Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly

Bread baking

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I don’t get nearly enough time for baking bread these days, I can’t wait to get back to baking instead of buying again. The very cool and wintery conditions here have me pining for baking (and eating) hot bread again so I thought I’d try some online recipes.

First up was the essential winter indulgence, raisin bread. I used a recipe from here. I made a few modifications. The recipe says for two loaves, however there was only enough dough for one loaf. The result: a nice tasting loaf but very crumbly (you can see it falling apart a little after being cut). The children like it though, and we all had raisin toast for breakfast. Very nice!

Now here is something I’ve never tried – Challah, a traditional Jewish bread. This one is good if you have surplus eggs, as I do at the moment. Mine turned out a little less attractive than some, but you have to love that shine on the crust! The recipe was from here  and was very nice when eaten warm – moist and sweet. Unfortunately it’s a bit of a write off today, but still ok for toast.

Getting organised

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I’ve been reading “Survival for busy women” by Emilie Barnes after having it recommended to me several times. I’m finding it great – just the kick in the pants I needed to start tackling the organisation of our home. I’m hoping that this time the systems I put in place will carry on and run with maintenance, rather than the usual “oh no – the house is a disaster zone again!!!”
I spent about 2 hours sorting through and throwing out paperwork. 4 shopping bags of rubbish later – I’m done! And boy, do I feel like a burden has been lifted! I was entirely ruthless about throwing things out and I feel liberated!
This morning I went out and (finally) bought a much needed bookshelf – it’s massive, and it’s going to make a HUGE difference.
Emilie also talks about the 15 minute method. Breaking big tasks into small time slots to make them achievable. Maybe if you’re drowning in clutter you could give this a try?
I’m half way through the book, I wonder what the next half will bring.

Rosary repair service

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I’ve been trying to come up with more ways to contribute to our family income using the skills I already have. 
I’ve repaired and made our own rosary beads countless times over the years and can do the same for anyone requiring this service. I’ve also taken some jewellery classes so your beads are safe with me!
I’ll leave this picture on the side bar as a reminder.

A fruitful week

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It’s been great having a break and re focusing on the things I need to re focus on. Being away from the computer has given me more time to sew, embroider, homeschool, organise the house – I could go on. I’ve decided to restrict my computer time and prioritise.
I was going through my fabric trying to decide what to do with the smaller pieces of knit and thought it was high time I did some sewing for the little one. 

The top is an Antonia and I used an old Burda pattern for the pants. A very cheap outfit too – the blue panne velvet for the pants was a freebie from someone who didn’t want it, the sleeves are from a swap with Gilly and the rest were Crafty Mamas fabrics I had left over.
Cute and comfy!

Avocado

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Image from here
It’s avocado time here, are you lucky enough to have your own tree? I can’t imagine ever being tired of eating these, but perhaps a glut from a laden tree would change my mind. Hmm, on second thoughts, probably not!
As you probably know, avocados don’t like exposure to air and brown quickly. Through experimentation I’ve found an excellent way to store a cut avocado. Plastic wrap (glad wrap) works ok when storing in the fridge, but the best thing to do is this:
 Cut your avocado in two halves. Use the stoneless piece first, leaving the stone in the other half. Keep the skin of the half that you have dug the flesh out of to use and simply sit it back on top of the half with the stone like a lid, pop it in the fridge and it will keep beautifully!

Taking a break….

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I’m imposing a computer ban on myself except for email and study purposes. I’m finding that I spend more and more time doing nothing in particular on the internet and end up feeling sapped.
I won’t be away too long – see you soon!

Home made pasta

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Home made pasta is superb and surprisingly easy to make. It is time consuming but worth it!

Serves 4 – 5
500 grams fine pasta flour (also known as “tipo 00”)
5 large eggs (free range are best)

Place flour in a bowl and make a well in the middle, crack your eggs into the hole.
Start to whisk eggs into flour using a fork until it comes together as a firm dough. If your mix is too dry you can add another egg, but don’t let the dough become too sticky or wet.
Knead the dough until smooth and firm. Place a damp tea towel over the dough.
Cut a small piece off the dough and re-cover the rest.
Following your pasta machine instructions, roll the small piece of dough through on the largest setting (1). 
Fold flattened dough over as shown and roll through the number 1 setting again. Repeat a few times.  I dust lightly with flour so that it rolls through smoothly. Change the setting to 2 and roll through once. Keep changing the setting until you are on the flattest setting and your dough is long, thin and flat.
If your dough is really long, cut in half to make it more manageable. Dust both sides lightly with flour.
Now carefully feed your flattened dough through either the spaghetti or fettucini setting (I’m doing fettucini here). Lay the strips on your hand as they roll out rather than letting them sit on the bench.
Hang your pasta up to dry. I’m yet to discover the best way to do this, but I use a clothing rack which gives me plenty of hanging space.
When dry (usually a couple of hours, depending on the weather) collect all your pasta into a bowl or bag. Drop into a large pot of boiling, salted and oiled water and stir. Don’t leave the pot as it only takes a few minutes to cook. Keep testing until al dente, then drain.

Here’s the best part! I served my pasta with a home grown tomato and basil sauce, sprinkled with parmesan, sliced avocado and sprinkled over fresh parsley.

Delicious and healthy!

For the love of stitching

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My introduction to the vast and wonderful world of craft many moons ago was in the form of an old biscuit tin. It was a gift from my mother in law and contained a variety of embroidery threads she had used as a young woman and nurse (before she married and had 10 children!)

Since then I’ve tried many, many (too many!) crafts, but when all is said and done I find myself content with a needle and thread. Maybe it’s being able to produce something beautiful over time. Maybe it’s the combination of artistic and needle skills. Probably it’s the opportunity for a little bit of therapeutic quiet in a noisy world.

My particular interest is to produce a beautiful thread painting that I’m proud of. I came across some excellent lessons by Mary Corbet at Needle ‘N Thread which I’m starting to work through.

Have a great day, I’m off to do some stitching!

Off to the USA..

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Not me unfortunately – my dolls are much better travelled than I am. This doll is being sent with her own hand dyed silk and flannel blanket.
Her dress is a lovely soft cotton velour and she has Hilco striped leggings. Her hair is a mohair blend. This colour hair is very popular, it seems lots of little girls have similar hair.
I’m so pleased to see sun streaming in the windows, I had asked Linda in South Africa to send some sunshine over here – it must have worked.
Today is trying to reorganise my sewing table – oh boy, it’s so out of hand!! Hope you have a great weekend, see you next week.