Lessons Taught By Loved Ones

Somewhere in my life
I was taught that
it's not the failures
that will keep us down
but rather
it is the
not getting up
that hurts us!
I'm glad I was taught
to always get back up...

Granny Square Love

I love these colours!
Now I want to make a lap blanket
with these exact colours
in granny squares too!
I found this over on
Color 'n Cream Blog

Project for Holiday Gift Giving

I'm just crocheting
a few various heart shapes
for gift giving next month...

I'm making many hearts
in various mediums
like
yarn (crochet)
paper
paint
thread
beads
All to make and giveaway
next month

Crochet Inspired

This Pin on Pinterest
led me over the
Alma Stoller's Blog
Crochetology

I love these ladies
in crochet!

Make To Be Taken

What a splendidly
PERFECT way
to share ones
talent with others…

I simply LOVE this idea
and hope to do very similar, random
acts of knit/crochet
gifting
in the future.
Happy creating!

Crocheted Little Hearts

I found this lovely
little crocheted heart over
on
The Party Artisan's blog

Carolyne has written a very fine post
with a pictured tutorial
showing
 step-by-step instructions 
for the larger heart.
I hope to make several 
of the little and larger hearts
to share with loved ones
before this years
St. Valentines Day celebration.

Life Lessons

Life Lesson
Better Choices
Do Make a Difference
So Does Forgiving Ourselves
Everyday IS A NEW DAY
It's a DO OVER in Many Ways
I Hope to TRY Each and Everyday…
How About You?

Discovery on Pinterest

Beautiful crochet bracelet by
Amores Frivolos

I found this artisan on Pinterest
and didn't know who had created
said items
(click to see previous post)

I'm so pleased to have discovered
who created these
and other previous pieces I enjoyed.

this work is simply stunning!

Such detail
and fine crochet work!

I am so inspired to make
something similar to this
perhaps in spring colours!

Out and About Town

Picture taken from
roadway that separates Swam Lake
and Shields Lake
at William Bryd Park

Shield Lake

Carillon Tower
near
Dogwood Dell Amphitheater

Carillon Tower
in Richmond VA

Fountain Lake

A different view of Fountain Lake

Swan Lake embankment

Locals  enjoying the fresh snow fall

Swans and geese on the water
this very cold winter's day

Swan Lake

Snow covered roads

Brrr I'm heading back to
the warm indoors now...

Winter Storm

It snowed last night
while I was busy baking
dinner and dessert

I took this picture at
about 30 minutes into
the storm that lasted
for several hours through
the night into the wee morning hours

Early the next morning
I realized how cold it had gotten
the night before

The windows are antique
so they seep a bit
it's really noticeable during winter
due to ice build up

Brrrrr

We got a little over
an inch of snow

Patio view

Snow drifts were five inches
on the patio though

Dog eye view of patio

Brave venture out into the cold...

only 11 degrees so far

The girls in their warm outfits

Oats and Peppers

I've been craving peppers
for a few days
So I decided
 to make stuffed bell peppers

It's a simple meal

A few fresh
peppers, garlic, tomato,
beef and rice

Browning the meat and garlic
while the water
 begins to boil for the peppers

Combine cooked rice,
tomato, add water, tomato paste,
salt, pepper, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce
let stew for 15 to 20 minutes covered over
med/low heat

Flash boil peppers
between 3 to 5 minutes
time determined by size
 and thickness of peppers
thin less, thick more

Once peppers are done
set in baking dish
add 1/4 cup water
and wait for filling to finish slow stew
(approximately 10-15 minutes)
Then fill with tomato/meat sauce
top with choice of cheese
(I used mozzarella)
bake at 350
for 35-50 minutes
(size of peppers determines this
large longer, thin shorter)

I like crispy tops

Serve

Enjoy

For dessert
gooey oatmeal raisin cookies
I just used the recipe on the back
of lid from Oats container
simple and delicious 

350 oven
8-10 minutes

Let cool

Recipe makes about two and a half
dozen cookies

I made seven
chocolate chip
raisin oatmeal
cookies for myself
YUM!