Growing Up is Hard...

On a parent. Tall Child turned the big One-Six today. I can say, it certainly doesn't seem like it's been sixteen years. Happy Birthday honey! I'm so proud of the woman you are growing up to be.

She had a B-day bash with her friends on the weekend, so this evening was just a quiet dinner for her, Megz and myself. T.C chose the menu, it consisted of lemon oregano chicken breasts, steamed baby carrots and rice.

T.C's B-Day Dinner

For dessert, there were peanut butter swirl brownies. As we didn't have enough baker's chocolate squares, I used the Fry's cocoa recipe and topped them with the p.b. & chocolate mixture. I did cheat and melt the butter in the microwave as opposed to on the stove top.

Brownie Batter

Sunny Food Adventure

Today we made our yearly trip to Sunfest. We look forward to it every year, it is probably our favourite of the downtown summer festivals. The music is irresistible and there are always interesting and incredible vendors, as well as some really fabulous food. There are foods that we literally wait all year to have, and Sunfest is that time.

Upon arriving we usually hear the chatter of the crowds, and splashes of music from the various booths. Depending on our time constraints we will usually meander through the vendors looking at all the wonderful clothing, jewelry and trinkets. However soon after arriving, the scents of the exotic foods will beckon us to the food row. There is of course your usual festival food of fries, burgers, funnel cakes and such. But then there is the food we have come for, the spicy, the unusual, the "my taste buds are in heaven" kind of stuff we can never seem to find anywhere but Sunfest.

This year the food experience began with something I happened upon last year. Bulani, an Afghan thin sort of turnover, filled with potatoes, onions and served with the most incredible coriander sauce, that is truly a combination of spicy herby goodness. The sauce is my favourite part. We moved on in search of our favourites and new tastes to add to our list of loves.

Next was a stop at the Persian Chicken booth. It was recommended a few years back by a friend of Tall Child's and is it ever good. Chunks of chicken cooked on kabobs over an open grill till toasty, tasty and juicy. It's served in a wrap, and in case anyone doubts how good this chicken really is ... Sunfest runs from Thursday to Sunday, and every year, the Persian chicken booth is sold out before Sunday afternoon.

Third on our quest for food adventure. The Latin Delights booth. We make at least two stops at this booth every year. Our first bit if Latin deliciousness, Pupusas. They are awesome, tasty, pancakesque treats filled with cheese and pork, fried and served with a great coleslaw like side. We move along, knowing that we will be back. The Latin Delights booth is always our last stop of the day when eating at Sunfest.

Something new next, Popsicles. Not your ordinary Popsicles though. Tall Child had a Lulo Popsicle, Megz had a Guava one and I had a Dulce de Leche one. We each tried them all, and I can't speak for the girls, they were all very tasty and refreshing. I liked the Dulce de Leche the best. It was a combination of sweet, smooth, cool, milky yumminess that sort of reminded me of maple fudge.

Barely finished our Popsicles, we stopped for chicken samosas. We made a quick double back for one last Bulani and a slice of Baklava to share and then began our return to Latin Delights for our end of the day treat.

Deep fried ice cream. This has been our regular "leaving Sunfest" food for the past several years. The girls and I literally look forward to it all year. A scoop of cold ice cream surrounded in a protective and yummy coating of corn flake crumbs. Deep fried till just crunchy, and served in a bowl made of a fried tortilla. They then drizzle the whole thing with chocolate sauce and honey, topping it off with a huge slice of succulent strawberry.

This year was actually just a quick visit. We usually make a day of it, however we were there less than 3 hrs.

Sneak Peek

Mini Pink Lemonade Cupcakes for Friday at work. I think I may do a little experimenting with this recipe on the weekend.


Made a stop at Winners again today, thanks to the kindness of my friend Kim, who drove us. I bought a broom I had seen on my last visit. I love it, my twelve year old daughter hates it. She was actually horrified in the store that I was indeed buying it.


