Summer Cooking

We were just chatting about how summer changes what we eat during this time of year. Some grill more, some eat lighter... I tend to eat more seasonal foods like watermelon and strawberries, fresh salads and homegrown tomatoes. This is one of the things I love about summer - fried green tomatoes.

You will see these on many Southern tables this time of year, but did you know they actually originated in the North? I read here that Northern farmers found themselves in a predicament with too many green tomatoes on the vine when the first frost hits. They couldn't eat them raw so they fried them. I'm so glad they did!

I will type up my recipe and post it tomorrow.

♥Marissa

A birthday coming up

Patches playing in my dolly "stuffin"

Patches, our family kitty (shh don't tell him I called him a kitty, he pretends he is a tiger!) will be 3 very soon. I remember the day my dh brought him home. He was so little and scrawny. Pumpkin, our older female cat wouldn't have anything to do with him. Patches slept on my pillow for a few weeks, I suspect Pumpkin was bothering him during the night. Anyway, he fell in line real quick and now he is just like one of the kids. Pumpkin is no longer with us though, as she had an obsession of the outdoors and snuck out one day.

Lounging on the deck

Determined

That is what I am this morning. I am determined to learn to crochet. I learned to chain and do a single stitch (it might be called something else) 2 yrs ago and that is as far as I got. I ordered this

I have Debbie's Stitch n' Bitch The Knitter's Handbook so I thought her crochet book would be just as good! I'm so excited, I can't wait for it to arrive.

~~~~~~~~~

I am busy this week knitting more bunnies. It's hard to have a crafting business when you make so many different things. I'm always torn on which to do this week/what to work on today. Now when I get custom orders, I drop everything to get those done, but I really like to work on my own stuff as well. Last week, I made rag dolls so maybe this week I can get a few bunnies done. It is getting closer to Easter afterall. I'm actually working on a boy and girl set. I've already made their clothes-lime green and aqua. So cute!

I also have an April fool's project I'm working on . When I saw this knitted toilet paper , I just knew I had to make it. The night before, I will be putting this in my husbands bathroom (we both have our own) oh I wish I could see his face when he sees this.

♥Marissa

Lots of Curls

This cutie has a load of hair on her head! Did I mention how much I love sewing rag dolls?

She just screams summer!

These 4 dolls will be on ebay tonight.

♥ Marissa

P. S. There will be a dolly giveaway on my blog soon, be on the lookout for it!

Not only do I knit, I also sew

Ok, so I had to take a teeny break from knitting and revisit how I began this journey at making rag dolls. I am hooked on this pattern from Anniescupboards. It's quick, easy and I like bigger dollies. *Ü*
They all are 20 inches tall and will be listed on my ebay tomorrow- March 26th. I have another that I didn't photograph today that will be listed as well. I hope you will take a peek at them. I've really enjoyed spending time at my sewing machine this week.

♥ Marissa ♥

Fluffy goodness

How are you this sunday afternoon? Lately it seems I get most done on sundays, so here I am another sunday, blogging. I wanted to share a few blogs I happened upon recently that I have learned so much from. If you are a bit "crunchy" check these out. Trust me, you will love them!

Crunchy Chicken

Down---to---Earth
Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op

I started taking photos for my shop update and (remind self to make sure batteries are charged before i try to take photos) had to stop because my cam died. I got these listed though. Will finish later today.

Meet my boys, Ethan

and, Logan

♥ Marissa

Sunday afternoon in the kitchen

Other than knitting, I had a very productive weekend... we looked at a few potential homes with land. It is our goal to become more self sufficient. I want to grow more of our own food and have my girls back- aka hens. These are the ones Jay got me for mothers day 4 yrs ago. I had 9 in all, but hope to have at least 2 dozen next time 'round.

So anyway, I made butter-from scratch (I know, can you believe it?) this weekend. I was totally inspired by this. All it took was heavy cream, salt and a little elbow grease.... and look at what I got. We had it on homemade bread last night and it is so very yummy.

I forgot to mention you get raw buttermilk out of this too. I intend to use it for the whoopie pies I make later this week.
I'll talk more about the bread later, I have to get my youngest pumpkin ready for school. We are celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday today and I'm bringing cupcakes. ♥ Marissa