Green Lentil Soup

I planted so many onions I had to make this soup off season,  my favorite soup I make it all winter long.

Serves 4-6
Ingredients
1 C. Green Lentils
5 Tbsp. Olive Oil
3 Onions Finely Chopped
2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. turmeric
2 1/2 C. Water
2 1/2 C. Vegetable Stock
Salt & Pepper
**1/4 C. Chopped Celery

Put lentils in a pan & cover with cold water.  Boil for 10 min. Drain.
Heat 2 Tblsp. oil and fry the onions, garlic, cumin, turmeric & **celery for 3 min.
Add the lentils, stock & water.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
Cover and simmer for 30 min.
Use a potato masher to lightly mash the lentils (makes the soup slightly pulpy)

**I add celery, I think it adds a little something to the soup.  I also quadruple the amount of garlic, cumin and turmeric.  Try it first the way of the original recipe and then add more seasoning to your liking.

it's been a while...

So I  have had (as all of us do) so much going on that I have not made time for this blog.  I have a friend who it turning 2.  What would be more fun that a superhero cape?  At least I thought so... we will see.  For now I had the neighbor girl trying it out.  She seemed to have fun.

It'll be a year...

Since grandma O' passed away.

I have had bits & pieces of my grandmothers sewing notions for years.  Always wondering what to do with them, never wanting to throw them out.  I recently came across a blog in which I gleaned some inspiration. Pam Garrison @ pamgarrison.typepad.com has some beautiful samplers that she calls stitched bits.  I made one for my mom & one for my aunt as this was their first mothers day without their mom, my grandmother.  Being Memorial Day weekend I thought this was a fitting blog post to wrap up the month.

She saved all kinds of things.  Buttons, edgings, safety pins...

Tatting made by one of my great great aunts, 

Military button from my grandfathers WWII uniform, 

So i put them together in a Pam Garrison inspired stitched collage.  

I stiched on a photo of her, the definition of love from a dictionary grandma gave me & embroidered her initials, E.J.O. Elizabeth Jane O'hearn.  Miss you grandma.

Love J

making rain

It's another beautiful day in Portland & what do i do?  i make some rain.  i've been having fun with paint chips.

& you can't have rain & sun together with out a rainbow...

paint chips, paper punches (borrowed from my wonderful neighbor Karen), & a sewing machine, add a jump ring & you have the beginnings of some great mobiles.

Rainbow Party

Another completed project to share with you, my niece mae turned 7.  She requested a Rainbow birthday party. So, my sister-in-law Heather made an amazing cake...

and I made her a Rainbow Tote.

  

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I'll be back later with some photos of the bag in action.

UPDATE 6.6.11

i received a photo of the proud recipient using the tote for her last few weeks as a 1st grader.

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Knitting Lessons

Have you ever wanted to learn how to knit?  Do you know how to knit but are tired of knitting scarves?

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You could learn how to make this adorable rib knit beanie & learn how to use double pointed needles in the process.

I'll bring my basket & we can have a mini knitting bee, drink some coffee, learn something new.

Learn how to knit & purl, $25

Know how to knit & purl, $35 per project.

Have a friend who wants to learn too?

Split the cost, just $10 more per person (Limit 3 people)

Must have your own needles & yarn.

Email me @ thisportlandgirl@hotmail.com

The Perfect Imperfection.

     Well it's here. The long awaited website launch from West of Perigo.  Patty O of Perigo Patty & West of Perigo has tons of beautiful jewelry to choose from. Head over to WestofPerigo.com.  Check out all of the silver & stones.

  

            Don't miss the necklaces & earrings made from paper beads made by women in Uganda.

A portion of the sales from the jewelry made with these beads will go back to Outreach Uganda.

  

 "Like" West of Perigo @ Facebook if you like what you see, "Metals, fibers, and nature come together for the perfect imperfection."   

       Don't miss the giveaway, go to WestOfPerigo.com  click on blog & look for the giveaway.  June 1st giveaway is an African Sling Bag made on a treadle sewing machine by women in Uganda.

 fill out the contact us form at the website to enter & have a chance to win yourself a beautiful bag.