Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Zucchini Banana Bread or Muffins

2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup mashed banana
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 baking soda
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup sour cream
3 cups flour
Chopped dates or raisins, optional

Cream oil and sugar together; add sour cream, eggs, zucchini and bananas. Then, alternately add flour and the rest of the ingredients. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes. In bread pan or 10 x 13 inch pan.

Note: Instead of using the oil I used a 1/2 cup of applesauce - it cuts down on fat and adds sweetness so you can cut back on sugar. When making the muffins, I started checking them after about 35 minutes. If the toothpick comes out clean - they are done. Fill them about 3/4 full or a little less. I suppose you could add chocolate chips to these too. They are delicious and very moist.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Lilac Lace Scarf--Knitted Pattern

This is a really nice lace pattern. It will make a good spring scarf. I used 1 skein of Patons Lacette yarn in Lilac Lace. If you can't find this particular yarn, any soft fine yarn will do. I also used size 8 needles.

--C.O. 32 stitches. (You can make this wider or thinner, but make sure the # of stitches is a multiple of 4.)
-- K1, *YO p 2 tog. K2* repeat between * to last stitch, K1. Repeat this row throughout.
--Work until piece measures 50"
--make fringe (optional)

I was really surprised that one skein was enough to make this whole scarf. Not bad considering I bought this yarn at the Dollar Tree. I still have 4-5 more skeins of this so I could make a whole lot of these if I wanted to. But I think I'm going to design a sweater here before too long. Maybe I'll put the pattern on here when I'm done.