could see how my lungs (asthma) would react to winter. The strangest thing happened. My asthma hardly bothered me. It was truly amazing not having to fight to breathe like I did during the winter months in North Florida.

In January instead of waiting till later in the year, we did a thing. We got married on January 2^nd 2011! Of course, then we had to make a decision on who was going to do the migrating. I migrated because it was the best fit for us at the time and I have not regretted making this huge life change at all.

January 2^nd, 2011 (Our wedding day)

So I moved from Florida to Qaqortoq Greenland during the month of August 2011. I had to find homes for my four horses and one dog and I brought the other dog with me.

My four equine friends from left to right. Skamp, Shotgun (my barrel racing horse) Luna and Gogo

When I moved here it was like starting all over again from scratch. My heart light (Nikolaj) owned his own house so that made things easier. I had a lot to learn living in Greenland. Learning to read food labels that were in Danish. That was hard to start with. Now it's no big deal. :) Speaking of food. I had never eaten duck or reindeer or whale meat or salmon until I moved here. Reindeer is so tender and duck is tasty and I've grown to love salmon too.

Northern lights over Qaqortoq, Greenland

It wasn't easy, to begin with. I was at a disadvantage relating to language. My husband speaks Greenlandic, Danish and English fluently so most of the time we didn't have as big of a language barrier struggle. The first couple of years I got beat up quite a bit with struggling to communicate but as time has gone by it has become easier and easier to talk to people here in Qaqortoq. Greenlanders are the nicest group of people you could ever meet. They love their country, they love nature, they love each other and they smile and laugh a lot and have a good sense of humor. I have learned a bit of Greenlandic and I can read quite a bit of Danish and I haven't had to sacrifice too much of my English in the process. I hope one day that I can speak more Greenlandic than I do though. I have found peace here.

My first summer in Greenland (August 2011)

This beautiful place has helped to heal my hurt heart too. I contribute the healing to nature and to my “heart light”. He is the most giving person and he shows affection without ever having to ask for it. I love him so much and the longer we are together the deeper our love gets. When we went to California in 2018 he finally got to meet my youngest daughter. He had already met the other two but Kriston was in Japan when we got married so they hadn't met until almost 8 years later.

On our way out to celebrate our 8^th wedding anniversary (January 2^nd, 2018)

So about me:

I have been a gardener since the age of 11 years old. My aunt from my dad's side introduced me to plants along with the skill of crocheting. I also love taking photographs of any and everything that catches my eyes. I can also sew since my teenage years and used to make my own clothes during that time. I love music from the '80s along with rock and roll, pop and some hard rock. I like most music with an exception to a couple I won't mention here. So the first couple of years I didn't know what to do with myself. I didn't have a job, and I realized that my horses took up a lot of my time. In fact, I was racing one of them along with constantly riding him on trails.

Shotgun and I making a fast turn around number 3 barrel.

So what I decided to do was pick back up on crocheting along with finding a way to garden inside my house. My skill set for crocheting was minimal but it didn't take me long to learn new skills, become friends with others in our world who shared the love of crocheting and I truly have benefited in this skill in so many ways.

(Mandala Madness - “Arctic Lights” - I used 32 colors of number 3 cotton thread.

Mandala Madness was a year-long endeavor in a group with people from all over the world. I stalled out about mid-summer because I was outside growing my first ever garden in South Greenland. Because of that, I didn't spend much time crocheting during that time frame. I did take time to take more sunset photographs which contributed to my using more colors especially the warmer colors in my mandala.

Sunset on Tasersuaq lake (big lake)

Sunset over Qaqortoq Fjord

It has kept my busy during the times my heart light was at sea. I began to accumulate plants over the years too. Gardening is part of me. It comes from deep inside me I think and I couldn't imagine not ever having green things in my life. It brings me such peace and harmony.

My garden spot indoors. This how I'm able to garden in the Arctic.

The next thing I spent a lot of time doing was taking photographs of this beautiful magical place. I can't even begin to put into words what it's like seeing nature in all it's perfect beautiful glory. I can only document it through the lens of a camera. My husband and I have gone to the ice cap many times but the thing I love taking photo's of the most is icebergs.

Ice cap behind us in this photo. :)

Icebergs come in every shape imaginable along with the purest of whites, blues and even some will have black bands in between the white and blue. That is caused by forest fires which give off soot that is carried by trade winds from other places on our planet.

It's amazing to know that happens too.

In the spring/summer months we also get lots of color too. Icebergs begin floating between May to June down the fjords. I call it the iceberg parade because every day there is always something different. Here are some examples of color!

Arctic Blue Bells

Arctic Poppy

I'm so in love with color. It comes in so many shades and hues and colors. It truly amazes me how nature can produce such beautiful things in so many colors. Pure perfection at it's best. Every time I think I've seen all the colors there is, I come across yet another color like this salmon colored Arctic Poppy.

Arctic Fireweed

Because of all the colors here, my crocheting and learning to make quilt tops have been created because of color and how I see them in my eyes. Most of the time I use what I feel to use at that moment in time.

Here's one Example:

These are my first ever quilt blocks. As I said previously, I knew how to make my own clothes so using a sewing machine comes easy however, creating quilt blocks are completely new to me. For every block I make though, my skill becomes better too.

These tiny pink blossoms are the size of an American dime coin. I'm truly fascinated at how such tiny things can grow in such harsh conditions in such a short growing period.

About Qaqortoq, Greenland

This town is 60 Degrees North. That means we are south of the Arctic Circle. Out weather conditions here are considered to be subarctic in nature. During the height of the winter months, we get about 2-3 hours of daylight while the rest of the hours are in darkness. During the height of summer, we get 22 hours of daylight. Another thing you might not know is how the sun moves here in the Arctic. When I lived in Florida, the sun would rise in the east and set in the west and most of the time I could tell you what time it was based on where the sun was. Here the sun moves more in a circle at a 45 degree angle more or less best guessing on that. So it teases me because I can never tell you what time of the day or night it is. During the summer months, because I didn't know what time it was, it wouldn't be unheard of to find me down at the harbor taking photographs at 12:30am. Lol

The population is around 3800. There are no roads or trains that connect towns, villages or city to each other. In order for me to leave Qaqortoq, it requires a helicopter ride to a small airport. There a person would board a prop passenger plane to take the next leg of the flight to a bigger airport. Then a person would get on a huge passenger jet to fly to Denmark. Most of the indigenous seem to use the passenger ship that is in operation during the months starting in March to December. Mostly it depends on if there is ice blocking entrances into fjords where those of us who live in smaller towns or villages.

