#gatheredapron

[diabetesinsider]

Skulls roses apron gathered hostess mid century funky punk goth gothic tattoo pocket lined lace cotton 25.25" L 40" W at hem ready to ship

Short...sweet...and to the point well describes this flirty skulls and roses gathered apron. It is fully lined, top stitched and sewn by me from all cotton fabric. The polka dot hip pocket is trimmed in white eyelet lace. There is a fluffy bow as tie in the back. It has a goth - punk - funky vibe...fun and kicky in a mid century hostess style. See what you think... READY TO SHIP This apron is 25 1/4" long by 40" wide at the hem, 22" wide at the waist with 29" long ties (80" end to end).

$35.00

[allthetrashydiva]

Gathered Apron in French Quarter, cotton, Summer 2012, one size, $33

https://web.archive.org/web/20130517224743/http://www.trashydiva.com/shop/Trashy-Diva-Gathered-Apron-p3403.html#

[diabetesinsider]

Filling Winter Bean Stew

If you’re looking for a hearty winter stew that will fill you up...this is a good bet!  I found the Beanland Soup Mix in the bulk bins at my local grocers but if you need to you can make your own with equal parts green split peas, yellow split peas, barley, whole dried green peas, brown rice, red lentils, and brown lentils.  This is economical with your time and finances - nice!  Give this a try and see what you think...

oil

3 - 4 carrots, sliced thin

3 - 4 stalks celery, sliced thin

1 lg. onion, diced

1 c. dried bean mix

4 c. vegetable broth

2 c. water

1 t. + salt

1/2 t. pepper

1 T. garlic, minced

1 t. oregano

1 t. basil

1 - 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes, with liquid

In a large fry pan, saute carrots, celery, and onion until caramelized.  While that’s sauteing, begin cooking the stew by adding to a large soup pot the bean mix, vegetable broth and water bringing this to a boil then turn down to simmer and cover.  Add the cooked vegetables to the soup pot when they’re ready and the salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, basil and crushed tomato.  Let simmer 1 hr. + stirring occasionally until the whole peas are tender.  Ladle up and enjoy!

Once I’ve put the soup onto simmer, I’m racing downstairs to my basement studio to sew cotton pocket aprons in funky fun fabric for my online shops - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads and www.amazon.com/handmade/topdrawerthreads . 

Or I’m putting the finishing touches on eye-catching hand knit scarves and hats worked by me from upcycled recycled yarns for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryrans . 

My daughters have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they design and sew cotton pocket knickers so comfy as lounging and sleepwear.  They have a handy hip pocket, too!

My older daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wildwovenwomen - where she works upcycled recycled yarns into beautiful striped scarves to keep you warm during winter’s worst storms. 

[diabetesinsider]

Tricolor Bean Salad

A very fresh salad - ingredients and idea - as well as helping me toward my healthy eating goals.  This is great on a bed of greens or as take along for your work lunch.  See what you think…

Vinaigrette:

½ t. salt, divided

3 T. lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, peeled, mashed

¼ c. olive oil

Salad:

2 - 15 oz. cans tri-bean blend, drained, rinsed

2 med. carrots, sliced

2 - 3 large celery stalks, sliced

1 red bell pepper, diced

½ red onion, diced

Topping:

½ c. fresh flat leaf parsley, diced using kitchen scissors

fresh ground pepper

In a bowl with lid, add salt, lemon, lemon zest, garlic, and olive oil.   Cover and shake to mix.  In a large salad bowl, add beans, carrots, celery, bell pepper, onion and parsley.  Add vinaigrette to salad, gently toss ingredients. 

When I’m not thinking up new ways to enjoy my favorite bean salad, I’m sewing cotton retro hostess aprons for my online shop - www.etsy.com /shop/topdrawerthreads and www.amazon.com/handmade/topdrawerthreads .  

Or I’m joyfully hand crafting crocheted deep, woolly throw rugs made from recycled wool selvage for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they hand make and sell rockabilly stretch velvet leggings.

My older daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wildwovenwomen - where she knits brightly striped scarves from upcycled recycled yarns.

[diabetesinsider]

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Lentil Salad

www.diabetesinsider.tumblr.com

A harmonious gathering of textures and flavors in this healthy, summer salad.  Serve it on a bed of greens topped with diced boiled eggs and a tart, tasty dressing.  This is a favorite at our house!  It’s diabetic friendly, too!

Salad:

1 c. dry lentils

5 c. water

dash salt

1 lg. bell pepper, seeded, diced

2 lg. tomatoes, chopped

1 lg. red onion, sliced super thin, separated into crescents

1 c. celery, diced

Dressing:

5 T. red wine vinegar

2 t. brown mustard

½ t. ground pepper

¼ t. dried oregano

5 T. olive oil

¼ t. garlic powder

bed of greens

4 hard boiled eggs, peeled, diced in egg slicer

In a large covered pot, bring lentils, water and salt to a boil for 5 min. then take from the heat and let sit for an hour until lentils are just tender.  Drain off excess water, run cold water over lentils to cool.   In a small mixing bowl, add vinegar, mustard, ground pepper, oregano, oil, and garlic powder - mix well, set aside.  In a large serving bowl, add lentils, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, and celery - toss well.  Arrange lentil salad on a bed of greens.  Garnish with eggs if you like. Pour dressing over all and serve.

