On and off the hook ...

My latest projects are moving along.  The square-in-square baby ghan is nearing completion.  An edging to be added and this will be finished.  This has been a wonderful crochet.  A most interesting pattern and yet easy enough that within a few squares the pattern is committed to memory.  Makes it easy to work on while enjoying a movie or tv.

The Sarafia blanket CAL now had 14 squares completed.  Another easy to remember pattern.  Especially fun to work on with the other fabulous ladies with no rush for the finish.

Another CAL and completed is the snowflake potholder. Using cotten 4 ply,  I love this size for a potholder/hotpad.  Size 10 thread and a lovely coaster.  Sweet hostess gifts for the holidays.

With the baby ghan almost done I have to add in a new project.  Also another CAL ... another daisy ghan.  This one has 12 petals to the daisy and will be done in all different colors on a white background.  So far I've pulled out 18 colors out of my stash, I think there are a few more waiting to be found.  Had to try out the pattern so the first 2 colors are done.

Oh yeah, there may be a table topper lurking.  I'm trying my best to leave this go for a later winter project but I'm not sure I am going to hold out.  Time will tell.  

 Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE TO CROCHET?  Just saying...

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Blessings,

Thursday Thoughts

It's important to know what's important.

Just for this week.

The following excerpt is from this week's church bulletin.

"Imagine a world in which everyone respected everyone and everything.  A world where no one complained.  Where everyone took each moment of each day as it came along and just thanked the Lord for the gift.  Where we truly saw our neighbors as companions on a journey.  If we could do that what a different world it would be ...

Make this week the 7 days we promise not to say anything but positive things.  If the pressure gets to be too much, write the complaints down on a sheet of paper and hold them until next week.  Chances are when we get to 'next week' we have forgotten all about them ... this is the week for Happy Christians...just the way the Lord made us to be!    (Fr. JVJ - 8/26/12)

This certainly struck me, I just had to share.  Something worth thinking about, something worth trying. 

God bless.

Autumn Cozy

Such a
nice day today, warm but full of Fall.  I just couldn't resist.  Having the day off I just had to bring some of autumn color in.  First pick was the doilies.  Now which one?

Then to select the table topper ... well, my most favored of all ... Between Meal Centerpiece....

A pumpkin here, some flowers there and half the kitchen is autumn.  More to come later.  Think I'll fill one of those mugs with tea and pick up the hook.  Blessings to your evening.

Finding Fabulous on Friday

The tractors are humming, the pickers are picking ... its happening.  The orchards are being harvested.  Hard to believe that the summer is coming to an end but the cooler, colorful days will be more then welcomed.

I got a message that I have exceeded my limit for photos...not sure what I should do about that.  I don't think I want to purchase space ... any suggestions?

Happy Weekend.

Upgrade and hook update

The crochet alongs are moving along ... so much so that I've had to replace my take along bag from my canvas library bag to a much larger one as I now am carting two afghans and a hotpad.  In my true crochet addiction I had to put in a few more skeins of yarn just in case ... I always have to have enough with me!  Yes, I know, silly isn't it.   However, I do get more done this way and is a such a good way to use idle time.

Started the snowflake hotpad last night ... it goes up very quickly, now just have to crochet the pieces together.  There will be several of these made.  And yes, there will be an afghan to follow.  I just love how this looks and I think will be a wonderful throw to wrap up in come the winter months.

Several squares are completed for the Sarafia Blanket. 

 

 

And did I tell you I'm always looking for another project, another ghan ...
Check out this gorgeous bag made byLovestitch at Stitch of Love


I have already added the pattern to my tote to be maybe the next project and although I love the bag this will be another ghan.  Quite possibly the same color scheme as well.  I think the coloring is amazing.

Well, that's what new for the crochet front at my place.  Ohhhh, I just spotted two round ripples peaking out at me ... have to work them into the mix as well.  They are close to being done.  One is for the grandpumpkin and the other is one to have on hand.  They'll be worked on in between the above projects and completed come Fall.

Have a good day ...

 keep those hooks humming!

Forty Years Ago ...

Me and Mine

40 years

with love

Where the hook has been and where its going ... crochet alongs!

Goodness, where did this week go?  Turned around and the weekend is here.  Time is moving far too quickly.  The hook has been moving too.  My latest projects are taking off ...  

Half the squares have been made for my square in a square ghan.  Took a bit of time this afternoon to weave in some ends.  I like to do some every so often and not leave all the ends for the finish.  This is really a neat pattern.  Its very easy and fun to make.  I think I would like one done with multi colored centers, it  would be really pretty not to mention a great way to use up left over yarn pieces.

My newest ghan is the Sarafia blanket.  Loved the pink, green and white.  My stash had rose, white and a green, and I did pick up a different shade of green for the third color.  Have just done one and a half squares.  Another easy and fun project.  My square measures 8 inches.  Right now I'm thinking 35 squares should do a size I would like.  By the way this project is going to be a Crochet Along.  Stop over at Stitchy McFloss for more details.

Speaking of crochet along ... I first saw this snowflake potholder at Lacy Crochet.  The pattern can be found at Gracious Rain and will also be started soon.  I think this will be such a delight to use during the winter months.  Food for thought:  wouldn't this be a wonderful ghan as well!

Faith (Crochet by the Sea), Vikki (By HOOKS 4U),  Stitchy (Stitchy McFloss), Kat (Hookin It With Mr. Lick Lick) are joining in.  And  with the afghan, we are taking our time and enjoying.  Come along, grab a hook and join in, its fun to be crocheting along with others and the results are incredible. 

