It's still Christmas

If I could keep the spirit of the holidays alive year round , that would be so special.The girls and I think about making Christmas meaningful throughout the year. Someone is always saying "You know what we should do this year?" Then they proceed to tell me some brilliant idea that will make the day oh so special.

Of course now we have Aaron who makes it oh so easy to remember what Christmas is all about.This year we thought his schedule was too full to spend time with us,but, low and behold a window opened and Aaron was here Christmas Eve.

He is such a little man. I think of him as my people whisperer. When he's around everyone has a smile to share. He's not quite 3, yet every time I see him, he manages to teach me something.

His parents,Thom and Michelle have chosen to teach him sign language. Aaron has chosen to teach everyone he meets,and,he does it so well. Wish we could spread his love around however right now we plan to keep him to ourselves. He's got lots of work to do right here !!

Seems his 2 aunties are suffering from a serious holiday meltdown and could use Aaron's special touch or maybe they just don't like the tams........No that can't be right...................said the hobbit.

It's a Bittyful Friday

ALL I GET IS THIS PAPER????...........................REALLY?

TODAY IS MY BIG BROTHERS BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL Wish we could get together soon...............said the hobbit

Getting ready for CHRISTMAS

All is calm ............All is bright

While visions of sugarplums dance in their head.

Hobbit was knitting this years Christmas present.

And hoping no one was peeking~ Just taking a minute to wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope your families are together this year to share the joy.............said the hobbit

It's a Bittyful Friday

What does she mean .........NO TIME!!!!!! It's right here on her night stand...........silly hobbit.

It's a Bittyful Friday

The holidays have got me up-side-down.........life is crazy........but, I love it!

It's a Bittyful Friday

GOOD KITTY....................

NOW THIS IS HOW YOU GET LOTS AND LOTS OF PREZZIES ON CHRISTMAS DAY!

It's a Bittyful Friday

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you ready?

Tuesday night S&B

Are you knitting your little heart out yet?I've been pretty busy here.Trying to keep up with the holidays is a full time job.

This is not the time to start new projects,however, this sweater has been calling me for awhile now and once the next 4 weeks are behind us I might put it on my "just for me"list. For now decorating for Christmas is my priority. Christmas parties seem to be in full steam ahead mood. I have several days with 2 parties that I really should be going to. Every day is filled with the magic of the season.

Another reason to be excited is the Grand Opening of a friends new shop.That's right with all that's going on she has opened a handmade gift store. Her personal specialty is little felted people and holiday decor.

This was one of her Halloween pumpkins. Absolutely darling!!!Check her out I'm sure she has something for everyone.

And.............she asked ME to bring some of my knitting to the shop. How awesome is that!!!So,my little Christmas ornament sweaters and.......

my fingerless gloves are now in a shop. Isn't that just the greatest?? Beaming like a new mother over here...............said the hobbit.

It's a Bittyful Friday

Everyone told me that turkey would make me sleepy...............is it Friday already?

Here in New England

I know ...........It's been a bit crazy here in New England. The past month gave us the strangest weather. We had hurricanes and snow storms that have kept us hopping. First you struggle with flooding than just when you think things have settled and you expect to enjoy the fall foliage along comes a snow storm that cuts power and disrupts life all over again.

This is my friends back yard. That is an ash tree growing at that crazy angle for the past 200 years. It measured 92 feet high. Pretty impressive.

During the snow storm a loud crack was heard ...........and down came the tree.

It filled the yard with its massive size. That's the barn where it took a large chunk out of the roof. The barn and home were built in the 1700. It is what we call a post and beam. Even with that kind of damage it still stands strong.

I'm amazed at the unbelievable construction that was done in that time period. Well all that is cleaned away now but, something about that barn and the tree falling on it reminded me of just how strong our family is becoming.I rarely speak of things that are happening out in the big world but like many othercommunities this has been a growing year for all of us. Time to prioritize what is important and keep our focus where it belongs. This week is Thanksgiving and those that can will gather round our small table and give thanks that we are healthy and able to take care of each other. I hope your Thanksgiving is warm and cozy and overflowing with good food and lots of love.......................said the hobbit

It's a Bittyful Friday

If she thinks I'm giving up this wool blanket ................don't even think about it,Hobbit.

