March Meeting Notes

The hookers were donning their finest last evening for our March meeting. The Cowboy themed worked out for everybody...especially Trixie who was sporting a cowboy hat that would probably stop traffic down south.

This guy on the right was not there, but we did have some good discussions about men and related topics that I'm not going to post on a public forum such as this.

The nibbles included:
Weiners
Veggie Tray
Cream Cheese and Hot Pepper/Raspberry Jam
Iceberg Wedges with Homemade Ranch Dressing
Steak Bites and Chicken Bites with Bloody Mary Dipping Sauce
(The only difference to this recipe is that I marinated the meat in equal parts oil and soy sauce with the juice of 1 lemon and 2 cloves of minced garlic for 24 hours beforehand...I've made it without marinating it and it's not as good.)
Crockpot Chili with Sour Cream and Cheddar cheese toppings
The Most Amazing Cornbread Muffins Ever
Chocolate Chip and White Chocolate Macademia Nut Cookies
Puppy Chow

Projects:
Mame was working on a beautiful brown shell stitch afghan that we were all lusting over.
Jackie was working on a red/white/blue knitted purse that is going to be cute as a button when it's done!
Shannon was plowing through a phenomenal blue varigated lap blanket for her brother. She is amazing all of us with how quickly and tenaciously she picked up hooking.

Thanks to all the hookers in attendance and special warm hugs out to the other hookers who couldn't make it!

Yours in the hook,
Tara

February Meeting a Smash Hit!

Thanks to Trixie for a beautiful evening of hooking under a winter sky of lightening and laughter.

The hookers were out in force, 8 of us total. Mame was making good progress on a giant granny square afghan and also teaching two new hookers how to hook. Hillary and Shannon definitely conquered the "chaining" and are well on their way to learning the classic double crochet. (I remember vividly learning from Mame and Trixie and I can still hear "YARN OVER" in my head every time I do it.) Jackie was working on a red, white, and blue purse. Cassandra was making dish scrubbies that are pretty AND functional. Trixie was working on a baby blanket for a yet-to-be-born baby boy. Mary was working on a hat and scarf. Tara (me) was working on a few rows of something that will never get finished (as usual).

I announced the blog officially to the hookers in attendance. Hopefully everyone finds it useful or at least amusing. We learned that H&S's dad gave the "Happy Valley Hookers" a shout-out on his radio show. He had to inform a caller that it was a CROCHET club not the other kind of hooker. Get your mind out of the gutter.

The theme was Mountain Dew but only some of us were able to incorporate it into our goodies, which included:

A huge salad with all the fixings and steamed shrimp (Perfect!)

Bread

Cheese and salsa with chips

Hummus with Triscuits

Sushi (california rolls)

Mountain Dew Salad Dessert (click for recipe)

Apple Dumpling Bake with Mountain Dew (click for recipe)

Klondikes (We were so busy hooking that we forgot to eat the Klondikes, but that made it a windfall for Trixie!)

Also, I mentioned at this meeting to look for 100% wool sweaters that I can make felted sweater bags from...I want to get a lot of practice in making these new bags so find me a sweater and I will felt it and make it into a bag for you. $1 ones from Goodwill are the best!

See you in March at Hooker Tara's house (that's me). The theme is Cowboys!

January Meeting kicks off 2008

The lovely hooker Jackie hosted a meeting at her house in Pleasant Gap. Her pulled pork sandwiches had everyone raving, and were complemented well by some delicious sides, including:

Chips and dip
Veggie Tray
Peanuts (with a story of the clearance-huntress Trixie plucking them from a post-holiday Target sale)
Black Bean and Corn Salsa (recipe below, thanks Shannon!)
Peanut Butter Pie
Strawberries and Chocolate

Black Bean and Corn Salsa Recipe:
One can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
One can of corn (drained)
One can of diced tomatoes (seasoned-we usually use the garlic seasoned ones)
½ cup of salsa
One small can of diced chilies or jalapeños
Chopped cilantro (Amount to your taste)

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Let sit at least an hour or overnight for better flavor! Enjoy with corn chips!

Download recipe in Word format

The range of conversation topics was broad, as always, ranging from the hotness of Mike Rowe to the Dog Whisperer's *shhht* sound. Sasha, Jackie's pooch, kept us amused with her couch-flying forward leaps.

Stay warm and cozy, and remember to send an RSVP to hooker hostess Trixie for the February 6 meeting.