On a side note, Em, aka: Tall Child, informed me today that her friends have named her president of PETMA. "People for the Ethical Treatment of Marshmallow Animals." Apparently after being appointed, she celebrated by eating a pink Peep bunny. The VP celebrated by putting a Peep in the microwave. I'm so proud that my crazy gene will not end with me, and has obviously been passed to my offspring.

Btw, Em loved the broom.

New Unofficial Holiday

Here at Chez Moonlit Knit today was unofficially named as "Dumpling Day".

For supper, the girls made Gyoza. A Japanese version of pot stickers. Basically a dumpling, filled with a cabbage and pork mixture, that is fried and them steamed. They were very very tasty. They used an online recipe we had found, and made a delicious dipping sauce of soy sauce, lime juice and ginger. Meg took this picture and is very proud that she was able to capture the steam in the shot.



As my contribution to the meal I made Apple Dumplings, from The Pioneer Woman Cooks. They were absolutely wonderful, complete and true demon food. You know, the kind that calls to you, pummels your will power and makes you want to eat the whole pan. I reduced the butter to 3/4 of a cup, and the sugar to one cup. I definitely don't think that the finished product lacked for the alteration in any way. This recipe will surely be going into regular rotation.


For anyone keeping up on my battle with Bread Making Disease, I made it through one more day, unless you count dumplings as bread. Though I did buy a 10 kilogram bag of flour while grocery shopping today.

The List for Today.

Today was a busy day. I had a Doctor's appiontment, made supper, did laundry, baked cookies and baked bread. While I was pondering possible blog topics for today, Em, my eldest offspring suggested "Ten Uses for My Children". Since they actually have way more than ten uses, I have modified the idea a little.

Top 5 Reasons I had Children.

1. I always wanted to be a Mom.
2. They make good back scratchers.
3. Without children, the world would be full of crotchety old people.
4. Someone needed to clean the cat box.

And last, but certainly not least...

5. I needed someone to pass along to, my love and knowledge of cooking and most things crafty.


And on that note, I am off to ready for bed.

Congrats to the Kiddles

I forgot to share, my Em (aka Tall Child) won a cash prize at school for having her artwork selected to be included with a CD they're making. Honour roll and winning artwork, and second semester hasn't even begun yet. Megan will be performing a solo at the school's upcomming Christmas concert, and has a role in the school's production of High School Musical. Just to re-afirm, I am very proud of both of my girls, not just for their accomplishments, I am exceedingly proud of them for the people that they are.


On a knitting note, apparently it's genetic. Here is a peek at the progress Meg has made on her pink camo, garter stitch scarf. It's with Bernat Camouflage yarn, knitted on pink metalic 4.5mm needles.

Speaking of camouflage, here is Marzipan, blending in with the blanket on my bed.

Third time's the charm?

Who the heck knew my daughter could get chicken pox three times? Certainly not me. At least this time she seems to be recovering quickly. Hopefully, this will be the last go round with it.

Knitting progress? Thankfully, there has been some. This weekend I completed the body of the orange toddler cardigan, and finished the shoulder seams with a three needle bind off. I then picked up the stitches for the button band and collar, all 265 of them. It'll be done in seed stitch. I have knitted a few rows, but 265 stitches in one row seems to take forever. To amuse myself, I have re-cast on Charlie's Kitty hat, with a new yarn. Bernat Satin Sport, in black and plum. I'm loving the way it's knitting up and I needed a portable project. I have several small knitting commissions that will be great as on the go projects. Wow, reading it looks weird, I guess I don't think of the things people ask me to knit as "Commissions". When I think of my little knitting projects, the word "commissions" seems so pretentious.

Due to my lack of photo uploadage, instead I will share more about me, in case ya cared. I stole this from Kelly , her Facebook(I'm not sure if she stole it from someone first), I like to give credit where credit is due.