The mother language is Greenlandic, the Second language is Danish and English is introduced in fifth grade although many don't bother to learn it. I think over time that may change to where English could possibly become a second language due to the fact this country wants to open up more to the world relating to tourism.

Best place to eat out here currently: Hotel cafe

Best place to eat food is actually in nature if you have a chance to go out on a boat.

Indigenous foods: Reindeer, Cod, Salmon, Monkfish, Redfish, Tiger fish, Halibut, shrimp, Whale meat, Seal, Mountain bird (grouse) Agba (another type of bird) Duck, Lamb, and a variety of other assorted seafood caught while out fishing.

This quilt top was from my first beginner quilt top-class online.

This is a work in progress.

Cotton Cuts Mystery Block

Last but not least, our two four-legged kids. I have had dogs most of my life and I'm glad I can have them even here. Keeps me company while my “heart light” is at sea. :)

Nora (1 years old) Kota (5 years old)

Kota

This past August 2020 was my 9 year of residency anniversary here in Greenland. I do not regret the choice to make such a life here with Nikolaj. It has been worth it all the way around. My life is far richer and more meaningful because of it. It has been a healing place too. My husband is so good and as I said above he's an outstanding human being. I'm so lucky to be in his life. On another note: My children have been busy having families of there own. We now have three granddaughters and one grandson. They are so beautiful. I can't wait to meet the newest one (number 4 grandchild (number three granddaughter) who was born this past June) but because of the pandemic, I can't travel until it's completely eradicated. It hurts my heart not being able to go and see them but in time this will pass so that I can go and be with all of them again. We both are looking forward to seeing our growing family again.

Best Places to visit in Greenland: Everywhere but I'll mention a few.

Ilulissat – During the months of July and August – the best place to see skyscraper-sized icebergs and whales

Disco Bay – Same as above

South Greenland which covers Qaqortoq, Uunartoq (hot springs) Viking Ruins and Icecap at different locations.

Prince William Sound – You will not be disappointed if you sail through this area. It's gorgeous!

Interesting Facts:

Qaqortoq – Open-Air Art Museum (Stone and Man)

The USA had Greenland in its protection during WWII due to Nazi occupation of Denmark

Vikings lived in South Greenland for about five hundred Years

Greenland is the worlds largest Island. Greenland is also home to the largest nature preserve.

Icecap that covers Greenland is over two miles thick and covers about 80% of the Island

The Icecap is also melting away at an alarming rate due to climate change. You may not believe that but since I've lived here for the past 9 years, the icecaps closest to this area is disappearing.

Fragrant Beef/Pork Risotto Soup (One pot)

2015-04-23T21:22:00.004-04:00

Fragrant Pork - N - Beef Risotto Soup (One Pot Meal)

Serves 4 people
Ingredients:

4 - 6 High Quality Sausages
1/2 pound Ground Round
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Butter
1 small Onion sliced
1/2 Red Bell Pepper Sliced
2 Garlic cloves smashed and minced
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp Cilantro
1/2 Cup Risotto Rice (Rinse under hot water till water runs clear in a wire colander)
900 ML Chicken Stock (Can use Vegetable Stock)
2 cans Chopped Tomatoes
1 cup frozen green beans snapped into small pieces
Coarse Roasted Garlic Herb Seasoning
1 shot glass of Sherry

Directions:

1. Split the sausage skin, squeeze out the meat, mix all of the sausage in with the ground beef. Make small meatballs.

In a sauce pan or a large dutch oven heat the oil and butter.

Brown all the meatballs on all sides and the place in a plate and keep warm. (You will have to do them in batches) I ended up having 2 batches.

While the meatballs are browning, Slice a small onion in thin slices. Slice 1/2 red bell pepper slicing in thin slices, Slice a shallot in thin slices.

Smash and mince 2 garlic cloves.

2. Add onion, shallot, and red bell pepper and saute' till tender and lightly brown. Sprinkle a small amount of coarse roasted garlic her seasoning or a seasoning of choice over the vegetables.

Pour sherry into pan for deglazing the pan. Cook till all fluid has almost disappeared.

Add in chicken stock, risotto rice, canned tomatoes, and

spices stirring till combined. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5-10 minutes. Then add the meatballs back into the pan and gently stir till all are covered in the sauce. Gently simmer for another thirty or so minutes.

Add the green beans in and allow to cook a few more minutes. Keep an eye on the fluid, if the risotto starts to absorb some of the chicken stock, add more to compensate. I ended up adding another 1 1/2 cups of stock to compensate.

In the oven bake two garlic/butter french bread loaves.

Spoon soup into bowl and add thick slices of bread to eat with the dish.

NOTE: The original recipe came from a magazine called Eatwell 101 healthy recipes. Winter 2015, I modified the recipe further to fit our dietary taste. :)

Kathy's Photography

Venetian Chicken Ragu

2015-04-04T01:30:00.003-04:00

Venetian Chicken Ragu

1 tbsp olive oil
8 chicken legs
2 onions finely chopped
2 garlic cloves crushed and diced
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp plain flour
250ml/9oz red wine
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
1 chicken stock cube made up to 250 ml stock
3 rosemary sprigs, leaves picked and chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp milk
pasta
parmesan grated

1.Heat the oil in a large pan, add the chicken legs and brown on all sides for about 10 minutes.

Remove to a plate and set aside.

Add the onions to the pan and cook for 5 mins until softened.

Add the garlic and cook for a further 1 min and

then stir in the cinnamon and

flour and

cook for a further minute.

Add the wine, chicken stock, tomatoes, herbs, sugar and seasoning.

Add Chicken back into pot. Bring to a simmer and then lower the heat, cover with a lid and cook for 2 hours stirring occasionally.

