Weekly Wednesday 3.10.10

My Weekly Wednesday is up over at Make It From Scratch. It's about cooking skills and using your hands or using machines. Is it important to be able to do it by hand before you do it with a machine? Read the article and let me know what you think.

Cooking Skills - Hands vs. Machines

I've got a recipe for handmade mayonnaise other there too. Have you ever made your own mayonnaise? It makes you wonder how they can call the stuff in the jar at the grocery store by the same name!

The Zen of Knitting

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you know that I recently started knitting. I find it difficult to just sit in front of the television in the evening without doing something else at the same time. Normally I sit there with my laptop and read emails, play on Facebook, write blog posts or Google various things. I've been getting antsy lately and for some reason, just really wanted to knit. So I went out and bought some needles and some yarn, Googled "beginner knitting patterns" and I was off. I knit all that afternoon and into the evening. I picked it back up the next morning and literally knit all day, only stopping to eat. I forced myself not to pick it up the next day and get some work done instead. Every day since then I've had to fight against a strong urge to knit, allowing myself only to pick it up after dark. Throughout my life I've done a lot of the needle arts. Crocheting, needlepoint, cross stitch, embroidery, sewing, quilting, you name it I've done it. Now I can add knitting to that list.

No longer the baliwick of old ladies in rocking chairs, knitting has become hugely popular across the country these days with all ages and, surprisingly, genders. That's right, even men are knitting. Google the reason and you'll get everything from hard times to being influenced by celebrity knitters like Julia Roberts and Russell Crowe. There's just something about knitting. It's peaceful and calming. Knitting engages the hands and the mind. Time passes happily while knitting along and before you know it, hours have gone by.

I'm moving in just two short weeks and I don't have hours to spend knitting but I think that's why I'm doing it. I have so much to do that it's overwhelming me, making me just a little bit crazy. I have so much to do that I'm having a hard time getting started. Are you ever so overwhelmed by the amount you have to complete that you can't do anything? That's kind of how I feel right now. Knitting brings me some peace and calm in the very hectic place I inhabit at the moment. I have a yearning to be a spinster aunt in my tower rooms, rocking and knitting the day away and being content. Unfortunately no one in my family has a tower in which to install me and I think in reality I'd get pretty tired of it after awhile but that's where my head is these days!

Back in Texas I have a good girlfriend who is a big knitter. She lives a very hectic life, always running here and there, solving problems and dealing with family issues while at the same time trying to get her older home remodeled and livable. Sometimes she would be in residence and I wouldn’t see her all day. I’d ask her what she’d been doing and she’d say, sheepishly, that she’d been knitting.

If hard times have people knitting, I’m not so sure it’s because we can’t afford scarves and sweaters. Maybe it’s because hard times bring stress and knitting is a way to deal with that stress.

I've Googled knitting in Knoxville and find there are several good yarn shops in the area that sponsor various group knitting evenings so my new hobby may help me make some acquaintances once I get settled.

Unfortunately, ready or not, I'm out of here two weeks from yesterday so I've got to stop knitting and get busy.

Do you knit? I’d love to know what knitting means to you. Is it your port in the storm like it is becoming mine?

Carnival of Personal Finance - Women in History Edition

I try not to schedule more than one carnival in any given month. Somehow I've got three this month! Guess I need to keep a closer eye on my calendar! Last week's Carnival of Money Stories featured five important women in a celebration of Women's History Month. I'm continuing the theme on this week's carnival because it was hard to choose only five and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to recognize a few more.


When life is too easy for us, we must beware or we may not be ready to meet the blows which sooner or later come to everyone, rich or poor. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Are you self-employed and wondering about your retirement? Science and Money explains some of your retirement savings possibilities. That's some advice I can use!

Don't understand investing? Provident Planning, as part of a series on investing basics, is explaining securities.

Curious about dividend growth? The Dividend Growth Investor explains the ten year dividend growth requirement.

WealthPilgrim is showing us how to know if we're saving enough for retirement. I'm trying not to think about it!

Dividend Value is explaining investing in Utilities. This is part one of what will be an ongoing educational series.

GenY has all the answers. Want to know how to retire early? Give it a read. I'm glad someone has it all figured out!

The Oblivious Investor says he's a microcap growth stock. He also says my human capital is decreasing. Alrighty then...

Are you a hiker? CanadianFinanceBlog relates some financial lessons learned from hiking.


Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged. - Helen Keller

Are you working on your budget? Miss Bankruptcy is wondering how to figure in unexpected expenses, which throw her off.

Still not sure how to set up a debt elimination plan? My Debt Relief Options spells it out.

Not so sure I agree with some of his conclusions but Studenomics is taking a look at following your passions to making lots of money.

The Financial Student wants other young people to grow up and start making their own decisions regarding their financial future.

Magical Penny is also talking to young people about a concept called consumption smoothing. Hmm...I think I get it.

As April 15th draws ever nearer, The Consumer Boomer is reminding us to make our IRA Contributions for 2009.

Are you considering taking a loan from your 401K? Read Darwin's Finance post on this subject.


