Window Box & Potted Plants…

Now the summer is at it's peak my window box and the other potted plants are doing great. Tomatoes are coming up and the green chilies are doing great on the other hand the strawberries are in halt. I don’t know what I did it’s not blooming or producing any strawberries overall the plant looks pretty healthy to me.

Thymes, Basil, & Rosemary is just thriving I have had rosemary chicken twice this month and it is loaded with flavor yummy. Grilled, with bread, and cheese or simply with drizzled olive oil… It waters my mouth when I think of this wonderful dish.

My Petunia’s are blooming non stop, I am not very thrilled with the color but it adds so much movement to our tiny balcony and color. We have had many birds visiting us without the bird feeder just the humming bird feeder. I didn’t site many humming birds this summer as I would like to.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peak in my blog…

Quote of the day “use less plastic”

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Egg Plant Patch…

I was super excited to blog on these two hats. I initially wanted to make a smile box (flyer) but I quickly changed my mind to blog on it. I think I finally nail this pattern. I have memorized all kinds of hat patterns. I am totally addicted to hat knitting and enjoy every bit of it.

I was very excited to take my kids to the playground, camera, and my new eggplant hat collection. I love to incorporate seasons into my photo shoots. I wish I can improve more my photo taking abilities. I am trying my best. (this is one of my long term goals)

I was a little hesitant to knit the Italian egg plant (white hat) but I wanted to give it try and came out supper cute. Purple egg plant hat was really cute. I loved it very... very… much. I have tons of designs knitting in my head when it comes for patterns and hats(problem is time). Once I am done with one I keep running back to my needles to knit more hats.

It’s awfully hot outside… today. But we still got some outside time boy... we need that. I didn’t do my daily 4 mile walk today too hot, back on track tomorrow with another photo shoot… and my 4 mile walk.

That’s all for today… thanks for stopping by and taking a peak in my little blog.

Quote of the day “heal a wound”

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Water Front…

We have been enjoying the late evening kayaking a lot by the reservoir. As my little one cannot get in the water we enjoy the view of the fish. They are just wonderful to watch. There is a one big school of fishes that comes to the basin of the lake close the shore line. When we burry our feet in the water they come looking for food in the muddy water.

We have been enjoying this lately a lot. Little one loves to walk in the water by the shore line and enjoys the sand underneath her little feet. When I pick stones for her she throws them back towards the water to watch the water splash. There is a lot of water algae wash towards the shore. I notice them in water too. Little one, tries to avoid them when walking in the water but it is hilarious to watch.

So far I have kayaked twice to the Swan Island. We have brought some swan feathers with us. I have to capture some pictures of the swans’ one of these days… there is a lot of vegetation around the lake. I guess that explains the reason for fish population in the reservoir. That's about our water front...

Quote of the day “give a child his/her first fishing pole”

Enjoy!

Earth Tone Hat Collection & Grasping Beads...

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Exercise… Exercise…

I am finally getting out of the house to exercise I need to be healthy for my kids. But who can guarantee life or health… I have been in all spectrums of life… do I complain Oh yeah… a whole lot of complaining but do I bounce through it yes, I have done and will continue to do so… when I was expecting I went through all kind of medical tests to; top of the pregnancy while my hubby was working out of state and me working on a full time job, managing a house and tending to homework every single night was it hectic of course it was. Was that the only thing I faced HELL no there was other factors consuming major part of my time and energy.

I am taking care of myself for my children I want to be there for them I hate been without a comfy cushion (my mother I miss her very much in my life.) I sometime feel angry and felt been left alone I don’t want to do that for my children I want to be there for them want to spoil the grandchildren in other words I want to AGE with GRACE…

Enough of my writing I started to walk I have gone walking two days so far; GOD HELP me to keep going. I plan to do this the whole summer. Now that the schools out and we are still going on NO TV till 2 YEARS we need things to do KIDS MUST WALK with me ha… ha...

I invite and join everyone I know when it comes to walking. We take this BIKE ROUTE which is really cool because I can let my kids walk and run its safe for children.
Are we ready for this, yes, we are, we have sunscreen, mosquito repellant, water, stroller and a bike. We do plan to take off on weekends to keep our family time together. May be we switch Saturday & Wednesday.

What my children enjoy a lot is can ride the bike safely, and we pass a lot four legged friends which my little one is obsessed with. DOGGGGY , She does a wonderful job in stressing that “G” makes me smile every day…

I hope you enjoy reading this blog entry…

Quote of the day “nothing can bring you peace but yourself”

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Grand Opening...

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Let’s have something different…

My older one wanted to eat something different so we decided to do a one pot meal. Yes, of course we unanimously voted to have penne with chicken ragu. This is a fairly easy recipe to make and kids friendly.
I took the liberty to change ingredients a little bit but works and taste great.

