Coffee, Crochet, and Food

Its been back to work for me these past few months...pattern writing which I absolutely dread...back to work part time at preschool which leaves me exhausted and sick for the past 2 months and as well getting back into teaching Yoga a few days a week as well. Getting back into the game I am...but below is a bunch of good happenings take a look...

 I am going to be featured on the UK craft blog Cut Out & Keep as one of there Super Stars featuring my crochet patterns. I'm really excited about it and will let you know when it is scheduled to post. Thar is my daughter in the Spring Meadow cowl and finger less gloves. Don't they just scream of Spring!!! Everyday a new pattern will be released. This week I am featured...so make sure you go and have a look!

The food...Well I wasn't cooking and blogging as much as I used to to and one day the itch just came back...My Mom and I love Raisin Tea biscuits. We used to get them from an Italian Bakery when I was young and NO!... they are not an Italian specialty but however they were the best and that bakery is now long gone. So I went a searching  and found this recipe. Very good and close. I swear though the ones I remember had cornmeal or semolina flour in them. The massive Chocolate looking thing in the cast iron pan. That is me trying to recreate a Chocolate Coffee scone form my favorite Cafe in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia La Colombe. I got really close too!! But my texture is slightly off but not much. I also made a Chocolate Moose for a dinner party we attended. I must say not only was it pretty simple but really delicious!Its definitely a must try!

I painted my window seat in my bedroom with Annie Sloan Chalk paint. Years of sun damage just ruined the original finish. I used Old Ochre and then used the dark wax over it. I love the fact that you don't have to do any prep work or stripping you just go and paint.

Its a rainy Spring day here and I am eager to get cozy on the couch with some tea and finish my next design. 

Be well,

Ming

Marshmallow World Eats & Projects

Before one flake fell I had it all planned out...what was I going to make to eat during Blizzard Jonas here in the Mid-Atlantic east coast.

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