It’s rather funny that when I lived in Morocco for a while, I learned to make couscous not from the locals (because those who knew how to make it could not explain it to me in a language I understood), but from a recipe I found online. I modified it by watching the locals and the way they prepare it, but that’s not where I got the explanations. Anyway, this is how I learned to make it, which is a fusion of the two ways, later modified for the tools available stateside. Continue reading “Moroccan Style Couscous”
Chicken with Veggie Salsa
Back in 2011, when NASA invited the public to join the astronauts of the final space shuttle mission in an “All-American Meal,” I had to participate. The meal included the basics of a summer backyard grill: grilled chicken, Southwestern corn, baked beans, and apple pie. This was also the first time I ever made an apple pie (I had to, for this occasion). Continue reading “Chicken with Veggie Salsa”
Salmon in a Cranberry Glaze
I made this salmon in a cranberry glaze a while ago and haven’t made it in a long time because my husband doesn’t like sweet sauces on meat, so I don’t remember my inspiration for this, but it was pretty delicious!
It was quite quite easy to make, but the sauce does take a while – at least it did for me. It also depends on how thick you want the glaze to be. It can be more of a sauce, which takes less time and supervision at the stove, or more of a glaze, which needs more time and care. Continue reading “Salmon in a Cranberry Glaze”
Avocado Feta Salad
Inspired by the Avocado Feta Salsa (I saw it on Pinterest, so actually just inspired by the picture of it), I have been obsessed with this salad for months now. It’s my favorite go-to salad when I have enough time to make it and have the right ingredients. I didn’t read the ingredients from the recipe since I only saw the picture, but the way I make it is quite similar to the original – I just don’t use it as a salsa. Continue reading “Avocado Feta Salad”
Slouchy Beret
It took me a while to find the right pattern for a hat, but I am glad I picked this one. I needed a hat would look nice and feminine and go with everything I had. So I picked the grey yarn that matched everything and the pattern was pretty. I wanted a warm hat too, so I doubled up on the yarn.
Boucle Sweater
The first major project is finally complete! I have been working on this sweater for over three years and can’t believe it’s finished. I have been really pushing to get this done at the end because I really wanted to transfer it from my knitting bag to my dresser drawer. So, after a few (or many!) setbacks, I can finally wear it!
What started as a need for a sweater to quickly throw on while I was living in the Sahara desert (it gets cold there in the winter, ok?) became a project that would eventually travel through four countries with me. Continue reading “Boucle Sweater”
Blue Baby Blanket
I think this blanket is one of the most beautiful things I have made – and I still use it today when my baby is 2 and a half. It was big enough to wrap him in and is now big enough to cover him with. I kind of wanted it to be the blanket he snuggles in while watching a movie or reading, but he is too active to sit in one place for too long and has to be running around instead. However, it took me foreeeever to make it, so I am just glad it’s still in use now. Continue reading “Blue Baby Blanket”
My Baby’s First Booties
These booties were awesome and J didn’t start wearing shoes until he was crawling because of them. He wore them on top of socks when we went to the doctor, inside his warm body suit when we went on walks, and to stay warm at home.
My Baby’s First Sweater
I made this when I first found out I was pregnant, and even though I was only about a month or two into it, I had a strong feeling it would be a boy. And so I started knitting in blues. Also, you can dress a girl in blue, but not a boy in pink, so blue was sort of universal. But I never doubted that I would have a little boy.
This project was one of the only times I ever followed a pattern exactly. I loved how seamless it was and will probably use the same top down tactic again in the future. Continue reading “My Baby’s First Sweater”
Crocheted Flowers
Painful but rewarding! I think I know better than to crochet with ribbons (or wire!) again. Hopefully. Knitting is better because the work is not as stiff and the stitches are distributed. I made these flowers as a gift for my mom and grandma when I went to live overseas for a few months (possibly moving there). They were worried that I would stay and would rarely see me. So I made them in three different sizes to represent our three generations and put them in the same vase to show them that we will always be together, no matter what. Then I wrapped the flowers and vase, hid them in my closet, and told them on Christmas to go into my room and find them. I think despite my best efforts to hide it, they found the gift while cleaning, but didn’t open it until I told them about it. Continue reading “Crocheted Flowers”