Refrigerator Beef Soup Pot

2 med. potatoes, diced

1 small onion, chopped

1-2 celery stalks, sliced

handful of baby carrots, sliced

1/3 lb. scrambled hamburger

1/2 - 1 can of drained and rinsed cooked beans

1 soda-sized can V-8 juice

2-3 cups beef broth or water

1. t. Worcestershire sauce

Garlic

Onion Powder

Basil

Black Pepper

High in crockpot for 3-4 hours or 30 minutes on stovetop.

YUM!!!

Sweet Crunch Mix

Your Sweet Crunch Mix — First Batch

Chex cereal — 3 cups        A mixture of all three kinds, or even just one, for your crunchy base.

Cheerios — 1 cup           Adds a different shape and texture.

Roasted pepitas — ¼ cup        Savory crunch and a little nuttiness.

Toasted coconut chips — 2 tablespoons                Enough to sample the flavor without making coconut the star.

Mini M&Ms — 2 tablespoons                   Little pops of chocolate and sweetness.

Raisins — 1 tablespoon

Cashews — 2 tablespoons, chopped

Just occasional chewy and buttery bites, rather than dominant ingredients.

That makes roughly 4½ cups of mix, depending on the cereal shapes and how you measure.

A couple of suggestions

• Mix everything except the M&Ms first. Taste it, then add the chocolate. That makes it easier to judge the sweetness.

• Keep the coconut at 2 tablespoons for the first batch. You can always add more next time, but you can't take it out!

• Use plain, unsweetened toasted coconut chips if that's what you buy. Since the chips can be delicate, stir them in gently.

I'd make this first batch without butter or other flavorings. I think the combination of toasted oats, pepitas, coconut, and chocolate should be interesting all by itself.

And one practical thought: if you love it, write down the proportions before you start experimenting. Otherwise, the next batch could become a completely different creature! 😄

Slow Cooker Poor Man Cabbage & Macaroni

1 medium green cabbage (2 to 2 1/2 lbs) cored and thinly shredded
1 stick salted butter, cut into pieces

8 oz. dry elbow macaroni

1 1/2 t. kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 1/2 c. water (to cook macaroni in slow cooker, at end)

Layer cabbage and butter in the slow cooker: Place a generous handful of shredded cabbage in the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Dot with a few pieces of butter and sprinkle with some of the salt and a good pinch of black pepper. Repeat in layers—cabbage, butter, salt, pepper—until all the cabbage and butter are in the pot. End with a light sprinkle of salt and plenty of black pepper on top.

Cook the cabbage low and slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, stirring once or twice if you’re nearby. The cabbage should become very tender, shrink down, and start to take on golden edges where it touches the sides of the crock. It will release its own juices and mingle with the melted butter, creating a glossy, rich coating.

Check for caramelization: About 3 1/2 to 4 hours into cooking, lift the lid and stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the edges and bottom. Those golden, almost caramelized cabbage pieces are where the deep, sweet flavor comes from. If the cabbage seems dry, you can add a splash (2 to 4 tablespoons) of hot water, but it should mostly cook in its own juices and butter.

Add the dry macaroni: Once the cabbage is very soft and there are some golden brown edges, stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Pour in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of hot water, just enough so you can see a little liquid at the bottom but the cabbage is still the main component. Stir everything together so the pasta is tucked down into the buttery cabbage mixture.

Finish cooking with the macaroni: Cover the slow cooker again and cook on HIGH for 25 to 40 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the macaroni is soft and has absorbed most of the liquid. The pasta should be tender and coated in a glossy mix of melted butter and cabbage juices, with some pieces of cabbage turning a deep golden brown around the edges.

Season and serve: Give the mixture a good stir, taste, and adjust the seasoning with more salt if needed. Grind plenty of black pepper over the top; those little black flecks are part of the look and the flavor that make this feel like Grandma’s. Serve hot, straight from the slow cooker, making sure each scoop has a good mix of tender macaroni and caramelized cabbage shreds.

Lucky 13 Memorial Chaos Blanket

Lucky 13: 13 stitches, 8 solids + 1 variegated

Perhaps 10 oz./color or 90 oz. total for this blanket.

a die for the DC/HDC back-loop decision.

2–6 rows, 

Perhaps 10 oz. per color or 90 oz. total for this blanket.

The notation

• ⭐ = particularly good for a chaos blanket
• 2C = especially nice with two colors
• E = easy
• M = moderately tricky
• 💰 = yarn eater
• 1R = works well even for just one row
• 3+ = give it at least 3 rows if possible

And here are the little cheat-sheet instructions

BLOCK STITCH ⭐ 2C

With Color A:      SC, CH 2, skip 2 across.

