Strawberries here, there and everywhere!!

 I was bombarded by strawberries yesterday...

 The phone call goes like this...my friend owns a farmers market..

Friend ..." Is Mingalingadingdong there?" (that's what she call me!! her extension of my nickname Ming)

Me... "this is she"

Friend... " Yeah I know its you" " Do you want strawberries"

Me... " sure ...wait ... how many?"

Friend... " I dont know 2-3 flats...you have to use them today"

Me... " What!!! what the HE&% am I going to do with that many strawberries"

Friend... " Shut up your fine, come and get them"

Me ..."Ok see you in a few"

And that's what I did yesterday, ALL DAY!!! ... Can you say Jam and strawberry rhubarb crumble ..recipes to follow.

Is that the biggest strawberry you have ever seen!

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble ...this is an "about" recipe
2 containers  strawberries cut in half
1 bunch Rhubarb about 4 stalks cut into pieces 1/2 inch
1 and half cup raw sugar
2 tsp vanilla
Mix these all together in a baking dish
For the crumble...
1 stick butter melted
about 3/4 to 1 cup brown sugar ..I have been using organic and it swear it adds to the flavor!!
3/4 cup rolled oats
3 to 4 tbs. flour
mix together and spread onto fruit mixture bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until bubbly
 Serve with ice cream and enjoy!!

Here is a peek of what I've been creating lately...these are micro mini flowers made with Habu textiles merino held double on a size 10 crochet hook.

The baby bib prototype is coming together well...I am a little slow on it but life has been a bit wonderfully busy. But, it looks like some catch up time is on its way ... that is unless I get another call from my friend... from the market... telling me to shut up and getup there!!! She tends to do this often and I have to say I love it!!! or do I???? ;-)

What is your favorite strawberry recipe? I could use some!!
Mingalingadingdong

Little Things...

 Little Flowers...
 Little birds...

 Little Boys...

Little crocheted flowers...

Big Things...

The big 6th birthday party ...Ninjago style

 The College graduate..

Yes, we had a lot going on this week filled with big and little moments. Our baby cardinal hatched and we have been just staring at natures wonder everyday. We had a visit from our family who has been overseas for the past 6 yrs. It was great to have my nephews at my house for the first time.The little boys had some big fun with Ninja kicks and such.
I found some time to recreate the vintage crocheted Pansy. Mine was a bit bigger as I need to find a smaller hook for the size 80 tatting thread. The woman who made the original was an amazing crafter, her crocheting is meticulous!!

 The big 6th birthday party was a huge success. Tiring but a success!! The little guy was just so excited!

To top it off my son Dominic graduated from Kutztown University with a degree in Elementary education. We are so extremely proud of him and his hard work and achievements. He is truly an amazing young man. It seemed like just yesterday we dropped him off at school and I was receiving phone calls a half hour later that he was homesick ...horribly homesick for the first year and a half!!! He never gave up though and found his place and had a wonderful college career. Its good to have him home though!

And I'm a little bit (scratch that )a lot a bit tired and under the weather with my allergies...Its so bad here with pollen in NJ !! I have a remedy though ..boil some water (for about 15 minutes to cure it) in a thermos add 5-8 fennel seeds, 1 tsp ground fresh ginger and lime juice and sip on this all day. It is great for relieving congestion.

Well, I"m off to lay my head down and maybe make another pansy or two . We have another big weekend ahead. A trip to Upstate NY to be with my husband's family for our annual Memorial day get together.

Have a great holiday and enjoy, whether it be filled with Little or Big moments they fill our hearts just the same.

Donna

Something old...something new...

Something borrowed, something blue ...you know how the saying goes....

  Here is my something old...I had some great finds at a local annual flea market.

Vintage Dresden plates place mats from the early 60's, they will go in my Etsy shop next week. Vintage embroidery and tatting threads, some from France !! Can you believe how small those Pansies are !!! I was in Heaven!

 Something New...

 These adorable fabrics I found at ...Banberry Place  they specialize in imported fabrics. I also grabbed a skein of Rowan's Fine art sock yarn.  another old ...this Swedish music box, it plays the theme from Dr.Zhivago.

  Something borrowed... 

 This pattern that I am trying to recreate from a bib of mine when I was a wee one. I am going to design one with a crochet ruffle and one with a fabric ruffle. It's in its rough form now. The original bib is featured on one of my older post.  It will definitely be a tutorial one day.The old keeps creeping in..this cake plate depression glass I think . I love how the flowers from the plate sort of match the fabric...

And finally... something blue...One of my kiddies is experiencing their first heartbreak. Its so hard to watch. The devastation of losing their first love . It's been a week of tears, hugs, sharing heartbreak experiences and life lessons. I am doing my best just hold the space for them, saying enough, but not too much. Reassuring all will be well and time will heal. It is really heartbreaking to watch your child hurt.

What's your best heartbreak advice?

