Crafty Friday 4/1 - Knitting & Crochet Blog Week

Happy Friday!! It's been quite a week.

Have you heard of Knitting and Crochet Blog Week? It's a great global event that has brought knitting and crochet bloggers together in a fun and unique way. Hundreds of bloggers around the world are participating and trying to meet the daily blogging goal. So far I've made it, but it's been more of a struggle than I ever thought it'd be.

(For complete blog week details click here.)

Every day there is a new topic and all participators blog their unique take on the topic. Some have been easier than others and one day made me want to pull my hair out. But I am going to continue and I will happy to say that I survived Knitting and Crochet blog week!

Today was only Day 4 so there is still plenty of time join in. You can find complete details here. And despite the mild whining it really is a lot fun! Come join us!

Do you have something to share? Let us know what you’re working on this week! It can be photos of a project, instructions, recipes, or anything else you feel is "crafty". If you have something to share with us on your blog, add your link to the current week's party. Just please be sure to:

1. Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address in the linky form below.
2. Include in your blog entry a link back to the party post on this blog so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is working on today and have an opportunity to contribute! You can use the code below to add the button to your posts or blog if you'd like.
3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what makes a party fun!! You don't want to come to a party and have no one talk to you!

If you want to play along don't forget to grab a button to place at the top or bottom of your post to show you are participating in Crafty Fridays!
Simply copy the code below in the box and paste where you can edit the html in your blog post.




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Day 4: Where are they now?

Whatever happened to your __________?

Write about the fate of a past knitting project. Whether it be something that you crocheted or knitted for yourself or to give to another person. An item that lives with you or something which you sent off to charity.

(Last project I finished that I have a picture of)

I have been contemplating this blog post for a couple days now and am still at a loss. Actually I'm a little sad as I've come to realize that I have no idea where most of my knitting projects have gone.

I don't knit for myself. Really! I have a million projects that I'd love to make myself, but they always seem to get pushed aside or given away when I'm done.

I have been knitting for about 7 years and I can barely recall most of the projects I've made. Isn't that sad? Everything I knit either is given away as a present or put in the store inventory and sold. I rarely even take the time to photograph them. Now I wish I had. Even my ravelry projects are mostly pictureless.

I remember a couple years of just scarves. They were given away as Christmas presents, birthday presents, and just because I no longer wish to look at it presents. I remember one of my first fun fur scarves which I made for my youngest daughter. It lasted about 2 weeks then was lost at Wal-mart never to be seen again. I haven't knit much for the kids since then although they are older now and are less prone to losing things at stores.

Since the scarves I've graduated to hats and mittens. I made a hat for my niece a few years ago. I wonder what became of that? I've also made several alpaca hats that have been sold at festivals and craft shows. I hope they kept people's heads warm in the winter. I even sold one to a lady in Canada. At least she emailed me that she loved it and had to wear the very first day she got it. I love emails like that. :o)

The last year or so everything I knit has been sold with the exception of a little bonnet for my newborn niece. She lives far far away so I never really got to see her wear it, but somewhere I have a picture of her in it. Apparently she has out grown it and my sister has requested a replacement.

(not my niece)

So any of you that have been given a knitted item or bought one from us, please let me know how they are doing. I hope that they have served you well and brought you much enjoyment.

Day 3: Tidy mind, tidy stitches.

How do you keep your yarn wrangling organized? It seems like an easy to answer question at first, but in fact organization exists on many levels. Maybe you are truly not organized at all, in which case I am personally daring you to try and photograph your stash in whatever locations you can find the individual skeins. However, if you are organized, blog about an aspect of that organization process, whether that be a particularly neat and tidy knitting bag, a decorative display of your crochet hooks, your organized stash or your project and stash pages on Ravelry.

I may not always be tidy, but I am organized. I believe that everything has it's place. It just might not always be there. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I have a love/hate relationship with organizing. I love the shelves of alphabetized DVD's and books. Plus all those little drawers, baskets and what-not you can find at the container store just get me excited with the possibilities.

