I wish....

I wish it would just slow down a bit...that it didn't go by so fast and such a blur...I wish it would literally last a "Season". I wish you could bake a little longer ans slower...visit a little longer with family and friends who come form far and near. I wish to stay in the relaxed state that you experience for a moment or two during the whirlwind of preparation...and I wish now to share with you some of the still moments below

It was a great holiday once again...I made endless finger less gloves for many many little girls...the delight when they squeal, smile and put them on and keep them on all day! I love little ones who appreciate handmades! I have older daughters who help me with the baking and pasta prep now..whew thank god!! I have young adults...school age...and toddlers all at once on Christmas morning to watch open presents and let me tell you the young adults are just as excited as the young ones!
I had a Birthday 44 now yikes!!! I got a new computer YAY!! more blogging as it doesn't take me 4 hours to edit pictures!!! I got new fabric from French General Petite Prints Deux, Luxurious yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch...some Aurifil thread sets from Fat Quarter shop.
Our big night is Christmas Eve so Christmas day is Jammies and movies...Love Actually..the Holiday...and endless Hallmark movies<3<3<3
Then a fast trip to Upstate NY to visit my in laws the snowy photos are the views from the house..it was actually there first snowfall of the season..very rare.
The last picture is of my IG account with the #bestnine2015...my most popular photos! It was a very pretty 2015 in pictures.

So back to wishing...I wish more slow days for all...I wish for more stillness...I wish for safety for all who are in need...I will just keep wishing...

Peace and Love to you all in the New Year,,,
XOXO

Be well,
Ming

Making... Making... Making...

It's been a few months of making for friends, family and a craft fair that was an "Epic fail" as my eight year old would say...I sold a pair of gloves ..one pair!!

Well as Evita Peron would say ..."Don't cry for me Argentina" It was fun prepping and being on a schedule! I got a lot accomplished and came up with this very sweet pattern for a Christmas pillow. Fast easy and so adorable. I will really try to get a tutorial up but, I'm not going to lie it really may not happen and if it doesn't just email and I can walk you through it. 

The shawl was made for my dear friend Elisabeth for  Elizy Art Crochet for the #autumnshawlswap2015 which she hosted. I loved every second designing this for her! 

I hope you holiday season is off to a wonderful start...ours as always is of to a good start...a wee bit stressful....a bit of family drama (when you have 5 kids and a big Italian family it just can't be avoided) but we always find the joy in the little moments, the important ones...the ones without the material gifts and fuss. The ones with twinkling lights and decorations, the excitement of an 8 yr old who just believes in everything... the ones watching EVERY Hallmark movie with my mom and mother in law (who were my little elves helping me make)... discussing the movies after rating them and then laughing at ourselves.. discussing what Christmas carol we would love to hear Adele sing!! Holding onto faith that all will work out in this crazy wild world we live in. I will immerse myself in more making, (now that the decorating is finished whew!!) finding joy in every moment even in the rough ones. Creating its so cathartic...when the hands move the mind ceases. My daughter showed me a Meme.."When your mom deserves an island and all you can afford is a candle" when asking me what I want for Christmas and expressing that she wants to get me something special and can't really afford it.  You just gave me the best gift ever...you just did! <3 

Peace..love... and light to you all!

Ming

Autumn food and blooms

Hello Friends,

Can someone tell me where September went??? What happened?? Was I in a deep sleep and miss it?!

It was one of the busiest "Back to School" seasons I can remember... every night there was something...Soccer..school meetings...Karate. I was also involved in a bunch of "Swaps" which I will get to on my next post. In the meantime there was this going on as well...as usual recipes below.

Lots of food a blooms...first up my Zucchini Chocolate Chip cake. If you follow me on Instagram I posted the recipe there as well but here it is.
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cake

• 2 1/2 cups shredded zuchinni 
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup sugar 
• 3/4 cup safflower oil ....Mix these together in a bowl 

Next bowl

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg 

Sift together and add to the Zucchini mix then stir in

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup semi sweet chips

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes in a 9x13 baking pan.
This is not a super sweet or spice version just something light to go with tea or coffee. You could up the sugar and the spices. The crumb was very nice and moisture was good.

Next up... Baked Acorn Squash with Sage and Maple Syrup

•  2 Acorn squash sliced
• handful of sage
• Irish butter...I used Kerrygold  
• Good quality Maple syrup ...mine is form my in- laws property in Upstate NY <3
• S&P

Bake at 450 till tender about 35 min.

The Blooms ...Echinacea,Chamomile and Straw Flower have become fast favorites...YES...we got a new puppy named Oakley and Australian Shepard...I adore him,sweetest thing ever...the crocheted shawl is for a swap...I'm going to be very sad to part with it but the pattern is made up by me and I will be sharing it with all of you as soon as it gets to its owner... who I might add is completely adorable and I cant wait to see her wear it!
Ohh...the biscuits...I used this recipe here..cut the cooking time a bit...they were great!

And how is your Autumn coming along?
Be Well,
Ming

Still on the road...

My dear blog friends if I could ever recommend a way to see this beautiful country of ours it would be to do so via automobile with country music blasting (I was never a fan but when you drive across the U.S. It's just a must!) 

Disclaimer... I only had one of my 5 kids with me so it does make a difference( I would not have done it with more than 2!!)

We drove across to Utah from New Hersey to visit my baby brother and his family. Come see some of the sights below...

Good stuff am I right??? So here is the breakdown.

It took us three days to get there (we were on a schedule)...

Once you get past Pennsylvania  EVERYONE is soooo nice (no judgment here we East Coasters are just a wee bit hard nosed in a good way)...

Missouri's billboards crack me up, fireworks, boots, adult stores, guns and then in between that a spiritual one...

I fell in love with Nebraska yes I said Nebraska...

In Wyoming I saw a cowboy sipping a frapuccino in a Starbucks with enough firearms and ammo strapped to him that he could of taken out the town... My son asked if a Zombie apocalypse was coming ... I asked my brother if it was normal his answer was " Welcome to the Wild West" 

I loved the west ....

You don't go to Utah and not go to a quilt store and a Hobby Lobby... You just don't... Nuff' said ....

We went to Subdance... Robert Redford you done good!!! We saw Don Johnson, he looks amazing!! (Miami Vice soundtrack was going through my head the whole time)... Sundance is a must must see...(best brunch I've ever had!)...

My brother took me hiking somewhere off  

Cottonwood Canyon and picked me wildflowers...sweetest moment...

I finished my Rose City Rollers socks...I love this pattern and think it's a great one for beginners...the instructions are great...

We stopped at a Starbucks whenever we could to collect the "You are here mugs" it was a great way to keep the little guy entertained during the long car rides... Kind of like a scavenger hunt...we got 

11... I can't wait to do a road trip next next summer! 

And of course it was a great visit with my brother and his family. It really was such an amazing experience and blessing <3 

Be Well!

Ming