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Saturday, December 22, 2012

Little hat for a little girl

Very soon my kids and I will be traveling back to Indiana for some much needed time with their grandparents. The oldest two have not been back home in over a year and the youngest hasn't been back since July. It is her first year and she changes so quickly. I know they are missing out on a lot and it breaks my heart, but my husband is doing what he loves and we are doing what we love...being right by his side. So, the day after Christmas all my kids and I are gonna hop a plane back to the Hoosier state! I am beyond excited for so many things. One of those being snow! Believe it or not I miss the snow! The cold I do not miss, because california desert winds and nights get pretty darn cold!!! If only that cold came with some snow... Because of that I am hoping it snows a nice clean, safe layer just for the kids. Snow or not, it's going to be cold. Colder than what my youngins are used to so I have been busy preparing them for the weather.

I made E's winter hat a few months ago while it was still warm.
I made it back then so she could wear it to hat day and also because it still gets pretty chilly at night/early morning when they go off to school.

This pattern I improvised from a few basic patterns.
You make a simple beanie, change colors and add a border much like you would make petals for a flower (sc, ch1, 4 dc, sl st) in that order, but unlike a flower you do each stitch in a stitch across, except, of course, the ch1 and sl st...in between each "petal" you can sc as many as you want. I think I did about 2. 
For this particular hat I thought a bow would be a nice change to the many flowers always worn on beanies. 
For this bow you ch til you get the desired length you want the bow to be, they sc back and for until it is as wide as you want it. tie off and weave in ends...then take your extra yarn and wrap around as many times as you like. Voila! you have a very simple bow. I suggest not wrapping the bow too much or it gets too bulky and sticks out from the hat. That's what happened with this one. It still turned out pretty cute and my daughter likes it. I  like the many way you can wear it. I love seeing her wear it with the bow in the back.

Yesterday I made my youngest daughter a little newsboy style beanie. It looks so cute on her, but it falls off too easily----or rather, she can pull it off too easily! lol
I am thinking I should add a chip strap to hold it tight on her head.

This one is made from my left over chunky yarn scraps.
I can't remember what the dark charcoal color yarn is, but the pink is 100% wool. (Patons)

I did a simple beanie-because it uses chunky yarn I only increased to the sc 4, 2sc point. It was a little big for a 7 month old head, but my daughter has a VERY LARGE HEAD! I was making it and thought it was going to be way too big. I stuck it on her head and it fit perfectly! ...that made me laugh out loud a little.


another reason I think the chin strap would be a good idea is this isn't quite long enough to cover her ears. If I made it any longer it would cover her eyes and she would whine nonstop while wearing it. If I add a chin strap that part will cover her ears and keep her warm. :)


For the brim I sc, 2dc, dc 2, 2dc, dc 8, 2dc, dc2, 2dc, sc, sl st. For this size it made a rather wide brim. If you want the brim smaller just decrease the number of dc from 8 down to whatever you want, or if you want it longer, just add a few stitches there.

Happy Crocheting!


Nanner BABY!

My little girl tried bananas today! Some of you may not think that is such an awesome thing, but for a first time mom I am ecstatic! Usually I feed her purees, but today we gave her a whole piece. The texture threw her off a little...
This picture is so funny! She is my everything. Never a dull moment with my beautiful little angel :)

Indiana State Pie

One of the best things to come out of Indiana? Sugar Cream Pie! Wicks Sugar Cream Pie to be exact. I can eat one of these in one sitting if my will power wasn't as strong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these pies. Since I have moved away it saddens me that I can't have one whenever I want. Since I can't easily stray too far from my favorite dessert I have been trying to find recipes that taste similar. I have only tried a couple and they are no where near as good as the real thing. I have been reading around on different forums and have borrowed this recipe from one of the taste of home blogs. I do not know if it is a taste of home recipe or if it is from an entirely different place. Either way I am trying it next. I'll go ahead and post it so you can try if you want.

