The Big Chill Ends

Good Morning, it is sunny and only -4 this morning. That means we have made it through the worst and can now talk about it.  No frozen pipes, kids off school 5 days in a row and we are all still civil.
     We ventured out into the cold yesterday when I needed crochet thread for a christening gown I am working on. An emergency?  In my book YES. I only bought one ball, not knowing if I would like working with #3 thread , rather than baby yarn. I love how it looks and now can't wait to finish it. I am then going to try and make a slip for this delicate vintage pattern Christening gown. I bought the pattern from an Etsy shop ,  

 As I stitch away I can see my Gram smiling from ear to ear. She crocheted almost her whole life. We grew up in things she made and our babies all came home in her sweater sets, got Christened in her gowns and off to school in her hooded sweaters. She could look at something and just figure it out, I wish I was that talented.
  I do have a few new things up my sleeve and if I finish my blanket squares and a few orders I can start on three new puppy hats, a chow, bassett hound and yorkie.  I have to make myself finish before I can start more. I also have a lamb and baby bird drawn out and waiting to be hooked.  I may have to forget cleaning house, have leftovers and just stay up later to get this all done.

  I am off to sit in the sunshine and work on projects, stay warm and safe and have a wonderful productive day!

Seems Like Spring

Well the ground hog here in Wisconsin says an early spring and it sure feels like it outside. The sun is shining and the snow is slowly disappearing. Is this a good thing? Probably not, in the next few months we will hear that the farmers really needed the snow for moisture and the snow related tourism will have taken a big hit. But, I LOVE it. You see, I hate cold weather, yes I did choose to move to Wisconsin but if I had my way would spend it indoors much like a black bear hibernating until spring. So all this sunshine is a treat for me. I also spend a good amount of that time indoors with a two and three year old. We need fresh air and sun as the super heros are growing restless.

Now you might notice that they are in pajamas, that is because we all have had a nasty cough we cannot seem to shake. But, even that will not stop the crime fighting team Equipped with a cape bought on Etsy from http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlemamas the smaller one also has a cape. A Batman mask from years past Halloween and cowboy boots from his Lone Ranger costume, this is not for a photo but how they look every day. We need to go out and play! We all smell like Vicks Vaporub and are watching endless videos of Lassie and the Lone Ranger over and over again. 

We have baked bread, made cinnamon rolls and later today have chosen a cherry cake to make http://www.duncanhines.com/recipes/cakes/phyllisteeter/cherry-chip-cake

All the while I am making hats, trying new patterns, ( yesterday I was frog like rip rip rip ) too much Lassie and not enough counting. 

I have a new beard pattern in the works which could make for a very nice order, and this time of year that would be great, so I do need to count and find some quiet time to not only crochet but remember to write down what I am doing. 

With kids being sent home from school with the flu, this cough and general stuffiness, I just want to fling the doors open and let the germs out! Clear my head and get busy, all that would be possible if the hubby were

 not home saying....your letting the cold in! He is clueless!

We also have a nice giveaway on our facebook page so stop by and enter. http://www.duncanhines.com/recipes/cakes/phyllisteeter/cherry-chip-cake

Visit the Etsy shop and see all the new photo prop and newborn items http://www.etsy.com/shop/GrammasGifts and have a great day enjoying your weather no matter what it is!

In the Process

  After living in our little near lake cottage for about 15 years we are moving. Not very far, in the same school district and closer to town.  Yet, this is all very hard for me, I am not good at change, and all the commotion and overwhelming work has me a bit frazzled.  The house has much more room, a beautiful view and is just what we needed, but between the boys stays, filling the Etsy shop, getting orders ready and shipped I haven't had a lot of time. What I really need is an afternoon to sit and catch up with my friend Jean who own the Teapot Quilt Cottage and Garden Center in Montello. She has a knack for getting all the craziness calmed down and things put in perspective.   DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF. 
   Now with all this going on in my life I feel the need to make bread...I better do it today because the weatherman has a brutal next seven days mapped out for us.  I like 70's during the day and 50's at night. If I could find such a place year round I would give a kidney to move there. Now with much of the kitchen packed, any serious baking will be a project so I found this recipe

