Bunny Bunny Who Has the Bunny ~ and ~ Skillet Cake Recipe

This is the well-dressed bunny and it's going to the first child of Steve's second cousin.  He happens to be a favorite of ours and it's been a pleasure watching him mature into a wonderful young man and meet and marry the woman of his dreams.  What a lucky baby this is.

It's not often that I have the occasion to knit for a baby and after giving it some thought I decided on knitting a baby blanket.  I reasoned what better way to wrap a baby in love and warmth and start them off early on the path to enjoying being wrapped in wool and wearing shawls?

But when I told Steve of my plans to make a blanket he asked me instead to make a toy.  Why a toy I wanted to know?  And he told me because he remembers from his childhood that he had a small toy he loved and a handknit Christmas stocking that a neighbor made for him and his sister.  And he wanted this child to have a special toy too.  It's funny how small acts of kindness can have such a lasting impact on someone.  After all these years Steve still remembers that neighbor, the toy, and the stocking.  And so together we chose this bunny pattern ~

Particulars:  Well-Dressed Bunny designed by Fuzzy Mitten; 1 skein Lush yarn by Classic Elite Yarns (50% angora 50% wool); US 6 needles.  This toy is knit flat and a very easy pattern to follow.  It's not as big as some toys I've knit but is the perfect size for a baby.  One of the advantages of knitting a toy flat is that the pieces can be washed and blocked prior to assembly.  To get my bunny's ears to lay flat and have a softened texture I partially felted the ears using hot water, soap and vigorous agitation before attaching them.  I knit this pattern as written but did add a bunny tail with angora yarn and the dress is slightly modified and also embellished with embroidered flowers (I made the petals with a detached chain stitch with a french knot for the center).  The hat is a simple rolled brim design.  For those interested I'll put my pattern notes for making the bunny tail and hat on my Ravelry notebook page.   Other toys I've knit are a mouse, a bear, an elephant, monster, owl, and a rabbit.

Apple Skillet Cake ~ or ~ Cherry Skillet Cake

I don't know if I should be flattered or offended.  Steve raved so much about this cake you would think he never had a nice piece of cake before.  This is the King Arthur Flour Apple Skillet Cake but with a number of modifications so rather than confuse you I've written it out below with my changes.  The original recipe is very highly rated and you might want to just use that.  But mine is a smidgen healthier (e.g. substituting canola oil for butter) and paradoxically a little less healthy (e.g. substituting brandy for apple cider) and has a few other small changes and it came out beautifully.

Apple Skillet Cake (or Cherry Skillet Cake)

Apple Mixture
4 or 5 apples (3 granny smith apples and 2 golden delicious) pealed and thinly sliced
1/3 cup organic dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons brandy
1/4  teaspoon nutmeg
1/4  teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 (scant) salt

Cherry Mixture
4 cups tart pitted cherries (I use 2 large jars of Trader Joe's Dark Morello Cherries in light syrup - drained)
1 1/3 cups sugar (if using unsweetened tart cherries) or 1/2 cup sugar if using drained sweetened cherries
2 1/2 Tablespoons tapioca
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tablespoon sweet butter (crumbled over the top of cherries - just before putting into the oven).

Cake Batter (use the same cake batter regardless which topping you use)
1 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour
3/4 cup white granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup warm milk (whole milk)
1 large egg
6 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:
1.  Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Prepare 9" x 4" cast-iron skillet (butter and flour (or use granulated sugar))
3.  Combine apple mixture and set aside.
4.  Combine dry ingredients and set aside.  Mix wet ingredients and then stir (using wooden spoon) into dry ingredients until combined.  Pour into prepared skillet.
5.  Spoon the apple mixture (or cherry mixture) over the batter distributing the apples a little more heavily toward the edge of the pan and add all the liquid (brandy, etc.) as that will settle into the bottom of the pan and caramelize.  If using the cherry mixture dot the top with 1/2 Tablespoon sweet butter.
6.  Bake 1 hour or until apples are browned and cake tester come away clean.  I baked my cake an extra 10 minute (a total of 70 minutes).

Garnish cake with powdered sugar and serve slightly warm with ice cream or yogurt ~

The MisAdventures of Simcha  ~

G that went better than expected.  I kinda thought he might ask for a paternity test.

