Poncho Bibs

I wanted to make a bib out of a dishcloth.  Seen once before, I couldn't find a pattern.  My in-Laws also have a very similar bib, where the hole is near one end of terrycloth and the hole is lined with ribbing.  (The bib also has a train on it and says "all I do is Choo-choo-choo" and it is adorbs.   I thought it was  decent pattern, but would be better if the hole were in the center so it could be a 2 sided bib(less washing!!!!!)

I have tried 2 other patterns before I settled on this as the winner.


Materials:
1 terry cloth dishrag(mine are actually "Bar Mop" rags from Target..a bit wider and not quite as long)
Rotary Cutter
Rotary Cutter with 12 punches
Rotary Mat
1 cover to something like "I can't believe its not butter" tub **
1 corningware bowl **
Pen
I-Hook
Yarn
Scissors

1.  Put the larger diamter bowl down in the center.  Trace around it.  This will be your 'dotted' line later.  IF You don't do this, there is a posibility that later when you actually cut the holes it will be off center in comparison to the hole underneath

2.  Place smaller circle within dotted line.

3.  Cut small circle with Rotary cutter

4.  Use punch rotary to cut the next holes

NOW for Crocheting.

5.  First row, single crochet all the way around with I HOOK (if you do not do step 4), you will need to evenly punch through one row of stitches around the circle.

Right Side

Wrong Side - Notice how the Terry cloth turns under

6.  Row 2 - Double Crochet all the way around

7.  Row 3 - { 7 Double Crochets, Crochet 2 loops together} (this makes a slight decrease)

8.  Row 4 - Half double Crochet all the way around.

9.  Tie off, weave in ends.  You are done.

Right Side

Wrong Side

Here is an earlier finished one with my incredibly adorable model.

**IF someone finds this pattern useful and wants to make it, MSG ME, I'll measure the circumference or diameter of each of the bowls.

****This is my first ever pattern write up.  If something is unclear, let me know and I will edit it.  ALSO, if you make one, let me know.  I'd like to hear of any modifications/adaptations made!

Thanks!

Spiral Dogs

After seeing this on {Reddit} earlier in the week, I couldn't stand another day without trying this!  I am blogging about it because, well everyone on Pinterest should see this, and I don't know how to Pinterest Videos.  In fact, my husband sent me an email stating I needed to "Pinterest the shit out of this".  So, please help me by re-pinning if you too want to try these amazing dogs!

This is why you too will want to spiral cut your next hot dog!

Needed elements: knife, wooden skewers, hot dogs

Put the hot dog on the wooden skewer

It should be pretty much in the center

Cut through the dog to the skewer.  Make sure to angle your knife.

Roll the dog, continuing to slice til the end

Remove from skewer.  You'll see it's all connected and springy!

Prepare all that you intend on grilling

Grill them (YES, it is Valentine's Day and the Xmas lights are still festively lighting the grill area)

Look at all the surface area that was properly warmed and toasty goodness

THE BEST PART!!!!  THE CONDIMENTS FILL IN THE SPIRAL 'cracks'

Amazingness in a bun!  You'll never want another simple grilled dog!





I am not the originator of this idea, I just took pictures instead of a video.  The idea came from here.

Homey dinner on a snowy day - Tator Tot hotdish

Tator Tot Hotdish is a family favorite.

Grandma used to make it all the time.  Now my dad does.  He modified Grandma's Recipe to be healthier (and tastier).  Now I too am making it, and modifying it!

Grandma's receipe has about 3 lbs of burger (and onions), 1 frozen bag of mixed veggies and 3 cans of "Cream of XXX soup", then 1 bag of tator tots.  And oodles of salt :)


Here's the Recipe I made and photos as I made it (My dad's is super similar):

Preheat oven to 325ºF.  Put a few tator tots on the bottom of the roaster:

To soak up some juice and give you some spuds on the bottom

Brown one pound hamburger with one diced onion. (MY ADDITION: add one 8oz pack of mushrooms, sliced).  SEASON YOUR MEAT with lots of salt and pepper.  (MY ADDITION: a few glugs of Balsami Vinegar too)

1 pound burger, 1 onion, 1 -8oz sliced mushrooms, salt, pepper, balsmic vinegar...MMMM

In a separate kettle,boil some carrots to soften them a bit. add frozen corn (1 bag) and frozen green beans(1 bag).  MY ADDITION:  Add some smoked paprika to the veggies.

veggies, as they begin to thaw, that's why they are segmented

Veggies all stirred up so you can see the ratios

Then stir in one can of cream of mushroom soup into the veggies.  Make sure you keep all the liquid in the veggies, this keeps your Hotdish moist.  AND IS SUPER GOOD on Day #2

Then Layer into the roaster!

Veggies with Cream of Mushroom Soup  on top of base layer of tots

 NEXT, Add ground Beef mixture to the top

mmmm.  tasty.  Like I said Mushrooms are my addition along with Balsamic Vinegar

Cover with Tots

ALRIGHT, Using regular AND sweet potato tots were my experiment this time.  I will skip it next time, they get to soft and don't hold form.  BUT it makes for pretty hotdish and it wasn't horrible.

BAKE at 325 for like an hour.  Everything is cooked, but you gotta get everything to meld together!

I forgot a picture of the finished product, but believe me, it was good :)

Have fun making it!