Next row, SC into each CH-2 space.     Change color.

             The little blocks of color stack up like bricks.

CROSS DOUBLE CROCHET ⭐

Row: Skip 1, DC in next stitch. Go back to the skipped stitch and DC in it, working in front of the first DC. Repeat.

Think: make little X's.

DOUBLE CROCHET 

                   BACK-LOOP DC

                      DC across, working through the back loop only.

                                  1–2 rows can be plenty.

FALLING LEAVES ⭐

This one has several versions, so I'd use a leafy cluster version for your blanket:

Make a cluster of stitches that leans diagonally: DC, CH 1, DC in one stitch, skip 2, then repeat the cluster in the next available stitch.

On the next row, work the clusters into the spaces between the clusters below.

The result is an open, diagonal, leafy-looking texture.

I'd put a "3+" on this card. It needs a few rows to reveal itself.

GRANNY STITCH ⭐

Make groups of 3 DC, with a CH 1 between groups.

Next row: work each 3-DC group into the CH-1 space below.

    (2C: Change color every row for a wonderful stripey effect.)

HDC/ HALF DOUBLE CROCHET

           BACK-LOOP HDC ⭐

               HDC across, but put your hook through the back loop only of every stitch.

                                         You'll get strong horizontal ridges.

                      2C: Changing color every row makes the ridges really stand out.

HOUNDSTOOTH ⭐ 2C

With Color A:     SC, DC, SC, DC across.

With Color B, work the opposite:    DC over the SC below, SC over the DC below.

Change color every row.

LEMON PEEL

Alternate:     SC, DC, SC, DC, SC, DC...

Next row, put a SC into each DC and a DC into each SC.

               Very easy. Very useful.

 MOSS STITCH ⭐ 2C

Row: SC, CH 1, skip 1. Repeat.

Next row: SC into each CH-1 space, CH 1, skip the next stitch.

Two colors: Change color every row.

SPIDER STITCH ⭐

Row: SC, CH 1, SC all in the same stitch. Skip 1 stitch. Repeat.

Next row: work each Spider into the CH-1 space of the spider below.

2C: Alternating colors looks particularly nice.

STAR STITCH ⭐

This one looks much more complicated than it really is.  Must do at least three rows

Foundation row:
Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop. Pull up loops in each of next 4 ch. YO, pull through all 6 loops; ch 1.

For each remaining star:
Pull up a loop in ch-1 space, pull up a loop in the eye of the previous star, then pull up a loop in each of the next 3 stitches. YO, pull through all 6 loops; ch 1. Repeat across.

Next row:
HDC in each ch-1 space across, with an HDC at each end as needed to keep your edges straight.

And for your blanket, I'd probably make Star Stitch 4 rows minimum: star, HDC, star, HDC. That gives you two visible rows of stars without letting it take over the blanket.

CLASSIC V-STITCH ⭐

V: DC, CH 1, DC in the same stitch/space.

Skip 2 stitches, make another V. Repeat.

For subsequent rows, put each V into the CH-1 space of the V below.

2C: Change color every row.

WATTLE STITCH ⭐

In one stitch:      SC, CH 1, DC      Skip 2 stitches.       Repeat.

Next row, put the SC-CH1-DC into the spaces between the groups.

           It makes little soft, flower-like clusters.

Ramen Quickie Meals

1. Easy sesame-soy ramen with beef

Your frozen hamburger portions would be perfect for this.

• 1 package ramen noodles

• ⅓ lb cooked hamburger and onion, thawed

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

• ½ teaspoon sesame oil

• Garlic powder and optional chili flakes

• A handful of frozen broccoli, if desired

Method

1. Cook the ramen according to the package, preferably discarding the seasoning packet.

2. Drain, reserving a couple of tablespoons of cooking water.

3. Heat the beef in a skillet until steaming hot throughout.

4. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, and a splash of noodle water.

5. Toss in the noodles and broccoli, if using, until everything is hot.

About 10–15 minutes, one pot and one skillet. If you cook the broccoli in the noodle water, you can save yourself a separate pan.

2. Oven-baked sesame ramen

This is the one to try if you want to put something in the oven and walk away for a bit.

• 1 block of ramen noodles, broken into a few pieces

• 1 cup hot water or low-sodium broth

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

• ¼ teaspoon toasted sesame oil

• Garlic powder

• A handful of frozen broccoli or mixed vegetables

• Optional: cooked ground beef

Method

1. Heat the oven to 375°F.

2. Put the dry noodles and vegetables in a small oven-safe dish.

3. Mix the hot water or broth with the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic powder. Pour over the noodles. Add enough liquid to mostly cover them.

