wishing and hooping

It's almost Christmas! I've been a busy bee trying to get crafts crafted and packages posted in time for the holidays, and do believe I've succeeded... whew. I spent this week working on kitschy dishtowels for my Canadian family, and I'm especially pleased to have finally finished the blue blanket which I'm sending off as a 30th birthday gift for my big brother. 

Today was one of those rainy grey days that the west-coast part of me adores, so I spent it on another favourite past-time: baking! Specifically holiday baking. I'm putting together thank-you packs for the family we'll be staying with for Mr's graduation ceremonies this weekend in Alabama. I whipped up a batch of dough to chill, then worked on some peanutbutter treats and made my favourite: butter tarts. They're better (I think) when they sit for a few days, so I figured I could get away with making them early. It took everything I had not to eat them! 

And finally, the autumnal quilt is finished! I put it on the hoop yesterday and began the long process of quilting it tonight, with chocolate thread in a chevron pattern. I'm trying to take a moment to enjoy having it completely pieced and sandwiched, but it needs to be finished by early February so I had better get to work! Hope everyone is being the appropriate mix of lazy and productive this week!

 

progress

Happy December! I'm not feeling very festive yet but I'm hoping that will come. The to-do list of Christmas crafting seems endless, and there are never enough hours in the day. My urge to bake all manners of deliciousness is rising, and I am doing everything I can to hold of just a little bit longer.. to try and avoid consuming too much, too soon. Isn't that always the December struggle? 

I took our pups for a hike this week, in "the subdivision that time forgot" behind our house. It is so peaceful back there - birds chirping, the sound of grasses rustling together in the wind, hawks and eagles swooping low to have a look at us. The sun made it quite warm, but that didn't stop the little pup from leaping in and out of the wilderness following some scent or other. I decided it would be a good day to hike the big hill at the very end of the road.. although once we got half way up, the old boy and I were wondering what we had gotten ourselves in to.

The view from the top is lovely though, and there is a big fallen tree that seems perfectly placed for resting. Little pup Early dashed about furiously while us old creatures sat a spell, and then headed back home for water and a nap. An hour well spent.

I've been working hard trying to finish this crocheted blanket, but it seems something else is always calling me away. I've made some good progress on the autumnal quilt and hope to sandwich it soon - I need to have it quilted by February; and then there's Christmas cards to address and shopping to do... I love the holidays, but I'm so looking forward to just relaxing with some boozy cocoa and my heartstrings.

happy tummies

Thanksgiving in Florida should be our new family tradition. What isn't there to love about sun-soaked mornings filled with the cooing of doves.. not to mention the comparatively balmy temperatures? Long hours filled with coffee and chatting gave way to a deliciously enormous meal of turkey and every possible trimming. My meagre contribution was a flat of butter-tarts, my grandmother's recipe - a real hit which ended in my writing out the method on index cards for some of my inlaws. There is such joy in watching personal family favourites melt into what will become our family's story.

Coming home has seemed like an endless string of go-Go-GO! Christmas shopping and new year preparations and a house blanketed in leaves. After helping DH rake up the front and back yards, I slipped into the house to fix a batch of these painfully-simple soft pretzels - a treat for hard work well done. He likes his plain, while I like to tear chunks off with my fingers and drag them through puddles of yellow mustard; either way, paired with a nice cold beer, they hit that "We done good" spot. THIS is the recipe I use, but I find they've not browned enough after 10 minutes so I pull them out, brush them with the melted butter, then return them to the oven for another 2-3 minutes: this gives them a golden colour and the most delicious crunchy bottom. Give them a try, you wont regret it! (Although your hips might. Yummm.)

new growth

 

Good morning! I'd love to say I've had a productive busy weekend, but alas it would be a lie. My darling husband brought home these stunning orange-tipped spider mums to replace my withered roses; I've never seen anything quite like them. He said they made him think of me - a little wild and orange around the edges, a compliment I will accept gladly. They have added the perfect pop of colour to the kitchen, and I will be sad to see them fade.

 

I spent most of my weekend curled up sick on the couch, watching TV and dozing. On a medicine run, my husband bought me this silly card which says "MILK IT FOR ALL IT'S WORTH" on the inside, and shoved it at me any time I tried to fix myself a beverage or snack. His persistence kept me well rested and I am feeling much better now, although I'm sure he thinks I'm a terrible patient. Getting well again quickly was imperative because we're going to visit some of his family for Thanksgiving, which happens to be my favourite holiday, and I would hate to have missed it!

On a final note, I pulled down my little Christmas cactus this morning and noticed that it's growing a new section! See that tiny pink little nub on top? My mother-in-law's cacti are in full bloom and I'm a touch jealous, but my little plant was a 2-segment section found broken in her trunk earlier this year and I'm pleased as punch to have it growing at all. You can see the piece on the right where my cat thought it would make a fun chew-toy - I'm torn as to whether I should break it off in hopes of new growth, or let it alone. Plants growing in winter always serve to remind me that although it's chilly and barren now, spring is not far behind.

November

 

The air outside is crisp and smells of snow: that distinct metallic pink-ness. I can't be the only one who believes it smells pink, right? This month has been full of plans for birthdays and Christmas, graduations and new beginnings. I have been working on that autumn coloured quilt off-and-on for almost a year now, and although I am in the final stretch of piecing the back it seems like it will never be finished. Most of my frustration is trying to make the fabric I have stretch, as opposed to taking the easy route and buying more. My sewing machine is seeing much use these days, and Zoeycat keeps me company by snoozing nearby. 

Must get new flowers for the dining table; those roses have seen better days. 

an introduction

I'm Kate, and keeping cozy is my favourite past-time. Recently I've become obsessed with crafting blogs written by women world-wide, and I figured it was time to add my stories to the list. I'll be posting updates on my various projects, my ongoing education as a military wife, and life in general. 

I was born on an island surrounded by the ocean, but currently live in the hills of Georgia. I am mama to two pups and one fluffy feline, and bride to a soldier in the U.S. army. I love to bake, knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and craft in general; I also love to read, eat, and explore.

I love people! Let's be friends.