I Just Might Have

Tomorrow, we're going to be selling at our church's Valentine's Day Craft Fair. Life has been really busy around here. You know, school, work, baby showers, birthday parties, and just life. That means, crafting has been a little slow around these parts. You know what I mean? Life has just taken over.

This is not good for a variety of reasons. I'm sure you can guess why. One, we're behind, way behind, on gifts! Way behind! My cousin's baby shower is about 2 weeks away, and I might have 1/2 of her gift finished. Half! My Mom is a little behind too. Oh, and then, our "stock" is down. From the craft fair in December. And Christmas time.

But with life being so busy, there's not much I can do. I managed to make a few hats, some amis, and a baby blanket. This week! It's been crazy! I've literally been crocheting between classes, on my way to work, and through meals. But it's getting done. :) So I feel like I need to make up in other places. Like baking. So I went a googling, and I came across these beauties!

Whoopie pies. Not just any whoopie pie. But chocolate cherry whoopies! I couldn't pass them up. And along with my usual cupcakes, candy, and other treats...I baked up a batch of these goodies! Yum! I can't wait to see people's reactions. I know in the south, these are big. Real big! My friends love them. But around my hometown, I honestly hadn't heard of them.

The craft fair is in a few short hours, and honestly I feel so behind! I'm going to try and stay up a few more hours. You know, to make a few more things. Perhaps some headbands, hair clips, or maybe finish this sweater that I'm working on.

Let's Wear Red!

Today is the first Friday in February. And I encourage everyone to wear red today! It's a simple way to show your support. For all the women in your life. And I also encourage you to visit this website. Take a look at the different signs and symptoms. Consider your own health. You just never know, when this information, can be lifesaving! Let's wear red all month long!

Valentine's Day Headbands

Do you ever see something, and say to yourself, "I have to make that!" I do this all the time. Usually, it's while I'm looking at some overpriced headband in Claire's. Or a simple piece of jewelry at Charming Charlies. I'm just being honest here. But most of the time, I snap a picture and head to the craft store.

For me, part of it is the price. I'm a college student. That really doesn't have much money, to spend on anything, besides my tuition and books. Then there is that thing. You know, the making of something. It always feels so good to see something, that you've made. And I like that. So I took some inspiration, from this picture.

I was all smiles! Looks like felt, buttons, and an elastic headband. Simple. And inexpensive. I'm thinking, I could glue the pieces together. Maybe sew them. But wouldn't this be way too cute, for Valentine's Day?

How about a smaller one? For a baby. I think these are great projects. Fast projects. Super fast! And I'm thinking, I can make a couple of these. For our upcoming Craft Fair. OK, maybe more like a bunch of these. We really need to start stocking our "stash" again.  Because seriously, we are running low on crafts!

Maybe I can even make some for gifts. My cousin's upcoming baby shower. Maybe as Valentine's Day gifts. Or just as a cute birthday gift...for a little girl. Heck, I want one for myself!

Lost Patterns...

My little cousin is expecting her first baby, in about 6 weeks. Her baby shower is just weeks away. And I'm barely starting her gifts! :( My schedule has been so bad! I've wanted to sit and start some stuff, but school, work, and the holidays kind of got in the way.

Not to mention, all the babies that were born, between August and November! So I'm ridiculously behind on projects. Oh, and the fact that the hospital where I work, is moving to a new building...is not helping. My office is in shambles! Half of my stuff, is in my old office...the other half is in my new office.

I tried to get started on my projects. Yesterday. I bought all the yarn I needed. And then I hit a wall. I couldn't find the patterns that I needed. Or more like, that patterns that I wanted to use...

Like this book. Coats and Clark, "Soft and Sweet for Baby." That blue sweater with the hat, "Fairytale Set," is my favorite to make! There's also a cute Christening Set. And a Mother's Shawl in this book.

This book of booties, is also a favorite! I like to make those white booties, with the blue ribbon, to match the set above. Or I make the Mary Janes, to go with another hat, that I make.