4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for about 15–20 minutes.

5. Check the noodles after 10 minutes and stir carefully. Add a little more hot water if they're drying out. Continue until the noodles and vegetables are tender.

6. If using cooked beef, stir it in and make sure the entire dish reaches 165°F.

The timing varies with the noodles and dish, so check rather than assuming it'll be done at 20 minutes. Use an oven-safe dish, and be careful of the hot steam when removing the foil.

This isn't quite as foolproof as stovetop ramen, but it's a reasonable little baked meal. I'd try it once without the beef to see how your oven and dish handle it.

3. Sesame shrimp ramen

• 1 ramen block

• One portion of cooked shrimp, thawed in the refrigerator

• Frozen broccoli

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

• ¼ teaspoon toasted sesame oil

• Garlic powder and a pinch of ginger, if you have it

Method

Cook the noodles and broccoli together in a saucepan. Drain most of the water, add your seasonings, then add the shrimp and heat until piping hot throughout. Since the shrimp are already cooked, they only need reheating; avoid cooking them for ages or they'll turn rubbery.

Ready in about 10 minutes.

4. A savory egg-drop ramen bowl

For a day when you want something warm and comforting.

Simmer ramen in about 1½ cups of water or low-sodium broth. Add garlic powder, a little soy sauce, and a splash of rice vinegar. Beat one egg in a cup and slowly drizzle it into the simmering broth while stirring. Finish with just a few drops of sesame oil.

This takes roughly 10 minutes and uses one saucepan. You can add a handful of frozen vegetables, too.

5. Sesame-soy chicken ramen

• 1 ramen block

• 1 portion of your cooked chicken

• A handful of frozen broccoli

• 1 tsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp rice vinegar

• ¼ tsp sesame oil

• Garlic powder

Cook the noodles and broccoli in one saucepan. Drain most of the water, stir in the seasonings and chicken, and heat until everything is steaming hot throughout. Add a splash of water if you want it saucier.

6. Ginger-garlic chicken noodle soup

Put 1½ cups of low-sodium broth or water in a saucepan with garlic powder, a pinch of ginger, a little soy sauce, and your ramen. Add the chicken and frozen vegetables. Simmer until the noodles are tender and the chicken is thoroughly reheated.

Finish with a few drops of sesame oil. Warm, savory, and especially nice when you're tired.

7. Chicken ramen bake

Put broken ramen noodles, frozen broccoli, a portion of chicken, 1 cup of hot low-sodium broth, soy sauce, garlic powder, and a little sesame oil in a small oven-safe dish. Cover tightly and bake at 375°F for about 15–20 minutes, checking and stirring around the 10-minute mark. Add more liquid if needed, and ensure the chicken and entire dish reach 165°F.

This is your put it in the oven and let it do the work option, although it needs a check partway through.

A useful trick for your chicken

If the portions are frozen solid, thaw one in the refrigerator overnight when convenient, or reheat it directly from frozen in a covered saucepan with a splash of water or broth. Since it's already cooked, you just need to reheat it thoroughly to 165°F.

Your little Asian-seasoning cheat sheet

You've already bought the important ingredients. Here's how I'd use them without making everything taste overwhelmingly salty or oily.

Seasoning	Amount for one serving
Soy sauce	1–2 tsp
Rice vinegar	1 tsp
Toasted sesame oil	¼–½ tsp
Garlic powder	¼ tsp
Ground ginger, optional	A pinch

Mix these together before adding them to your noodles. The sesame oil is potent, so a little goes a long way.

Clams! High in Iron!

Three CLAM ideas - then FOUR more!

1. Easy clam cakes

Mix one drained can of chopped clams with a few tablespoons of flour, one egg, a little clam liquid, pepper, and a pinch of baking powder. Make a thick batter and spoon small portions into a lightly oiled skillet. Cook until golden and cooked through.

These won't be identical to restaurant fried clams, but they're crunchy little clam fritters. Make just a small batch so you don't have leftovers staring at you.

2. Crispy baked clams

Drain a can of larger chopped clams. Mix with a little melted butter, garlic powder, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Put the mixture in a small oven-safe dish and air-fry at about 375°F until hot and golden, checking frequently.

The breadcrumbs give you that crunchy seafood topping without a deep fryer. Use a small dish that fits your air fryer, and make sure the clams heat through thoroughly.

3. Big-clam angel hair

This is the pasta recipe from earlier, but choose a can with visibly larger clam pieces. Cook your angel hair, warm garlic and butter or olive oil with a splash of clam juice, then stir in the clams just long enough to heat them.

