Antjie, die Rooibruin hen: May 2012

Sunday, 13 May 2012

Happy Mothers Day!

M – O – T – H – E – R

“M” is for the Million things she gave me,

“O” means Only that she’s growing old,

“T” is for the Tears she shed to save me,

“H” is for her Heart of gold,

“E” is for her Eyes with love-light shining in them,

“R” means Right, and right she’ll always be.

Put them all together, they spell “MOTHER” a word that means the world to me.

Today we celebrate “Mothers Day” – It is celebrated each year on the second Sunday of May.

The modern Mother’s Day holiday was created by Anna Jarvis as a day for each family to honor their mother, and it’s now celebrated on various days in many places around the world. It complements Father’s Day, the celebration honoring fathers.

Different countries celebrate Mother’s Day on various days of the year because the day has a number of different origins.

One school of thought claims this day emerged from a custom of mother worship in ancient Greece, which kept a festival to Cybele, a great mother of Greek gods. This festival was held around the Vernal Equinox around Asia Minor and eventually in Rome itself from the Ides of March (15 March) to 18 March. The ancient Romans also had another holiday, Matronalia, that was dedicated to Juno, though mothers were usually given gifts on this day.

In addition to Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries on March 8.

Today is the day to remember all mothers of this world, the day to acknowledge their sufferings for their children and the day to show some gratefulness to them.

At Least go now and give your mom a warm kiss on this Mothers Day. I am sure that will make her happy.

Saturday, 12 May 2012

Tears From Heaven

The tears left their ducts,

where more would fall from

for His eyes see the sadness

of the days still yet to come.

They well within their rim,

till they begin to over flow

for His eyes see the sorrow

of what only He would know.

They trickle down His cheek,

and slowly start to run

for His eyes see the world

without the love of His Son.

They flood from their brims,

and puddle onto the floor

for His eyes see the day

this world will be no more.

Tears fall from up in heaven,

like a thunderous mighty rain

so many still live their lives

in futileness and in vain.

He cries for the unsaved,

the lost, the unforgiven . . .

His tears reflect those who reject

what His Son ~ has so freely given.

- – - written by Deborah Ann Belka

Cheese Scones in your "Snackwich"

Delicious!

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons oil

1 Egg

¾ cup milk

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 ½ cup grated cheese

Mix everything together and cook it in the "snackwich" until done!
Served with a BBQ .. cut open, spread butter and add a little green salad
Or you can it cut open, spread with butter on grill it on the griller until crispy.

SNACKWICH-potatoes
Make mashed potatoes flavored with butter, salt and pepper to taste
(slightly stiff) and mix grated cheese with it.
Spoon into snackwichmaker and fry until golden brown.
It is delicious with barbecue and displayed very nicely.

Tip: Serve with roast beef and a green salad or a tasty sauce with meatballs and salad

Grilled Chicken & Pineapple Quesadillas

Here’s what you need:

Flour Tortillas,
Monterey Jack Cheese,
Pineapple, Cilantro,
Chicken Breasts, and
Barbecue Sauce…and
whatever spices you’d like to use to spice up the chicken.

Hack off the top and bottom of the pineapple…then you hack it down the middle.

Cut them into four wedges… cut the four wedges to make eight wedges.

Then cut the hard triangular core off of each wedge.

Next, cut off the hard, prickly skin. Stick a skewer through the pineapple, lengthwise.

Set the skewers on a grill pan over medium to medium-high heat.
Move the pineapple around as it grills…
Remove them from the cutting board and cut into thin slices. Eat a few slices. Faint from bliss.

Grilled pineapple is…AWESOME. You can just dice it up at this point and turn it into a salsa if you’d like. Yum!
Stick the chicken breast in a large plastic bag and pound it flat with a mallet or a large, heavy can.

Place the chicken on a plate and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Next, sprinkle on whatever spices you like—cumin, cayenne, taco seasoning…anything!

I use "Slap Ya Mama" this stuff. It’s spicy, baby.

Next, throw the chicken onto the grill pan (or grill, if you’re into that sort of thing) and grill it up!

Pour on a little barbecue sauce if you’re into that sort of thing.
Remove the chicken from the grill pan…

Slice the chicken breast into thin slices and set aside.