No Knead Bread Recipe


Servings: One 1-pound loaf Prep Time: Cook Time:

No Knead Bread Recipe is adapted from Mark Bittman of NY Times who got it from Sullivan Street Bakery. When the recipe first came out, it was the blogging community who took the bread to new heights, especially Rose Levy Beranbaum, author of The Bread Bible. I followed Rose's experiments through the weeks and learned from her recipe adjustments and the why's of how this bread works.
Ingredients:

3 cups bread flour (I like Harvest King bread flour)

1/4 teaspoon instant yeast

1 teaspoon fine table salt (or 3/4 tablespoon of kosher salt)

1 1/2 cups warm water
Covered pot (five-quart or larger cast iron, Pyrex, ceramic, enamel...something that can go into a 450F oven.)
Directions:

1. Mix dough: The night before, combine all ingredients in a big bowl with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together. It will be a shaggy, doughy mess. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit 12-20 hours on countertop.
2. Shape & preheat: The dough will now be wet, sticky and bubbly. With a wet spatula, dump the dough on a floured surface. Fold ends of dough over a few times with the spatula and nudge it into a ball shape. You can use your hands if you like, just keep your hands wet so that the dough does not stick. Generously dust a cotton towel (not terrycloth) with flour. Set dough seam side down on top of towel. Fold towel over the dough. Let it nap for 2 hours. When you've got about a half hour left, slip your covered pot into the oven and preheat to 450F.
3. Bake: Your dough should have doubled in size. Remove pot from oven. Holding towel, turn over and dump wobbly dough into pot, using your hands to get the dough off the towel. Doesn't matter which way it lands. Shake to even dough out. Cover. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover, bake another 15-20 minutes or until the crust is beautifully golden and middle of loaf is 210F. Remove and let cool on wired rack. If not eating right away, you can re-crisp crust in 350F oven for 10 minutes.
http://steamykitchen.com/168-no-knead-bread-revisited.html  check out this site for great directions along with photos as well as more recipes.

   Before I can get to the bread though I need to pacge two hats to go to the post office. One skunk and a new hat ...the rhino, I must say he is adorable.

This hat was a suggestion for a customer on Etsy, I love when they ask for new hats, it keeps things fun!

Boxes to pack, directions to give.....I like to position of supervisor, I hate packing LOL

https://www.facebook.com/GrammasGifts  LIKE us on facebook and see new items as they are ready for the shop!

Magic Bean Stalk

This is exactly what the little guys are wishing for!  Although JJ does not want to climb up and meet the giant.  He think Carsen should!  Send up the little brother! LOL

    Last year as a Grandma and me project, we invited my daughter, Patrice  ( who is the grandma) over for lunch and to help build a green bean teepee in the yard.  She has become quite a gardener and we thought she would be the perfect helper to get this project done.  JJ and her had a wonderful time and all summer it was covered with morning glories and green beans.  The scarlet runner beans and some purple beans were a big favorite.  He could be found playing in the yard munching green beans, happy as could be.

This year, the weather has been a factor here in Wisconsin , so we got a late start but, the green beans are planted and the weeds and JJ are growing like magic.  I only hope the beans do as well!

Now, what to do with beans, and kids. Here is a good baked bean recipe. I also use the grape jelly in a meatball sauce around the holidays. It is a big family favorite!

                              Kids' Baked Beans Recipe

   Grape jelly is the “secret ingredient” that sweetens these beans!
They’re wonderful alongside burgers or other sandwiches and sure to be a hit at parties and family reunions, too.
Jessie Sarrazin of Livingston, Montana sent the recipe.
This recipe is:
Quick

6 ServingsPrep/Total Time: 20 min.5 15 20 Ingredients
2 cans (16 ounces each) baked beans
3/4 cup grape jelly
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions
In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until thickened. Yield: 6 servings.
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2/3 cup) equals 189 calories, 1 g fat (trace saturated fat), 5 mg cholesterol, 379 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 4 g protein.
Kids' Baked Beans published in Simple & Delicious May/June 2007, p11

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Kids--Baked-Beans

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plans/vegetable/easy-childrens-vegetable-garden-plan/
Enjoy growing healthy produce while spending time with little gardeners with this easy garden plan.