OLD-FASHION SUGAR CREAM PIE 


Serves: 8
Effort: Easy
Comments: This is very rich. I like it best served warm. Very simple…..very good! This was one of Jerry’s favorites!

Ingredients:
Unbaked pie shell (I use a frozen deep-dish shell) 
2 cups heavy cream 
1 tsp. vanilla 
1/2 cup flour 
1/4 tsp. salt 
1/2 cup brown sugar 
1/2 cup granulated sugar 
1/4 tsp. nutmeg 
1 Tbs. butter 

Directions:
Combine cream and vanilla and let stand 10 minutes without stirring. In large bowl, mix flour and salt. Gradually add 2/3 cup cream mixture, stirring constantly. When smooth add sugars and mix well. Stir in remaining cream mixture and let stand 20 min. for sugar to dissolve. Pour in pie shell. Sprinkle with nutmeg and dot with butter. Bake @ 300º for 10 minutes. Continue baking @ 350º for 45 minutes or until filling is set.

I am anxious to try this! Hopefully my pie loving husband will enjoy it no matter if it tastes like wicks brand. He didn't grow up with it, but he has tried it and I think I have him hooked as well. 

Happy Baking!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

My latest creations

I have been busy lately finishing an order. I made a bunch of headbands and an adorable little newsboy hat-all for a friend.


Here is one of the last headbands I made for a little girl.


 And this is the little newsboy hat. I just love these hats! They look good on everyone!

These are both slight modifications from patterns on ravelry. Here is the link to my ravelry page.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

NEW (hair) 'DO

It wasn't too long ago that I got my hair cut and colored. I kept the length and dark color and just added bright blonde highlights...It was fine for awhile, but my crazy thick eyebrows  looked much bushier with that color. I decided to go all black! I even cut some bangs. It was drastic, but I love it. What do you think?
This was my hair pulled back before cut and color...the second one is obviously after ;p

Headbands galore!

I have been working on an order for a friend this week. So far I have three headbands finished. I am absolutely in love with the yarn choices and the colors! Oh my goodness the colors! Don't you just love that bright pink/purple?!! 





The yarn for the last two is the Red heart boutique treasure. It is so soft and so fun to work with.

These all come from the same pattern...here is the link.

MyFavoriteThingsBlog

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Family Photo TIME!

It's that time of year again! Family photos for the Christmas Cards :) Last year we didn't have much time to prepare a great family portrait. I was 3 months pregnant and had horrible morning sickness. Here is that picture we used.
HORRIBLE I know! lol It was too dark and not very creative. It was my family though, and I love it. This year was a big improvement. Mostly because it was daylight (haha) and also because I had a little bit of time to prepare. Oh yeah! and A was here in all her beautiful glory!

This one will go on the front of the Christmas Card this year...



Everyone is looking at the camera!!!! I'm a proud, proud mama! 

Here are the other good ones...


Here are some of my husband and I with the littlest one...



Can you tell I love the black and white?!

and this one I just ordered in a 16x20in print for our wall... It is my FAVORITE!






Crocheting for a friend

Here are a few things I have made lately that I will be giving to a friend. In return she is knitting some awesome little outfits for A.

 The first hat is a hello kitty hat for her daughter.
I loved making this hat.





My husband took this hat to work to show a co-worker and now she wants a couple for her nieces, I am also making one for each of my daughters so i  will be busy!!!

This other hat is just so adorable. The picture does not show you the real color of the green. It is more of a muted green than a bright green. It's a super cute newsboy hat with a button. I can't wait to see this on my friend. I bet it will be so cute!


The other thing that I have made recently was a really quick flower headband for my youngest daughter. We did family pictures -I'll post those in the next post-and we all wore flannel shirts. Everyone looked great and I added this headband to A's outfit to make her image a little more girlie. People are still getting her confused with being a boy---not sure how that happens with those gorgeous long red locks she has! Anyway...she looked ADORABLE!
Here is a close-up of the headband. I think this is another thing I'm going to have to make a lot of. They will look great with any outfit!

