Sunday Beautiful

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

Here is a blessing for your marriage this Sunday:

"May love always light your way,
May the sun always shine in your home.
May your hearts blend like colors in a rainbow.
May you have blissful years ahead.
May the Lord bless you with the richest fruits of life."

Anonymous


Love,
Sarah

Spider Man Afghans WIP

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,


I am in the midst of super-secret Christmas preparations. Can you guess what this may be a part of? Surely my title didn't tip you off.

Reading along with my two classes which will soon be completed, yay! At which point, I will immerse myself into the deliciously old-fashioned, psychologically creepy world of Mrs. Butterworth.

Love,
Sarah

P.S. I'm linking up with Ginny's Yarn Along  and Tami's Ami's WIP Wednesday

Candy Cane Hat II

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

When I took this picture, I had thought that the hat was not quite done. As it turned out, the hat was indeed done! My one row of single crochet finished the hat for my son.

He wanted the stripes on his candy cane hat to be more variegated. I ended up frogging the hat two times in order to get it right. As you can see, I used double thread to get the affect I wanted, and would alternate between red/white and red/red for the stripes.

Managing three skeins of thread at one time was entertaining for the cat.

I ended up using a J size hook (instead of I) for both hats.

Love,
Sarah

ps. I have linked with:

Tami's Amis FO Friday
 
 
 

Heart and Sole with Aloe Crocheted Socks

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

I have been able to work a bit on my crocheted socks this week.

Inbetween reading for Management, studying for Accounting, and running around with children to school, sports practice etc. I seem to have very little time leftover, so portable projects like this are fantastic!

I'm reading along with Graced and Gifted by Kimberly Hahn, and I have recently completed Fools Rush In (Weddings by Bella, book 1) by Janice Thompson and Lost Man's Lane, a second episode in the life of Amelia Butterworth by Ann Katherine Green.

Fools Rush In was a lighthearted, christian romantic comedy. I would have loved to read more in the series, but I'm saving them for a holiday.

Lost Man's Lane was the creepiest book I have read in a long time. This old suspense novel, it predates Agatha Christie, who found her inspiration for Mrs. Marple in Amelia Butterworth, absolutely left me shivering.

I haven't shivered or felt this creeped out in a long time, and I have read suspense/detective novels far more graphic than this one. If anything, the lack of 'graphic' depictions or foul language (or witchcraft etc.)  made for an even more sensational ending when the truth finally came out. My dreams the night I finished it were devious and scary. I haven't had dreams like that in a long time.

My skin crawled to the extent I wasn't even tempted to download another free Anna Katherine Green novel since. She is an excellent writer, but after such an experience, I had best leave the rest of her novels for a holiday, or until this shiver wears off.

Love,
Sarah





 P.S. I'm linking up with Ginny's Yarn Along  and Tami's Ami's WIP Wednesday

Red Filet Roses

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

I made this filet hanging for my husband for his birthday.

He has always brought me roses, so I thought I would make some roses for him.

The loops at the top can be threaded on a dowel rod and hung in a window.

Love,
Sarah

P.S. linking up today with:

Tami's Amis Finished Object Friday


 
 

WIP: Crocodile Scarf

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

 Here is a WIP that was gifted to me.

I have yet to decide what it shall ultimately become.

 Hat? Scarf? Purse?

I'm in the midst of a test, so I'm re-reading a Kathleen Morgan novel, I believe its called Daughter of Light, from the Brides of Culdee Creek series.

 "I've learned that everything God gives us is good -- the pain as well as the happiness."

 Kathleen Morgan, Brides of Culdee Creek Series, Book 2 Daughter of Grace


Maybe I'll treat myself to an Amish romance after my tests.

Love,
Sarah

 P.S. I'm linking up with Ginny's Yarn Along  and Tami's Ami's WIP Wednesday

FOF Candy Cane Hat

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,


This hat of simple design was made with Red Wool and white 100% pure Angora twisted together as I worked. Pattern from Red Heart's website.

Mmmm, it is so soft! The angora cancels out the scratchiness of the wool, making it 'just right.'

Love,
Sarah

ps. I have linked with:
 
 
 

FOF: Tesselations Baah! granny crocheted hat

Dear Inspiring and Creative Gentlefolk,

This Tessellations pattern has been an extremely inspiring hat to craft.

I can already see (in my mind) several more variations at work, mostly without the many holes granny squares require.

The view from the top.

Love,
Sarah

ps. I have linked with Tami's Ami's Finished Object Friday #107
 and Petals to Picots:
 and Natural Suburbia
and Wisdom Begins in Wonder

Yarn Along: Crocheted Socks and Lady Molly of Scotland Yarn

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

 I'm crocheting socks.