Many joys and lessons can be found in this easy vegetable garden. Once planted, it takes only a few hours a week to keep it looking its best. Site this garden in full sun and well-drained soil for best harvests. Spread mulch over the soil to help decrease weeds and disease.
Garden size: 6x6 feet
Our free Planting Guide for this garden includes a larger version
check out this page for more great idea and get your fingers dirty with the little ones. As they sprout up and grow so will a patch of home grown veggies the whole family can enjoy! Frugal, fun and family!
Now I am off to finish some hats to list in my Etsy shop and find a new blanket pattern to crochet. Have a great day !

Something to go with this light sage set, something girly I am thinking and different. I will keep you posted on the hunt!

Little Bites

Little bites like little steps are my plan of getting through the next steps in my life. While trying to follow the writing in The Secret. It all makes great sense...good thoughts attract good things, think that you deserve good things and good things will come to you. There is so much more but that is the gist of it. We attract the vibes we put out into the universe, so if you say I can't ...you probably won't. So I am now saying I am and I can instead.. My son is a perfect example, from the time he was a small child he has thought and jokingly said "he must have been left behind by a rich family" He wanted nice things, he got them. Yes, he works hard but enjoys life and is a very generous man. I am taking a page from his book and using the tools taught in The Secret to change the course of my life NOW. It is never too late for change. I also have a grand plan... a 14 day trip to Ireland to see where some of my family came from. The farthest back a cousin has tracked is Coleraine Londonderry, Ulster Ireland.   So, I am saving my change, using my cash from recycled cans and the checks I earn from Josephines. The trip is about $2,600.00 so I have a way to go but I WILL get there.

The Secret teaches us that we create our lives, with every thought every minute of every day. Living The Secret offers tools and ideas to help you live The Secret and create the life of your dreams.
    
So to reward myself for all the GOOD thought I am sending out to the world I searched the internet and found a wonderful blog that contained what must be the perfect treat
Brookie Bites
First you need to bake up your brownies...


I usually use a box, just because it is so much easier (and lazier:-)



While the brownies are cooling, mix up your cookie dough.

I used this same recipe found HERE but

I used vanilla extract this time.

Bake the cookies for about 7-8 minutes.

You want them to be soft and gooey...not crispy!

Try to resist the urge to inhale said gooey cookie.



Oh what the heck!

Go ahead and eat a few:-)



Let the cookies cool slightly, then

roll them into small bite sized balls.

(definitely easier to do before they cool all the way)

Place in the freezer and wait until frozen.

It will be hard but you can do it.



Then...

yup you got it.

Place that frozen cookie in the center of a small brownie

and start smushing it all around that cookie ball.

Now here is the hardest part...

you've got to freeze them AGAIN.



I know it's torture, but well worth it in the end.

You can reward yourself by eating

some of the brownie scraps to pass the time.



Once they are frozen enough,

melt some chocolate in the microwave and dip away.

Any sprinkles on top will do,

but it is that time of year so

hearts it is ♥
http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-to-do-during-snowstorm.html

I also got inspired to make up a few new hats and items for the Etsy shop .

This idea came about from the boys bag of goldfish crackers.......another good thing in a little bite! I am working on a lion and a hippo. I will get them done today and I will get them posted. The are adorable!

Have a great day ( I am sending out good vibrations)   like that 60's song....I know I WILL

Carrots Anyone?

