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

 

 

 



Granny Tree Skirt Only Better!

 

 

Hi there!  Well, I made it back with the old Granny Tree Skirt again, which can only mean that we are getting along fine.  It does lay flat (on a carpeted surface) and after I stared at it, somewhat unimpressed for a good bit, I decided it was NOT complete after all. 

 

This sweet bit of granny just needed a little something extra.  I mean, it is  Christmas after all.  So Granny needed to dress for the occasion.  That may seem silly, to want an old rustic looking granny square anything to take on a more Dressed Up appearance.

 

But I think that little chunky picot edge did it right.  I don't think it made Granny look at all pretentious, just more interesting.  And maybe feminine...

 

The pattern calls for a border of half-double crochet around the whole thing and then a row of slip stitch around.  I did one row (the red) in half-double, then went back around for a second row of half-double in the off-white.  I used the same color to make the picot edging.  My picot was a *chain 4, sc in first ch, skip one, sc in next.  Repeat from *. 

 

I tried again to capture those jewel tone colors and to show how the picot edging turned out.  I also tried to show it's size by laying it in front of the fireplace.  It fits nicely under a full sized tree, and folded in half, it makes a good size to place under the skinny tree here in the Hearth Room.   

 

Ah, I'm glad it's done.  Now it already occurs to me how much trouble I will have packing it away at the end of the season.  If only I could find a way to wear it!  Ha!

 

Hope you are having a lovely day!  Maybe the sun is shining where you are.  It certainly isn't here!  It's one of those cozy days for tea, books and crochet.

 

xo

 

 

 

 

 

 



Granny Tree Skirt Comes Together

 

 

 

Good golly, this tree skirt is finally getting itself together!  Well, I'm getting it together...  Sort of.

 

None to soon, I have to add.

 

I can't say "Ta-Dah!"  It's really not complete yet.  I've pieced it together and made one round of border, but have another round to go.  It's really wonky and needs a pull or a pinch here and there.  But I HAD to throw the wonky thing down under a tree at least to see what it's going to be like!  Had to get a feel for it, you know?

 

It's made of left over acrylics (although I did have to break down and pick up a green and lavender).  It's a fun, easy, FREE pattern over at Red Heart. 

 

Now if I can get mine to play nice and lay flat and look as stunningly gorgeous as the one on their site, I'll be back with a better picture!  Not to mention I'm sure my hubby would be happy to see me use the actual camera to take a picture now and then and let up on my Hipstamatic craze. 

 

If not, you will know I am enjoying my perfectly wonky tree skirt creation in silence and we will just move right on to the Farmhouse Chic Christmas Rose Wreath. 

 

Love and Wonkiness to you all!

xoxo

 

 

 

 



Granny Christmas

 

 

Hello!

 

I'm back with another glimpse of my new Christmas project...

 

Do you know what it is?  Any guesses?

 

I'm headed for my yarn right now to add (hopefully) several rows of interesting colors!

 

I'm excited and can't wait to get to the next part so this will start to feel like what it really is!

 

Ahhh...  I do love some Granny Goodness!

 

xoxo

 

 

 

 



A Fall Celebration

Another tradition:  The First Fall Fire and Picnic

 

 

It just seems that each fall as we continue to spend more and more time outdoors, eventually we catch a chill.  It's a good kind of chill.  Not at all the kind of chill that makes one run for the comfort of the indoors, but instead the kind of chill that we like to enjoy. 

 

The good kind of chill that makes you want to stay out for more.  I think it's the kind of chill that warns us that it soon will be too cold for such outdoor enjoyment, so we had better stay out and work and play and take in all that we can before it's too late.  So at this point each fall someone suggests it's time to light a fire in the pit.  And I know full well that no one wants to come inside to eat dinner when there is a fire going outside, so it's dished up and brought out by the fire. 

 

It's another fun family time that we spend taking in the smells and sights of the season.  Little people still like to let the fuzzy Woolybear caterpillars crawl on them.  And we wonder each year if the Woolybear is a sign of a bad winter or not...  And wonder how much snow is in our future.  We hope and look forward to that, too.  But for now we are content to spend time in this golden, shadowy season and savor the distinct crunch under our feet from the falling leaves. 

