Beginning a Podcast

I started my podcast a few weeks ago and I have discovered a few things. First, I began recording with my iPad and I loved the quality it produced. The thing that I found frustrating was that it filled up fast and I could not see myself or a light while I was recording. This led to many frustrating nights. In addition, the sound was okay, but I felt it could be better. After spending a few weeks recording this way, I talked it over with my hubby. We brainstormed using my MacBook Air to record the video because it offered me a few options. I could see when the video was recording and I could use an external microphone for the audio. The downside is that I gave up the HD recording. I recorded my podcast this week with the new equipment. I absolutely love the sound quality, but I'm still up in the air on the video. I will continue to work on solutions, and I welcome any suggestions that you may have. In the meantime, I have included this week's show notes here. Thank you for checking in and watching my podcast.

Episode 3 Show Notes:

Thank you for joining me for another episode of my podcast. Tune in to see the projects and topics I discuss this week. In addition, if you follow me on my Instagram or Facebook account you will have little peeks into what is going on.

Ravelry: Everything Jenni group

Instagram: everything_jenni

Facebook: Everything Jenni Page


Etsy Shop: Everything Jenni


Website: www.everythingjenni.com

Getting Podcast Ready

1. Start with what you have
2. Invest in sound equipment
3. I started with my iPad and now I’m using my MacBook Air.
4. I’m using the Samson Go Mic for sound.

Works In Progress (WIPs)

• Coziest Memories Blanket (Junkyarn)
• UPDATE: ordered yarn from Praefatio Yarn on Etsy (set of 6 mini skeins in spring colors)
• Are any of you working on this project? If so, please share on Everything Jenni Ravelry group page for the WIPs thread. Tell us if you are you using the same weight of yarn or the same pattern? What size needles are you using? How many squares have you decided to do? We love to see what you are working on.

• PurlSmith: Stitch Markers (Sterling Silver and Freshwater Pearls)

• Whispering Pines Shawl
• Notes: Making slow progress, but it’s looking great! 

• Hiker Socks
• Notes: I’m making the men’s size medium, so I cast on 60 stitches. I finished the first sock and am getting ready to cast on the second sock. These will be really warm and snuggly.

• Cruiser Mittens
• Yarn: Madelinetosh Vintage
• Colorway: Tannenbaum
• Needles: US 6  or 4.00mm
• Cruiser (Cailyn Meyer of dailyskein.wordpress.com)
• Notes: I just cast on this morning for the first mitten. I love the colorway.

Sewing Projects

Medium size project bags and DPN Holder Project Cases available in my Etsy Shop now

**UPDATE: I have a Valentine bag and an Earth Day bag in the shop now.**

Finished Objects (FOs)

• Miscarriage Blanket
• Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby
• Size G Hook
• Shell Pattern
• Notes:  About the size of a washcloth, super soft

Patterns I Would Like to Try

I’m still looking for some shawl patterns using 400 yards or less of fingering/sock weight yarn.

Love Notes Postcard Project #lovenotesjb

www.jenniferbelthoff.com

Thank you for stopping by. I would love to hear what you are up to this month. I hope you join me for my next podcast.

Hugs,

Jenni

Busy Week: Episode Two Podcast

I have created my second podcast! I want to thank all of those people who subscribed this week. I love receiving an email that says I have a new subscriber. It brings a smile to my face. This week I was overwhelmed with projects that did not involve yarn. I spent a great deal of time prepping and teaching a GATE workshop (Painting With Picasso) to third through eighth graders. It was a lot of fun seeing the students create superhero paintings in the cubist style of Picasso. When I wasn't working on the workshop I was busy sewing and creating medium sized project bags and DPN holder project cases. I was able to get some of these posted for sale in my Etsy shop last Friday. Here is a sample:

I would love for you to grab a cup of coffee (or any beverage) and join me for my latest podcast.

As promised, I'm including my show notes here.

