Apple Pie Weather

I should be done by early this afternoon with the hats on todays schedule from my long list of hat orders. The Etsy shop has been very busy over the past month with hats going all over the place. Two hats were even sent to Ireland. That was my first overseas sale but received another order for a fox hat to be sent to Australia last night. Grammas Gifts are going all over this year. A new and exciting adventure!

This is my new little panda, besides the flock of turkeys I have to do I am working on a couple giraffe designs for another customer. This is the fun part.... designing new hats from customer suggestions!  The I must get ready for the next show coming up. I have two shows set on on November 9th at the hospital in Oshkosh and one Thanksgiving weekend in Randolph.  

This is a customers photo with her little one in my frog hat. They just make the hats look so good  Thank you all

http://www.etsy.com/shop/grammasgifts

  Years ago, now I am making myself sound old. I had a coworker at Michaels Arts and Crafts that made the best Apple Pie. She said , and we thought she was joking that she precooked the apples. Well, I found a recipe where you do just that and this afternoon when the boys come in from playing we are going to give it a try. The house will smell wonderful and what a kick they get out of helping to bake.


http://britishfood.about.com/od/recipeindex/r/applepie.htm

A classic dessert or tea time treat has to be a traditional apple pie. This traditional apple pie recipe is quick and easy and ensures a perfect result every time. Use cooking or Bramley apples for the best filling, eating apples don't soften the same way.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

• Pastry
• 7 oz/200g all purpose/plain flour
• pinch of salt
• 1 stick/ 110g butter, cubed or an equal mix of butter and lard
• 2-3 tbsp cold water
• Filling
• 1 ½ lbs/700g cooking apples, peeled, cored and quartered
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup/ 100g sugar
• 4 - 6 tbsp cold water
• 1 level tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ stick/25g butter
• Milk to glaze

Preparation:

Method

• Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean bowl.
• Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, working as quickly as possible to prevent the dough becoming warm.
• Add the water to the mixture and using a cold knife stir until the dough binds together, add more cold water a teaspoon at a time if the mixture is too dry.
• Wrap the dough in Saran wrap/Clingfilm and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes, up to 30 minutes.

The dough can also be made in a food processor by mixing the flour, butter and salt in the bowl of the processor on a pulse setting. When the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, add the water, slowly, through the funnel until the dough comes together in a ball. Wrap in Saran wrap/ Clingfilm and chill as above.

Heat the oven to 425°F/220°C/gas 7.

• Meanwhile simmer the apples with the lemon juice and water in a large pan until soft. Add the sugar and cinnamon to the cooked apples. Remove from the heat and add the butter and leave to cool.
• Roll out half the pastry and line a 7 inch/13cm pie dish. Put the cooled, cooked apple mixture to the pastry case.
• Roll out the remaining pastry to make a lid for the pie. Damp the edges of the pastry in the dish with a little cold water, cover with the lid and press the edges firmly together and crimp the edges to decorate.
• Brush the top of the pie with milk and bake at the top of a hot oven for 20 - 25 minutes.
• Serve hot or cold with cream, ice cream or custard sauce.

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!

Beaming From Ear to Ear

  This has been a very busy week in our household. We are in the final days up to Elizabeth's graduation. I find it so hard to believe that she can be ready to be off for college already. Not, because she doesn't act like she is but because it seems to have gone by so fast.

Here she is just starting off at Kindergarten Graduation.  It feels like yesterday!

Wednesday night at senior awards night . She received close to $35,000.00 in scholarship money. We are so proud of her! 

So with all this beaming and boasting I still have to find something cute for the party. I cam up with this cupcake idea

http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlecakesformyhappy/with/3581664050/  So cute and in her school colors they will be perfect. Thank goodness for all those talented people in my computer LOL. I am working on invitations using her kindergarten picture, and running out of time. So much to do so few hours.
            I have really been bad about taking photos and listing to Etsy this week. With getting the yard and house ready and the school events it seems the timer just flies by.

Here is a sock monkey from the diaper set on the new doll my sister made for me to use as a model. Our little guy has gotten too big to be able to show off the cute baby hats. So I am off to get some yard work done before the next batch or rain and hopefully get my computer work done this evening in the peace and quiet while the big kids are at work. Wish me luck!