The reality is some what different. I like to make a home for everything and sometimes it's there, but I've found that the more I use something the less likely it is to stay in it's home. I have huge mountains of books, knitting projects/patterns, yarn, paperwork and my camera all piled around my rocker in the living room. Kind of scary and the worst is when people are coming over and I have to clean it up. I can't find anything when I pick it up and put it away!

I was having a hard time keeping track of all of my circular needles and I found the coolest thing recently that I thought I'd share with you.


I found this scrapbook container at Meijer of all places. There may be something like it at the craft stores, but I try and avoid those places unless absolutely necessary. It's a little bigger than my scrapbook albums and opens up to show all these cute pockets. I think they're 4x6 and there are 12 pockets (6 on each side). I'm guessing that they were designed to hold stickers, photo mats or diecuts, but it works great for my needles.

I labeled the inside of each pocket with a needle size and have added all my circs to their appropriate spot. I have no problem mixing different lengths since those are easy to see at a glance, but separating the sizes has been great. I even discovered that I had no size 4 or 6 needles. How is that possible?

Waltz On By Wednesday Blog Hop - 3/30

Welcome to Waltz On By Wednesday hosted by Home Sweet Farm. The goal of this hop is to get new Google Friend Connect Followers for your blog and be introduced to new blogs to follow! We wanted to keep it fun and easy so all you have to do is add your blog link and start blog hopping and following away! You aren’t required to write a post for your blog for Waltz On By Wednesday unless you want to (but we really appreciate it if you do to help get the word out).

When you visit a blog that you like and want to follow, leave them a comment with your link telling them you are following from the WOB Wednesday. Of course, we would love for you to follow your hostess blog, Home Sweet Farm, but it isn’t mandatory. If you do follow us, just leave us a comment and we will follow you back.

The main goal is to have fun and follow the blogs that interest you!




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Wordless Wednesday - I Want a Ride Too

Day 2: Skill + 1UP

Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year.

What have I learned over the past year? Hmmm.......time to think.

A year ago I was just barely starting my yarn business and the extent of my knitting skills was making hats and scarves.

Actually, it wasn't that bad. I had mastered basic sock knitting, but in my opinion that wasn't hard at all. I'm not sure why the fear of sock knitting is passed from one knitter to another.

My greatest fear was chart knitting. All of those symbols and lines! I couldn't figure out how it all went together. I came across so many patterns I wanted to knit, but they all had charts for instructions. I felt like screaming "what's wrong with written directions?!"

Last summer I finally came across a project that I had to make even though it had a chart. (You can read about that project here.) I spent sooo much time googling how to read the chart. I think it took less time to actually knit the bonnet than learn how to.

After that I once again steered clear of charted patterns. I still didn't feel comfortable with them.

Fast forward to this past Christmas when I met the most amazing group of women in a local knitting guild. They are all so nice and watching them knit such amazing creations makes me want to knit more complex projects.

Recently the guild decided to have a knit along. There were 2 projects to choose from. A cute, simple shawl and a lace cowl. I wanted to knit that cowl so badly.

I printed off the pattern and stared at it for days. I was pretty sure I understood it and decided to dive right in. I was terrified to knit using the chart for the pattern. I even wrote out the instructions line by line, but the funny thing was I got it. I actually got the hang of it!


I am now flying through the start of the second chart and I don't need to write it out! I feel like I've walked a million miles to reach this milestone!

Maybe next I'll learn cables. {shudder}


To read more Day 2 posts of Knitting and Crochet blog week google 2KCBWDAY2

Delectable Tuesday Blog Hop 3/29 - White Chocolate Popcorn

I was trying to think of one word to describe this popcorn and I couldn't. Well except maybe just saying "wow!". In fact, if I remember correctly, I was completely speechless when I ate this the first time.

I'm not a big popcorn fan normally, but this is flat out amazing. You will really have a hard time not eating all of it at once.