Keep the sauce light rather than using Alfredo. The clam flavor comes through better, and you don't need cream or cheese.

Freezing

Clam cakes / fritters

Best for freezing

They should freeze reasonably well because the batter forms a solid structure around the clams. They may soften in storage, but your air fryer can bring back much of the crispness.

Crispy baked clams

These can freeze, too, but the breadcrumb topping may soften, and the clam mixture may release some moisture when reheated. Still quite workable for a quick meal.

How I'd freeze them

1. Cook the clams completely.

2. Let them cool briefly, then refrigerate within two hours of cooking.

3. Once chilled, arrange them in a single layer on a tray and freeze until firm.

4. Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper if needed.

5. Label with the date.

For best quality, aim to eat them within about 2–3 months.

How to reheat them in your air fryer

From frozen

• Preheat to 350°F.

• Arrange in a single layer.

• Start with 5–8 minutes for small clam cakes, turning halfway through.

• Larger cakes may need longer. Heat until the center reaches 165°F.

For baked clams, use a small oven-safe dish if the mixture is loose, and heat until the center reaches 165°F. Check frequently so the topping doesn't burn.

Don't thaw them on the counter. Reheating from frozen is convenient and helps avoid making the coating soggy.

My recommendation for you

Make a small batch of clam cakes, eat a couple fresh, and freeze the rest in individual portions. That way, you can discover whether you like the reheated texture before committing to a larger batch.

Four easy canned-clam meals

1. Lazy garlic clam pasta

• 1 small can chopped clams, drained, reserving the liquid

• A small serving of angel hair pasta

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

• Garlic powder, black pepper, and optional parsley

• A little of the reserved clam liquid

How to make it

1. Cook the pasta in a small saucepan.

2. Drain it, saving a little pasta water if you like.

3. In the same pan, warm the oil or butter, garlic powder, clam liquid, and clams.

4. Stir in the pasta and a splash of pasta water.

That's it! About 15 minutes, one saucepan, and no chopping.

Your twist: Add a handful of your baby spinach while warming the sauce. It wilts beautifully.

2. Cheater's clam chowder

• 1 small can chopped clams and their liquid

• 1 small potato, diced

• About ½ cup milk

• ½ cup water or low-sodium broth

• Pepper and a little butter

How to make it

Simmer the diced potato in the water or broth until tender. Add the clams and their liquid, milk, butter, and pepper. Heat gently until hot; don't boil vigorously after adding the milk.

For a thicker chowder, mash a few potato pieces against the side of the pan.

Easy shortcut: Use leftover cooked potato instead. Dinner comes together much faster.

3. Garlicky clam toast

This is for those days when you want something crunchy and cannot be bothered with a proper dinner.

• A small can of chopped clams, drained

• A little butter or olive oil

• Garlic powder and pepper

• One or two slices of whole-grain toast

How to make it

Warm the clams with butter, garlic powder, pepper, and a spoonful of the clam liquid. Spoon over crisp toast.

If you want the toast to stay crunchy, serve the clams alongside it rather than piling them on until the bread gets soggy.

Add some broccoli or a piece of fruit, and you've got supper.

4. Clams and white beans

• 1 small can chopped clams

• About ½ can white beans, drained and rinsed

• Garlic powder, pepper, and a little olive oil

• A splash of broth or clam liquid

How to make it

Warm everything together in a small saucepan for about 5 minutes, until piping hot. Mash a few beans to make the liquid thicker.

Eat it as a bowl meal, with a slice of crunchy toast.

You can refrigerate the remaining beans promptly in a covered container for another meal, or freeze them in a small portion.

53. The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engel

#2 The Book of Ivy

listened on Audible

290 pgs.

2015
YA Dystopia
Finished 10/3/2026
Goodreads rating: 3.89
My rating: 3.75
Setting: Barren, hostile USA after a huge world war

My comments: Part 2 of a dystopian duology, quite different from number one, and although I got MAD in a couple of places, I enjoyed it just as much, just in a different way.  Ivy finally grows a spine and starts to own her thoughts and feelings in an honest way.  Bishop is still almost too good to be true, but I can see why so many females reading this series have a crush on him.

Goodreads synopsis: Ivy Westfall is beyond the fence and she is alone. Abandoned by her family and separated from Bishop Lattimer, Ivy must find a way to survive on her own in a land filled with countless dangers, both human and natural. She has traded a more civilized type of cruelty-forced marriages and murder plots-for the bare-knuckled brutality required to survive outside Westfall's borders.