Until next time be well and love well and may you enjoy this holiday season with friends and family ~ and good cheer!  We'll be away a lot over the holidays but I hope to have some time for knitting.

A Baby Sweater ~

When Hilary (The Yarniad) announced she was having her first baby I was so happy for her I just had to knit the baby a sweater.  And in the process of knitting the sweater I thought about the things that I was given as a child that I have kept through the years. 

I thought about some of the toys, but mainly I thought about the gift that my mother received that had the following poem written inside the card:

To welcome the wee cherub sent from heaven to you ~
may angels stand guard over Claudia Jean Bugh*.
With a heart sweet and pure from the good Lord above ~
she enters your home to be loved and to love.
Her hours are all yours to guide day by day ~
he's lent her to you ~ keep her close in his way.
Heavens minus an angel, she's down here with you ~
your own little daughter ~ Claudia Bugh.   By Fay Angus 

         * Name pronounced phonetically as "Bew."

I'm no angel but perhaps I'm better than I would have been but for the prayers of some wonderfully caring people.  Not all babies are so fortunate to have the support and welcome of an extended community but all deserve that and more.  It is with a warm heart that I welcome Hilary's baby and hope that he may always know that many care about his well being.

But you want to hear about the sweater.  Isn't it cute?  Now I know it's not a traditional style for a baby but I just love the bright colors!  And think how handy this will be for watching the toddler.  Hilary will be able to pick her baby out of a crowd with no difficulty at all.  Practical.  That's me.

The buttons are vintage Le Chic that came from a pound of buttons that I purchased in a destash sale on Etsy by Lil Fish Extras.  Pictured below are just some of the many other buttons included in that pound along with a clever broach made using buttons, felt and crafting wire.  It's amazing how many cute ways something as common as old buttons can be used in crafts and if you are not already familiar with Lil Fish Studios you will find many project ideas on her blog for buttons and beyond that are sure to inspire you!

Particulars: Classy Baby Jacket (a Morehouse Farm kit); US5 and US6 needles; 3 skeins Morehouse Merino 3-strand worsted yarn.  I found this to be a straight forward pattern and easy to knit project.  I used US 5 needles for all trim (areas knit in orange) and US 6 needles for the body of the sweater; size 4 month to 1 year. The Grumperina sells a similar baby sweater but with a zipper closure called Budgie Baby Sweater that is also very cute.  I enjoy knitting with Morehouse Merino yarns which are a nice combination of sturdy and rustic but still soft and warm.  I used this yarn to knit the Lily Chapeau Hat a few years back and it has held up very well.

Updated!!!!  I was absolutely thrilled to receive some pictures of the small child wearing this sweater and I'd like to share one with you ~

I can't tell you the joy it brought to me to see him wearing his sweater!

The Misadventures of Simcha

And for those of you wondering how dear little Simcha is doing..... here he is busy digging a hole in the backyard.

Until next time, be well and love well and never forget that it is the gift of caring for each other that is the most precious and lasting gift of all.

Miss Elly, a Knit Toy Elephant

Life has many hurts and challenges along the way. One of the most difficult things each of us will face is the loss of a parent, regardless of whether the relationship was good or bad. I am fortunate and both my parents are still living but Steve has lost both his mother and father. When his mother died several years ago it was devastating for him and left many unanswered questions. No matter what age you are when you lose a parent, the sense of loss is profound.

But perhaps a little more so when you are young. After a long battle with cancer Steve's dear cousin, Ellen, passed away at the too young age of 45. She left a bereaved husband and two small children, a girl age 7 and a boy age 5. What can be said of such a sad thing. Nothing material can replace a mother's love but a little pink elephant is at least something to cuddle on the difficult days. So I knit Miss Elly for the little girl to have and hug.

Stuffed animals are great companions, no matter what your age. They can join you outside on a garden bench.  Or keep you company for a cup of tea in the afternoon. As an aside, since this is a Summer in which I am exploring new teas, I'm going to suggest that you try Lady Londonderry to perk up your afternoon tea.  Lady Londonderry is a black tea with hints of strawberry and lemon and I've found that adding a dash to a pot of plain black tea makes it a little extra special.  I think you'll like it.