White Chocolate Popcorn

6 ounces of Nestle white chocolate chips
2 (3 1/3 ounce) bags popcorn (Stay away from the buttery kind)

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. (Watch it closely if you use the microwave).
Microwave 2 bags of popcorn or pop about 7 oz. popcorn kernels.
In a large tub, (or 2 large bowls) drizzle melted white chocolate over popcorn. Mix and fluff as you go. Your looking for a light coat of chocolate on the popcorn -- too much will make the popcorn soggy and spongy.
Let popcorn cool in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens. This is a great time to scoop servings of the popcorn into large ziplock bags for easy storage.


For more great recipes visit Hearth and Soul, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, What's Cooking Wednesday and Tuesdays at the Table.





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Day 1: A Tale of Two Yarns

Part of any fibre enthusiast’s hobby is an appreciation of yarn. Choose two yarns that you have either used, are in your stash or which you yearn after and capture what it is you love or loathe about them.

I have been having the hardest time with this post. I think it's mostly because I wanted to make something more out of it than just talking about 2 yarns. It's only the first day and I'm already stressed about this blog week.

I started knitting about 6 or 7 years ago. I can't remember exactly. I just remember that it was sometime after my youngest was born. He's 7 now so......

I started out probably just like everyone else. I bought the stuff at Wal-mart, some needles and several books. That was not a great experience. I finally broke down and took a class that the local school district was having in the evening.

I learned on acrylic yarn and didn't give it much thought back then. This was back when 'fun fur' yarns were all the rage and I knit sooooo many things out of that. *I'm shuddering inside* Don't get me wrong...that stuff had it's day, but you can only knit so many furry scarves.

Along with the fur yarns came ribbon yarn. (Not to be confused with sari ribbon yarn which in my opinion is totally different).

I really wanted to love this stuff. It was different and it came in so many pretty colors. No matter what I did with it though, it never worked for me. I couldn't get it to lay right or work on the needles. It frustrated me so much. But it was more frustrating having this yarn I wanted to use give me fits.

As I'm a glass half full kind gal most of the time, I forced myself to find a use for this yarn because I couldn't just leave it be. After much thought I realized it was perfect for wrapping things. This yarn is inexpensive and there is so much of it that it puts rolls of true ribbon to shame. I have been wrapping packages, presents and hanging tags with the same three skeins I bought now for nearly four years. That is a heck of a lot of ribbon. :o)

In the middle of this trying, acrylic yarn time, I found my true yarn love.....sock yarn. The funny thing is I don't knit socks.

One trip to a brand new local yarn shop and my fate was sealed. All of those colors! I wanted them all and I had absolutely no idea what to do with yarn that tiny and fragile.

Over the years I have learned how many things there are that you can knit with sock yarn and not have to make socks. This love of sock yarn is in fact what prompted me to start our yarn business. I can never have enough of these hand-painted lovelies.

If I had to choose a favorite sock yarn (which really is very difficult to do), I'd have to go with just a basic 100% superwash merino. It knits up fabulous, look and feels great, and the best part is it's washable. It's my go-to for baby things.

There are many, many fabulous yarn makers and dyers out there, but I will always be partial to my yarn just because I made it and every color was some how inspired by my family, my farm and my life.


To find more Day 1 posts google 2KCBWDAY1

Crafty Friday 3/25 - 26,000 Stitches

For all of you knitters out there....

Have you ever wondered how many stitches you've made in a project? When you're going along and you knit 1 then purl 1 or whatever your pattern may be, do you wonder?

I'm currently working on a shawl with a ruffle edge and wondered how many stitches were in the ruffle because I was trying to figure out if I had enough yarn left. It turns out there were almost 8,ooo stitches just in that little ruffle edge. I was really surprised at this considering the edge is only 7 stitches wide, but I double checked the math.

Well of course I then had to figure out how many were in the shawl itself because I couldn't just leave the math alone. It turns out that the shawl had about 18,000 stitches.