Next, pre-grill the tortillas on a skillet. I just swirl some butter or margarine around for awhile, throw on the tortilla, and cook both sides for a minute or two. Do this until all eight tortillas are browned, and set them aside in a pile.
Next, grate up some Monterey Jack cheese. You can use the pre-grated stuff, but it’s coated in corn starch and will ruin your life. But go ahead and use it! It’ll be fine!

Finally, slice a jalapeno if you can HANDLE the spice.

To assemble…
Start with a layer of grated cheese, then arrange strips of chicken all over the top.

Next, add slices of pineapple and sliced jalapeno.
Finally, drizzle on a little more barbecue sauce.

You don’t have to add the barbecue sauce at the end. Here’s one without the sauce.

When they’re all assembled, throw them on a griddle…
Top each half with another tortilla, and grill until golden and the cheese is melted. Cut the quesadillas into six wedges…

And serve with sour cream, pico de gallo, and lots of cilantro. Scrumptious!

Recipe: Grilled Chicken & Pineapple Quesadilla
Prep Time: 15 Minutes | Cook Time: 25 Minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 6

Ingredients:

8 whole Flour Tortillas
Butter Or Margarine
2 cups Grilled Pineapple, Sliced
3 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
Salt And Pepper, to taste
3 cups Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated
1 whole Jalapeno, Sliced
Cilantro
3 Tablespoons Barbecue Sauce

Preparation Instructions
(To grill pineapple: cut wedges, stick on skewers, and grill over low heat. Cut into slices.)
(To pound chicken, place inside a Ziploc bag and pound with a mallet or large can to flatten to uniform thickness.)
Sprinkle with salt and pepper and Cajun spice (or cumin/cayenne, etc.) Drizzle olive oil on a grill pan and grill on both sides until done, brushing with barbecue sauce. Set aside and slice into very thin slices.
Warm griddle over medium heat and put sizzling butter or margarine in the pan. Slightly warm and toast tortillas on both sides, then remove from griddle and set aside.
To assemble, sprinkle four browned tortillas with grated Monterey Jack. Arrange chicken slices evenly over the surface. Add pineapple slices and jalapeno slices. Sprinkle on cilantro. If desired, drizzle extra barbecue sauce over the top. Add second browned tortilla on top of each one. (You'll have four complete quesadillas at this point.)
Add to oven to warm, or back to skillet to warm, until cheese is melted. Cut each quesadilla into six wedges. Serve with sour cream, pico de gallo, and lime wedges.

The Cable Newsboy Cap...Knitting Pattern!

Knit an adorable newsboy cap with crochet button strap and cable detailing. This cable hat knitting pattern is stylish and fun, and allows intermediate knitters to practice cabling.

Materials:
• Yarn: RED HEART® “Designer

Sport™”: 1 ball 3825 Pool
• Knitting Needles: 3.5mm [US 4]

circular, 24” long
• Crochet Hook: 3.75mm (US F‐5)
• Cable needle
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle
• Two buttons
• 1” diameter

Size: One size fits most; circumference is 22”.

Gauge: 20 sts = 4”; 28 rows = 4” in Stockinette stitch.

Note: Cap is knit in rounds on circular needle. Band and brim are crocheted.

Instructions:
Cap Cast on 120 sts. Join to work in rounds, being careful not to twist sts. Place a marker for beginning of round.

Rounds 1‐8: [P4, k8] 10 times.

Round 9: [P4, slip 4 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k4, k4 from cable needle] 10 times.

Rounds 10‐20: [P4, k8] 10 times. Repeat last 12 rounds once.

Round 33: [P2tog, p2, slip 4 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k4, k4 from cable needle] 10 times – 110 sts.

Rounds 34‐38: [P3, k8] 10 times.

Round 39: [P2tog, p1, k8] 10 times – 100 sts.

Rounds 40‐44: [P2, k8] 10 times.

Round 45: [P2tog, slip 4 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k4, k4 from cable needle] 10 times – 90 sts.

Rounds 46‐50: [P1, k8] 10 times. Bind off. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.

Band With crochet hook and holding 2 strands of yarn together, join yarn to cast‐on edge to right of a cable.

Round 1: *Work sc in each st of cable (8 sc), skip 1 st, sc in next st, skip 1 st, sc in next st; repeat from * 9 more times – 100 sc.

Rounds 2‐5: Sc in each sc around.