I now need to come up with what I'll knit for the little boy.  Some type of monster, maybe?  Any suggestions as to what  I might make for the little boy would be greatly appreciated! 

Particulars:  Elijah by Ysolda S. Teague; Stray Cat yarn in colorway Tea Rose by Wandering Cat Yarns; hand-painted yarn; super wash merino; 8 ply sport weight yarn; US 3 DPNs;  This is a well designed pattern that was a pleasure to knit. My only modification was to embroider the eyes in satin stitch rather than make french knots. If you aren't familiar with Ysolda's knitting you will enjoy her blog.  I'm certain this will not be the last pattern of hers that I knit.


You may have noticed that I knit Miss Elly a shawl, exactly like the one I made for Matilda the Mouse.  To knit a small shawl for a toy simply knit a basic triangle as follows:

CO 3 stitches
R1: K1, yo, knit to last stitch, yo, K1
R2: knit
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until desired length.  BO stitches.
Finishing: add a small button or bead as a closure.


BEWARE OF DOG  It has a yarn fetish.....

I hate to tattle.  Really I do. But this is in the way of a public service announcement. Simcha has a yarn fetish.  On several occasions Miss Elly had to be literally pried from his jaws.  He even stole Miss Elly right out from my hands while I was sitting and knitting away on her. I'm surprised that you didn't hear my yeowls of distress.  It's a miracle that Miss Elly has survived.  So be warned and approach dog with caution.  Incidentally, I understand Monika's puppy, Denny, also has a yarn fetish.  I hope it's just a passing phase. 

Until next time, be well and love well, and why not knit a toy this Summer?  Either for yourself or someone who needs a hug.

Lazy Days of Summer and Brownies

Unlike those more ambitious ones out there participating in Ravelympics 2008 (of which there are over 6,000 participating) Puff and I are enjoying a respite from our busy lives. Everyone experiences ups and downs in life. I try to enjoy the good times and ride out the tough times knowing that they too shall pass. One thing I like to do when I'm not too busy is participate in my Topanga Knitters Group. There are 4 of us "Topaganites" in this group formed through the connectivity power of Ravelry and one rather more social and computer savvy member who organized us.

It is a bit of a risk getting together with people that you don't know anything about. For that reason, our first meeting took place in a local coffee shop. Now that we know each other we rotate meeting at each of our homes (we meet every other Wednesday) and everyone brings something to nibble on. As you can see from the spread above, we enjoy our nibbling and imbibiling. Typically it's some savories and sweets along with wine and iced tea but after I missed the last couple of meetings they toasted my return with champagne! Any ole excuse, me thinks.



This week we met at Jane's house and sat outside on her deck and enjoyed the quiet shade and late afternoon sun. Jane has a beautiful rose garden and the roses pictured on the table above were cut from her rose bushes. When we leave she always cuts a rose for us to take home too. So sweet. I can only offer a weed from my "garden" of which I have plenty to give away.

Although we are a small group we are diverse both in life and knitting experience (everywhere from a new knitter to a knitwear designer) which makes for lively discussions. The topics flow from knitting to life and back to knitting again. As I noted once, collectively, around the table we have the combined experience of 200 years of living. That's a lot of knitting and life experience represented.

We always bring along our current and recently finished projects. This week one of the ladies brought a baby sweater as well as a tam, which we wisely convinced her that she needs to keep for herself, it looked so cute on (I'm talking about the tam - not the baby sweater).



For those out there who don't immediately recognize this baby sweater, it is the Baby Surprise Jacket ("BSJ") designed by Elizabeth Zimmerman. This sweater pattern is such a classic there is even a Knit Wiki article which includes background information; links to various pattern sources; and helpful techniques. By the way, Knit Wiki is a great technical resource which I have only learned about through this group (see what I mean about these ladies).

Scouting for Brownies

Brownies are particularly nice around Halloween but are enjoyable any time of year. The ones I made for our knitting group (pictured above) are from a recipe I discovered years ago in Dying For Chocolate by Diane Motts Davidson . Parenthetically, the first book in this series is Catering to Nobody . I always find it hard to figure out which is the first book in a series, so I mention it here for your convenience.

