A Brief Look at...

...the year in review.  From crochet...

...to the garden...

...to the kitchen.  

Looking back, it's been a good year...

a blessed year.

Looking forward to 2012.

Wishing you peace and happiness in the new year.

"Learn from yesterday,

live for today,

hope for tomorrow."

- Einstein -

HDP

Sneak Peek...

I thought I'd pop into blogland and say "Hi".  I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.  We had a nice holiday weekend and wrapped it up with a get together with my sister and her family yesterday afternoon.  Too much food was eaten and too much sugar consumed by the little ones, but we all had fun making memories together.

I've been working on my Shetland Tweed afghan when I can.  I'm just short of the halfway point...

I know I've said this before, but this is one of my favorite patterns.  It's just a lot of fun to make and believe it or not it moves very quickly.  

I would classify it as mosaic crochet giving the look of fair isle...

I have modified the pattern in that I use long double crochets instead of the double crochets in front or behind the stitches.  If you do it this way, you'll have the pattern on both sides of the blanket and you'd be hard pressed to tell which is the wrong side.

Hubby is off work this week, so things should be relaxing; and I'm hoping to get in plenty of crochet!

Enjoy the last week of 2011...

It won't be long and we'll be saying, "Happy New Year!"

HDP

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

May the Spirit, that is Christmas, fill your heart with the joy of the season.  

Wishing you and your families a very merry Christmas.

Heather

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

HDP

Getting in the Mood for Christmas

Today kicked-off the start of the holiday baking.  I made my world famous Peanut Butter Fudge and a new cookie recipe.  

I've been making the fudge recipe for more than 10 years and it turns out great every time.  I follow the instructions exactly as written and it's always been super creamy and delicious.  

The cookies (recipe found HERE) have wonderful flavor, but mine were flat as a pancake.  I have no idea what I did wrong, but you can see mine don't look anything like the ones she has pictured on her website.  I might need to replace my baking power.  I know hubby will gobble them up though.  He'll sit down in front of the TV this evening with a glass of milk and devour at least a dozen.  

:-)

This afternoon, I put on some Christmas music and dear son and I made wreath bead ornaments.  They now adorn our tree.  

We've been getting lots of goodies in the mail.  My door is filling up with beautiful Christmas cards and we received a festive goodie package from one of my aunts chock-full of holiday favorites.  

Butter cookies, assorted mixed nuts, peanut brittle, candy canes, a beautiful card, and a sweet book for the little one.  

Dear son and I ate most of the butter cookies yesterday while we watched White Christmas.  They just don't make movies like that anymore.  

I think Rosemary Clooney is absolutely stunning in this movie.  I love the scene where she is singing at the Carousel Club in her black figure hugging gown and long white gloves; gorgeous!

Hope your Christmas week is full of activities that make you happy.

Blessings.

HDP

How Great Thou Art

One of my favorite songs....sung beautifully.

And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

 - excerpt from the song

How Great Thou Art -

Hope you are enjoying a blessed Sunday.

HDP

Introducing Shetland Tweed...

I started working on a new project this week.  It is one of two that I hope to submit to the Vanna's Choice Contest.  We'll have to see how time plays out over the Christmas holiday.  

These colors are newer to the VC line and I really like them.  

I haven't worked with black a lot, but I thought it would give the "pop" I needed with the softer brown and cream tones.  They have the natural look of undyed wool without the high cost; and so much softer!  

:-)

I'm making one of my very favorite patterns, Fireside Cheer from Afghans for all Season.  

I wanted something different and eye catching.  It's very masculine looking and I think it would look nice on a black leather sofa or recliner.  

I'm hoping to have enough time to complete this and one that is more colorful.  I have a pattern in mind, but haven't committed with the yarn purchase yet.

Hope your Friday is shaping up nicely and that you have a warm weekend.  It's in the 30's here, but no snow predicted.  I have a feeling the snow is going to be scant this winter...

Take care!

HDP

My Sister's Gift

Today I finished up my sister's gift...

The Fisherman's Basketweave as I like to call it.  The pattern is from Aran Afghans to Crochet by Bonnie Barker; it's a Leisure Arts booklet.  I used Wool-Ease in Fisherman for the gift.  I did leave off one of the repeat sections.  But, at 53 x 75 without the fringe, I think it's large enough to snuggle under while watching a movie or reading a book.  

Dear sis said she would really like one someday after I made the wedding one this past summer.  So, I bit the bullet and stitched away...

and away...

I'm so relieved happy to have it finished!  

:-)

A special gift for a special sister.  

"A sister is a forever friend."

 - Author Unknown - 

Merry Christmas

HDP

Mid Week This and That

I got a new toy the other day when I was out Christmas shopping.  It's an electric kettle.  Our stove-top tea kettle died several years ago.  The whistle broke off and you wouldn't know when it had boiled; you'd end up with water all over the top of the stove.  

The electric kettle is fun to use.  

:-)

Have you finished up your Christmas shopping yet?  I may get my husband one or two more small things, but for the most part I'm done.  Even have the little one's things all wrapped and secreted away.  

Oh how I wish we'd get some snow.  I'm ready for the first big snow storm of the year.  We've had so much rain lately...

the house may float away.

My sister and her family are coming over on Christmas.  We are going to do a casual buffet with a Honey Baked Ham.  I need to figure out a couple of side dishes to make.  Something easy as I want to enjoy myself and not spend the day in the kitchen; ya know?

I'm still plugging away on my fisherman basketweave afghan.  I should be starting on the final series of cables later today.  

Hope your week is going well.  

Don't forget to take some time for "tea" during this busy time of year.  AND, don't forget the Reason for the season...

Holiday Blessings.

HDP

Thursday at Home

I was up and about early this morning trying to get things done so that I'd have some time later this afternoon to work on the Fisherman Basketweave.  I'm on the final repeat section and can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The sun is shining brightly, but it's a cold frosty day.  Hubby is feeling a little under the weather, so I thought I'd bake some BANANA BREAD...

and make some TORTILLA SOUP in the crock pot for dinner this evening...

Nothing tastes better than soup when you aren't feeling well.  I used some leftover Thanksgiving turkey I had in the freezer in place of the chicken.

Did you notice my Christmas cactus in the bread picture?  I got that at Kroger the other day; $7.99 didn't seem like too much to spend in order to bring a little color indoors this time of year. 

And, it brings a smile to my face when I look at it. 

:-)

Hope your week is rounding out well.

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home.

 - Mother Teresa -

HDP