This morning started sunny and warm here in Wisconsin. With such a cheerful start I got right to the task of packaging orders and getting some new items ready for the shop.http://www.grammasgifts.etsy.com/ Easter is not far off and the latest crop of emails has asked about Bunny hats. Here is what is available right now. There is time for some custom orders as long as they come in quick.  Of course, there will always be that one person wh waits until the day before to ask if I can rush a hat off to Alaska or something.   NOT posible

Oh no, a grey hare!

baby bunny diaper cover and hat

Perky pretty girl bunny,  ps JJ does not want to model girl hats anymore!

camo bunny hat

chocolate bunny

this bunny looks like he fell in the Easter egg dye

With Easter coming up quick I have several new projects in the works....Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Nemo like fish and some fun purses for Moms and the girls. I do need to fina\d a few more boy things to work on though.

With my packages done I am off to fix a batch of the carrot cake cupcakes. I am listing them on todays menu as a veggie!

By the way I have made 2 batches of the almond croissants and they were wonderful. The second batch I made in small croissants I bought at save a Lot and they were perfect for a brunch or bake sale. I would have taken pictures but they don't seem to last long enough at my house.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Ingredients


2 cups plain flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn oil
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
4 eggs
2 cups grated carrots
1 can (440g) of crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup dessicated coconut
1/2 cup ground nuts
3 handfuls of raisins
Cream Cheese Frosting

1 tsp vanilla extarct
3 oz. Philly cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup icing sugar



1.Preheat oven at 350. Place 24 cupcake liners in pans. Set aside.

2.In a large bowl, mix everything but flour, eggs and oil, taking care to mix well. Add oil and stir vigorously to combine. Add eggs in one at a time, combining well after each . Add flour in 2 batches, mixing till just combined.

3.Pour mixture into liners. Bake for about an 25 to 30 minutes., or till a skewer inserted into the middle of the cupcake comes up clean.

4.To make frosting Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, vanilla and butter together till well combined. Add icing sugar and combine well. When cupcakes has cooled completely, spread evenly over top .


Hope you have a bright sunny day and enjoy the recipe!

Ladybugs just shout SPRING

I was playing around with a new hat the other day and came up with a ladybug that has wings that turn into earflaps. It was alot of fun to just make it up as I went along. Could I explain what I did to someone else? Probably not, so I won't be writing a pattern.  Lady bugs seems to be popping up all over Etsy and the stores so I had to join in the fun. I also have a hat and sweater in the works with ladybug buttons and a fun hat. They just look so cheerful and who can resisit. I listed this hat this morning in my Etsy shop.

As I was browsing through the Etsy shops I came across another of my favorite things APRONS. I just love fun print aprons and the one I found is ladybug and has a Mom and Me set. Now that say fun in the kitchen.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70111643/mother-daughter-little-ladybugs?ref=sr_gallery_33&ga_search_query=lady+bug+&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

Then if you have the fun aprons you need a fun cupcake recipe to work on. Wilton had this cute ladybug cupcake recipe.

Step 1

Bake cupcakes in Standard White Baking Cups and cool completely on Cooling Grid.
Step 2
Prepare Buttercream Icing recipe. Reserve a small amount white icing for eyes and mouth. Tint 1/3 of the remaining icing with Black Icing Color. Tint the rest of the icing with Red-Red Icing Color.
Step 3
Ice cupcakes with red icing. Make a small line across center of each cupcake with the edge of the Spatula.
Step 4
For the head, pipe a quarter-sized to ball of black icing at one end of the line using Round Decorating Tip 3.
For the body, pipe small Round Decorating Tip 3 dots across the surface of the cupcake.
Finish the face with the same tip by piping eyes and mouth with reserved white icing, red icing dot for nose and black dots for pupils.

Now for those of you who have Asian Beetles, you know they look like ladybugs but hide around your windows and dooors and seem to be everywhere. Here is a blog post that may help.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthegrahnhomestead.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fno-more-bugs.html&h=210d4

Have a great day!