Be honest....
1. Where were you 6 hours ago? Home.
2. Who will be your next kiss? My daughters.
3. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? If so, it's Meg's.
4. When is the last time you went to the mall? Saturday.
5. Are you wearing socks right now? Yes.
6. When was the last time you went out of the province? 2003-ish, to Atlanta.
7. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days? Nope.
8. What was the last thing you had to drink? Cherry Kool-Aid.
9. What are you wearing right now? Yoga pants and a t-shirt, both black.
10. What was your last purchase? Yarn.
11. Last food you ate? Cheese, applewood smoked cheddar.
12. When was the last time you were upset? Friday.
14. Do you have a pet? Two cats, Mocha & Marzipan.
15. What's the last sporting event you watched? So long, I don't remember.
16. What is your favorite class(es)? I don't take any.
17. Who are your favorite people in your classes? See above.
18. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be? In bed... & with room service.
19. What is the last thing you purchased online? I don't shop online, I'd spend too much.
20. What's your favorite soup? My Grandma's beef barley.
21. Do you miss anyone? My Dad, and...
22. Last play you saw? One at my daughter's school, last year.
23. What are your plans for the day? Today is almost done.
24. Who is the last person you got a comment from on facebook? Jess.
25. Ever go to camp? Brownie & Guide.
26. Were you an honor roll student in school? Nope, but my daughter is.
27.What do you know about the future? Nothing, it's probably better that way.
28. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne? Neither.
29. Where is your best friend(s) located? Dorchester
30. Do you have a tan? No.
31. How old do you want to be when you have kids? I was 23 & 26.
32. Do people hate you? Probably, but that's their issue.
33. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw? Yes.
34. How do you like your soda? With tonnes of ice, but I prefer iced tea.
35. Do you like hot sauce? Sometimes.
36. Who do you like? Someone.
37. Do they like you? Maybe.
38. Are you someone's best friend? I'm not sure.
39. What's the last TV show you watched? Can't remember, something on the Food Network.
40. Are you addicted to a certain kind of gum? Nope, I don't chew gum. I like mints.


Tune in next time for "More Crap About Me that You Never Wanted to Know".

Tidbit Tuesday

Wow, I must work harder to post on a more regular basis.

As the title says, today is going to be a Tidbit Tuesday. What's that you ask...well, I suppose it'll be a lot like my cooking, a bit of this, a dash of that, a pinch of whatever, hopefully all combining into a tasty experience enjoyed by all who partake.

First, a photo. I took this just over a month ago, at the last meeting of the 4H knitting group I was lucky enough to help out with. It was taken at The Wagon Shed, this awesome weaving, spinning studio in Arva. The reason that I'm sharing this particular photo is that I absolutely love the way it turned out. I love the colours and how they seem to compliment each other, the reds of the couch and the quilt, the red of the cat, even the hint of a red undertone the lighting seems to bring out in Emma's hair. I would love this photo, even if it wasn't of my Emma. Sprocket the cat, a full time resident at The Wagon Shed, seemed to really enjoy the attention.



There has been much cooking going on as of late in the Moonlit Knit household. There has been chili, pasta sauce, and maple applesauce. Friday was chicken with corn, mashed potatoes & gravy. Saturday, I made some homemade cranberry sauce and this .....


Nope, it's not jam. Can you guess? A hint? Well, it was made from a half bag of mixed frozen berries discovered when I defrosted the freezer. Rather than return them to the freezer, to possibly be forgotten forever, I wanted to transform them into something delicious. With the help of a little sugar, a drop of honey, a pinch of cinnamon and a little cooking success was had. Have you guessed yet? Another hint?



That's right, you guessed it, Ice Cream sauce. Forgotten frozen berries metamorphisize into a seriously yummy, sweet, slightly tart, triple berry ice cream sauce.



Today's undertaking, to convert this ...



.... into a gorgeous pot of succulent beef stew. I'll let you know how it turns out.