I’ll admit it was hard to choose just one pattern to start with. Instead of something easy like a hat or booties, I chose a double-breasted car coat! The yarn is a wool/bamboo blend in turquoise, and the coat seems to be knitting up just right so far. Only a collar, pockets and one sleeve left. I’ll post the finished garment if I ever get that far!

This book also includes an awesome Wavy Blanket pattern, which I was all set to try. Unfortunately, when I was visiting family for Christmas and had knitting time on my hands, I found myself with all supplies except the pattern. Instead I started knitting up a similar pattern which I found free on Ravelry. Three colors of 100% cotton yarn have been used. I wonder why I’m craving neapolitan ice cream now?

A few months back at Goodwill, I found this metal accordion-like contraption with pegs on each joint. It seemed to have potential. When I moved into my current place and was in need of coat hooks that would not bash up the back of my door, an idea was born. Enter door knobs, a metal accordion-like contraption, some industrial strength glue and some paint. Voila! To maintain that feeling of history held by the original door knobs, I used the soap technique for an artfully shabby-chic product.

My second creation is a knock-off of some curtain tie-backs Urban Oufitters has for sale. Using crystal door knobs that could no longer function as knobs, I glued them to some metal door plates I found at Restore. When I look at these keyholes to nowhere, I’m happy.

Now I’m out of door knobs!

In the upcoming months, I’ll be posting about primarily indoor activities. Today has been a snowy day for Seattle and surrounding areas. Spring is still quite far away, but I’m already aching to get out in my new little garden area. So, while I sip my tea and look out at the blanket of white, I’m flipping through the Territorial Seed Company catalog that just arrived in my mailbox. To get me through the grey months, I’ve planted some paperwhite bulbs to bring a little green into my life. They’ve grown like mad in just over a week. Have you planted narcissus before? It’s easy! Try it yourself.

On the menu today is a meal I’ve been eating several times a week of late. So easy, cheap and warm: Miso Ramen. Using this recipe I found on Foodiecrush, I’ve created many variations. The version pictured doesn’t even use ramen noodles. So many options! I will note, though, that I’ve been boiling the eggs for more like 6 minutes, rather than 4 like the recipe states. Four minutes was a bit too runny for my liking.

Here are the basic ingredients I’ve been using:

• 1 package instant ramen noodles (or other noodles as seen above)
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 tsp miso paste
• 1-2 eggs at room temperature
• fresh spinach
• Sliced green onion, chopped
• Soy sauce

I realize it’s Summer for some, but this evening was overcast and not particularly hot in Seattle. What a great excuse to use the woodier stalks from my seven pounds of farmer’s market asparagus.

Creamy Asparagus Soup
Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
8 cups asparagus cut into 1/2 pieces (tips are fine, though this is a great way to use up the typically less edible portion)
5 cups broth (I used chicken, but vegetable is fine)
2 tsp fresh thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup half and half, cream, or crème fraîche
1-2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp dry vermouth (optional)
fresh thyme, asparagus tip and lemon wedge to garish

Add olive oil and onion to a large 4-6 quart pan and heat on low-medium heat until onion is softened. Add asparagus, thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Heat for about 5 minutes, then add broth.

Simmer 1 hour, or until asparagus is soft. Puree batches of asparagus mixture in blender (or with immersion blender) until smooth.

Stir in cream, lemon juice and vermouth. Serve garnished with a lemon wedge, fresh thyme, one steamed asparagus spear, salt and pepper. Enjoy!

The recipe I used for this batch of pickled asparagus was from Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. This is my first time making this recipe and I’m interested to see how the batch turned out. Next time I might forgo boiling the spears in vinegar before packing, since I’m worried that the cook time combined with processing time may result in mushy asparagus.

This is the ultimate craft to marry recycling, wine, typography and showers. I’ve been saving my wine corks for a long time, just waiting for the right use to come along. When I came across Craftynest’s great wine cork bath mat, I couldn’t wait to start my own. I’ll admit I’ve been living without a bath mat for the past three years, because I just never found the right one. There are a few reasons the bath mats out there didn’t fit my needs: 1. They slipped all over the floor and didn’t stay put, 2. The ones that do stay put are often those grandma-esque carpet kind, and they’re just not my style, 3. I have a very small space in which to use a mat, so a custom size was in order.

All you need for this project are the following items:

• wine corks (I used about 100 and my mat measures 21″x14″)
• hot glue
• grip liner without holes (the type used to line drawers and cupboards)
• knife
• cutting mat or cutting board

The image above shows just one way to fold the Furoshiki, but the options are endless. Check out these other fun ways I can use my furoshiki.

Thanks to Heather at A Handmade Life for providing a very straightforward recipe. Here are the ingredients I used:

• 1/2 bar Kirk’s Castile soap, grated
• 1/2 cup borax
• 1/2 cup washing soda
• water

After melting the grated soap into 8 cups of water.

Then I dissolved the borax and washing soda into the soap mix and added 8 more cups of water. Finally, I divided it into containers and added more water. After making a label, it’s now on the shelf and ready to use. Easy!