Give a Hoot

  Back in the 70's when I was a young housewife, there was a commercial that my kids all loved with an owl. The message was Give a Hoot don't Polute.  I don't know why but I now have that little tune stuck in my head again.
 Maybe becasue it seems owls are popping up everywhere. Etsy has owls for just about every medium and some of the hats and kids items are just adorable.  From bibs and hats to tote bags and reusable lunch bags. Purses for Moms and teens to the tiny tots. So, I decided to jump in and make a few myself

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71456918/owl-hat-and-handbag-set-for-little-girls

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70783431/owl-bib

and here are some adorable bags that I found in another Etsy shop  http://www.etsy.com/listing/70974795/owls-burp-clothschanging-pads-6-ply-3?ref=sr_gallery_37&ga_search_query=owl+bags&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
So many really cute items all with an owl motif. From babies to teens they work just great and I love the reusable idea for lunch bags and totes. Plus you can never go wrong buying handmade. As a gift it just says you went that extra mile and shows you cared.

The I thought about baking and found this fun and old cookie recipe

This classic recipe was a Pillsbury Bake-off winner for Natalie R. Riggin of Olympia, Washington in 1956.


Ingredients
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Garnish
80 semisweet chocolate chips (about 1/3 cup)
40 whole cashews (about 2/3 cup
Instructions
Makes 40 Cookies
Prep Time: 1 Hour
Start to Finish: 2 Hours
1. In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and butter with electric mixer on medium speed 1 to 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until light and fluffy. beat in vanilla and egg. On low speed, beat in flour, baking powder and salt until dough forms. In a small bowl, place 1 cup of the dough; stir in melted chocolate and baking soda until well blended.
2. On a 12 X 8-inch sheet of plastic wrap, press half of the light dough to form a 10 X 4-inch strip. Shape half the chocolate dough into a roll 10-inches long; place on strip of light dough. Mold sides of light dough around chocolate dough; wrap in plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining dough. Refrigerate 1 hour for easier handling.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut each roll into 40 (1/8 to 1/4-inch) slices; place 2 slices, sides touching, on ungreased cookie sheets to resemble owl faces. Pinch corner of each slice to form ears. Place chocolate chip in center of each slice for eyes; press whole cashew between slices for beak.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheets.
High Altitude: (3500 to 6500 ft.)

Decrease brown sugar to 3/4 cup; increase flour to 2 1/2 cups.

Give a hoot today and check out Etsy and bake a batch. Have a great day!

Things are just Ducky

  I woke very early this morning with a list of all that needed to get done on my mind.  I came out turned on the coffee and sat down to quietly work on a few projects before the house woke up. Ahhhh, peace and quiet. This is spring break for our kids and people are always coming and going. A couple are in Chicago visiting, Liz has a college tour and the other teenagers will sleep in. I should have a great morning. Now that the sun is finally up it is a bright but chilly morning. The kind I will just admire from inside where it is warm.

I am finishing some duck items for Easter and the Etsy shop.  I am hopng to get a yellow pinafore done. What a cute spring outfit that would make paired up with a duck or even chick hat. The pattern I am using is from 1974 and was my Grandmothers. My girls had a pinafore for every occasion. Toss a pinafore on over a tshirt or turtleneck and some jeans and adorable and fancy as the kids used to say. Pinafores can also be worn over a dress to spruce it up. So many options and oh so easy. On the back of this pattern, in her own writing are all the little changes to get the pinafore in other sizes.  She was amazing. On some days it still brings tears to my eyes to see her handwriting. She was one of a kind. She took great pride in having the best dressed Grandkids at school or church. We wore handmade and I don't think I realized until now how much love went into dressing us. Thanks Gram!  I just hope my Grandkids will feel the same years from now about me.