That's 26,000 stitches give or take a little. Wow! Maybe someday I'll figure out how many stitches I can do in a minute and figure out how long it takes to make the shawl.

Or maybe not....I'd like to leave something to wonder about.

I don't have a picture of the shawl because it's not quite done yet, but I can give you a picture of what else I've been working on this week.


I've been dyeing lots and lots of 2 oz. pieces of wool rovings to use in felting packs. I've lost count of how many colors I've done, but I know that there are 52 balls in the bag right now (some are the same color). In the bag they look like giant gum balls.

Do you have something to share? Let us know what you’re working on this week! It can be photos of a project, instructions, recipes, or anything else you feel is "crafty". If you have something to share with us on your blog, add your link to the current week's party. Just please be sure to:

1. Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address in the linky form below.
2. Include in your blog entry a link back to the party post on this blog so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is working on today and have an opportunity to contribute! You can use the code below to add the button to your posts or blog if you'd like.
3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what makes a party fun!! You don't want to come to a party and have no one talk to you!

If you want to play along don't forget to grab a button to place at the top or bottom of your post to show you are participating in Crafty Fridays!
Simply copy the code below in the box and paste where you can edit the html in your blog post.




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Waltz On By Wednesday Blog Hop - 3/23

Welcome to Waltz On By Wednesday hosted by Home Sweet Farm. The goal of this hop is to get new Google Friend Connect Followers for your blog and be introduced to new blogs to follow! We wanted to keep it fun and easy so all you have to do is add your blog link and start blog hopping and following away! You aren’t required to write a post for your blog for Waltz On By Wednesday unless you want to (but we really appreciate it if you do to help get the word out).

When you visit a blog that you like and want to follow, leave them a comment with your link telling them you are following from the WOB Wednesday. Of course, we would love for you to follow your hostess blog, Home Sweet Farm, but it isn’t mandatory. If you do follow us, just leave us a comment and we will follow you back.

The main goal is to have fun and follow the blogs that interest you!




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Delectable Tuesday Blog Hop 3/22 - Chicken Enchiladas

I had one of those "what to make for dinner" moments tonight. I even told the family that I'd make whatever they wanted if they would just give me an idea. Of course no one had any ideas, suggestions or input what-so-ever.

Instead I had to sit down with my cookbook (giant 3 inch thick binder of recipes). It didn't take too long before I found something that I hadn't made in years. I love it when you come across a recipe that sounds good and you have everything to make it. Yeah!

Dinner was a hit! Even the picky one ate it.



Chicken Enchiladas

2 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup sour cream, divided
1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce, divided
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, divided
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2-3 green onions, chopped
8 burrito sized flour tortilla shells

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, 1/2 cup sour cream, half of the enchilada sauce, half of the mushroom soup, 1 cup cheese and green onions.Place 1/3 cup filling on each tortilla shell. Roll up and place seam side down in a greased 9x13 baking dish.

Combine the remaining sour cream, enchilada sauce and mushroom soup. Pour over the rolled up tortillas. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Bake, covered, at 350* for 30-35 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.


For more great recipes visit Hearth and Soul, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, What's Cooking Wednesday and Tuesdays at the Table.




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Crafty Friday 3/18 - Homemade Odor Eliminating Spray

Happy Friday!!

Last week I shared powdered laundry detergent and you guys really loved it! Thanks for all the wonderful comments.

How about an odor eliminating spray (think Febreeze-like). Vinegar is an amazing cleaning tool, but did you now that it's great at getting rid of odors?

The fun of this is that you can give it just about any scent you want. My personal preference in any cleaning is an orange scent, but lemon or lavender are also great choices. You can pick whatever your family likes.

Odor Eliminating Spray

12-15 drops of pure essential oil
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 1/2 cups water

Mix in a spray bottle and use as you normally would any odor eliminating spray.

This can also be doubled if you have a large spray bottle.

