Thankful

Today I am thankful for so many things. If I have to choose just one today, it would be, that my dad is back home with my mom after a 53 day stay in the hospital. They were able to be together for their 53rd Wedding Anniversary on Monday, March 3rd 2014 at home. 

So today, I ask you, what are you most thankful for today? 

I linked up my post at http://morningcoffeeconfessions.blogspot.ca/2014/03/today-i-am-thankful-1.html

1st Baby Owl Block

First Baby Owl block DONE.

Just learning this method. I found the directions for this block easy, (I have a hard time with patterns) I usually make them a couple of times and then write the patten in a way I can understand it.

 

 The Block is Called Owl Granny Square

www.allfreecrochet.com All Free Crochet is a website dedicated to the best free crochet patterns. This is the website I used for the pattern.Just put in the search term : Owl Granny Square.

I have done 5 more blocks. I find it easier to make the blocks first, then go back to add the eyes and beak.
I made a total of 6 blocks so I can get my finished blocks at the correct size of 4 inches. I have not decided on the colors I will use either. I did use the suggested hook size of 4.25 mm and worsted weight yarn.

I will update my progress and when I finally make a decision on my colors. Still have a long way to go in order to complete the little blanket. That is why I am listing it under the tab Work In Progress. I tend to get bored easily working on one thing at a time and skip around doing different items.

Owls seem to be really "in" right now, they were back in the 1970's as well. It's true what they say, "What's old is New again!"

This is my first place I am an affiliate for and I am super excited! The store is called Oddity Store Home and Deco Accents. In keeping with the Owl theme, I thought I would post a link here for you to stop in and check out the super cute items they have.

 

My Oddity Store

Click the link above to go to my little store! 

These are just the Sweetest! They would be perfect in many applications, flower vases, wreaths, outdoors to greet visitors at your doorstep as well. They just sing SPRING!

Item Name: Owl Picks 18" Item #:00697 Price/ea: $2.29

What do you have planned for Spring this year? 

Random Acts of Kindness Day is the 17th

Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17th, this Monday, falling on Presidents' Day! It’s the unofficial holiday increasingly celebrated around the nation encouraging people to commit acts of kindness out of the goodness of their hearts. Leading up to this day, I decided to craft some of my crochet hearts.

I decided to make them into book markers! Instead of working the ends in I left them attached (great time saver) making them easy to mark your page.  I am dropping them off at the library today. I hope someone will just pick one up and use it. Would also be cute tied around a pony tail!

 
Here are of few of the hearts in some of my cookbooks.
This is the pattern I used, it is very easy and you can do one in under 5 minutes!

Crocheted Heart Pattern

Supplies used:
Size D crochet hook
Size 3 crochet thread or embroidery floss
(Or use any size hook/yarn you have on hand--it will just change the size)

All stitches worked into the first chain.

Ch 4. Work 3 tr (triple crochet) into first ch, 3 dc, ch 1, 1 tr, ch 1, 3 dc, 3 tr. Ch 3, sl st into center and fasten off.

I think it is a wonderful idea to craft a heart of some fashion and pass it on to someone else. Have you ever done a Random Act of Kindness? Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Looking Back as We Think of Gifts from The Heart

I remember our first West Highland White Terrier. She was a rescue and her name was Haylee. She was just 5 years old at the time, and had given birth to 9 LITTERS of puppies!

This is Haylee the 1st day we brought here home with us. She seemed to smile the entire day long. She had never touched her paws on grass before! She was a warm and happy girl once she knew she was going to be able to do and have our attention 24/7. Her first checkup it was discovered she had Acute Congestive Heart Failure. We were just sick. After all she had been thru and now this. We could not have her spayed as her little heart could not take it. We spoiled her rotten. I sewed Halloween outfits for her, a Westie Witch of course, and she WON in a local competition!

Her Potty training took almost 9 months! Something she had never had to learn before. She mastered it!

Her favorite thing to eat was PIZZA! We did not deny her. I know it is bad, but.... you see, we did not know how long this little gift would be with us.

And what a gift she was. I was able to connect with other Westie Lovers and Westie Rescues as well. I had never owned a "small" dog. I have had Labs and Shepherds.

There is such a great need for placing Rescued Animals, and I hope if just one person changes their mind about buying from a pet store or back yard breeder from reading about our Haylee, and her short life she will have made a difference to not only my family put many others.

She passed in my arms 5 years later barely able to walk and just 8 little teeth left. She let out a little cry that sounded like she said, "Momma, Momma!"

We have had many wonderful Westies since and have 2 now named Betty Boo and Candy Corn, they are sisters and were born on Halloween and are our latest little gifts. This picture is when they were 16 weeks old.

Have you considered a Rescue or Shelter for your next family member? I hope you do!

1950's Valentines and Where it All Started

I have often wondered where the idea of Valentines Day came from. I did a bit of poking around and this is the best explanation I could find. More cards below. Enjoy.
  