Ducky Purse

Girl Duck Hat

Ducky Hat on Carsen

duck hat and sweater

Hooded ducky sweater

Ducky Cupcakes
24 vanilla cupcakes baked in yellow paper liners 20 plain doughnut holes
2 cans (2 cups each), plus 1 cup vanilla frosting 14 orange fruit chews (Tootsie Fruit Rolls, Starburst)
Yellow food coloring 48 brown mini candy-coated chocolates (M&M’s Minis)
12 marshmallows

Yield: 24 Servings Shopping List:Add Recipe Recipe Added!View shopping list directionsPrep: 15 min Total: 45 min Try Kitchen View! Take your computer to the kitchen and view this recipe full-screen, with step-by-step directions. Enter Kitchen View 1
Tint 1 can plus 3/4 cup of the vanilla frosting bright yellow with the yellow food coloring. Spoon the yellow frosting into a microwavable measuring cup; cover with plastic wrap. Spoon 1/4 cup of the vanilla frosting into a ziplock bag, press out the excess air, seal, and set aside.
2
Cut the marshmallows in half on the diagonal with scissors. Spread some of the vanilla frosting from the remaining can on top of a cupcake. For the head, place a doughnut hole on one side. For the tail, arrange the cut marshmallow, pointed end up, on the edge on the opposite side. Repeat to make 20 heads-up ducks. To make the bottoms-up ducks, place a cut marshmallow in the center of each of the remaining 4 cupcakes, pointed end up. Spread vanilla frosting up the sides of the doughnut holes and marshmallows on the cupcakes to fill in the gaps and smooth. Place the cupcakes in the freezer for 15 minutes, or until slightly frozen.
3
Microwave the yellow frosting, stopping to stir frequently, until it has the texture of lightly whipped cream, about 45 seconds. Remove 1 cupcake at a time from the freezer. Holding the cupcake by its paper bottom, dip it into the yellow frosting just up to the liner. Allow the excess frosting to drip off back into the cup. Turn right side up and let stand. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes. If the frosting becomes too thick, reheat for several seconds, stirring well.
4
For the beaks, cut 10 of the orange fruit chews in half. Shape each piece into a 3/4-by-11/2-inch oval. Fold the fruit chew almost in half, then pinch at the fold and shape to look like an open beak. Place the folded edge of the fruit chew on the front of the doughnut hole head, pressing gently to secure. For the feet, cut the remaining 4 fruit chews in half on the diagonal. Flatten each piece into a 1-by-11/2-by-11/2-inch triangle. Shape the short end to make the webbed feet. Score the top with a small knife. Insert the pointed end of the feet at the base of the tail on the bottoms-up cupcakes. Snip a small (1/8-inch) corner from the bag with the vanilla frosting. Pipe a white dot on either side of the head for the eyes and add the mini brown candies.
http://www.ivillage.com/rubber-ducky-cupcakes/3-r-139110

I am still needed

The Grandkids who live with me are in high school and growing up fast. Liz is getting ready to go off to college in the fall. She wants to be a nurse and is a great student. Very well rounded, always on the go and off to a sporting event or some type of meeting. The other tow are sophmores and in the new charter school. High Marq has been a god send for them. They are able to work on projects that interest them and have gone from grumbly and uninterested to happy and very well informed kids. So, some days I sit here working on baby items for the etsy shop ....thinking....a couple more years and they will fly the nest and I will need to find some new projects to keep my days full. THEN, Liz arrives home with a request. She, a senior in high chool wants a dispicable me hat. So, off to the computer we go so she can show me what Frank looks like. With an idea now I go back to my comfy chair and set out to get one done. This is what we came up with !

Liz wore it to school today.
      I do still have my two favorite little guys at the house at least 4 days a week. On those days I don't even have time to think about being alone. They keep me running until we all drop off to sleep. I did get Carsen to model the new giraffe hat I am working on for my Etsy shop. He is a character, funny and on the move constantly.

the two boys keep me going.....

I also have a beautiful new granddaughter who lives near Chicao and I can't wait to work up some ste little sweaters and such for her.

Monday was for Monkeys

I had a great plan for the New Year. I would prioritize, make lists and stick to them. So far it is working out fairly well. I am making my lists and doint the items on them.  The other family members, not so much.  I am beginning to think there needs to be rewards and penalties put in place. I will ponder that later today after  get my list accomplished and have  cup of tea and watch the snow fall.
   The two little guys just left for thei four days at MOMS.  This never seems to last four days. She will calll after one or two with an excuse to bring them back early.  Tht is ok, because then I know they are cared for, happy and on some sort of schedule.

