Year in Review

     With only 9 1/2 hours left of 2016, I thought I'd post a year in review. I'll do another post on my Bullet Journal later on, but here's my knitting/reading year in review. By the way, my final book count was 29, not my goal, but pretty good.

Final counts for 2016 less reading since I doubt I'll finish anything else in 5 days. I won't lie, I'm kinda sad that the majority of my knitting was commissions. I'm hoping to remedy that in 2017! Happy new year everyone! Here's to a grand 2017! . . #operationsockdrawer #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #knitting #bulletjournal #projectsweaterchest #bujo

A photo posted by Jordyn (@jordyndayne9.6.98) on Dec 26, 2016 at 8:14pm PST

Bookish Christmas

     The holidays are over, and we are now awaiting the arrival of 2017. I thought I'd share the book related things I got for Christmas (Or bought with Christmas money). My wonderful Mom bought me the book I'd been wanting since it was announced, Heartless by Marissa Meyer, and I decided to round out my series' with my Christmas money. I bought Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor since I only had Dreams of Gods and Monsters. And I also bought Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon since I had books 3-5.

     I bought A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin and Pandemonium and Requiem by Lauren Oliver. The Delirium trilogy is one of my favorites and I was kinda disappointed when I couldn't find books 2 and 3 at Hasting's closing sale.

      The book on top in the first photo is Fleece Navidad by Maggie Sefton, I was reading it from the library before we moved, but my current library doesn't have any of Maggie Sefton's books, and my E-Library has all but this one. 

(I bought all of my books used to get more for my money, but I also don't mind having well loved books.)

     Did you get any books for the holidays? I'd love to hear what you received and how you're enjoying them!

Finished Reading Friday

     This week, I finished reading A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas. I don't even know what to say, or how to say it... This book... ALL THE FEELS. Seldom have I read a book or series that has just plain ripped out my soul and held it hostage. The characters were so wonderfully developed, you can just see and feel the surroundings at the Spring Court, and you feel like you're part of the family with Lucien, Tamlin, and Feyre. I'm hoping that the second and third books, A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Wings and Ruin are just as good, if not better. I highly recommend this book, if you're wanting a heart wrenching, suspenseful fantasy book, this one is it.

Work in Progress Wednesday

     This last couple of weeks, I have finally finished all of my commission knitting and got to start something for myself. I knit another pair of Monster Pants, a matching hat and a ponytail hat (which are all the rage right now in case you didn't know.) I can't get the camera to pick up the absolute gorgeousness (Word?)

Cozy Neighborhood

of the hat, which is "Pam" by Brazen Stitchery in case you were wondering. So I'll include a photo of the yarn. I've been working on a pair of vanilla socks for a friend and an Owl Cardigan by Mari Chiba for me. I also have the Downeast by Alicia Plummer, the Cozy Neighborhood by Joji Locatelli, and the Serenity by Joji Locatelli going. The Cozy Neighborhood is a Christmas gift for Grace, and the Serenity is also for Grace. I'm hoping to get lots of selfish knitting done in the new year!

Downeast

Serenity

Owls Cardigan (or Ginny's Cardigan)

    I also just received a Knit Picks order! A skein of Stroll Handpainted in "Coffee Shop" and "Gemstone," three skeins of Stroll Tonal in "Heartfelt," four interchangeable cords (2-40" & 2-60"), and a 40" size 1(2.25mm) fixed circular (Not shown). I'm hoping to knit two at a time socks in the new year.

What I'm Reading Tuesday

So I'll admit, this week, I've pushed most of my current reads to the side because two books have my full attention. One actually has my heart, in a ripped my heart out and is holding it hostage kind of way. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas. I don't even know what to say except TAMLIN. Oh my goodness, this book has made me laugh, sigh, cringe, cry, hope, and want to throw the book across the room. I'm on chapter 37 (38? 39?) and am quite hesitant to finish because I don't know that I want the book to end. Yes, I know there's A Court of Mist and Fury, and soon to be A Court of Wings and Ruin, but this story was the beginning, the groundwork for the whole story, and I am relishing each and every page.

A photo posted by A Book and Some Needles (@abookandsomeneedles) on Dec 17, 2016 at 8:53pm PST

I also got Heartless by Marissa Meyer for Christmas, and I opened it about an hour after unwrapping it! I am LOVING it! I know that Catherine is supposed to be the Queen of Hearts, but this character is more like Alice. She's having tea parties with the hatter and the hare, her comrade is Cheshire, she plays Flamingo Croquet and she says things like “Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” Maybe she's supposed to be a mix of the two, but it is quite confusing.

     That's all I've got for this week. I should have a Finished Reading Friday and possibly a book review this week as well. What are you all reading? Let me know in the comments!

