Life as a Dill

Needlin'

Recently picked up some knitting needles for the first time in 20 or so years, after getting inspiration from a friend of mine.  Have also been a lurker on Ravelry.com for several months, but too hesitant to take the plunge. 

First project?  The Wham Bam Thank You Lamb neckwarmer from insaknitty.  Seriously-- how could I not knit something with a name like this?  The project was a cinch.  So easy that two of them were completed in just a few evenings.

Next project is something a little more difficult from Aesthetic Nest... with purling, increases, decreases, and use of a stitch holder (oh my)!  But not making any promises on when I'll get it done... 

Be still my heart...

Raspberry-Mascarpone French Macarons.  Used a simple and decadent filling from Tartelette, and the shell recipe that I spent many hours tweaking.  Very splendid results.

Finnian even tried one:

But his palate needs refining.  Denver swooped in and salvaged the broken pieces-- absolutely cannot let one of these babies go to waste!  Finnian was much more interested in playing with it :)

Basket

Homemade Laundry Soap

Easy, economical, and good on the pipes.  Grated a bar of my own homemade, unscented goat's milk soap in this inaugural batch.  Thinking that a lavender-essential-oil-infused bar would divine to use in the future.

Debuted the soap in two loads of laundry this afternoon.  Clothes came out clean and wonderfully soft.

Planning on concocting other homemade cleaning products in the future—although I have a cabinet full of items to go through before I can justify making my own!

Homemade laundry suds
from the edible perspective

1 c baking soda
1 c washing soda
1 c borax
1 bar natural soap, grated

Mix all ingredients together.  For an HE front loader, use 1-2 tablespoons per load.

Sweet Potato "Fries"

Weelicious

1 Large Sweet Potato
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Cut sweet potato into 2" batons which resemble french fries.  Place them on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toss until
the sweet potatoes are coated with oil.

Place cookie sheet in the middle of the oven and bake for 15 minutes (Keep an eye on these little suckers. They go from golden to burnt quick!)  With a spatula, flip the potatoes, and continue to bake another 15 minutes or until they have a golden color.

Cool and serve.