2. Carefully lift the legs out of the sauce and place on a plate - they will be very tender so try not to lose any meat. Pull off and discard the fat, then shred the meat with two forks and discard the bones. Add the meat back into the sauce with milk and simmer uncovered for a further 20-15mins while cooking the pasta.

3. Cook the pasta following pack instructions, then drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, add the pasta to the ragu, stir to coat all the pasta in the sauce and cook for 2 min more, adding a splash of cooking liquid if it looks dry. Serve with grated parmesan if you like.

Our thoughts about this recipe.

First off I modified it a bit by adding mushrooms to it. Instead of duck I used chicken.

I think the recipe called for entirely TOO MUCH cinnamon. The spice overwhelmed the dish. We did NOT enjoy it at all. SO this recipe for us was a bomb but worth the effort in testing it as far as cookign skills are concerned.

Kathy's photographs

Navy Bean Lentil Soup

2015-03-30T21:18:00.004-04:00

White Beans and Lentil Soup

About 2 lbs pork rib bones
2 boneless chicken breast
1/2 bag lentils
1/2 bag white beans (Navy Beans)
Chicken Stock
1/2 sliced onion
1 sliced shallot
1/2 pound cubed bacon
1/4 pound sliced bacon
Coarse Roasted Garlic Seasoning
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp cilantro
3 tbsp white wine

Directions:

Beans and Lentils:
Remove from bags and wash. Place in cool water and cover and allow to soak over night.
Pour soaked beans into a colander and rinse thoroughly.

Risotto:
Rinse under hot water for about 2 minutes in wire strainer.

Pork Rib Bones:

Rinse under cool water, place in pot and cover with chicken stock. Cook till meat is tender. Remove from pot to cool.

Remove meat from bones.
Let pulled meat rest in a bowl while preparing more of the soup.

Chicken Breast:

Lightly pound with meat beater to flatten. Season with Coarse garlic and then coat with flour.

Place seasoned and floured chicken breast in melted hot butter/olive oil mixture (50/50)

Brown breast in butter on both sides.
Remove and place in plate until needed.

Thin slice breast when ready to add to pot.

Cubed Bacon and sliced Bacon:

Fry cubed bacon till tender.

Cut bacon in half, separate and place in hot fry pan. Fry on both sides till crispy.

Remove from fry pan. Set crispy bacon aside. Add cubed bacon to cooking stock and crushed sliced bacon into pot. Gently boil for a few minutes.

Onion and Shallot:

Saute both in small amount of butter till both are nice and tender.

Add white wine and allow to cook till most of the wine has dissipated.

Add vegetables to stock in pot.

Directions for the rest of the soup:

Pour beans into stock and bring to boil. Add Risotto as well. Cook gently for awhile till the water starts to slightly thicken. Add the pork back into pot. Add cooked chicken breast to pot.
Crush bacon and add to pot.

Keep extra chicken stock in a cup due to the water cooking down as the beans cook just in case more water is needed.

Cook bean soup has thickened and beans are tender. (Simmer about 2 hours or more) Serve with croutons or crackers or garlic bread.

Kathy's Flickr Photographs

Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Week 8

2015-03-26T01:49:00.001-04:00

Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Week 8

I have to say that there are parts of this assignment that were straight forward and easy to accomplish.

The Cable stitch was a little of a challenge. Mostly because I didn't like how it would look everytime I did it. I crochet tight and because of that the cable part just wasn't looking right so I had to loosen up my grip and let it come out the way it would come out.

One thing I am not real happy with at the moment is the fact that my puff stitches has turned out to look bad. The first set of puff stitches came out mostly okay. It's the second row of puff stitches that has turned out to be such a nightmare.

I personally think all of them look terrible. As soon as I added those back post single crochet stitches, it ruined how they looked. I'm not clear as to if it's because I crochet tight or if it's something else. I refuse to rip out several rows to start it again though. It takes entirely to long for me to rip it out.

Another thing I noticed is that the long sides are not as stiff and thick as the short sides.I think that is because there is stitches open with no secondary stitching behind it or on it.

So when I stretch the work out for blocking, there is buckling at the places where it begins to stop having additional stitches behind other stitches or in front of stitches.

I had a little bit of fun with my "Heart Light" in that I volunteered him to model my Sophie's Universe being we had an assignment to get a pic with our husbands and SU. So It was fun.

So much fun in fact that we added a Lego Bull Dozer into a photo or two because my husband is an avid Lego fan and has so many. He loves trains the best I think.

It was a good day. When we were outside it was even snowing while we were taking the pics relating to Sophie and Lego.

My happy go lucky heart light. I love him so much!

This is how the short side looks as of Week 8!

Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Week 8

Kathryn Joelsen's Photographs

Pan-fried Buttermilk Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

2015-03-25T18:56:00.000-04:00

Pan-fried Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

1 1/2 cup buttermilk
12 chicken drumsticks
Coarse roasted Garlic Seasoning
1/2 cup plain flour
Thin sliced red bell pepper
Thin sliced small onion
Thin sliced shallot
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cup chicken stock
12 tbsp butter
12 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup spinach
1 cup uncooked rice
2 cups broccoli florets

(Note: I used 9 drumsticks instead of 12)

Rinse drumsticks in cool water. Place in a bowl or plastic bag.

Marinade in buttermilk for at least 1/2 hour. Can marinade longer if the time is available.

Drain chicken drumsticks in colander.

Season with coarse Garlic Salt or Coarse Roasted Garlic Seasoning mix

Place flour in small plastic bag. Put 2 or 3 drumsticks in the flour and shake till covered,

remove and continue with more until all drumsticks are covered in flour.

Slice onions, bell pepper & shallot along with mushrooms (I'm lazy, I just use premium sliced mushrooms from a jar) Drain the juice if using canned mushrooms.

Add butter and olive oil to a fry pan. Heat butter and oil. Add 6 drumsticks to hot fry pan and lightly brown on one side.

Once chicken is browned on one side, turn chicken to brown other side. Make sure to brown all sides.

Remove once browned and drain on a wire rack or paper towels to rest while browning the remaining legs.

