Mug Doily Coaster

Size 4 steel hook
Small amount of size 10 thread

1. Ch 6, join, ch 3, 11 dc in ring, join (12 dc)
2. Ch 5, (counts as dc and ch 2) *dc, ch2, dc* around, join in erd ch of beginning chain.

3. Ch3, 3dc in ch 2 sp, *dc in dc, 3dc in ch2 psp, around, join.
4. Ch 5, sk 1 st, dc in next st, *ch 2, sk 1 dc, dc in next st*, around, join
5. Sl st into ch 2 sp, ch 6, *dc in ch 2 sp, ch 3*, around, join.
6. St st into sp, ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc in same space, *2dc, 2ch, 2dc in next sp* around, join.
7. St st into ch2, ch 7, *dc in next ch2 sp, ch 4* around, join in 3rd ch of beg. chain.
8. St st into sp, ch 3, 4dc in same space, *5dc in next space* around, join.
9. Ch 3, sk 1 st, sc in next st, *ch 3, sk 1 st, sc* around join. Fasten off.

Monday Menu

Since the holidays haven't been meal planning and need to start again. The week always starts off a little easier if I know before hand what dinner will be for at least on Monday night and even easier if its cooked or at least started Sunday evening. Tomorrow's fare is:

Chicken Pot Pie IX
Salad
Canteloupe Slices

Found this recipe at
All Recipes
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Pot-Pie-IX/Detail.aspx
a 5 star one! I just finished the filling part so all I have to do tomorrow is put it into the pie crust and bake while the table is being set and readied for dinner. Very tasty I might add.

Chicken Pot Pie IX

1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
1 cup slices carrots
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk

2 9 inch unbaked pie crusts

1. Preheat over to 425 degrees.
2. In a saucepan combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Removed from heat, drain and set aside.
3. In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over med-low heat until thick. Remove from heat, set aside.
4. Place chicken mixture in bottom pie crust, pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with top crust, seal edges and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and filing is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

mmm, mmm, good!

added note 1/11/10 - this was very good. Its a keeper recipe.

Look what I found

I just discovered Katheryn and her blog Thread 'N' Stitches. There are amazing designs of snowflakes and a pretty, pretty poinsettia and just take a look at the latest posting of these coasters. Aren't they beautiful! Katheryn says she will be posting the pattern for these soon. I can't wait!

You just have to pop over there to see her work and while you are there take a look at the carpentry her husband does.
Enjoy your visit.

http://krochetstitches.blogspot.com/

Winter Nights and Crochet

Quiet winter evenings, cup of hot tea, crochet hook and thread. This is some of what I am now working on. Its part of my doily of the month that I am hoping I will be able to accomplish this year. Do you see red?? We'll see what shows up for February.

Keep safe and warm, pleasant dreams.

Blessings.

Epiphany

The star burned like a flame, pointing the way to God, the King of Kings; the wise men saw the sign and brought their gifts in homage to their great King.

Crocheted Snowflake - Doily of the Month - January

This is my first doily design which I call Snowflake and a design for the month of January. It measures 11 inches point to point.

With a size 4 hook, size 10 white crochet thread

1. Chain 8, join, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 11 dc in loop, join with sl st in 3rd chain of beginning, 12 dc.
2. Ch 3, dc in same as joining, 2 dc in each st around, join in 3rd ch of beginning, 24 dc.
3. Ch 3, dc in same st, *dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next st* continue around, join, 36 dc.
4. Ch 2, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 2 st, 2 hdc in next st* arround, join.
5. Ch 4, *TR (treble crochet) in next 2 st, 2 TR in next st*, around, join.

