Wow.. where has the time gone?

I don't know why I haven't made posts.. I guess because I'm the only one that reads it.. and since I'm "living" it I just haven't posted..
A lot has happened since the last post.. whenever that was..
The biggest thing being.. I have a new Granddaughter, Haddie! So sweet... I'm so blessed.. 8 grandkids and counting.. ha!
I've been crocheting a lot.. making a few wreaths.. and other crafts.. mostly.. I seem to find myself just  sitting.. getting fat-er..ha!
Hope to get back to blogging regularly ... wish me luck..

summer wreaths

I'm working on a few summer wreaths.. this is the first one..

I will add more photos as I complete them.

This is deco mesh I picked up from Hobby Lobby for 50% off... I guess I used a third of the roll on this one. Flip Flops were purchased last year from Michaels or the Dollar Tree.. no more than $1.00.. but I think only .50¢... the wreath is actually a pine needle form I picked up in the Dollar aisle at Target... Ribbon from Hobby Lobby.. also 40% off or buy one get one free... this is the only time I buy ribbon.. on clearance or on sale... 

Happy Birthday to Sophia...

It's hard to believe it's been 5 years since you made your way into our lives.. WE love you to the Moon and Back!!

A couple of projects I've been working on...

My niece, Ann, asked me to make her a headband/earwarmer set... found a few on pinterest and went from there... I crochetd 67 chains, single crocheted back and forth until I liked the width. At one end I single crocheted 2 rows, with the 2nd one having chain spaces for 2 spaces, 2 times to make button holes... confused? haha.. just my own little brain trying to figure things out as I go. I then found 2 perfect buttons.. from my Grandmother's button jar actually and sewed them on to fasten the band together. I also crocheted a flower for a clip to be added to the band for a different look if she wanted. chain 31, first row, chain 2, skip one chain all the way to the end. In each chain 2 space I did a slip stitch, 6 double crochet, slip stitch until the end. stitch together to form the bow.. add a clip.. can be used for a hair bow, or as a flower attached to the headband. I hope she likes it.

The 2nd project is also for my niece, Ann. She ordered a burlap wreath with a burgandy/burlap bow. I hope she likes it. If she doesn't I'll keep it.. it looks great hanging under my family pictures... hahaha...

Working on a new afghan..

and using a new pattern.. it's not a difficult pattern.. but it is a bit slow going .. much wider pattern.. not sure if that's the actual pattern.. or if I added a few extra chains.. probably a few extra chains.. I may have to count because for the life of me I can not remember how many I did.. haha.. it's all good.. this is called "an afghan for him".. the original colors were cream, black and red.. with every other row in the cream.. me being me went in my own direction.. adding extra chains.. of course I did... by using navy, gray and white and by not going with every other row white.. I think it's fine for a "him'.. and I am pretty sure he won't mind once he's snuggled under it when the cold North winds blow.. In Florida.. central Flordia at that.. hahah.. Here's to you Matthew... when it's completed I hope you enjoy it and think of your Aunt Cyndi every time you use it.. well, maybe not.. but do think of me... some.. haha.. love you buddy!

First attempt on the "Matthew Thomas" afghan...

AND.. this is it being taken apart.. didn't like the thickness .. tried using 2 strands.. still didn't like it so I decided on a different pattern.
And this is where I am now.. waiting.. I've run out of gray yarn.. hope to get what I need tomorrow on my way home from Courtney's... wish me luck...

Snowflake afghan completed...

 

I started this project on Jan 17... hoping to have it completed by December ... well, guess what.. it's done..lol I liked the idea of having something small to carry around and work on.. so this was the perfect project to do. I didn't realize how fast it would come together... but I'm glad it did.. there are imperfections but it's my afghan so I'm okay with that.. the next one will be a gift .. and I'll start on it tomorrow...

Happy Birthday Elizabeth Mae!!

Hard to believe it's been a year since this precious little girl was born!! YaYa loves you to the moon and back!!

Gooseberry Patch Book...

My friend, Renae Konkler Scheiderer, has a wonderful blog... a few weeks ago she mentioned she was giving away a Gooseberry Patch cookbook if you would leave a comment on her blog... I ran right over.. left a comment and then forgot all about the drawing.. well, guess what! I won!! I was so excited when she told me I had won.. love winning things.. especially anything to do with Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks! Thank you Renae!! I have almost worn the book out looking through it since I got it yesterday!!!

Happy Birthday Connor Ray!

it's hard to believe it's been a year since this little man came into our lives.. what a special guy he is.. YaYa loves you to the moon and back!!

