Monday, May 14, 2012

A Little ME Time: Skirt and Scrub

This last Saturday, while my husband was researching who to vote for state senate in the primaries. I was listening in to his research and having a little "me" creativity time. First up: Finger Knitting. I have been knitting up these vegetable scrubbers:


This is my little mini scrubber and it has already been put to great use scrubbing carrots this morning! I have larger sizes for the dishes and such but this one was just finished so I thought a celebratory picture was in order. If you have not learned the art of finger knitting here is a good video tutorial. This shows just the single strand knitting which is what I used for this idea. This video also inspired the scrubber concept. I will post a tutorial soon once I get the steps more simplified.

I also had the chance to re-fashion a skirt to fit me! Lets just say I am not a size four, but I could not pass up the deal of this skirt and a vintage store. One dollar?!!? yeah we can do something with this...


So here is the skirt before. Super cute but WAY too small (sorry the pics are not so great...night sewing...what are you gonna do).


Here is the skirt after. Not as cute as before but still cute. It is very light and airy and very fun to wear. So for me it is a success. 

I hope there is some more night time sewing in my future. It is just too much fun.

~ Misguided Maiden

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Salsa Sunday: Orange Mango Salsa

Its a mothers day salsa special today! This is for all the women in the world who are mothers, sisters, aunts, best friends, a kind stranger, mentor and so much more. Thank you to all the women in the world who have been one of these things. These ripples of love affect many throughout the world.

(OK...its for you men too)

This salsa was inspired by two things: Sunday brunch and farmers markets.

Sunday brunch reminds some of fresh squeezed orange juice or mimosas; and an impressive spread of heavy two light foods to pile your plate with. It is usually for a large gathering of people to enjoy the many eats and to catch up with one another.

So I was reading the paper...looking over the different restaurants and their mothers day brunch menus; which lead to a visit to the farmers market later in the week where I picked up these pretty lady's...


I also had these mangoes sitting on the counter... and...well...it all basically rolled on from there!


After making this there were some optional ingredients I would recommend to enhance the salsa even more.


They are: Lime juice and diced jalapeno. Its adds a little tart to the very sweet salsa and a little spice. Sweet and spicy are a good combo.


Other than that...its simplicity is what makes this a great salsa for a Sunday brunch.


So give it a try. Its great on a chip! I bet it would be good on some fish as well. YUM!


Orange Mango Salsa
 Four Oranges washed a diced
One teaspoon of orange rind
Two Mangoes washed and diced
1/4 a bunch of cilantro washed, diced (stems and leaves)
salt to taste

***Optional items: Lime juice and/or Diced Jalapeno


                                Buen Provecho!

~ Misguided Maiden

Monday, May 7, 2012

Salsa Sunday: Grilled Pineapple Salsa

So your looking at the date and thinking..."its not Sunday?!!?" Perhaps on Sunday you were constantly checking out this blog to see the next Salsa Sunday post and thinking..."Where the heck is it!"

Sunday we had friends over for a BBQ and honestly I would rather watch this...


any day over getting a post in on time. Those boys had a blast. Of course there was lots of salsa to snack on while we all waited for the entree to finish cooking. It was a fun night. Afterwards it was off to bed for baby and then mom and dad chatting the night away with a little slow dancing under the full moon to cap off the evening. Yeah...would do that all over a blog post any day.


But I did make a Salsa on Sunday. One that I will share with you...right now. It all started earlier in the week when I picked this beauty up from the grocery store. Every time I see a pineapple I am reminded of Maui and the pineapple tour we took there.


Obviously this was not a Maui pineapple but we can still make it just as tasty. In fact we can turn it into a very wonderful salsa. All we need is one pineapple and the magic of the Grill.


Grilled pineapple is a magical thing...like unicorns or ligers (lion + tiger, bred for their skill in magic).
A sweet/tart fruit turns into a juicy sweet grilled awesomeness.




Pair that with some salsa staples and you get a little piece of heaven on a chip or your grilled meats, fishes...hey...I might even eat my hand if it was covered in this.



With a dash of salt to top it off you have a little bit of magic right in your own home. So here it is:

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

One Pineapple, sliced and grilled (or put under the broiler) to your liking then diced
1/2 a bunch of cilantro, washed a diced, stems and leaves
1/2 of a small red onion, diced
lime and salt to taste (here you want to find your perfect balance of sweet a salty)


Eat on anything or nothing. Just enjoy it!




I also made some classic guacamole and some pico de gallo con queso for appetizers and it got me thinking that I should really do some salsa prep posts here. Seriously with a little prep you can make salsa in minutes!

Something to consider in the future I guess. In the meantime...

                                    Buen Provecho!
~ Misguided Maiden