This is a series of culinary mysteries that are better than average summer reads and have quite good recipes to boot. I've read probably half a dozen or so of the books and have enjoyed them all. The protagonist is a single mother raising a son and earning her living as a caterer. Since I love cooking these books were a natural for me. I really enjoy the way she weaves stories of catering events and food preparation through her mysteries. The way she described the food - oh my - can she describe food in an appetizing way.

Here's a link to the brownie recipe "Goldy Bear's Scout's Brownies."  It's a very versatile and reliable recipe and I've made it many many times over the years. In the shot above I added fresh smashed blackberries to the top with milk chocolate chips sprinkled on top and it tastes a lot like a truffle this way.   Sometimes I'll add a cup of walnuts to the batter with semi-sweet chips sprinkled on top and at Christmas it's nice with broken candy canes sprinkled on top. I've also added an espresso flavored icing instead of chips on top and that's wonderful too.  It's really hard to go wrong and there's a million ways to enjoy it.

Have a great week everyone and I hope that you get the chance to meet some of the local knitters in your community!

Toys and Games oh my!

Starting with the toy, here's my bunny. Well, not my bunny anymore. But I did breath life into him! And now I've sent him on to fulfill his mission to love and be loved by a beautiful baby boy.

This is the Lola Bunny designed by Beth Skwarecki ( free pattern download here ) and it is the first toy I've ever knit and it won't be the last. I can say that with some certainty because I've already had a request for another one! From Steve (giggle). When he saw this little bunny finished he was so impressed and liked him so well he asked me to make one for him - or perhaps a dog or a lion. So, a big shout out to anyone who knows a great pattern for a knit dog or lion to please hook me up.

This is a good sized bunny - approximately 12 to 13 inches from the top his head to the bottom of his legs. Unfortunately I forgot to measure him before he was sent, but he's a nice size. Not too small and would work for a child of almost any age (giggle).

While I was knitting this bunny I got to thinking about children's toys and in particular the toy in the story The Steadfast Tin-Soldier. The Steadfast Tin-Soldier is a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Anderson. You are probably familiar with H.C. Anderson's more popular fairy tales such as The Princess and the Pea or The Little Mermaid but he wrote quite a few fairy tales most of which are incredibly sad - guaranteed to traumatize any child of sensitivity. Anywho, the beauty to be gleaned from the story of The Steadfast Tin-Soldier comes from revealing that no matter what our outward appearance or how we are treated in life we can still have a beautiful heart and, in the end, that's all that really matters.

Specs: Pattern Lola Bunny Love; 1 skein Schaefer Yarn - Little Lola - 100% superwash merino 280 yrds; US3 double pointed needles; finished dimensions approximately 12-13 inches. The only modification I made was to close the bum segment more rapidly to create a flatter bottom so that the bunny would sit up more easily. To do this I simply made my decreases all the way around each row rather than just once on each needle. I have to say this is a really well written pattern and was a pleasure to knit.

Bye bye Bunny.

On to Tagging Games......

Do you ever get the impression that my maturity level might be a little lagging behind my chronological age. Maybe that's why Steve and I get along so well. Hum, something to think about. Kidding aside, these games are a fun way to share a little about yourself and in turn learn a little about the bloggers that you read. I was favored with a tag by both Denise at The Knitting Den and Bridget at The Ravell'd Sleave, both of whom have really interesting things to share.

Here are the rules for this MEME:

"The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer."

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?

Practicing law and living in South Bend, Indiana in a house situationed on the St. Joseph river in the middle of a beautiful wooded area. I still miss that home and the beauty of the changing seasons.

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
Since it's late in the day this is my to-do list for tomorrow. Morning: meet a legal colleague for coffee and give him the exhibit I worked on today and then I'm off to grocery shop at Whole Foods Market. I love this market - everything is organic and tastes so much better than conventionally grown/raised food. I know they say you can't taste the difference - but I can. I know I can so don't try and convince me otherwise. As an aside, you know you are working too hard when the highlight of your week is a trip to the grocery store. Afternoon: (1) draft corporate resolutions; (2) research a tax issue; and Evening: manicure finger nails and play with Mr Puffy (not necessarily in this order).

