Thanksgiving went well, we of course had lots to eat, many many dishes to do and the pumpkin pie went fast. We remembered those not with us this year, and retold the stories about them. We also counted our blessing for the healthy grandkids we have including the newest arrival Isabella grace last week! Becky , our little 4 yr old is doing well with her recent diagnosis of diabetes.

The may be gone but not forgotten. I finished up the night posting some items on Etsy for those who prefer to shop Black Friday from the computer , rather than fight the crowds. The newest item is this guys hat! The BEARD HAT

There are shops in NewYork selling these for $130.00,    I changed a few things and made the beards so they could be taken off and the hat worn alone.

http://www.miraclemomas.com/

Welcome to the Black Friday-Cyber Monday Blog Hop. We hope you will join us for some great deals and giveaways. The following businesses have been so awesome as to showcase some specials for you so that you may find some great, unique holiday gifts at great prices this weekend. There will also be some Giveaways that start on Thanksgiving Day and end at midnight on Cyber Monday!!

 

so much going on

I did my first show of the year on Wednesday. I am finding it hard to feel the Chrsitmas shopping mood when it is 60 outside. The weatherman does say that all of that will come to an end this weekend so maybe I can get with the spirit. I have tried the Christmas cd's and the Grinch we watch daily when the boys are over, but no holiday spirit so far. I did add a few more hats to the line up on Etsy and WOW they have taken off.

this is the little turkey, I have one ready for the new baby coming next Wednesday

Here is the penguin, I just love this one

these are for the 3 girls in Chicago, Rosie, Becky and the new baby...I am calling her LUCY, I don't know what they are naming here yet, but this Grandma thinks she is a Lucy!
I am also filling orders and getting a box ready for Josephines in Watertown, Wisconsin. If you live in southern Wisconsin it is a must see !

Someone is reading my stuff!

I have begun to post on Facebook and am back trying to post on the blog daily and just when I was starting to question if anyone even looks at my posts , I got a call.

From my Granddaughter Becky, pictured here. I mentioned her earlier. She is four and was just diagnosed with diabetes. In the photo my little cookie and cupcake helper was busy putting sprinkles on cookies at Christmas. I have since begun to find sugar free cookie recipes that we can make and share. Well, this afternoon she happened to be checking out Grammas Facebook page and saw a hat she liked that I had posted and gave me a call.

I am being seen, if only by family right now, at least someone is reading ME!

So, I am off to make a purple penguin hat for her. It is a special request and I promised to post a photo as soon as it is done, since I will not see her for another week or so. 

chilly grey day

I woke to a chilly morning that did not brighten up very much. The sky looks like snow could fall at any moment, as for right now it is just a faint drizzle. There is a chill in the air which makes me want to stop working on the penguin hats for my next show and find something to bake, Here is a recipe I came across that I am making for the kids tonight.

Carsen loves to model the hats for me, this will soon pass so I take advantage of it every chance I get!

Apple Dumpling Cake

3 pounds apples - peeled, cored and sliced

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup applesauce

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Place sliced apples in lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and brown sugar. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in eggs and oil; pour on top of apples. Sprinkle with 1 tsp. cinnamon. Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes, or until topping is puffed and golden brown. Serves 12.

a few more that I could.nt resist sharing
Apple Almond Coffee Cake




1/2 cup chopped almonds

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 cup sugar, divided

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 eggs

1 tsp. almond extract

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup sour cream

1 medium granny smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced



Combine nuts, cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar; set aside.



In a large mixing bowl, cream butter; gradually add remaining sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in almond extract. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition.



Spread half of the batter in a well greased 10-in. springform pan. Top with apple slices; sprinkle with half of the nut mixture. To with remaining batter, then with remaining nut mixture. Bake at 375 for 40 minutes or until cake tests done. Remove from oven; let stand 30 minutes. Loosen sides of cake and remove; cool completely on a wire rack. Serves 12.
Pumpkin Cake


1 yellow cake mix

2 eggs

1 15 oz. can pumpkin

1/4 cup water

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice



Frosting:

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tsp. milk

3-4 Tbsp. chopped crystallized ginger



Combine cake mix, eggs, pumpkin, water, baking soda and pumpkin pie spice in a large mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 4 minutes. Pour into a greased bundt pan and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes then carefully remove to cool completely on a wire rack.



For frosting, beat the cream cheese til smooth. Add the vanilla, powdered sugar and milk and mix until frosting consistency. Frost the top of the cake and garnish with chopped crystallized ginger.



Serves 10-12.
 
these and many mkore can be found at http://cookwithsara.blogspot.com/

Big changes here

                                    Since I last posted much has been happening around here.
                My shop Pattibears Place in Montello has closed. That was a very hard decision, but.....it was not holding its own any more and it was time to move in a new direction. If all goes well when the diner opens we will add a gift section to it and I can once again fill it with the handpainted items and baby gifts. On the good side I will have more time this year before the holidays to spend at home and with the grandkids and maybe just by chance enjoy it more. Less stress and far fewer worries about how do I do everything in the time mI have.
                 My four year old grandaughter Becky was diagnosed with diabetes, that hit very hard just three weeks before a new baby is due at their house. I now have time to go there and be of some help. My plan is to pamper and boost Beckys mood and get alot of baby holding in. They live about four hours from us and those babies grow so fast, I seem to miss alot of the good stuff!
               My MOM ( I have 2, I was adopted ) moved up to Montello from Tulsa after by brother died unexpectedly. In the past few weeks we have spent alot of time just chatting and catching up. We also found here a great apartment not far from us and got her moved in over the weekend. In case she had missed seeing all the grandkids.....a couple weeks at my house with seven of them under foot has probaly cured her!