 

 

And when we do come in, it's only even more perfect time for yarny projects.  The Ripple is done except for the 'secret edging' I've been working on.  This is just a peek of that edging.  Yes, I have pulled out those knitting sticks once again!   I remembered this sweet border pattern in one of my books and thought it would be a great little way to knock the rust off my knitting skills.  It's like getting your sea-legs...  Getting used to holding 2 needles rather than 1 hook, the tension, the fluidity...  It all comes back slowly.

 

I always think of my grandmother when I knit, (well, when I crochet, too), but especially when I knit.  She taught me both when I was a child.  The crochet came easier to me so it stuck.  She preferred knitting and has many beautiful garments she made over the years that are amazing.  It's also amazing she still has them packed away in such good condition.  But she isn't able to knit now.  Her sight is not what it used to be.  She does continue to crochet some, but even that has become so much harder for her.  It makes me sad to see someone losing the ability to do something they love and I really want to be able to keep both crafts alive since she was the one who taught me.  And often when I knit or crochet I call her up and we chat about what I'm making.  I called her about this edging and was telling her about getting used to yarn-overs, etc....  She laughs and says, "Oh, bring it with you when you come and I'll show you!"  I've realized that just talking about her favorite craft helps keep it alive for her.  Grandfolks are a treasure.  I'm such a lucky girl.

 

  I love the look of knit and crochet together so I look forward to tacking this onto my Ripple.  I'll come back and share when I have more edging done.  Then I can't wait to share the great big finished Ripple with you!  Wow.  I think it's been a year.  It certainly hasn't been a priority and loads of other hooky projects were done in the mean time, but it's great timing to get that blanket finished!  Just in time for the chill!  In fact, it's already been in use around the Hearth Room and I have to go find it in order to work on it, lol.  I can't wait to see what Granny has to say about it. 

 

So what do you enjoy about the fall season?  Do you or your family have any traditions?

Do you have special people you think of when you knit or crochet? 

 

Please share!  I'd love to hear... 

 

xoxo

 

 

 



It's Summer

A single sunflower stands alone on our courtyard patio, deserted by the height of summer temperatures. We seem to have retreated indoors to delve into good books and be transported by old movies (I am always way behind everyone else).

The Thai Basil and Rosemary seem to be enjoying the warmth and solitude, as do the mints. No little hands have been present to experience their fragrances or flavors. The catnip has not returned. Too much presence by hefty felines have once again proven the need to have catnip grown in a top secret location, only to be witnessed by the fine felines in fresh snippets provided to them. As opposed to rolling, smashing and gnawing freely. 

As we support local farming, our CSA share of fruit has filled the Hearth Room with delightful aromas of apples and cinnamon.  Almost makes me long for fall.  When the rich colors and warm, spicy scents of the fruits and flavors are bubbling, waiting for family gatherings.  And the temperatures invite us back outdoors to play in crisper air and crunchier leaves. 

But it is definitely not time for that.  Not yet!  The garden is producing plenty of beautiful vegetables to share and prepare for winter meals. 

I offer squash and cukes to all who visit the Hearth Room. Soon I will be pushing tomatoes and onions, too.  Although, right now Hubby is still marveling at how well the onions have done, allowing them to continue to swell.  Well, except for a few....

Add to the mix these wonderful Romano Beans we were gifted by a fellow gardener.  I am learning to cook new things, as well as old favorites in different ways.  These meaty beans were prepared with a coating of EV olive oil and chopped garlic.  Dashed with sea salt and pepper and roasted on a baking sheet.  Summery goodness at it's finest!

Somehow we managed to skip planting zucchini here, but it seems to always be one of the first things folks share.  This year has been no exception! 

As soon as a zucchini comes through the door, it ends up here in a rich, sweet batter.

My young apprentice has found cooking to be a wonderful world of exploration lately.  From how sticky your hands and face can get to how exceptionally good things taste.

Oh, my little zucchini breads...  You didn't last long enough.  I do hope another large squash makes it through our door soon.

