A Long Time in The Making

Let's see...back in April I started a CAL with Stitchy McFloss.  I dabbled a little here and then a little there and f i n a l l y, (minus the last few rows - I liked it with a scalloped type edge) - I present my Large Pineapple Doily!  I really love  this and thanks Stitchy for bringing this lovely pattern to attention!  Its a lovely size for a table and looks wonderful in my dinette.

 

Geesh, this took 3 months and I think I'm going to make a bedspread.  LOL!  Plodding on!

Monday Menu

I have become a huge fan of the grain Quinoa.  Its a high protein grain and so very good for you.  I've been eyeing the recipe on the box of quinoa for a while now and now having tried it, it is a keeper recipe!

DIL has harvested many tomatoes and cucumbers from their garden and we will put them to use! 

Tonight's table:
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Fresh cucumber and red onion salad.
Sliced fresh peaches


Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

1 cup traditional quinoa (cooked)
2 cups water
4 large or 6 medium green peppers
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced (I didn't have these so left out, didn't seem to affect the recipe)
2 Tbsp. butter
1 28 can tomatoes, coarsley diced (reserve juice)
2 gloves garlic, crushed (I minced them)
1 12 oz. jar Mexican Salsa
2 Tbsp. dry Sherry (can be omitted)
10 oz. Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.

Cook quinoa per box instructions.
In a large skillet, saute onion, mushrooms in butter.
Add diced tomatoes, garlic and salsa.
Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
Add the sherry and simmer 10 minutes more.
Fold in quinoa.
Fill peppers with mixture, sprinkle shredded mozzarella over peppers
Bake in 325 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

Mmmmm, we all like these.  Hope you do too.

Why can't I leave comments?

I just wanted to let you know that I do visit your blogs and appreciate  your visits and comments but for some reason there are some blogs that I can't leave comments to.  When I go to the comment box I'm not able to get to the publish box.   There always seems to be a glitch or one thing or another with blogger.  I'm hoping in time that this resolves itself.

Hello

 Almost the end of July, how did that happen?  I thought I would be posting regularly again but there went the time spinning by.    Immersed in caregiving and my old stand by, crochet, right by my side.   So many projects, many started, so many want to do.  I've had this nagging to make a bedspread ... yes, a large bedspread and I have been looking at this motif/pattern for quite some time now.  The hot weather of the past few weeks brought this out to start, the yarns put down for cooler days.   Just printed out my 50% off coupon to Michaels to buy another large ball of thread.  I'm sure several will be needed.

Crocheting ... such a comfort.  Still my all time favorite thing to do in quiet moments.

A dear friend will visit this weekend.  One of her friends is cleaning out her mother's crafting supplies and books.  She sent me three Magic Crochet books.  They are beautiful.  My friend tells me now that she is coming with three bags of crochet patterns and books.  A crocheter's dream!  So you know what I will be doing come Sunday night.  Oh goodness ... more projects to start I'm sure.  Oh those crochet hooks ... love to keep them moving!

Hope your weekend is special.

Happy 4th of July

God  bless America

What's Doing Wednesday

The greengate blanket is slowly growing, row by row with a  row or two being added each day.  I'm now 22 rows into the second part with 63 rows to go.  This is a really large project but one I am loving.  I've been searching around looking for pillow patterns to complement this.

My CAL doily from Stitchy McFloss has 10 rows to go.  Its such a lovely doily and a wonderful size.  Hope to have this completed soon.


Now, I've been looking for some cross stitch charts to work on when I have discovered needle tatting!  I have always wanted to learn tatting but found the shuttle somewhat difficult.  Last Sunday visiting with a dear friend and her cousin I found the cousin making tatted wreaths and with a needle.  She has graciously offered to teach me.  I also found this book by Barbara Foster.  Very well written and easy to understand.    It comes with 4 needles too.  Needless to say, I'm quite excited to learn this and add to my thread addiction!

Today's agenda will have to be readjusted with a quick trip to see the doc.  I have shingles.  Realized this last night and hope I can catch this before it goes to far.

And that's what's doing on my Wednesday.  Hope that your day is a good one.

Blessings,

In our neck of the woods ...

Playing peek-a-boo with the sun today.   Hoping for sunny for the afternoon as many have parties planned.  Graduation, birthday, backyard wedding.  The past few days have been all day heavy rains.  However, the rain did not silence the cicadas.  Our immediate vicinity is free of them, but not far from here there are tons of them and you can hear their "singing".   They start up humming at daybreak and and by night fall they are silent.  They really don't bother anyone, don't seem to be eating the leaves as the trees are full of them.  I find it a strange thing.  Three weeks they have been here and within three weeks they will be gone for another 17 years.  Mother Nature, never ceases to amaze!