Chaucer's love birds
Jack B. Oruch writes that the first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer.^[21] Chaucer wrote:

For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.

["For this was on Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate."]
This poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia.^[37] A treaty providing for a marriage was signed on May 2, 1381.^[38] (When they were married eight months later, they were each only 15 years old).

I hope you find it as interesting as I did. These cute little 1950's Valentine Cards are some my mother collected over the years and some belonged to my Aunt "Dottie" Jean when she was a teacher in the late 1940's and  early1950's, she has since passed. I hope you find them as cute as I do.

What silly things do you save?

$10 Healthy Meal Challenge

$10 Healthy Meal Pinterest Challenge Join Me! -->
Enter to win a special gift basket chock-full of No Kid Hungry treats!

Here's how to get started.

During the month of January, post a picture of your favorite healthy meal on Pinterest, making sure it costs about $10 total for a family of four and tagging #WalmartGiving and #NoKidHungry. Be sure to include a list of ingredients, the total cost of the meal, and a description of your recipes. In early February, prizes will be awarded for the following categories: Most Family Friendly, Most Creative and Best Presentation!

Rules:

• "Healthy” means the meal should include foods from at least three food groups, and be low in added sugar, salt and fat.
• Meals must be posted between January 6 - 31.
• Only meals posted on Pinterest are eligible.
• Only meals tagged with #WalmartGiving and #NoKidHungry are eligible.
• Winners will be announced in early February at CookingMatters.org 

I am entering my Dutch Oven Verde Pork Stew with Corn Sticks.

A warm bowl of healthy veggies and lean pork steaks cubed and cooked up tender in a nice Verde (Green Sauce) with a sweet corn stick for dipping. And all for under $10.00!

I cubed 2 very large pork steaks patted dry, coated with seasoned flour, I used (Mrs. Dash & Black Pepper and dried cumin), then place a single layer in hot oil in your pan and brown lightly, remove pieces to paper toweling too drain fat while you brown the rest of your meat. After all pieces are browned use a paper towel to wipe your skillet or Dutch Oven out.

Wash and dice 4 potatoes, 2 ribs of celery, 3 carrots and 1 white or yellow onion. You can add more or less of any veggie of course that you and your family prefers.

 

Now it is as easy as adding your browned meat and veggies to your pan, and 1 large can 28 oz.any
brand, I use Las Palmas Green Chile Enchilada Sauce. Add 2 full cans of water and stir gently to mix. You can cook on your stove or even you crock-pot but, I prefer to place in the oven at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. Because I will be using my oven for the Corn Sticks, the oven is hot and ready. And my mom and my grandmother slow roasted their stews this way.

Done! Can't you just taste it? I always add a bit of dried cumin when it comes out, it smells wonderful!

Who does not love Jiffy Corn Bread mix for a quick little bread? One little box yields 7 sweet little sticks you can of course use muffin tins or an 8x8 square pan. I always add a pinch or two of sugar to the mix. When I cook cornbread etc. from scratch I like it Sweet.

This is my wonderful 4 in 1 Cast Iron Dutch Oven given to me by my Mom many years ago. It has served many well. I just love it. It has a hinged removable lid.

And I think everyone has a Corn Stick pan, (mostly hanging on the wall, use it!) they make the crispiest little ears. Always get them good and hot before you put your batter in! No stickin' then!

Magic of Crochet: Sweet Girls Dress

Magic of Crochet: This is the link to her page, so sweet

Pin it To Win it! No Fail Dinner Ideas

 

 

6 Prizes Awarded

$25.00 Amazon Gift Cards
*Winners will be announced on 02/11/2014 via email.

Doesn't it feel great when you have a plan for dinner before 5pm rolls around, and you know the whole family will enjoy it? No matter the time of year, there is a notorious question that has to be answered every day? what's for dinner tonight?? That's where Cozi comes in! we're known for helping families simplify their busy, lives. One part of that is helping with the 4pm dilemma of what's for dinner tonight?? We've gathered some parent-tested, kid-approved dinner ideas to help you out! 

Click here to enter!

What Can $1.00 buy in the United States

10 Meals for one Child!

My goal for 2014 is small. I am trying to raise $150.00 by years end.

No child in America should grow up hungry. But too many kids in our country don't have the food they need to thrive.


I'm helping end childhood hunger in America by supporting the No Kid Hungry campaign. No Kid Hungry is connecting kids all across the country with healthy food where they live, learn and play.

Every $1 you donate can help connect a child with up to 10 meals.

No kid in this country should grow up hungry.

Will you help me end childhood hunger? 

My Personal Fundraising  Page is just one single click right here! Share Our Strength 

Pinterest Sweepstakes

Sverve Turns One Sweepstakes

Sverve just turned 1 year old! Follow Sverve's pin board & repin what you find inspiring or upload your own "firsts" or milestone images with hashtag #SverveTurns1. Enter your email for a chance to win one (1) of five (5) $50 Amazon gift cards!

Click here to enter