It is Nice to Be Busy

Things have been pretty busy around our house lately.  My Etsy shop Grammas Gifts has picked up again, and that keeps me hooking. I am taking two classes online and am learning to study all over again. Then we did have seven new puppies come along, my Granddaughter brought her dog Daisy for a visit and she decided to stay a bit. I was also trying to get ready for Easter at the new house, the little guys and I will be heading to Montello and the Annual Easter Bunny Parade. This is the fifth year and each year the crowd grows. The kids really look forward to this. Being from the Chicago area, as kids we went to the mall and saw the Easter Bunny. In this area there is no place to take the kids, and the Garden Center has been kind enough to bring the Easter Bunny to the folks of all ages who live here. Now add to that they we are in the process of trying to get my five year old niece here from Tennessee. Visits with social workers and loads of red tape. The probate on my Uncles estate is still hanging open , so yes we are busy here.
Even though all this is going on I had to get ready for spring. I decided to make what I am calling a diabetic Easter wreath, let me give you a peek....here is a link for the peeps

Marshmallow peep like bunnies.....NO SUGAR involved

Nothing fancy, but a touch of spring on my front door.

our seven little puppies are now wide eyed and crawling everywhere!  The Mom is overwhelmed, so many little mouths to feed.

These are our two guys last year when the weather was warm, the snow was gone and it felt like spring. This year we may be wearing snow boots and mittens to hunt for eggs.

Busy Days

I always thought as the kids grew and I got slightly older I would be less busy and have more ME time. So far, I haven't found that. About two weeks ago we had a litter of puppies, seven healthy little fur balls. Amazing, but I get up at night when one crawls away from Mom and cries, not once but several times a night. Like getting up for those night time feedings all over again.

With my Etsy shop, orders and classes I am taking online my life is pretty full.  Grandkids, kids, pets and did I mention my Grandaughter who is in college to be a nurse brought us her dog to VISIT.  Daisy is a good dog, but as my husband says another dog!

Today we are getting the two little guys for the weekend. I love having them here, I was raised in a house where my Gram lived with us . I need that hands on, as much as some of the kids fight this tooth and nail. Like has been said many times "It takes a village to raise a child"  and I agree. Now with all this going on we also have my Mom recovery from colon surgery and has just started chemo last week. STRESS should be my middle name, so to cope and not go on a never ending eating spree I crochet. I also have discovered Facebook and am trying to use that wonderful tool to help share my shop and keep in touch.
I added a few new patterns for this spring and am busy working on those adorable drivers caps. While watching Marie on the Halllmark channel today I saw one of the young models come out in a drivers cap. The trend for all well dressed little dudes this spring.

This is my go to pattern for spring, I know have made some longer pants and will add them to other listing for yet another look.  

Now with the boys coming I get to do some baking, as hubby and I do not need it ourselves. I have raised another group of boys who thinks Grammas cookie jar should always be full. I found this recipe and breakfast should be quite tasty and different. 

Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbs brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cup milk (use coconut milk for dairy free, this is what I used)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup raisins (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a bowl add the flour, oats, salt, brown sugar, baking powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, mix until well combined. Make a well in the dry ingredients, add the milk, egg and vanilla, stir until just combined. Add the raisins and stir.
2. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat, coat with cooking spray.
3. Drop about 1/4 cup of batter on the hot griddle. Cook until dry on the edges and bubbles start to form in the center. Flip and cook on the other side until cooked through, about 2 more minutes.
4. 
   

(Yield: 6-8 pancakes)

So hug your family , stay warm and try some of these pancakes!