Crafty Friday 7/29 - Wine & Wool

Happy Friday! Here comes the weekend!!

This Saturday we are off to a festival at a nearby winery. We've never been to this particular festival so we'll see how it goes. I've never been to a winery either so it should be a fun experience. Now if only I drank wine......

In honor of the wine being mixed with the wool at this festival I have been knitting wine bottle cozies similar to this one. (I forgot to take any pics before I packed them into the bottom of the festival totes. Oops)


I was surprised at how easy this pattern was and how well it turned out. I knit one out of 100% alpaca and it's divine. I wanted to cuddle up with it, it was so soft and squishy. :)

I thought I'd share the pattern with you because I loved it so much. You can find it here. Doesn't your wine bottle deserve to be well dressed?

So what have you been up to this week?

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 - 7/27

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 7/26 - Bacon Wrapped Grilled Jalapenos

It looks like summer is here to stay. The heat has settled in and there is no real cool down in sight.

So why not add heat to the fire? How about a side dish cooked on the grill right alongside your steak or chicken. I can honestly say that before I saw these I had never thought to wrap bacon around a jalapeño. I should have though considering I think bacon goes with everything.

Enjoy you summer bbq and stay cool!


Bacon Wrapped Grilled Jalapenos

6 fresh jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded (wear gloves!!)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
12 slices bacon

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Spread cream cheese to fill jalapeno halves. Wrap with bacon. Secure with a toothpick. Place on the grill, and cook until bacon is crispy.

Yum!


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 7/22 - Keep Cool Necklace

I found what has to be the coolest (hehe) summer craft ever. At least with the heat we've been experiencing. Is it hot where you are? I feel like I'm melting.

While looking for ways to beat the heat I came across a message board that made a project using this video as inspiration. This necklace itself is okay (and would make a cute 4-H project), but I like how this was changed up to make a cool summer necklace.



Instead of using the bouncy balls, use those cute little reusable plastic ice cubes from the dollar store. When its done you can throw it into the freezer. There it will wait for the time when you need an instant cool-off. Awesome, huh? If only I had found this a week ago before the huge heat wave hit. Then I could have had them frozen and waiting.


So what have you been up to this week?

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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Are You Staying Cool?

Oh man is it hot outside!!


This year has had some weird weather. First there was a blizzard, then an ice storm and now a never ending heat wave. I'm sweating just typing this. Ugh!

It's been 4 straight days of triple digit "feels like" temps. It's really 90 some odd degrees and the dew point is around 80. Absolutely awful by anyone's standards. And it's supposed to be like this another 4 days.

Did I mention that we have no A/C? We're just trying to take it easy and hang out in front of the fan. I am also avoiding my studio at all costs because it's soooo hot. I will not be getting any work done this week.

It's not the people I'm worried about though. All the critters out in the barn look miserable. We've been filling water buckets 4 times a day and spraying down and alpacas that want a shower. I hope this weather breaks soon.

Are you in the middle of the heat wave? How are you staying cool?

Waltz On By Wednesday Blog Hop - 7/20

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 7/19 - Grilled Italian Chicken

Happy Tuesday! Is it hot where you are?

It is absolutely, unbelievably hot here. Heat indexes are way over 100 and today is supposed to be the cool day of the week :( For the first time in years I'm kind of wishing we had air conditioning.

Since I don't want to heat the house up any more than it already is, we'll be cooking a lot outside. The grill is a great way to make dinner on a hot summer's day and my favorite thing to grill is chicken. Yum!

I have several chicken marinade recipes, but this is by far the most requested and the easiest. In fact, you've probably had some version of it at a family gathering.

I'd thought I'd share my little twist to what's simply an Italian dressing marinade. A little of this and a little of that makes this nearly irresistible.


Grilled Italian Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle (16 oz.) Zesty Italian dressing
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary

In a shallow baking dish or ziploc bag, mix the salad dressing, garlic powder and herbs. Place the chicken in the bowl, and turn to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 4 hours. (For best results, marinate overnight.)
Preheat the grill for high heat. Lightly oil grate. Discard marinade, and grill chicken 8 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear.

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 7/15 - Tour de Fleece

Hi! Sorry it's been quiet around here. Our internet had been weird all week. :(

How many of you are spinners? Are you spinning in the Tour de Fleece? For those of you that have no idea what I am talking about....there is a huge group of people world-wide that are all spinning yarn along with the Tour de France. There are several teams to join and probably the most fun of all is just sharing the pictures of all our yarn goodies.

I've been spinning when time allows and have actually managed to complete 2 skeins of yarn and a mini skein. I can't remember the last time I spun 2 skeins in the same week. Yeah!

Yarn #1 is a 2-ply fingering weight yarn. This is superwash merino and was such a delight to spin. I haven't spun a lot of superwash and it was very easy and this yarn is SOFT!! It deserves to be made into something extra special.


Yarn #2 is alpaca straight from the alpacas in our backyard. I carded up a whole bunch of Tudors inspired batts for a spin-a-long we are hosting and this is Henry VIII. It's hard to see, but there are blacks, grays, purples and blues throughout the whole yarn. It's so pretty!


So what have you been up to this week?

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>

Tour de Fleece - Week 1

Over in the online world of Ravelry there is something big going on. It's one of those things that a lot of people have waited all year for. It's the Tour de Fleece.

No it's not that biking race on the TV, but in a similar fashion we are spinning our fiber stash into yarn. Running from July 2nd until July 24th spinners all around the world are joining together online with the shared goal of making yarn!


There are all sorts of teams that you can join. I joined the Phat Fiber team and the Spinolution team. It's fun to share what we've done and see what others are spinning up at the same time.

I have noticed that some spinners are real die-hards. They are devoting several hours a day to spinning and have already completed several skeins. I wonder....can they keep the pace up? I've been rather slow at getting some spinning done. Mostly because we have been blessed with some amazingly sunny and warm days. There is so much work to be done during the summer on a farm. I can't pass on the good days and sit inside (or outside) spinning. Work first and then play.

I think we're due a rainy day. :) Hey weatherman!!

I have done a bit at night and I thought I would share my week 1 progress with you.

I am currently spinning a really nice superwash Merino that I got in a pre-tour swap. It's from Moonlight and Laughter. Isn't that name cool? I have managed to spin half of it into about 400 yards. Hopefully that other half will match and I can make a nice 2-ply sock yarn.

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>

Delectable Tuesday Blog Hop 7/5 - Spangled Sandwich Pops

Hope your 4th of July has been a good one. We had a family BBQ and I took my spinning wheel with me. I love spinning outside on the deck!

This week I'm going to share with you something really cute I found over at Family Fun. I know that the holiday is over, but I think you could make these any time you wanted. They are so cute and super, super easy. In fact the kids could make these without any help at all. I'll definitely be making these this week.


Spangled Sandwich Pops

Mini ice-cream sandwiches
Sprinkles or nonpareils
Colorful cupcake liners (optional) a plate would work just fine

First, skewer mini ice-cream sandwiches on popsicle sticks.

Then, press the exposed filling into a plate of sprinkles or nonpareils.

To keep mess to a minimum, serve the pops in colorful cupcake liners.

What have you been making this week?

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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