Here are the links to patterns (or inspiration) if you are interested:


Instead of the band over the front I added a button over a crocheted circle

This band was slightly modified. I made my own band and used the flower as a guide. I ended the pattern short with out adding the last row where the picture shows it in a different color. I only stopped short because it was literally picture time. haha



Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Raspberry & Almond Shortbread Thumbprints


Raspberry & Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

1 cup butter, softened ½ cup seedless raspberry jam
2/3 cup white sugar      ½ cup confectioner’s sugar
½ teaspoon almond extract      ¾ teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour       1 tablespoon milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, cream together butter & white sugar until smooth. Mix ½ teaspoon almond extract. Mix in flour until dough comes together. Roll dough into 1 ½ inch balls, and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Make a small hole in center of each ball, using your finger. Fill the hole with preserves. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet. In medium bowl, mix confectioners’ sugar, ¾ teaspoon almond extract, and milk until smooth. Drizzle lightly over warm cookies. 

These are amazing. I got the recipe from my mom. I was going to make them for my husband's office party, but I ran out of time and sanity. The lemon cookies did me in. So the next time I make them I will post a picture. Enjoy!

Today We Celebrated!

Today was my husband's 29th birthday. Wow! 30 is just around the corner and I am close behind him. Time sure does fly, and we are having a ton of fun. Although he had to work we managed to spend some good quality family time together. While he was away E and I ran off to the grocery to get all the things we needed. I whipped together a homemade blueberry pie while the kids decorated the "Happy Birthday Daddy!" banner. 




We then came together and made his foot/hand print mirror. 

We got a little messy, but it was fun! Baby girl had a blast with the paint. 

She giggled while I tried to wash the paint off her toes.

He loved everything. I think he even almost cried. Almost. :)


Monday, September 3, 2012

My Labor Day Weekend (Sunday)

Yesterday (sunday) was so fun! We started the day in Los Angeles at CityWalk in Universal City, Ca. 


We went there especially for lunch at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 

Daddy with baby girl.


Uncle P helping E with her puzzles.


Daddy and Baby girl again.


C LOVES the coleslaw. He ate everyone's. :)


One of my collections is Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Beer glasses with the location name on them. I have been to five different restaurants now and I have a glass from each one.

Chicago, Orlando, Charleston SC, Santa Monica Pier, and Hollywood.


There are three more in California that I need to get before we get re-stationed.

Yesterday I added Hollywood to the collection. 

After lunch we went on a very long irritating drive to Venice Beach. Being the clueless tourists we are we could not find parking anywhere. In our search for  a spot we had to leave and find a gas station. Once we found a spot we walked 5 long blocks to the beach (I was already tired and cranky). My baby and I hung out under the umbrella.



While the others played in the sand and water.


It was one of the most gorgeous days.

 I got some great shots and I finally got to bring the little one out where it wasn't too hot. It was a nice change from the desert.




My Labor Day Weekend (Saturday)

It was a nice long Labor Day weekend with my family and my husbands good childhood friend. Since we moved here in California he lives only a few hours away from us now. I know my husband is one happy man. We spent Saturday relaxing, video gaming, shopping at the mall and going out to dinner. ...And trying what seemed like every dessert known to man...that was not planned, but very nice. It started at Marie Callender's-pie included in our meal deal. Then we went to sonic for some Happy Hour beverages-Coke Zero is my drink of choice ;p-the others got ocean waters and chocolate shakes-see where this is going???? Then we went to a local cupcake shop called Double D Cupcakes

We already tried Nadia Cakes when we first moved. Both were winners on the show Cupcake Wars. Once you taste them you will know why! We tried 6 different flavors over the course of the weekend. My favorite from Double D Cupcakes was the Red Dahlia-Red Velvet with cream cheese icing. So Delicious! My favorite from Nadia Cakes  is the Lemon Drop Cupcake. Lemon cupcake with some sort of icing on top that I can't seem to remember right now :( with a lemon drop candy on top.