Making Monday: Cheesy Potato Bacon Soup

     Though the holiday season is over, I thought I'd still occasionally share some recipes with you all. I've been craving potato soup for months now, so today, I'm sharing Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup. It's really like a soup-ed baked potato. I cut out the onions and put bacon in the actual soup rather than on top., but it's still really good!

Recipe from Recipes that Crock.

• 6 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
• ½ c onion, diced
• 32-oz container chicken broth
• 1 c water
• 3 T all-purpose flour
• 1 c milk
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8-oz pkg shredded Cheddar cheese
• Bacon and Green Onions for garnishing. 

Peel and cut your potatoes into cubes
Dice about a half of a small onion until you have ½ cup
Put potatoes and onion in your crock pot
Add your chicken broth and water to your crock pot
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours
Mix together your flour, salt, pepper and milk.
Pour mixture into your crock pot and turn the heat to high
Cover and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes
When the soup has thickened, add your cheese and stir together until the cheese melts
Garnish with bacon and green onions

     What kind of soups do you like to make during the colder months? Next week, look out for how my family makes Chicken and Dumplings!

Making Monday: Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake

     This is my absolute favorite treat that I make every year. I've been making this Layered Pumpkin cheesecake for 6 or 7 years now, and everyone loves it. I originally found this recipe in one of the perforated holiday recipe card books at the grocery store, but the online recipe can be found here.

Photo from BettyCrocker.com

Ingredients

Crust
2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs (about 32)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Cheesecake
4 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

     1 Heat oven to 300°F. Grease 9-inch springform pan with shortening or cooking spray. Wrap foil around pan to catch drips. In small bowl, mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press crumb mixture in bottom and 1 inch up side of pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 5 minutes.

     2 In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed just until smooth and creamy; do not overbeat. On low speed, gradually beat in sugar. On low speed, beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended. Spoon 3 cups of the cream cheese mixture into pan; spread evenly.

     3 Stir pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg into remaining cream cheese mixture; mix with wire whisk until smooth. Spoon over mixture in pan.

     4 Bake 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until edges are set but center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved.

     5 Turn oven off; open oven door at least 4 inches. Leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes longer. Remove from oven; place on cooling rack. Without releasing side of pan, run knife around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Cool in pan on cooling rack 30 minutes. Cover loosely; refrigerate at least 6 hours but no longer than 24 hours.

     6 Run knife around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake again; carefully remove side of pan. Place cheesecake on serving plate. Store cheesecake covered in refrigerator.

What I'm Reading Tuesday

     I know it's been a while since I posted what I'm currently reading, but this time of year gets busy. I know you understand. Right now, I'm reading...

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

This is my second time trying to read this book. The first time, I was listening to the audiobook. I'm enjoying it much more being able to imagine the voices for each character.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

     I won't lie, I had a hard time getting into this book, but I think it'll be worth the extra effort. I'm enjoying it now.


Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes

I love Alice in Wonderland, and while I'm awaiting my copy of Heartless by Marissa Meyer, I decided to try out this series. I am really enjoying it so far. Colleen Oakes has developed each character tremendously, and despite the names "card' "Cheshire" or "Harris," they are actually people. "Cards" are the division of the higher authorities, "Cheshire" is the King's right hand man, and "Harris" is Dinah's OCD, anxiety ridden teacher and guardian. I won't spoil too much here, but I am thoroughly enjoying it!

And Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

Just like Peculiar Children, I'm having a hard time getting into this book. I want to say that I'm only three or four chapters in, if that. 

Making Monday: Two Ingredient Fudge

This week, I'll be sharing how we make our fudge. My personal favorite uses Andes Mints, but we also make milk chocolate, Oreo, peanut butter, and pecan. This is the best fudge that I've had and it's super simple to make.

1-12 oz can of Sweetened condensed milk
3 Cups baking chips of choice
1 tsp. Vanilla (We use Los Cinco Soles Vanilla)

Directions
     You can do this on a double boiler or in the microwave. Put everything in a bowl together and mix until combined. Pour into lined pan and refrigerate until set.

Making Monday: Dipped Gingersnaps

     With the holiday season upon us, I'd like to share a recipe on Mondays leading up to Christmas. This week, I'm sharing my family's favorite gingersnap recipe. This recipe is from Taste of Home magazine and is called Dipped Gingersnaps. (Find the recipe here.) The recipe says it makes about 14 dozen, but we usually only get 7-8 dozen.
    Enjoy!

2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups canola oil
2 large eggs
1/2 cup molasses
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking soda
3 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
Additional sugar (for rolling the cookies in)
2 packages (10 to 12 ounces each) white baking chips
1/4 cup shortening.

Directions
     In a large bowl, combine sugar and oil. Beat in eggs. Stir in molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
     Shape into 3/4-in. balls and roll in sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until cookie springs back when touched lightly. Remove to wire racks to cool.
In a microwave, melt chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip cookies halfway into the melted chips; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set.

(Yield: about 14-1/2 dozen. )