It's the little things

Well ,I'm still taking small step toward self reliance.Last year I decided the paper towels were getting to take over the food budget so I, like so many others ,started making dish clothes. After looking at the different patterns I settled on this one but, I thought it was too small.

I think the original was 8x8.I had to go and tweak it to a whopping 12x12. I quickly realized that 12x12 filled with water becomes very heavy and hard to handle. Lesson learned. However ,not wanting to be wasteful I decided to use the cloth till it fell apart.I have been using this one for a full year and still it's not worn out. After I finish the dishes,I wash the sink with baking soda so,it has no stinky odors. I don't have a dishwasher so you can bet this cloth has worked a full 365 days.

This year I'm cutting down on foil . I can never do anything cold turkey so I'm starting with making sure I use every piece more than once. We have recycling in our town so when the foil finally dies it goes in the bin. I know these are small steps but you do what you can.

Of course such good behavior deserves to be rewarded. This is a prezzie from my husband. It's a Viking professional grade mixer with 3 different attachments. What did I do to deserve this?Would you believe I gave him cooking lessons?Yup ,that's all I had to do.After being married for all these years he finally wants to learn how to work in the kitchen. It was his job to cream the butter and sugar. I explained to him that the mixer sometimes overheat and he might have to do the creaming in two steps.We were making chocolate chip cookies. When the job was done he said" wow honey,I don't know how you can get anything done with this piece of s##t " The next day we went shopping for the mixer. I can't wait for the next lesson...................said the hobbit

More ornaments

Part of Christmas is joining the swap-bot Christmas ornament exchange.This is really fun and a great incentive for new crafters.If you go to the site you'll see that you can swap just about anything. I like to see how creative they get and the different levels of crafters out there.

This one made me smile It's not exactly Christmasy but,she made the effort to be creative which is a plus in my little world.I want everybody to give of themselves at the holidays .Isn't that what really counts.

This little deer was a cutie.I think he came all the way from Canada.I wish I knew where Bitty put him.

A similar design came from Courtney. I love the little pin. I've been given a few by friend and crafters and I stick them on my purse. Suddenly the young people at work think I'm cool. If they only knew.

However these are my favorites. How could they not be. The person who did these was meticulous and I guess this is why I keep going back year after year.So it's the end of January and I promised I'd have my ornaments done for the next holiday season. Right.That didn't happen but, I did decide whatthey will be and have started work on them so I should be able to show you something next time we meet.................said the hobbit

It's Bitty's fault

As you know I recently got a kitten. Some of you told me you'd never go down that road again.Maybe an older cat but, certainly not a kitten. I thought "What are they talking about,how much trouble can a little kitten be?"Well ,I was definitely wrong. This kitten has turned our house upside-down.We are forever hiding things or cleaning things up because Bitty is a master technician at getting into things . I won't bore you with the details of things broken,crying over spilled milk is a no no in this house,however I had to lay the foundation for my tardiness in posting about my Christmas ornaments.
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This was the first one to arrive. Bitty loved it and wanted to play with it. Having already learnt that lesson I put the envelope on the top of the armoire for safe keeping.

Next day Shiny Suitcase of St Paul Minn. sent this lovely garland. This picture does not do it justice.What looks like tread connecting each piece is actually a fine silver crochet chain. I have decided to use this for birthdays, tea parties and the like.Bitty was so pleased with this one that I had to look at it behind closed doors. It's like she knew what was in it before I did.

Laurie sent this Dr Suess tree all the way from Kansas .It's made of chenille and rick rack on a real piece of wood. Ahuh Bitty was so tickled she started anticipating the mailman. Again all went on the top of the armoire. O goodness,something in the oven .Be back with the rest of the story......................said the Hobbit

Sewing with the girls

This is something we never thought we'd see.

Daughter #1 Renee never had time to play crafty with us.That has all changed. Her husband bought her a sewing machine and her sister and I went to support her in her first project.

She decided on an apron as her first project.It's been awhile since I worked with a new machine so thankfully Sarah was able to lend a hand with the bobbin and threading of the machine.These 2 have machines that are feather weights compared to mine.I practically need a fork lift to move my machine from one room to the next.She chose her fabric on her own and cut out her pattern pieces before we arrived so she was good to go when we got there.


This is Oscar her dog. Not really interested in sewing but,ready for any snacks that might be passed out.

Sister Sarah was checking out the new Martha Stuart Living to see what we could do next.

We had to leave before the project was complete.However I think she did a great job.How many people think making a ruffle is a cinch.I was a little worried about stressing her out ,and had to laugh when she exclaim "these ruffles are easy" I'd say we have a seamstress in the making.Great job Renee...........................said the Hobbit

It's 2010 CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!

Happy New years everyone! I know I'm a little late,but ,I've been trying to sort my thought before I posted and I guess it just takes me longer than most people. Before I get lost in my own world, please know that I love having this special cyber family,and here's hoping we keep the circle growing.
Did you make any cookies this year? Usually I make a short-bread cookie. A friend ,from Nova Scotia, gave me the recipe many years ago and I have made them faithfully ever since. I cut them to look like strawberries dipped them in chocolate and they were always appreciated by everyone.This year after seeing soooo many new recipes on line,I just felt I should try something different. I told friends of my need for change and this is the recipe that I decided upon.Now I have to say, I'm one of those people that hates fruitcake. Would you believe I opted for FRUITCAKE COOKIES. I was running out of time and I certainly didn't want to fall back on chocolate chip cookies.My friend assured me these were tasty and simple and took very little time. She was right,however,there were a few catches.

There was no candied fruit which is the big no-no for me,so I thought I'd give them a try.After all time was running short,I needed cookies.I lined up my ingredients.
1/2 lb dried figs
1/4 lb raisins(golden)
1/4lb dried cherries
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons sherry(All I had was Harvey's Bristol Creme)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
6 oz chopped walnuts
kosher salt
2sticks unsalted butter (room temp)
1/2 teas ground clove
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 extra large egg
2 2/3 cup all purpose flour
I didn't have the walnuts so being in a hurry I just told everyone I forgot to put them in.

So first thing Snip off the hard stems of the figs with scissors or a small knife and coarsely chop the figs .In a medium bowl combine the figs Raisins cherries honey sherry lemon juice walnuts and a pinch of salt.Cover with the plastic wrap and allow to sit OVERNIGHT AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. ARGGGHHH.So even though it was midnight and I was hoping to get these done before going to bed ,I dutifully covered them and got up at 5:30 am to work on them again.
So early in the morning take out the bowl and mixer and cream the butter clove superfine sugar and brown sugar till smooth about 3 mins.now in with the egg mix well and next the flour and another 1/4 teas of salt .Just mix till combined then add the drunken fruit and (nuts) and any liquid in the bowl.This is where a turned the page to read. Roll into 2 logs12x18 secure in parchment and REFRIGERATE FOR SEVERAL HOURS.Hmmmm how about place in freezer for 30 mins.

so I rolled,chilled cut baked at 350 for 15 mins .


and these are my cookies.I don't know if they would be better had I taken the time to follow the recipe to the letter but,we thought they were pretty darn tasty and rather festive looking.Oh.everyone decided to make cookies this year so Jiggy and I are still up to our eyeballs in cookies squares and fudge, so, I guess there was no need to panic.................................said the hobbit