Hospitality Begins at Home

Edie at Life in Grace posted 31 Days to a Heart of Hospitality.  You can read all her posts here.

One of the thoughts she shared is hospitality should begin at home.    We should serve our families first.
One of my favorite ways to serve my family is baking for them.  Of course, desserts are always a favorite here. Lately, hubby had been dropping some hints for these delicious peanut blossoms.  So I promptly got to
baking.  I follow the recipe from the Land o Lakes site because I prefer to make the cookies with real butter instead of shortening.

Ingredients

• 1/2 CUP

  sugar

• 1/2 CUP

  firmly packed brown sugar

• 1/2 CUP

  Land O Lakes® Butter, softened

• 1/2 CUP

  peanut butter

• 1

  Land O Lakes® All-Natural Egg

• 1 TEASPOON

  vanilla extract

• 1/4 TEASPOON

  salt

• 1 3/4 CUPS

  all-purpose flour

• 1 TEASPOON

  baking soda

• 1/4 CUP

  sugar

• 48

  milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped
• DIRECTIONS
  
  
  Heat oven to 375°F. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla and salt; continue beating until well mixed. Add flour and baking soda. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
  
  
  Shape dough into 1-inch balls. (If dough is too soft, refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes.) Roll balls in 1/4 cup sugar. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  
  
  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until very lightly golden brown. Immediately press 1 chocolate kiss in center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets; cool completely on wire racks.
  
  
  Everyone loves Pinterest and I am no exception.  I probably spend way too much time on there.  But some good does come of it.  Especially when I actually prepare one of the many recipes I've pinned.
• This is one of the easiest and tastiest recipes I've pinned.  You can find it at the Southern Plate.  Obviously, southerners know what they're doing when it comes to deliciousness.  This has quickly become one of our favorites.  I have made them a couple of times.  These fabulous donuts are made from biscuits.  Needless to say, anything fried then dipped in butter and sugar is going to quickly become a number one pick.  I followed the recipe except I only use sugar to coat mine instead of cinnamon sugar, and dip them in butter instead of margarine. They taste like fried doughboys that are so very popular in our area.  

 

They are a mouth watering treat that takes nearly no time at all to make.  Everyone needs to try this at least one.  You will want to make them all the time.  They are perfect for these cool fall mornings with a hot latte.

You must let me know if you try these.

Linking to these parties.

Chunky Circle Scarf

Crocheting has been my creative outlet recently.  I have acquired so many amazing patterns that I just can't stop making things.  Today I am showing you the newest scarf I made. I found the pattern on Pinterest and it is originally from People Webs.  This pattern was not difficult but you do have to pay close attention.  At times I did not and there was some thread pulling happening.  But in the end I am happy with how it turned out.

I did not use the same thread recommended in the pattern.  I love this soft and thick alpaca yarn.  I was making this scarf for my mom who walks home from work almost daily and I thought it would be warmer.

The original pattern directions are to join the ends together, but I knew my mom would prefer it as a regular scarf instead of an infinity scarf. 

 The pattern was simple to understand.  She explains things so well.  I made this while watching tv at night, most likely the source of my mistakes.  

I am so thankful to all the wonderful artists who post their patterns and share them so generously with others.    What did we ever do before the internet.  I know my pattern list has grown substantially with all the talented bloggers sharing their gifts.  

My mom loved the scarf.  I hope it helps her think of me whenever she uses it.

I will be linking up to the fabulous parties listed here.

Fall Festival of Color

One of the perks for living in New England is the display of autumn color.  The air is crisp, no more humidity, sunny days with cool nights when you can snuggle in.  Unfortunately, this year we have had quite a rainy fall.  In addition to the busyness of life, we had not had an opportunity to venture out and enjoy fall's festival of color.  This weekend hubby and I decided we had to go.  With Hurricane Sandy barreling our way we knew there wouldn't be any leaves left when she was done with us.  So we headed out.

 It is not peak color but still beautiful.

 We traveled the route that dear hubby takes to work daily.

Already the skies were warning of the impending storm.  This was early afternoon on Saturday.  Sandy truly wants her presence known.

 A storm of this magnitude heading in our direction at this time of year is unusual.  It is a surprise we could do without.  

 Thankfully, we are not in the direct line of the storm.  My heart goes out to those who are in the direct line of this storm. Here we are praying for the best.  Settling in and waiting to see what she will bring to our area.  Remembering Tropical Storm Irene, which did not seem to have an enormous impact on the day it happened but we were left without power for eight days.  Praying God keeps everyone safe throughout this ordeal.

Baby on the Way

Not for me, though~My sister is soon to be mommy to a baby girl.  She is the proud mama of two very handsome young boys and is thrilled to be plunging into baby girl mommyhood.  As soon as we knew she would be having a baby girl, my mom and I started on some very fun projects.  A couple of weeks ago we had her baby shower and she was able to see the treasures for her little girl.

