From the heart........the S&B girls

Inspiration...........yup, that's how this story started. A few months ago, I watched a local program that highlighted a Manchester, N.H. women who had recently completed assembling a bundle for a soon-to-be-mom, who could use a helping hand. I can't recall exactly how many she had made but, believe me it was in the thousands.I have a group of friends who meet every Tuesday to Stitch or Bitch at their leisure and as I related the story, we thought............We can do at least one gift basket for a new mom in need of a helping hand.

So I bought a large container and thought I'd see what we could do to fill it.

 My friends didn't disappoint me......handmade sweaters,booties,helpful books, onesies,warm mittens for mom.......

 Our oh so talented seamstress Gisele made baby sacks with matching receiving blankets

and of course, matching burp cloths. How cute is that!!!
 Bubble rompers,holiday wear............

                                             a little intro to Minnie Mouse

Newborn hat teething ring handmade washcloths baby shampoo and baby lotion, wipes,gift card from Target for diapers or whatever mom needs Coffee cozy to help keep her morning coffee warm. We all know it will be a while before she can have that coffee in one sitting.

A few more outfits to grow on

not to mention the never enough sleepwear

Now the basket is full............and ready to go.

Of course, can't forget much love from all who participated in giving someone a helping hand.

it's here it's here!!!! It's CHRISTMAS DAY!!!!!

 Finally ........we spent the weekend doing those last minutes chores . One last visit to the farmer's market.So many things to choose from but, I have a list and I must stick to it.

Do I need anything to brighten my home?











 Oh .......one can always use a little more color at Christmas time........right?

Oh my !! Looks like Santa has left the room and is ready to visit all good little boys and girls.I'd better get home because........













THE REASON FOR THE SEASON IS HERE...............
                                  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! ...............said the hobbit

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON SUNDAY

                        Things are pretty quiet here today..........Snow is falling, garden still sleeping.

                                          Trees threatening to swallow the Hobbit House..........perfect time to catch up on my knitting

Tuesday night with the girls

Always something new going on with my girls.......This adorable child's hat is as easy to do as 1-2-3. This one was done by Glenice with a pattern that Margie has copied for all of us to try. The pattern has a total of 5 rows and is done on regular straight needles so it would be great for a beginner. I'll be doing one soon so get your needle and yarn ready and we'll give it a try together. This is for children however the pattern adapts for adults. Check your Christmas list ........you might be able to check off a few names with this one. I'm going through my stash of yarn,just regular acrylic is fine. You want to be able to throw this one in the wash and dry so don't get too fussy. I believe she used #8 needles but,if you have 7 or 9 that's probably OK too.

Donna is back!!!! She is one of the main reasons we started our knitting group. However, hubby went through a spell of ill health and her first concern was getting him to all those appointments and treatments.

George is doing much better now and I think this might just be the fun project that she has been looking for.I'll see if she wants to join in the fun.I think when I tell her about the regular needle part it might just be the right incentive. Lord how this girl hates double pointed needles.............said the hobbit

What's new at Stitch and Bitch

I'm always amazed at my knitters. They are a determined bunch always wanting to learn more and more. Every time I think I have taught every one I know how to knit and purl Someone drops by our table saying "I'd love to learn can I sit a while and try" One evening we were 19 women just sitting and knitting. I love how this keeps growing.

A first time knitter "Giselle" has started with a scarf. She is from France and has a love of the dramatic look. This scarf is flecked with silver sparkles throughout but, my camera just couldn't pick it up. When she is done I'm sure she'll be very pleased. It has just enough glitter to be glamorous.

Next show and tell from "Sue/Cecile" There is a whole story behind her name but, I won't go into it right now. This is her first pair of socks...........she is 88 years young and has been hanging with us since last November. I can't tell you how much we enjoy her weekly visits to our table.

Sharlene the sock queen has a new love...........cowls. This is one of several that she has knit in a blink of an eye.

It really is as soft as it looks. The pattern was super simple and although she chose to do it twisted it can be done in 1 continuous circle. I checked on the net and found the pattern HERE

Let me know if you give it a try................said the hobbit

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.

What are we eating now?

