Knitted Market Bag

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Deborah

This is one of those projects where size doesn’t matter…or gauge either. It can be knit on any size needles, but obviously, bigger is better to get a nice, large-holed, stretchy lace effect. Combined with sturdy cotton yarn, this market bag will last a long time, replacing the unnecessary and wasteful plastic shopping bags and is washable to boot!

I used up some remaining balls (3) of Bernat’s Handicrafter Cotton in an Apricot/Sand colour and it gives the finished product a nice, self-striping pattern. I used 5.5 mm (U.S. # 9) straight needles for the bag and 4.5 mm (U.S.# … Read more...

Next Week’s Menu

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Deborah

I liked having the menu done early last week, so I will carry it forward to be posted every Friday vs Monday to showcase the following week’s menu….makes it easier for me to plan and shop beforehand too.

This coming weekend is supposed to be damp, so aside from working Saturday, I think Sunday will just be a lounge around in pajamas all day with my knitting ~ and some hot chocolate featuring Bailey’s for a boost….sounds like a good day to me!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Here is next week’s meal inspiration for you….

Recipe Links

Home-Made Pizza Dough… Read more...

Spring Cleaning Your Closet

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Deborah

The sun now rises one hour earlier and the birds are singing at the top of their little lungs, announcing the arrival of Spring and wanting to get on to nest building activities.

We humans have our own rituals every Spring….and one of them is to clean out the closets and get ready for a brand new seasonal wardrobe. But first you have to get rid of the clutter in those closets that is taking up your valuable real estate.

Here are my Top 10 Reasons To Clean Out Your Closet This Spring!

1. You need to make room for … Read more...

The Best of March

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Deborah

The weather in Southern Ontario was anything but stellar for March. I even heard rumours of lynch mobs ready to string up Wiarton Willie for lying about the early arrival of Spring. The weather was for the most part cold, windy and wet, with the sun making rare appearances now and then, teasing us with it yellow glow of tepid warmth.

Here is hoping that April finally sees us getting into the traditional, warm, sunny Spring weather we deserve…. although it seems to be taking a page from the book of March for the first few days so far.

As … Read more...

Giveaway Winner is….

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Deborah

Drum Roll please……Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat…

Kelly C. is the proud owner of 3 new Northern Homestead Dishcloths!

Congrats Kelly!
You will be contacted via email to obtain your mailing particulars.

Thanks for those that entered for a chance to win
Look for another great giveaway in a few months time!

For those that can’t wait and would like to knit their own dishcloths, click the hypertext link above to get to the easy-to-follow pattern.… Read more...

Giveaway Reminder!

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Deborah

Just a wee note to remind folks to drop a note in the comment section of the 200th Blog Post anniversary to enter to win a 3-pack of Hand-Knitted Northern Homestead Dishcloths.

These gorgeous dishcloths are made from 100% cotton and really are remarkably absorbent and durable, hubby actually endorses them…yes, he does the majority of the dishes at the Homestead as our house rule is whoever cooks, the other cleans up!

Click the link above and scroll down to leave a comment, the draw date is TOMORROW,
so you don’t want to miss out!… Read more...

Happy Easter To All

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Deborah

From Our Northern Homestead to Yours,
We wish all of you a very HAPPY EASTER!

If you are traveling, have a safe trip and remember…
DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!

This Week’s Menu

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Deborah

I know it isn’t Monday yet, but seeing as this weekend is Easter weekend, I wanted to highlight our Sunday dinner before the actual day, plus, it gives me an excuse to show off the minute iota of Photoshop skills I have acquired lately…it only took me an hour to get those 3 little coloured eggs on the menu board and for that, I think I deserve a big high-five.

After this Sunday’s annual stuffing of excess food, by the way, didn’t we just do this a few weeks ago at Christmas?! sheesh, time flies… it will be time to … Read more...

Edible Easter Table CenterPiece

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Deborah

What better way to showcase your Easter Brunch or Dinner Table than with an edible arrangement? Your kids will go ga-ga over them and it beats fresh cut flowers any day.

This is a super yummy basic Sugar Cookie Dough recipe that will soon become a staple in your cookie repertoire…and they are not just for Easter either, but will also become a standard for making cookies at Christmas, Halloween, Valentines Day, or whenever you want to make ‘cut out’ cookies. This recipe will be your new go-to from now on.

Ingredients

1 1/2 Cups Un-Salted Butter, softened
5 Cups … Read more...

How To Get Rid Of Fuzzy White Mold On House Plants

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Deborah

You know the stuff…the little grayish-white fuzzy puffballs that suddenly spring up about a week after you plant your new garden seeds. It blossoms across the surface of the soil and if you have planted your seeds in peat pots, soon the entire outside of the container will resemble one of the guitars from ZZ Top.

So what do you do???

Easy, go buy a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide…Yup, the same stuff you tried to bleach your hair with back in the 70’s to try and look like Farrah Fawcett.

Add 2 Tbsp of Hydrogen Peroxide to 2 Cups Water. … Read more...