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!

Baby its Cold Outside Contest

here is our first contest. 
The rules are simple
leave a comment   for one entry
follow this blog    an entry
send a friend    ( have them comment and add you sent them...for another entry)
follow us on facebook      another entry
twitter us      another entry
make us a favorite on Etsy another entry
 entrie will be counted on the 10th and the winner can choose the hat of their choice from our Etsy shop
http://www.grammasgifts.etsy.com/

Happy New Year

The New Year has come in cold and windy here in Wisconsin. With a list of changes I want to make, I have rousted the family and begun to lay down some new rules and I must say they took most of it fairly well.
   I will need to stick to my guns to have any real change happen. I did get on the computer early today and list my first new item of the year on my Etsy shop. I am off to a good start!

      I am working on a giveaway for new readers, so watch in the next few days for the offer and how to get in on the contest.
  I have some great new patterns I am working on for spring, ponchos and adorable hats for baby to Mom. 

Happy New Year

With the New Year knocking on our door, I have decided to make alot of changes to my home, family ,but most of all myself.

I tend to be a control freak and take on alll the tasks but then am angered by the lack of time I have to myself to do things I would enjoy.  Yes, this is mostly my fault and on the top of my FIX list.

I have 3 teenagers in the house who for their own good need to step it up and become more helpful.  This would be a big help.  With a one income household we need to learn to conserve electric so my bill comes down, when I checked it last month I thought I was powering Time Square.  Back in the day, as a teen I had everyday chores, no questions asked you just new what to do.  You knew dinner was at the same time every day and NO meant NO. I need to get back to that, I take complete responsibility for pampering and allowing things to slack off.  But, all that will come to and end tonight at midnight.  I cannot assure everyone will go along without kicking and screaming but, I plan to have a much calmer, less stressed new year and this is a starting point for me.

I also need to learn to allow myself a spot and the time to get my etsy shop worked on and get some new ideas worked up and listed in the shop. ORGANIZE is my new favorite word!

Something can be said for the MOMS of the 50:s who had a time for everything, got it done and had time to have coffee with the neighbors.   What a concept!

With the addition of my two little guys at least four days a week, I need to have more help just to function. I have myastenia gravis and know if I burn the candle at both ends too often I will be like a jelly fish in no time. Weak muscles, drooping eye lids and even trouble with breathing and swallowing.  I have in the past let myself get in that situation, and each time it is harder to get back to my normal. Also normal is never as good as it used to be.

So no more whining about all that needs to be done, I am making lists , assigning chores, setting time for myself and getting us all inline for a much better new year.

My wish for all of you is a healthy , happy, more prosperous new year.

CHEERS

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!

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.

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.

Fall is here

The temperature doesn't show it but on Saturday we have Harvest Fest in Montello and I am busy finding some muffin recipes for the pancake breakfast and bake sale. It should be a fairly busy day downtown and it is kind of sad to watch the shop get empty but.....nose to the grindstone and looking ahead to the diner. I will still make the sweaters and hats for Josphines in Watertown and the etsy shop. I will get much more done at home, I have already painted the living room and changed things around and the bathroom. The kitchen could use some tender loving care and it keeps my mind busy while all the paper work and waiting goes on. Not that my two little helpers don't keep me busy enough. The shop will officially close October 31st. So there will be big sales as I don't want to store anything and will be making new items for the fall and Christmas shows I plan on doing.

Apple Muffins


These apple muffins smell like apple pie when they're baking. If you can't find cinnamon chips in your local supermarket, simply leave them out. Or use chocolate chips or butterscotch chips instead.
The walnut streusel topping gives these apple muffins wonderful crunch.



Prep Time: 15 minu
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:

•1 cup all-purpose flour
•1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
•1 Tbsp. baking powder
•1/2 tsp. cinnamon
•1/4 tsp. salt
•2 Tbsp. butter, melted and cooled
•1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
•1 large egg
•1/2 cup sugar
•2/3 cup skim milk
•1 cup chopped apples
•1/2 cup cinnamon chips
•.
•For Topping
•1/2 cup finely-chopped walnuts
•2 Tbsp. brown sugar
•1/2 tsp. cinnamon
•2-3 tsp. skim milk
Preparation:

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a large muffin tin.

2.Whisk together flours, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.

3.In a medium bowl, mix melted butter, flaxseed meal, egg, sugar and skim

4.Fold dry ingredients into wet, stiring until incorporated, but do not overmix.

5.Stir in chopped apples and cinnamon chips.

6.Fill muffin cups two-thirds of the way.

7.Combine topping ingredients. Sprinkle over muffins.

8.Bake 18-22 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

9.Cool on a wire rack before serving.

