Teeny tiny zip purse is one of the cuter small projects I’ve come across lately. It went together fast and easy. I recommend using a nylon zipper. If you also want to put a credit/debit card inside, you might want to increase the width 1/2 inch.
My purple Wonder Wallet has been so worn with use, I needed to replace it I changed the new one a bit from the pattern by putting a zipper pocket in and deleting another pocket. The biggest problem with that was that I did not have a nylon zipper and the metal zipper doesn’t work as well. And judging from the amount of cards I put in there, I probably should have put the Velcro up higher on the coin part of the purse. But I will still get a lot of use from it. It also goes together quickly and is very easy.
Both patterns are real beginner patterns from which you would get a lot of use. Another idea is to start making some now for all those little gifts one needs throughout the year and at Christmas.
Spinach Artichoke Dip Soup | serves 3 (GF)(LF)(SF)*
In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine beans, almond milk, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, miso and mustard. Set aside. Line a large pot with a thin layer of broth. Saute shallots and garlic until fragrant and shallots are slightly translucent. Add artichokes, basil, and oregano, and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add spinach, vegetable broth, and 1 cup water and mix well. Cover and bring to a boil. Stir until spinach cooks down. Once boiling, crack the lid and lower to a simmer.
Simmer for 10 minutes then remove from heat. Use an immersion blender to pulse soup until it has a chunky consistency, not smooth. Pour in bean mixture and mix until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste. Return to a simmer for about 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.
Per serving: 310 calories, 4.6g fat, 47.1g carbohydrates, 17.6g fiber, 2.7g sugars, 24.0g protein
Add-on: Add toast or crackers
I have no affiliation – just really happy with the recipes I’ve tried over at http://happyherbivore.com
Keri requested that I embroider her name in silver on her new Christmas robe, so that is what I did. The silver looks rather subtle on a gray and white print, but she likes it and that is all that counts.
I did finish the last pair of Christmas potholders.
The weather is beautiful this week, so it behooves us to get as much done as possible before the rains and freeze come back. I had some help so I spend a part of the day supervising. Nature had planted cedar trees and a holly that needed to be moved to a different location and then there were bushes and ground cover that just had to be carted off. The front area now looks clean and there is room for me to be able to put in color spots. I will order seed for those flowers this weekend. And I will get a photo of the after. I’m sorry that I forgot to get a before photo.
With 4 days of sunshine expected and 60 degrees, I ordered a large truckload of bark to fill the muddy spots and cover around the trees and other place. This is such a great time to get this done, before the next round of rain and freezes. With animals, there are areas that tend to get fairly muddy.
UFO finish #1 – 2 sets of 4 placemats – and the receipt in the bag is dated 1995. And they are DONE!. They were a fair amount of work which is probably why they didn’t get finished in 1995.
Here is a note from a friend who reads this blog (with her permission): She apparently doesn’t have any ufos. So whether you do or don’t, join us in recording what you’d like to accomplish this year. You can use the comment section or email me. I think it will be fun to see how much we actually do accomplish, because so often we don’t see what we’ve done.
Well I am hopeful as always regarding projects. I think I might actually finish some! I did make two pillow cases. I decided with the abundance of fabric I have I will cut them out, sew them for people at church who are struggling and send them with a card and note of encouragement. .. I am still trying to get used to the rotary cutter so this is also a learning process. Then the piece I chose for the trim was too short so I had to piece it. Finished two of them anyway and gave one away to a cancer patient in treatment. I have another one cut out ready to sew, may it will get done this week. It is fun to make surprises.
I am knitting a scarf using a pattern I haven’t used before. It is slow going because the yarn is fine and I am a very slow knitter. I am also using up some sock yarn by crocheting squares and learning new stitch patterns. The hope it to put it them all together with an nice edging for a baby blanket. This is going to take a lot of time because the yarn is so small and the squares are equally small. I can crochet faster than I knit. There is hope! My goal is to make at least 12 afghans this year. I have one done and haven’t even begun another one. The yarn keeps calling my name to get something done. Note: It is Jan 5th and she has already finished an afghan.
Also, still writing and started my new Bible study for the year. I am really dedicating some time to this because somehow or other I have not been as diligent as I want to be with learning more about Jesus. I am pray a lot during the day and when I can’t sleep, which is often.
Running parents to appointments of which there seems to be so many, really cuts into the day and seems to take away some motivation. I also write and tell stories for the Adventure Club meetings twice a month. I teach the Little Lambs every other meeting so have to prepare crafts and the lessons for those.
My ladies group meets once a month and this is a real blessings. There are only 6 of us, but it is so encouraging. We meet at our home and so I give a short talk, prepare goodies and we just visit. We pray for each other and others. Our women’s singing group will start again in late Feb. or early March to prepare to sing sometime in the spring. I love this so much. The music is inspiring.
I don’t have a garden, but want to grow fresh herbs this year and maybe some tomatoes if I can just figure out where to plant them. I have some space so will see if I can get the soil worked up and get it in.