Pieplant? What's that?

Kay at Mason-Dixon Knitting is encouraging us to share our recipe boxes/binders/holders of various kinds. So here is my story.

When I was a teenager, I was fascinated by my mom's recipe box. After her mom died (when I was 7, I think), she had Grandma's, as well. I remember spending hours looking through those boxes, reading the recipes, and absorbing memories by osmosis. My memories of Grandma are pretty limited, so this box of recipes was a treasured way to know her better.

Recipes sure were different back then! Few of Grandma's recipe cards told how hot to set the oven. Many didn't even tell how long to bake the item. And pieplant! What in the world was pieplant?* Lots of the ingredients were unfamiliar to me.



When I got married, this binder was a present from my mom (at my bridal shower, I believe). She went through her recipe box, and copied over many recipes for me. She made a point of choosing recipes that had a history. Recipes from Grandma. Recipes from special friends. Recipes that were must-haves for family holiday dinners. Good stuff.

I haven't tried them all. But a few are used regularly around here. Let me share 2 of my favorites.

Tuna Rolls

1 large can tuna
1 tablespoon grated onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/8 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
3 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
6 hot dog buns

Mix all ingredients except for buns in mixing bowl. Spoon into buns. Wrap each sandwich in foil. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.


On many of the recipe cards, Mom noted where we got the recipe. This particular one came from my next older brother's junior high home economics class. I clearly remember this recipe from Mom's box. The card she used had a space marked, "Who likes it?" She filled this space with, "Everyone but Amy."

Hahahaha! I love this recipe now, but back then? Not so much, apparently. Note: I was probably 5 or 6 when big bro was in jr. high.


Here's another one I use frequently, a classic from Grandma this time.

Pie Shell

1/2 cup oil
2 tablespoons milk


Beat with fork in 9" or 10" pie plate until white.

Add:

1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Mix with fork. Use fingers to press mixture into bottom and sides of pan. Bake at 400, or fill with filling and bake as directed by that recipe.


I'm not exactly a whiz with rolled pie dough, so this recipe gets a lot of use. My husband actually prefers this crust to a rolled crust when I make Dutch apple pie! It's great for rhubarb, too.

Notice this recipe doesn't tell how long to bake it? Eh, you're lucky it gave an oven temp. Honestly, though, I don't generally use this for pies that require a pre-baked crust. But if you wanted to, I'd say to start with 8 minutes or so, and check it often. You want it dry, and maybe just slightly golden.

Thanks, Kay, for helping me embrace these cherished memories!


*I had to ask my Mom the first time I read this in one of Grandma's recipes. Pieplant is rhubarb. Now you know!

2 FO's, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

First a new FO: as promised, here is the Streaker's Shrug I finished a while back.

Shrug Spec's

• Pattern: Streaker's Shrug, from the Spring 2006 Interweave Knits.
• Yarn: Lion Brand Chunky USA, in denim
• Mods: Adapted for gauge, as well as size. I needed a size halfway between the 2 sizes given, so as along as I was already doing the math to adjust for my gauge, I created my own new size as well. I also ended up just doing ribbing for the cuffs. I had planned to substitute a lace pattern for the one in the magazine, because of gauge, but it flared out, and I was too impatient to keep looking for the right lace design. Yes, the ribbing flares a bit too, but it's not terrible.

And the back view. While hubby was taking this picture, he was really frustrated with how itlooks from the back. It drapes and bunches in a way that he just isn't comfortable with. But now, looking at this photo, it fits just the way I'd expect. Shrugs aren't supposed to be form fitting, and what more can you expect from a garment that can be worn upside-down? Besides, it is surprisingly comfortable!


Next, a sweater that I made for hubby several years ago.

Tree Sweater Spec's

• Pattern: Northwinds, from Red Heart (Leaflet LW1203)
• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Navy Fleck, Aran Fleck, and Buff Fleck
  
• Size: 44 1/2"
  
• Finished: April 2001
• Mods: None. This was one of the first sweaters I ever made, and I was not very adventurous.
• Lessons Learned: This project taught me that I do not care for fair-isle colorwork. I suppose that working in wool might be better, but this acrylic has no natural grab, and my gauge in the colorwork sections was downright wonky. It doesn't look too bad from the picture, but up close it is quite uneven. Also, this sweater taught us that my husband doesn't care for the drop-sleeve style (set-in and raglan sleeves only for him after that). He also complains that the cuffs are too blousy (I agree). But still he wears this at least once or twice each year (usually to a Christmas related church service).
  

A (post) Christmas Wish

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would give a lamb.
If I were a wise man
I would do my part.
What I can I give Him:
Give my heart.

In the Bleak Midwinter, by Christina Rossetti, 1872.

My wish for all my readers this Christmas is that you would know Christ and feel his presence in your lives each day.

Old FO Day!

It's very cold here now, and extremely windy, so I'm finding myself wearing my handknits often.

Yesterday morning our church presented the Christmas program (originally scheduled for last Sunday evening, but canceled because of snow), and I was conducting the choir, so wanted to wear something special. I chose my black Microspun wrap vest that I made several years ago. Unfortunately, I didn't think about photographing it until later in the day, after I had already changed. I'll plan to take a photo next time I wear it.

Home from church, I pulled on some comfy clothes: a pair of navy sweatpants, and this sweater:


Bulky Blue Sweater Specs:

• Finished: November 18, 2003
  
• Pattern: #22 from Family Circle Easy Knitting, Holiday 2003, Size L
  
• Yarn: 4 different yarns, all from my stash. 1. Light blue baby yarn. 2. Medium blue with sparkles. 3. Variegated blue. 4. Navy blue, recycled from a clearance sweater. All were acrylic.
  
• Needles: Size US 13. I'm guessing I used my Denise set for the body, and I'm pretty sure I used wooden DPN's (probably Clover's) for the sleeves.
  
• Mods: The pattern had you knit this flat and seam it, but I worked in the round, instead. So much easier! I also eliminated the side seam shaping.

I really like this sweater, and it gets quite a bit of wear in the coldest part of winter. The various shades of blue all held together made such a nice, marled effect. And it fits me great! I love raglan shaping for me. I think raglans are more forgiving for fit than set in sleeves, and can be very flattering. I know some people don't care for this style, but I really do like it. I see more raglan sweaters for myself in the future.

One minor thing I wish was different is the bind-off on the turtleneck. I tend to pull the yarn a lot when binding off, so sometimes my bind-offs are a bit tighter than ideal. On this sweater, it means that the neck edge tends to ride up the turtleneck instead of reaching all the way to the bottom as I would like.

If I remember correctly, I ran out of one of either #2 or #3 while knitting the turtleneck, and substituted some other acrylic navy yarn from my stash. I tried to "hide" it by using the sub in the lower part of the collar, thinking it would be covered up by the foldover. That would have worked better if the collar would stay folded all the way. It doesn't show much, but you can probably see in the photo that a portion of the turtleneck is a bit darker. I don't mind in the least. I usually wear this for lounging at home anyway.



Right now, I'm wearing the Streakers Shrug, which I did indeed finish, but never posted! Maybe I can get the hubby to snap a few pics today. Photos to come soon, hopefully!