Skein and Hook

I love fall!  Today was one of the first cold days.  When we woke up, it was 39 ° F.  We made our first fire in our fireplace and have kept it going all day because it hasn't warmed up too much.  The weather really put me in the mood for fall food.  So, in the afternoon, we made pumpkin bread and for dinner we made pot roast. This pumpkin bread recipe has been a fall staple since the first time I had it.  I got the recipe from my husband's cousin and during this season, it is a recipe a go to often. Pumpkin Bread 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3 cups granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 2 cups canned pumpkin 4 eggs 1 cup canola oil 2/3 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat the oven to 350 ° F.  Combine the first 7 ingredients.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and then add the pumpkin, eggs, oil, water, and vanilla into the well.  Mix w

I try to plan out my dinners one week in advance.  It makes dinner time easier since I know what I am going to make ahead of time instead of figuring it out at the last minute.  But, sometimes, I just don't want the meal I planned on having.  That's how this meal was created.  Instead of my planned meal, I wanted some kind of spaghetti that was a little different than my normal recipe.  Adding the green pepper to the dish made it so delicious and just a little different. Sausage and Pepper Pasta 1 tbsp canola oil 1 pound italian sausage 1 medium onion, chopped 1/2 green pepper, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced salt and pepper to taste 1/2 tsp italian seasoning 1 15 oz. can Don Pepinos pizza sauce 1 14.5 oz. can stewed tomatoes pasta, prepared according to package Heat the canola oil over medium high heat.  Cut the sausage into 1-inch pieces.  Brown the sausage in the oil. Then turn the heat down to medium and add the onions and peppers.  Cook for about 5

With Spring already here and Easter coming, I have been thinking about designing something with a bunny.  This is what I came up with- This would make a really cute baby gift paired with any of my baby blanket patterns . Materials needed: • U.S. I/9- 5.5 MM crochet hook • Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors- used here:           -Color A- Red Heart Super Saver- Aran- for ring, body, & ears           -Color B- Red Heart Super Saver- Aruba Sea- scraps for eyes           -Color C- Lion Brand Pound of Love- Pink- scraps for inside of ears & nose • Poly-Fil or stuffing of your choice • Tapestry needle for sewing in the ends • Stitch marker to make rounds Abbreviations: • ch= chain • sc= single crochet • sc2tog= single crochet 2 together= insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on the hook • sl st= slip stitch

I am setting out to make another blanket.  The last big blanket that I finished was towards the end of last year.  It was a beautiful rainbow ripple blanket.   I followed the ripple pattern from here .  And, I followed the border pattern from here .   I loved making this blanket!   The ripples were soothing and relaxing to crochet and the colors are cheerful and happy.   I am really happy with the way it turned out.   Since then, I have written a few baby blanket patterns- available here .   But, I am getting the itch to make another big, beautiful, and colorful blanket yet again.  This time  I've  decided on doing granny squares!  I am going to use a traditional granny pattern.  I am not entirely sure if I want to do 3 rounds or 4 rounds for each square.  I have drawn this up to follow.  If decide to do only three, I’ll just omit the fourth row. Here are the few that I have started- Lots more to come :)