It's a Bittyful Friday

Look at me .........no needles!!!!!! I'm amazing!!

It's a Bittyful Friday

The weekends here! Hooray.........no snow and temperatures near 60 degrees. I'm exhausted, I think I should nap now. Have a great weekend.

Tuesday night S&B

Still addicted to socks...........our group just can't seem to stop making them. This whimsical pair was made by Cynthia S.

A closer look at the butterfly gives you an idea of just how talented this girl is.

Of course we are working hard at getting that second knit-along carriage blanket done. Follow through is always a problem with my projects. I'm committed to getting a second one done and I'll be writing myself a note every week with a reminder to keep at it. Is this just me?? Does anyone else out there have trouble with finishing what they started??

Cynthia H. finished her second pair of socks and is now on to mittens and hats for her winter donation. Tonight we are off to Betty's for our get together. She has a new kitchen and we are going to give it the official S&B blessing...............should be a great time.

It's a Bittyful Friday

WOULD YOU BELIEVE I TAUGHT MYSELF HOW TO OPEN A DRAWER!! That's what I do when no one pays attention to me. he he he!!

September Wedding

Septembe 24th..................CAYLA AND SCOTT

The bride cried tears of joy throughout the ceremony. She so wanted everything to be perfect. The day before was rainy dark and gloomy ,but, the BIG DAY?

Of course.........Sun was shining,temp was perfect,all went well.

Aunties Sarah and Renee raised their glasses to a good life.

Uncle Thom and Aunt Michelle looked with approval.

Dad, Mike, couldn't be happier with the evening.

The cake was a wide selection of many cupcakes. YUMMY

Jiggy and I danced the last dance and a great time was had by all. Congratulations Cayla and welcome to the family Scott.

What we eat

I am truly blessed with the most amazing group of people. This summer I went raspberry picking at my friend Chris' farm. We had a deal going where I made whoopie pies for her customers and we would settle at the end of the season. Imagine my surprise when she asked me to help her out by taking home extra CLAMS that someone had traded for berries.

I brought them home and put them in the sink to rinse out. My husband came home that day all excited to have found his first farmstand tomatoes. "That's great dear, but, wait till you see what I got at the berry farm" I steamed up a batch with white wine and garlic. A great piece of french bread made it a great meal.That left me with still plenty of clams to use up. Not knowing how to preserve them I got on the computer and did a bit of research.It seems stuffed clams can be prepared and frozen all ready to heat and eat at a later date.

Here is the basic recipe that I used. I pretty much follow it except that I make my own breadcrumbs with herbs and sundried tomatoes that I have in the fridge for just such a recipe.

Look at these babies. A side of pasta salad rounded out the meal. Of course I meant to ask everyone out there what they do with an excess of clams,but, summer took over my life and I'm just getting around to it.

Even after freezing they came out looking like this and tasting even better. So have you ever had too many clams to eat? What did you do with them..............said the hobbit

It's a Bittyful Friday

It's fall...........hobbit says everything has to be aired out!!

knit-along "the barn raising quilt"

Well we finally did it! After knitting pretty much for ourselves,our stitch and bitch group decided it was time to give back. So back it February of this year we decided to do something special for someone else.

I found a knitted quilt made from leftover sock yarn that I thought would be perfect.Each person would knit a square that I would then sew into a blanket.

The squares had a natural curl to them and that's how you join them. A simple running stitch just under the lip connect each one.

Then, crochet around the edge and it's done.

I tried to photograph it from different angles to give you a good idea of how it looks.

I hemmed and hawed about which square should go next to which and finally put them all in a bag and sewed them together as they came out.

Here is the finished quilt. It was four squares by five squares and will be just right for a carriage blanket. I'm very proud of my people, their hearts are always in the right place.

With 12 squares left over it looks like we might be doing this one more time. The carriage blanket will be donated to St Charles running nuns,click here for their story.It's a story worth repeating......................said the hobbit.

It's a Bittyful Friday

It's a crazy time around here.....I just wait for her to shake that snack bag and then I come running.