“The only thing that separates successful people from the ones who aren't is the willingness to work very, very hard.” - Helen Gurley Brown

Are you wondering about using a financial adviser? Personal Finance Journey shares 5 lessons from her encounter with a financial adviser. It's an excellent article.

Modern Gal reminds us how important it is to continually learn new skills and gives us some pointers on how to do it!

Would you like to branch out? Four Pillars explains how to start an online business.

Balance Junkie shares 5 Financial Toxins and Antidotes. This advice is good for many areas of our lives.

Budgets are Sexy has a great conversation going on in the comments section of his article on what if the unemployed worked for their unemployment checks. If only it was that easy!

BrokeFamily is considering couponing vs. getting a part-time job. Sounds like she has a part-time job already!

With a nifty little arts and crafts project Fiscal Geek explains how to make a paper budget for your pocket. Neat!

Early Retirement the Middle Way has been talking the talk, now she's going to have to see if she can walk the walk. In a scary turn of events, her husband has been laid off. Their plan is in place, I hope they can make it work.

Do you tack on warranties for your various purchases? The Obsessed Analytic isn't so sure you should and takes a look at the subject.


“Economy, prudence, and a simple life are the sure masters of need, and will often accomplish that which, their opposites, with a fortune at hand, will fail to do.” - Clara Barton

Did you catch WiseBread's article on Job Search Romance? A Gai Shan Life did and she's still laughing about it and asking, "Is it a bad romance?".

Trying to simplify your financial life? One Money Design has 10 ways to go about it. Maybe some of these ideas will work for you.

This is interesting. Jeremy Simon from Taking Charge is sharing a little financial snafu he's going through. There are some good "take heed" lessons here about reading the fine print.

In another article that highlights the importance of knowing everything about all your financial accounts, Personal Finance Ninja is teaching from personal experience with his step-by-step directions on how to get a bank fee waived.

With yet another personal error experienced and shared, Good Financial Cents explains what happens when you let your life insurance policy lapse.

Money Beagle is wondering whether or not it's okay to use a coupon on a date. As long as it's not a first date, I think it's probably okay!

Are you dreaming of spring? Money Strands is suggesting a little financial spring cleaning.

Bargaineering was having a conversation with a friend about protecting yourself against zombie attacks and, um, came up with the best places to hide money at home. Zombies notwithstanding, it's probably a good idea to have a little cash around the place against emergencies.


The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it. - Pearl S. Buck

In a rather cynical post Realm of Prosperity is pondering the truth behind "free".

Are you planning a trip overseas? Foreigner's Finances has some tips on how to travel internationally with credit cards.

Christian PF has some ways to save while shopping. We can all use that kind of information!

Can't get your credit card debt under control? In an ever popular numbered list, Not Made of Money has a list of 47 ways to save money and get the cash you need to pay off your credit card debt. Maybe you can find some that will help you!

Trying to lead by example, CashMoneyLife explains how they manage money in their house.



"...decide...whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying...." - Amelia Earhart

Who doesn't love those FreeCreditReport.com commercials? Mr Credit Card is reviewing the service and isn't so in love with their product.

Are you considering a pre-paid credit card? Prepaid Credit Cards 123 reviews the YAP Mastercard to help you make up your mind.

Credit Card Offers IQ reviews the Mango Prepaid MasterCard to give you another option.

Are you a Dave Ramsey fan? The Smarter Wallet is taking a look at The Total Money Makeover and rethinking the value of credit cards.

Interested in an interest bearing checking account? The Sun's Financial Diary is reviewing a bunch of them.

How about investment brokers? The Digerati Life is checking out the options for mutual fund investing.

That's it folks. If your article was included, be sure and link back to the carnival from your site. Please help advertise the carnival by promoting it through whatever social networking sites you frequent. More traffic to the carnival helps us all.

Next week's Carnival of Personal Finance will be hosted by Being Frugal. Articles should be submitted here.

Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Pecorino Cheese

This week's Sunday recipe is a tasty way to get some greens into your diet. Use a whole-wheat pasta to make it even healthier. This spicy, hearty dish is perfect for those of us still struggling with cold winter temperatures!



1 tablespoon olive oil
2 onions, thinly sliced
2 bunches Swiss chard, trimmed and chopped (about 14 cups)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons freshly grated Pecorino cheese
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the chard and saute until it wilts, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, wine, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer until the tomatoes begin to break down and the chard is very tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Season the chard mixture, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the spaghetti. Add the spaghetti to the chard mixture and toss to combine.

Transfer the pasta to serving bowls. Sprinkle the olives, cheese, and pine nuts and serve.

Serves 4

My Weekly Wednesday post over at Make It From Scratch this week is going to be all about culinary skills. I'm wondering which ones we should be able to do by hand and when it is okay to go straight to the machines.

Morningstar Grillers Prime - A Favorite Thing

The search for the perfect (or at least acceptable) veggie burger is one fraught with, well, bad tastes and freakish textures. I've experimented with making my own and, although they tasted alright, they weren't burger-like.