But there is hope beyond the fence, as well. And when Bishop reappears in Ivy's life, she must decide if returning to Westfall to take a final stand for what she believes is right is worth losing everything she's fought for.

52. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

#1 Across the Universe

listened on Libby

399 pgs.

2011
YA Sci Fi
Finished 9/30/2026
Goodreads rating: 3.77
My rating: 4.75
Setting: The spaceship "Godspeed", current time onward

My comments: 17-year-old Amy has been frozen and gone into space with her parents for a 250 year journey to another planet, far, far away, which is supposed to be similar to earth.  But she is unfrozen after only 200 years to find she cannot be refrozen.  The story flips back-and-forth between her and 16-year-old Elder, who will someday be the leader of the ship.  I liked all the elements of the story, including the tension, the not knowing everything, and the relationships between the few people that we really get to know.  I must read the second book before I forget this first one because so much went on....and so much more could happen!

Goodreads synopsis: Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2011), Nominee for Readers' Favorite Goodreads Author (2011)

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone—one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship —tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

EASY Spinach, Sausage, and Pasta

By the time the pasta was cooked, it was time to add to the pan....easy and fast!!!

1/2 smoked sausage/kielbasa, sliced

1 small onion, chopped,

Fresh baby spinach

1/2 jar Alfredo sauce

handful of cooked angel hair pasta (or any pasta

Sauté the slices of kielbasa and chopped onion for a few minutes, then drop huge handfuls of fresh baby spinach and cook down.  Throw in another handful of spinach and cook down.  (It shrinks more-than-a-lot).  Stir in the handful of cooked pasta and about 1/2 jar of Alfredo sauce, let heat thoroughly in the frying pan.

SO GOOD!

I at half for dinner and took the other half for lunch the next day....it was fine without even being heated up!

51. The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

#1 Book of Ivy

listened on Audio

282 pgs.

2014
YA Dystopia
Finished 9/27/26
Goodreads rating: 4.12
My rating: 4 (I kept vascillating between a 3.5/3.75/and 4)
Setting: Somewhere in America in the very close future

My comments: What do I think? Hmmmm. The female protagonist drove me crazy with her steadfast alliance throughout most of the book for her father and sister, but I had to keep reminding myself that she's only 16. And the male protagonist seemed just too good to be true, but happily so. There were no surprises, but the story moved smoothly and even with no surprises was satisfying. Even though the cliffhanger was a toughy and I know the outcome will probably be very positive, I want to finish the duology asap.

Goodreads synopsis: After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.

This year, it is my turn.

My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power.

But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.

Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…

46. By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

listened on Libby

528 pgs.

2024
Adult Historical Fiction - back and forth between now & then, two p-o-v
Finished 9/13/2026
Goodreads rating: 4.10
My rating: 5+
Setting: Contemporary NYC and 16th Century London

My comments: Wow, what a great story!  Years ago I read a novel that first opened my eyes to the possibility that Shakespeare never wrote all of the plays that are attributed to him - for multiple reasons.  It seemed plausible and now I've finished 18.5 hrs. of a gorgeously written, incredibly researched story in two voices (during two time periods) that really strengthens that possibility.  Weaving quotes from Shakespeare's works with more understandable English made the storytelling ultra-believable, and I'll never think of Shakepeare's works in the same way again!  Incredible storytelling.  Great narration. I was enthralled.  Best read in a long time.

Goodreads synopsis: From the New York Times bestselling co-author of Mad Honey comes an “inspiring” (Elle) novel about two women, centuries apart—one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—who are both forced to hide behind another name.

Young playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. But seeing it performed is unlikely, in a theater world where the playing field isn’t level for women. As Melina wonders if she dares risk failure again, her best friend takes the decision out of her hands and submits the play to a festival under a male pseudonym.

In 1581, young Emilia Bassano is a ward of English aristocrats. Her lessons on languages, history, and writing have endowed her with a sharp wit and a gift for storytelling, but like most women of her day, she is allowed no voice of her own. Forced to become a mistress to the Lord Chamberlain, who oversees all theatre productions in England, Emilia sees firsthand how the words of playwrights can move an audience. She begins to form a plan to secretly bring a play of her own to the stage—by paying an actor named William Shakespeare to front her work.

Told in intertwining timelines, By Any Other Name, a sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire centers two women who are determined to create something beautiful despite the prejudices they face. Should a writer do whatever it takes to see her story live on . . . no matter the cost? This remarkable novel, rooted in primary historical sources, ensures the name Emilia Bassano will no longer be forgotten.