And absolutely worthy of mentioning is the very delicious and necessary corn fritters that are a tribute to everything good Granny taught me.  Every summer for as long as I live there will be corn, fresh from the cob, mixed with milk, flour, eggs, salt and pepper, with a little dash of sugar.  I wrote of them last year and I probably will again.  That Granny, she's  a good one.

Fresh, hot, corn fritters, cukes and red onions (don't tell Hubby), and beet greens from the garden.

I'm not sure I ever shared with you my unconventional corn and potato patch.  Yet another space in need of landscaping, that once the potato bags called it home I found the need to fill in around them with corn and sunflowers.  Just another moment of whimsey. 

Speaking of whimsy along with the joys of summer, I have to show you one of my most favorite-ist things ever.  In this very unexpected place, a little couple of bluebirds have decided to make a home.  This birdhouse was made by Young Man a few years ago and as you can see, it hangs and is not stationary.  No matter to the little bluebirds in love that desperately sought out this place as their home.  The place to raise their little family. 

One tiny orange mouth, ready to be fed, competing with two others.  I can see this box just outside the Hearth Room door.  I have had the most heart squeezing fun seeing these 3 blue eggs hatch into the tiny balls of fluff they are now.  Mama and Daddy are the best birdie parents, watching over them constantly and taking turns feeding those hungry mouths.  I'm waiting for the chance to get a really good picture of them, but Daddy Blue has been on to me lately...  I thought I'd give him a rest from worry for a bit.

As our retreat indoors continues, I am constantly reminded of my need to visit the great outdoors by happy, energetic children, immense plants climbing out of the garden, and by little feathered friends who are holding me to my promise of filling the feeders that I so lovingly hung for their benefit.  Yep, they just lie down and wait right in the dish until I come and provide.  We all seem to get a little stuck in our ways here at the Hearth Room.  Even the outdoors is spoiled .

 

 

Crochet Top for Girl

I call it Ice Cream Social.  It's the perfect shade of the Neapolitan ice cream that we often settle on here at the Hearth Room because none of us can agree on the over-the-top specific flavors that each of us desires and I will not cannot buy us all separate flavors each time I go to the store.

Social:  Because she is. 

Yes, Ice Cream Social.

This is the 'summer crochet' I mentioned in an earlier post.  I was working on this very light, little thing while we were having our power outage. 

The yarn is Paton's Grace which was found in my stash.  It has desperately been waiting to be used.

I used a G /6 hook.  (4.25mm). 

I started by making a basic granny square. 

For those that don't know how to make a granny, please try one!  Even if you don't want to make a top, just make a little square!

*******

ch 4, slip st to form ring.

ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, then (3 dc, ch 2) - three more times. 

Slip st in top of ch3 to join.

Ch 3, 2dc in the ch2 space you just joined, ch 2, 3 dc in same space.

((You are making your first corner))

[Ch 1, and in next ch 2 space make 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc.]

Repeat from [ to] 2 more times to make your last 2 corners.

Ch 1 and join to top of first ch 3. 

You should now have a completed little square!

But you can go on:

Slip st in next dc, slip st in the first ch 2 space.  This is where you will start on each additional round.

Ch 3, 2 dc in the ch 2 space, ch 2, 3 dc.

Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 space.

[Ch 1, and in next ch 2 space make 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc.]  Corner made.

Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 space, ch 1.

Continue around using from [ to  ] to make your corners and the simple

(ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 space, ch 1) for each ch 2 space in between your corners. 

Join each row with a slip stitch to the top of the first ch 3.

*******

I simply continued to make the granny square, changing colors as I felt and kept going until I felt the square was wide enough that when I joined 2 together it would fit one little Sweet P.  That ended up being 14 rounds with this particular yarn and hook.  She normally wears a 4T.

I slip stitched the front and back together and then added a few rows of single crochet border around the top and bottom to add length and contrasting color. 

I then added a little scalloped edging to both top and bottom edges. 

For the straps, I made a chain until I felt it was long enough and then went back with a row of dc and finished them off.  I again added scalloped edges to both sides in a contrast color and stitched them into the top. 

No real magic, nothing too fancy, just on a whim.

Another good use for yarn.

xoxo