Granny's Easter Basket

 

  

I've spent the past few weeks getting ready for Easter here.  We've done some simple decorating, but it just hasn't felt like Easter to me...  It must be the weather and the fact that Easter is early this year.  Last week the daffodils were blooming and then this week we had more snow.

In looking back at last year's Easter pictures I saw lots of fresh flowers in my rooms.  There are no forsythia blooms yet, nor lilac.  Even the hyacinths are slow in creeping out of the safety of their green cases.  I didn't realize how much I would miss having the flowers at Easter. 

I was nearly in tears yesterday over it being Easter and missing my grandparents, but it also struck me that I was missing the beautiful hyacinths that my very handsome grandfather would buy for all of the women in the family every year at this time. Misty eyes because I miss him, as well as the fact that I know he knows it's time to buy flowers, but he can't.  Some things just get too hard to do as the years tick on.   But I'm thankful for all the years he has been able and how that established such tradition for me. 

So my attention has turned to some of my other favorite things that I always unpack and sit about for this holiday.  One favorite thing is this great little Easter basket that my grandmother made for me years ago. 

This is actually a cheap, plastic basket that you used to be able to buy for a dollar in the old Woolworth type stores.  I believe the fabric she used was actually one of my childhood dresses.  She amazingly cut and sewed just right, attached a lace trim, and then stuffed the fabric with some sort of fiber fill or batting and made this simple, beautiful, wonderful basket which I have cherished for years. 

I don't remember exactly when she gave it to me, but I'm so glad she did.  I hope it lasts and lasts and that I have many more years to admire it.

I adore handmade, especially gifts that can go through life with you and become tradition.  Just like the people who made them. 

Happy Easter to you, and hopefully, Happy Easter Memories to you, too.

xoxo

 

 

 



Cherry Blossom Scarf

 

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

I have to say that this scarf came about because I was thinking we were all done with winter here.  I was eager to finally pack away the hats and gloves and all the big boots and snow pants.  I had finally given up on winter weather and was actually looking forward to the shiny days of spring.  In fact, we went to the St. Patty's Day Parade last week and it was quite warmer than expected!  Like, peeling-off-layers warm, almost 70 degrees!  Well, I was moving on, changing seasons...  Came home and took the feather bed off the bed, tucked away clean heating blankets for next year, and started decorating for Easter.

 

Then, don't you know, it decided to be frigid at night again.  Two days after removing the feather bed, it was put right back on.  Extra blankets were brought out and more fires built in the box.  Yep, spring came on the calender, but it didn't show up outside.  So, I felt the need for a much springier-feeling scarf to protect me from the persistent cold.  I did NOT want to pull out those bulky, wintry, thick scarves that I so associate with ice, boots and hot chocolate.  No, I need to be warm and still feel like I'm moving forward. 

 

So, images of sweet flowers came to mind.  Cherry blossoms in particular seemed to sing S-P-R-I-N-G to me!  With image-in-head, I began to rifle through the yarn stash and reflected on past patterns I've used and pulled it all together in this very happy, springy, cherry blossom scarf. 

 

And just in time, I might add...  If you note the end pictures there with me in my new scarf...  There are a gazillion little flakes swirling about my head and quickly accumulating around my feet.  Just look at the little Easter eggs and baskets on our Easter tree, all piled up with the white stuff. 

 

It is beautiful out there.  Still snowing this morning.  We ended up with about 6 inches of gorgeous snow, although we were not expecting it.  Yep, snow pants are out again.  The kitchen floor is full of soggy boots and mittens.  So I guess I'll be giving in to the kiddos and will whip up some hot chocolate today, too.  And then I'll sit down and look through all those spring patterns and decide on what comes next.  Well, after school, of course... 

 

Maybe I'll be back with a Cherry Blossom Scarf pattern, too. 

 

Happy winter spring to you! 

 

xoxo

 



Ginger Girl

 

 

 

Miss Ginger, soaking up the warm afternoon sunshine. 

 

She is quite a little lady. 

 

She is very accommodating, allowing me to photograph her.  She stretches and purrs and gives me cute kitty glances.  She then dismisses me promptly and returns to her slumber. 

 

Kitties just get it right, don't they?

