Signs of Spring

The weather has broken and there are sure signs of spring. The sandhill cranes and red winged black birds are back and the boys are outside exploring with the new pups. Baby and Spot, about 8 week old cockapoos who try very hard to keep up with the boys. Another spring treat was a strawberry soda when we came in to rest.

Carsen found that the pretty pink bubbles make your face red. It did not slow him down a bit.  J.J. is partial to making his ice cream all melted and stirring away.

The good weather and boys outside has given me a chance to get some work done. Althougyh just when I see light at the end of the tunnel, a wonderful thing happens. Someone orders again. The mermaid outfit has been a big hit and I love making all the little parts.

This afternoon we are making pink lemonade cupcakes and in the morning trying cinnamon scones from a recipe I saw on Pioneer Woman Cooks site. I just love her recipes. Real food that real families eat. We have used the white bread recipe over and over again. It makes 4 loaves so with a full house that is perfect. Her cinnamon rolls are to die for and the drip beef recipe is now our family gathering stand by. Check out her site I am sure you will find something you can't so without. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/sweet-cinnamon-scones

I better run and finish the sock monkey set during SPONGE BOB time then baking. Have a great day

Spring Forward

Spring Forward, that is this Sunday. Set your clocks ahead and get ready for added daylight and bright sunny spring. That is also my new life plan  Spring Forward. Don't look back. Make steps in the right direction.
I have started doing just that. How can you get anywhere unless you have a plan and set a goal.

My spring goal is to learn to shop more wisely, use coupons and save money. All this sounds like a good idea but I plan on stepping things up because I have a HUGE goal. For some time now I have wanted to go to Ireland. This always seemed like something other people do. Then, I checked some prices and looked in to travel and I think with some good planning, setting money aside and putting me on my list of priorities this can be accomplished. The plan is doable so to make it just a little grander I looked farther and would love to be able to trace my family tree back through Ireland to Paisley Scotland. More research, some emails and this is not such a far retched plan.
                                                               Now, to put it to work.
First, a big cost in our house are groceries. For that I am going to need some help. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-40K  I found just what I need . Someone who made a plan, followed through and got more than she had hoped for. Groceries and the everyday shopping needed to run a home, smarter, cheaper and learn to also help out the local food bank at the same time! Amazing yet very doable!  Family, step back and watch me shop!

Next the electric usage and utilities bills are going to reexamined and changes made. Gas usuage for the car is also on my list of things needing to go on a diet!
All those need cutting but on the flip side to revamp and build up the Etsy shop to help it feed the Ireland Pot of Gold. My shop has come a long way and I am just now opening new avenues of sales for my newborn hats and some of the bath items. Much work to be done , but I enjoy the crocheting and learning from other shop owners some of the ins and outs to get noticed.
All this is made possible with the help of my little guys who every other week keep me on my toes and a constant reminder of what is really important.
Then, I do have to stop and say, It is MY TURN......I want this trip and I will make it happen!
Join me on this adventure and follow along as I learn more about coupons and saving money and share themlinks and info. Some good recipes, shopping and laughs along the way.

Seems Like Spring

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Approaching Valentine's Day

It is cold, very cold and the snow has finally come to our corner of Wisconsin.  As I look around Etsy and other blogs I see alot of preparation for Valentine's Day. I miss the kids having to write out Valentines and me needing to bake five batches of cupcakes for their classes. Yet, there is alot for me to do, I have added a few new hats to the Etsy shop and some listing for the photographers who take those adorable newborn photo shoots. I am always amazed at the imagination behind those photos.  Photographers purchasing hats from me has opened a whole new market. Now , these are not just cold weather hats for the family but can be used for the photo shoots year round and all over the country. Here are a few of the listings I have put out there.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/90843050/newborn-phot-props-diaper-cover-or-cape

newborn phot props Diaper cover or cape and hat sets / custom /Photographers Props / Special Five

Perfect for newborn photo props/ Five newborn Diaper cover or cape and hat newborn sets of your choice. Valentines Day Sale Custom colors. Dress that new baby up and show him or her off. A great selection and you can choose animals and colors .

Photographers Prop Special/ with free shipping

Ten count them TEN baby hats of your choice at a wonderful price! Choose any of the animals from my shop cow, pig, giraffe, sock monkey, mickey mouse, frog, hippo, skunk, ANY of the animals/ in newborn sizes
other sizes available please convo for price

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88514592/photographers-prop-special-with-free

A fun way to build up the business and many of the photographers will share a photo which makes the shop look so nice! 

In searching around I came across a great blog that had a recipe for Calazone Hearts and since pizza in any form is a big hit in our house I thought it would be great fun for the two little guys to try. We do make homemade pizza every couple weeks always on Friday our PIZZA night. here is the link and you may want to check out all the other fun Valentine ideas they have . http://sixinthesuburbsblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/calzone-hearts.html 

Well, I am off to finish two more Valentine puppy hats and get some hats packaged for a post office run.

Valentine Puppy Earflap Hat 

This perky pup is ready for Valentines Day gift giving! 