I've been trying to get back to my blog,but, every time I sit down in front of the computer something demanding me urgent attention happens and it seems like forever before I can get back to it. Worst yet, it takes me a day to figure out where I left off. Talk about senior moments.So I'm re tweaking my schedule and setting aside several hours in a block to hopefully accomplish what I haven't been able to do on a daily basis. Now for the yummy stuff. As you might remember I have a group of people that I make soups and salads for once a week. I also offer muffins. Variety is something I want them to have so when my friend SHAHEEN is a vegetarian who also believes in variety. Just check out her blog and you'll find something tasty for everyone. So, when I saw Courgette and Apricot muffins I couldn't wait to try them.Don't you just love the european word for zucchini? So, I tried these out on my "soup people" and they were a big hit.

First thing was to grate the zucchini (courgette) and let it drain.( I used a small one about 6 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter) Slivered my apricots and sat them on my zucchini because it seemed like a good place to put them. I used 5 thinly slivered dried apricots,but, I think you can go up or down with this number.

I should have kept some to place on top of the muffins but, I wasn't thinking that far ahead. I love apricots and they probably would have disappeared before I got to the presentation end of it. I know Martha would be very disappointed in me.

Then I put my dry ingredients in my sifter, I'm going to give you the measurements that I used since Shaheen is in Scotland and everything is on the metric system.I have a scale that converts so for those of you who don't here is a close estimate of the measurements.

1 cup of white flour

1 cup of whole wheat flour ( she used barley but I didn't have it)

1 1/2 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2-3 tablespoons cocoa powder

This was all sifted together.

In my bowl I whisked together:

3/4 cups of milk

2 large eggs

Added my flour mix and stirred in the zucchini and apricots till well blended. I filled my papered muffin tins 3/4 full and popped them in the oven at 375 degrees for 25 min or till the toothpick comes our clean. Actually I use a piece of uncooked spaghetti instead of a toothpick.Whatever you do is fine.

They were GREAT! I am pleased to report that the compliments were plentiful. Everyone thought this was a great way to use zucchini. I grated a few cups of zucchini and placed it in freezer bags so we can do this again and again. Hope you give this a try and let me know what you think. I'm sure Shaheen would like to know also..................said the hobbit

Barn raising quilt

It's been awhile since I've spoken of the BARN RAISING QUILT We are still moving on the project and are starting to see it really come together.Look at all these great squares!!!

I've been playing with the colors trying to get a good mix. However it hardly makes a difference how I place them. I love all the combinations.

After much thought,our group decided to make 2 carriage blankets for the RUNNING NUNS

We're moving right along on the second one. After all they need an extra blankie for those really nippy runs in the fall.I'm just starting to sew the seams today,hopefully, I can show you the finished product soon................said the hobbit

Tuesday night S&B

We are still going strong with our knitting group. Lot's of laughs and lots of knitting.

Occasionally we are joined by Aaron. We met him when he worked the fields at the Barn He always makes sure to keep in touch and shows up with a new creation and story to keep us up to date with what's happening in his world. Here he is hamming it up with his sweatband decorated with knitting needles. Or was he deciding which

of the many socks the girls have made lately. The" sock queen" has been on the road lately caring for aging family members and whipped up enough socks to keep her whole families feet toasty warm. No she wasn't driving and knitting. Hubby was behind the wheel and she used her time to knit.

Cindy S. made this hat by knitting a plain cap and joining a decorative band. She makes it look sooo easy.

Cindy H. finished her first pair of socks. Original pattern was for a plain leg but her creative side got the best of her and she did the math to add cables. These were to be a gift but, she is rethinking that. I vote for her to keep them, after all, It's her first pair. She should be able to look at them with a great sense of accomplishment every time she puts them on. Don't you think? If you're looking for some new inspiration or want to visit new blogs go here Not only can you post your latest creation but, this girl can give you more crafty uses for items found in your local hardware store than days in a year. Every Sunday she has a craft party and you are welcome to join in. Not sure you know how? Don't worry she gives you step by step instructions that are no fail.

Here is our youngest member of the group. Isn't she just a little love bug? She and Mom Marie don't knit yet. She eats a mean cheese sandwich and mom is kept busy picking up the pieces. There is always something to smile about when they come.........said the hobbit

THE KNIT-ALONG IS MOVING ALONG!!!!

Wow! Things have been crazy busy around here and I've been struggling to meet all the demands on my time from people that I can't and should not say no to unless I'm on my deathbed. To make matters worst I have tried to post 2 times in the past month only to discover when I pushed the publish button that blogger was in reader mode only till further notice. I hadn't even realized there was a problem. But enough with the excuses, everyone out there is up to their eyeballs in things to do so I just need to get better organized if I want to keep up with this blog.