  Monday, I had a huge list. Sock Monkey hats to put on the Etsy shop and a few for Josephines in Watertown. If I can get a few of these finished, photographed and listed that would be great. I did get them done and this morning while I had coffee got them photographed and listed. That done I am off to he next project, Valentines Day ponchos, done , photographed and listed.

  With som quiet and time this afternoon I am hoping to try a new pattern and then work on my mailing list. I would love to keep past customers informed on sales and new items. Ther must be  good, free program or app out there somewhere. Any suggestions , please leave a comment or email them to me.

  One resolution was to make working from home easier and more productive.  A good mailing list would be a start.

The menu planning and new chore chart have worked out well so far. I have bread in the bead maker, chicken thawing and ....what is that ....quiet ! It won't last long before the MONKEYS (boys) are back so I will take full advatage of it.  I find myself not really minding all the extra time to pick up toys, read those books or just chase them. Mainly beacasue I know all to well, before long they will be too big and off exploring on their own. Grandma won't be needed as much and that makes me very sad!  I think my favorite job in life is Grandma, and I had a very good teacher. I grew up in a home with my Gram ,she crocheted to support herself and made sure we had love, discipline and was always just a phone call away.  If I acheive that, I would be extremely happy .

With that said I am off to get some things done and enjoy that cup of tea ....alone for now!

MOM a really Tough Job, Gramma tougher

            I have 5 grown kids, for the most part they grew up OK.  I do think,  an owners manual should be given out at the delivery of your first child)   My oldest daughter Patrice, is referred to as our experimental model. There are those things we would all like to change, one has a tendency to get loud, one seems to fly off the handle quickly, one does NOT take a sorry ( this from the time she was born )  Did they all turn out just like I had planned?   NO, maybe because God had a plan bigger than mine, or kids just turn into their own person. I do have to say though, my son, if you ask anyone here, turned out perfect.  I agree, kind, thoughful and just an overall nice guy..  With all that said and all of them grown, I was blessed with a bunch of fun, unique grandkids. None much like their parents. Although there are moments I like to say, you look or sound like your Mom when you do that. That statement usually puts a stop to whatever they were doing. Over the years 5 of these unique individuals has lived with me, and they are so very different and nice kids. The teens for a few were a rough patch , but I think we will all come out ok at the other end of that long tunnel. What is amazing to me is my new little batch as I call them. My first grandson Joey has two boys JJ and carsen. They are a different as night and day. But, JJ is his dad throuh and through. He is a ritual kind of guy, likes his stuff in the same place, wants his blanket , favorite toys and stuff always the same. A very easy going guy. He can color or draw for hours while I crochet, he loves to bake and lick the beaters and is a cuddly little 2 year old. Carsen is funny. After a scare that he might be born with Downs Syndrome, he came to us perfect. We have had some scares with convulsions and a few trips to the ER. He seems to have a great sense of humor and the faces he makes are priceless. All this siad, they have parents who are divorced and oh what a mess. They guys as we call them stay with me, ( Dad is here full time ) four days a week. This is not  problem they seem to fit right in. Our first day i always rough because they come back tired and just off in some way. Potty training has been a bigger job because it is not consistant and makes it harder than I remember. My heart breaks each time they cry not to leave and I can't just scoop them up and bring them back into the house. My hat is off to all these divorced prents who have found a way to make this arrangement work. Right now ours is still new, with phone arguing, kids crying and I am an unhappy Gramma. I do what I can while they are with me and we make alot of happy memories for them to take to the other Grandmas house with them.

