Little Critters

A few weeks ago while browsing the needlework section of Hobby Lobby (my favorite section...lets not mention that the manager of the store knows me by name and always asks about my "baby" if he's not with me!) I found a pattern for these little critters. I love them! They are surprisingly easy, a little time consuming, but so fun to see them come together.

I'm not exactly focused or quick at getting projects done (ahem...sorry, Lydia...expect a BIG surprise at Christmas). I've had all the pieces of this elephant ready to be stuffed and put together, but it wasn't until last night, that I finally finished.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye this morning. My mother-in-law took him back to Texas with her to give him (and the blanket) away as a baby gift.

White Choclate Macadamia Heaven

I owe this decadent cookie recipe to a 9 year old I used to babysit. He'd make these cookies and they were HEAVENLY. It was baffling to me that a little guy could make such culinary delights. I don't know where his recipe came from (probably off the back of the chocolate chip package for all I know). If you're interested here's the recipe and my tips:

Lane's Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 Cup Unsalted Butter (NOT Margarine)
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
3/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
2 Tsp. Vanilla
2 Eggs
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
3/4 Tsp. Salt
2 1/2 Cups (+ 2 to 4 heaping Tablespoons) Flour
16 oz. Chocolate Chips
1/4 to 1/2 Cup Nuts (optional)

Mix sugars and butter until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until fluffy. Mix together dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture 1/4 cup at a time. Texture should be sticky, but firm enough to roll into balls. Add chocolate chips and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees on an un-greased cookie sheet for 10-13 minutes (depending on elevation and oven). Cool on wire rack.


My Tips:

• Never melt your butter. It affects the texture of your cookie. Use soft, room temperature butter.
• Once adding the eggs, beat the mixture until fluffy. It infuses air and improves the texture.
  
• Adding more flour to the dough will make them more cakey, adding less will make them more flat. I like mine somewhere in between - not so sticky that I have to drop them with a spoon and not so firm that they won't flatten out on their own in the oven.
  
• Milk chocolate is ALWAYS better than semi-sweet, and white chocolate and macadamia nuts are the best.

My "Kitchen-Aid" and my "Kitchen Aide"

A Bushel of Cards

I've had a stack of blank note cards for quite a while, and I decided it was finally time to do something with them.

I love these little apple slices.

They're easy and fun to do. It's red gingham and muslin, cut out, stitch around the edge and a loop in the middle, embroider two black "seeds" and a green "stem". Then glue them to a blank card. Voila! You're done...that easy!

They make great note cards, thank you cards, or if you bundle them, they make a great gift to pass along to someone else.

Yards and Yards of Yarn

I've got what seems like a never ending box full of this soft, chunky, creamy yarn. I've made two afghans and still have miles of yarn left.


Luckily, I had a request for a crocheted hat...how convenient, I just happen to have miles of yarn! Here's how it turned out...