Friday, January 10, 2020

Blanket Start and Snake Flowers

Happy Friday everyone!  I've enjoyed the beginning of my Lucy at Attic24 blog Dahlia CAL!  It's always a challenge starting a new pattern but I've got it memorized so should be good to the end.  I'm on my 5th color and love how this is looking so far.  


But lets start at the beginning... when I'm doing my starting chain I used to lose count and have to start over on the count.. many times.  SO.. I got some stitch markers and add one to each 10 I chained.  She has you use a bigger size hook for the chain and 1st row which is brilliant as sometimes the first row is tight and isn't elastic.. this way it is perfect.


The 3rd row is where you begin with the "spike stitch".  One thing to learn doing Lucy's designs is she uses British crochet terms and her "treble crochet" is the US double crochet.  



I love the ombre look of the dark red, true red, then orange red.



Then orange, bright yellow and light yellow.  After this row we'll be merging into some pinks.  



More adventures in one-pot meals.  This one was a real winner!  We created it up so I am going to call it Country BBQ Chicken.  We layered it this way - rub the inside of the pot with olive oil, chicken thighs on the bottom, drizzled with BBQ sauce, then whole tiny potatoes, sliced carrots, zucchini and celery, asparagus, mushrooms and 2 slices of bacon, cut in half.  Salt, pepper and garlic powder sprinkled on the chicken, and a bit of salt and pepper on the veg above it.  In the oven at 450 deg. F for 45 minutes.  



The juices from all of this made a sauce that we spooned over the top.  



I volunteered at Multnomah Falls with my sister Denise yesterday and we had lots of fun conversations with visitors from all over the globe.  This group was fun, I recognized an Aussie accent from the man on the right and I asked is he was from there and he was.  We told him how sorry we were for the devastating fires in his country and the massive loss of animals, the count is now at half a billion to as much as a billion deaths.  So very sad.  We noticed that they were using our park stamps in their real passports - which was fun.  When I told them I designed the art in the stamp they asked if they could take my photo.  LOL!  So, I then asked if I could take their photo and put it on my blog.  So, meet - from left, from Canada, Rav and Annie, and from Australia, Celine and Jeremy.  Then I gave them my blog address so they can see this post.  :-)



Last night the flower on my Snake Plant (Sansiveria) was at its peak so here is a photo.  Dayle smelled it and said it's a slight sweet aroma.



I wonder how many years until this blooms again?  


I am going to crochet today and see how the new colors will look at the Dahlia Blanket..  what are your plans today and the weekend?  Have a good one whatever it is!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

13 comments:

  1. Such beautiful colors on your crochet. Your dinner looks delicious.

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  2. I can't believe you have already used 5 colors on your latest blanket. You are speedy!! Your chicken dish sounds delicious - thanks for the recipe. Have a great weekend!

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  3. The new blanket is beautiful...but don't forget your other WIP. I have done the larger hook method for the chain and first row for years. I think it makes the blankets so much nicer.
    How fun to meet new people so often. I love traveling and I also love meeting new people from all over the world. I HAVE to get this back of mine fixed as I want to go to London soon. And Japan in the spring. :-)

    The new meal looks delicious. I'm copying it down and will make it after my next grocery trip. Although, I'm snowed in at the moment so who knows when that will be. We're in a winter storm warning today and snow is predicted Saturday and Sunday too. Sure glad Dennis has 4-wheel drive.
    Hope all is well with you and Dayle and that your weekend is wonderful and calm.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  4. Gosh that blanket is going to be stunning!! What fun meeting so many different people while you volunteer. Very sad here with all the lives/homes/wildlife loss ๐Ÿ˜ฏ๐Ÿ˜ฏ

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  5. Thanks for the intro to your new gorgeous blanket! I love the colors and the stitch and I really appreciate the tutorial for starting the foundation row as well. I have a Lucy Pack of yarn from years ago...I am wondering if I could use this stitch...further investigation needed on my part :-) I'm glad you enjoyed another good day at the Falls and that you have created another yummy recipe. It is interesting to learn about your Snake Plant and that the lovely blossoms have a slightly sweet scent. In NY we came home once and raced around the house looking for an electrical fire only to discover our Corn Plant had a bloom that produced an acrid scent! As I remember I think my husband chopped up the bloom and fed it to the garbage disposal! Hope you have a pleasant cozy weekend! xxx

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  6. The blanket and his colours are a delight. What fun to meet so many different people from around the globe. Love the one pot meal, looks so tasty.

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  7. I love the colors of your new afghan! Gorgeous! I didn't know that snake plants had flowers... you learn something new everyday!

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  8. Your blanket is looking good. We don't have enough colorways available here to take on such a project. And I never order anything. As you know, the mail system sucks! :/ Nice to meet and share with people from all over the world. Really amazing that your snake plant flowered. It must have optimal conditions. Have a good day!

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  9. Wow your blanket is looking awesome Teresa. Yummy food again and what lovely people you meet at the falls. How sad though about the Australian fires...there seems no end to it. Hugs xxx

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  10. Your Dahlia blanket is looking good. I love your silver crochet hook, but it would make my hands ache! I have some silicon handled ones, much easier on my fingers! It's lovely that you're able to make new friends from all over the globe. xx

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  11. Hello Teresa. The blanket looks gorgeous, fabulous flowers. The meal looks yummy and I am thinking of copying it!
    It is so good to meet new people from different parts of the world- I still long to visit the falls and Oregon in general. Hugs Anne X

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  12. Love the beginning of your Dahlia blanket! That's a good idea to use stitch markers along the casting on row...I must remember that tip next time I start a big blanket! You are such a friendly person....it must be so nice for all those visitors from around the globe to meet you when they visit the Falls. Wishing you a happy week dear Teresa XXX

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  13. I tried your Country BBQ Chicken recipe. WE LOVED IT!! We will be eating this often! Thank you.

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