 

http://www.indiegogo.com/Patti-Lekas

Tooting ones own Horn

In todays world this seems like something you need to do, not only do but be good at. this is extremely hard for me. I don't know if it is from childhood, or a personality thing but I am AWFUL at it. Yet, I have been told I NEED to do just that if I ever want to get anything done for our town. I have huge dreams that we can restart our town. It was and still is a very pretty little town, Set in some of the best hunting, fishing and camping in Wisconsin. Times change and people go where they see the ads for and unfortunately there have been no huge ad promotions for Montello since the 70's. The lakes and woodlands we had then we still have, the rivers and bike trails, birds and wildlife. We need to get visitors to our town and new small businesses to fill the shops and make stopping here something to talk about. Now with all that said , where do I come in.....I had a dream     you've heard that somewhere before. Let me go to the beginning, I am a MOM of 5 grown kids who since the early 70;s has had symptoms of myastenia gravis ( a form of MD )  , I muddled through when no one knew what was wrong. The in 1989 I was told the diagnosis, I had one small grandson and was give some very good advice from the smartest woman I knew ( My Gram)  make each day count, none of know what is in store for us, don't waste a day) so I have tried. I have taken Granddaughters to ballet, moved to Wisconsin. Here to my every day is vacation spot and am raising 3 teen age grandkids and two adorable but tiring great grandsons. Yet there is more to my dream. It has three parts. First to open the small diner in our downtown and add to it a cupcake bakery. The kind of diner where you can depend on Monday Meatloaf , homemade soups and desserts and a basket of fries to share. Second to enter Iron Cupcake Milwaukee and third to help put Montello back on the map for tourist year round. Now to alot of people this sounds out of reach but, I think it is possible...maybe bot to win Iron Cupcake Milwaukee but at least the diner, the town and get entered in Iron Cupcake.  I was given a link to a great site where you can post your project and people from all over can learn about it and if they choose give you a donation and earn some perks for doing so. I have that link and please check it out, share it with friends and help me toot my horn! http://www.indiegogo.com/Patti-Lekas  I will check back time and again and let everyone know how we are doing! Thanks in advance for getting the word out!

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!

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!

Harvest Fest Windows

The windows in my shop and at the diner are finally painted to announce the coming of Harvest Fest. We met this morning to decide on who works the pancake breakfast, bake sale items and Sandy will be taking my job of hanging the corn stalks throughout the downtown. If only I had the info on the concert beforehand I could have worked that all in. Another example of not working with each other for a common good. Silly, that grouwn ups can't get the idea of cooperation and that if we all work together it lightens the work load and the end result is better.....enough of my rambling about Montello.
I am busy getting more frog hats and sweaters done for the fest, they make great costume alternatives for the little ones. This year our little guys are going as dinosaurs...we watch alot of dinosaur train on PBS here. The two dalmation sweaters are alomost done and the skink hats are down to the finishing touches, I will be glad when I can tag them and put them in the shop. With our little guy under the weather I am amazed I have anything done....he wears me out.

Did I tell you about

my happy dance. As a grandmother living with high school age grandkids and a seventh grader, I was elated, tickled pink to learn that the big red circle on last wednesday meant that school was starting. School...peace and quiet...early to bed, early to rise.. could it be, could I be that lucky?  I was , and I must confess as thy pulled out of the driveway for school that morning ( one of them drives and 2 are taking drivers ed)  I paused a moment and thewn did what is being called the HAPPY DANCE!  Like a weight had been lifted, I drank a cup of coffee in peace in quiet, did'nt fight for the bathroom to get ready for work and just bathed myself in the quiet.  Thank you teachers!!!!!
I went off to the shop, sort of humming with a grin I just couldnt lose...eight hours of teen free time. I cleaned the shop, finished a sweater order for etsy shop and then painted a Santa. I had fun. Who needs summer vacation ...give me SCHOOL

Frogs are hopping

the Frog sweaters are hopping right out of the shop. In the past week three of them have sold in the etsy shop.....wonderful news! http://www.etsy.com/listing/55332774/froggy-sweater  I am busy working on not just the frogs but a new dinosaur and the skunk and two dalmation hooded sweaters. I am thinking to Halloween here in Wisconsin where it can be sunny and warm, or the kids could be in mittens. Just grab an animal hat and a set of nice soft sweats and the little one is set, or a hooded sweater or sweater and hat. The hats can be worn all winter and machine washed and dried. 


I am also busy putting together our Harvest Fest, a bike ride, crafters and a pancake breakfast. It should be a good time with the leaves changing and pumpkins everywhere.

I am also on the committee for next years Fish n Fun Fest, so things are hectic, but on a good note.....school started yesterday and I could be seen doing the happy dance in the driveway as those three adorable teens left for school.

I am hoping to finish a dinosaur today and get some good photos with Carsen our littlest in the sweater. Last years photos he was the baby skunk....but a year is a long time and he now walks, runs and is not a photo bug. Wish me luck!

Kids back to school, a break in the heat and hopefully a busy weekend at the shop and maybe I won't notice that nagging pain that I cant seem to lose.   Note to self, getting older isnt neccesarily better!