Entrelac Crochet Blanket

Hi everyone!  It's a Tuesday again and would you believe it, it is raining in Auckland again!  I am honestly over it.  Just want to see some sunshine now with a bit of warmth to it.  So what is my post about today?  

Well as I was rummaging about in my craft cupboard amongst the UFO's (unfinished objects), and I came across a baby blanket in Entrelac Crochet.  If you don't know what that is, it is a version of Tunisian crochet.   simply picking up stitches and crocheting them off. 
 

I started this one a couple of years ago and haven't got around to finishing it.  If I go away it normally goes with me and a bit more will get done.  I love the colours, and if I knew of a baby boy being born I would forge ahead and complete it.  But, it seems only baby girls in my circle of friends.

Anyway I thought you might like to see the YouTube video that I followed to create this. It is by Bethintx1, who is Beth from Texas.  She does a great easy to follow tutorial.  It is in several parts so you need to stay focused. 

Please click on link above.

Chinese Five Spice Beef Casserole

This morning I have put on my slow cooker with one of my favourite recipes the Chinese Five Spice Beef Casserole.  It will silently be cooking all day long whilst I can get on with my Monday chores.  I love putting all sorts of vegetables with it depending what I have on hand.  As you all know any recipe can be adapted to what's in the cupboard.  This is my adaption today.

Ingredients:
Onion
Potatoes
Kumera
Swede
Parsnip
Carrot
500 grams Stewing beef
2 beef Oxo cubes
2 vege Oxo cubes
1 tbsp pea flour
A few good shakes of Chinese Five Spice (to taste)
Seasoning (salt and pepper)
A dash of chilli or cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tsp of sugar (or more to taste)


Line the base of your slow cooker with sliced onion, swede, carrot, parsnip and kumera. Season.  Slice the beef into largish slices and mix in with the Chinese Five Spice and pea flour. Layer on top of the veges.  Top with thickly sliced potatoes.  Make up your stock with the remaining ingredients with around two cups of liquid. The veges will produce the rest.
Set your slow cooker on low and leave til the end of the day. Approx 8 hours.

Right now it smells divine.....

The Illusionists 2.0

Good morning everyone!  What a great day it is starting out to be.  I hope you all had a good weekend.  I did even though the Auckland weather was wet and very blustery.  Not such a good start to Spring, but a typical pattern.

Hubby and I went to see The Illusionists 2.0 at the Civic Auckland on Saturday night.  What a fantastic night!  I just didn't want the evening to end.  Such talented illusionists. 

Good interaction with the audience.  Each and everyone of us took part in one act.  I can highly recommend these guys.  So if you every see them advertised again, don't hold back, book a ticket...