Scones, Coffee, & Girlies

Made this batch of orange cranberry scones this morning, and now I am off to visit with the granddaughters, Lulu and Mirabella. Hope their Mommy has the coffee brewing!

***Edited to add the recipe***

I found the recipe for these scones at Aiken House & Gardens. Carolyn has the loveliest blog! I added an extra 1/8 cup of sugar and for the buttermilk I substituted 1 cup of milk soured with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. I, also, made a glaze....1 cup confectioners sugar, 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, and orange zest.

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Scone pan was the mystery gift from my daughter for my birthday last year. She ordered it on-line from Williams-Sonoma.

My Little Corner

This is my little corner in the living room. All my projects are within easy reach. I call it messy armchair living.

Scarf Yarns

I have a serious addiction to knitting scarves. Manos del Uruguay, I think I love you!

The Garden in November

Leaves, leaves leaves, everywhere! When Libby was here on Monday, we couldn't wait to go outside and play. Isn't it funny how children view a pile of leaves as a joyous playground to hide, jump, and make a 'leaf angel' in, and we grown-ups see it as a drudgery? Raking and cleaning up the garden is work! That's why we all need little children in are lives to bring out our own inner child, you know, the one we hide away deep inside our hearts. Being a grandmother has helped me to feel young again and to embrace my playful side. Love that! Today, looking out the window, there are even more leaves down and a light snow is falling. Much too early for that, I think. So, what does one do when it's quite damp and chilly outside and you want to feel cozy inside? Why, bake chocolate cookies, of course! I think later though, I will grab a coat, wrap a nice warm knitted scarf around my neck, and venture out into the cold for a very long walk. Garden clean-up will have to wait until this weekend.

A Brand New Ripple

Like the sparkling ripples on a sunny day as a flat smooth pebble is skipped across the pond, a brand new ripple came into our family yesterday and, wow, did she sparkle! Mirabella Olive, you are a beauty. When you were placed into my arms by your lovely Mommy, I looked into your curious blue eyes staring into mine, and felt pure love, unconditional, unblemished, and genuine. Hearing your sweet little newborn cry was like music to my ears, and ever-so slowly unwrapping your warm cozy blanket and counting your ten tiny toes filled me with untold joy. Yes, a brand new ripple, making the family circle move outward and onward into the future. Mirabella, we are going to have so much fun together, you'll see. Oh, my goodness, my heart is filled to the brim. Welcome, sweet one, welcome.

The Temptation of an Unmade Bed

When I awoke this morning and peeked out the window, all I saw was rain, wind, and piles of leaves everywhere. I went into the kitchen and made some breakfast, started gathering up the laundry, walked past the bedroom door and saw this. Since I have no commitments today, all I want to do is take a nice hot bubble bath, put on clean jammies and climb back into this nice warm bed. I think, propped up with a few pillows, a cup of herbal tea, the baby blanket I am crocheting, and a good book is just what I need. I've been reading 'The Forgotten Garden' by Kate Morton, and it is really a wonderful book. Later, I'll head back to the kitchen and make some comfort food for supper. Cowboy Beans and Rice is on the menu. The wind and rain can do whatever it wants to outside. I am giving in to temptation, staying in, and being comfy, cozy and content all day long.

The 'Man' Quilt

I've heard quite a few complaints, as well as, requests from the main 'man' in the family stating how all the quilts I make are usually pink, flowery and girlie. He asked me if I could please make a quilt that would be more for a guy. So, here's the 'Man' quilt. I've been working on it for a while and it is all ready to sandwich together. I really liked the challenge of putting the different strips together and it ended up being a fun project. Of course, as you can see, I did add my signature 'girlie' to it by including a little pink in the log cabins. The actual name of the quilt is called 'Sunshine-in-the-Window Log Cabin' and the instructions came from a Leisure Arts Book called 'Quick Quilt Classics'. This is the same book my favorite quilt is from. Once I neatly press the quilt and pin the batting and backing together, I will add it to (the bottom) of the ever-growing stack of quilts waiting to be hand-quilted. Good luck, old 'Man' quilt, I think you're going to have a long wait!

