Party (mix) Time!!!

I was recently reminded of the fact that, when I started this blog, I said that it wouldn't be only about sewing. It would also be about food, family, kitties, and anything about which I care to rant. A co-worker reminded me today that, in nearly 2 years, I have only posted 1 recipe. Actually, what she said was (mouth full of Party Mix that I brought to work), "Sarah, why haven't you posted this recipe on your blog?" Okay.

But, first -- an explanation: I was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease, necessitating an immediate and strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. That sounds simple enough. Don't eat anything made of wheat, rye or barley. But wait! Oats, while not a naturally-occurring source of gluten, is frequently cross-contaminated by wheat in the field, farm, and processing facility. There's more. Food manufacturers put wheat flour, wheat starch, hydrolyzed wheat protein in prepared foods that, if made at home, I should never do. So every label must be read at every shopping trip. (manufacturers frequently change formulas, or suppliers). Then there's malt. Malt is made of barley, and used to flavor many things from Ovaltine to Corn Flakes. [Need I tell you that dining out is a nightmare???]
I share this so that you will know that, henceforth, any recipe that appears on this blog can be assumed to be Gluten-free. Such is the case with my NEW AND IMPROVED Party Mix.

The Gluten-free imperative knocked me for a loop. I confess, I was seriously depressed for a while. I am now crawling my way back to some semblance of normalcy, and beginning to enjoy a smattering of this challenge. What follows is a personal triumph. It is an adaptation of Chex's original party mix - tweaked. It is undoubtedly the best Party Mix I have ever made!! Now, you can make it, too. Please note: when I specify a Brand-name food -- I am not kidding - it really makes a difference.

Sarahbelle's Party Hardy Mix

1/2 Cup Butter [NOT margarine!]
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce -- Lee & Perrins
2 scant tsp Seasoned salt -- Lawry's
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp Tabasco
4 Cups each Corn and Rice Chex cereal
1 Cup Gluten-free Pretzels
1 Cup Gluten-free Sesame sticks
1/2 Cup dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts
1/2 Cup dry-roasted, unsalted cashews

In a 9 X 13 in baking pan, scatter butter that is cut into chunks. Place pan in oven while it pre-heats to 350.
When butter is melted and just begins to brown, remove from oven and stir in all seasonings until dissolved and well-mixed. Add cereals, nuts and sticks in increments, tossing well to coat with butter mixture.
Bake for 15 min.
Remove from oven, reduce temp to 325, stir mix well, return to oven and bake for 15 more minutes.
Remove from oven, reduce temp to 300, stir mix well, return to oven and bake for 15 more minutes.
Remove from oven, reduce heat to 200, stir mix, and keep warm until ready to serve.

Seriously. best. mix. ever.

can't. stop. eating.

Men's wear

wow.

I knew it had been a while since I had blogged, but I didn't realize it had been this long!!!

mea culpa

I have, actually, been working on several projects, but none of them are bloggable, yet. One project is a quilt-of-the-month club project, and so, won't be done until next January, or so. Another is a surprise for someone who reads my blog, and I wish it to remain a surprise, so --- no blogging about it. Another project is a skirt that is still mostly in my head . . . . well, you can see how all of this diminished the appearance of my output.






I did, however, finish a shirt for my husband, David.




It's really nothing special - it's a simple men's sport shirt. Not custom tailored, no French cuffs, no real fitting to speak of. It has only 2 features that are at all noteworthy: his initials are monogrammed on the left front pocket (chic, non?); and the inside features NO RAW EDGES. Okay, I am pretty fond of that last point. It was constructed completely of flat-felled seams, even the armsceye, excepting the hem, which was overcast and double-stitched on my serger. Have I mentioned how much I love my Babylock, lately???