 

xoxo

 

p.s.  She handles this whole 'spring forward' thing much better than I, too...

 

 

 

 

 



Bobble-Scallop Crochet Border

 

This is the Bobble-Scallop Border I came up with to border my Ripple.

 

Some projects have so much going on  that I don't like to add a really complicated border to them.

 

Sometimes, less is more...  if I can actually say 'less' with this crazy colorful blanket!

 

So here you go!  It's extremely simple really - as long as you know how to make a bobble.  The bobble I used here is a 3 treble crochet bobble, meaning you basically make 3 treble crochets in the same stitch, but you leave the last loop on the hook after each treble is made...

 

(US terms)

 

3 Treble Bobble:  Yarn over twice, enter next stitch and pull up a loop.  Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, TWICE, leaving 2 loops on hook.  Yarn over twice again, enter same stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, TWICE, which leaves 3 loops on hook.  Yarn over twice, enter same stitch, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, TWICE, now leaving 4 loops on your hook.  Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops at once.  Bobble made! 

 

Bobble-Scallop Border: 

 

I went around the blanket with one round of sc and  joined with slip stitch.

Ch 1, do not turn.

 

*Sc in first st, 2 dc in next st, bobble in next st, 2 dc in next st, sc in next st, skip next st.*

 

Repeat from * to * around.  Join with slip stitch and finish off. 

 

Now go border up something and have fun!  It's super easy and somewhat addictive.  In fact, the above swatch I made to show you here is become a finger tip towel and I think I'll need to do a few more to make a set.

 

It's fun to have a crocheted home!

 

xoxo

 

 

 

 



White as Snow

 

 

 

You know I love it.  I'd like to be able to measure it in feet, but we don't get that much here. 

 

So we enjoy every little flake we get.  It's simply beautiful and it changes everything.  The sounds are quieter and the textures are more noticeable.

 

I especially love the little birdy feet, and yes, the Young Man feet...  He's always wanted to step barefoot in the snow. 

 

A long, snowy morning spent sledding with friends, followed by hot chocolate, leads to tired little people.

 

It's all good.

 

I do feel a bit sad for the daffodils blooming outside.  I snipped a few for the Hearth Room, but hopefully the rest will grow along and make for a big spring showing soon.

 

Happy Day to you!

 



How Sweet It Is

 

 

 

Don't these colorful sweets look delectable?!

 

I recently had the joy of receiving this award from homeschooljewelrymom and I have to say it thrilled me to no end!  Thank you for thinking of the Hearth Room! 

 

Now I get to answer a few sweet questions:

 

1.  Cookies or cake?

Cake, definitely.   Although, I just pulled some snickerdoodles out of  the oven and have gobbled up too many warm ones, but who can resist?

 

2.  Vanilla or chocolate?

Chocolate.  Hands down, no competition, chocolate. 

 

3.  What is your favorite sweet treat?

Good golly, I don't have all day and I'm sure you don't either, so, ummm, I have to narrow it down to....  Hershey Kisses, Almond Joy, Toblerone...  Or my Tootsie Roll addiction during trick-or-treat time.  Of course, there is always chocolate pudding.  I love pudding.  Oh, and honey in my tea.

 

4.  When do you crave sweet things the mosst?

I'm a woman.  It should be obvious...  It starts when I get up in the morning and meet my first cup of coffee and continues right up until bedtime. 

 

5.  If you had a sweet nickname what would it be?

Ha!  I don't see myself as a sweet kind of girl really...  but let's see...  Young man calls me Honey Bunches when he's acting silly, so I'll have to say, Honey. 

 

Now I get to nominate a dozen lovely, sweet bloggers for this award. 

 

I read so many good blogs that are a real 'treat' so I will be very challenged to list only a dozen!

 

Amanda Makes

Bunny Mummy

Stampin' Good Deeds

Jafa House

little woolie

Green Rabbit Designs

Homespun Living

Gin plus Tonic

Ivy Nest

My 4 Lil Girls

Little Things Made with Love

On the Fringe

 

These are some seriously sweet, talented, lovely folks who always inspire me with color, food, good reading or good health. 

 

Of course, there a number of others - I could go on...

 

Thanks again, Homeschool Jewelry Mom!

 

xoxo