Forgot the Cat! And a book!

I can't believe that I forgot to take a photo of the cat. She if from the Secret Santa swap in Vanna's Choice. Well, I can believe it I suppose, because I had it separated out from the other things so I could admire it! I also left off the crochet book for Barbie doll clothes. I'll get a photo taken and posted simply because I was a bad girl and left it off, too. Such great gifts!

Don't you just love the crocheted red dress! Karen is amazing!

Secret Santa Stash! ;o) GREAT STUFF!

This is all from the Secret Santa swap in Vanna's Choice. I highly recommend two Christmas swaps to everyone! Such fun stuff. I especially love all the hand made decorations and crafty items, but the scarf is soooooo awesome! Made with Glamour from the Vanna's Choice collection (plus two skeins of the Glamour!). Cannot believe how beautiful the scarf is!

There are two angels, crochet hook sponges for metal hooks, a Santa pin, a Santa ornament, miniature knitted gloves for the tree, a crocheted Christmas tree, a Reindeer on a popcorn package, a one pound chocolate bar, a box for goodies with a top to put the pins into! A cookie cutter with a recipe (and crumbs as the helper could not resist! along with a poem about it):

I made a plate of cookies to share with you this year,
I thought it was a good way to spread some Christmas cheer.
They all looked really tasty so I thought I'd eat just one,
And a little while later I noticed they were gone!
So, here's my Christmas greeting, and a cookie cutter, too.
Now you can make your own cookies, and maybe share a few!

Thanks Karen!

Secret Elf

I finally opened all the little wrapped gifts from my Elf - no small task!  I received some lovely items, not to mention the fun! I have way too much chocolate, but with the fruit is won't be so bad. The doggies received a bag of doggie cookies. On the bottom you can see a set of business cards Tavish had made for me, as well as the little wallet for cards, or whatever. It contained a huge selection of markers she made.  Really lovely!  There is only one very small problem...I have no idea what the beautiful black/navy crocheted "ribbon" with pearls on it is for....I have no clue.  Clueless....but am not blond!

Thanks Paula!!!

 

Licorice Caramel (???????? WHAT ????????)

- THIS COMES FROM MY DOG SITTER -

Merry Christmas !! Just felt like sharing this. 

Here's a wonderful Caramel recipe an 80 yr. old neighbor/pet client down the street gave me recently.

If you like making holiday candy & like both licorice & Caramel's, you'll love this..feel free to pass it on .

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter (use 1 Tbsp. less than 1 cup or a little too soft, Caramel should be firm)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup

Combine all ingredients & cook to "soft ball stage" or 242 degrees reading on candy thermometer.

Add 2 tsp. of Anise flavoring & 1/2 tsp. black paste food coloring (optional, just gives it black licorice color doesn't change the taste).

Poor into a 9 x 13 buttered pan (or Teflon pan no need for added butter)

Let cool, cut into 1" squares & wrap in waxed paper or Saran Wrap cut into 2" squares, twist ends & give as great stocking stuffers for Xmas or in Easter Baskets or for Halloween handouts. Or...eat it all yourself...LOL 

Very YUMMY !!

Tammy

I was just reading the site that Doris Chan has and she mentions that the very talented designer, Tammy Hildebrand, is quite ill.

Check out Doris' blog for information and if you would like to help out, she has a link.

Everyday Crochet

Hook Candy

I just love that name, don't you!?!  Someone can always come up with another name that is just too great!  And crocheters need a little oomph now and again to perk up their station in life.

I have had a favorite designer for booties and slippers for the last year.  Her name is Sylvia Schuchardt - a mouthful, I am sure. Recently married, her last name is Heddwyn now, and that is a bit of a cotton-mouth one, too!  She still uses her maiden name.

Anyway, Sylvia has awesome designs that she sells. I have made some and love them....she sells more than just bootie/shoe/slipper patterns, so take a look here!  It is hookcandy.com - so check her out!  I think she still sells at her Etsy shop and on Ravelry.

The photo is of a pair of slippers I made for my granddaughter using one of her Mary Jane designs.  Love them!

Cookies For You

I received this from a Mennonite family friend - I hope you make these cookies and pass along the recipe to your family for years to come! I'm actually going to try these, even if I'm not a baker!

"Lyn's family has had a favorite recipe for so long he can't remember. He enjoys baking them now and it is a family request. Here is his recipe. it is taken from the small spiral composition book that his mother hand wrote in 1958 as copies of her mother's recipe book of 1922.

It was written in the old style--very limited directions, rich in fat, but good. Here is the recipe for you to enjoy.

SAND TARTS

2 1/2 stick butter, 2 cups sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 eggs, 4 cups flour, 1 tsp vanila. After mixing together, keep in refrigerator over night. Roll out thin. Cut into prefered shapes. Brush with egg whites. Decorate with crushed peanuts or sprinkles. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until brown at edges.  These keep well if they last at all!

Many blessings to each of you.  Jeanie and Lyn Hershey"

......and to all of you!

Cat

Hexagons and More

The is the result of the Hexagon Swap in Vanna's Choice Fan Club on Ravelry. Several people have said they love it, but personally it is too busy for my tastes. It was a lot of work, and I am glad it is over! ;o)

It goes up on the auction block on Friday (today) at the annual church Winter Festival, so keep your fingers crossed for me! The money goes to our church women's organization which does a lot of community work.

The two squares are for the Three Course Meal swap in VC. Two more to go!

Grandma and Granddaughters & fast dogs!

What a wonderful visit. No snow, no wind, no rain, sunshine and blue skies, and the granddaughters and parents came to visit! Thank goodness I was smarter this year and took time to get ready two days before the event so I would not be worn out. Fun! I sincerely hope everyone had a grand holiday and some wonderful home cooked goodies (and some lovely sweet store bought, too!). Lucky for me The Daughter is a baker...she makes the most delicious cakes and pies! Yum!
....and during all this I was able to nearly finish putting together the hexagon afghan! It is going to the church sale on Friday's Winter Festival. I hope it brings in a good bit of money considering how much it cost in time and $$ to make it. Unfortunately in this area things do not sell as well (as high) as they would in a larger city where there are not so many hand made items. I'll let you know.