Have a great weekend.

Monday Morning

And a quick hello. Had planned to post a simple recipe I had found (and again no idea where I got it from) but time is of the essence this morning so that will have to wait until another day. 

A bit of time in the car yesterday and my square in a square ghan has several additions.  Maybe a few more this evening.  Will see what time the day finishes.

Here's to a good start to the week.

Pink Daisy Granny Ghan

Finished.  Its 42 squares with a 2 plus inch border measuring 42 x 36 inches.  Going to a sweet little girl named Isabella who is due to arrive in a few months.  Such a great crochet.  You can find the Daisy Granny at Bunny Mummy

You know what this means ... the second project now moves into first place and a new one to begin.  Yay!!!   I think I have the new one picked out, just checking through the waiting to be made patterns to make sure.  Have to have a few projects going at once.  Silly isn't it, you'd think I'd just hop on one and get it done.  Oh well, I like a change of colors and stitches every so often.   Sometimes I have three going on at once ... now that I think of it, that is going to happen shortly (could be four).  Ohhhh, a hopeless crochet addict. 

Have a blessed day.

Saturday Morning Putterings

With some chores done, the dryer humming, and some stove top simmering going on the next move will be the hook.  The crochet front is happily moving along ... the pink daisy baby blanket is almost completed with three or four edging rows left to be done.  Its very sweet and I think that there will be others to be made.  I think a multi colored one would be amazing, not to mention a great way to use use up stash and scrap yarn. 

The square in a square (Debi's pattern)  has about 7 squares completed and now becomes number one project.  Its a lovely square and a fun crochet.   Pictures in a day or two after pink daisy steam pressed.

Am getting into a few crochet alongs and a stitch along ...  maybe you'll want to join in ... more on that later on.  Promises to be fun.  The last little doily a few of us just made was just delightful.

Blessings to your day

and the rest of the weekend.

Thursday Thoughts

All I have seen teaches me to trust

 the creator for all I have not seen.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday Menu

Its been a while since I've posted a Monday Menu.  Seems with the warmer weather lots of veggies and salads are on the scene, however today will be trying a recipe I found a while ago.  Unfortunately I don't remember where I got it from so I cannot give credit.  If anyone knows, please advise and I will give mention.

We're still reaping tomatoes with much more to come so a fresh tomato, cucumber, and red onion salad and fresh bread will be on the table to accompany

Spicy Beef and Bean Stuffed Peppers

1 1/2 lb. ground beef (or pork, turkey, chicken)
1 large onion, diced
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce (or salsa - I'm going to use the salsa)
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tsp dried oregano
2 Tsp cumin
1/2 Tsp cayenne or to taste (I probably will not use)
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced (garlic powder = 1 1/2 Tsp)

1 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained
1/2 Tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 Tsp salt
1/2 cup water
6 Large red bell peppers - using the chopped off tops, dice and add to mixture
8 oz Pepper Jack cheese or Jack Cheese

Prepare peppers, removing and dicing tops, trim bottoms so they will stand.  The recipe calls for placing peppers in micro and steaming for 6 minutes.

In a large skillet, cook the beef and onions over medium heat until lightly browned.  Drain off excess grease, add tomato sauce/salsa, chili powder, oregano, cumin, cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, beans, salt, pepper and water.  Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Fill peppers with mixture, place upright in baking dish, top each stuffed pepper with the cheese, bake for 35 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is golden brown.

These will be prepared this afternoon then transported to MIL's for critique.   I hope this tastes as good as it sounds to me.  Time will tell.

Sliced fresh fruit, probably peaches or nectarines topped with sliced strawberries will finish the meal.   

Results:   It was good and a change.  The filling was a chili and quite tasty.  I didn't microwave the peppers but just put in the over after I had stuffed them and baked for about an hour leaving the peppers with some crunch to them. DIL loved them.  So its going to be a keeper recipe and will be made every once in a while.  I think next time I am going to mix in the cheese as well as put on top.  Oh, instead of the cayenne I did add some red pepper flakes as well.

A Crochet Along

I'm enjoying a crochet along that Faith of Crochet by the Sea, Stitchy of Stitchy McFloss, and Vikki of By Hooks 4U has going on.  Fabulous ladies!  Its the Pretty Petals Potholder, a 1946 pattern.   I'm not making it the potholder but as a coaster / doily.   I have one in green which is a perfect coaster size, and now have on the hook an orangey red which I think I will make somewhat larger.


I'm thinking that I would like to make this out of cotton to use as a rug.  Added to my list of things to make, maybe a Fall project.

Its fun to be sharing the same pattern with others.  Thanks Faith for setting this up.  Looking forward to other crochet alongs.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

What's Doing Wednesday

Oh, a little of this, a little of that.
Just passing through.  In from morning work for a quick lunch then out for an afternoon appointment.   The morning looked like we were in for a rainy day, but no, the sun is out in full glory although very humid. 

Can you believe its August?  My little grandpumpkin will be a year old shortly.  He's now running everywhere.  I never knew such joy.

I must tell you ... I heard it, I sensed it this past Monday ... the feel of Fall!  Yup ... its here already.  And ... we have leaves in our back yard!  Not that I mind,  Fall is my favorite time of the year and each year I always hope it last longer.  I guess if I feel it this early I will have a long Fall.

Enjoying nightly harvests from the garden, it is so good!  For that I have to give Summer a thumbs up.  Here's to garden tomatoes and fresh bread later on followed by some evening crochet.  Goodness, can it get any better then that?
Have a good afternoon and evening ...

blessings,