The part which is partially done is the ankle-thingie.

I'm using this free pattern from the Red Heart website.

I'm re-reading His Last Bow by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes, take me away to your nicotine infested, mystery riddled life. I can't wait for the next season of Sherlock.

I've finished up Lady Molly of Scotland Yarn by the Baroness and it was a vibrantly written period piece of short mysteries, perfect for lunch break.

I found Lady Molly as a character incredibly intriguing.

I wish there were more stories.

Love,
Sarah


P.S. I'm linking up with Ginny'sYarn Along  and Tami's WIP Wednesday # 114

Don't Lose Your Place Bookmark

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

I have created:::::::the self-tightening bookmark!

It won't fall out and lose my place when I'm reading a 'real book.'

 I can tighten it or I can tie it in place.

Love,
Sarah


 ps. I have linked with Tami's Ami's Finished Object Friday #107
 and Petals to Picots:
 and Natural Suburbia
and Wisdom Begins in Wonder

Yarn Along: Tesselations Baah

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

     Yesterday I ran over to a somewhat local yarn shop in search of inspiration. It was quite an adventure, for I had never visited this particular shop.

     Set in the corn fields, behind the owner's white frame house in a small garage, is a little shop called Knit N' Purl. The driveway lined with flowers was delightfully cheery. The selection of yarn and notions is ample, and the pricing is competitive.

     I was in search of one skein of fabulous Malabrigo in order to make a warm hat for myself.

    What I found was Baah, hand-painted in hot pinks and greens.

    I fell in love. I had to have it.

     Yum, delicious colors. I'll be making Tesselations by Tracy St. John. I'll need those fresh watermelon colors to keep my spirits up during the winter months.

         Reading along right now with Lady Molly of Scotland, created by the fabulous Baroness Emmuska Orkzy. I just finished my first installment of Dr. Thorndyke, and it was an amazing romp, think CSI meets Sherlock Holmes. I can't wait to read what the Baroness has written, since I loved The Scarlet Pimpernel.

        I also kicked back with a couple of Amish setting romances to help keep down the stress level from school. The Amish Bride by Mindy Starns Clarke was a nice escape, and I look forward to relaxing through the other books in the series as soon as they become available in my library queue.

        I can't believe I've just now discovered the magic of online library e-book lending. Where have I been? This is amazing! I can even download audio books to listen to while I crochet clean.

 Love,
Sarah

 P.S. I'm linking up with Ginny'sYarn Along  and Tami's WIP Wednesday # 113

Menu Plan Monday First Week of Oct 1

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

I have, of late, been exceptionally busy, so I have resorted to the crock pot to fulfill my culinary needs. Last week a full three meals was prepared in the crock.

By the last one, I was a bit tired of over-crocked potatoes and carrots, so I decided to branch out and turned to the internet.

Here is what this week looks like:


Monday: Slow Cooker Chili II
 *   update 10/1/13: I made this tonight, and it was very good. I left out all the hot spices (because of allergies): 
      chili pepper and hot spices. The chili still had a very good flavor, and was great over Basmati Rice. I will 
      make this again and put this into a regular rotation.

Tuesday: Crock Pot Indian Chicken
* update 10/2/13 I didn't make this, boo, I forgot I was making a crock meal today. I'll put it on the menu for next week.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Thursday: Cranberry Dijon Roast Mashed Potatoes, Marinated Broccoli / Cauliflower Salad
 
Friday: Shrimp Poppers Saturday: Creole Beans & Rice and fresh homemade Whole Wheat bread

 Love, Sarah

P.S. I'm linking up with Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie

Garden Planning

Dear Creative and Inspiring Gentlefolk,

Our 'volunteers' did very well this year.

The kids carefully planted a watermelon seed in the front flower bed, and this is what has emerged. The watermelon plant loved the bed, and took over the entire front porch. 

Love, Sarah

P.S. Linking with Ginny at Small Things for Saturday Garden Journal

Anniversary Filet Heart Counter

Dear creative and inspiring gentlefolk,

My husband and I have been married 11 years, and since we celebrate two anniversaries ~ one for a church ceremony and one for an 'actual' marriage, I decided to make him something which I could add to every year for our 'church ceremony anniversary.'

I'll make another heart for him every year, and add it to our little counter.

Behind the filet hearts is a quilted wall hanging I gave him for our fourth anniversary.

Love,
Sarah

ps. I have linked with Tami's Ami's Finished Object Friday #106
 and Petals to Picots:
 and Natural Suburbia
and Wisdom Begins in Wonder