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

Fresh Start

Usually People make a new start as part of their New Years resolution. I didn't do that because, well, I probably would not have followed through and then I feel bad and the circle continues.  Yesterday afternoon while finishing up the Minnie Mouse outfit I watched the Nate Show and saw an episode about The Happiness Project.  http://www.thenateshow.com/videos/detail/2027/the-secrets-to-happiness/  I was hooked. I thought about it all evening and then first thing this morning I went to the site http://www.happiness-project.com/ and joined. I am so excited. Up until now I was in the mind set that HAPPY was something that I didn't have time to worry about. But, I deserve HAPPY, I think there is where I went off track, I wish all the good things for my kids, friends and everyone but me. So, I have now been told it is not selfish to want such a simple thing as happiness for myself.  Now, to look deep inside and find out what really makes me happy. I am thinking off the top of my head cupcakes, a warm bed and good friends to share with but as this project goes on I am curious to see what direction I head in.


As for cupcakes!!!!  I am going to get an entry ready for the Jelly Belly Cupcake Contest http://jbcupcakechallenge.com/landing/  then I have my goals set on entering  IRON CUPCAKE Madison http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com/   Milwaukees event has gotten so big that they have now outgrown the space and until further notice done. This is really sad, but think of the exposure those bakers got .....amazing.  I am setting the bar high, those cupcakes are amazing! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Iron-Cupcake-Madison/137515206292011?v=wall

For the rest of the day though I need to get some outfits done so I can get them listings up on Etsy and send out the last of the orders. It is always fun to come up with new ideas and to update or change the pattern to more suit me. Right now I have an old 60"s patyterb book with baby layettes out. A Christening gown has caught my eye. My Grandmother made each of my kids their own Christening outfit, crocheted with love and passed down to their kids. Priceless

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!

Gramma just loves Granny Squares

Whe I think of granny squares I remember sitting on my Grandmothers living room floor laying out what seems to be hundreds of square my Great Gram had made. Each one edged in black and different. She would spend her time making this little squares from leftover yarn and stashing them away until there was enough to finsih an afghan.

I do not have the patience for all the connecting, and have yet to master a better way. But, I do love the granny square. I have come across afew new patterns that let me granny square away without all the connecting.

Here is a bsic granny square pattern I found. They get to be addictive, you can't make just one!

Granny Squares
Granny squares can be worked at any gauge.
If you're crocheting a granny square as part of a pattern, match the gauge mentioned in the pattern as closely as possible. Otherwise, you can work your granny squares at whatever gauge you like.
Choosing Materials:

Granny squares can be worked with any yarn plus a crochet hook of appropriate size. Check the label on the yarn you plan to use; the correct crochet hook will be specified. Use that as a starting point, but feel free to make adjustments as needed.
Choosing Colors and Fibers:

Granny squares can be a single color or multicolored. Any combination of colors can be used. There are infinite possible variations.

If you work with multiple yarns, the fiber contents should be the same, or compatible, so that the finished project will wear evenly with repeated washing and use.

For example, do not combine cotton and acrylic in the same granny square. The cotton and the acrylic will wear differently. Acrylic is typically shrink-resistant, but cotton can shrink significantly when washed. Using these fibers together could result in a project that looks fine before washing, but distorts during the washing process.

Pay attention to care instructions, and make sure that all fibers used in the same project can be cleaned using consistent methods. For example, do not use "Hand wash only" yarns in the same granny square with "Dry clean only" yarns.

Abbreviations:

ch = chain, chs = chains, st = stitch, sts= stitches, sl st = slip stitch, dc = double crochet

http://crochet.about.com/od/learntocrochet/ss/Crochet_Granny_Square.htm

I listed the new items on Grammas Gifts on Etsy this morning, I am curious to see how many other people have a fondness for Granny Squares also. The next set I am doing will be a 6 month size hat and sweater with a matching blanket. That would make a great baby shower gift.