Chaos Blanket Stitches

 

Your Refined 10-Stitch "Chaos Pool"

Stitch	Visual Character
Double Crochet (DC)	Flat & classic
Half Double Crochet (HDC)	Short & solid
Cross Double Crochet	Subtle "X" openings (Standard height)
Granny Stripe	Classic open clusters
Classic V-Stitch	Airy geometric lattice
Spider Stitch	Fine lacy eyelets
Blueberry Puff	Round, cheerful bumps
Lemon Peel Stitch	Fine pebbled, solid texture
Moss Stitch	Fine woven weave
Suzette Stitch	Diagonal textured ridges

 Here are straightforward, row-by-row instructions for each stitch, designed so you can pick up your hook and stitch without overthinking.

Moss Stitch

• Row 1: sc in 4th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 2, sc in the first ch-1 space, *ch 1, sc in next ch-1 space; repeat from * across, working your last sc into the turning space. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Suzette Stitch

• Row 1: [sc, dc] in 2nd ch from hook. *Skip 1 ch, [sc, dc] in next ch; repeat from * across until 2 ch remain. Skip 1 ch, sc in last ch. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, [sc, dc] in first stitch. *Skip next stitch (the dc), [sc, dc] in next stitch (the sc); repeat from * across until 2 stitches remain. Skip 1 st, sc in last st. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Lemon Peel Stitch

• Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch. *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, *sc in the dc from row below, dc in the sc from row below; repeat from * across, ending with a dc. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Waffle Stitch

(Best worked over a multiple of 3 stitches + 2)

• Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 2 (counts as dc), *fpdc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * across until 2 sts remain. fpdc in next st, dc in last st. Turn.
• Row 3: ch 2, *dc in next st, fpdc in next 2 sts; repeat from * across until 2 sts remain. dc in last 2 sts. Turn.
• Repeat: Rows 2 & 3.

Houndstooth Stitch

(Uses 2 alternating colors: Color A and Color B)

• Row 1 (A): With A, sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch. *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across. Switch to B on the final pull-through of the last st. Turn.
• Row 2 (B): With B, ch 1, *sc in dc below, dc in sc below; repeat from * across. Switch to A on the final pull-through of the last st. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2, swapping colors at the end of every row.

Star Stitch

(Best worked over an even number of stitches)

• Row 1: Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Pull up loops in next 4 chs (6 loops on hook). yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, ch 1 to close (creates the eye of the star). *Pull up loops in: the eye, the side of the last star leg, the chain base of the last leg, and the next 2 chs (6 loops on hook). yarn over, pull through all 6, ch 1; repeat from * across. dc in last ch. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 2, work 2 hdc into the center eye of every star across. End with 1 hdc in the top of the turning chain. Turn.
• Repeat: Rows 1 & 2 (for Row 1 repeats, pull up loops across the hdc stitches below).

Spike Stitch

(Worked on a base of single crochet rows)

• Row 1: ch 1, sc across as normal. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, insert hook into the st 2 rows below the next st, pull up a long loop to current height, yarn over and pull through both loops (spike st); repeat from * across. Turn.
• Row 3: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
• Repeat: Rows 2 & 3 (stagger the spike placement every few rows for a scattered look).

Spider Stitch

(Creates a delicate, fine-lacy texture using simple sc and chains)

• Row 1: Work [sc, ch 1, sc] all into the 3rd ch from hook. *Skip 1 ch, [sc, ch 1, sc] in next ch; repeat from * across. sc in last ch. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, skip first 2 sts. *Work [sc, ch 1, sc] directly into the next ch-1 space, skip next 2 sts; repeat from * across. End with 1 sc in the turning chain. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Classic V-Stitch

(Open and breezy with a speed pattern repeat that works up quickly)

• Row 1: Work [dc, ch 1, dc] into 4th ch from hook. *Skip 2 chs, [dc, ch 1, dc] in next ch; repeat from * across until 2 chs remain. Skip 1 ch, dc in last ch. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 3 (counts as dc), *[dc, ch 1, dc] directly into the ch-1 space of the "V" below; repeat from * across. End with 1 dc in top of turning chain. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Sedge Stitch

(A plush, diagonal shell look that stays completely flat and doesn't pull in)

• Row 1: Work [sc, hdc, dc] all into 2nd ch from hook. *Skip 2 chs, [sc, hdc, dc] in next ch; repeat from * across until 3 chs remain. Skip 2 chs, sc in last ch. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, [sc, hdc, dc] in the first sc. *Skip next 2 sts (dc and hdc), [sc, hdc, dc] in next st (the sc); repeat from * across until 3 sts remain. Skip 2 sts, sc in last st. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Block Stitch (Elizabeth/Parrish)

(Creates crisp, square graphic grids that match granny stripe rows perfectly)

• Row 1: ch 1, sc in first st. *ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 3 (counts as dc), work 3 dc into each ch-2 space across. End with 1 dc in last sc. Turn.
• Row 3: ch 1, sc between first dc and the 3-dc block. *ch 2, sc into the space between 3-dc blocks; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Repeat: Rows 2 & 3.