Let lightly browned chicken legs rest for a few minutes

Using the drippings and oil/butter left in pan, saute the onion, shallots, bell pepper, and mushrooms till tender. (Note: If the butter/oil mixture seems to be over brown, you could drain off most of it and add fresh butter and allow pan to heat up the butter again and then add the vegetables)

When vegetables have reached being tender, Add dry white wine, let it cook till most of the alcohol has cooked out (there should be a brown liquid with the vegetables at this stage)

and then add the chicken stock to the pan. Bring to a boil. Test for taste, add salt if needed.

Return all chicken legs to the pan, cover with a lid and cook on medium heat till meat starts pulling from the bone.

While the chicken is simmering, add 2 cups of water to a 2 quart pot. Bring to boil. Add 1 cup rice. DO NOT STIR! When water returns to boiling, turn heat down to lowest simmering setting, cover with a bamboo sheet and then the lid or use chopsticks to keep the lid slightly open. Let it cook till all water has been soaked up. Check it about 15 minutes in to see if water has left pot.

In mean time, steam the broccoli.

Feeds 4 people.

Recipe by © Kathryn Joelsen

Kathryn Joelsen's photographs

Joelsen's Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

2015-03-24T01:06:00.000-04:00

Joelsen's Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

2 whole tenderloin's
1/2 small red bell pepper
1/2 small onion
1 shallot
3 small cloves garlic
1 cup of fresh or thawed frozen spinach
2 tbsp chopped parsley
olive oil
slicked mushrooms
1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
1/2 cup havarti cheese grated
1/4 pound of thin sliced bacon

Directions

Turn oven on to 375 Degrees F or 190 Degrees C. (preheat at least fifteen minutes)

Butterfly slice pork tenderloins. Place each one in a plastic bag and use a meat beater to pound it till it's thin in nature but not to thin. The meat needs to hold up to being rolled. Rinse both and then turn each one onto a cutting board so that outside if meat is facing down and inside of meat is facing up. Season inside of meat with coarse roasted season. (I used Weber Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning) Any will do from the store. Set aside

In a small frypan pour olive oil till it just covers the pan and put on medium high heat.

Chop 1/2 small onion in small pieces

Chop 1 small shallot in small pieces.

Slice and dice 1/2 small red bell pepper

Take 3 small closes, remove skin, smash and then finely shop garlic.

Add the shallot, onion, and bell peppers into the oil once the oil is hot enough. Season with coarse ground roasted seasonings. Saute' till tender. Drain and place cooked vegetables in a small bowl and set aside. Take the drained oil and set aside, may need that later possibly.

Fry bacon till crisp. Drain on paper towels. Pour bacon grease out or store in tight jar for later use in other cooked entreas.

Pour the olive oil back into fry pan and saute' the sliced mushrooms. (season with coarse roasted seasoning)

Wash the spinach in a collander and then chop in small pieces.

Chop parsley and put in small bowl and set aside.

Shred both cheeses and mix together in a bowl and set aside.

In a medium sized bowl, pour the already cooked vegetables,

spinach, chopped up bacon, sliced mushrooms, mix together.

Take and spoon equal amounts of mixture onto each tenderloin.

Spread cheese over the top of each mixture.

Season with coarse roasted seasoning. Take cooking string and put around tenderloin after it is rolled. Make sure to fasten snuggly.

Season outside of both tenderloins and place in long baking dish. Take any remainder of olive oil and cheese and lightly spread all over the top of both tenderloins.

Place in oven and cook 1 hour - 1.15 hours till tender. Don't over cook or it will dry the meat on outside. Serve with rice and steamed vegetable of choice.

Take the juices and pieces and use it to make a tasty sauce to pour over it or just spoon the juices on top of the roast after it has been sliced.

Recipe and photographs are by © Kathryn Joelsen
Kathryn Joelsen's photographs

Northern Atlantic Flounder with Northern Atlantic Shrimp, Steamed Broccoli & Corn with Fluffy Long Grain Rice

2015-03-14T23:49:00.001-04:00

Northern Atlantic Flounder with Northern Atlantic Shrimp, Steamed Broccoli & Corn with Fluffy Long Grain Rice

1 Kilo Northern Atlantic Flounder deboned and filleted
1/3 Kilo Northern Atlantic Shrimp
butter
coarse garlic
finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup corn meal
1/4 cup flour
Broccoli florets
Corn
1 cup Long grain rice
3 Tbsp Dry White wine

Directions:

Flounder:
Remove head, tail, fins, internal organs from flounder, gently filet meat from each side of the bone.
There should be 4 nice size filets. Rinse in cold water, drain the water, lightly season fish with coarse garlic/parsley.

Mix flour and cornmeal inside a plastic bag. Place one filet at a time in the bag and shake to coat fish meat. Set aside.

Melt butter in fry pan on medium high. Let butter get nice and hot and place two filets at a time in the fry pan. Fry in butter till golden brown and then flip to do the same to the other side. Should be done after 3/4 minutes of cooking. The meat should flake away when checked with a fork.

Shrimp

Peel the shell and head of the shrimp. Rinse in cold water.

Melt butter till hot un medium high, add coarse garlic and parsley.
Add shrimp into the fry pan. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, add dry white wine and cook for just a few seconds. Turn off heat.

Rice
Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Pour in rice. DO NOT STIR! Place a lid on pot however use a chopstick to hold the lid slightly open. Turn down to simmer setting and let simmer till liquid is done. Turn off heat once it's done and remove chopstick so that pot is completely closed.

Broccoli & Corn
Place corn and broccoli in a steamer and place over boiling water. Steam for five to seven minutes. Remove from heat.

Have fun and enjoy the food!

Kathryn Joelsen's Photographs

Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Part 4

2015-03-14T15:06:00.001-04:00

Sophie's Universe

2015 CAL

Part 4

Part 4 - Things started becoming much more challenging and interesting at the same time with each round that was done for this part. I had fun with it along with finding parts of it being a big difficult too. By now I have started seeing the mistakes I have made with my FPTR's and FPDC's. As I said in the previous post I had chosen to leave them as they were. With the mistakes I've had to improvise in places in order to get it to come out the way it should in the end. This has been a very good learning experience. I will also post the 2nd SU Part four and then we can see probably a comparison on what looks right and what doesn't. I also didn't block the first three rounds of Sophie's Universe when I should have and I think that also contributes to mistakes made that I didn't catch.