I'm getting an itch to stitch.  Its been quite some time since I took needle and floss to hand...looking for a summer cross stitch project.  It has to be a rather smallish one so that I will finish it.  Not sure yet whether a pretty floral or maybe a holiday type.  There's a lovely blog Freebie Gallery that I will be waltzing through shortly.  Beautiful work and links to free charts.  Very generously provided.  I'm sure I will find just what I'm looking for there.

The hook, well, what can I say, its still moving.  Several projects being worked on, a few will have to be put aside for the summer.  A friend of mine just gave me rectangular knitting looms.  Also anxious to try them out.   Goodness, there's never enough time to spend on all these wonderful crafts. 

Hope you're weekend is full of blessings and joy.

Thursday Thoughts

"I said to the almond tree

 'Sister speak to me

about God'

and the almond tree

blossomed."

 

From the writings of Greco,

Greek-born Spanish painter

A Learning Granny Square

The granny square is such a wonderful crochet producing many lovely items ... everything from coasters, pin cushions, hats, sweaters, afghans, etc.  In my latest venture in teaching someone to crochet I decided to use the granny but to incorporate the most basic stitches into the same square ... single, half double, double and treble crochet.  (The stitch instructions are at the bottom of this post).

With some eye popping, happy colors and a size I hook ...

Chain 4, join to first chain to form a circle. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With white, chain 1, two single crochet in circle, *chain 2, three single crochets in circle*, repeat from * to * two more times.  Join to first chain.  Four corners made,  fasten off. 

Join red in any chain 2 space corner, chain 2, 2 half double crochets, chain 2, 3 half double crochets in same space.  In next space, *3 half double crochets, chain 2, 3 half double crochets*, repeat from * to * and join to top of beginning chain.  Fasten off. 

Join green color in any chain 2 space corner, chain 3, 2 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets in same space.  *In next space, 3 double crochets, in corner space, 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets*, repeat * to *, join to top of beginning chain 3.  Fasten off. 

Join yellow color in any chain 2 space corner, chain 4, 2 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets in same space.  *In next spaces, 3 treble crochets in each, in corner space 3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets*, repeat *to*, join to top of beginning chain 4.  Fasten off. 

Join white to any corner space, chain 1, 2 single crochets, chain 2, 3 single crochets in same space.  *In next spaces, 3 single crochets, in corner space 3 single crochets, chain 2, 3 single crochets*, repeat * to *, join to first chain. 

We will always be using the white for the single crochet rows (1st and last) of the granny but will be mixing the color sequence of the red, green and yellow.  We'll be forming strips of different number squares and assemble for a lapghan.  Stay tuned for the finished project!



single crochet = insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch.  You will have two loops on hook, yarn over and pull through the two loops.

half double crochet = yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, (three loops on hook) yarn over and pull through all three loops.

double crochet = yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, (three loops on hook) yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through two loops again.

treble crochet = yarn over hook two times, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, (four loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over pull through two loops again, yarn over and pull through last two loops.

Happy Crocheting!

Memorial Day

Remembering in thought

and prayer those who

 have  and are serving.

Thank you and 

God bless you.

Yarn Dilemma(s)

 

The greengate blanket is now half done, actually more then half done.  Half way was row 85 and then work in reverse.  I'm now 7 rows on the second half and I have to wait as I have run out of the light blue.  With all the yarn I have you would think I would have a light blue tucked away in the stash, but no.  So, a jaunt to Michael's is on the agenda.  Trying to condition myself to go in, get only the blue yarn and leave.  I can do it, I can do it ...  (time will tell!) 

I'm really itching to start the Flower Garden Afghan from the last post.  Let's see if I can hold out another weekend!

And the hook is moving ...

My greengate blanket is moving along ... now at row 70 ... 85 rows will be half way.  Its pure simplicity and just plain comforting.  Am loving every stitch that is going into this.

Hey Stitchy... ever be it slowly, I am making progress on your CAL.   Lets see, I think I have 15 rows to go.  Its going out today with me to MIL's where along with a good cup of coffee the afternoon will have the steel hook flying.  Right now this is my Sunday afternoon project.

And let me introduce you to the next project to go on hook ...
Flower Garden Afghan ... am trying very hard not to start this one yet, but I'm not sure I will be able to hold out too much longer.   There are just so many amazing patterns.

Wishing you many blessings on this Sunday.

Happy Mother's Day

 

Blessings and Joy

Finding Fabulous on Friday

 

 

The forecast calls for 80 degrees and mostly sun and I'm on the home front for at least for the morning.  Windows wide open letting the freshness of spring float through the house.  Looking forward to a few hours of quiet solitude, puttering and enjoying the harbor of home and the grace of His presence.  Finding that I don't have to look far to find fabulous.  Simplicity in its finest form.  True blessings. 

 

May your day hold grace and joy...