CRAFT | Union Jack Tea Cosy Knit Patterns

As we turn our eyes toward London and the 2012 Olympics, here are some creative ways to keep your party rolling. I love tea cosies and am acquiring a small collection that have either been given to me or that I've knitted myself. Here are some super cute free patterns that could keep your fingers busy during the games.

Union Jack Tea Cosy

This pattern is knit intarsia. It can be more difficult but for those up to the challenge, it's a beautiful piece for your collection. For resources on knitting intarsia, click here.

For an easier British inspired tea cozy, this free pattern would knit quickly and is darling as well. I plan to try my fingers at both. Enjoy.

Blighty Vintage Tea-Cosy.

British Tea Primer

Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics begin tomorrow night. It's a big event at our house. My boys will absorb the Olympics like they do all things sports. I, however, will revel in all things British ... tea for instance. Delicate china as well. We'll all be happy.

Since the 18th century, the British have been the largest per capita consumers of tea in the world. I'm told they like it strong, with plenty of milk and at least 2 teaspoons of sugar. Well, how delightful does that sound? As you watch the Olympic Torch Relay, treat yourself to a perfect cup of British tea ... oh, and perhaps a scone with fresh preserves on the side. Cheerio!

Here's how they brew a perfect spot of tea:

Fill a tea kettle with cold water and bring to a boil.

After the water has boiled, pour a small amount into your teapot. Swirl it around to heat your teapot and then discard the water.

Place loose leaf tea in the bottom of your teapot; 1 teaspoon per person plus one for the pot.

Pour water into your teapot over the leaves and let steep for three to four minutes.

Using a tea strainer, pour water through the strainer into individual teacups.

Serve with milk and sugar, never creme as it will mask the taste of the tea. 

Most common British tea meals:

High Tea -  the common British supper and usually served after 5:30 p.m and accompanied by a pot of tea.

Afternoon Tea (also known as Low Tea) - a leisurely afternoon tea meal usually served elegantly in high fashion with several courses.

Cream Tea is a term used when a pot of tea is accompanied by scones with clotted cream and preserves. Cream refers to the clotted cream or Devonshire Cream served with the scones rather than a cream served in the tea.

If your interested in learning more about British Tea Etiquette, here is a link with lots of detail on everything from proper service ware to placement of utensils.

For English Tea products, click this Amazon link.

One of my favorite resources for tea and tea parties in general are books by authors Shelley and Bruce Richardson of The Elmwood Inn. I especially love their book, The Tea Table. Books offered at Amazon.

GARDENING | What's Growing!

Just the word "summer" brings a smile to my face. It's filled with such promise. And relaxing ... well, who needs a spa when the summer rays lie just so carefully across your backyard hammock, or screened in porch? Ahh. Just the word "summer" conjures up so many delightful pastimes. Now that we're about half way through the season ... does it still bring that delightful smile to your face? I hope so!

While summer means many things to many people ... to me, one of the things I most look forward to is our family garden. Vacations, good reads, lazy days, blooming flowers ... kitchen garden. It's very near the top of my "summer list." This year ... I wasn't so sure how our family garden would fare with our, shall we say, mild weather. But after working in the garden this weekend, we were pleased to begin harvesting some more "summer" vegetables, albeit, a little later than usual.  Here are some photos of what is growing in our garden.

We've harvested kale, celery, broccoli, cucumber, peppers, sugar snap peas and herbs. The tomatoes are growing as are the myriad varieties of peppers my brother always plants for salsa.

If you have photos of your garden, we'd love to see them!

RECIPE | Turkey Meatloaf

Nothing says comfort food quite like meatloaf. And while we all love the traditional meatloaf made with beef, this is a nice alternative with traditional flavors, just a little lighter in the fat and calorie bank and one of my very favorites. In fact, served on top of a slice of homemade whole wheat bread, it was lunch today. Joy.


Turkey Meatloaf

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons tomato paste
1 1/4 pound ground turkey
1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup ketchup

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Saute onions, thyme, salt and pepper in olive oil until translucent, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock and tomato sauce. Allow to cool.

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, onions, bread crumbs and egg. Shape into an oval or rectangular shape in a casserole pan or baking sheet. Spread ketchup evenly on top. Fill a pie plate or baking pan with very hot tap water and set on the bottom shelf of your oven. Place the meatloaf on the middle shelf and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature is 180 degrees.

The water in the oven will almost steam the meatloaf, leaving a wonderfully moist and tender meatloaf.

ORGANIZING | Your Life: Free Printable Calendars, Organizers & Much More

We love organizational tips and helps. It seems that as the days tick by and turn into months, and even years, our schedules and lives become more complicated and definitely more busy.

This past school year was especially challenging for me as I juggled school, sports, social engagements, volunteer activities, friends, family ... well you know! I'm sure you did as well. But these activities are what make life interesting and worth living ... the giving and pouring into other's lives of what you have to offer.