Brim Row 1: Working in front loops only, sc in next 36 sc, leaving remaining sts unworked. Rows 2‐6: Ch 1, turn, skip 2 sts, sc in each sc across.

Round 1: Slip st in each st and each row of Brim around Band, slip st to first st to join. Fasten off.

Strap Holding 2 strands of yarn together, ch 36.

Round 1: Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across to last ch, 3 sc in last ch, turn to work along opposite side of ch, sc between each sc, work last sc in same space as beginning of rnd.

Round 2: Work 2 sc in first st, sc in each sc to center sc of 3 sc, 2 sc in next st, sc in each sc to first sc, slip st in first sc to join. Fasten off.

Finishing Weave tail through bound‐off row and pull to close. Knot to secure. Position Strap over Brim. Sew buttons through both layers to secure Strap in place. Weave in ends.

Apron Halter for Sweet Little Girls....

Apron Halter
Pattern is for sizes 18M-6

Size g hook
4oz each of 2 colours
Suggested yarn type 4ply medium weight yarn, I used simply soft
Gauge 4dc=1” 2dc rows =1”

To determine gauge please make a swatch of 12 sts by 6 rows and measure
the center.

Size changes are as follows 18M-2T(3/4, 5/6)

Ch 27 (30, 34)
1) dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch across
2) ch 3 turn work 2dc in next st, dc in each st across to last 2 sts, 2dc in
next st, dc in last st.
3-4) ch 3 turn, dc in each dc across
repeat rows 2-4, 2(3,4) more times
finish off

Skirt
1) ch 20 (24, 28) working again in bodice dc in each dc across at end ch
23 (27, 31)
2) turn work dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch and dc across.
3) Ch 3 dc in each of next 2 dc, skip next dc, work (dc, ch 2, dc) in next
dc, repeat across ending dc in last 3 dc

Change to I hook
4-10 (4-13, 4-16) or to desired length. Ch 3 dc in each of next 2 dc, work
(dc, ch 2 dc) in each ch 2 sp across, dc in next 3 dc.
Last row ch 1 turn sc in 1st st, (work 7 dc in next ch 2 sp, sc in next ch 2 sp)
repeat across ending 7 dc in last ch 2 sp, sc in last dc. Finish off
Mytreasuredheirlooms.com 3 Copyright 2005

Finishing/trim

1) Join yarn in space indicated on picture. Ch 1 sc in same st (ch 3 skip
next 3 sts, sc in next st) repeat across to bodice (making sure you sc in
corner), working along side of bodice (ch 3, sc in top of first dc, ch 3
skip next dc sc in post of next dc) repeat across, sc in each st on top of
bodice, nor repeat the process in opposite down the other side.
2) Ch 1 turn, sc in 1st st, (5 dc in ch 3 space, sc in next ch 3 space) repeat
across to corner top of bodice, work 7 dc in 1st sc (skip next 2 sts sc in
next st, sk next 2 sts, work 5 dc in next st) repeat across to other side
working 7dc in last st. Repeat process from other side, down this
side. Finish off. Sew in all ends
Mytreasuredheirlooms.com 4 Copyright 2005

Straps
You may use 66” of ribbon or following instructions for fabric straps

Cut 2 strips of fabric approximately 4”X36”. Sew the 2; 4” ends together
right sides together making one long strip

Fold strip lengthwise in half, right sides together, sew ends as shown in
diagram leaving one spot open in center for turning, turn right side out
making sure you carefully push out all the corners, it helps if you clip the
corners first making sure you don’t cut the stitching. Pres it with an iron
making sure you press the opening shut the same width as the seams. Now
top stitch around the whole thing; which will close the opening at the same
time. If you don’t want to top stitch, then you may hand stitch the opening
closed.

The Friendship of Jesus

The Best Friend of All

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Prov. 18:24 NLT

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
John 15:15 NLT

A true friend is someone who knows everything about you, and yet, still loves you. Jesus knows our every thought, word, and deed; past, present, and future, yet still pours out his love. Not only does Jesus love us, but he extends his grace to free us from our self-afflicted failures. Jesus is a better friend.

A real friend loves you and reminds you that Jesus is worthy to be trusted in any and every circumstance of life. Jesus knows when we are failing, and woos our hearts by the Holy Spirit to trust him. Jesus is a greater friend for he warns before we selfishly hurt others.