Get Your Chicks in a Row

I know that Easter is late this month, but I always seem to be playing catch up. Yes, I tend to say I have a few weeks things can wait. The, out of nowhere it seems. The day is upon me and I am running around like a chicken without a head. Knowing this I have been making a point to set a schedule and work plan. So far, so good.
I am back to reading the emails from Flylady and trying to get the house back on track. They are coming along, but not with out alot of grumbling and some resistance.
I broke out the old chore calendar and am working out a fair schedule so we can all participate here. I fight the thought that Mrs. Cleaver did it all herself and looked really good doing it. There are some differences, I don't have a strand of pearls to wear over my house dress and I don't think she had Myastenia Gravis. There were only tow boys and what looked like a very neat husband and I have what I like to refer to as a tribe and a husband who seems to keep everything, newspapers, mail, junk etc. Other than that we are very alike.
Besides the usual housework I am trying to fill some orders for the Etsy shop and a shop "Josephines" in Watertown. So, I explain any short comings I may have by the fact I work 2 jobs, home and crochet.  No one usually falls for that excuse as I can work from my chair in my Pj's.
This weeks big push is to finish some newborn chick hats and diaper set that were ordered and get a few new things listed to the shop. I have two sweaters to finish on orders from Josephines and then a few items for the girls for Easter. If I sleep less, get some help and don't stress out I may just get it all done.

                          Here are the chicks I listed

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71735515/spring-chick-hat-photo-prop
Speaking of easter chicks I found this adorable dress on Etsy. If only one of the grandaughters was the right size. Maybe next year, Isabella should be just about right by then.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70058252/reversible-dress-for-easter-and-spring-6?ref=sr_gallery_16&ga_search_query=spring+chicks&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

Now I could'nt resist not finding a cupcake with a chick theme
 I found the recipe for these chick cupcakes on the Betty Crocker website.

Easter Chicks Cupcakes


Ingredients:
1 box favorite flavor cake mix
eggs, oil, and water called for on the cake mix box
2 1/2 cups shredded coconut
yellow food coloring
1 container vanilla buttercream frosting
48 mini chocolate chips
24 small gumdrops
Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
Make cake mix as directed on box.

Divide batter among muffin cups.
Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean.
Cool completely.
Place coconut in resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add about 8 drops yellow liquid food color, seal bag, and shake to mix.

Frost cupcakes with white frosting.
Top with yellow coconut.
For eyes, add mini chocolate chips.
Cut orange gumdrops to resemble beaks and place on cupcakes.

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 A LITTLE OFF

Did you ever have one of those days where, plans change and then the whole days seems to go astray?  Well, that is how my day has gone. After being under the weather yesterday, a bit of a stomach flu bug I think. I went to bed early to get alot of rest and looking forward to a trip to Madison for yarn. Now, that doesn't sound like such a big deal....but Going to Madison early means a quick stop at Lazy Janes for a croissant and some Almond Vanilla coffee.  My favorite treat. In fact that could make a bad day turn good all by itself.  Well, like life...plans change and we are not to go today. Coffee at home and no almond croissant or scone form Lazy Janes.  The day is sinking fast. Add to that the teens are on summer break and they will somehow find a way to disrupt my day.

The morning coffee was good but just not right, toast instead of croissant.  This day must get better.
I am working to get items finished for orders and upcoming shows as well as my Etsy shop. People are not cooperating, they must not know my plan for the day, or do and just don't care.  I feel myself slowly slipping downhill. Not good.  Projects coming along slowly and constant chatter.  They should be in school!

Now with housework done and projects started. I am trying to make some cute hang tags for the hats and sweaters. ... another surprise......the two little guys are back. Days early, so much for major production happening here today. That's ok,  we will watch Franklin the Turtle and play Mr. Potato Head instead. It won't be long before these two are big and no longer need or want to spend quality time with Gramma.

At nap time to pacify my need for a croissant I went online and found this recipe and in the morning before my day can get off track will make these.

Almond Croissants


Adapted from Chocolate and Zucchini
•4 large day old croissants
•2-3 tablespoons flaked almonds
•1 tablespoon icing sugar
For syrup
•1/2 cup water
•1 tablespoon caster or superfine sugar
•1.5 tablespoons light rum (optional)
For almond filling
•1/2 cup sugar
•2/3 cup ground almond meal
•a pinch of salt
.50g (1/2 stick) unsalted room temperature butter, diced (take it out the night before if you need to or blitz it in the microwave on very low for a very short time if you need to)
•1 egg

Note:You can make the syrup and the crème d’amandes up to a day in advance: transfer into separate airtight containers, and refrigerate.

