Sock Therapy for a Dreary Day

by artemisnorth | Jan 20, 2017 | 0 comments

Hey there! Have you ever felt something so heavy on your heart that you just feel out of sync with everything? Like you're wrapped up in a warm alpaca blanket of anxiety? That's been me for the past few days. I'm pretty sure I'm doing the right thing, but parenting can be tough – no sugarcoating it. To all the new parents out there with your little ones safely in your arms, just know that kids do grow up and become adults. But don't worry, I won't go into details; no need to scare anyone!

I've noticed that rainy days seem to go hand in hand with a heavy heart. As I'm tidying up, my mind wanders and frets. But you know what helps? Socks! I've got this lovely little ball of wool that's just waiting to be turned into a pair of socks. It's been a while since I've tackled socks – specifically, two-at-a-time, magic loop, toe-up socks. My "arch" enemy (yes, pun intended).

Years back, I picked up a book by Mary Ann Beatty called "Crazy Toes and Heels by Queen Kahuna." It's an amazing, detailed guide on sock-making, and Mary Ann even helped me turn my first heel via an email group – a huge thanks to her! This book is like my sock-making bible, and I'd recommend it to any sock knitting newbie. It's a great way to learn and even design your own socks.

A little side note: I tried finding Ms. Beatty online recently but had no luck. So, if you come across her book, consider it a lucky find. And if you happen to find her online, do let me know!

Starting with the toes: I'm using a technique from the book called the "Fan Toe." It's a favourite of mine.

Notice the marker on the right has a silver bead but the one beside it has a dark blue bead? This silver bead marks the beginning of a round. Very helpful.

I had already knit and frogged out three other single toes before I remembered what I liked. That was when the MAGIC LOOP, TWO AT A TIME, TOE UP! challenge was accepted. (Yes...I talk to myself). This was also when I realized I couldn't find my stitch markers. MY fabulous homemade markers. (yes...sarcasm is alive) What to do?

Thankfully I keep EVERYTHING crafty. I Grab my jewellery making cookie tin and look inside. YES! I have the tools. Okay so a little side tracked but it only took a few minutes to whip up eight stitch markers. One stitch marker is made by using an earring "dangle thing holder", a few beads and a pair of needle nose pliers. Yes, they do catch a bit on wool but I will fix that later with a bit of solder.

No more excuses here we go. ARRGHHH!! My toes have kitty cat ears! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! It's happening again... and again. Well, what the heck? There is a heel to turn somewhere ahead and who wouldn't want kitty cat ears on their toes?

This is as far as I've knit, almost to the start of the gusset. You may have already guessed....the point isn't the socks.

Every stitch I knit helps frog stitches from that Anxiety blanket. Every stitch I've ripped has been fraught with turmoil and doubt but then re-stitched with more and more confidence. Knitting, or whatever your passion, doesn't allow you to hide from your worries. In fact the opposite is true. It takes you out of your head so that you can see a clear picture of the whole situation. And hey? Who doesn't need beautiful socks with kitty cat ears?

Until next time friends...

Little Red Mitten: I Think I’ve Come Home

by artemisnorth | Jan 15, 2017 | 0 comments

Hey everyone! I had such a fun day! One of my good friends convinced me to join a knitting circle, and I'm so glad she did. Now, I'm usually not the biggest social butterfly, but I've been curious about this shop ever since we took our grandsons to St. Thomas (Ontario) three years ago to see that huge statue of Jumbo the circus elephant. What a memorable trip that was!

I looked across the street and saw the sweetest old house turned into a yarn shop, Little Red Mitten. It’s what I picture The Shop on Blossom Street (by Debbie Macomber) would look like. So I tucked it away to explore another day.

BTW aren’t my Grandsons ADORABLE? We had so much fun that day, touring around and enjoying new playgrounds.

I have to tell you I was not disappointed. From the moment we pulled into the ample parking lot I started to feel excited. It’s not often that I go to a yarn shop that carries all the soft, colourful yarns that you just don’t find at Len’s Mills, Micheal’s or Walmart. I could picture sitting out on the front porch on a sunny spring day working with these fabulous fibers.

I’d also like to point out that they are Accessible. You would have a hard time moving around the whole shop in a wheel chair but these ladies were so friendly and helpful that I’m sure they would help you find what you are looking for and more.