After our sugar rush I bought some yarn from JoAnn's. I got a nice big "cash register surprise." First of all, I forgot my wallet at home, so I went into the store hoping to use my husbands card (same account),  without being carded. Or, I had $15 cash. I picked out my yarn which I was sure was going to be more than $15. While waiting in line one of the employees comes over to me and asks if I have cash because her debit machine wasn't working. I said yes, but I think my things cost more than the cash I have...unless these are on sale. I was fully expecting them NOT to be on sale. She rings them up and the total comes to $14.62...Under $15 and I even got some change back ;p Like I said...nice big "cash register surprise!"



This is what I am making with all of that yarn I bought...a granny square blanket for my daughter's toddler bed when the time comes. I still need to square it off with the light turquoise color, and make a ton more of them to sew together ;p Should I make them all the same? Or vary the order of the colors??

Friday, August 31, 2012

~Salt & Pepper SHAKERS~

I found these awesome old school lookin' salt and pepper shakers today at the BX. I love owls. At first I wanted everything owl for my daughter, but now I am loving them for myself. :) They are just too darn cute. 

These shakers in particular remind me of my great grandma. She had a TON of salt and pepper shakers. All very unique, not one set was the same. I always enjoyed gawking at all of them. After buying these today I want to find more. Maybe I'll become a collector just like her! I have some extra space in my oak china cabinet. :)

My NEW 'Do!!

I have not had my hair done in almost two years until the other night. My mom usually cuts and colors my hair, but since I have moved away she obviously has not been able to do it and I have neglected it in fear of not trusting anyone else to do it. I didn't want to pay the money for it either...Yep, I'm cheap. Never said I wasn't ;p Anyway, after a long pregnancy of not wanting to color my hair, I had my baby and now it is time. I wanted something fun and crazy-blonde would have been awesome, but I am too scared to take that plunge. I opted for blonde highlights on my dark brown hair instead. I LOVE how it turned out! I also had it cut. Something to give volume, because as you can see from the "before" picture, my hair was pretty lifeless. :( 

And so...the BEFORE!!

Yuck, I know...but my baby is adorable. I'm awesome at multitasking ;p

Here is the awesome AFTER...


I even love it pulled back. My hair is not plain and flat anymore, there is style to it now.




Saturday, August 25, 2012

My signature cakes...oh so good!

These are the sour cream cakes. 
It all started when my mom found a recipe for an orange peach sour cream cake.

All it is...you mix:

One box of orange cake mix
1 cup of sour cream
2 eggs

Mix together then fold in a can of peach pie filling. 
Add this last so you do not puree the fruit pieces.

Bake at 350-375 degrees for 35-40 minutes. 
Check often in case your oven temperatures are different.
Cake will be moist and fluffy with yummy fruit pieces within it.

The nice thing about this recipe is you can use any cake mix with any type of pie filling you want. The possibilities are endless!!!!!! Whatever you choose it will end up moist and delicious.



This cake I made for a friend. I added cream cheese icing on top. (Colored turquoise) lol
This type of cake is not the greatest for decorating-just eating. As you can see it tends to collapse from the weight of icing. Still delicious!


Another thing to try is chocolate cake with cherry pie filling. It's kind of like a chocolate covered cherry, only better cause it's cake!


If I have fruit to add to the top that always makes it better.

One that I made while I was pregnant was Strawberry cake with cherry pie filling.
I had crazy sweet cravings the whole nine months, and I had a girl! 
I wanted to make it fun so I made it purple ;p


The cake that I have tried most recently was a strawberry cake with strawberry pie filling...OMG! It has  got to be one of my favorites so far. I made it for a family gathering when I flew back home to indiana for a visit. It was gone in no time! 

Go ahead and give it a try! Let me know how yours turn out. :)