Knitting: Double Deluxe

Today I delivered a little holiday cheer to my two favorite dogs. Somehow I think I got so much more delight out of it than they did, but they were sports just the same. So Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my family and friends, their love, support and health (and for friends that will let me do this to their dogs).



Pattern: To Humiliate The Dog
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Inspiration: Looking To Nature, Looking At Art

I saw these gems as I was on my morning walk. Their heart shapes, by nature or nibbled into it, were both caught by my eye. They got me thinking again of inspiration; what inpires us to create?
Last week I spent a few hours at the Picasso exhibit at SAM. I was not a huge fan of the paintings displayed, but I found it hard not to be drawn into the work, especially his drawings. For me, trying to see what he saw before reading the titles and figuring out what it really was, became part of the enjoyment. Your imagination was running full speed trying to keep up with this guy who made a career out of seeing like a child. It is well known he gained inspiration from his lovers along the way; Picasso also found inspiration in the bombing of Guernica and created one of his most famous works.
So with Picasso in mind and that ever constant battle with my artist within, I leave you with this quote:

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.  ~Pablo Picasso




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Inspiration: Faux Fur And Feathers

Anthropologie is always one of my favorite stores and websites to haunt for eye candy and inspiration. Their catalogs are always dreamy and I'd step into one if I could. With the weather getting cold, I took a peek to see their latest scarves for winter. While they still have their typical soft and drapey antho-style pieces, here are a couple that caught my eye. Fox stole anyone?


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Recipe: Okara, Not Okra | Soy Milk Maker Part 2























It's nearly two weeks since we received our SoyQuick I've already made about 10+ batches of homemade soy milk. It really is easy and fast to make, clean up is a snap and the results are delicious. And right out of the gate I tried something new with the left over okara. Hubby was proud, and excited to try...
Vegan Crab Cakes. I don't know if I'm supposed to spell crab with a k in this instance or not.

I used to eat seafood and sometimes I liked it. Crab cakes weren't on the like list, but I wanted to like them. They always looked so good with their goldeny fried outsides and the sauces that went with. The recipe I followed promised they tasted like real crab cakes without smelling up the house. Aside from a overdose of salt via Old Bay and my heavy hand, they kind of did.

We served our up with golden baked rosemary potato wedges, and a garden salad. If anything, it was nice to have tartar sauce again.

Vegan "Crab" Cakes

2 slices whole wheat bread, broken into large pieces
1/2 cup minced celery (use a food processor to chop all vegetables quickly)
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, minced
1/2 green pepper, minced
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 1/2 cups okara (about what you get from making one batch of soymilk in a soymilk machine)
1/2 cup oatmeal (the quick kind, not instant)
1-2 tbsp. Old Bay seasoning
1 tsp. nori or dulse flakes (may use other flaked sea vegetable)

In a food processor or blender, whirl bread pieces into fine crumbs. Place on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until dried and toasty. Remove from oven and set aside.

In a non-stick skillet, cook celery, onion, carrot, pepper and parsley until softened, about 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine okara, sautéed vegetable mixture, oatmeal, and seasonings. Mix well and set aside to “rest” for 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Using about 1/4 cup for each cake, form mixture into about 15-20 patties about 2 inches across and 1/2 inch thick. Coat each side of the patty with bread crumbs and place on a nonstick baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes. Carefully turn cakes over and return to the oven to bake until second side is toasty and browned, about 15-20 minutes.
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