I want to mention that I had trouble trying to do the bpsc behind the crab stitch and ended up turning my work to the back and doing it as a fpsc from the back to get the same effect that the directions were looking for. It was just easier to do this from the back due to my tight crocheting as well as the crab stitch being a pain.

Stay tuned for photo's of the 2nd SU Part 4

Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Part 4
Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Part 4 Video

Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Part 3

2015-03-14T14:42:00.002-04:00

Sophie's Universe

CAL 2015

Part 3

Partially finished Part 3

I had fun with this part, however I ran into some difficulties making up my mind as to which color I wanted to use when. I also made some mistakes on this round but chose to continue instead of ripping it out. I am currently working on a 2nd SU so I will be posting pics of round three here and I can just bet I will begin to see the difference in relationship to where and when I made my mistakes. I feel that this CAL is supposed to be fun while teaching new techniques and stitches. This is why I have chosen not to rip out my work many times over until I get it right. The 2nd SU will be like it should be based on the instructions given and my interpretation of them. I will be posting a link for part 3 as well as a video link. I wasn't aware of the video's till today. Interesting that I'm 9 weeks into this and just not finding out about the video's. Goes to show what I'm paying attention too. I love how challenging this has been. I've had to put it down at times due to getting frustrated with it but in the end I work out what is causing the frustration and move on from there. :)

New stitch learned: Crab Stitch (Also known as reverse Single Crochet)

"To start, I’m going to insert my hook into the left-most corner of my fabric, and then I'm going to draw a loop through with my new yarn and then I'm going to work one chain stitch, and now I'm ready to start working reverse single crochet. So it feels a little bit awkward when you're used to crocheting in the other direction, but you insert your hook to the right, and then yarn over and draw the loop back to the front, and then yarn over again, and draw that loop through the two that are already on the hook. And that's one reverse single crochet worked. So I will continue doing that - I insert my hook to the right, draw the yarn through, yarn over, and draw that through the two loops on my hook.

I've worked the reverse single crochet stitches all the way along the edge and now I'm reaching the end, my last stitch. So I'm going to insert my hook, draw it through, pull that loop through, and now I can cut a six to eight inch tail and then fasten it off. And that's the reverse single crochet stitch or crab stitch - thanks for watching!"

Crab Stitch Video

Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Part 3

Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Part 3 Video

Stay tuned for the 2nd SU posting of part 3

Come and visit in flickr page to view all the beautiful photographs of Greenland that I have taken over the past 3.5 years.

Kathy Joelsen's Flickr photographs

Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Part 2

2015-03-13T14:13:00.001-04:00

Sophie's Universe

CAL 2015

Part 2

1st SU

I found part two to be easy to follow and fun to work with. I love how colors can be used to make the pattern take on a different look based on colors.

I have to say that my 2nd SU's is definitely much better with how it should look based on the directions based on my interpretation of the directions. I'm pleased with how my 2nd SU has turned out so far. Doing two sure does help with working out the kinks I ran into on the 1st one preventing me from making the same mistakes on the 2nd one.

Click on the link to access part 2 of Sophie's Universe. Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Part 2

Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Part 2 Video

2nd SU

I will add a listing of the colors and yarn manufacturer at a later time. :)

Kathryn Joelsen's Photographs

Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Part 1

2015-03-13T14:03:00.001-04:00

Sophie's Universe

CAL 2015

Part 1

I have decided to make two of these or try to as I follow along with so many other fellow crocheters in this endeavor of creativity and colors. So this one is the first one and below will be the second one. I'm not sure how to attach the instruction pdf's so if you're interested in this project you will have to visit Sofie's Universe Part 1 CAL 2015

SU 1

Sophie's Universe 2015 CAL Part 1 Video

I have enjoyed working on this project so far. With part one I had to rip out Round 4 of part one because the instructions for this part was a tiny bit confusing with how it was worded. Of course I figured out what the issue was and fixed it. I've had fun coming up with colors too. I tend to use colors based on how I am feeling at that given moment. I used a 5.0mm hook for the 1st one and a 4.5mm hook for the second one. We'll see what the size difference will be when it's a bit larger. :)

SU 2

I had difficulty as I said with Round 4:

I ended up ripping it out a couple of times before I was able to get it right. So I believe that it's resolved now.

*Hdc in the first dc. This first dc might be slightly tricky to get into because it is right next to the fpsc. (Ch 1, dc in the next dc, ch 1, dc in the next ch-1 space) twice. Ch 1 and dc in the next dc (Photo 2). Ch 1 and hdc in the last dc. Fpsc in the next fpsc (Photo 3).* Repeat from * to * 5 more times, omitting the last fpsc on the last repeat. Join to the first fpsc with a sl st. Fasten off and change colours.

Kathryn Joelsen's Photographs

2015-02-28T16:44:00.000-05:00

Chicken Breast in Gravy with Rice and Steamed Broccoli & Corn

2 small chicken breast
3 tbsp flour
3 tbsp butter for frying
Coarse ground Garlic Seasoning Salt
1/2 onion sliced
1/4 cup mushrooms
Shot glass of Sherry
1 tbsp flour for gravy
1 cup Broccoli florets
1 cup corn
1 cup rice uncooked

(NOTE: Recipe ingredient sizes will have to be increased according to how many are eating this meal. The recipe accounts for 1 serving, possibly 2.)

Directions:

Pour 2 cups of water into a small 1qt sauce pan and place on stove. Add a small amount of salt. Bring to boil. Pour rice into the pot of water gently. Don't stir. Take a bamboo screen and place over top of pot and then place lid over that. (if you do not have a bamboo screen, use a couple of chopsticks to raise the lid just a tiny bit to allow for air to escape from pot.) Bring water back to boil and then turn all the way down to the lowest setting so that it can simmer.

Using a meat mallet gently pound the chicken breast for a few strokes. Season with Coarse ground Garlic Seasoning salt. Flour both sides of chicken breast.

Melt butter in small skillet. Place chicken breast in the melted hot butter. Brown on both sides and remove from pan.

