Dublin Flea Market – Sunday the 30th of October

This months Dublin Flea Market is happening on Sunday the 30th of October. You might be in a spot of luck for last minute Halloween ideas as their site hints toward some Halloween themed finds along with their typical flea market delights. 11:00 – 17:00, Newmarket, Dublin 8. This months Halloween poster is designed by Alistan Munroe.
The DFM will be the perfect wind down for me this week. Fiance and I visited  a very promising wedding venue last weekend, and we’ll be going back for seconds this weekend. We fell for it so hard, we provisionally booked  it. Every day in October 2012 was booked  up except our desired date, and it’s within our budget. I still can’t believe our luck. Shit just got real*.
I’m really looking forward to strolling around some second hand finds on Sunday and sleeping in on Monday – it’s a bank holiday here in Ireland on Halloween. Roll on the weekend!
*I never know where to sit in regards to potty blog talk. I swear like a sailor in real life, but I can’t help but cringe and tend to delete any bad words I put here on my blog …

Black and white afghan

At long last, my monochromatic / black and white afghan is complete! I wanted to photograph and blog it yesterday, but some unfortunate happenings came about involving homemade soup, spillage, and said afghan needed an emergency wash. But myself and blanket have made it through in one piece. Both physically, and mentally.

To date, I have to say this was the toughest thing I’ve had to photograph. I took over 150 photos of my blanket, and only four made the cut. I had some more than willing kitty props, except that Juniper {above} doesn’t exactly look happy. I promise, she’s actually a happy cat. You’ll just have to trust me. And every time I positioned the blanket to take a picture, Toshi was on it like a car bonnet.

I was so surprised with how fast I was able to get crochet this blanket. I casually crocheted it for 6 weeks, doing a couple lines each evening; I sound like a hardened crack addict. I averaged at 20 minutes per row, which works out at 30 hours of continuous crocheting. Or realistically, 6 weeks.

I crocheted until I used up all the yarn. It’s the perfect length for sitting on the couch watching tv. Snug as a bug. 97 x 137cm (38 x 54 inches). I tidied away all the crochet gobbledy-gook after the jump. Enjoy!


Pattern Note
The original Lion Brand Yarn Shaded Ripple Afghan uses twice the size of crochet hook (9mm), and half the chains (76ch). Since I used a 4.5mm crochet hook, I had to double the amount of chains. In the end, it makes up the same size blanket. Original pattern can be found here. Below are details on how I made my blanket.


Materials
400g skein of black yarn
400g skein of white yarn
Crochet hook size 7 / 4.50mm
Scissors

Abbreviations
ch(s) – chain(s)
dc – double crochet
rep – repeat(s)(ing)
st(s) – stitch(es)
dc3tog (dc 3 together) – yarn over, insert hook into st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops. (Yarn over, insert hook into next st and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through 2 loops) twice, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook (4) – 2 dc decreased

Afghan
With black yarn, ch 152.
Row 1 – dc in 4th ch from hook, *dc in next 4 ch, dc3tog, dc in next 4 ch, 3 dc in next ch; rep from * 10 more times, dc in next 4 ch, dc3tog, dc in next 4 ch, 2 dc in last ch – 12 ripples.
Row 2 – ch 3, turn, dc in first dc, *dc in next 4 dh, dc3tog, dc in next 4 dh, 3 dc in next dh; rep from * 8 more times, dc in next 4 dh, dc3tog, dc in next 4 dh, 2 dc in top of turning ch. Change to white.
Rows 3-90 or until you run out of yarn – rep row 2, continuing in color sequence.

Fasten off, weave in ends, and get your snuggle on!

Oh my, pecan pie

We celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving a week late this year, but it was still a gastronomic success. Turkey, stuffing, sprouts, and a good dose of wine, our Thanksgiving was complete. What I brought to the table was this little dish – one that we haven’t had in 7 years – pecan pie. And it was a delight, if I may say. I made a little maple leaf to match the season and occasion and placed it on top {I baked it separately on a baking tray, otherwise it would go soggy}. 

This is the most straight forward recipe – hand on heart. It takes about 4 minutes to make the filling. God bless simplyrecipes.com
If you’re feeling extra cheeky, serve with whipped cream with a splash of maple syrup. In case you didn’t ingest enough sugar. To die for. Recipe details after the jump. 

Ingredients
1 recipe for pie crust base – I found a really good one here
1 1/4 cups pecans, roughly chopped {save some whole pecans for decoration}
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup light corn syrup (I used Lyle’s brand)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp molasses {I couldn’t find any, so I just used a touch more corn syrup}
2 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Method
Blind bake your pie base for 10 minutes. Spread the chopped pecans over the base. Mix the remaining ingredients, and pour over the pecans, which will rise to the surface. Place your decorative pecans on top. Don’t worry, they won’t sink. Cook for 45 minutes at 180C. Keep an eye on the pastry for the final 10 – 15 minutes. If it’s getting too overcooked, turn the temperature down.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before serving with or without ‘sugar-induced-coma’ maple whipped cream. Mmm.
Click here for a handy cooking calculator, should you prefer to measure in cups, mls, oz, etc.