Ingredients:
2 cups Braised Chicken/ substituting rotisserie chicken
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Carrots Chopped
1 Yellow Onion Chopped
½ Cup Marsala Wine
1 can 14 oz crushed plum tomatoes
1 cup Chicken Broth
1 lb Penne or other Tubular Pasta
½ cup Parmesan Cheese

Prepare the Sauce:
In a large frying pan over medium high heat, warm the oil. Add the carrots and onions, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the Marsala and cook for 5 minutes until the alcohol is evaporated. reduce the heat to medium, stir in the chicken, and simmer until the sauce is thickened about 10 minutes.

Cook the Pasta:
Add 2 tablespoons of salt to a hot water to cook pasta. Cook the pasta to according to the package directions. Drain and reserve ½ cup of water. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to combine with the sauce. If it’s thick add some cooking water to get the desired consistency. Grate the parmesan cheese on top…

Quote of the day “When you cook, do it because you love to cook”

Enjoy!

Card Making…

I LOVE LOVE LOVE making cards that’s the reason I started to blog then it was a outlet for my other creations. When I take a peak in other blogs sometimes I spend so much time on reading paper crafting blogs.
As I was creating gifts boxes for my friends I started to incorporate cards into these boxes. I have additionally send cards to family and friends… I do get ravings from my friends my cards rock. I am also a huge scrap booker which I am planning to get my hands on this summer…

These are some of the cards I have made to place in the hat boxes for newborns…

I hope you enjoy viewing them as I enjoy making them and blogging…

Quote of the day “give yourself time to adapt to change”
Enjoy!

Novelty Yarn…

I bought this couple of years ago and had in my stash to make jewelry which I didn’t get my hands to. Finally I decided to incorporate this yarn to make this funny hat. I am planning to add to my box of hats for the newborn. Other reason was I knitted two hats using pink yarn; so box contained so much pink. Even though this hat does contain hint of pink… what’s cool about this hat is how this novelty yarn plays a key role and adds character this beautiful hat.

I previously did another version of this hat and gave it away as a gift and never had a chance to blog on it. I hope the person who got it liked it. I would love to see a baby wearing this hat for a photo shoot. I think it will be wonderful to wear this on a Fall Day… so the hat will do its job to blend into environment colors.

I personally like all shades of brown I am planning to incorporate some earthy tones for my hat collection soon… it’s just getting time to knit and design; is sometimes could be a daunting task in our household with mouths to feed and still checking homework… can’t wait to get the summer break for my older one. We can relax, sleep in, and enjoy the long summer day at the beach…

Quote of the day “love the rainy days too”

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Pink…

I had no idea that pink could be this cool. As a kid growing up I do not recall having many outfits in pink. So I was elated with the news I was pregnant with a girl because as a teacher I have seen plenty of pink with little girls and miss it as a color.

I am working on another box of hats for a friend. I have already knitted two pink hats. However I am in love with this hat because it is very cool I used all the shades that I had in pink and very happy with the end result.

I have knitted this hat in the past with contrast colors but I love it with shades of pink. The little flower embellishment adds the right touch to it. I might keep this color combination for winter presents.

Quote of the day “take it for granted that things will go wrong”

Enjoy!

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Local Yarn Shop…

I like to go to the local yarn shop. The owner of the shop is a very nice lady and loves to help out with projects or simply advice what yarn to pick for a certain project. She also has a wonderful collection of knitting needles I mean all sizes and lengths (when it comes to circular needles). I personally love her clearance rack because she has cool yarn after several markdowns. Final price it sells, if I am lucky for a buck. I do not mind buying yarn at this price because it’s worth the effort I am putting for it when it comes to gift giving.

I am sure I will be knitting a lot this winter. My main project was to knit mittens for my daughter this winter, she will be wearing mittens. It’s going to be so much fun I think. I am not doing the thumb inserts just simple mittens so I can keep everyone’s sanity together when it comes to getting out of the door on time for school and errands.

Well going back to this project… I bought this yarn from her shop and she specifically told me I need only 1 skein or a ball to make a scarf. I did bought one from both yarns. They were made in Italy and the fiber count was 30% acrylic and 70% wool. I already made two scarfs and I love it. I don’t yet if I am going to keep them for myself or give them as gifts time will tell.

Quote of the day “take joy in small things”

Enjoy!

Pumpkin…

It is too early to knit a pumpkin hat but a friend of mines, friend had a baby I want to knit that baby’s first pumpkin hat for this coming FALL. Yep and now is the time because you never know how busy I am going to be this FALL. I love this hat but I wanted to do some modifications and you will see them soon because I am excited see them too.