Do you have something to share? Let us know what you’re working on this week! It can be photos of a project, instructions, recipes, or anything else you feel is "crafty". If you have something to share with us on your blog, add your link to the current week's party. Just please be sure to:

1. Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address in the linky form below.
2. Include in your blog entry a link back to the party post on this blog so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is working on today and have an opportunity to contribute! You can use the code below to add the button to your posts or blog if you'd like.
3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what makes a party fun!! You don't want to come to a party and have no one talk to you!

If you want to play along don't forget to grab a button to place at the top or bottom of your post to show you are participating in Crafty Fridays!
Simply copy the code below in the box and paste where you can edit the html in your blog post.




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Finding Time for Me

Thanks to Crystal Light for sponsoring this post. To learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight.

Finding time for yourself really seems like a foreign concept when you are a mom. Add in homeschooling, a home business and a full time farm.....Where is the time for me?

I love peoples' reactions when they start to talk to me at festivals, farmers markets and other events. They look our booth over and ask the inevitable question, "You make all this yourself?" Of course the answer is yes, but about this time one of my kids wonder over and then the conversation slides into the oh you're a mom too. You know the conversation I'm talking about right?

Long story short, by the time I'm through explaining that yes, we make all this. Yes, we do this full time. Yes, we have a billion kids. Yes, we homeschool. Yes, the kids are around 24/7 and I still manage to make all this. The person I'm talking to has a look of panic like maybe my crazy, busy life is contagious.

It makes me feel like pulling my hair out because suddenly I realize....wait, how do I do this? Most days I'm not sure how I get everything done and other days nothing at all gets done. And if you've ever been to my house you know that doing the dishes is always absolute last on my to-do list. I hate doing the dishes. {shudder}

All I know is that to keep it together I have to find some me time. I've tried several things including hiding in the bathroom with the shower running, but someone always came along and started banging on the door.

I finally found my sanity in a favorite childhood past time....reading. I used to read a lot and when I say a lot I mean more than 1 book a day. It's something that I gave up for a long time, but I've figured out how to fit it into my already crazy day.


Just 5 minutes here or there is enough to let me relax. I've found I can read a bit while making dinner or 10 minutes while the kids are brushing their teeth. I am no longer reading a book a day, but I am able to finish a book in a week or so.

I look forward to those little bits of time. I still get out once a month or so for some real me time, but when I can't, a book is a great escape even if only for a few minutes.

Remember, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors. I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Waltz On By Wednesday Blog Hop - 3/16

Welcome to Waltz On By Wednesday hosted by Home Sweet Farm. The goal of this hop is to get new Google Friend Connect Followers for your blog and be introduced to new blogs to follow! We wanted to keep it fun and easy so all you have to do is add your blog link and start blog hopping and following away! You aren’t required to write a post for your blog for Waltz On By Wednesday unless you want to (but we really appreciate it if you do to help get the word out).

When you visit a blog that you like and want to follow, leave them a comment with your link telling them you are following from the WOB Wednesday. Of course, we would love for you to follow your hostess blog, Home Sweet Farm, but it isn’t mandatory. If you do follow us, just leave us a comment and we will follow you back.

The main goal is to have fun and follow the blogs that interest you!




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Delectable Tuesday Blog Hop 3/15 - Grasshopper Pie

What says Spring is on it's way better than St. Patrick's Day? And what better way to celebrate this fun holiday than with green food!

I don't mean green eggs and ham although that would work too. This week I am sharing a great green dessert with you. Yummy, yummy grasshopper pie.

Unfortunately my kids were completely convinced that I was hiding grasshoppers in it somewhere. {sigh}


I promise that there are no hoppers in it.

Grasshopper Pie

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
Green food coloring
1/2 lb Andes Mints (coarsely chopped), set aside 1/4 cup for top
8 oz whipped topping
6 oz ready-made chocolate piecrust

Using a mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Stir in food coloring (a few drops at a time until desired color) and the chopped Andes Mints. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into crust. Place in freezer until firm. Garnish as desired with reserved mints and additional whipped topping. Store leftovers in freezer.