Cross Double Crochet (Criss-Cross Stitch)

(Creates subtle "X" motifs across the row with standard double crochet tension)

• Row 1: ch 3 (counts as dc), skip first st. *Skip next st, dc in following st, dc in the skipped st (crossing over the front of the st just made); repeat from * across until 1 st remains. dc in last st. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 3, skip first st. *Skip next st, dc in following st, dc in skipped st; repeat from * across until 1 st remains. dc in top of turning chain. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Herringbone Half Double Crochet (HHDC)

(A slight twist on regular hdc that tilts the stitch to make a woven herringbone texture)

• Row 1: Insert hook into 3rd ch from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, pull that first loop straight through the second loop on your hook (2 loops remain), yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops (hhdc made). Work hhdc in each ch across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 2, hhdc in each st across. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Extended Single Crochet (ESC)

(Slightly taller than a single crochet, producing a remarkably soft, drape-friendly row that matches your hdc rows)

• Row 1: Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 1 loop (creates a chain base), yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops (esc made). Work esc in each ch across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, esc in each st across. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Rice Stitch

(Combines front-post single crochet with standard double crochet for a tiny textured seed pattern that stays totally flat)

• Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch. *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, *fpsc (front-post single crochet) around the sc below, dc into the dc below; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Griddle Stitch (Lemon Peel Var. / Alternating SC/DC)

(Works as a straight grid pattern rather than staggered, giving a clean textured stripe)

• Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch. *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, *sc directly into the sc below, dc directly into the dc below; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Mini Berry Stitch

(Creates tiny, dense bumps that stand out against flat rows without pulling in like heavy bobbles or puff stitches)

• Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, *sc in first st, work berry st in next st [insert hook, YO, pull up loop, ch 1, YO, insert in same st, YO, pull up loop, YO, pull through all 5 loops boundary]; repeat from * across, ending with sc. Turn.
• Row 3: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
• Repeat: Rows 2 & 3.

Shell Stitch (5-DC Shell)

(Creates rhythmic scalloped waves that match the exact height and width of double crochet rows)

• Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook. *Skip 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in first sc (half shell). *sc in center dc of next shell, 5 dc in next sc; repeat from * across, ending with 3 dc in last sc. Turn.
• Row 3: ch 1, sc in first dc. *5 dc in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell; repeat from * across, ending with sc in top of turning chain. Turn.
• Repeat: Rows 2 & 3.

Alternate Single Crochet (Flax / Granule Stitch)

(Worked entirely in single crochet by alternating front-loop and back-loop placements to build subtle horizontal ridges)

• Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, *sc in front loop only (FLO) of first st, sc in back loop only (BLO) of next st; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Row 3: ch 1, *sc in BLO of first st, sc in FLO of next st; repeat from * across. Turn.
• Repeat: Rows 2 & 3.

Wide Half Double Crochet (HDC Between Posts)

(Looks like standard hdc, but working into the space between stitches instead of the loops creates a rich, woven weave that doesn't cinch)

• Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 2 (counts as hdc), *hdc into the space between the next two hdc posts (below the top loops); repeat from * across, working last hdc between final st and turning chain. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

Trinity Stitch

(Creates star-like clusters by working a single sc3tog across three stitches, maintaining a perfectly flat baseline)

• Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook. Insert hook into same ch and pull up loop, pull up loop in next ch, pull up loop in following ch (4 loops on hook), YO and pull through all 4 loops, ch 1 to close. *Insert hook in same ch as last leg of previous st and pull up loop, pull up loop in next 2 chs (4 loops on hook), YO, pull through all 4, ch 1; repeat from * across, ending with 1 sc in last ch. Turn.
• Row 2: ch 1, sc in first st. Work Trinity cluster starting in same st as first sc, pulling up loops across next 2 sts, ch 1 to close; repeat across, ending with 1 sc in last st. Turn.
• Repeat: Row 2.

 

45. The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey

listened on Audible

329 pgs.