I need to touch base on my knit-along. Have you forgotten. Just go here for a reminder and leave a comment if you want to join in the fun. The square is made up of 4 rows that you repeat till you have a 7x7 square. It can be done on 4 needles changing to a circular if you feel it's too many stitches. I used double pointed needles and marked my first stitch with a little safety pin See it there on the left hand side?

Hard to believe this will be a square when you finish. Looks like a flower doesn't it? This one is done with leftovers as are most of the squares.

I cast off the stitches on one needle here so you can see the corner and how it appears seemingly out of nowhere.

New squares keep coming in and I've given much thought to where it should be sent. I decided to make the afghan into as many stroller blankets as possible and donate them to my town's Running Nuns. That's right I said Running Nuns We have an orphanage in this town that takes in children while there families try to rebuild their lives. They are a young active and motivated group of nuns that you can see on a daily basis running through our city streets always pushing a carriage and accompanied by a dozen or so runners that the nuns have in"training" for things to come. Although this could be a most trying and difficult time,when you see them out there running and smiling and oh so focused on the task at hand, you just want to do something.It is for that reason that I've decided to make the mini-quilt to cover the little one in the strollers so they can sit back and enjoy the ride even when the weather is a bit more brisk. So take a minute to read their story and send me a square so we can help continue the good work......said the hobbit

It's all about the soup

Modern medicine, amazing isn't it. Can you just see your grandfathers face if you told him to get a new knee? My pepere already thought we were all from another world,this would surely put him over the edge.

Here he is with his therapist Jamie and Willem checking on his flexibility. The goal is 130 degrees. Not a problem, he has surpassed that and is heading for new territory. And to what do we own this miracle to?? Great surgeons? Above average hospital care?Caring therapist? Well they did their part,but, I think it was all about my soup.

You doubt me??? Then you just have to try this soup and see if it doesn't make you feel on top of the world.......Really! Every one involved in Jiggy's care has told me the more weight he loses the better his recovery will be. In some cases the body takes up to 24 months to heal completely,so,we could see improvement for the next 2 years. Soup has played an important role in our everyday activities through most winters ,but especially this year. Everyone has had changes in there lives lately and I truly believe soup is the crutch we need to lean on.

This soups takes no fancy steps and can be made in a jiffy.

2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER (no salt)

1 LARGE ONION

1 POUND OF CARROTS

1 PEELED LARGE SWEET POTATO

1 PEELED LARGE BAKING POTATO

1 HEAD OF CAULIFLOWER

2QTS OF WATER OR VEGGIE BROTH

SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE

MINCED FRESH DILL

1 CUP OF SOUR CREAM

Put everything in a pot a (not the sour cream) and simmer till everything is tender. Puree 1/2 or all the veggies Return to the pot .Add the sour cream and stir to blend,heat to serving temp and season if necessary with salt and pepper. A dollop of sour cream and an additional sprinkle of dill when serving is up to you.

You'll have about a gallon of soup,so,pass it around. I sell my soups in the winter time but, this one is going to an elderly neighbor. She's my #1 taster. Hope to get back soon. Have so much to share but, my schedule is crazy right now. Miss you all.....................said the hobbit

It's time for the PIE PALOOZA!!!

Have you ever been to a pie palooza? Well you're missing a good time. Ren,hubby the "G" man and Oskar had a tasting of pies for the month of January.

Tired of everyone being too busy to get together,they are making an effort to get friends and family motivated to get off that couch and have some fun.

A bit of wine ,some yummy cheeses with pepperoni and crackers,and could that be caviar? Well maybe not. Nonetheless a fine presentation if I do say so.

She even made napkins,found a great pie plate and server to give as a door prize. The girl has talent...........what can I say.

And who won that awesome prize??

It was Sarah, who told me not to post this photo. Ren ,of course, said "Do it Mom" It's her party and she makes the rules. After tasting skank pie,chicken pot pie ,vegetable pasta pie, I'm afraid there was little room for dessert. A bit of pecan pie was all I could manage. I sure would have liked to try the apple and the apple raspberry but, I miscalculated as to how much I could eat. February will be seafood month and I can't wait to see what everyone will bring. You see she plans on having an event every month. Well, we all know how short this month is and how time flies so I'd better check my recipes. Let's see, would she want appetizer?main course? salad? Oh my,I think I'd better check with the boss.Is there such a thing as seafood dessert?Naw,couldn't be .......................said the hobbit