1. Prepare the syrup: combine water, sugar and the rum (if using) in a saucepan. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, and simmer for a minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat, transfer into a shallow soup plate, and let cool completely.
2. Prepare the almond filling by combining 1/2 cup sugar, the almond meal and the salt in a bowl and mix until combined. Add the butter, and mix again until well mixed. Add in the eggs one by one, and mix until creamy.
3. Preheat the oven to 180° C (350° F) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Dip a croissant into the syrup, coating both sides and the ends well – the croissant should be quite moist. Slice horizontally like you would for a sandwich (I sliced the back as that seemed easiest), and place on the cookie sheet. Spread the inside with about two tablespoons almond filling, and place the top back on. Spread the top with another tablespoon of almond filling, and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Repeat with the remaining croissants and filling.

5. Put into the oven to bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the almond cream is set and golden. Transfer onto a cooling rack, dust with confectioner’s sugar, and serve, slightly warm or at room temperature. They will keep for a day. If you can resist them!

http://www.notquitenigella.com/2011/03/27/slothful-sundays-almond-croissants/

This is one of the few projects finished and tagged today... hopefully more to come.

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

Time Out

Now as a Mom and Grandma we all know what a time out is.  They came into be after my kids were school age, but I now use them.....for me . That is what I call 3:00 at our house...that is when The Nate Show comes on and I want to sit quietly if possible for that one hour. Is that really too much to ask? To sit and look at all I could accomplish shoule I set my mind to it. I am pretty darn creative, but with a lack in cooperation mnay of my dream projects have not come to be.  This spring I intend to make some big changes and on my own.... We are woman hear us roar.....who needs help. The other nice thing is every so often they have great recipes on there like this one

Spicy Smoky S’mores Bars

Ingredients

18 crackers or 2 packages plain graham crackers
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted, plus more, softened, for pan
4 cups milk chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper powder
4 cups mini-marshmallows

Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Line the bottom and sides your 9 by 13-inch baking pan with foil. You want to leave about 4 inches of overhang on the 2 opposite sides. These are going to serve as your handles to remove the bars from the pan in one piece, so make sure that there is enough of the overhang for you to have a solid grip. Grease the foil well.
In your food processor, grind the graham crackers into a fine meal (you need 2 cups). In a large bowl, combine your crumbs, sugar, sea salt, and melted butter. The mixture should look and feel like wet sand. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Evenly press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom the foil-lined pan. Pop your crust into the oven and bake until it is golden brown and your kitchen smells of graham crackers, about 12 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and allow it to cool on a rack or on a dishtowel on your counter.

Melt your milk chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until fully melted. Do not turn up the heat to hurry this process; you must keep it on low. Once the chocolate is fully melted, it's time to add your chipotle pepper powder and stir it in completely.
Preheat the broiler.
Pour the melted chocolate over the cooled graham cracker crust. Spread the chocolate evenly over the crust with the back of a butter knife. Then sprinkle your marshmallows over the chocolate, pressing them lightly, and then sprinkling the reserved crumb mixture over and in between the marshmallows so that you cannot see the chocolate peaking through the marshmallows. Broil the bars until the marshmallows are golden brown, it should only take 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Refrigerate the bars until the chocolate is hard, 2 hours or so. Grab the ends of the foil liner and lift the bars out of the pan in 1 piece. Move them to a cutting board and cut into 24 squares.

Yield: 24 servings
I omitted the chipolte powder and everyone just loved them.
http://www.thenateshow.com/tipsandtools/detail/dessert-flipping-with-anne-thornton

I have been busy getting some things together to post on etsy... here are a few

flower clip for hats etc.

lady bug hat with wing earflaps

frogette



owl bib...there is a matching hat on Etsy



Wednesday Already

  Time seems to fly when the two little men in my life are gone to their Moms. Before you know it they will be back and the noise and business will fill the house. Awwww I love it. Right now though I am enjoying another cup of coffee while I ponder over my choice to give up chocolate for Lent. I usually don't give up anything but this year I decided to join in.

Chocolate is one of my downfalls and seems like a good thing to give up. So, no more in my morning creamer, or a bite when the day has gone crazy. I have a money bet with my daughter, she will lose I am sure of it!

The snow is really coming down now as I sit and watch out the dining room window.  Hubby and #1 grandson are trying to get the car unstuck from the middle of the road. No plow so far. Of course it is supposed to be almost 50 by the weekend so it will all melt. The car can't sit that long so they are out there shoveling and pushing.

