Tiny Shamrocks

These days I'm never lacking for a project.  I'm working on some tiny shamrocks to make garland.  These little things hurt my hands and a break is needed often.

You can find the pattern for these here.  They are so cute...the possibilities are endless.

Applesauce Cookies

This is one of my favorite recipes I found and pinned to my board on pinterest.  I have learned that after trying a recipe or project, if I really love it, to print it out so I have a hard copy.

I'm so glad I did.   It appears the link these yummy little cookies came from is gone.  

Applesauce Cookies

4 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp ground cloves

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

3 eggs

2 cups applesauce or pumpkin puree

2 cups nuts (optional)

2 cups chocolate chips

2 cups raisins (can omit these and add more chocolate chips!)

1) Combine all dry ingredients

2) Cream butter, then beat in sugar.  Add eggs one at a time and beat well.

3) Add applesauce to butter mixture, stir a bit, then  add flour mixture.  Stir together.

4) Add nuts, raisins, and chocolate chips.

5) Place dough in fridge overnight.

Bake 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees

The Latest Project for James

Emma always likes to be where James is at.  She is always giddy with excitement when he comes home.  Yesterday she headed right out in her pajamas.  Silly girl.

A few years ago I was visiting my parents  and they were  watching Living with Ed.  I quickly got addicted to the show because watching Ed and his wife banter about living "green" is a hoot.  We watched this episode and I fell in love with the kitchen countertops.  I came home excited and told James that was what I wanted in my kitchen.   How expensive could concrete with lovely recycled glass be?  After research,  I was informed that they were way out of my price range so I mentioned to the hubs that perhaps he could learn how to make them.  How hard could it be right?  Just mix up some concrete and throw some recycled glass in there.  ha!  After a couple of years of research, saving up some money for the tools and doing some practice,  he delivered his third countertop to a customer yesterday.   You can really tell the difference with his first and his most recent ones.  He may need to re-do his first couple of practice ones that are in my kitchen.

Crocheting Away..Elf Hats

I have been crocheting a lot.  I have so many projects going that I forget to take pictures and post them.  I get one done and am excited to start the next.

These are the cutest little elf hats that take me an evening to whip up.  I love how some projects can come together so quickly.  It makes up for the ones that seem to take forever....like some military slippers I will be working on I'm sure for the next 8 months for a few nephews. 

These Days

We spend the majority of our days at home right now especially with it being so cold and snowy out.

I get asked a lot if I'm able to get out.  I plan my trips out and about so that I can do everything at once and not leave the house again until it is necessary.   I prefer to stay home and snuggle my babies,  cook and keep  my house somewhat tidy.   So many have told me to enjoy my time with my little ones because it goes by fast.  Please trust me when I tell you that I am enjoying every moment.  Having a nieces and nephews that are almost 17, 15 and younger I have seen first hand how moments fly right by.  Soon, my babies will be having their own babies so yes, yes,  yes...I will just stay home and snuggle and enjoy even the moments of fit throwing, high pitched screams, cries, runny noses and all their other little things they do just like I used to do to my mother that drove her crazy at times.  ha! 

Because people like to know what I'm making in the kitchen I thought that I would share that yesterday I made turkey tetrazzini  and turkey crock pot chili that I found off of my lovely cousin's recipe blog.  You can find her fabulous recipes here.  I have found some amazing recipes from her blog.

This morning I'm making peanut butter cookies and rolls later.  The house smells wonderful! 

An Extra Special Post For An Extra Special Niece

A very special niece sent me a very sweet text tonight telling me how much she missed us and loved us.    I'm staying up late posting these pictures so that when she wakes up in the morning, she will be surprised that my blog has been updated just for her.  We love and miss you to my sweet niece...more than you will ever know! 

Funny Face

Peter is making a new face.  It's a hoot!  He scrunches up his face and breathes really hard through his nose.   He makes us laugh....a lot!