A faithful friend desires the best displaying sympathy and empathy in the struggles of life. Jesus experienced all the temptations, struggles, and pain of this life, he knows best how to counsel us in our perplexity. He is a superior friend.

Honesty is always first and foremost in a relationship. Even when speaking the truth in love is difficult and painful, a true friend will lovingly confront. Jesus is our best friend for he will not never wimp out, but always corrects us when we need it. Freedom exists in our relationship with Jesus to be forthright, he will confront our faults as only a true friend can do. Jesus is an excellent friend.

A good friend understands and emotionally supports their companion even if their failures are the result of their own stupidity and stubbornness. True friends trust in one another implicitly even when circumstances would question that loyalty. Jesus made a covenant bond with us, he will never leave us or forsake us. Jesus is a truly reliable friend.

Every true Christian has a Friend in heaven, of almighty power and boundless love. They are thought of, cared for, provided for, defended by God’s eternal Son. They have an unfailing Protector, who never slumbers or sleeps, and watches continually over their interests. The world may despise them, but they have no cause to be ashamed. Father and mother even may cast them out, but Christ having once taken them up, will never let them go. They are the friend of Christ even after they are dead!

The friendships of this world are often fair-weather friendships, and fail us like summer-dried fountains, when our need is the greatest; but the friendship of the Son of God is stronger than death, and goes beyond the grave. The Friend of sinners is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Friday, 11 May 2012

A Mothers Eight Lies.....

This story begins when I was a child: I was born poor. Often we hadn’t enough to eat. Whenever we had some food, Mother often gave me her portion of rice. While she was transferring her rice into my bowl, she would say “Eat this rice, son! I’m not hungry.”

This was Mother’s First Lie.

As I grew, Mother gave up her spare time to fish in a river near our house; she hoped that from the fish she caught, she could give me a little bit more nutritious food for my growth. Once she had caught just two fish, she would make fish soup. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and eat the what was still left on the bone of the fish I had eaten, My heart was touched when I saw it. Once I gave the other fish to her on my chopstick but she immediately refused it and said, “Eat this fish, son! I don’t really like fish.”

This was Mother’s Second Lie.

Then, in order to fund my education, Mother went to a Match Factory to bring home some used matchboxes, which she filled with fresh matchsticks. This helped her get some money to cover our needs. One wintry night I awoke to find Mother filling the matchboxes by candlelight. So I said, “Mother, go to sleep; it’s late: you can continue working tomorrow morning.” Mother smiled and said “Go to sleep, son! I’m not tired.”

This was Mother’s Third Lie.

When I had to sit my Final Examination, Mother accompanied me. After dawn, Mother waited for me for hours in the heat of the sun. When the bell rang, I ran to meet her.. Mother embraced me and poured me a glass of tea that she had prepared in a thermos. The tea was not as strong as my Mother’s love, Seeing Mother covered with perspiration, I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too. Mother said “Drink, son! I’m not thirsty!”.

This was Mother’s Fourth Lie.

After Father’s death, Mother had to play the role of a single parent. She held on to her former job; she had to fund our needs alone. Our family’s life was more complicated. We suffered from starvation. Seeing our family’s condition worsening, my kind Uncle who lived near my house came to help us solve our problems big and small. Our other neighbors saw that we were poverty stricken so they often advised my mother to marry again. But Mother refused to remarry saying “I don’t need love.”

This was Mother’s Fifth Lie.

After I had finished my studies and gotten a job, it was time for my old Mother to retire but she carried on going to the market every morning just to sell a few vegetables. I kept sending her money but she was steadfast and even sent the money back to me. She said, “I have enough money.”

That was Mother’s Sixth Lie.

I continued my part-time studies for my Master’s Degree. Funded by the American Corporation for which I worked, I succeeded in my studies. With a big jump in my salary, I decided to bring Mother to enjoy life in America but Mother didn’t want to bother her son; she said to me “I’m not used to high living.”

That was Mother’s Seventh Lie.

In her dotage, Mother was attacked by cancer and had to be hospitalized. Now living far across the ocean, I went home to visit Mother who was bedridden after an operation. Mother tried to smile but I was heartbroken because she was so thin and feeble but Mother said, “Don’t cry, son! I’m not in pain.”