3) Snacks I enjoy: Good for me snacks: carrot sticks dipped in hummus or wasabi peas. Bad for me snacks: Chocolates or potato chips. Unfortunately, and truthfully, I eat way more of the bad for me snacks.

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire: For myself, I would travel to all parts of the world focusing on the best beaches (my personal favorite so far is on Eleuthera Island which has incredible pink sand beaches). For others, I would fund education and medical research programs.

5) Places I have lived:

I was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, I left Santa Barbara to live in Los Angeles, California until I moved back to the Midwest to go to law school at the University of Notre Dame . After about ten years in South Bend, Indiana I moved back to California and now live in Topanga (a suburb of Los Angeles) and have for the last three years split my time between Topanga and San Clemente (a small surf town located between San Diego and Los Angeles).

6) Jobs I have had: As a teenager one of the jobs I had was selling flowers on the street corner (not a job I would recommend but the tips were good). After college I have worked as a certified public accountant and as a lawyer.

7) Bloggers I am tagging who you will enjoy getting to know better:

Jillian at Sknitty (a fellow LA girl);
Hilary at The Yarnaid (check out her beautiful Safire bolero Ravelry Link she designed it herself);
Theresa at T Does Wool (a fun new blogger);
Amanda at FancyPants Knits (she really knows how to knit that perfect fit sweater);
Marie at Knitted Gems (a knitter who knows no pattern limitations).

Have a wonderful and relaxing Memorial Day Holiday!

Some Bunny Loves Me

I have never knit anything for a baby before. So when friends of ours had a grandchild I didn't know what to make. Do I knit a hat, blanket, booties, bib, sweater? There are just so many choices. But once I saw this picture of him I knew instantly what I would knit. I have some Schaefer yarn in my stash that is an exact color match to the outfit he's wearing! It was a sign, no?

I bought this Schaefer yarn to knit a bunny toy. Below is a picture of the bunny from the pattern cover. It's manly enough for a boy baby I think. The pattern is #308, Lola Bunny Love, and it is now available for free as a pdf download on Ravelry (Ravelry link: here). Yarn: Schaefer Lola 100% merino wool superwash.

Now that that's decided......

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Here at Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog we focus mainly on tea treats. Lest you think we never eat anything else I'm starting a new category of recipes with the heading "What's For Dinner." These recipes will focus on simple and flavorful meals that are easy to make. Spring is a wonderful time of year as all the fresh spring vegetables and herbs are newly arriving and one herb I look forward to in particular is basil. One of the ways I enjoy using basil is in a pesto and here is how I make it:



Pesto Recipe:

Fresh basil
garlic
lemon juice
olive oil (Greek preferred)
walnuts (or pine nuts)
salt

Steps:

This is a very forgiving recipe. All of the ingredients are just to your personal taste. Combine all of the ingredients in a mini food processor and process until smooth. Add olive oil and/or lemon juice until the mixture is a soft spreadable consistency. Refrigerate and use within 1 or 2 days.

I love pesto and use it to garnish sauteed portobello mushrooms, grilled chicken sandwiches, broiled swordfish, hamburger patties and lots more. Last night I made burgers which I topped with pesto. This burger recipe comes from my mother.

Burger Recipe:

Approximately 1 lb. ground turkey meat (I don't use the extra lean that's a bit too dry for me)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 chopped green onions (white part only)
2 tablespoons soy sauce (Tamari preferred)
Lawry's Seasoned Salt (to taste)

Steps: Combine all ingredients and form burger patties. Place on foil lined baking pan. Broil approximately 10 minutes on each side. Serve with a dollop of fresh pesto or steamed spinach.



Lastly, where is Flo you ask? Well, my week did not play out as I had planned. But I'm feeling happier today because I've reached a decision. I'm not seaming Flo. I am not. I'm going to treat myself to having it professionally seamed. Mr Puffy and I discussed it and decided that was the only reasonable course to follow. He and I were a little giddy after the difficult week we have had and while playing with some of the pieces of Flo, he suggested that I just take it in and have someone else seam it for me. What a great idea! Tomorrow I'm dropping it off.

What would I do without him?