Add mushrooms and sliced onions. Season with Garlic salt also. (do not use to much) When onions have become translucent and brown, pour a small shot glass of Sherry into the pan and let it deglaze the pan. Simmer for about 2-4 minutes. Remove from sauce pan.

Add 1 tbsp of butter and melt. Sprinkle in 1tbsp flour. Gently cook till it has browned. Add 250ML of water slowly allowing it to thicken. If it becomes to thick add a little more. Once it has thickened, Return the onion/mushroom mixture back into the gravy. Add the browned chicken breast as well. Let simmer on low for about ten to fifteen minutes.

While chicken breast are simmering in gravy, check rice. Gently move a small amount of rice to see if water is gone or nearly gone. If it is, turn the post off but leave it on the hot eye. Close the lid tightly.

Steam the corn and broccoli. Season to taste as well as toss in small amount of butter for taste.

Once the chicken breast gravy has thickened and simmered for a few minutes it is ready to move to place for serving. Enjoy.

Gardening in Qaqortoq, Greenland 2014

2014-07-01T21:08:00.002-04:00

July 1st, 2014

I will be adding to this particular post with additional photographs and writings in relationship to my gardening here in Qaqortoq this year.

The biggest thing we have here in Qaqortoq which is in the Southern part of Greenland is slightly warmer temperatures and I mean slightly and the load of sun we get. North of the Arctic circle the sun shines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the Southern part of Greenland, we get about 22 hours of sunlight. So having said that, the sun shining that many hours does have an advantage. I have noticed that plants that had just started turning green, would be flowering a week later at an amazing rate! It's like they jump several days from seedling stage to full blown flowering stage within a few days.

One of the biggest problems I'm currently experiencing is the fact that the soil outside seems to be too cold for seedlings to pop from seeds so therefore it's taking entirely to long to pop from the soil. So right now I'm probably a month behind those that know how to get around that here. I'm learning as I go along because I'm from Florida. In Florida one knows when to plant seeds outdoors because we know when the colder temperatures will totally be gone. Here though it's very different. If there is several days of sunshine with little to no Northerly winds, then the soil can warm up enough to pop seeds. If the wind is blowing, then I can forget it.

Yesterday I went to the hardware store to pick up some plastic. I am going to water my little planting bed tomorrow and then cover the top side with plastic along with the fishnet for protection and see if I can't heat up the bed enough to make the seeds go ahead and pop.

I'm really wanting to have some fresh Mustard Greens and Spinach and Lettuce.

Inside I am growing two tomato vines in one very large pot. I have to say that these two tomato vines has grown at an exceedingly fast rate within two rates not to mention flower and set fruit already.

The plants had doubled in size within that two week period, started flowering with me shaking the blossoms to self pollinate and then discover about four days ago very small fruits already set on the plant.

Today when I looked at them, the small fruits had already doubled in size. I am so hoping they will be tasty once they reach the size they should make and start ripening.

Of course the hours the sun shines will also start to decrease probably by the end of this month so I am hoping to have two vines loaded down with tomatoes before that occurs. What amazes me the most though is the fact the tomatoes have grown so quickly already.

I will start adding to this particular blog post every Tuesday till the garden is covered again in snow as well as giving a weekly account of my two tomato vines. We will be renovating our house soon and one of the things that will get added is some additional windows and I am very excited about that because that means I can have additional space for growing indoor tomato plants and also a chance to test a theory on whether I can grow bell peppers indoors as well. I am encouraged so far by what has happened with the tomato vines. Lets just hope the fruits stay on the vine and not rot but do what they are supposed to do.

July 2nd, 2014

Today I went out to check on the garden bed and I finally see some seedlings popping their new seedling leaves from below.

I am so excited because once they start getting a good growth on them, it won't be long and we will be eating from the small garden.

I also took some new photographs of the two tomato vines today as well. More new fruit and some new flowers.

I am a little concerned that I only see two more flushes of flowers that will come soon.

The whole bottom half of the plant has no flowers or fruit.

I really hope this is not a bad sign to say this is all that the plant will grow. I need to pick up some

Update coming soon. Hope you liked the photographs.

Oh I wanted to add a couple of extra photographs not related to the gardening part because I think they are awesome and I wanted to just share.

Colors and nature go hand in hand. Everywhere there is colors, some brighter than others. I think blossoms are the most unique thing that comes from nature other than specific land masses like icebergs and ice caps.

2014-06-30T19:50:00.000-04:00

Whale Meat Stew

Note: Whale meat is used to feed the indigenous people and it is a way of life here. Do not post anything negative on here. If you don't like what you have read, then turn away.

Ingredients

1 - 1 1/2 pounds of Whale Meat

3 - 4 large potatoes (peeled and cut into medium sized squares)

3 - 4 large carrots (peeled and sliced )

1 medium onion (peeled and sliced)
2 shallots (peeled and sliced

1 cup sweet peas
1 cup green beans
1 cup corn

1 jar of sliced mushrooms
12 cups beef broth
Garlic seasoning
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter

Cut whale meat in medium sized pieces. Season whale meat with garlic seasoning and then flour lightly.

Braise cut up meat on both sides till lightly browned. Remove from pan.

Saute mushrooms, onion, shallots till onions are slightly translucent.

Pour a small amount of Sherry into the pan to deglaze. Pour all of the beef broth into the pot. Bring to boil. Add the Whale meat and carrots and potatoes to the broth. Bring back to boil. Turn down to medium heat and cook for about 30 minutes. Add all of the rest of the vegetables into the pot and continue to cook on a lower heat until the stew has thickened.

Once thickened serve in bowls with garlic bread or some other bread. My husband said it was tasty but different too. It was my first time making stew to begin with so it will probably take more than once to get it right.

Chicken Breast Bacon House Salad

2014-06-14T22:39:00.001-04:00

This is what I'm talking about!