Episode Two: 1/25/16 Show Notes

Ravelry: Everything Jenni group
Instagram: everything_jenni
Facebook: Everything Jenni Page
Etsy Shop: Everything Jenni
Website: www.everythingjenni.com

Works In Progress (WIPs)

Coziest Memories Blanket (Junkyarn)

• UPDATE: ordered yarn from XrayAnn on Etsy (set of 8 hand-dyed mini skeins in the autumn sampler color way)
• Are any of you working on this project? If so, please share on Everything Jenni Ravelry group page for the WIPs thread. Tell us if you are you using the same weight of yarn or the same pattern? What size needles are you using? How many squares have you decided to do? We love to see what you are working on.

Whispering Pines Shawl

• Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Alegria
• Colorway: Antigua
• Needles: US 6  or 4.00mm
• Pattern: Whispering Pines (Molly Klatt of A Homespun House)
• Notes: I just started, but using this yarn I can see that I will not see the snowflakes well, but the pine cones and trees will be awesome.

Hiker Socks

• Notes: I’m making the men’s size medium, so I cast on 60 stitches. I’m still working on these, but did not make much progress this week.

Sewing Projects

• Medium size project bags and DPN Holder Project Cases available in my Etsy shop now
• UPDATE: I have been busy stitching away on my sewing projects. I hope to have Valentine project bags available by the end of the week. I’m also in the development stages of a few surprise projects.

Finished Objects (FOs)

Christmas Eve Socks (Little Bobbins Knits)

• Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock
• Colorway: Clematis
• Needles: Karbonz Circular – Size 1
• Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes
• Notes: I used the “eye of partridge” heel flap and the rounded wedge toe.

Casting On This Week

Rustling Leaves Beret from Coastal Knits

• Yarn: Woolfolk Tynd
• Colorway: Color No. 3
• Needles: Size 2 and 3 circular 16"
• Pattern: Rustling Leaves Beret (book: Coastal Knits)

New Yarn Purchases

• Yarn/Colorway:  The Lemonade Shop in Harvest Moon
• Yarn/Colorway:  Paca Peds in Mermaids go Walking

Patterns I Would Like to Try

• Pattern/Designer: Cruiser/Cailyn Meyer (dailyskein.wordpress.com)

Art

• Artwork Behind Me
• Artist: Christopher Burgan
• Title: Hanging Onto Time
• Medium: Oil Paint on canvas
• Subject: Early 1900’s era everyday tasks by everyday people
• Website: http://www.chrisburgan.com (artwork coming soon)

Love Notes Postcard Project #lovenotesjb

• www.jenniferbelthoff.com

Recipe

• Recipe:  Loaded Chicken and Potatoes from Tip Hero on FB
• Notes:  Recipe calls for hot sauce, but I used my own seasoning mixture and a white gravy. I omitted the bacon.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you join me for my next podcast.

Hugs,

Jenni

My First Video Podcast!

I have put off the idea of creating a video podcast because I truly felt no one would want to sit and watch me talk. However, I have had several requests recently to get out there and post one. The holidays were just too busy to think seriously about what I was going to talk about. With the start of the new year, I decided I would try this new approach to blogging. I have been working on organizing and setting up a space in my creative room to film my podcast. I finally got it together and jumped in. I welcome you to my newest form of blogging: video podcasting.

Welcome to my new podcast - Everything Jenni.

I mention in the podcast that I would provide show notes in my blog. So here there are.

Ravelry: Everything Jenni group

Instagram: jenniburgan

Facebook: Everything Jenni Page

Etsy Shop: Everything Jenni

Website: www.everythingjenni.com

Works In Progress (WIPs)

Christmas Eve Socks (Little Bobbins Knits)

• Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock
• Colorway: Clematis
• Needles: Karbonz Circular – Size 1
• Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes
• Notes: I used the “eye of partridge” heel flap and the rounded wedge toe.