In My Kitchen

Good Morning! It's a very chilly and rainy Friday here today, but it sure is cozy in my kitchen.

The smell of coffee brewing and the aroma of homemade blueberry muffins is making my tummy growl and my mouth water.

Here's a blueberry muffin for you. And, may I just take the time to say, thank you to all of you who visit my blog. I really appreciate all the lovely sweet comments. You're the best!

Breathtakingly Beautiful

This beautiful blue sky greeted me this morning. It's the first perfectly cloudless day I've seen in over three weeks. Looking out the window, the sun was ablaze on the very tops of the trees making the reds, yellows and oranges glow like a halo. My first inclination was to grab the camera and go for a walk, but Libby had other ideas. I'm sure all of you know what it's like to try and hurry an almost 4 year old child through breakfast when they would rather stay in their jammies and watch 'Pinky Dinky Doo'. Finally, around 10:00, we bundled up in warm coats, hats, and gloves, and set off. I must say, exploring autumn through the eyes of a sweet and very curious child made for a truly glorious time between grandmother and granddaughter. The multi-colored leaves were admired, than shuffled through, making those wonderful scratchy crunchy noises. Precious memories were made that will be treasured for years to come, all because of one breathtakingly beautiful blue sky.

Weekend Knitting, Shopping & Eating

How was your weekend? Mine was extremely busy. Thought I would be relaxing in my chair and knitting, but instead, I did a lot of 'away from home' things. I was quite busy shopping for; comfort food to cook and bake; a couple of cozy warm sweaters; and than enjoyed a lovely family get-together at a delicious restaurant with my dear husband, my children, their lovely partners and my charmingly rambunctious granddaughters. It was so heart-warming and so much fun. What a blessing my adult children are. They've grown up to be such fine people. So proud. Anyway, I have listed three new sets of dishcloths in my shop and I am working on the red and green ones for Christmas. Hopefully, I will be selling them in my shop by the end of the week. And the last set I made especially for autumn, and I have decided to reduce the price for this particular trio from $10 to $8. Knitted dishcloths make an easy and very lovely gift for the holidays so please go take a look. Meanwhile, hope your day is filled with happy heart-warming family moments.

The Last of the Roses

It's been quite cloudy, chilly and damp in my little corner of the world the past couple of weeks. Ever since I arrived home from the sea I've been waiting for our Indian summer. Seems it's just not happening. I meandered around the garden and noticed most of the rose bushes are abundantly graced with colorful rose hips so I was really delighted to find these last couple of roses blooming. So pretty! I am hoping for a free day with plenty of sunshine to start doing some major clean-up in the garden but, unfortunately, snow is predicted for this weekend. I know it will just be a few scattered flakes but still, I am so not ready for that! My plan is to stay warm and sit in my cozy chair, drink some hot tea and knit. I have quite a few new sets of dishcloths ready for my shop but I am waiting for the sun to appear to take decent photos of them. I would also like to start crocheting a soft little blanket for my new granddaughter who will be born in less than two weeks. Looking forward to holding her in my arms, gently kissing her sweet little cheeks and inhaling that lovely aroma on her little fuzzy head. Almost like a delicate new rosebud....soft, sweet and fragrant, only better!

Pretty Little Weegirl

Every time I turn around, there's pretty little Weegirl, staring at me. She follows me everywhere. When I found her atop the ironing board I had to snap her picture. And speaking of pretty, I bought a couple of yards of this Philip Jacobs fabric on clearance here for only $3.49 per yard. What am I making? More jammie pants. I prefer using 100% cotton fabrics rather than my vintage sheets. The sheets are half cotton and half of a fabric I despise. Can you guess what that is? Anyway, back to my little room upstairs to get some sewing done while Lulu naps. I think I may have to coax Weegirl with a few treats to get her off my ironing board.