A big surprise was when on Wednesday, JJ returned talking about his friend bunny and how he needed him. I sent someone out to the car to see just what he had left behind. To my amazement it was the Velveteen bunny I had bought his Dad and saved from 18 years ago. As I type this he is curled up asleep with bunny tucked under his arm safe an sound.. I tell Joey, probably more than I need to, please thing about what they hear and how they feel. Althought they are so small, I am amazed at what comes out of the mouth of babes. Nobody is perfect , Iagree but if I can get them grown, happy and healthy. With a feeling of safety and belonging, I will be happy! It ugs at my heart when my daughter who is in the Chicago area seds photos with her phone of our newest little one Isabella, I want to just hold her and cuddle.
Today as I get some pieces done for the etsy shop, do my Flylady routine and find alot tof time to enjoy my guys, I tuck these moments awy in a special spot. THIS is what it is all about, Not stuff, but those we love happy and safe.  Have a great weekend and HUG someone!

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/

Oh what a day

Today has been one of those days when you just want to sit and cry. Maybe its the grey day outside or the fact that I am way too old for all this day to day baby stuff. I can't keep up. Having part of the house under construction doesn't help either. Orders are coming in for the skunk and frog hats and I can't seem to get more than five minutes to myself here.  As I type this I sure sound like I am whining, and I hate whining! I did finish a little Packer hat for JJ today and did get to list a few items on Etsy but beyond that is has been diapers, toys and alot of crying, the majority mine I think. Feed me, change me, pick me up.....and then feed me all over again. I did this the first time with out ever breaking a sweat but, at 55 I am out of patience and want someone to feed me and put me for a nap. I did have a minute this morning before they woke up to find a nice applesauce cupcake recipe. My plan for the day was , as they were finishing the work. ( they have stopped for the day at it is still undone ) I would bake some cupcakes with the boys and we would then have a nice day. When they napped I would dust quick and then work on hats. Well, I have learned NEVER to make plans.....kids change them. No naps, crabby baby and a 2 year old who I think is attached to me at the hip. Tommorrow will be better......at least that is what I am praying for tonight.






Applesauce Cupcake Recipe




Ingredients
•1/2 cup butter or margarine
•1 egg
•1/4 cup sugar
•11/2 cups flour
•1 teaspoon baking soda
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•1 teaspoon cinnamon
•11/2 teaspoons nutmeg
•1 cup applesauce unsweetened
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1/4 cup walnuts

Mixing Directions
1.Preheat over to 375dregrees
2.line cupcake tins with paper or foil liners
3.cream butter or margarine until creamy and fluffy
4.beat egss and sugars for one minute or until well mixed
5.add to butter or margaring
6.mix dry ingredients togetherand blend inmargarine or butter mixture
7.put in vanilla
8.put in walnuts
9.pour into 12 cups about 2/3rds full
10.bake 15 to 18 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean


Applesauce Cupcakes taste delicious with peanut butter icing.

•1 cup confectioners sugar

•1 cup creamy peanut butter
•6 tablespoons unsalted butter
•3/4 tablespoon vanilla
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•1/3 cup of cream

Mixing Directions
Place all ingredients in a food processor or mixer, and beat on low speed, for approximately 3 minutes, until it becomes a light and fluffy frosting.

Costume Alternatives for kids

Once again I am busy coming up with some costume ideas for the two little guys in my life. Last year the baby Carsen , who is now one and running around was an adorable skunk. I made the hat and bought a pair of black sweats and he was warm and toasty as we did our trick or treating. JJ was a frog, again I bought a pair of green sweats that he wore until they didnt fit. The hats were also worn all winter, the ear flaps came in handy here in Wisconsin. A funny side story to this is that I have two granddaughters in high school who also had frog hats made and proudly wore them all winter, who knew it would be so easy to keep their ears covered. Then started taking orders for their friends. A college student from, New York ordered a skunk hat last year too from my Etsy shop. I have added a couple new  animals but the boys favorite this season is the dinosaur. Their favorite show on PBS is Dinosaur Train. So, I am making dinosaur sweaters in all kinds of colors and combinations.  My fingers are working non stop, if only I could crochet in my sleep.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Grammasgifts is my shop for all the cute costume alternatives and baby items!