#halfapron

Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes

Hanker after pumpkin year round as I do, so fix up this pumpkin pancake with a sprinkling of pecans to complement the pumpkin and 10 grain pancake mix.  I love it with margarine spread on it with hot applesauce on the side...mmmmm.  Bob’s Red Mill 10 grain pancake mix really works well as the mix.  It’s available through their webpage, just search for Bob’s Red Mill. 

1 c. pancake mix

1 T. oil + oil on griddle

1 egg, whisked

3/4 c. pumpkin puree

1 t. pumpkin pie spice

2/3 c. pecans, chopped

In a spouted mixing bowl, add pancake mix, oil, egg, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice.  Oil the griddle, when it’s hot enough for a drop of water skitters across the pan then pour 1 c. batter onto griddle.  As the pancake is cooking, sprinkle 1/4 c. or so of the pecans.  As side one finishes cooking, flip to finish the fry and enjoy!

Start the day off with an out of the ordinary pancake...then I’m racing to my basement sewing studio to sew cotton pocket aprons for my online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads .  

Or, I’m putting the finishing touches on crocheted throw rugs made by me from upcycled materials (cotton or wool selvage) for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they design and sew cotton pocket knickers in fanciful eye catching prints...see for yourself!

Basil Propagation in Water

Basil is a key ingredient in my cooking so running out is problematic so I started propagating my own.  Here are the basic steps:

- Choose stems that have no insect damage and have not bolted/bloomed like the Thai basil on the left.

- Cut stem at just below the node/leaf cluster.

- Trim off lower leaves leaving the top 3 or 4.  Keep the trimmings to throw in a salad or cooked dish.

- Set cut end in tap water, changing every few days.

- Set the basil in a jar on a sunny window sill. 

 - It should show roots developing in 1 - 2 weeks.  Longer roots will do better when you transfer to pots.

- After some serious roots are showing, (1″ or so) plant in well drained potting soil with 1/4 t. of a mycorrhizal inoculant root enhancer (ordered some through Amazon) which helps prevent transfer shock for water propagated plants. 

This method worked well with some oregano we tried it on a month ago, too.  Thrilled best describes my feelings when anything survives my gardening efforts.  Give this a shot, have some fun with it - we did and have a perpetual basil supply...nice.

Kevin/Epic Gardening is a great resource for home gardening advice.  Here is a link to his youtube channel -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD9CIQ7ynOc&t=71s

Photo: Left to right - Thai basil, Italian basil

When I’m not serving up healthy meals to my family, I’m sewing cotton pocket aprons for my online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads and www.amazon.com/handmade/topdrawerthreads . 

Or I’m merrily working upcycled yarns into knitted hats for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they design and sew colorful stretch knit leggings in size x small to 2X. 

My older daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wildwovenwomen - where she pairs colors and textures to hand knit into lovely striped afghans to curl up into.

Rambuten

A tiny tumbleweed...maybe.  A part of my healthy eating plan...definitely.  This fruit is related to lychee but with a brown curly “hair” outer layer that peels off easily.  Just peel the outer layer off to the soft inner fruit, then eat around the large softer pit inside.  The flesh is sweet and tender like a peeled green grape.  These were in the produce department of my local grocers, so no exotic shopping forays.  Go ahead and give these a try some time.  Just seeing them stacked on the kitchen counter next to the apples and onions made me smile as they offered variety to the scenery there.  See what you think...

When I’m not exploring the more unusual offerings in the produce department of my local grocer’s, I’m sewing cotton pocket wrap around aprons for my online shops - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads and www.amazon.com/handmade/topdrawerthreads .

Or I’m merrily knitting stocking caps using double and triple strands of yarn from upcycled recycled yarn for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they design and sew cotton pocket knickers for kicking up your heels in.

My older daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wildwovenwomen - where she works upcycled recycled yarns into brightly rainbow striped afghans and throws.

Asian floral half apron 3 pockets lined cotton server waiter barista crafting gardening waist tie gift idea 15" L 20.5" W ready to ship

Asian floral swoops and swirls undulate across the three 3 deep pockets of this all cotton waist tie half apron. It would be ideal to wear to keep yourself neat and organized regardless of what you're up to. This apron is fully lined, top stitched, and sewn by me.

READY TO SHIP

This apron is 15" long by 20 1/2" wide with 33" long ties (86" end to end), 8 1/4" deep pockets.

Box of chocolates half apron sampler pink base cupcakes bon bon pettifor dessert pockets cherries strawberry candy 15" L 21" W ready to ship

www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads

Chocoholics delight! This box of chocolates sampler is a delight across the three deep pockets of this all cotton half apron. It is fully lined, top stitched and sewn by me. There are treats of all sorts including:

cupcakes bonbons pettifors chocolate covered cherries chocolate covered strawberries chocolate covered raspberries dark and light chocolate seashell chocolates

READY TO SHIP!

This apron is 15" long by 21" wide with 32 3/4" long ties (87" end to end), 8 1/2" deep pockets.

Flamingo half apron 3 pockets blue base cotton lined crafting server waiter gardening barista handmade 15" L 21" W ready to ship

www.michaels.com/makerplace/storefront/topdrawerthreads

Flamingos are placidly wading in a beautiful blue pool across the three 3 deep pockets of this half apron. It is sewn by me - handmade - from all cotton fabric, is fully lined and top stitched.

READY TO SHIP

This apron is 15" long by 21" wide with 33" long ties (86" end to end), 8 1/2" deep pockets.

Asian fan half apron cotton 3 pockets lined handmade gardening server waiter teacher gift idea barista crafting 15" L 21" W ready to ship

Asian fans, flowers, and calligraphy lettering characters cascade down the three 3 deep pockets of this all cotton half apron. This apron is fully lined, top stitched and sewn by me - handmade that is! It's in a bright red and black eye catching print.

READY TO SHIP

This apron is 15" long by 21" wide with 32 1/2" long ties (86" end to end), 8 1/4" deep pockets.

$24.00

www.michaels.com/makerplace/storefront/topdrawerthreads

Winking cat half apron cotton 3 deep pockets cats lined funny funky bright colors rainbow barista humor humorous 15" L 21" W ready to ship

www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads

$25.00

Saucy smiling cats wink at you from the three 3 deep pockets of this all cotton half apron. It is fully lined, top stitched and sewn by me. The apron base is green.

READY TO SHIP