So, I open the front door and there it is!! Colours and textures beautifully displayed. Honestly you just can’t control yourself, you have to TOUCH THEM! And this was just the first room. This shop is room after room of well organized rainbows of fiber. Talk about overload! I was in heaven. Walking around touching each different fiber made me feel as giddy as a small child at a petting zoo. There was Alpaca, Camel, Llama, Yak and yet no Angora?

I discovered something new today about luxury yarn. Did you know that The Little Red Mitten doesn't carry Angora yarn due to the unethical ways it's often harvested? I was totally unaware! In my mind, I always imagined bunnies being gently brushed, but that's not always the case.

I have to say, I got so caught up in the experience that I completely forgot to take photos. If you're curious, I highly recommend visiting the shop or exploring a local yarn shop near you!

The back of the shop was where the magic happened – a cozy group of ladies knitting and chatting around a table. I was a bit shy at first, but my friend introduced me and, to my surprise, I felt right at home. No cold vibes like I've felt in other places, just a shared love for FIBER. It was like finding my tribe!

We spent the next three hours knitting, talking, and exploring various yarns. I even learned a new casting-on technique and was amazed by the incredible talent of these ladies. Then, another surprise – I met the shop's owner, Joan. She's created a colorful haven for fiber enthusiasts like me. Thank you, Joan!

Little Red Mitten has classes and knitting circles several times a week, and the staff there are just as passionate and helpful as can be. If you want to know more, definitely check them out.

And for those of you on the hunt for your own little piece of Blossom Street, keep looking. It's out there. I think I may have just found mine!

Until next time friends...

Battling Depression? Five Tips for Life.

by artemisnorth | Jan 11, 2017 | 0 comments

Hey there! I usually keep my personal thoughts to myself on my blog, preferring to focus on life's adventures outside my own head. But today, I want to share some insights I've gained over the years, especially as someone who battles depression. Here's what I've learned:

So, there you have it – a little peek into my world and the lessons I've learned along the way. Remember, life's a journey, and we're all figuring it out one step at a time.

Trust your gut when meeting new people. Sometimes, we sense a warning about someone but brush it off. Listen to that inner voice – it's often right.
Cherish a few close friends over a long list of acquaintances. True friends are worth their weight in gold, especially when dealing with depression.
Kindness is key. It doesn't mean you have to be a doormat. Just take a moment to think before you speak or act. It makes a world of difference.
Check your expectations in relationships. We all have different backgrounds and values, so it's essential to be mindful of that. Celebrate the moments when someone exceeds your expectations, and don't sweat the small stuff.
You reap what you sow. If you're feeling down, try smiling at people you meet. It might just brighten both your days. And remember, if something's making you unhappy, take steps to change it or find ways to live with it.

So, there you have it – a little peek into my world and the lessons I've learned along the way. Remember, life's a journey, and we're all figuring it out one step at a time

Until next time friends...

Let’s Make a Pad to Help Move that Heavy Mixer

by artemisnorth | Jan 10, 2017 | 0 comments

I absolutely adore my Kitchen Aid mixer, but let's be real – it's a bit of a heavyweight. So, I came up with a nifty and affordable solution: a homemade sliding mat for the mixer. It's super easy to make, and you can whip up a couple in no time – handy for when they need a wash!

I used a bandana from the dollar store and some old quilt batting for mine. The bandana was just what I had lying around, but you can use any fabric you like. Same goes for the batting – an old t-shirt, towel, or a piece of blanket would work just as well. It's all about being resourceful, just like my Mom used to say, "Necessity is the mother of invention."

I didn't take photos when I made mine, but don't worry, it's really simple:

Fold the edges of the bandana about a quarter inch and iron them down.
Fold the bandana in half and give it another press, making sure the edges line up nicely.
Cut the batting a quarter inch smaller than the folded bandana.
Sandwich the batting inside the bandana and pin the edges ready for sewing.
Sew along all four edges, getting as close to the edge as you can.
Finally, add some quilting stitches – I hand sewed around the basic shapes, but feel free to get creative with circles, letters, or random patterns.

And there you have it, your very own mixer mat!

As you can tell my mat is well used. It gets tugged all over. I love it!

