Gnome #2

Another Pointy Elf Hat from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

This is such a fun hat to knit. 

It's fast and so simple.

This one is a bit bigger than my last, made for my 5 year old, Ava. 

This one is made from some yarn I spun up on one of my Mom's wheels a few weeks ago.

Ravelry notes here.

On another note, this poor cat, Bumblebee.

I think Ava would love her to death if I let her. 

For some reason, 

Bumble does not share Ava's love of snuggling.

Poor Poor Bumblebee.

Yummy Granola

I've tried so many granola recipes, or granilla as my kids call it,

and I've finally come up with one the whole family loves. 

(Even a certain very picky seven year old).

I'll admit right now, this isn't the healthiest of granola recipes,

but that's what you get when you have a picky little one,

you compromise. 

It's not completely unhealthy, 

it just has quite a bit of sweet in it,

and who doesn't love sweet? 

Mmm Mmm Tasty Granilla 

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix together in a very large bowl:

8-10 c Rolled Oats

1-2 c Wheat Germ

In a saucepan mix together:

1/2 c Raw Honey

1/4 c Maple Syrup

1/2 c Brown Sugar

1 TB Vanilla

1 TB Cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves (this ingredient is key to the tastiness)

1 tsp Salt

1/2 c Cold Pressed Coconut Oil

Stir on low heat until all ingredients are just melted.

Pour honey mixture over oats and stir to coat evenly.

Pour onto 2 shallow baking trays and place in oven.

Bake for 20-30 minutes depending on your preference for

chewy or crunchy granola, stirring once halfway through.

Watch it carefully, 

there is a fine line between toasted granola and burnt granola 

and the latter will make you very sad indeed.

If desired, stir in:
1-3 c Raisins or Dried Cranberries (or a combo)

This is so yummy sprinkled over yogurt, ice cream, or just in a bowl with milk.

Enjoy!

A tote for a trip

I just got back from visiting family in Southern California.

It was just myself and my youngest, Opal.

I left my house at a frigid 20 degrees 

and stepped off the airplane in Long Beach to a pleasant, 

almost hot, 80 degrees.

The day before I left, 

because I'm kind of crazy, 

I decided I had to have a new bag for the occasion.

I've had the book,

 Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching,

 for quite some time now, and have made several projects from it.
It is really such a great book with simple, yet satisfying, projects.

This was my first attempt at the Everything Tote and I absolutely love it!
The name is so fitting, literally.

It's like Mary Poppins bag.

It holds everything without looking too big.

It has a contrasting lining and inner pockets, very cute.

It was the perfect size for the flight with a little one.

It fit everything I needed, including a bulky knitting project I'm working on, 

but wasn't to big to carry in addition to the baby in my arms.

Oh sunshine, I miss you already!