Tuna Spinach Patties

I absolutely love this recipe from Hy-Vee.  I, of course, don't use instant potatoes, but rather mash my own...and as a result, use less egg because I already have moisture.  I also didn't add bread crumbs... didn't seem to need them.  I think these are just so satisfying.  Try them.  That's all I have to say. 

No pictures yet...but definitely coming down the road.

My grandma used to crochet or finger weave wired hangers. I loved it. Crocheted hangers help to keep wire hangers from leaving creases in your clothes...plus, they are pretty. I know that the alternative would be to buy plastic hangers rather than wire hangers. But, in my case, I married into them. For some reason, my husband had mostly wire hangers when we got married, I couldn't stand the thought of chucking them...but didn't want to use them either. So, I reclaimed them with some crocheting.

Conveniently, I also had some double strand yarn at that time that I was having a hard time working with. The crocheted hanger turned out to be the perfect solution.

Source: Uploaded by user via Takara on Pinterest

To start the hanger, I tied the end of the yarn on the opposite side of the hanger from where I was going to be starting. I then used a single crochet around the hanger using an over-under with the loop and yarn so that the hanger would be encased.

Source: Uploaded by user via Takara on Pinterest

I originally crocheted the entire hanger, including the hook. I used hot glue to anchor the end of the yarn at tip of the hook when I was done. I'd leave about a half inch of bare hanger at the end of the hook, ran a line of hot glue down that portion, and wrapped the loose yarn around the hook to finish it off.

Towards the end of my project, I started trying to conserve yarn. So, instead of crocheting the entire hanger, I covered only the body of the hanger and left the hook bare.

Source: Uploaded by user via Takara on Pinterest

I've also experimented with spacing. The convenient thing about that is now I have some close-up photos of the single chain wrapped around the hanger.

Source: Uploaded by user via Takara on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Takara on Pinterest

With the hook left bare, the hot glue needs to be used at the joint of the hanger to finish of the hanger. I still used the hot glue...it works so well at securing the yarn and finishing the project...plus it makes me feel crafty!

Source: Uploaded by user via Takara on Pinterest

I'm out of wire hangers, now...I feel torn about it. I'm glad to be rid of the wire hangers forever...but now I don't have a fall-back project. I'll have to move on to a new expression of my craftiness! :)

Source: Uploaded by user via Takara on Pinterest

So, I realized that to validate my post on pintrest, I needed a blog post about it.

I fancy myself improvisational in the kitchen, and these venison and butternut squash meatballs are evidence of that.

We are in the process of preparing to move. So, a few weeks ago, I was trying to use up some of my frozen vegetable purees by doing some "Deceptively Delicious" baking. However, supper time came around, and I had promised my husband spaghetti and meatballs. I had used up all the eggs.

Vegetable purees are perfect for providing moisture and cohesion and butternut squash turned out to be the perfect compliment to the venison. I used about 1 and a half cups of butternut squash puree with 1 pound of venison. I added my usual dry oats, crackers, crushed red pepper, garlic salt, minced onion, and worcestershire sauce. Then, since I was going out on a limb anyway, I went big and added some rosemary.

It was awesome. These meatballs tasted moist and earthy...the red pepper gave it just a little zing and the rosemary made them a delicious complement in a variety of pasta dishes.

I loved them with the spaghetti and marinara, but with penne noodles and olive oil and herbs, delicious! Anyway, I'm afraid I don't have more specifics on the recipe...but I think the more important thing is have fun in the kitchen and don't be afraid to try something new. Yum!