Seasoned Almonds

I had a bunch of raw almonds and needed a snack, like a snack attack came down upon me in a real way.  This is what I came up with.

Seasoned Almonds
1 egg white + a drizzle of water
3.5 cups raw almonds
1 teaspoon salt

Variation #1 - Cinnamon Sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Variation #2
1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 teaspoon cumin

Preheat oven to 300 F. Beat the egg whites and water until foamy. This isnt anywhere near peaks of any kind but there is alot of air incorporated so there is a significant increase in volume. I beat mine with a fork (by hand) for about 2 minutes. Dump the almonds and egg white fluff into a large bowl and mix to completely coat all the almonds. Sprinkle the salt and whichever seasonings you choose and toss well with a fork to get even coverage. Pour out onto a jelly roll pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 45 minutes. They turned out perfectly roasted but I think the spicy version could have had a little bit more kick. Perhaps I will increase the cayenne to a full tablespoon next time. I may try other variations (spicy mustard?!). Im sure this would work for other nuts as well (adjusting roasting time to best suit the nut)

Crochet Planter

This project was from when I was living in an apartment and wanted to make a planter to hang on the balcony. I made this with some scrap yarn, a pencil, a empty 2 liter pop bottle and a sheet of paper towel.




First I made a "self-watering pot". Start by cutting a pop bottle in half. Then stuff the bottleneck with rolled up paper towel so that the ends go up into the bottle and down out of the opening. Invert the top half of the bottle and stick it into bottom half. Then plant a swiss chard seed (optional)







Then crochet this sock. Easier done than said. Its crocheted around and around (not rows) and both colors are attached but you only crochet one at a time. Its shaped by simple increases. Once its long enough I went back and forth to make the strap. I finished the top with a triangle edging and added a tassel to the bottom.










Here is how I hooked the strap to the railing










TA DA!

Crochet Coaster

I made this one up as I went along but since I hope to make a set, I wrote up a pattern.

Used crochet hook size G and Lion Brand Kitchen cotton. Other worsted cotton yarns also work.

Foundation: Ch 5, Join with slip stich to 5^th ch from hook to make ring

Row 2: Ch 2, 14 hdc into ring, join with slip stich into 1^st hdc of this row

Row 3: *ch 4, skip 1 hdc, slip stitch into next hdc* repeat 6 more times

Row 4: Ch 1 * 3 sc into next 4ch loop chain 1* repeat 6 more time, join with slip stitch into 1^st ch of this row

Row 5: Turn work, slip stitch into 1^st ch1 space, ch3, 4dc into same ch1 space * 5dc in next ch1 space* repeat 6

times, join with slip stitch at top of beginning ch3

Row 6: ch1, * sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch * repeat 6 more times, join with slip stitch

(note, row 7 is the triangular edging. It is worked by chaining 3 then working down that chain until triangle is made, then turn the triangle so that it attached to the coaster edge. The edging works counter clockwise around the coaster edge)

Row 7: * ch3, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, dc in next ch (triangle made) turn triangle and join with ss in 3^rd stitch from ch3 on coaster * repeat 13 more times. Join with slip stitch.

Finish off: hide ends. Skip blocking, after a couple cups of tea they stay flattened out

snack boxes

I like to make little snack boxes.  Here are a few.

Boiled egg, goldfish crackers, almonds and dates, carrots, cucumber, yogurt

Cucumber, banana, peanut butter sandwich, pudding, pretzels

Saltines, dried mango and dried coconut, carrots and celery, swiss cheese, orange

mochi, cucumber cream cheese sandwich, carrot and cucmber hearts, yogurt with strawberry, heart ham sandwiches, valentines candy

My Thanksgiving turkey.