Sewing: Crochet Hook Case

 It's not perfect, but it is done...and I'm so happy!

Finally something to carry all my crochet hooks and tools together instead of plastic baggies...and prevent a certain dog from chewing my hooks!

And see that crochet motif on the front? I did that...yes, I really did it myself!

 It has covers for all the areas so I won't have things dropping out.  And bright pink buttons to hold everything down...because you just need a bit of pink in every project!

I have a pocket for each hook...and a few extra just in case my collection grows.  Plus, some of the pockets on the right are larger for things like your scissors which need more space.

Oops! Forgot to take a picture of the two outside pockets holding my stitch markers, measuring tape, and other such needed things I've been told are needed for crochet....and I even used my pretty Daiso zippers, the brown polka-dot ones.

I'm a happy camper...now moving on to a few sock sacks and project bags to keep everything in order.
If you can think of anything else I need, let me know....

Recipe: Upside Down Banana Bread with Caramel Sauce

Another Pinterest Recipe tried and tested that turned out fantastic...think a cross between Pineapple Upside Down Cake and banana bread.  I'm blogging this it so I didn't loose it in the future....but I think next time I'll actually add pineapple and cherries to the top layer plus chocolate chips to the batter to see if it will taste like a banana split.

Note:  These are not the original directions....they've been adapted to the way I cook.

Step #1: Getting Things Ready
Make sure your oven is empty of all pans.
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease a 9X5 inch loaf pan, making sure to cover all surfaces.

Step #2: Creating Top Layer
In the bottom of your grease pan, layer the following in the order given:
  3/4 cup Brown Sugar, Packed
  3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, cut into several small pieces
  2 medium-sized Bananas, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
 
Step #3: Combining Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine:
  1-1/2 cup White Flour
  3/4 cup White Granulated Sugar
  1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  1/2 teaspoon Salt
  1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Step #4: Adding Wet  Ingredients
Once you've whisked your dried ingredients together, lightly combine with:
  1 cup Mashed Bananas (about three medium)
  2 Large Eggs
  1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
  3/4 cup Buttermilk
  1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Step #5: Baking the Bread
Pour the batter evenly over the ingredients in your baking pan.
Place your baking pan in your preheated oven.
Bake for one hour or until a pin inserted in the middle of the bread comes out clean.
Allow your bread to cool in the pan for 20 minutes before inverting it on a cake platter.
Don't you dare cut it yet...wait for it!

Step #6: Caramel Sauce
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine:
  4 teaspoons Unsalted Butter, cut into pieces
  4 tablespoons Brown Sugar
  4 tablespoons Heavy Cream
Microwave in one-minute increments until it boils and turns into a heavy sauce (about three minutes).
Let the sauce set for a minute or two so it's not so hot to handle.
Carefully pour the Caramel Sauce evenly over the top of your bread and wait for it to cool.

Now enjoy!!!

Family: The Melted Crockpot

My pretty crock pot...

  Sitting on the counter...

  So shiny and bright!

NOT!

See that black part on the bottom of the crock pot?  Do you know it melts if it sits on a lit burner?

It was an accident.  I was cleaning the counters and moved the crock pot to the top of the stove to clean underneath it, as I had made lamb curry in it the night before.

As I pushed the crock pot to the back corner of the stove, one of handles must have knocked one of the knobs to High, and the next thing I knew I was smelling something burning.

And that something was the bottom of the crock pot melting all over the stove!

Good thing it was easy enough to clean up...the plastic lifted right off the stove once it had cooled down.

So now I'm on the hunt for another crock pot...any recommendations since it's been awhile since I've bought one?