Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my oldest niece!
I cannot believe this gal is 5 years old. I just got confirmation that the DHL man arrived, so here's the crafty gift:

Yes, ma'am. A modified MIT hoodie. Just what every girl needs. I'm not sure when the idea struck, but I thought it would be cool to put patches on this sweatshirt. As a kid, I remember that I liked things that felt good. Textural things. Things that I could run my fingers over. Patches were pretty fun to feel.

At the craft store Monday night, I located the patch section and said outloud, "Unicorn! I need a unicorn patch." Niece #2 REALLY likes unicorns. There were no unicorn patches. Suddenly, the idea of patches was not so cool if I couldn't find a "unitorn" (as she says it). I looked again. I looked a third time. No unicorns. I spied a value pack. I tried my best to fiddle with the package to see the patches inside. Yup. There it was. The lone UNITORN! It's a pretty weird looking unicorn, but it's a unicorn!

Apparently this is gonna get a lot of love because it's pretty big - all the better because patches look best on things that are well worn. :)

Crafty!

WARNING: If you're turning 5 in a couple days, this could be a spoiler.

My niece is turning 5 on Wednesday and this auntie needed to get her act together. She's the first kid birthday of the calendar year and somehow it always sneaks up on me. Gifts were bought at lunch today and afterwards I got a cool idea. So off I was to the craft store. Everything worked out exactly to my plan. I'm so excited about this, I had to post (and to say adios to the not so attractive enchilada picture. ay!). Here's a teaser:


I can't show you the whole thing because little niecy is a reader. Let's just say that this auntie had better come up with two more cool things to do for the other 2 kid's birthdays.

Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

On some weekends, Hubby and I end up at Target and since we're there we do some grocery shopping. Staples: milk, bread, salsa, chips, mint mojito gum, lean cuisines, etc. (Yes. Those are staples.) Enough to get us by without going to the REAL grocery store. Every time we do this, the enchilada sauce calls to me. I have no idea why. I've never bought it before. Now whenever we do the groceries at Target, we have enchiladas that night.

Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

1/2 onion chopped
1 clove garlic
1 green bell pepper chopped
1/2 red bell pepper chopped
1 small zucchini chopped
18 corn tortillas (the small ones)
1 cup quinoa
2 cups veggie stock
mexican blend shredded cheese
shredded cheddar cheese
2 10oz cans enchilada sauce

Cook the quinoa in veggie stock as directed. I added some smoked paprika and ground chopotle pepper - just enough for a little flavor, but not enough to make Hubby's tender taste buds upset.

While the quinoa cooks (15 min.), saute the veggies until tender. When they were just about finished I sprinkled with at least 2 tsp of chili powder. When the quinoa is done add it to the veggies off the heat and combine.

Before starting the layering process, I steamed my corn tortillas in the microwave to soften them a bit.

Layer in 8x 10 pan:
enchilada sauce
tortillas
quinoa/veggies
a little sauce & cheese
tortillas
quinoa/veggies
a little sauce & cheese
tortillas
quinoa/veggies
the rest of sauce (don't be afraid to pour a whole can at this point. the tortillas soak up a lot)
as much cheese as you like on top

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until it's bubbling and hot through.

This is a start. I never stick to rules in the kitchen. Last time it was bulgar, not quinoa and no zucchini. Last time I rolled them up with whole grain tortillas classic enchilada style. Mix and match and work with what you got. Somewhere Rachael Ray is tearing up.

Moving on...

What's on my needles:

Now that I've officially completed a sweater that actually fits, (Remember this? I sooo abandoned this guy. He doesn't count. Rusted Root is first.) I can confidently finish the sweater for my sister.


Looking good. Clearly that's not where the pocket goes. A few more miles of stockinette and I can attach the pocket. This guy's too big for commuting, so I'll spend the next week or two's worth of evenings stitching this.

My life is a baby boom lately (other people. not me.).

• Hair stylist's baby girl due May - sweater delivered.
• College friend's baby due May - arrived April 25th. Just found out they had a girl on Friday night. Luckily I cast this on Friday morning intended for no one specifically. So it's for Baby Girl Anthony (last name, not first. Hubby cannot remember the baby's name! Who does that?!) :
  

It's Elizabeth Zimmerman's February Baby Sweater from Knitter's Almanac. This sweater is everywhere these days. Search flickr.

• Baby girl of colleague due 6/21 - nothing yet
• Baby girl of train friend due 6/21 - nothing yet
• Baby girl of colleague due 7/29 - booties done. not delivered. Plans for sweater.
  

What's with all the girls? I'm tired of pink already. I've started buying green and yellow.

Rusted Root

If you're in the vicinity of my house today, stop by and check out

the grin on my face. Here she is:

photo: Hubby McGillicutty

Pattern: Rusted Root by Rachel Iverson & Sarah Johnson

Source: Zephyrstyle
Materials: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Sedona Red (CW860)
Amount: Three skeins. Approximately 645 yards worsted weight
Needles: US7 Circular 32" Addi Turbos. US5 for ribbing
Start Date: 13 April 2007
Finish Date: 29 April 2007

I followed the pattern to a T, including using the recommended yarn and color shown (it was just too pretty to resist). I could have put in one more decrease at the waist shaping, but I think I would then have had to increase for my hips. All in all, it's still good.

I really like Cotton Fleece and I'll probably use it again. It's heavy like a cotton sweater should be, but the merino makes it soft. It's really comfy and warm, but not too warm.

The lace section is a 10 row repeat that was too much for me to memorize, but not a big deal. Very easy. I just had to make sure the pattern was with me at all times. The lace detail was nice and broke up the monotony of miles of stockinette.

I just love top down seamless. Does it get any better? No, my friends. It just doesn't.