And this book, well, has 2 sets that I like! A LOT!!! I like to make the flowery set, in pink. It's so cute! And that green hat at the top, it's a butterfly set. I really like making the hat and booties. :)

Two of my favorite blankets to make, are in this book. Along with those cute animals! Because the crib bedding that my cousin bought, would go perfectly with those animals!

This is the only book that I don't own. I've never even seen it in person! And there is a gorgeous sweater, that I want to make! No luck. At all! I just can't find this pattern book.

So I've looked all through my house. And in my office...my old office. With no luck. I don't know what I'm going to do. Most of these are older books. And I can't find any of them in the craft stores, around here. If you happen to know, where I can find these books, PLEASE let me know! As soon as you can. Because I only have one blanket made...and I totally winged it! Looking at another blanket, that I had made...using that pattern. Oh, I'm having some issues...

I Can't Wait to...

The weather around here, has been a little crazy! It's been nearly 70 degrees, during the day. But at night, it's been in the 20s! The warm weather, keeps making me want to garden. I want to go outside, and start digging around. I want to feel the dirt in my nails.

And I can't wait to start seeing, beautiful flowers growing. To smell the sweet scent of roses, and freshly mowed grass. And to plant a garden! With lots of yummy veggies. :)

Gardening is something that I've learned to appreciate, because of my Mom. And I really do miss it! The winters around here, are normally short. And not too cold. But, the flowers and garden definitely die away. I really miss spending the evenings outside. Helping nature along. And growing something, from a tiny little seed. Spring...where are you?

Cute Pillow!

I recently came across this picture. I'm telling you, I'm needing some serious motivation. To craft. To decorate. To do anything, other than work and school. It's so sad! I've been so consumed with boring things. Things that matter, but don't really add lots of "Happiness" back into my life. But this pillow...it screams HAPPINESS to me!

I'm thinking of making a couple. But instead of pink, going with red. That way I can use them for other holidays. Not just Valentine's Day. I would definitely pull these out for the 4th of July and Christmas. What a fun project! Now, I just need to figure out, how to make them...

Decorating for Valentine's Day

At the beginning of the month, I went to Walgreen's. To pick up my Dad's prescriptions. And while I was waiting, I started to explore the store. They were setting up Valentine's Day stuff. And it just made me smile! I don't know why, but I LOVE to decorate for Valentine's Day.

This is funny. Because I don't like Valentine's Day. At all! I never have. But I really enjoy decorating for Valentine's Day. :) That's when I spotted some lights. In the shape of hearts. To make a long story short, my Mom and I each ended up with one. And before I left my parents' house, I decorated their house for Valentine's Day.

But when I got home, I just wasn't motivated. I had holiday decorations to take down. I had lots of stuff to put away. Life to get back into. Just a lot of stuff to do. And my light, it sat in it's box. On the chair. For nearly 10 days! I wanted to decorate, I just wasn't motivated. Until I saw this picture.

Isn't this little girl too cute? Well, this picture motivated me. To get up, and decorate. If nothing else, my HUGE front window. I started slow. I put up my heart light. Added some twinkle lights. And got crocheting. I made a heart garland. Then I realized it was too short. I told you, my window is HUGE! So that one, I'll probably try and sell.

Over the next few days, I've managed to crochet a garland. Actually, a couple. And on a quick trip to the Dollar Tree, I picked up some balloon lanterns. Added my Valentine's Day bunting to my mirror. I still want to make a few pillows, and add some of my other trinkets. Yes, I really do enjoy decorating for the holiday of LOVE!

Heart Headbands

Usually, I'm ahead of the game. At least by one holiday. No, I'm not lying! My friends always joke about it. In December, I'm usually done with with my Christmas presents. And starting on Valentine's Day gifts. Not this year. Actually the last year, has put me way behind!

And now, I'm going 100 MPH. Trying to get some gifts made. I always make something for my nieces, nephews, Goddaughters, my friends' kids, and my little cousins. ALWAYS! This year, I wanted to make little aprons, but as I told you, I'm running behind. So I needed a simple project. How about this headband?