For more great recipes visit Hearth and Soul, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, What's Cooking Wednesday and Tuesdays at the Table.




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Crafty Friday 3/11 - Powdered Laundry Detergent

Can someone please tell me how in the world it's already Friday again?? I feel like I got nothing done this week. Guess I'm working this weekend.

I did manage to try and use a new laundry detergent recipe this week and I am in love with it!

For the last 3 years I've been making liquid laundry detergent. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe because I'd used liquid laundry soap all of my adult life and liquid homemade soap was the first recipe I tried.

I came across someone recently that had made laundry soap from some homemade soap bars and left it in powdered form. I was intrigued. The first batch I made used one of the handmade bars of soap left in our inventory (there were only a couple left from the farmers market last year). I liked it and it smelled great, but when it ran out I wanted to use a different bar soap.

I picked up a bar of Kirk's Original Coco Castile soap and it's so yummy! I just made this batch of soap up today and have used it twice. It was so easy and it smells wonderful. I don't think I will ever make liquid laundry soap again!


Powder Laundry Detergent

1 bar soap (3-4 oz) Basic soap bars work great for this Ivory, Fels Naptha, Kirk's
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

Grate the bar soap into fine pieces or use a food processor to grind it up. (I have a food processor just for soap that I got at a garage sale).

Mix the soap, borax and washing soda.

Use 1 tablespoon per load. If you have a super capacity washer or an extra dirty load use 2 tablespoons.

I did the math and it looks like one batch is approx. 40-45 loads using 1 tablespoon per load.



Do you have something to share? Let us know what you’re working on this week! It can be photos of a project, instructions, recipes, or anything else you feel is "crafty". If you have something to share with us on your blog, add your link to the current week's party. Just please be sure to:

1. Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address in the linky form below.
2. Include in your blog entry a link back to the party post on this blog so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is working on today and have an opportunity to contribute! You can use the code below to add the button to your posts or blog if you'd like.
3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what makes a party fun!! You don't want to come to a party and have no one talk to you!

If you want to play along don't forget to grab a button to place at the top or bottom of your post to show you are participating in Crafty Fridays!
Simply copy the code below in the box and paste where you can edit the html in your blog post.




<center><a href="http://ourjourneytoasimplerlife.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/TomorrowFarm/craftyfriday.jpg"/></a></center>

Waltz On By Wednesday Blog Hop - 3/9

Welcome to Waltz On By Wednesday hosted by Home Sweet Farm. The goal of this hop is to get new Google Friend Connect Followers for your blog and be introduced to new blogs to follow! We wanted to keep it fun and easy so all you have to do is add your blog link and start blog hopping and following away! You aren’t required to write a post for your blog for Waltz On By Wednesday unless you want to (but we really appreciate it if you do to help get the word out).

When you visit a blog that you like and want to follow, leave them a comment with your link telling them you are following from the WOB Wednesday. Of course, we would love for you to follow your hostess blog, Home Sweet Farm, but it isn’t mandatory. If you do follow us, just leave us a comment and we will follow you back.

The main goal is to have fun and follow the blogs that interest you!




<center><a href="http://ourjourneytoasimplerlife.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/TomorrowFarm/waltzwednesday.jpg"/></a></center>

Wordless Wednesday - Robins! Spring is Coming!

Delectable Tuesday Blog Hop 3/8 - Ranch Potato Cubes

How about a happy, kid friendly side dish? What kid can resist cheesy potatoes?

This was actually one of the first recipes my 12 yo ever made. They were so easy and they turned out great. The only bad thing was we made them, loved them and then proceeded to lose the recipe for more than a year. :(

We thought it was in one cookbook, but it wasn't and no matter how hard we looked it was no where. That is until I realized just recently that I had added the recipe to AllRecipes. It must have been back in my "try to organize and make easy access to recipes" phase.

I have it now though and can't wait to make them again. Yummy!



