Toe In The Water

Well, well, well, doesn't that calendar just gallop right along! It hasn't really felt like Winter here in KC......yet. I have a feeling that is about to change. So...it seemed like time to get moving on some handwork. Mmmmm....fire in the fireplace, cup of Calm herbal tea, and yarn. Bring it, Mother Nature.

I decided to dust off the ole' crochet hooks and flip through some books for inspiration.

Of course, there were trillions more books and internet sites that I devoured. Blogger has been dealing fits with photo uploads this morning, though, so I'm just putting up a few. Have so fallen in love with the little amigurumi crocheted critters but haven't completed the polar bear I am working on. I think I'll have to go down to a smaller hook as it is coming out MUCH larger than I think it should be.

So I fiddled around with some other quicky projects to get the crochet rhythm goin': a Valentine coaster (and who doesn't need one of those???),

a fun crocheted hotpad,

a Valentine garland for the mantle,

and a stripy warm afghan! This blankie is so much fun to work on. Don't know any project that can be as soothing as a predictably repetitive and rhythmic crocheted afghan. I like that once the logistics are worked out in my mind, I can just crochet along without referring to a pattern.

2012

It's here! A new blank slate. Hoping to fill it up with healthier eating, more walking, actual blogging and--especially-- cherishing family and friends as they most definitely deserve to be cherished. Those are the top resolutions. Throw in some attention to long-neglected crafting (crocheting, quilting and embroidery), continued joy found in reading, experimenting more in cooking and trying each day to de-stress life (SIMPLIFY). That ought to be a start.....

And To All A Good Night

Yummy, Easy, Festive, Fun!

Here's a wonderful recipe I found while websurfing the other day. Shortcuts abound! And who doesn't need shortcuts in December? And they will be so cute on the cookie trays.

Christmas Tree Brownies

Here is an easy recipe from Betty Crocker for Christmas Tree Brownies:

1. 1 box brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)

2. Water, vegetable oil and eggs (specified on brownie box)

3. 2 or 3 drops green food color

4. 1 cup vanilla frosting (from 1-lb container)

5. Decorating Decors red and green candy sprinkles or miniature candy-

coated chocolate baking bits

6. Miniature candy canes (2 inch), unwrapped

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil so foil extends about 2

inches over short sides of pan. Grease bottom only of foil with cooking

spray or shortening.

2. Make and bake brownie mix as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan, using

water, oil and eggs. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Remove brownie from

pan by lifting foil; peel foil away. To cut brownie into triangles, cut

lengthwise into 3 rows. Cut each row into 7 triangles. Save

smaller pieces for snacking.

3. Stir food color into frosting. Spoon frosting into small resealable food-

storage plastic bag; partially seal bag. Cut off tiny bottom corner of bag.

Squeeze bag to pipe frosting over brownies. Sprinkle with decors.

4. Break off curved end of candy cane; insert straight piece into bottoms of

triangles to make tree trunks.

Happy Turkey Day!

Hope you and yours out there in the blogosphere have a most wonderful Thanksgiving.