On an up note, well notes that is ...tonight is the big 6th birthday party for our little guy. It's a Ninjago Lego party and we are really excited!! Tomorrow our oldest is graduating college !! We are so proud of him! 

Talk about switching gears right! All aspects of life going on here...and I wouldn't have it any other way. Well maybe a little less tears ;-)

Thanks for stopping by,
Donna

PS. My blog was asked to join Wizpert! A new online advice site. I will post more later about it ..I gotta go, I have to get my Ninja on!!!

A day to celebrate the Beauty of All....

It is a day not just to celebrate mothers but all women. Lets face it we are caregivers whether we have had children or not. You, as a woman have embraced and nurtured at some point. We have received mothering from someone other than our mothers. So for all "Mother's" this day is for you, for us as a whole to celebrate the amazing beings that we are!

This day is extra special for us as it is our baby boys 6th birthday..he was born on Mother's Day weekend 6 yrs ago. Can you imagine a better gift , I can't. watching his joy and excitement today is the best gift ...and funny...he ran into the bathroom and exclaimed "my teeth didn't fall out!" cause he was told you start loose your baby teeth when your 6 ...yup, its going to be a great day !

So I leave you with some photos of beauty for now, some finds from this week. It was a busy week and I  much to share, but I will save it for the next post. Now its time to sit and relax and enjoy all there is to enjoy.

 The birthday boy..LOVE LOVE LOVE...he's a bit under the weather:-(

 Mother's Day breakfast.. delish..recipe to follow.

Sending you all much love and beauty,
Donna

It seems to be all about Pretty...

Everywhere I look someone is saying the word Pretty ... from the weather to food,and the flowers..It just seems to be  a popular theme these days ...and it is awesome!

What my daughter brought home from her job at the bakery..yummm and Pretty

 Our Wisteria , Dogwood and Lily's of the Valley, which are originally from my Grandfather's garden...love!

Congratulations to Amy Cullen!! Here are your goodies! (sorry for the bad pic..we had yard work all day)

Make sure to send me your contact info ..you can find my email on my profile.

Well I hope you are all having some Pretty in your world :-) I have some exciting news to share with you in a day or so !

Donna

We have a winner !

Did I say I was going to announce the winner on Friday May 3 ... The day of my son's kindergarten circus performance ?!! Which I was helping with today !!! Yup sounds like me !! There will be a prettier picture tomorrow but for now .....

Congratulations AMY CULLEN !!!
Check back tomorrow for a pretty picture of your goodies and send me your contact info !!

And yes, I am posting again from my phone and in bed !! 20+ kindergartens are quite exhausting . I promise a prettier post tomorrow !!

Nite Nite !
Donna

Lovelies, Bubbles, Bibs,& Babies...

 A few shots of ...Bubbles

 Lovelies...

 Bibs and Babies...

 Opps!! and Moms..

 We had a busy weekend but a lot of fun. 20 hrs in the car over 3 days with the hubby was tiring but we love the quiet alone time. One of our drives was through Sharon Springs NY. A town that is close to my husband's home town and being revitalized by some "Amazing" folks. Two being Josh and Brent from Beekman 1802. They were last years winners of the Amazing Race (  have I mentioned this before :-)!) They have a Mercantile in Sharon Springs which features products from all the local area artisans. Beautiful stuff including soaps from McGullicuddy Naturals soaps. The little guy loved the bubble machine Deb turned on for him!! Plus the American Hotel , amazing food and beautiful atmosphere. Sharon Springs was once a huge hot spot back in the the Victorian era known for their hot springs. It is such a beautiful place not far from Cooperstown NY. Take a look at sites and see for your self! If you go make sure to get your Cappuccino and pastry at the Black Cat Cafe

(my pic of the cafe didn't come out). The plan is to move the area one day ,it's one of my favorite places.

Now for the lovelies, My Orchids are blooming and our Cardinal is nesting!! I still cant get over the view we have. I have been staring all morning.

Bibs and Babies, Their is a baby boom in my life. My brother and now a dear friend from high school just had her second and its a girl !! I get to sew for a girl!!! I found this bib dress that was mine as a baby and I am going to try and copy it ..That is what all that great "Liberty of Londonish" fabric that I found at Jo Ann fabric yesterday at 30% off! I was actually shopping for bear and leopard fur for the little guy's school circus costume for Friday. He does NOT like costumes so we sewed the fur onto hooded sweatshirts and added ears to the hood. I still think I am going to have to bribe him to wear it !! 

The "boy" fabric is for pillowcases for my Nephews who are coming to visit in few weeks ! I will add some Disney Cars fabric to it.

Mom's..

A Mother's day tea towel I am working on ... I got the embroidery pattern from Karen of the fabulous Graphics Fairy Blog.

Lots of beautiful things don't you think!! I am off to the workroom/basement ( which is so hard on this gorgeous day) to do some work. Lets me know what lovelies have been going on in your world. Would love to here all about it!

 See you all Friday for the winner of the giveaway!

Donna