I've been working on crocheting Remi's afghan on and off for almost two years...mostly because it is just too warm to keep it on my lap for any real length of time.

My baby cheesing for the camera.

Me hard at work.

A close up view showing the two stitches I am using.  

I don't hold my crochet hook at all like the books show.  I find I expend less energy and have less strain on my wrist in this position. 

I have no real set color theme or anything.  Remi just wanted a bunch of colors, so I am using what I've got and trying to put it together as I go.  So far she really likes it and keeps asking when it will be done so she can put it on her bed.  I just want to get this one done soon so that I can start on one for Tate.  I'm not sure if I will be working on my monster dolls this year or not.  What I would really like to be working on are some of my scarf ideas but I need a serger and a new sewing machine.  Guess that will just have to wait.  In the mean time I have my yarn and crochet hooks to keep my creative hands busy.

BH and G French Bread

I love experimenting and trying new recipes.  In my Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book there is a basic french bread recipe that I decided to try this morning.  The resulting bread has a very dense chewy interior and crunchy exterior.  Not quite as airy as I would have liked, the density seemed all wrong.  I wasn't impressed with the crunchy, hard crust either.

Next time I plan to put a pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven and have a bottle of water that I can spritz the bread with about every seven to ten minutes while it bakes to improve on the crusts texture (commercial baking ovens have a misting system that helps create steam while the breads bake to create a more pleasing crust).  As for the interior it could use some more rising time to allow for the development of some real air pockets.

It really is just a very basic french bread and would make some pretty tasty garlic bread but I can be a snob about my food and will keep making something until I get it the way I want it.  I am not really a fan of BHandG recipes, though they are a good starting point.  I often find myself tinkering with the recipes to the point that I end up changing so much of the recipe that it becomes an entirely new one.  It is a great starting cook book if you're new in the kitchen but seems to lack that final polish that I am often looking for.

I planned on taking pictures as I worked on my bread but forgot until I actually had eaten some.  Next time around I guess.

Spiny Orb Weaver

The other day I came across this Spiny Orb Weaver spider constructing a web between the fence and the shed in our back yard.