Fall is a beautiful season to celebrate I love and live for FALL the colors, damp air brings and reminds me of the cold and harsh winter and the wonders of nature. I would really like to go for a nature walk this fall. We will see about that… by that statement written on my blog. I might have to post some pictures too this FALL.
I also wanted to blog few things about this hat. I loved the stem and the leaf it adds that cuteness to the little noggin at the same time it makes a wonderful photo prop. I really wish I knew how to knit before the arrival of my little one but then on the flip side I would end up more 10,000 of pictures in my laptop… no wonder everyone complains the computer is very slow…

If I were to give this as a gift this FALL I might have to create a cute card to go with it too just expanding my creativity… another reason to get LOST in my stamping and card making world…

Quote of the day “as a parent set limits”

Enjoy!

Crochet…

Yesterday was my knitting group. I bought a crochet hook to pick up drop stitches from my knitting. Literally, that the reason I bought one. Later I found hook was too big to pick up stitches so I started on my own following a book to do the chain… yes I was able to do it. And that’s was the end of it but those who reads my blog posts knows I like to keep m hands busy. Now that I have accomplished several projects by myself I wanted to learn how to CROCHET yes, that exactly what I wanted to learn so I met the girls and express my needs.

First of all I was happy to see Kathy another experienced knitter. She has had helped me to do the yarn over on my little one’s dress. Which I needed to practice more… My knitting group leader (Cynthia) and Kathy were both very happy and eager to show me how to hold the crochet hook and start my second attempt to do chain stitch. I got the hang of it I wanted to practice it more then they ask me to move on to the next step and which I did joining chain it was FUN.

I had a blast came home next day morning I was able to take the whole thing apart and do it again. I hope I am doing the right think I cannot wait to show it to Cynthia and Kathy.

More than anything I cannot wait to make little flowers to attach to little hats I am making this could me so much fun. I have already eyed a book from Amazon.Com about this subject. Guess still like to learn from books. I have to admit by joining the knitting group have allowed me to learn new things. This is the very beginning of my crochet it does looks very easy to learn comparing to knitting no cast on measurement of yarn because you go forward with yarn. Let’s see where I am going with this new crochet thing.

Quote of the day "listen to old people"

Enjoy!

Fair Isle…

I finally did it… Yes with Cynthia’s help I was able to find the pattern and learned how to do it. It was FUN and exhilarating at the same time. It’s amazing to explore what you can do with a ball of yarn. I find inner child in me sometimes when I learn something of course I can’t wait to incorporate into a HAT. Yep, but that’s me. I finally got the hang how to do fruits can’t wait to add the crop to my blog… ha … ha… right.
I was analyzing this in so many ways in my head and finally did it. I made an egg plant… or I would rather call it for my daughter’s sake a blueberry. I know now the possibilities are endless.

It’s been a while that I started typing since I have been busy working and balancing everything. This is where my time management comes to PLAY. I guess most of the time I have been a good example…
I sometime like to give some wiggle room and play and dance. Yes, I can lock in that mode for a LONG time but, I try not to because I have a FAMILY. Fun part is that’s where the creativity happens…

Enough about that back to my fruit knitting I cannot wait to make some of these for my friend’s babies…
I loved the watermelon head but now I can do more have more cute beanies. I saw this cute hat when I was in Boston in a small baby boutique. It was adorable and it even had wooden beads painted green as peas in a pod knitted to HAT. I was like going crazy literally driving myself nuts with this hat but it was so expensive not in my budget if not I would have bought it just for the fun of it.

I am in a mission to create these peas in a pod hat someday with my authenticity.

Quote of the day “dress up to stay at home”

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Long waited DRESS…

I was simply happy because I finally finish the dress! Yes, I finally made by first knitted dress for my little one. Yeah… this was a little complicated dress pattern but the beauty is it looks very simple, now I can see what else I can create it kills me to work on one and start another project I just can’t stand it. I have put some projects already in queue to work on… can’t wait to start on those.
However I did finish some other projects while I was working on this one… I was able to finish those before I did the final stitches on this dress…
Challenge was logically figuring out how to do the neck and placing stitches on a stitch holder… working on arm bands, neck band and back opening was like understanding Greek Mythology… I mean it. I ran back to creating my wonderful hats… cannot wait to knit pretty hats…
I guess a knitter doesn’t like to spend time doing nothing…
I want to blog on this because I got this pattern from one of the Debbie Bliss’s books but I did not bought her yarn found something similar from online store for much less. Works great and this could be a spring/summer dress. I would not be able to finish this without Cynthia. She helped me with this project a lot so a HUGE thank you goes to her.
Cynthia is the leader in our knitting group… I have to admit she has have a lot of patience to deal with me for the amount of mistakes I do.

Quote of the day “encourage others to succeed beyond their abilities”

Enjoy!

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