Coziest Memories Blanket (Junkyarn)

• Yarn: various fingering weight/sock weight
• Colorway: various
• Needles: Hiya Hiya Sharps 16” Circular – Size 2
• Pattern: Junkyarn

Hiker Socks

• Yarn: Neighborhood Fiber Company
• Colorway: Druid Hill
• Needles: Karbonz Circular – Size 3
• Pattern: Ragg Hiker (Two At-A-Time Socks Book)
• Notes: I’m making the men’s size medium, so I cast on 60 stitches.

Sewing Projects

• Medium size project bags will be available in my Etsy Shop soon

Finished Objects (FOs)

Shawl

• Yarn: Madelinetosh Chunky
• Colorway: Tart
• Needles: Knit Picks Harmony Interchangeable Circulars – Size 10
• Pattern: Boneyard Shawl by Stephen West
• Notes: I changed yarn and needles to larger sizing. The Elizabeth Zimmerman sewn bind-off is fabulous, but requires a lengthy tail to sew. It can be time consuming.

Slippers

• Yarn: Malabrigo Rios
• Colorway: Arco Iris
• Needles: Knitter’s Pride – Size 4.0 mm DPNs (pattern calls for 4.5 mm)
• Pattern: South Marysburgh Slippers
• Notes: I changed my cuff to be a K1, P1 rib stitch for four rounds instead of the seed stitch cuff. I am also adding the Fiber Trends Suede 2-Piece Slipper Bottoms in size medium and charcoal coloring. I had enough yarn to make two pair, but on my second pair I am using a different colourway to add a much taller cuff for a winter slipper.

Recipe

• Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup from Tasty on Facebook
• Notes: Make sure that your stovetop portion of the recipe is thickened before adding to your slow cooker to cook for an additional 30 minutes. If it is not thickening add a little more flour.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you join me for my next podcast.

Hugs,

Jenni

Thanksgiving Preparations

When it is possible for the Thanksgiving holiday, Christopher and I like to invite our family and friends to a homestead cabin in the mountains. It is usually brisk and beautiful with changing colors all around. There is a fireplace outside and inside. We get the fire going in both places for people to gather around the warmth being offered. Each year we are able to do this, we plan a potluck and assign items to bring. Christopher and I are not turkey fans, so we usually plan to have chicken or ham. However, we aren't opposed to anyone bringing turkey for the turkey fans.

This year I thought I would make my own cloth napkins. A dear friend of mine gave me a pattern for napkins. It is amazing. I have spent several days washing, cutting, ironing, and sewing fabric. I was even able to purchase fabric at 60% off. Although I'm on a mini vacation and not working on them for a few days, I have no doubt that I will finish them by next week.

I like to bring beautiful tablecloths and a gift for each family that joins us. This year, to be sure my napkins are not accidentally thrown away, I am planning to bring a beautiful basket to put the used napkins in. That way I can take them home, wash them, and store them away for next year.

I love to hear what people enjoy most during the holidays. What traditions do you have for the holiday? What new traditions would you like to start?

Hugs,
Jenni

"Find Your Happy Place"

I have several projects in the works, but I recently finished this painting. It all started as a sketch. I wasn't sure that it would even become a finished painting. Then last week I was looking through my sketches, and I decided to give it a chance to become something more. This time I would take on the painting with gouache on watercolor paper. It took me awhile for the color palette to come to me. I wanted something that conveyed a place you might be happy. I know for myself that my trailer is my escape and it makes me incredibly happy. So the above image is my final painting. Prints, cards, and postcards will soon be available on my website (www.everythingjenni.com). I'm also trying to incorporate the trailer in a necklace. My hope is that when you see this little trailer you think of your happy place.

Hugs,
Jenni

July - A Tough But Productive Month

Every July begins with my memories of my daddy going into the hospital due to a stroke. That is followed by the date of his birth/death. (He died on his birthday.) Just as I am recovering mentally and emotionally from this, my grandmother's birthday comes along. I often reflect on how I wish I had spent more time with her doing things that I loved. She was a whiz at anything she tried. Whether she was cooking, sewing, or crocheting, grandma was all in. Everything had to be perfect. As this very emotional month winds down, I decided to share with you a few of the activities that I conquered in honor of my grandma. I began the month making my delicious butter. I finished a granny square blanket.

