In Like A Lion

March is coming in like a lion, just as promised. Predictions are for up to a foot of new snow today. Yes, it's pretty, but I can't wait for the lamb!

I haven't been blogging this week, but I have been knitting...a little.

Kris has designed another beautiful washcloth (too pretty to wash dishes

with! She calls it "Springing up Flowers" and you can find the pattern

here. She has designed some other great cloths too, and is generous enough to share them for free on her blog. You can see the flowers much more clearly on the photo over there.

I've also been knitting up these cute eggs - stuffed with Cadbury chocolate eggs! They are Jean Greenhowe's Novelty Eggs.

and use up small amounts of fingering weight yarn. I plan on making some little felted Easter baskets to put them in, although it's hard to think about Easter when looking out my window today. Easter comes so early this year we will surely be hunting for eggs in the snow.

Yesterday, I received my "Mystery Yarn Ball" package from Mary. In this Whoduknit Swap we had to wind up small treasures into a ball of yarn, and then provide a pattern for the receiver to knit. As you knit, the goodies fall out of the yarn ball. Mary sent some Bernat Black Lites yarn, and a pattern for the Trio knit tote bag from Crystal Palace Yarns. There were a few goodies in the package that I guess did not fit inside the yarn ball. I'm anxious to get started on the pattern and see what falls out!

If you too are snowed in this weekend, you might want to try this great clam chowder recipe. Our friends Layne and Tim (Hi Layne) served us this along with a great chicken dish and great company (and a little too much wine!) last Saturday night.

New England Clam Chowder

1 med onion, chopped 1 lg can chopped clams or 2 sm cans
½ lb raw bacon 2 qts heavy cream
2 Tbl garlic 1 Tbl lobster base
Black pepper to taste 1 tsp chicken base
2 potatoes, cooked, cubed

1. In soup pot, cook bacon; remove from pan and set aside. In bacon drippings, sauté onions & garlic.

2. Add pepper, clams & half the juice, and cream. Bring to a simmer.

3. Add lobster & chicken bases. Cook on low until thickened.

4. Add cooked potatoes. ENJOY!


Chicken Cacciatora with Olives

3 Tbl olive oil ½ dry white wine
3 cloves garlic, sliced 2 Tbl red wine vinegar
4-lb tender chicken, cut into pieces 20 ripe olives; 20 green olives,
1/8 tsp salt pitted/diced (I leave them whole)
1/8 tsp pepper 2 anchovy filets, chopped

1. In large pot, place oil and garlic. When oil is hot, add chicken, sprinkle with salt & pepper and brown slowly and thoroughly on all sides.

2. When chicken has a good golden color, add wine and vinegar. Add olives, and after a few minutes, the chopped anchovies.

3. Add several tablespoons water, and leaving fire on low, cook until chicken is done and sauce is thick and rich (about 45 minutes). Serves 4.