I like to make a salad that has become a favorite of my heart light. He really enjoys it and we have shared it with a couple of our friends. It has become a favorite of theirs as well. I started making it based on a salad that I loved buying from Zaxby's. You could go and buy one of their chicken strip house salads with any dressings that you wanted along with any extra's that you might want. Being there is no such restaurant that even comes close to that I started creating my own based on theirs. I have since changed a couple of things and added a couple of additional ingredients. Sometimes I don't have access to an ingredient and have to compromise by either doing without it or exchanging it for something else.
So my recipe is based on what I put in it myself and how I make it is my own recipe. Getting salad dressings that I like here is extremely hard so I use mayo because it really makes the salad pop!

Chicken Breast-Bacon Pecan House Salad (Feeds up to 4 people)
1lb Boneless Chicken Breast
8 slices of Bacon
1 Head of Iceberg lettuce
1 ½ Dozen Cherry Tomatoes
2 Carrots
½ Red Bell Pepper
1 Shallots and/or small Onion
2 Boiled Eggs
1 ½ cup Shredded Cheddar or Havarti Cheese
1/3 cup chopped pecans
5 Tbsp Mayo or to taste
Butter and/or Olive Oil
Flour
Coarse Ground Garlic Salt
Croutons

Thaw out boneless chicken breast, rinse and pat dry with paper towel. Season with coarsely ground garlic salt and let it come to room temperature. Should take about 15 minutes.

Flour chicken breast next. Melt butter in a medium sized fry pan and place chicken breast in fry pan. (Or use Olive Oil)

Brown chicken breast on both sides making sure that it is cooked through before taking from fry pan. Let cooked chicken breast rest on paper towels.

Cook Bacon in medium sized fry pan till crispy but do NOT burn it. Drain on paper towel. Boil eggs and then cool under running cold water. Peel eggs and set aside.

Take iceberg lettuce from plastic covering and remove the stem heart from the head of lettuce. DO NOT cut with knife to remove. Do it by hand. After stem heart is removed, place iceberg lettuce in a colander and allow cold water to run over it for a few minutes and then remove and drain.

After it has drained, by hand pull the lettuce apart tearing the leaves by hand to the size for salad that makes it easy to eat. Place in a large boil.

Rinse cherry tomatoes under cool water and remove. Slice tomatoes in half. Put in bowl with lettuce. Clean two carrots and then slice them thinly and put with lettuce as well. Pour pecans in the bowl.

Slice a shallot or a very small onion into very thin slices and put in bowl.

Cut bell pepper in ½ and clean one side of it and thinly slice and put in bowl.

Peel eggs and then slice them and place in bowl.

Take two large spoons and gently mix all the ingredients so far together.

Take the flat side of a knife and crunch up the bacon and pour into bowl. Mix again with spoons.

Add mayo to taste. Gently blend in the mayo.

Shred a small amount of Chedder cheese to use as a topping.

Slice chicken breast in thin slices. Place slices on a small place for serving. Place a bowl of croutons on table for serving as well.

Serve salad with breast and enjoy!
(I used to work in a restaurant and there was a cook that worked there and he knew everything or seemed like he did and he told me that the reason lettuce gets brown edges on it is because it was cut with a knife. Metal causes a reaction apparently with the leaves and I believe he is right on that. He told me to always run it under cold water and then let it drain and then pull apart to the size needed for salad. The cold water seems to keep the lettuce plump and lively while waiting to be eaten. I always do this with my lettuce and it never turns brown it is always crunchy and tasty.

Erika's Crafts Corner: Link-Yourself Monday #24

2014-05-29T13:53:00.001-04:00

http://kimiikins.blogspot.com/

Colors - Potential for Creativity

2014-05-27T00:34:00.001-04:00

Colors - Potential for More Creativity

I have finally finished my mandala by crocheting one. The paintings below that I briefly wrote about gave me the inspiration along with the designer who created the star portion of this mandala.

I ended up changing the second part of the pattern because I had a strong desire to modify it and put my own interpretation into it. So here it is. I hope that it will give someone some enjoyment as much as it did while I was creating it. I have to mention who is the designer of the star portion of the mandala due to it having been her creation and copyright laws that exist. So as far as the pattern is concerned, the star part of this pattern came from her pattern called "Starflower Mandala" which you can find at the following web address. Starflower Mandala

The rest of the pattern is my own creation and I did not take the time to write it as I was creating it. The stitches came based on how I was feeling at that moment and there was times where I would rip parts out and try something different. There will be no written pattern for the rest of the mandala. Sorry about that.

The paintings below helped to give me some ideas with the colors. Of course not all of the colors in some of them were used in the mandala but some were. I love colors so much. Makes life more enjoyable.

When I was younger and my aunt introduced me to both crocheting and growing plants. The very first plant she introduced me to was a cutting from her Coleus plant. The plant has bright vivid colors and some of the other ones had deeper colors as well.

As I grew older I discovered more and more plants that displayed colors and before I knew it I had many plants. By the time I reached adulthood I had become knowledgeable about plants and started surrounding myself with plants of many textures and colors. Sometimes I wish I could display the colors in my mind onto some kind of canvas but of course it stays locked up inside my mind.

Since I have been living in Greenland for the past three years I have developed a strong desire to work with brighter colors when it comes to
potential crochet projects.

When I was younger I didn't give it much thought being I had surrounded myself with flowers and plants that had colors all to themselves and I so love what mother nature throws at us when it comes to plants and flowers.

Being I live in Greenland now, there isn't so much relating to colorful fauna year around. Most of the colors happen between June - September.

So having written that, I have taken to noticing more colors in things like artwork and well whatever else that might catch my eyes at the that given time.

So while my husband had taken me on a short tour of his employer Royal Greenland I had a chance to take some photographs of some of the artwork on display in the offices.

I love how the artist used bright colors in the paintings.

I will have to make sure my daughter Lynnette (the artist in our family) sees these paintings. I think she might enjoy them. I thought the paintings were also cute in light of the little text writings added to some of them about who is eating who. :)

I think the usage of colors makes the paintings even more fun to look at.

This is the center part of the mandala that is actually the Starflower Mandala pattern. Thanks to Zooty for sharing her patterns too.