It truly is relaxing to feel the yarn run through my fingers. Then I jumped into canning a strawberry jam.

Although I don't think it is beautiful in presentation, it certainly is mouthwatering. That was followed by a batch of scrumptious cheese.

It is so incredible that it is hard to keep stocked. After all of this yummy goodness, I decided to use up my material supply in the craft room. I have begun working on a English Paper Piecing quilt.

It is the perfect on the go sewing project. I can take a small sewing kit, and work while we travel. Everything is done by hand to piece the quilt top together. It will take awhile, but it is definitely worth the time. Next I began making my mama's divine apple sauce.

Again, this is another treat that is hard to keep stocked. We have a couple of spoonfuls with every dinner. My most recent endeavor was my version of my daddy's salsa.

However, this time I made it mild so that I could share with others. This is my all-time favorite condiment. I literally put it on everything. This week I will be tackling a blueberry jam or a blueberry butter. I haven't quite decided yet. They are both delicious, but I'm not sure which one I want just yet. The ingredients have been purchased, but I haven't made up my mind. I'm thinking about making a video on how to make the blueberry dish. You will have to tune in next time to find out what I do. Until then, I sending out happy thoughts for you.

Hugs,
Jenni

Oh so pretty dutch oven!

As many of you know, I have been looking for a delicious, no fuss, bread recipe. After trial and error, I discovered that I was running low on patience. Every recipe I tried was too dense. I even gave it multiple attempts with slight variations, but I was not satisfied.

One of the owners of the Village Kitchen Shoppe in my quaint downtown recommended the Sullivan Street No Knead Bread recipe. I was so excited to go home and try it. Based on her description, I had all of the ingredients and I was ready to go. However, when I looked up the recipe online I discovered that I needed a 6-7 quart dutch oven. Darn it! Of course that is the one thing I did not have. I began the search for a dutch oven. After countless hours and numerous websites, I found one to order with free shipping. It was even cheaper than going down to the store to get it. The downside to this is that I had to wait a week for it to arrive. Dang, that patience thing was really becoming a bother.

A week passed and the plain brown box arrived on my doorstep. I quickly rushed in and tore it open. I washed it, and then I pulled out the recipe. As I read the recipe over, I discovered that you had to prepare the dough and let it sit for about 12 hours. Okay, more patience. At this point, I mix up my ingredients and then the waiting begins again. After my 12 hours had passed, I went back to reviewing the recipe. A few more steps and then I had to wait again for 1-2 hours for the dough to double in size.

But wait! It says that you are supposed to heat the empty dutch oven for 30 minutes at 450 to 500 degrees prior to adding the dough for baking. However, my instruction booklet for my dutch oven says to "never" heat it empty. What to do! While my dough was rising I began the search for more information on the Internet. I found a few recipes for no knead bread that used a cold dutch oven and a cold oven. Unfortunately, these were recipes with a more dense look to them. Well shoot! I decided to wing it. I did not preheat my oven or my dutch oven. I let my dough finish rising and then I added it to my dutch oven. I turned the heat to 450 degrees and placed it inside with the lid on. I baked it for about 40 minutes, and then I removed the lid and baked it for about 10-15 minutes longer. When I took it out, it looked great and smelled even better. Alas, I was unsure how it would feel and taste.

I waited again for it to cool. This is the proper method. Ugh! Awhile later I decided to dive in. I cut myself a slice and found it to be light and airy with a slightly harder crust. It reminded me of sourdough. I grabbed some of my homemade butter and slathered it on. Oh my goodness! It was delicious. I was so proud that I devoured another slice. When Christopher came home, he smelled the bread and had to taste it. Luckily, he was in full agreement with me. It was the best yet. I will be repeating this recipe every week. It was great alone, as a sandwich bread, and especially, as French toast. I hope you will give bread making a try and let me know how you do.

Hugs,
Jenni