Groundhog day

Thank you, Phil!

Yesterday Phil said there would be 6 more weeks of winter and I'm so greatful! Not that I like the cold weather, but I do love snuggling down in front of the fire instead of mowing the lawn!

I love spring and fall, but we only get about a week of each here. Not enough! If it were dry enough, we could mow today, but we keep hoping for another freeze.

Knitting socks and playing with beads in front of the fire really suits my life style.

Enjoy it while it lasts!
Ruth Ann
http://r2swanger.etsy.com
http://www.raggbaggs.blogspot.com

Pumpkin Hats and Tea Cozies

With many thanks to Karen Park of http://www.artandtea.wordpress.com I have ordered this adorable pattern from Fiber Trends at
http://www.fibertrends.com/product/149451/CH14/_/CH14_Patrick%27s_Pumpkin_Knit_Hat

Karen made this hat for her granddaughter. I'm going to make one for my great niece, Anarae. (I know this name sounds like she is from outer space, but it is pronounced Anna Ray. She is named for me and my husband.)

I also have dreams of pumpkin tea cozies, both great and small. :o)

Happy Fall, Y'all!
Ruth Ann
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com

Don't assume I cook!

I'm a Beader. I Knit. I design and make Purses. So............I was a caterer for many years.
One of the blogs that I read reminded me of this recipe
and I plan to serve it up to guests Saturday evening.
My wonderful hubby will be doing the cooking.

The recipe was originally published in
Southern Living magazine.
I only use a pinch of dried onion flakes instead of the
large onion that the recipe calls for
because we dislike onions.
It is also great made with ground beef or
strip steak.

KING RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Ingredients:

1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cups chopped/shredded cooked chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can Rotel, drained
1 can chopped green chiles, drained
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. pepper
12 corn/flour tortillas
3 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese, cheddar, or Monterey Jack

Saute onion, bell pepper, and garlic in hot oil in a large skillet over med-high heat 5 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat, stir in chicken and next 6 ingredients.

Tear corn/flour tortilla into pieces in a lightly greased 13x9 baking dish. Top with 1/3 of chicken mixture, & 1/3 cheese. Repeat layers twice.

Cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 350' for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 more minutes or until bubbly.

Enjoy!
Ruth Ann
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
http://www.beadkits.etsy.com

Kniting Socks and Dogwoods

This beautiful dogwood photo was found on one of my
latest favorite websites
http://www.knoxsocks.com

Judy Sumner lives
'just up the road a piece'
in Knoxville, TN
and designs some of the loveliest socks
I have seen.

Since my last major trouble with my back,
knitting socks is once again one of my favorite pastimes.

As with beads,
we have no yarn suppliers within 50 miles.
It used to be a fun adventure to visit
the few craft and fabric stores in Chattanooga,
but with gas prices being what they are
and dear husband's unemployment
these jaunts must be very limited.

Except for Michael's and Hobby Lobby,
I don't think there are any places left to buy yarn within
a 100 mile radius,
so I'm now looking into purchasing my fibers
over the Internet.

The best part yet has been finding
Judy's website.
Her sock patterns are interesting, educational, and fun!
She also offers lots of free patterns.

I know that gardening season is fast approaching,
but it is still cool enough here for some
'light' knitting in the evenings.

A new adventure!

Happy Spring!
Ruth Ann
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
http://www.beadkits.etsy.com

Time for Socks!

'Tis the time of year when
a young woman's heart turns to
knitting!

My first experience with knitting socks with double pointed needles
was when I was about 5 years old.
This was also my last experience.

A few years ago, I discovered that one can knit large
Christmas Stockings
on short circular needles.
I made enough for the whole family,
including our fur babies.
Sometime during the summer,
I lost the pattern.
It had fantastically easy heels and toes.

Last week, I discovered
self-patterning yarn.
Wow!
What neat stuff!!!!!!
(Yes, I know it's been around for years,
but I'm still avoiding the double pointed needles.)

I had to have a couple of skeins,
but then there were those double pointed needles.
Now I remember why I hated them so badly!

As you can see by the photo,
I almost finished my sockies last night.
I have maybe 30 minutes left to do.

Then another color of the same
self-patterning yarn
followed me home.

I still hate double pointed needles,
but I'm loving that yarn!

Have a great day!
Ruth Ann

http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com