Tip:

I like to keep my mixer equipment together. It’s just easier and more efficient. Line the bowl with a clean tea towel so you don’t scratch it. Put your attachments and the loosely coiled cord inside the bowl and fold the towel in over it. Voila! Dust free and you know where it is.

Until next time friends...

Making Bread with Dad – Simple Bread Recipe

by artemisnorth | Jan 9, 2017 | 0 comments

Hey everyone! I've noticed that some folks are a bit hesitant about making bread, thinking it's too much effort with all that kneading and rising. But let's talk numbers – homemade bread can cost around $1.25 compared to store-bought at $3.00. Imagine the savings over a month! Every little bit counts, right?

And here's a little secret: making bread is special to me. It's like having my Dad close by, especially when I use his old antique mixing bowl. It's almost like getting a big hug from him! Dad was a master at bread-making, and I feel that tradition lives on every time I bake.

I'm excited to share with you a simple, no-knead bread recipe that's practically fail-proof, as long as you use good quality ingredients – they really are the key!

First things first, let's talk about yeast. If you've got a packet that's been sitting in your cupboard since forever, it's time to say goodbye to it. Fresh yeast is essential for great bread – it doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, just fresh. And don't skip proofing your yeast! It's better to test a small amount than to risk a whole batch of bread, right?

Now, here's something you might not have thought about: your water. Yup, that's important too! When I moved from the countryside to the city, I didn't realize how the chlorinated and fluoridated water could affect my bread. It was messing with my yeast! If you're unsure about your water quality, try leaving it out for 24 hours to help get rid of those chemicals. I always keep a couple of 2L jugs in my fridge, so I'm prepared, but it might mean a bit of planning for some. Trust me, it's worth it for that perfect loaf!

Dad's Simple White Bread

fresh loaf

A freshly baked loaf of simple bread features a crisp, golden crust and a soft, fluffy interior. Its warm, inviting aroma and homemade goodness make it the perfect comfort food. Enjoy it sliced, buttered, or as the base for your favourite sandwich.

large bowl
medium bowl
kitchen scale
measuring spoon
wooden spoon or sturdy spatula
plastic wrap
loaf pan

2 cups water (tepid, body temp)
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp yeast
1lb 2oz flour (weighed)
butter (for pans)

Plug in your kettle. Trust me you’ll see why. In the medium bowl place 1.5 cups water and 2 tsp sugar. Stir it to dissolve the sugar. Add half a cup of boiling water. The reason you don’t want to skip this step is that yeast thrives in lukewarm water. Meaning it can’t be too hot or too cold or you will kill the yeast. Sprinkle 2 tsp yeast on top and set aside for about 10 minutes. This is proofing your yeast. When it’s ready the yeast will be bubbly.
Weigh your flour and place it in the large bowl. (I made two loaves) Add the salt and whisk it a bit to fluff it up.
Once proofed add the water and yeast mixture to the flour and stir, beat, move around until it is well mixed. You will notice it’s quite sticky. Trust me… continue on. This is different from any other way I’ve made bread before.
Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm, draft free space. I like to use the oven. Set your oven to the highest heat for about one minute and then turn it off. Put your bowl in the oven. Perfect! Let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
Once you have achieved the first rise you want to release some of that air. Using your wooden spoon pull the dough from the edges of the bowl and fold it in on itself. Go all the way around the bowl until you have deflated a good portion of the air pockets.
Butter your loaf pan or whatever vessel you choose and put the dough in. In the picture above please note…. this is too full. LOL! I wasn’t paying attention but it’s a good lesson that shows you it really doesn’t have to be perfect. As you can see I made two loaves. Because the dough is sticky it’s tricky to split the batch so just do your best. Sometimes I add a little more flour to the mix so that the second rising won’t spill over the edge of the pan.
Preheat the oven to 425 degree F. and place the bread somewhere close by. Let rise for about 30 minutes.
Once it has risen place it in the oven for 15 minutes.
At the 15 minute mark turn the heat down to 375 degree F. and continue cooking for 17 minutes.

Always Weigh Your Flour.

I hope you noticed that I listed the flour by weight. It’s important to note that weighing your flour gives you a much better product. Flour tends to settle and compact somewhat during shipping and handling so it’s hard to say what volume of flour is in a cup. AND once you feel comfortable with this recipe you can play around with different flours as long as you have the correct weight. I like to grind Roger’s Porridge blend in my food processor to create a flour. It’s tasty and I know it’s healthier than white flour.