Ranch Potato Cubes

7 medium potatoes, cut into cubes
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 cup sour cream
1 envelope dry ranch dressing mix
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Place potatoes in a greased 11x7 baking dish; dot with butter. Cover and bake at 350* for 60 min. or until tender. Combine sour cream and ranch mix; spoon over potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.


For more great recipes visit Hearth and Soul, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, What's Cooking Wednesday and Tuesdays at the Table.



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Knitting and Crochet Blog Week Coming Soon!

In just a few weeks, knitting and crochet bloggers from around the globe will be participating together in this fun week of creative blogging posts. Sponsored by Mimi of Eskimimi Knits and The Blog Hub Ravelry group, Blog Week poses a new question each day for your favorite bloggers to answer.

I only heard about this event recently, and I’m excited to be blogging along with everyone this year. Thanks to Mimi for launching this great event (and for the adorable graphics!).

So what does Blog Week mean for you? If you are primarily a blog reader, it will be a chance to learn about your favorite bloggers in a new way and on a deeper level. If you are a blogger yourself, you can join in via your posts, virtually meeting other fiber artists from around the world and bringing some new traffic to your site. It is free and easy to participate.

Watch Eskimimi Knits and the Blog Hub for more information this month. And spread the word!

Crafty Friday 3/4 - Citron Shawl

Happy Friday! For once it's not freezing rain or snowing. Yeah! Does that mean Spring is on it's way? I sure hope so.

This Friday I thought I'd share with you the cutest free pattern I just found. If you haven't already noticed, I love knitting shawls. They really are so much fun and you can use just about any yarn you could want.

This shawl is lovely just for it's simplicity. Why do shawls always have to be complicated lace patterns? They don't.

The pattern is the Citron Shawl by Hilary Smith Callis from Knitty. Their Winter 2009 edition.

photo by Neill Callis

I'm not entirely sure about the color she used, but the shawl itself is beautiful. I will definitely be casting this one on very soon.

Do you have something to share? Let us know what you’re working on this week! It can be photos of a project, instructions, recipes, or anything else you feel is "crafty". If you have something to share with us on your blog, add your link to the current week's party. Just please be sure to:

1. Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address in the linky form below (need help with finding the permalink? (click here to see a great post Darcy wrote on this!)
2. Include in your blog entry a link back to the party post on this blog so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is working on today and have an opportunity to contribute! You can use the code below to add the button to your posts or blog if you'd like.
3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what makes a party fun!! You don't want to come to a party and have no one talk to you!

If you want to play along don't forget to grab a button to place at the top or bottom of your post to show you are participating in Crafty Fridays!
Simply copy the code below in the box and paste where you can edit the html in your blog post.




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CSN Stores Review Coming Soon!

I was recently contacted again by CSN stores to review a product from any one of their more than 200 stores! CSN has just about anything you could possibly imagine from cookware to outdoor furniture and even computer desks for home! How cool is that?

Now my big problem is what to review. With summer not too far away (wishful thinking!) I was thinking something to enjoy outdoors. Maybe for the garden?

Hmmm....tough decisions. You'll be the first to know when I decide and I'll have that review up in plenty of time for you to complete your summer party shopping!

Waltz On By Wednesday Blog Hop - 3/2

Welcome to Waltz On By Wednesday hosted by Home Sweet Farm. The goal of this hop is to get new Google Friend Connect Followers for your blog and be introduced to new blogs to follow! We wanted to keep it fun and easy so all you have to do is add your blog link and start blog hopping and following away! You aren’t required to write a post for your blog for Waltz On By Wednesday unless you want to (but we really appreciate it if you do to help get the word out).

When you visit a blog that you like and want to follow, leave them a comment with your link telling them you are following from the WOB Wednesday. Of course, we would love for you to follow your hostess blog, Home Sweet Farm, but it isn’t mandatory. If you do follow us, just leave us a comment and we will follow you back.

The main goal is to have fun and follow the blogs that interest you!




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