The Holidays Are Over

              Yes, I must say I did do the happy dance this morning as the kids returned to school.  The two little giuys are back with their Mom for her week and there was silence! It has been a hectic couple of weeks.
         Let me explain. On December 13th my Mother flew in from Florida to stay a week and be at our home for a Holiday gathering. For the first time in 6 years since my Gram passed we were all going to try and get together. This is a big undertaking since I am in Wisconsin, many relatives are in the Chicago area, I have a brother in Indiana , a sister in Ohio a couple in Tulsa etc.   I had done my prep work so the food was  a breeze, shopped early had a to do list and help from those in the house. I even fit in lunch with my good friend Jean from the Teapot Quilt Cottage in Montello.   The big day came, Saturday December 17th, ( for my Mom, there was a light dusting of snow ) my husband drove down to Watertown to pick up my Uncle and kids started to arrive. My daughter Diane and her 5 kids came the night before from Chicago to not need to leave to early or rush. You never know what the weather might bring up here. Not only all those relatives we knew and missed but after more than 35 years to be reunited with my Moms sister, who had been adopted. What a nice Christmas gift.

Mom (Dorothy)  Aunt Charlotte Mom ( Lillian ) Aunt Barb and in the front everyones favorite Uncle Eddie
My Grandfathers 5 children together in one photo.
Now, I have to say I was awful at taking photos and hope someone shares theirs with me. I was busy warming pierogi and making sure everyone was finding everything and lacked the camera on hand.

Her are two of my daughters helping with the food. The nesco behind them contains a favorite party recipe . We call it Italian Beef coming from Chicago. Something not easily found up here.  Pioneer Woman calls it drip beef and here is her link. 

Try it, it is amazing http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/02/drip-beef-two-ways/

This is Becky who is 5 and has just had her one year anniversary being diabetic. I did not bake cookies and had to make many calls to her Mom, Diane to see just what she could eat. 

This is our baby Isabella, who just turned one and is the quickest little person I know!

Here are my two favorite little men. JJ and Carsen

Elizabeth who is off on her own with boyfriend Dakota and in nursing school in Fond Lac

Mike, always ready to pose

Rosie, a big help to her Mom

Chrissy, one of the in house teens 

Sergio, who we call Jr.

Uncle Eddie admiring Beckys red bird hat

Aunt Barb

cousin Natalie

daughter Diane with Bella

Tommy the quiet funny guy

cousins, husband, boyfriends and kids. It was wonderful to catch up! This was the best gift of the year!

Our 5 generation photo

back row: my daughter Patrice, me, Big Joe my grandson who is holding little Joe and I have Carsen

Everyone had a good time and it just did not seem long enough to chat. Hopefully we can do this again next year and with more notice those relatives who could not make it can find their way here! 

So, with all that behind us and some quiet I did get a little work done and added a few new items to the Etsy shop, here is a preview

they can all be found at 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GrammasGifts?ref=si_shop

Good Friends

Well the weather here is chilly and the upcoming days are supposed to be wet and cold so I was happy to spend the day at home with my good friend Jean who own The Teapot Quilt Cottage and Garden Center. We caught up on small talk and things going on in the town. Had tea and chatted while I helped her set up an Etsy shop. Jean has so many beautiful quuilted items and recycled wool and denim things, I can't wait to watch her fill the shop. I will share the link with you when she gets some items listed.

Of course, I have no idea where she finds the time. Jean and her husband have a farm where they grow the produce sold at the garden center, their stand and local farmers markets. Besides running the Teapot Quilt Cottage 7 days a week. The shop is amazing with treasures in every corner. From cookbooks and jellies, fabric and yarn to rag quilts and wool mittens. Amazing

These photos are from last year, they now have replaced the tent with a white gazebo , but there are loads of pumpkins and fall items as well as a shop full of things to see. If you are passing through Montello droop in and see for yourself.

I added another fun hat to the Etsy shop yesterday......and yes I facebooked it and the model was thrilled! NOT

 

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients

GINGERSNAPPY CRUST
1	box gingersnaps (about 16 oz.)
1	stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
1/4	cup sugar
1/2	cup pecans, chopped fine
1/4 tsp	cayenne pepper (trust me)
FILLING
3 pkg	(8 oz. each) cream cheese, room temperature (may use low-fat, but do not use fat free)
1 1/4	cups pumpkin puree-- 15oz. can (not pumpkin pie filling)
5 lg	eggs
1	cup sugar
1/2	cup heavy cream
2 tsp	ground cinnamon
1 tsp	ground ginger
1/2 tsp	ground cloves
1/2 tsp	freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp	allspice
1/2 tsp	salt
SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE
1/2	cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2	cup sugar
1/2	stick (1/4 cup) butter
1/3	cup water
1/4	cup heavy cream (can use milk)
1/2 tsp	pure vanilla extract
1/2 to 3/4 tsp	salt (trust me)
	crumbled gingersnaps for garnish
	toasted pecan halves for garnish