2009 January — Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara

Pork in the Pressure Cooker

January 30, 2009 · by JudyL

Here’s a pressure cooker recipe for you. We’ve used this one for years and love it!

Pork loin or roast

1/2 c. white wine (or broth)

1/4 c. oil

1 onion, chopped

1 or 2 cloves garlic, chopped

3 or 4 apples (Granny Smith would be good but I use whatever I have on hand), peeled and cut into large chunks

seasonings to taste

Cut the pork into pieces bigger than bit size but not as big as serving size. I slice my loin like it’s going to be a thick pork chop, then cut those into three pieces.

Season the meat well. I use Slap Ya Mama and it truly doesn’t come out hot because of the sweetness. I think the original recipe said to coat the meat with spicy mustard.

Heat the oil and brown the meat well. Once the meat is nice and browned, remove it. Deglaze the pot with the wine. Add the apples, garlic and onions. Put the meat on top.

Add about 1/2 – 1 cup water. Cook on low pressure for about 20 minutes.

I take everything out and make a gravy, then put everything back in and let it simmer for a little while, adding more seasoning if necessary.

Serve over saffron rice. This makes great leftovers!

· Filed Under: Cooking · 6 Comments

Sock Progress

January 29, 2009 · by JudyL

This morning I was able to finish the brown/green socks.

Then I found this pair that was finished but only needed the thread ends woven in so I did that and have two pairs finished! Well, I actually have quite a few pairs of knitted socks now but two finished as of this morning.

These are the remaining socks that need a 2nd one made. Don’t ask me why I did ribbing all the way down the leg of those two middle socks. I do not like doing ribbing!

The sapphire looking sock on the bottom left, I’m working on its mate now. Here’s a closer view of that one sock.

That yarn feels so good! It’s Mountain Colors Bearfoot Yarn and it’s 60% Superwash Wool, 25% Mohair and 15% Nylon . . which explains why it feels so good! And, it’s a bit heavier than most of the yarns I knit with so I’m using 2.5 needles instead of the 2.0 needles that I normally use. Love that yarn! I’ve had that yarn for a while but if Simply Sock Yarn carried it, I’d definitely be ordering some more of it.

But for now . . I’m off to sew.

· Filed Under: Home & Garden · 18 Comments

Sock Yarn

January 29, 2009 · by JudyL

Stashbusting on the fabric side is going great but I can’t say the same for my sock yarn stash. I’m not buying as much as I was but I’m still buying way more yarn than I’m using. I guess it’s because I never seem to take the time to sit and knit, though I love to knit socks. Guess I love to quilt and cook more!

This is some yarn that arrived yesterday from my favorite yarn shop, Simply Sock Yarn. I had one more skein here that needed to be wound to a ball so I did that and now it’s all ready to knit.

But, I have to finish up some second socks because I tend to keep knitting one sock and not doing the other sock. I believe I can finish a second sock (brown/green yarn) if I knit just a bit this morning. Then I’ll tackle another pair (deep turquoise) that’s already started, then maybe another brownish tan pair, then maybe . . Oh, you know I’m going to start something new before I get all those second socks done!

Yesterday I woke up feeling pretty good but as the day went on, I felt worse. I ended up in bed early and am really hoping I feel good all day today and can get some sewing done.

· Filed Under: Home & Garden · 15 Comments

How Times Have Changed

January 28, 2009 · by JudyL

When we came home from Pittsburg Saturday, we came a different route and passed a buffalo farm. Going through Kansas, it’s just flat and lots of prairie type land. I was thinking about when the settlers came across Kansas and Oklahoma and the Indians and buffalo were roaming, unfettered by fences or interstate highways. My mind wanders and I think of back then when young people (or old people) left home and went west. Those moms must have been really sad. I wouldn’t have been a good pioneer mom. No email, no cell phones, no land lines, real mail was “iffy” (kinda like today I guess but cheaper).

The thought crossed my mind that it’s sad that this buffalo (there were many out there, I just got a picture of this one) never knew what it was like to roam the prairies. He’s always lived behind a fence and probably gets fed hay or whatever buffalo eat, has someone out providing water when the ponds freeze over. He doesn’t have a clue what his ancestors dealt with . . though I doubt he spends much time worrying about his ancestors.

Then I looked at the next picture I’d taken and what the heck? His ancestors never saw a power plant or electricity transmission lines passing over the prairie! Guess that’s the price we have to pay for all these modern conveniences I was worried about losing if the ice knocked out our power. Oh well, he doesn’t look very bothered by any of it. It’s just that goofy woman in that motorized wagon taking pictures with that fancy camera that has his attention right now.