Wow! Glad Knitting Is Not This Hard...

I happened upon this video this morning...I am so glad knitting is not this hard. Doesn't seem to be too relaxing does it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVRfVEONxJQ

I still haven't learned to link to things...will learn...but for now please copy and paste to your address bar. Sorry for the inconvenience.

More to come later today with photos. I am working on my yarn stash and my sewing room, trying to get them both reorganized.

A Cup Of Memories...(#1)

This was a gift to me last year on Valentine's Day from my youngest. It is one of my favorite coffee cups, not because of what it looks like but because of the sweet memory it holds. I look at this cup and remember the huge grin on my little guys face...he was so proud that he had a beautiful new cup for his momma to drink her daily hot chocolate from. The single heart with the echoing outlines...mimicks the loving vibrations from the heart of a 4 year old child excited to present a gift to someone he loves. Every time I look at it I see his sweet smile and remember I am loved unconditionally by this innocent little human being who thinks I can do no wrong.

I usually end up with a coffee cup when looking for a souvenier to remember a place, an event, or a trip by. It is something that is practical and useful, and usually very inexpensive. I have many of them...each one holds a different but fond memory. Some are gifts from friends and family, and some I have picked up at various times over the last 27 years.

With many coffee cups comes many memories. So every once in a while there will be a coffee cup photo here, and the memory that goes along with it...if anyone would like to send a photo and story of their favorite coffee cup, I would love to see and read them. Just e-mail them to me (my contact info is in the right panel toward the bottom). If I receive 10 or more stories I will have a random drawing, and the winner will receive a gift card to a "well known" coffee shop (don't know if I can mention brand names here). All photos and stories will be posted here on my blog as well.

The coffee cup plays a big part in our daily lives...it holds the beverage of our choice to get the day started, to end the day, or to simply get us through our day. All kinds of coffee, tea, hot cocoa, etc...are consumed every day by many people in their favorite coffee cup. Warm and cozy memories attached to such an ordinary object turn it into a priceless treasure...a cup of memories.

The Perfect Evening Out...

The perfect evening out...is rich with intriguing conversation, good food, laughter, and someone you never ever have to explain yourself, your thoughts, or your feelings to. A person who not only knows you, but can also relate to what makes you the person you are. A person you don't feel like you have to tip toe around for fear of offending them. Someone you can truly be yourself with.

I just came home from the evening out I describe above, refreshed and relaxed, and ready to start a brand new day tomorrow, with renewed enthusiasm. A true friend who supports and encourages, and whom you do the same for, can do that for your spirit.

What a blessing my friend is. Whether it's a 10 minute conversation on the phone, or a dinner out like the one this evening. I always leave feeling calm, understood, inspired, and invigorated. Ready to take on whatever comes my way.

So, thank you dear friend...can't wait until next time. The conversation is never the same, and there's definitely never a dull moment!

Snowy Day...Happy Creative Play...

Another snow swept through our area today. The second one in less than a week, kept us indoors again. We managed to keep busy...very busy!




An early morning photography session of the near blizzard conditions...I understand records are being broken for the area we live in. There hasn't been this much snow in one winter season since the 1800's...not sure of the exact year.



More Valentine's being made...these are for his kindergarten class. Butterflies and birds for the girl's and robots for the boy's.




A yummy crusty bread fresh from the oven...my favorite with butter and honey.



A new crocheted hat was requested...stitched up in about 2 hours. I hadn't crocheted anything for about 23 years! I learned how to knit that long ago and gave up my hook...not intentionally. I learned to crochet at 10 years old and crocheted everything imaginable. I had forgotten how easy, fun, and quick crocheting is.





And last but not least...a beautiful new painting, done together after watching a few painting dvd's. We love the colors. I see many more collaborations in the near future! Happy Day...

Loving Nesting In The Winter...

The truth is I used to dread the onset of the winter months. The last few years however, I have come to love them almost more than summer time, which has always been my absolute favorite season. I honestly don't know what brought on such a change, but I'm guessing it has something to do with having a little one again. He becomes so excited about the snow and the winter holiday's that it is contagious! Not to mention the fact that we have more time for our crafting and artistic endeavors. Oh, and the baking and cooking...always more fun in cooler weather...

The recipe below is one my mom made when I was a little girl, and I have been making it for the last 27 years. It is a very "Simple Potato and Onion Soup", which is absolutely delicious. Hope you will try it out and let me know what you think...


Peel and cut into 3/4" cubes 4 large russet potatoes, as well as peel and dice 2 medium onions.


Place the potato and onion along with a stick of butter or margerine, and 8 cups of water in a 5 to 7 qt. soup pot with lid. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until potatoes are done through and starting to get soft enough that they are getting a bit smaller than they started out.


At this point add 4 cups of whole milk to the soup pot, then in a small bowl measure out 1/4 cup of white corn meal (not yellow it is too sweet), to the cornmeal add about a cup of the hot broth from the soup pot, and whisk until all lumps are gone. Add this corn meal paste to the soup and stir thoroughly to incorporate. Next add the second stick of butter or margerine, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Turn heat down to a simmer and let cook for about 5 minutes with lid on, but do not bring to a boil again. Remove from heat.


The finished soup will have smaller chunks of potato, the onion will have cooked down a bit too, and the soup will be thicker, but not thick just kind of creamy. There are approximately 10 servings. Enjoy!

I have loved this soup my entire life and it is a very budget friendly recipe.

Lazy Winter Days Are The Best...

Worked on this photo project all day long...enjoyed it way too much...it's all I did all day! Lazy snowy winter days are the best...and adding captions to my photos was quite addicting!














The day started off venturing outside for the first time since the big snow fall started on Friday. Someone couldn't even wait five minutes to get dressed in proper snow gear...at one point he was out there in his pj's with flip flops on his feet! You got to love it...

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

Today, as the snow quietly and gently covered everything outside, we were at play inside. The electricity went out for about 5 hours, so we were forced to find something to do that did not involve television, wii, or the internet. Oh, how sweet it was. I think we will have regular weekly technology power outages from now on. What a blessing to disconnect from all the electronic devices we so often let occupy our spare time. Here are just a few pics of how the day evolved...

Valentine's were being crafted by little hands...out of newspaper comics, self adhesive cardstock, and stickers...

A randomly striped scarf for my oldest is on the needles. It was intended for a Christmas gift, but was no where near done in time, and of course he needs it right now...

When the weather ouside is frightful...Stay inside and play by the fire...it's so delightful...Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow. I love love love it!

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful winter day, too.