2025
Adult Historical Fiction
Finished 9/6/2026
Goodreads rating: 4.24
My rating: 3
Setting: 1947-1950 Washington DC

My comments: This story was a dragger, for me....it just seemed to drag on and on.  The premise was good, the characterization was good, some of the situations seemed ... off, not quite believable.  Much of the book was about the friendships between the women and some of the men codebreakers, and how the FBI personel and the government personel working on the problem of Russian spies interacted with each other.  The last third of the book perked up a bit, and my overall reaction increased.  However, I'm left with a ho-hum  feeling, unfortunately.  Quite a bit was apparently (based on the afterword by the author) based on facts and truths, and I did learn....or recall...quite a bit about out country's history at the time.

Goodreads synopsis: A female codebreaker puts her future and her heart on the line in a stirring novel about love, loyalty, betrayal, and Cold War spy games by the bestselling author of The Secret Stealers.

1947: Adventurous Radcliffe graduate Catherine “Cat” Killeen cancels her wedding and upends a future that no longer suits her. At the behest of her professor and hungry for a challenge, Cat arrives in Virginia to work on a confidential military project. A student in cryptoanalysis, Cat is already ahead of the game—to assist in rooting out Soviet spies who have infiltrated the US.

Joining the “government girls” of Arlington Hall, Cat gains the respect of her superiors and the friendship of her peers. Then, on a night out in DC, Cat runs into Jonathan Dardis, her arrogant and privileged Harvard rival and newly minted agent for the FBI. What Cat and Jonathan share is a competitive drive and an attraction that’s becoming just as spirited. They’re also united in the same critical goal for America. Together, they’re diving deep into the shadows of espionage.

The stakes of the codebreaking operation grow ever higher, and Cat’s relationship with Jonathan opens her heart. Amid dangerous intrigue and grave secrecy, Cat is ready for every risk—no matter how personal the stakes get.

Brian's Books

9/13    Thriftbooks

         #1 Catalina Island:  Nightshade by Michael Connelly

         #1 Jack Pullman:  Zero Day by David Baldacci

         #6 Peter Ash:  The Runaway by Nick Petrie

         #7 Peter Ash:  The Breaker by Nick Petrie

         

9/5    Amazon

         #3 Sam Pope:  The Long Road Home by Robert Enright delivered 9/11

8/11   Amazon (received)

          #2 Sam Pope:  The Takers by Robert Enright

7/19  Thriftbooks

         #2 Peter Ash:  Burning Bright by Nick Petrie

         #3 Peter Ash:   Light It Up by Nick Petrie

         #4 Peter Ash:  Tear It Down by Nick Petrie

         #5 Peter Ash:  The Wild One by Nick Petrie

6/29   #1 Peter Ash:  Drifter  by Nick Petrie

          #1 Sam Pope: Night Shift  by Robert Enright

43. The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri

listened on Libby

336 pgs.

2024
Adult Historical Fiction
Finished 8/31/2026
Goodreads rating: 4.32
My rating: 5
Setting: 1938 - 1941 Germany (with short storytelling from 2006)

My comments: I'm giving this a 5 rating, although I didn't love it. I learned a lot and it was written beautifully.  This is written from the p-o-v of two Germans - one who is an SS officer, and the other who is just going along with everything that Hitler and the entire country seem to be going along with.  It's all about facilities throughout Germany that are creating and adopting out children that fit the Nazi clear blood ideology.  Nuts - but  supposedly true.  Whew.

Goodreads synopsis: Family secrets come to light as a young woman fights to save herself, and others, in a Nazi-run baby factory—a real-life Handmaid's Tale—during World War II.

In a sleepy German village, Allina Strauss’s life seems idyllic: she works at her uncle’s bookshop, makes strudel with her aunt, and spends weekends with her friends and fiancé. But it's 1939, Adolf Hitler is Chancellor, and Allina’s family hides a terrifying secret—her birth mother was Jewish, making her a Mischling.

One fateful night after losing everyone she loves, Allina is forced into service as a nurse at a state-run baby factory called Hochland Home. There, she becomes both witness and participant to the horrors of Heinrich Himmler’s ruthless eugenics program.

The Sunflower House is a meticulously-researched debut historical novel that uncovers the notorious Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. Women of “pure” blood stayed in Lebensborn homes for the sole purpose of perpetuating the Aryan population, giving birth to thousands of babies who were adopted out to “good” Nazi families. Allina must keep her Jewish identity a secret in order to survive, but when she discovers the neglect occurring within the home, she’s determined not only to save herself, but also the children in her care.

A tale of one woman’s determination to resist and survive, The Sunflower House is also a love story. When Allina meets Karl, a high-ranking SS officer with secrets of his own, the two must decide how much they are willing to share with each other—and how much they can stand to risk as they join forces to save as many children as they can. The threads of this poignant and heartrending novel weave a tale of loss and love, friendship and betrayal, and the secrets we bury in order to save ourselves.