I made this newborn cloche on the drive to Virginia.  

 The rose is one of my favorite patterns.  She will look precious sporting this hat adorned with a sweet rose.

There is nothing more precious than a baby bonnet.  This pattern was so simple and easy and it was another one I made during the drive to Virginia.

The circular back is started much like a hat pattern, with increases spaced evenly.  It makes a the shape of the bonnet.

Headband with a large rose.  The fullness of this rose caught my eye and I knew I wanted to try it.

I found the pattern for the rose here.  The headband is made with single crochet stitches all around.

Sweet rose headband.  I cut circles out of lace and layered them to create the fullness.

Then I added some pearls in the middle for a little glam.  Every girl needs a little glam.

Pink rose headband.  I took apart a silk flower and glued everything together than added it to the headband.

Small car seat blanket.  She is due at the end of December and you can never have too many blankets with a little one. 

This little blanket was crocheted with alternating rows of double crochet and single crochet.  The edging is a shell stitch.

This afghan is by far my favorite.  It is a vintage pattern that my mom had.  I love its simplicity.  It what makes the afghan gorgeous.

Lining up the stitches is the most important thing in a pattern like this.  There were times that I had to tear apart rows because one stitch was off but in the end it was worth it.

The edging is light and airy.  It gives the afghan an added measure of femininity.  

Crocheted Mary Janes~these precious little shoes were fun to make.  They are so simple and sweet.  Working with such thin thread can be a challenge but these were a hit with everyone.

The shower was held at a place that neither my mom or I had ever seen until the day of.  It was difficult to prepare for decorations and set.  Thankfully everything turned out well.  I wish the space was brighter and less masculine but you have to work with what you have.

These fabulous cupcakes were made by a friend.  They were pretty  and yummy.

These booties are so precious.  I did not finish them in time for the shower but they were done shortly after.

I followed the pattern at Repeat Crafter Me.  She has some amazing patterns and fun things.

Her crocheted snowman and Mickey/Minnie Mouse hats are next on the to do list.  But first my sister has requested a lace bonnet for the baby's christening and I am currently working on a scarf for my mom.  More on that pattern soon.

My mom crocheted a filet crochet bedspread out of white cotton thread in a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs pattern.  I am waiting for my sister to email that picture so I can share it here.  It is truly a work of art.

Linking to:

 

Candy Bouquet for My Sweetheart

For my dear hubby's birthday I wanted to make him something he would love and enjoy.  He definitely has a sweet tooth and I am a sweet tooth enabler.

The candy bouquet with some of his favorites!!

 He does try to eat healthy and stay fit but I can't help but give him some of his favorites.  It puts a smile on his face and I love to make him smile.

 Much like real flowers this bouquet did not last very long.

 These are incredibly easy to put together and make a wonderful gift.  I already have ideas for some others that I would like to try.

Linking to:

September Musings and a Trip

September was a busy month for us.  It seemed like I blinked and it was gone. We are back to our full time home schooling schedule, we celebrated my hubby's birthday and my mom's birthday and we took a trip to Williamsburg, VA and visited Colonial Williamsburg.  My mom had wanted to see Colonial Williamsburg for a long time and we happened to have the time off and the accommodations , so off we went.  It was an almost ten hour drive from our neck of the woods to Williamsburg but we made it without much traffic and safely.

The architecture is simply amazing.  The area was mostly restored by John D. Rockefeller in the 1930's.  Many of the original buildings had burned down.  Most of the original foundations were uncovered and they rebuilt the existing buildings on them.

This church is original and dates back to the 1700's.  It is an Episcopal Church and still holds services to this day.

 The Governor's Mansion~It is surrounded by incredibly gorgeous gardens and has the most amazing cellar, which is the original.

 The carriage house

My mom and dad on the left and my husband and I.

 The food they were preparing in the kitchen was simply amazing.

The amazing pantry

 Gorgeous horses and carriages~but the rides were too short.

One of the things we found intriguing is that the many of the historical homes along Duke of Gloucester Street (the main street there) are rented out and occupied by the those who work for Colonial Williamsburg.  I love those homes and would love to live in one, if only for a couple of months.  It would be quite interesting to investigate each part of the home and wonder who had walked through those very same rooms, how they lived, what were their thoughts and feelings.  

 Where we stayed.

It was so quiet and tranquil there.  We were blessed with perfect weather, 70's and sunny with cool nights. 

The saddest day was when we had to leave.  We enjoyed it so much!!  We dreamed of winning the lottery, buying an RV home and traveling to all the historical places and national parks in this amazing country of ours. We'll have to keep dreaming and wishing.  My parents were more than ready to join us on our journey.  We were thrilled to have them along on this trip.  My mom would love to see Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas time.  It is beautiful from what we were told but I don't think we'll attempt that kind of drive when the weather may not be cooperative.

This little guy was so sad we were gone that he was sick the entire time.  Poor, little baby, he missed us!!