But, to keep sane, relieve a little stress, and arrive at the right place AT the right time, I found that my Notebook helped me immensely this year.

There always is a lot of discussion amongst organizer enthusiasts as to whether digital organization is more efficient or the old school style of notebook, pen and paper method is preferred. To be honest ... I have to use both to get it all done. (Notebook and iPhone Calendar as well as that handy little tool on the iPhone called, "Reminders").

So ... while I'm almost Notebook free this summer, I'm also using these long summer days to plan, albeit surreptitiously so as not to over antagonize my middle schooler, improvements to my system.

Here's a list of what I presently have in my binder:

1. Daily Schedule Checklist that includes: 
(I use this sheet daily. I begin the list the evening before and add to it as needed).

• To-Do List
• Shopping List
• Chore List (Weekly Housekeeping Notes and Chores)
• Dinner Menu
• Nutritional Checklist
• Writing Ideas/List

2. Weekly Goals: List of 7 Goals

• This has been a rewarding addition to my notebook as it helps to prioritize my time during the week. I always include spiritual, physical, and nutritional goals as well as family and housekeeping goals as well. Surprisingly, as the family saw me doing this week after week, they wanted to do it as well. It has become a meaningful activity. Each Sunday evening we sit together after a meal and write the upcoming week's goals. Individually we give updates on the previous week's goals and then share the upcoming week's goals. When goals aren't accomplished, we smile and encourage each other -- no pressure or it isn't meaningful any longer. 

3. Weekly Menu Planner

• Sometime during the weekend, I will write out a weekly menu, matching it to our schedule. I will then quickly inventory the refrigerator and pantry and make a shopping list. This is a great stress reliever on those busy weeknights when the last thing you want to do is to come up with a dinner idea. I found this also helped me to nutritionally balance our meals more effectively.

4. Cleaning List

• This is a simple list of daily chores that keep your home running smoothly as well as a weekly list of chores like laundry, dusting, vacuuming, organizing. 

5. Monthly/Annual Cleaning List

• A checklist of monthly and yearly cleaning chores that are important to me. When it's accomplished, I check it off and can move on to another one when time is available.

6. Weekend Projects

• A list of weekend projects for the family. I try to keep this to a bare minimum so that when something really needs doing, it's not so overwhelming.

7. Quarterly/Monthly Calendar

8. Pantry Inventory

• As I try to keep a stocked pantry and take advantage of grocery deals, I found I needed to keep track of what I already had in my pantry. I use this list often when making out the shopping list for the weekly menus.

9. Long Term Food Storage Calculator

• I like to have a 3-month supply of needed pantry and food items. This list is simply formed from unique calculations that the user can enter, like number of adults in the family, the number of months desired, etc. Then I enter the amount I usually pay for these bulk items. An interesting tool that has come in handy.

10. Yearly Birthday List

• A list of birth dates of people whom you need to remember throughout the year.

My notebook is your typical view binder with 1-inch rings. Each page is slipped into a page protector and I keep a folder in the back with blank copies of my Daily Schedule sheet as well as the Weekly Goals sheet.

Now ... here are the resources for you to put together your own organizational binder. I promise, you will love the freedom you have when you've taken time to organize your life and activities. With just a minimal effort and little time of careful, thoughtful planning, your week is free to devote to the important things of life; who you love and what you love. It frees me to concentrate on what matters. But to be successful, you have to make the planning piece a priority, otherwise its just another check on your already overwhelming list of things to do. I would encourage you to give it a try. Find a resource and an organizational style that works well for you. Everyone has different styles and needs. Be patient as you try them out.

Resources for Your Binder:

Printable Blog Calendar: A Project Oriented Calendar
Food Storage Calculator
Weekly Goals
Daily Schedule
Daily To Do List Planner
Weekly Planner
Cleaning List
Pantry Inventory
Pantry Inventory List
Freezer Inventory List
Weekly Menu Planner with Shopping List
Weekly Menu Planner without Shopping List
Birthday/Anniversary Planner
Emergency List


We would love to hear from you!

RECIPE | Tian Provencal

After visiting one of my favorite French bakeries and patisserie, we found a summer vegetable tart that was perfect for this time of the year.  Here is our recipe for this delectable treat. And best of all, it's minutes to prepare!



Tian Provencal

2 Sheets Frozen Puff Pastry, defrosted
1 container Creme Fraiche
1 zucchini, sliced
1 summer squash, sliced
3 plum tomatoes, sliced
2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
1 bunch fresh basil, torn

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spray two baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray. Roll out puff pastry sheets, one per baking sheet.  Spread about 1/4 cup Creme Fraiche on each pastry. Then layer vegetables in rows on each pastry. We began with tomatoes, then layered the zucchini and finally the summer squash, before beginning again. I try to begin and end with a row of tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle fresh basil on each tart.

Bake pastry in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown and nicely puffed around the edges. I begin checking the oven at about 16 minutes.

Enjoy.