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!

A Quiet Cup of Coffee

  It is a bright sunny morning here in Wisconsin.  With the two little guys back at their moms for a few days, I have a minute or two to myslef this morning. With a house of teenagers there is not a chance one of them will be up at this time on their own.
     Yesterday was busy, we took Mom to her new Doctors visit, I made a stop at the Walmart in Berlin for buttons and yarn then I came home and did those everyday chores that just always need to be redone. With no kids home I set off to work on site photos and finish a few hats.

  Off ,to the computer I went, quiet time to crop photos and list some new items......maybe!  We have three dogs, a rescued bordie collie Trixie, a Bichon, Mandy and Liz got a lab puppy Daisy for Christmas. Well, it is like having a house of sugared up two year olds when they get started. There is running and barking, chasing and even some ottoman jumping before they finally tire out the puppy and I can hear myself think again. Was it too quiet here?  Is that even possible, to have too much quiet?

  I am working on some duck and chick hats along with diaper covers for the tiny ones. Today I can sew buttons on  because my littlest helper , Carsen is not here trying to taste each button. He does make a lovely model and is the perfect size 3-4, but it is much easier when I get some alone time. I have a couple of the ducks already done and Liz was nice enough to model the teen duck hat for me. She added her own touch with some sunglasses.

I did get some work done but so enjoyed the silence while all three dogs napped.  With teens off and busy, hubby out I had a chance to warm up some leftover chicken and dumplings from Pioneer Women Cooks site, amazing even as a leftover and so easy to make. This is a must try recipe.  There were even a few of the dinner rolls from her site so I treated myself to one of those.  JJ and I had alot of fun making the rolls the other day. He is my cooking buddy and we are really enjoying trying recipes from this site.  So far we have made amazing and easy white bread, cinnamon rolls that were to die for, chicken and dumplings, drip beef and a pasta.   All very easy and delicious.  Of course while I am typing this I am thinking what can I find there to try for this weekend!   Cinnamon rolls will get made tonight so I can pop them in the oven in the morning, with a few pans to keep in the freezer for another day. This is a must see site if you like to cook or bake. Now that I have made myself hungry I had better get to work on getting the house up and running, maybe some oatmeal to get us started then on tho my etsy pages and a busy Saturday, Keep warm and have a great day whereever you are!

Slow, sleepy Saturday

  It is grey and cold outside, and that was my mood when I awoke this morning.  A headache ...there just enough to make me uncomfotable and a kind of blah feeling.  So much for the trip to Walmart I had planned with my Mom for this morning. Instead I think I will have some coffee finish some buttons on hats and just stay in warm and try to shake of this feeling. 
     I need some sunshine and warm weather, maybe a bunch of bright yellow flowers would help. A dafodill or two. In that case I know just where to look for a pick me up and the flowers.

     Everyone should have that one person who knows what your feeling without you saying a word. Who listens and doesnt judge and who sincerely does care.  I have such a person.  Not an old childhood friend or sister, but someone I met about four years ago here in town.  A fellow busines owner who now, seems like I have always known.  Alot has happened to both of us over the past few years and she has always been there with a kind word and hug.  I hope I have been the same for her. Jean owns the Teapot Quilt Cottage and Garden Center with her husband, Bob . Two of the nicest, down to earth people you could meet. p.s. her husband grows THE best sweet corn in the area.  Jean gives classes, sews, knits, gardens and is always there when you need her.  I am NOT a knitter or quilter. Let me say about 20 years ago I made a pledge to make my first Grandson Joey knit mittens, like any good Grandma. Well he is 21 and I never made them.  I did take a class at the high school, which I learned to put stitches on the needle. Then took a cass with Jean at the Teapot, I did make half a mitten. I am not as patient as I would like and knitting is not for me.  I would like to do some quilting though. My Mom moved up here from Tulsa in October and she quilts.  My other Mom, ( I have two ) also quilts. A baby quilt makes such a nice gift and I could add them to my Etsy shop. Another project for me. Maybe before the snow melts I will go visit with Jean and take a class.  If you are living or visiting in the area, this is a must see stop.