6. Ch 4, sk 1 st, sc in next st, *ch 3, sk 1 st, sc in next*, around, join.
7. Ch 5 (counts as dc and ch 2), dc in same st, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc, ch2, dc in next st (makes V stitch)*, around, join in 3rd chain of beginning.
8. Sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 5, dc in same sp, *ch3, st st in next ch 3 loop, ch3, V st in next V st,* around join in 3rd chain of beginning.
9. Sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 5, dc in same sp, *ch 4, V st in next V st, * repeat around, join.
10. Sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 5, dc in same sp, *ch 3, sl st in next ch 4 loop, ch 3, V st in next st,* around, join.
11. Sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 5, dc in same sp, *ch 5, V st in next V st, * repeat around, join.
12. Sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 5, dc in same sp, *ch 5, sl st in next ch 4 loop, ch 3, V st in next st,* around, join.
13. Sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 5, dc in same sp, *ch 6, V st in next V st, * repeat around, join.
14. Sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 3, *7 dc in next 6 ch loop, dc in ch 2 sp,* around, join to top of ch 3.
15. Ch 3, dc in same st, *dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st* around, join.
16. Ch 2 hdc in next 36 st, in next st 2 hdc, 2 ch, 2hdc (corner made), hdc in next 36 st., 2 hdc, 2 ch, 2 hdc in next st (2nd corner), hdc in next 37 st, 2 hdc, 2c, 2 hdc, in next st, (3rd corner), 36 hdc, in next st 2hdc, 2 ch, 2hdc (4th corner) join to beginning.
17. Ch 3, dc in each st to corner, in corner 2dc, 2ch, 2dc, join.
18. Ch 3, *dc in each st to middle of “side”, make picot (chain 4, sl st at base of chain), continue around ending with last corner 2dc, picot 2dc join.
Blocking will give the shape you see here. You could also block as a square but I wanted more of a snowflake effect.

Happy New Year

Best Wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

God Bless.

To share joy

Arrived to pick up my friend this morning to find out that she had just spoken with her daughter and the "cramps" were 2 to 3 to 5 minutes apart. This will be her third grandchild, a baby boy, a beautiful baby boy.

And I saw him, his face ... on her laptop was the sonogram picture of last Friday. His face so very clear, so very perfect and beautiful. I find it so incredible that there in front of me was a picture of this child that has not yet been born. Amazing!

Needless to say, we cancelled the day and the joy of the wait has begun.The older I get the more astounded I become at creation, at birth. It often leaves me speechless. Its one of those things that I have trouble putting words to. What a gift.

My friend ... she was glowing, giggling, smiling large. It was a delight to watch her, to be near her, to share a few moments of the wonderment of life. So appropriate for this time of year, no? Sometime today, tonight a new little life will be given to the world. Heavenly Father, bless them.

ps...addendum 12/30 ... we thought for sure that he would be here yesterday, today is the actual due date. Guess they come when they come ... lol ... still we wait with anticipation and excitement. Who knows, maybe a New Year's baby?

Have a GREAT day!

Its an oh so cold day and temperatures are steadily dropping. The wind is wildly blowing making for a bone chilling wind factor which I will have to brave shortly. Have a few things I'm working on. Have picked up the crochet hook with the thought in mind to design a doily of the month for 2010. As my designs are oh so very simple and I'm such a novice not sure how far I will get but that is the thought at this time. Figure one has to jump into this and keep trying! January Snowflake doily will make its appearance (I hope) by the weekend.

Have taken down one tree already. This year I'm taking my time with this as I want to organize my Christmas decorations and clean out that which I haven't used in a long time. Also found that I will be recycling a few of the decorations for Valentine's Day, got the red out now might as well get good use out of it!

May your day be filled with His joy, blessings and grace.

Off and running shortly. Maybe later today can stop by a few places and check out the sales ... love those sales, if I'm not too late! I think a lot of people have already been out there stocking up. This is when I get my wrapping paper, decorations, etc., for next year!

Have a wonderful day of blessings and joy of the season!

Joy To The World

For unto us a savior is born.

Merry Christmas

Today, tonight ...

Years ago we bought this painting at a craft fair. It doesn't have a name, but it struck me then, as it still does now that it should be called Christmas Eve. In the stillness of the night, the blessed silence, in anticipation we wait for the coming joy. I have always seen and felt this in this painting.























Blessings and joy to you on this night of wonder.

Somehow not only at Christmas,
but all the year through,
the joy that you give
to others
is the joy
that comes back
to you.
John Greenleaf Whittier

Treasures of The Season

I got home this evening to find this box in the mail and inside found the most beautiful treasures. This is from a member of our "prayer family". So very generous and caring is she. The car pendant of our Lord Jesus, so very special - the ultimate, the cardinal (I love cardinals!) and a heart ornament, just beautiful ... and look inside.

All so beautiful, so meaningful. Thank you so much, my heart has been touched.

Oh yes, I also have to mentioned the wonderful bag of cookies ... snow balls, russian tea cakes are a few of the names I know them by ... simply delicious.