I Make Meat Mush

Ummm, what?

I said, "I make meat mush!"

Ohhh-Kaayyyy! Can you explain?

Well, it's like this:
The weather has changed, and I am really happy about that, because it means that I can wear newly finished wool sweaters (outside at least, at night and early in the AM)! I am also happy about the cooler weather because I like to cook, but I hate to heat up the house when it's hot outside! Knitting with wintry wool and cooking comfort foods make my life seem like a bowl of cherries!

However, even though I am good at many things, like knitting that sweater up there, and making a killer chicken soup, great chili and pretty nifty oven-fried potatoes, my family would absolutely love it if I would just make them a meatloaf. Yes, you read that correctly. . .the Hubster and College Girl are craving meatloaf. But, there's a small problem. I have never made a successful meatloaf. I make meat mush.

I have tried my mom's recipe, Betty Crocker's recipe, Dear Abby's recipe, and several recipes donated by friends. . .all with differing proportions of the same basic ingredients (ground meat, bread crumbs, eggs, spices). . .but, when it comes out of the oven, that first slice always turns into a "scoop" of cooked meat mush!

I really don't know what I am doing wrong. I mean, I have eaten other people's successful meatloaf, I have eaten frozen meatloaf (defrosted and cooked, thankyouverymuch), and I like meatloaf as much as the next mom. . .I just can't seem to make my meat meld together into the right form. sigh! Is there anyone who can point me in the right direction?

If you have a no-fail meatloaf recipe, please email me at PrettyKnittyJewelry[at]yahoo[dot]com to share, or (if it's not too long) just leave it in the comments at the end of this post. I like meatloaf, and I like making my family happy. . .I would love it if my readers could help me to overcome this hurdle in my kitchen. . .thanks! By the way, if I make your meatloaf work, there will be much happiness, and when Pretty gets happy, she likes to give things away. . .just sayin'!

In direct contrast to the meatloaf situation, in the knitting arena I have far fewer frustrations, for the most part! When I start out to make a sweater, I usually end up with a sweater. And when I cast on for a sock, I end up with a pair most of the time. I love knitting!

Sock Review Time!!!
(I remembered! I remembered!)

In July, I loved knitting these socks! They are Basic Cabled Socks, worked on 2.25mm bamboo dpns, in Knit Picks Stroll (African Violet). It was an easy pattern, mostly 2x2 ribs, with a cable at each side on the leg only. Barely any thinking, and I did the 6-stitch cable without a cable needle, so super quick! Plus, they look fabulous in a solid or tonal colorway!
Another bonus: this is a great pattern for unisex socks! Just enough interest to keep you from getting bored, but not too fussy for a male wearer. . .and you really want to do these handsome cables in a solid or slightly tonal yarn color in order to really see the texture well. These socks are a WILL DO AGAIN pattern, and I think I even have some more solid yarn to turn into spectacular socks with basic cables, once the Christmas knitting is done! Yay!

Speaking of the Christmas knitting, I have finished two projects, and I have two more still on the needles, 03Christmas 2010 Project (about 25% complete) and 02Christmas 2010 Project (about 75% complete). Of course, these are super secret (unless you're on Ravelry), so there will not be pictures until after December 25!

Well, now that I have blogged (quite early for me on a Saturday, so I feel like I have already accomplished something), I am gonna start a pot of chili for later, and then go knit! I look forward to your meat mush. . .errrr, meatloaf recipes!

Knit (and cook) in Good Health!