I've tried Dr. Praeger's California burgers and found them, like my own, not horrible but bearing no resemblance to a burger. Boca burgers are the easiest for me to find and I've eaten a lot of them but they aren't exactly right either. Finally I stumbled upon Morningstar's Grillers Prime (strange name, why don't they call them Prime Grillers?) and find they fill the bill admirably. They have a good flavor and a good texture. I usually eat them on an Orowheat Sandwich Thin roll with some spinach and homemade mayonnaise.

I don't eat a lot of processed foods, much preferring to cook, but sometimes I need a quick meal and these burgers, which take about 6 minutes to cook, make a tasty meal. I also eat very little meat but sometimes I have a craving and these seems to fill it.

A box of Morningstar Grillers Prime contains four burgers and I can usually get them at the local Food Lion for $3.00 a box. Not nearly as cheap as making your own but, at 0.75 a piece, not nearly as expensive as a run to the local fast food joint for a burger.

I'd love to know what veggie burgers you've tried and which ones you liked (if any!).

I'm using my Saturday slot to share with you some things I really like. These are not going to be solicited reviews and I don't have a giveaway. It's just stuff I like, use and want to tell you about.

Link Love 3.4.10

How can it possibly be March?

I did get a little web reading done this week. Here are some articles I particularly liked -

Big Little Wolf has a date and she's a little anxious! It's funny, we no matter how much we want them, those first dates are a little scary!

It's winter, you should be roasting vegetables! Frugal Scholar is and reminds us that roasting makes a lot of things taste better!

Jeff at My Super-Charged Life has an excellent article on living below your means. He's got some good questions we should all be asking ourselves.

There is a belief swirling around out there that only the well-off can afford to eat well. That really makes me unhappy. Scordo wrote an excellent article this week, On the Myth of Equating Poor Eating Habits with Economic Class and Spending Power. His take - not true. I agree!

On that same vein, check out Grace's $25 a week grocery challenge. Her month is about up. Her conclusion? On $25 a week she was able to buy healthy, whole, unprocessed foods and stick to her budget. Bravo!

Tea Leaves has a very thought provoking post called, "What I think is true". It's her reflections on new beginnings.

Spring is Coming (Even Though It Doesn't Look Like It Right Now)

This month's Stadler Nursery post is about digging out from winter and making plans for the coming spring!

This time of year most garden writers are penning stories about the arrival of spring, the crocuses, the early daffodils and the robins appearing in the garden. Here in the Mid-Atlantic this year, it’s still all about the snow. A fair amount of our unprecedented 52” of snow that fell in early February is still around. Any part of the garden that is shady still has more than a foot of snow on the ground while areas that receive some sun are starting to show some exposed, waterlogged patches of soil. The heavy wet snow and high winds broke branches and knocked over trees. Small shrubs are smashed flat under the snow and haven’t seen the light of day in nearly four weeks. It’s going to be an interesting year in the gardens around here.

While I am saddened by the loss of a couple of favorites in my own garden and a bit overwhelmed by the thought of all the work ahead of me this spring, I am choosing to look at this event as an opportunity to make some overdue changes in my garden. I’m looking forward to planting a few new things that I didn’t have room for before.

One plant I am definitely going to find a place for is a new dwarf form of the very popular Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ called ‘Little Lime’. I’ve had to admire Limelight from afar because at 10-12’ tall and wide, it is just too big for my small urban garden. Little Lime produces the same huge beautiful lime green to cream flowers on a plant just one-third the size. It will give me color from midsummer until well into the fall.


Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’

Another shrub I am considering is Exochorda, or Pearl-Bush. Growing only 3-4’ tall and wide, it is covered in pure white blooms in the spring. Pearl-bush is an old-fashioned favorite that is making a comeback in today’s gardens.


Exochorda

My garden has a lot of perennials, some of which have taken it upon themselves to take over ever larger areas of the garden. While I am out there cutting back broken things and digging up dead things, I plan to dig up some of those too.

This will make room for some new perennials coming on the market. I am a big fan of Coneflowers (Echinacea) and there are some great new colors coming out that I’d like to try, like Flame Thrower, Tomato Soup and Mac N Cheese. Their bright hot colors will look great on a summer day. They are long-blooming and make great cut flowers too.


Echinacea ‘Flame Thrower’

February is always a dreary month that seems to go on forever even though it is the shortest month of the year, but with all the snow this year it was even more so. I’m tired of looking out the window at all the mounds of dirty snow everywhere. Planning the changes and additions to my garden has been a fun diversion and I’m anxious to get started! How about you? What new plans do you have for your garden this year?

Cheryl lives with her husband and their three cats in a 100-year-old house in the beautiful state of Maryland. She has a degree in horticulture from the University of Maryland and has been the manager of Stadler Nurseries in Maryland and Virginia for over 20 years. Become a fan of Stadler Nurseries on Facebook to find out what's going on in the garden world!

My first Weekly Wednesday post is up over at Make It From Scratch! This one's a frittata, sort of...check it out!