Ayaan's Blanket

Eight years ago when my sister told me I was going to be an Aunt, I was beyond excited. I immediately started to think of things I would make for the newest addition to our family. Did I want to start a collection, make a blanket, or start a savings account? So many choices, I eventually ended up doing all three. What can I say; I’m a sucker when it comes to “my babies”. Once they found out they were going to have a girl, I found a rainbow pastel yarn and crocheted a blanket for her.

Fast forward four years, I became an Aunt for a second time.  Unfortunately, life had become very hectic and I had to put off making a blanket for my nephew. He just turned 4, and I couldn’t put off making him his blanket any longer.

So, in keeping with my no project left undone mission, I finished his blanket in record time. It took about a week and a half, but I was able to turn out this beauty. It’s about five feet long by three and half feet wide.

Giving it to him today, made all the cramped fingers and cricks in the neck worth it.

I mean, how can you not love this face???



Magnetic Strip for Pliers

I’m one of those people that when I’m working on something, I seem to accumulate layers of junk on my work surface. That not only inefficient but a pain when you’re trying to look for something and that something usually ends up being my pliers.

While talking to some of the ladies in my Metal Arts class, we started to brainstorm about organization. One of them told me how she used the knife magnets meant for the kitchen in her workroom. What an ingenious idea!!!  So that’s what I’ve done here.

My work surface has gone from looking something like this…..

To this!!!!

I decided this would also be a good place to hang the wire I was working with as well. Lord knows how many times I’ve gone looking for it to be right in front of my face. Well now, it will literally be in front of my face.

Coconut Crusted Halibut with Mango Glaze

There used to be a restaurant in Amarillo, TX call Zen 721. They had amazing Asian Fusion food and a great atmosphere. Every time I went to visit Amarillo, I made my friends go there, unfortunately it is now closed. The last time I went, I was able to get the chef to share is recipe with me. If finally tired it the other night and it was just as good.

Ingredients:

Fish:

Halibut Steak

Coconut Flakes (enough to coat the fish)

Coconut Milk (enough to coat the fish)

2 tsp Olive Oil

Glaze:

6 tbl Mango Jam

2 tbl Rice Vinegar

½ tsp Cinnamon

¼ tsp ground cloves

¼ tsp ginger

1 tbl coconut milk

Halibut:

Place the coconut flakes on one plate. Place the coconut milk on a separate plate. Dredge the fish on both sides in the coconut flakes. Place the fish onto a plate and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.

In a 12-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the halibut fillets and cook until golden brown and fish flakes easily, about 3 minutes on each side.

Glaze:

In a small saucepan combine all the ingredients and stir over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Let simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

Plate the halibut and drizzle with glaze.