Jean's February calendar is done and so many nice classes to choose from. Beginners Knitting on the 3rd, kids woven heart basket from 1-3 on the 5th ( no charge),Needle felting for beginners oon the 11th,  baby rag quit on the 12th ( I think I will take this one ) , recycled wool mittens on the 16th ( these were  ahuge hit for the holidays ) no frills apron, cherry pie day and so much more.  If you are interested and want to know more stop by at 505 Main Street in Montello or give Jean a call. 608 297-7849 and she can explain all that is going on at the Teapot Quilt Cottage in Montello.

This email with Jeans calendar came at just the right time, I was sipping coffee and feeling yucky as the kids would say when YOU"VE GOT MAIL popped up and there she was. A good friend always knows when you need to be picked up a bit.

I did get a couple hats done and hopefully I will get them posted yet today.

from baby to teens everybody can use a hat! 

Even this one for those grouchy days !

Living in a House Divided

Not by politics or religion but what on this weeknd seems much bigger.  BEARS vs Packers.  Tempers will flare and voices will be raised as we watch the game at home this weekend.

Here is where the problem began. We are originally from the Chicago area. Hubby was born and raised a BEARS fan. I think football is fine, but would'nt go as far as to say I am a fan. Yes, most years BEARS fans are disappointed but occasionally , like this year they have hope. My daughters, two of who will be here for the game are BEARS fans. One insists on donning a jersey and Bears hat to work and betting her rival coworkers. The other is just a quiter hometown fan. Most of the grandkids, born in the Chicago area are BEARS fans. None very noisy about the game so far..Then, we have the three youngest, Mike who is 12 is a Packer backer since he was born. A few years back he found the Polka song The Bears Still Suck and drove hubby crazy playing it over and over gain.

                    ( he was kind enough  to model this hat for me, against everything he believes in.  the look tells it all )

JJ is almost three and will run to the tv whenever he hears football, but wants his Packers. His Christmas wish from Santa was a football. Grampa may finally have gotten a football player in the family. Carsen is following right behind.    I do think though, he is more of a cheerleader for JJ. He does not like being tackled and isn't into throwing the football around yet.

 

For me all this seems quite silly, but will happen in my livingroom this weekend. Hubby will yell to the BEARS, like they will hear him and take his advice. The boys will root on their favorite players and tempers will be high. I am well prepared to feed them so when one group of them loses and it will, maybe it won't hurt quite so much.

The little guys are starting already, wearing their colors and getting their friends riled up.  Their friends are the two dogs in the house, Trixie or rescued border collie and Mandy the crazy Bichon. Both seems very interested in the food , not so much football. They do enjoy chasing the ball around the living room with JJ .

Snowflakes and Hot Cocoa

            As the flakes fall outside I am warm and snug inside.  Busy working on photos for the Etsy shop and chatting with a local shop owner , Jean.  She owns a lovely Quilt shop in Montello. The Teapot Quilt Cottage, also the Garden Center. With shoppers at a minimum during the wintr we discuss plans for spring, which will be here before we know it.  Valentines Day is aso fast approaching and we exchanged ideas and talked about the projects we have under way.  These winter months are great ties to take a class to learn a new hobby or just get together and chat.  Jean offers many classes in quilting and knitting in her shop.  If you are ever in the Montello area, tis ios a must see shop. At 5050 Main Street right in Montello, just watch for the gian teapot sign and treat yourself to a visit.

             This morning I finished up a new pattern I bought on etsy for a giraffe hat. It is adorable. I can't wait to get a few more sizes done. This is one I will surely take to Watertown for Josephines. I have yellow yrn ready to start the duck hats and sweaters. The frog hat and poncho are done and a new frog prince hat. Many new items for the spring.