As you can see it’s not perfect. LOL!! Not sure what happened…. I was probably paying too much attention to my camera and not enough to the bread. Oh well. The Run-over was yummy when I cut it off and buttered it. Nice and crispy! Sometimes it comes out as planned and sometimes it doesn’t. Either way it’s still yummy!

Let the bread completely cool before bagging it. I usually make two loaves. I leave one bagged loaf out on the counter and put the other one in the freezer. Easy as can be. I hope you enjoy making this bread.

Until next time friends...

Make Your Own Citrus Marmalade! Recipe

by artemisnorth | Jan 7, 2017 | 0 comments

Hey everyone, Happy New Year! I really hope you all had a fantastic holiday season. Mine was absolutely wonderful – it felt like a classic, old-fashioned Christmas. I decided to go with handmade gifts this year, which was a bit nerve-wracking at first. I kept wondering if everyone would like them. But guess what? My worries were totally unnecessary – everyone adored their presents. Phew, crisis averted, haha!

Oh, and guess what happened early this year? A friend dropped by with a fruit basket! I absolutely love fruit, but I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to finish it all before it went bad. So, what to do? Then it hit me – Marmalade! Yes!

Just a heads up, I'm a fan of slightly bitter marmalade. I guess that's the Brit in me, thanks to my Grandmother. She got me hooked on so many British delights – currant jam, Earl Grey tea, black currant Earl Grey tea, marmalade… the list goes on. I could keep talking about it, but I don't want to bore you!

As you can see in the picture, my oranges are a mix and not exactly picture-perfect, but then again, what is? I'm using three navel oranges, one tangerine, and three clementines. Plus, I had this gorgeous lime and thought, why not include it? (So glad I did!) I'm excited to show you that making marmalade is easier than you might think.

Citrus Marmalade

marmalade

This citrus marmalade recipe is a delightful blend of oranges, lemons, and limes, creating a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. Easy to make, this homemade marmalade is ideal for spreading on toast, pairing with cheese, or as a flavorful glaze. Enjoy the fresh, zesty taste of citrus in every jar!

large pot
large spoon
Enough sealing jars to hold your marmalade
Candy thermometer
A large canning pot to process your jars
Ladle
Canning funnel
Tongs for handling your very hot jars

1 piece Citrus (orange, lemon or lime.
1 tbsp water
1/2 cup sugar

Wash your fruit and process it however you choose. As I said I cut mine into chunks and use a food processor.
In a large pot combine your fruit, water and sugar.
Put the pot on a medium heat. Keep your eye on it. Once it starts to bubble reduce heat to medium low and stir frequently. Continue to simmer until the temperature reaches 220 degree F.
While your marmalade is simmering bring your water to a boil in the canning pot to sterilize your jars. You don’t have to use mason jars. I keep jars from jams, pickles and pasta sauces because they work well for canning.
Process your jars and lids for at least five minutes. You want them sterilized and hot! Remove from the pot with your tongs. BE CAREFUL! It’s easy to burn yourself. Set them up-side down on a clean tea towel to dry. Do the same with the lids.
Once your marmalade reaches 220 degree F ladle the hot mixture CAREFULLY into your jars leaving about a quarter inch space at the top. With a damp cloth clean the tops of the jars to make sure you’ll have a good seal. Twist the lids on loosely. By this I mean twist them finger tight. Don’t over do it.
Return the jars to the boiling water by setting them in upside-down. Process for 10 minutes
Carefully remove the jars and set them right side up on a tea towel and allow to cool for several hours. You will hear a POP when they cool enough to pull the centre of the lid down to create the seal. I love that sound!

How you cut your fruit determines the flavor:

cutting up the whole fruit and processing in a food processor will give you a bitter marmalade.
cutting the zest thinly from the fruit and discarding the pith will give you a sweeter marmalade.

Many people like to process their fruit in as many different ways. Some will use a mandolin and carefully slice it paper thin. I prefer simple methods. I cut mine into chunks and process it in a food processor. Easy and fast! So it’s entirely up to you how you slice them. I should mention at this point that you should wash your produce well before you start.

Breakfast

That wasn't too hard! Now you have the ratios to make marmalade with any citrus fruit!

Until next time friends...