Excited!!

I have submitted recipes to Gooseberry Patch over the years and have been lucky to have a few of them printed in various cookbooks. Before Christmas I received 2 letters asking for permission to print 2 more in their book.. I was so excited !! I get a free book!! Last week I received another letter from them.. yet another recipe in a different cookbook.. EXCITED beyond words. I love Gooseberry Patch products.. I must say I do miss their store .. no more surprise boxes.. and other items .. no more catalogs via snail mail... but.. the cookbooks and calendars are still great. Wish I lived close enough to go to their storefront.. oh well.. I can dream.

to be honest.. I can't remember the names of the books except for one .. I passed them along to Courtney ... wish I could.. hahah

Crocheting...

again.. Who knew when Mrs. Moon, my fifth grade school teacher taught the class how to crochet I would pick it up again later in life? I am still trying to figure out why I ever stopped crocheting. I love seeing things come together with stitches I have learned. Thank you Mrs. Moon... again...

Christmas at the Little plantation..

For the past couple of years Courtney has stayed home on Christmas Day and share it with friends in her community. We still have our family gathering here with Rik and family, Christopher and family and Susie and family... we always will... the next day,December 26, Courtney and her family came to the house for supper and gift exchanges ... Abigail came in from KY to visit her mom.. she popped in a for her "every 2 year" visit! So good to see her and have her meet her "nieces and nephews"... haha... it's still a bit scary to see the "boys" carry her down my steps.. she sure is a trusting soul.. lol

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Every where you go... lalalalalala... Especially my house.. although this year I said "Less is more"... I think 4 Christmas trees sort of kicks that thought to the curb.. well, almost.. I used to have every nook and cranny filled with Christmas "stuff"... for the past 2 years I've thinned my supplies way down and only do every other nook.. and no crannies... Each year I host a Candy Marathon .. usually just family.. always lots of fun... Yesterday was such a day.. Candy Marathon Day... I started melting Chocolate at 6:30 AM... I also put on a huge pot of soup because I know after these marathon days I don't feel like cooking.. Smart move on my part.. haha... In the past I've helped mix, roll and dip everyone's candy.. not this year.. I mixed the candy.. and melted the chocolate.. Susie, Michelle,Shelly, Sandy and Cindy were in charge of rolling and dipping their own batches.. to outsiders I'm sure it looked like mad chaos.. to me.. it was heaven.. I love having my family around.. and love these traditions we've begun... I miss Courtney being here to participate but we do our own Mini Candy Marathon at her house now so at least we have that.. and the boys seem to get into the swing of it.. for a bit.. I just know Ellie will love it once she can help... On the list of candy this year we had: Buckeye Balls, Maple Cream, Fantasy Fudge, Peppermint Bark, Saltine Toffee, Chocolate dipped marshmallows, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles, Dipped Oreo Cookies, Dipped Pretzels, Dipped Pretzel Rods, Dipped Nutter Butter Cookies and Cinnamon Pecans. I have to still make Hot Chocolate Mix, pancake mix and some fudge for myself. I'm pretty sure I'll get it taken care of this week.. at least I hope I do.. I've been making some of these candy recipes for over 30 years.. some are new.. I look forward to spending the day with my family every year.. If you don't have traditions with your family maybe this is the year to start a few... I think you'll enjoy them if you do... I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

PawPaw Reads...

I was at my friend Becky's house yesterday ... when I came home it was already dark so I was a bit tense driving... all of that was forgottten when I found this:

the girls snuggled up with PawPaw who was reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... which happens to be one of my favorite books... LOVE.. love...L.O.V.E. moments like this!

Thanksgiving

I'm so thankful for my family and the ability for us to gather together on Thanksgiving. We were missing Sandy and Joe this year due to their trip to NY... hopefully they'll be with us Christmas!! Even Lucille stopped by before rushing off to Brightwood to work..

You know Halloween is close...

when the hay bales come out front and center to be decorated.. I can not take credit for starting this tradition.. but it's a tradition we continue every year.. The grandkids LOVE riding up in the back of the truck.. YaYa.. a bit antsy about this.. but with parents in tow we did just that.. Every year folks stop to take pictures... with or without their kids..Last year we even had a Kindergarten teacher ask to bring her class.. unfortunately we had already dismantled the bales but maybe this year...

This year the girls had their first experience of running along the hay bales.. doesn't sound like much.. but it is probably one thing all kids seem to enjoy.. When I taught preschool those kids and parents loved to run them as well!

In fact, I don't think you're ever too old to play on hay bales... if you can get up there~!