I just love spring break.  I try to do a ton of projects that just make me happy.  I got my plants into containers- mainly cool weather plants and herbs.  I can bring them inside at night since the sunny warm days still become below freezing nights.

Inside, I experimented with dipping peeps and bunnies.  It was super easy.  I melted a mixture of chocolate chips with dipping chocolate in the microwave.  I did not measure, I just poured some of each into a small bowl.  I set the microwave for 1 minute 15 seconds.  Then I stirred it like crazy when the timer went off.  Most of the time that is enough to melt the chocolate.  Once in a while I have to give it another 15 or 20 seconds.  

THEN, the fun part.  I pulled apart all the bunnies and peeps.  I held on to the head and dipped the bottoms.  I used a fork for help lifting them out of the chocolate and then sort of scraped off the excess.  I also used the fork to paint on chocolate near the necks of the bunnies.  It worked better than trying to dip them perfectly.  Then I dragged the fork tines across their tummies as decoration.  I lined them up to dry on parchment paper.  They turned out cute and delicious.  

Happy Spring! 

Spring Sniffles = Spring Chicken Soup

My husband came down with a spring cold.... He is full of the sniffles.  I made a big pot of chicken soup.  It is good for what ails ya.

Recipe: 

A few slices of chopped onion, chopped fine

1 chicken breast- cut into bite sized pieces 

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

1/2 pound of carrots, chopped small

3 stalks of celery

2 cans of chicken broth

water 

salt and pepper to taste 

garlic powder

pasta shells or noodles

Heat the oil and chop up the onions and throw them into the pot. After the onions start to look clear, toss in the chicken and let it sizzle... 

When the chicken looks more or less white, add 2 cans of chicken broth.  I add water too - about a cup... 

Add in the carrots and the celery and bring it to a boil.  Turn down the heat to low and put on the lid. 

Simmer about 15 or 20 minutes.   

When the chicken and veggies are about done, in a separate pot, cook the noodles of your choice according to the package directions- but reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. (Mine said to cook 13 to 15 minutes and I only cooked them 10.)  

 I used shells in this soup- but I usually use wide noodles... They both work fine. 

When the timer goes off, drain the pasta and toss it right into the soup.   Add more water if the broth is less than the noodles... I don't measure... I just add some more water or more chicken broth until it looks good to me.  I like LOTS of chunks and less broth so- that is what I do... 

It just needs a few more minutes to finish cooking the noodles and then pop it on the table and eat it up.  We sprinkled Parmesan cheese on top for a little added yumminess. 

A nice chunk of french bread goes with it nicely... 

Woke up determined to make the most of this day.  It is that point in the year where we are all wishing and read for spring.  I started the day by refreshing and reviving an old wreath.  I kept the bunny.  It was the first thing I ever cut out on my scroll saw about 20 years ago.  The grapevine wreath seemed no worse for the wear so I reused it too.... Then I added new flowers and ribbons and voila!

Seems I need to create these days.  Winter weather makes me feel content to shiver inside next to a heater and just draw or paint....

Just a little doodle

My paints have been missing me!  I am a little rusty... but it felt good to dabble. 

Happy November

It seems that fall blew in with it's blustery breath. The leaves fairly danced in circles as they celebrated the season's arrival.

The air turned briskly cold and whispered,  "Winter is coming.... Winter is coming!"

After raking for a while... a lost cause really, I headed indoors to snuggle under a blanket and crochet a new hat for one of the little ones....

She should be snug and cozy in this beauty.  It is soft and lofty and perfect for her two year old noggin.

Soft and cushy 

side view 

I might just have to make some more of these!  

Happy November!  

Crochet for the boys

I love crocheting.  It is the easiest "take it with you" craft.  My husband likes it when I crochet while we are traveling..... I am letting him drive while I pay attention to my yarn.... It is win-win.

Often I make soft little girlie kinds of projects.   After 6 sons- and finally getting a daughter- .....making "girl stuff" is grand.  

But now I have grandsons... who are adorable (of course!), so I have been focusing on coming up with some boy things for my little fellows.  

Here is what I came up with.

 The little guys need some sneaks to keep their cute toes warm.

I have seen other football hats and this is my version.  I wanted mine to have the shape of a football on the top.  That worked.  I also DON'T like strings on the sides.  I would worry about my little guys getting tangled and choking with strings- so... I made them beanies instead.  I am quite pleased with how they turned out.  

Too Much Yarn! Never Enough Sweaters!

This month has been crazy busy.  There is no busy like teacher busy.   We had parent/teacher conferences.  We had Red Ribbon Week- which equates to "lets be out of our minds crazy" week.  We had National School Lunch Week.... yummy (??) and let's throw in Halloween for good measure.
To try to hang on to a thread of sanity- I crocheted a LOT in the evenings.  I could sit and chill and let my fingers take care of things.   I make up baby sweaters as I go, so there are no pesky patterns to have to pay attention to and distract me.... I crocheted for shear entertainment value.   I think I am going to have to start selling them... haha.... I have several bins full of little sweaters, etc......

Makes me happy.  

Just as this delicious fall weather makes me happy.

Here are a few of my recent endeavors...

Too much Yarn!  Never enough sweaters!