When I’m not cooking up more nutritious lentils for the family, I’m sewing cotton canvas wrap around aprons for my online shop -  www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads . 

Or I’m merrily working upcycled wool strips into warm fluffy throw rugs for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they design and sew cotton knickers in out-of-this-world prints all with a front cell pocket.

My older daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wildwovenwomen - where she knits boho hippie folk art style afghans from upcycled yarns.

[diabetesinsider]

Fruit Spread

If you’re missing a little sweet on your waffle or toast in the morning but you want to keep to your healthy eating plan think about making your own overripe fruit spread.  Sugar free jam is not always sugar free.  Check out the ingredients - you may be surprised.   Try mashing overripe berries, then mixing them with cream cheese or margarine as a spread.  No added sugar and not much trouble at all to fix.  Just what I’m looking for…tastes great, too.

4 oz. cream cheese or 2 T. margarine, softened

¼ c. + berries, mashed

Combine thoroughly in a mixing bowl.  Spread on whole wheat waffles, pancakes or toast and enjoy.  It can be just that simple.

When I’m not treating my family to yet another experiment in eating, I’m sewing cotton batik pocket aprons for my online shop -  www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads and www.amazon.com/handmade/topdrawerthreads . 

Or I’m riding shotgun on a family driving excursion and knitting scarves for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they sew and sell cotton pocket knickers in eye catching colors.

My older daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wildwovenwomen - where she hand makes and sells knitted striped afghans made from upcycled recycled yarn. 

[diabetesinsider]

Greek Poke Bowl

This is just a twist on a favorite mix of ingredients that is just the thing if it feels like a lot of chopping and tossing is too much trouble for dinner tonight.  The marinated artichoke hearts liquid added at the last poured over all pulls the flavors and textures together in this healthy salad that fixes fast with next to no messy kitchen clean up - very nice.  It’s just a fast dump type salad - that means layer it in the bowl with no tossing needed and fixes for one.  This also travels well as a “to go” lunch at work, picnic at the park or a dinner to enjoy on the go which has been where I’ve eaten too many dinners.  Lemon cucumbers are a nice switch up from American slicing as the ones I’ve tried from my garden have added crunch.  See what you think...

1/2 c. cucumbers, peeled, cubed

1/2 c. sweet peppers, seeded, curt into rings

1/2 c. fresh mozzarella pearls or feta crumbled

1/2 c. cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 c. Kalamata olives, pitted

1/8 c. red onions, sliced thin into crescents

1 - 4 oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts with liquid

3 + tiny tender hearts of romaine spears

1 pepperoncini

Layer the cucumbers, peppers, cheese, tomatoes, olives, and onions into a deep soup bowl.  Pour the marinated artichoke hearts with liquid over all as a salad dressing.  Tuck the romaine down into the side of the salad.  Top with a whole pepperoncini as garnish on top and enjoy.

When I’m not experimenting in the kitchen, I’m sewing cotton canvas work aprons for my online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads , www.amazon.com/handmade/topdrawerthreads .

Or I’m pairing upcycled yarns to knit into warm winter hats and scarves for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns.

My daughter’s have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they hand make and sell pocket knickers for fun and frolic.

My older daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wildwovenwomen - where she works upcycled yarns into knit eye-catching striped afghans and scarves.

My younger daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags - where she works upcycled yarns into funky crocheted mushroom bags.

[diabetesinsider]

Scandinavian Winter Soup

Filling, delicious and easy to make as well as a change of pace meal for the whole family - healthy eating, too.  The green beans and pea pods (or frozen peas) add a change from what I ordinarily cook in creamed soups.  See what you think...

2 c. water

3 rutabagas, peeled, coarse grated

1 t. salt

1/8 t. white pepper

2 t. margarine

1 onion, chopped

3 carrots, peeled, sliced thin

2 c. green beans, cut to 1 in. pieces

2 c. pea pods, chopped or frozen peas

2 c. half and half

3 T. whole wheat flour

In a large soup pot add rutabagas, water, salt, pepper, margarine, onions, carrots, and green beans.  Add peas last, cooking for a  few minutes more until the vegetables are tender crisp.  In a separate  bowl, whisk together flour and milk until smooth.   Add some hot water from the cooking vegetables to the milk/flour, whisking all the time until smooth.  Then slowly add this liquid/thickening agent to the soup stirring the entire time.  Simmer 10 min. until heated through.

When I’m not simmering soup, I’m sewing work aprons with handy hip and pencil pockets for my online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads or www.amazon.com/shop/topdrawerthreads .  

Or I’m merrily tearing strips of upcycled cotton fabric to then crochet into round throw rugs for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s have an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns , where they design and sew cotton pocket knickers in batik prints.

My older daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wildwovenwomen - where she works rainbow colors of upcycled yarn into striped afghans.

My younger daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags - where she crochets cotton yarns into mushroom inspired shoulder bags.

[allthetrashydiva]

Gathered Apron in Sci Fi Rockets, lightweight stretch cotton, Spring 2012, one size, $33

https://web.archive.org/web/20130122192746/http://www.trashydiva.com/shop/Trashy-Diva-Gathered-Apron-p3032.html