Whatever, Bob, Just Crash it!

So I decided I wanted to sew our own wearable blanket. I say our because I would make it, G would wear it. I bought all the stuff, went back and forth to the store a few times until I got all the correct necessities, got out my grandmother's old sewing machine, called to see about taking it in for a tune-up (this is scheduled for "later" on the calendar), practiced on some fabric scraps, sewed a preliminary project (a fabric panel book - which he loves!!) to get used to sewing again, and voila! Got started on my project.

Step 1 - draw a pattern on some old tissue you have left from a Crate and Barrel wrapping kit.



Step 2 - Pin said pattern to your fabric of choice. Best to pin to it folded in half so you only have to cut once. Cut out the fabric so you have two identical panels.






Step 3 - Sew. Here is a shot of the zipper, as well as an action shot of stitching the sides together.






Step 4 - Well, step 4 should be finishing everything up, but I haven't yet finished up around the neck and arm holes. That will be completed some time this week or next weekend. So in this case, step 4 is, drum roll please, have adorable baby model said wearable blanket!! Ta-da!

So there's a new - new to me at least - woman on the food network and she has "bean night" at her house. Once a week, they have dinner with beans as the primary source of protein, rather than meat. Saves on money and calories. So last night was bean night at our house. I don't believe once a week would fly at our particular abode, but once in a while works out.


Enter the charred chile rellenos - and add some black beans! Voila, a delicious - and dare I say pretty - bean night entree! I served this alongside some Mexican brown rice. Probably too many starches on this plate, but it was tasty and filling. Not your typical battered, cheese-filled chile relleno, but this one is hearty, heart-friendly, and quite tasty if I do say so.