Thank you Bonnie!

I received my dOd swap gift over the weekend. It is wonderful, too. Just look at what Bonnie sent me
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

Pineapple bloom doily (patricia kristoffersen)

This is from Leisure Arts "Absolutely Gorgeous Doilies" #17~ Pineapple Bloom. Finished size 19" in diameter. Made with Aunt Lydia's White Crochet Thread #10. It is still on the blocking board. It was not hard, I made this while waiting on some thread to come in that I had ordered to complete another doily.

I do love her designs! I hope she comes out with some new ones soon, too!

Foodie Friday recipe~ Hot & Sour Soup

So while I'm here today, I wanted to post a recipe. This is what I'm eating right now. It is fabulous. If you like hot & sour soup....try this. You won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup water
8 cups freshly made chicken stock
1 cup bamboo shoots, julienne cut
1 cup chopped water chestnuts
1 cup fresh shiitake mushrooms, julienne cut or sliced thinly
1 tablespoon white pepper
1/4 cup vinegar
Salt, to taste
Hot red pepper, to taste (use a light hand)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions:
Whisk together cornstarch and water; set aside. In a stock pot, warm chicken stock over medium heat. When stock begins to steam, add bamboo shoots, water chestnuts and shiitake mushrooms; cook 15 minutes -- adjust heat if necessary to keep soup just below a boil. Stir in white pepper, vinegar, salt and hot pepper to taste. Add cornstarch mixture slowly, stirring until mixture is thick and well-combined (at least 2 minutes -- taste to make sure there is no lingering cornstarch aftertaste before proceeding). Add beaten egg, stirring to make swirls of cooked egg in the soup, add sesame oil. Serve immediately.

Yes, Martha.. I'm still alive

It has been 2 weeks since I posted on my blog. My apologies for that. Its wierd how everyday life gets in the way of having personal time, isn't it? Not ALOT has been going on. Just life stuff. With the holidays approaching, working, cleaning, and being mommy ...I'm stretched pretty thin. I have been finishing up several gifts. All doilies this year. Kathy (katchkan) sent me a wonderful Christmas ornament that I received yesterday. I completely adore and am in awe of it. If you would like a copy of the pattern, it is listed free here. I am going to tackle making one..in the future. I've decided after Christmas to finally finish the Cathedral Afghan that I started what...2 years ago? Sigh. I'm such a procrastinator sometimes..... Next year, my crocheting goal is going to be to make an oval tablecloth for my table. What an adventure that will be. I've chosen an Elizabeth Hiddleson oval tablecloth with pinwheels and pineapples. I've been catching up on reading your blogs, and commenting as time provides. I'll be glad when things get back to normal after the Christmas rush! Hugs and best Christmas wishes to you all!