That was Mother’s Eighth Lie.

Telling me this, her eighth lie, she died. YES, MOTHER WAS AN ANGEL!

For those of you who are lucky to be still blessed with your Mom’s presence on Earth, this story is beautiful.

For those who aren’t so blessed, this is even more beautiful.

Baked Potato Skins...

Ingredients

4 large baking potatoes, baked

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon pepper

8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled (or use bacon bits)

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

4 green onions, sliced

Directions
Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell (save pulp for another use). Place potatoes skins on a greased baking sheet. Combine oil, Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper; brush over both sides of skins. Bake at 475 degrees F for 7 minutes; turn. Bake until crisp, about 7 minutes more. Sprinkle bacon and cheddar cheese inside skins. Bake 2 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions. Serve immediately.

Simply Wonderful! Very flavorful. We had a small neighbors get together and people raved about how good these potatoes were. Shhhh don't tell anyone, but I used older potatoes that were soft. I wasn't sure if they were going to be any good; they were really fantastic. As others suggested I used the olive oil and using bacon bits really was a time saver. I coated the potato with the oil mixture then baked the potatoes for 1 hr at 425 degrees then let the taters sit for about 15 to 20 minutes before scooping out the insides. I followed by coating one side baking 7 min. then the other side and baking 7 min.

Tips & Ideas: Use this recipe as a guideline and make baked potato wedges! Just cut them in half, then quartered them, and left all the potato. Use melted butter and brush it on the potato, and put them in the oven skin-side down, and baked as recommended for 7 - 9 minutes. Then add the shredded cheese, and baked until perfect. Add cooked bacon, and topped with sour cream and chives, they were FABULOUS!

If you don't want to spend the time to bake the potatoes, try throwing them in the microwave for about 8-10 minutes on high, and then you can cut them in halves and scoop out the insides. I put the oil/spices mixture on the outsides of the skins and baked them upside-down first. Then after baking for 7 minutes, I pulled them out, coated the insides of the skins, and then baked them for the next 7 minutes. I didn't find them that greasy as others did- just don't put too much of the oil/spices mixture on the skins. Before I put the cheese and bacon bits on the insides of the skins, I took a paper towel and soaked up the little puddles of oil to make them even less greasy. A microwaved baked potato doesn't hold a candle to one done in the oven. I guess it depends on if you're going for "easy snack" or "impressive appetizer." Before wrapping with foil and baking the potatoes, I rubbed them with butter and lightly coated them with garlic sea salt. Make sure the oven is hot enough! Otherwise you just get over-cooked potatoes and not the crispier skins.

Great for a rugby play-off day! Thanks!

Ladybug Slippers knitting Pattern...

Ladybug Slippers

Finished Length: Baby: 5 inches long (1 ball coloured, 1 black)

Child Med: 7 inches long (1 ball coloured, 1 black)
Childrens 9-12

Child Large: 8 ¼ inches long (2 balls coloured, 1 black)
Childrens 1-4

Adult Small: 9 ½ inches long (2 balls coloured, 1 black)
Womens 5-7 / Mens 4-6

Adult Med: 10 ¼ inches long (2 balls coloured, 1 black)
Womens 8-10 / Mens 7-9

Materials:

1-2 balls PolarKnit™ 50m/55yds
1 set 6mm (US 10) straight needles (These slippers are knit tight for better wear.)
1 stitch marker
Darning needle
4 YarnDot™ eyeballs

Gauge: 14sts and 20 rows = 10cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch.

3.5sts per inch.

Important Sizing Note:

This slipper is constructed using garter stitch only. Each slipper can be custom made to fit an individual foot. If you

knit 4 rows you will finish with 2 ridges of garter stitch or a ½ inch of length.

Each slipper stretches in length by about 1inch when placed on the foot. If you like a slipper that fits close to the

foot knit the appropriate sizes listed above. If you like a roomy slipper choose one size larger from the sizes above.

Baby (Child Medium) Slipper:

Using 6mm straight needles cast on 23sts making sure you leave a 1 ½ foot length of yarn for heel seaming later.

Row 1 - Knit into the back of the first st, K6, P1, K7, P1, K6, bring yarn forward, slip last st purlwise. (WS)

Row 2 - Knit into the back of first st, K21, bring yarn forward, slip last st purlwise. Mark this side with a stitch

marker to remind you that it is the Right Side (RS).

