I'm going!

Last night I talked to my friend whom I hadn't talked to in a while, and she mentioned that KC and the Sunshine Band was going to be performing tonight. Spur of the moment we decided to get tickets. So in about an hour and a half I will be driving to her house and we'll be on our way to the Silver Legacy to see KC and the Sunshine Band!!! I'm off to shake my booty.....

A couple of projects I'm working on or have finished. I am working on making a sweater, and it's actually for me. I usually only make socks or scarves for myself. I've told myself not to buy any more yarn until at least the sweater is finished. I've got to finish these UFO's up!

My cousin gave this to me to see if I could duplicate it. So far I've cast on the top and have knit the white cuff.

My "Wicked" sweater. Only have a few more inches of the body left, and then to finish the sleeves.

Dishcloth for a friend of ours who is on a mission. A Christmas present is done!

Socks being knit with our hand-dyed with koolaid yarn.

TVP - What is it?

TVP stands for textured vegetable protein. Here is the Definition: Texture vegetable protein, TVP for short, is a high-fiber, high-protein meat substitute made from soy flour and available in a variety of flavored and unflavored varieties, as well as different sizes, from large chunks to small flakes. Because it is a dehydrated product, TVP needs to be reconstituted in hot water for about ten minutes or in the cooking process before eaten.

I had never heard of TVP until a few years ago when I took cooking classes through my church. I got excited about it, because it could replace ground beef/turkey/chicken in some recipes, but I never really played or cooked with it except in soups. I went grocery shopping yesterday and found TVP in the bulk section of the store and bought some, and used it for last night's dinner. Here is the recipe I used:

SPICY BEEF WITH NOODLES

2 lb. ground beef (I used half ground turkey and 1 cup tvp)

2 T salad oil (I used 1 T)

1 c. chopped onion (I omitted)

1/2 c. minced green pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c. canned tomatoes, drained (I used one)

1 c. whole kernel corn, drained

1/4 c. tomato paste
2 tsp. sald (I used about 1/2 tsp.)

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. allspice (this gives it a unique flavor)

3/4 c. grated cheddar cheese

1/2 c. pitted black olives, sliced

1 lb. pkg. noodles

Put oil in heavy skillet and saute onion, green pepper and garlic until tender. Add beef and brown slowly (I added the TVP after the ground turkey was cooked). Add tomatoes, corn, and tomato paste to mixture. Season with sale, pepper, oregano and allspice. Simmer about 2 minutes. Stir in olives and cheddar cheese. Cook noodles according to pkg. directions. Place noodles on large heated platter and spoon mixture over all. 6-8 servings.

I used one cup of the TVP and had quite a big left over. My kids didn't even ask what I cooked - they just assumed it was hamburger! And at 1.68 per pound of this stuff, I'm thinking I'll be adding more to my recipes and keep my food budget down.

Do you have any good tvp recipes? If so, comment away and share!

Something New

While at the Fair last Wednesday I found a local Spinners and Weavers Guild. On a whim I purchased a drop spindle. I was rushed last Wednesday (with a seven year old wanting to go on the rides, who isn't), but the lady I spoke to when I bought the spindle said I could come back and someone would teach me how to use it. I was back at the Fair today for the Make It With Wool competition that Syd was in and there was a wonderful lady who took the time to teach me to spin the wool with this spindle. This could be a good thing, or this could be a not so good thing. A good thing because I just LOVED doing this, but a not so good thing because I see myself falling in love with another hobby. My craft room is bulging at the seams as it is with craftiness. But it was soooo fun! Stay tuned...

And you wonder why you don't see more of my pictures!

My first attempt at spinning. I'm hooked!

And The Ribbon Goes To......

I have to admit, I stayed up late tonight waiting for my daughter to come home from the Fair. She went tonight to see how her socks did that she entered. She received a blue ribbon, as well as receiving the overall champion ribbon. I'm so proud of her!! Yes, very proud, but really, how did I do, I ask. Well, as usual I received a participant ribbon for my photograph. There are so many photos I really think I am done entering those. But, for my knitted pair of socks I received Second Place!!! And, my scrapbook page layout received Second Place as well!! Ok, that deserves a picture. Or Two. Yep, I have a smile on my face.

I attended a crop last Saturday at my LSS, Treasured Memories. What a great bunch of ladies. We had a lot of fun, quite a few laughs, and I even managed to make some cards. Here is a sampling of a few of the cards I made:

The State Fair is coming

The State Fair opens Wednesday. Once again, I entered a photograph, and for the first time, entered a scrapbook layout and a pair of socks. I'm hoping with three projects entered I'll have a better chance of receiving a ribbon. I'm not holding my breath, though. I've entered photos in the past and they haven't placed. I don't really care for judged events, so why am I entering? Beats me. Guess I'm still striving for a ribbon - recognition of a job well done. I'll post photos of the projects after the fair.