Crochet Crazy Link Along

2013-10-01T15:14:00.003-04:00

Tuesday – September 24, 2013

Day 21 of Fall Trip 2013 (Munkebo, Denmark)

Day 17 of Sailing trip – currently in Dry dock with the Qaqqatisiaq

Day 6 in Dry Dock at Lindo Shipyard – Monkebo, Denmark)

https://www.stok.dk/

Tuesday we were invited to attend a tour of a company "Stok Emballage" that Royal Greenland uses to wrap the product they produce after it has been boxed or packaged so that it can be shipped without incident.

This is the old equipment that had been being used on the Qaqqatsiaq. It is time for a replacement.

The tour guide gave us a little bit of a speech with video to go with it but of course it was all in Danish so I didn't get much out of it. After the speech he took us on a tour of the facility.

This is the more updated equipment that probably will replace the old one.

On a secondary note, I couldn't help but take photo's of some of the artwork on display around this business along with some very nice looking indoor plant life. Here is a sample of one in fact.

After that we all went to a local Go Cart facility "Odense Kart Hall" in Odense, Denmark to have some fun with Go Carts. The kart slogan is: "Give your boss the rear!" LOL

http://www.gokart-hal.dk/english.html

This is the first time I have ever been in a Go Cart and I have to say I was a bit apprehensive because I did not know what to expect.

We got to race each other in four different heats in which we would change car numbers as well.

My husband Nikolaj getting ready to whoop some butt! LOL

I noticed that it became quite competitive between some of them but it was all in great fun. We all had a good time.

Once it was all over, the top three was rewarded with medals.

ZOOM ZOOM!!!

I thought that was very cool and it sure did make the winners smile big time.

Afterward we drove to an Italian Pizzeria called Mamma's Pizzeria. (http://www.mammas.dk/Menukort.html)

What a nice restaurant too. There was twelve of us eating and they did not seem to have any trouble getting us into a table and the service was good along with the food.

Nikolaj had the following for his dinner:

1^st course consisted of:

Scampi Fritti: Butter Fried prawns flambeed in cognac. Easy tomato sauce and garlic. Served w / baguette and butter

2^nd course consisted of:

Spaghetti agli Scampi: Spaghetti with prawns, cherry tomatoes, parsley, white wine, olive oil, chilli and garlic.

I had:

1^st course consisted of:

Scampi Fritti: Butter Fried prawns flambéed in cognac. Easy tomato sauce and garlic. Served w / baguette and butter

2^nd course consisted of:

Penne San Francisco: Best-selling pasta dish with large tender pieces of veal, chicken, roasted mushrooms, tomato / cream sauce and basil.

A couple of the other crew members had the Carpaccio di Bresaola for their first course part of the meal followed by two different kinds of pizza's.

Course one:

Carpaccio di Bresaola: Thinly sliced air-dried beef topside w / rocket salad and fresh Parmesan flakes. Serve with baguette and butter.

After we finished eating, then Peder (company spokesman) took us to another place for a liter of beer for each person called Bryggeriet FlakiLaven.

http://bryggeriet.dk/eng

I didn't have any beer. The beer the rest had was brewed from some type of berry as well. It was quite a dark colored beer too. The entire business had brightly painted walls, artwork strategically placed in the right places as well as the ability to view their brewing facility as well.

I don't really care to drink it so I had a vodka/orange juice mixed drink instead. This business brews its own beer and has the brewing equipment and ingredients right on premises.

I took a couple of photo's of some artwork that was also on display in this place of business as well. ;)

Don't forget to go to my photograph site to view more of my photo's.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kdojoelsen326

Scarves

2013-04-05T20:26:00.001-04:00

A while back a friend of my husbands mom had seen a couple of my scarves in a local shop and wanted me to crochet her four scarves of different colors. I could choose the patterns and we had agreed upon a set price. I was very thrilled about this project because I could earn some money so that I could buy more yarn to add to my stash along with maybe buying a few skeins of yarn that is not of the usual kind.

This first scarf I used a crochet stitch called the crazy stitch. The stitch is very easy and once a couple of rows are done, there isn't much counting required and easily done while multitasking like watching TV or listening to music at the same time. I used a picot stitch for the outside border.

Begin with a chain, in multiples of three, plus one extra. So I chained 16 + 1.

Chain 17, 3 double crochet in fourth chain from hook.

Skip next three stitches. *Single Crochet in next stitch, Chain three, three double crochet in same stitch.*

Skip next three stitches and repeat from * to *

Continue till desired length. Do not fasten off. Single crochet around all four sides of the scarf.

I used a simple stitch style for the second scarf. I rotated between a double crochet and single crochet. It makes for a nice pattern with the scarf. I used the picot stitch for the scarf border.

I used a cable stitch for the third scarf. This has been the first time I have attempted such a stitch and I have to say it was a bit challenging to begin with but once I understood how it works after a few rows than it was just a matter of my making sure I had the correct amount of stitches on each row so that when it came to the cable part it could be created. It took me a little bit longer to do this scarf but the results came out rather good.

The forth scarf is a combination of the crazy stitch, reverse single crochet and picot stitch.

Down below are some photo's of more scarf's I have done in the past six months. I will add information about them at a later time.

I will add more about this venture at a later date. I hope you like the scarves. I am on a mission to make different ones in order to show how they vary and maybe I can figure out which ones would be a big hit for selling so that I can pay my way through my hobby. Ya know how it is, wanting more yarn to be more creative then I am.

2012-11-07T03:19:00.001-05:00

A perfect visit to "Color me Mine"

Today Kriston took me to a place in Hanford called "Color me Mine." the shop is a paint it yourself ceramic studio. For one studio fee, it covers paints, glazing and firing. The studio fee is good for the whole day and for as many pieces as one would like to paint. Of course there is also the cost of the piece in question that will be painted.

so Kriston picked a tall coffee cup and I ended up picking out a cookie jar. I just couldn't resist it because of the style and how much space on it I could paint on. ;)

I really enjoyed painting today especially with sharing it with my youngest daughter the joy of painting. She had already discovered the shop due to somebody buying her a birthday studio gift from the shop.

So it was quite nice sitting down and painting together. I have to say it reminded me of how much it used to soothe me because it sure did soothe me today. Very relaxing. :)

This is the website for this company: www.hanford.colormemine.com

The company can also be found on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ColorMeMineHanford?fref=ts