Continue repeating rows 1 and 2 until you have 10 (12) ridges in length and end with a WS row.

You will now begin the toe section.

Row 1 - (RS) Begin using black yarn for Baby size. Knit row.

Row 2 - Knit row.

Row 3 - Begin using black yarn for Child size. Knit row.

Row 4 - Baby: K1, *K2tog, K3* repeat to last 2sts, K2tog. Child: Knit row.

Row 5 - Both sizes: Knit row.

Row 6 - Baby: *K2tog, K2*repeat to last 2sts, K2tog. Child: K1, *K2tog, K3* repeat to last 2sts, K2tog.

Row 7 - Baby: *K2tog* repeat to last st, K1. This finished the Baby Slipper. Child: Knit row.

Row 8 - *K2tog, K2*repeat to last 2sts, K2tog.

Row 9 - *K2tog* repeat to last sts, K1.

Break yarn leaving a 12 inch end and thread yarn through remaining stitches. Draw tightly and secure. Use this

same piece of yarn join the seam on the top of the toe.

Child Large Slipper:

Using 6mm straight needles cast on 27sts making sure you leave a 1 ½ foot length of yarn for heel seaming later.

Row 1 - Knit into the back of the first st, K7, P1, K9, P1, K7, bring yarn forward, slip last st purlwise. (WS)

Row 2 - Knit into the back of first st, K25, bring yarn forward, slip last st purlwise. Mark this side with a stitch

marker to remind you that it is the Right Side (RS). Continue repeating rows 1 and 2 until you have 14 ridges in

length and end with a RS row. You will now begin the toe section .

Rows 1 to 5 - Knit row, beginning with a WS row.

Row 6 - Begin knitting with black yarn, Knit row.

Row 7 and 8 - Knit row. You should have 18 ridges from your cast on edge.

Decrease toe:

Row 9 - K2tog, *K4, K2tog* repeat to last st, K1.

Row 10 - Knit row.

Row 11 - K2tog, *K3, K2tog* repeat to end of row.

Row 12 - Knit row.

Row 13 - *K2, K2tog* repeat to last st, K1.

Row 14 - *K2tog* repeat to end of row.

Break yarn leaving a 12 inch end and thread yarn through remaining stitches. Draw tightly and secure. Use this same piece of yarn to join the seam on the top of the toe.

Adult Small (Adult Medium) Slipper:

Using 6mm straight needles cast on 29sts making sure you leave a 1 ½ foot length of yarn for heel seaming later.

Row 1 - Knit into the back of the first st, K8, P1, K9, P1, K8, bring yarn forward, slip last st purlwise. (WS)

Row 2 - Knit into the back of first st, K27, bring yarn forward, slip last st purlwise. Mark this side with a stitch marker to remind you that it is the Right Side (RS). Continue repeating rows 1 and 2 until you have 14 (16) ridges

in length and end with a RS row. You will now begin the toe section .

Rows 1 to 7 - Knit row beginning with WS row.

Row 8 - Begin knitting with black yarn. Knit row (RS)

Continue knitting in garter stitch until you have 22 (24) ridges from cast on edge.

Decrease toe:

Row 1 - K1, *K5, K2tog* repeat to end of row.

Row 2 - Knit row.

Row 3 - K1, *K4, K2tog* repeat to end of row.

Row 4 - Knit row.

Row 5 - K1, *K3, K2tog* repeat to end of row.

Row 6 - Knit row.

Row 7 - K1, *K2, K2tog* repeat to end of row. (13sts)

Break yarn leaving a 12 inch end and thread yarn through remaining stitches. Draw tightly and secure. Use this same piece of yarn join the seam on the top of the toe.

Finishing:

Attach YarnDot™ eyes to toe end of slipper.

Using a scrap piece of yarn and a darning needle, embroider several black dots on either side of each slipper.

To finish heel, turn slipper so WS is facing out and RS’s are facing each other. Using the length of yarn attached to the cast on edge begin seaming the open edge. Continue for 1 ½ inches and then squash the remaining length of

seam to make a “T” shape and tack it in place. Secure seam with final stitch and break yarn.

Always machine wash and dry your finished garment to rid it of residual fluff.