This is the time of day when I need to decide what to make for dinner. Cold, snowy, the little guys back. Feels like chicken and dumplings.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/12/chicken-and-dumplings/

This is my favorite recipe for them. The family was crazy about the dumplings. I just can't say enough about them. You need to try this one for yourself. Easy , but tastes like you slaved away all day over a hot stove. I can put it on and crochet the afternoon away while it cooks, then right before five get the dumplkings in and the family will be thrilled. Maybe if the day goes well even add a batch of Pioneer Womans dinner rolls. Another easy and delicious recipe.

The photos on Pioneer Womans sight are also amazing, you can almost smell the food! I ordered her books from Walmart online.

So, off to take a chicken out of the freezer, refill my coffee cup and get busy on some duck hats for the Etsy shop. There is a tan bunny hat on order that needs doing and I really need to stock pile for upcoming shows. Maybe I should have given up sleep for lent.

Have a great Day and try the chicken and dumplings!

Widening my Horizons

  Happy Fat Tuesday.... and NO, that is not how I intend to widen my horizon.  As I drink my morning coffee and referree the three dogs playtime, I have decided to put in place a way for those customers of mine who share my shop with friends and family can get a bonus. Another Etsy shop had an article on this and it sounds like a wonderful way to not only reward those customers but find new ones.
                   Here is what I was thinking:

Earn a $10 Credit for Every Friend You Bring to the Grammas Gifts !



Would you like to earn a free item?  Since you’ve already been spreading the word and sharing your love for  Grammas Gifts,  I have started an affiliate program to thank and reward you!   If you’re interested in becoming an affiliate, please contact me through Grammas Gifts or write to me at Pattibearsplace@gmail.com

Here’s how it works:
First....Contact me , letting me know you would like to be an affiliate.
Next    I’ll create a special 10% discount that you can share with your friends.
Then.... Each time one of your friends make their first purchase (of $10 or more) and use the 10% discount code, you receive a $10 Grammas Gifts gift certificate!

You can share your code anywhere and everywhere!
 Tell your friends, email relatives, and post it on your blog!
For every new customer you bring, you earn $10.00 certificate toward your choice of an item from the shop!
Visit the Grammas Gifts and  get started ♥

     Now with that finally in type I can get back to my Paczki and coffee.  I have a new baby sweater in the works. Lady Bugs is the theme for this next set and I can hardly wait to get it done and show it off. I need to use my time wisely today because the little guys come back tommorrow and then for four days it is hard to even finish a thought . A sweater seems out of the question!  As I am typing I can see on the tv they are calling for 6-8 inches of heavy wet snow startting tonight. I am glad I have more than enough yarn to hold me over, so all I need now is someone to run for milk and we are set to be snowed in for awhile. I think our road is the last one plowed in the county! That is ok with me , I will watch the flakes fall as I work away.

Your Gramma Does What?

  That was the question that came up the other day.  My lovely granddaughter answered , she crochets, paints, bake, and writes a blog.

This is Isabella and from the look on her face you can see she is thinking....She writes a what.  Hard to believe. Everyone who knows her, knows she has no idea of where or when to use punctuation. Obviously!

Yet, she still types away and tells the world about things that go on in her little part of the world as often as she can.  Yes, to our embarassment she has learned to post photos of her loving family. Not all of them always flattering. Why?  they ask....because she can.

Sure, Gram wants you to believe we enjoy or photos plastered on here. That we somehow look forward to the constant hat fittings and photo ops. OK some of us do. In fact I wish she would send me a few more hats to try out.. Maybe something with a flower, girly yet fun!

This was my first hat, a darlign penguin number. I wore it home from the hospital.  Why does she make these hats and stuff?  Good question, he Gramma made all kinds or crocheted things and every baby came home in one of Grammas handmade things. My Mom grew up in the ponchos and sweaters and the pinafores for every occasion. I think it is a Gramma thing.
I should Thank Isabella for her wise input!  Maybe a new hat and sweater for Easter !

Now yes, I do enjoy watching them dressed in my hats and such and I now realize the pride my Gram had as off we went to school dressed in her creations. First me and my siblings, then my kids, and then my grandkids. Gram loved every stitch she did and you felt it in the warm hooded sweater or delicate christening outfit. Now, I am not nearly as talented but I keep trying in my own way.
I have found that I like to share the sometimes silly or troublesome things in my life. Maybe someone will smile, or find the answer to a problem they have. If so, I am very happy. So please in each future blog, ignore the punctuation and just read for fun. Read between the lines and enjoy.