My new found time, after closing the shop has been great.  I am finally doing those tasks I had trouble finding time for and feel like I am getting my life back.   Long over do!  I hve made dinner and been on time, baked bread and made dinner rolls. One afternoon snuck in a short nap and no one even knew !   Soon enough I will find my niche and a new project, but for rght now I am doing ok.  I do feel the need to get permision to enjoy a day.....that too will pass I hope. Life is too short to always be chasing a dream.  I want to be living it a day at a time and enjoying the people in my life.

Fall has disappeared

With days in the upper 70's it sure does not feel like October here in Wisconsin. But, as the orders come in from Etsy, I am sure it is. Skunk and frog hats, a few dinosaurs and a duck or two. People are getting ready for Halloween. Our two little guys are going to be dinosaurs, well that is today. They may change their minds before the day comes!

The shop will be closing on October 31st. The hats and baby items will all still be available on Etsy as well as the painted gingerbread and Dress-Me Friends in the other shop. Until then , I will keep working to get ready for the holidays and enjoy the time with family.
I am going to be able to do alot more baking, so as usual I have been surfing and looking for new recipes to try.

here is a pumpkin cookie recipe I have come across and can't wait to try.
Ingredients


1 (14 ounce) can 100% pure pumpkin

2 eggs

1/2 cup applesauce

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two baking sheets.

2.Beat the pumpkin, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla together in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the cake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well blended and creamy. Drop by spoonfuls on prepared baking sheets.

3.Bake in preheated oven until tops are firm when lightly touched, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on racks.

New Etsy Shop

About a month agao I opened my second Etsy shop. I had the feeling having both my handpainted wood and my crocheted baby gifts in the same place, each were distracting from the other. I think I was right, in the past few week I have had 11 orders for skunk and frog hats or hats and sweaters. WOW, yes it is keeping me very busy but it is a GOOD busy. At the same time I am busy working on a business plan for a diner in our hometown, a much needed anchor to the business district. That sounds like BIG but it is only one main Hwy going through the downtown. So I crochet, then I type, then I work on cupcake recipes. I am including a cupcake bakery in the diner. Something that is not found locally. We will serve the usual old diner favorites like Meatloaf on Monday and breakfast all day, but it will be great to come in the morning and get fresh muffins and scones and the ever changing cupcakes. Here is a link to a fun FROG cupcake, with Halloween approaching and me working on a frog asweater I thought this was fun.
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/frog-cupcakes/45057186-bd2d-4835-bc93-606de3199554
I will have to take a picture or tow when I get mine done as well as my taste testers hard at work.

Crisp Fall Air

makes me want to bake, clean house, rake the yard.......unfortunately I am still battleing the back ache, it has now been about 10 weeks. Four doctors appointments, a pain specialist, a catscan and I still can't function like normal. Or as my husband says, nomal for me ! So, to keep myself busy I have been baking cupcakes to find the best recipes for the diner when we finally get it open. (Yet another long story) the pumpkin ones from last Wednesday were great. http://muffintop.wordpress.com/2006/11/03/pumpkin-muffins   I used the whole can of pumpkin and they stayed moist, well as long as muffins can last in our house. Today inbetween finishing a skunk sweater http://www.etsy.com/shop/Grammasgifts  I am going to try a spce cake from scratch. The two little men in my life are off with my daughters on , what I hope will be a day long shopping trip. I have found I really am not as young as I used to be. They tire me out in no time at all. Ialso cannot pick them up, so like an old person, I am not left home alone with them....nursing hme here I come. LOL
  I also got an order for a squirrel sweater, so I am going to have to work on that. The tail has me stumped right now....but I am sure something will come to me. Our little guys who last year were skunk and frog , this year will be dinosaurs....they just love Dinosaur Train on PBS. So off I go to bake and inbetween maybe wash some dishes and get a sweater done.....all before my family returns. Wish me luck!