These are the appliques you make first. Out of felt, thread, and buttons! Pretty easy. Right. I can see myself sewing this up, right up to Valentine's Day!

Then you get a headband, and start gluing away! I'm thinking, I'll probably get some elastic headbands. These itty bitty girls are just that...itty bitty. I think the elastic headbands will work better!

Aren't they just too cute? I think so! I'm not sure where these pictures came from. I found them from a few Google searches. Unfortunately, the links are all broken. :( If you know where they're from, please let me know. I'd like to give them credit. And thank them, for this quick project!

Yummy Soup!

Lately, I've been really into making soups. I'm a big fan of an easy and fast soup, stew, or Crockpot meal. If you have any suggestions, please leave me a comment. I'd really appreciate it!

But you know what, I like trying new things. And recently, I was searching one of my favorite websites .And I found this yummy recipe! Pati has some delicious recipes! She also has a wonderful show on PBS. You should definitely check it out! You won't regret it. Anyway, try this soup!

Tarascan Bean and Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

Soup
6 cups of bean puree
1 pound ripe plum or roma tomatoes
1 garlic clove
1 ancho chili, about 1 ounce, steam and seeds removed
1/2 cup white onion, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons safflower or corn oil
3 cups chicken broth, vegetable broth or water
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, add more to taste

Garnishes
4 corn tortillas, cut in half and into strips, fried until lightly golden or toasted
1/2 cup cotija or queso fresco cheese, crumbled (farmers cheese, ricotta salata, mild feta or shredded mozzarella cheese may be substituted)
1/2 cup fresh Mexican cream(heavy cream or cream fraiche may by substituted)
1 ancho chili, stem and seeds removed, cut into thin strips, flash fried (optional)
1 avocado, peeled, seeded, flesh scooped out and diced

To Prepare:

Place the tomatoes, garlic, and the seeded and stemmed ancho chili in a saucepan, cover with water and simmer over medium-high heat for 10 to 12 minutes or until tomatoes are completely cooked through. Once the tomato mix cools down, place it in a blender or food processor with a cup of the cooking liquid, the raw white onion and a teaspoon of the salt; puree until smooth.

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the tomato puree and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it darkens in color and thickens in consistency. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the bean puree and broth or water, simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the soup has seasoned and has a creamy consistency. Taste for salt and add more if needed. Turn off the heat as it thickens quickly.

The soup without the added garnishes may be cooled and stored in a closed container and refrigerated for up to 4 days. Since it thickens a bit as it cools, you may need to add some chicken broth or water to thin it out when you reheat it.

Ladle the soup into bowls and drizzle on top a tablespoon each of cream and cheese, a handful of tortilla strips, a few fried chili strips and some diced avocado. You can also place garnishes in bowls on the table to let your guests garnish to their liking. Makes 6 to 8 servings.


Yup, it's delicious! And I wanted to share this recipe with you. I've made this soup a few times. For a few different friends. And let me tell you, it's been a hit! I usually make it, along with some sort of sandwich or quesadilla. Perfect on a rainy day!

Look What I Found...

I don't know about you, but I got a few gift cards for Christmas. And it was a nice little treat! :) Just a few days ago, I headed out to Wal-Mart. I needed a few essentials. And was going to look through the craft section. Honestly, I was leaving with bread, milk, eggs, grapes, and some cotton thread.

That is, until I past the book section. That's when I about died! Did you know, you can buy books for $2.96? Books that sell for at least $12.95 elsewhere! Actually, many of the books that I picked up, had a $16.95 price on the cover. But Wal-Mart had them for $2.96! Like this one...

I bought 10 books! A little crazy. I know! But this book, it immediately grabbed my attention! I just had to pick it up. And since I'm a HUGE reader, I was in heaven! Even more so, because I only used 1 gift card. And it still has money on it. This is going to be the first book that I read...as soon as I finish my current book. Oh Wal-Mart...can you offer some craft books at this price? Pretty please!