Herbs...

The last parsley of the year.  And one more pumpkin!

Sadly, this is the last herb I will be picking, this year.  I've been harvesting and drying herbs all summer - and now it's over...?  I've enjoyed picking and hanging bunches of parsley, basil, sage, chives, mint and oregano all over the place.  When it's dry, I pulse it gently in a grinder and package it to use through the winter.  Truly, there is nothing better than fresh herbs.  The ones from the store don't even compare!  Winter is close at hand.

Now, time to plant the garlic...

Ear Warmer Cozy...!

Well, the idea of a Earwarmer/Headband has been in the back of my mind for the longest time.  There has been something tricky about it - I guess some projects just take more time and effort, huh?  I have wanted to design something for my daughter & I to wear that would keep our ears warm, & also be a stylish accessory to hold back the flyaway hair!  This new 'Frost Bite' Earwarmer design allows me to use the chunky homespun yarn & oversized hook that I have become so fond of  (obsessed with?)....!  Just like my 'Snow Kiss' Headband, it has an elastic band in the back to ensure a good fit.

This fall, we have been picking apples, taking train rides, walking through pumpkin fields & now look forward to trick-or-treating & picking out Christmas trees.  This newly designed 'Frost Bite' Earwarmer will be the perfect accessory to wear this winter as we embark on more fun family adventures...!

Chunky Barley Cowl

This Thick & Chunky Barley Brown Neck Cozy is a great new addition to the shop.  What a great color to go into the fall & winter months with.  Coordinates well with white, cream, denim, tan, etc - Really cute with jeans & a denim jacket!

www.CrochetMarket.etsy.com

Snow.....?!

Today has been a snuggly day at my house!  My little boy has a cold & just needs to hang out with mom.  On top of that, we've been hit with a 'nor-easter-winter-storm' that has found us snow-bound for the day.  A surprise snow-storm will always brighten the spirits around here!  Of course, it's really wierd for PA to get a snow storm of this magnitude in October, but what-cha-gonna-do?!  Guess we'll crochet some new things, make hot chocolate & snuggle...!

Crochet Butterscotch

Chunky Butterscotch 'Sweet Beans'

This Chunky Butterscotch Cup Cozy will be perfect for your fall get-togethers!

www.crochetmarket.etsy.com

Chunky Natural Cozy

I've got a bunch of these piling up around here...!  Another new color to the collection - Chunky Natural Oatmeal 'Sweet Beans' Cup Cozy for the fall/winter months.  Oh, these are so chunky & thick - they just make me want to snuggle up...

Chunky Fig Cozy

Chunky Fig - 'Sweet Beans' Cozy

Yep, another wool blend color to add to the 'Sweet Beans' Chunky Cup Cozy collection!  This 'fig' color is wonderful for fall & will transition beautifully into winter.  It's got an organic cotton flower & wood branch button on it.  Hummmm, I wonder what I should fill my coffee cup with today?

Don't forget - these Chunky Cozy's will make great stocking stuffers for your loved ones this year.  Add a Starbucks Gift Card & you're set!

Creamy Ivory Chunky Cowl

Creamy Ivory Cowl

Sweet Chunky Neck Cowl in another fun neutral color - Creamy Ivory!  

Get one before the weather gets too cold & nasty. 

We're off for a fun day together to watch the trees change color at our local arboretum.  Yeah!  I'm sure I'll wear my Cozy Cowl since the weather is chilly today.

www.crochetmarket.etsy.com

Oatmeal Chunky Cowl

Chunky Oatmeal Cowl

I am listing more Sweet Chunky Neck Cowls in the shop.  I can't tell you how warm they keep me through the chilly months of fall.  Even while doing paperwork & teaching the kids during the day, I find comfort in the warmth around my neck, now that the weather has begun to cool.

This Oatmeal Sweet Slim Cowl is a great neutral color.  It is so sweet with denim!

www.crochetmarket.etsy.com

Cup Cozy...

Golden Mustard Coffee Cozy found in this treasury...

"Pumpkin Chai Latte"
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTI3MjUxMzd8OTI4MzUwODM4/pumkin-chai-latte

Chunky Coffee 'Costume'...?

Thick & Chunky Bark Cozy

These Thick & Chunky Cup Cozy's have become one of my favorites.  And when I say "Thick", I really mean it!  They have oversized flowers made of organic cotton & my new wood bark buttons - so cute!  This is the perfect gift for fall, as we start to 'dress-up' our coffee cups for Halloween!  The adults need to have fun, too.  Enjoy the chilly temps with your favorite drink.

Apples in my Cake

Diced Apple Cake w/ Streusel Topping

I love to bake throughout the fall season.  There are so many farmers markets and pick-your-own farms in my area.  Pumpkins & Apples are at the top of my list this time of year. 

This Diced Apple Cake is a family favorite - not sure where my grandmother got it .  It just warms my heart to make it.  This recipe freezes well, when you need to use up lots & lots of apples.  It is good warm or cold. I like it best, cold, the next day, after all of the flavors have been able to blend together!  There are lots of apples packed into this cake - Serve with fresh whipped cream!

To make this yummy treat for your family, you will need:

Diced Apple Cake

3/4 cup, Unsalted Butter (soft)
1 1/2 cups, Raw Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp, Vanilla
2 1/2 cups, All-purpose Flour
1 tsp, Salt
1 tsp, Baking Soda
4 cups, Diced Apples (crunchy)
1/2 cup, Chopped Walnuts
1/2 cup, Raisins (optional)


Cream the butter, sugar, eggs & vanilla together. Sift together the flour, salt & baking soda. Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture & stir together until just combined. Now, add the apples & nuts. (This batter is thick, but don't worry - it bakes up so moist & yummy!)

Crumb Topping:
1/3 cup, Brown Sugar
1/3 cup, Raw Sugar
1 tsp, Cinnamon
1/2 tsp, Ground Ginger
1/8 tsp, Salt
1/2 cup, Softened Butter
1 3/4 cup, All Purpose Flour
 
Combine all of these ingredients into a bowl & mix with a fork or with your hands.

Grease a bundt pan & evenly fill with the Batter, then pile the Crumbs on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour.  Insert a cake tester into the cake to make sure it comes out clean before taking out of the oven. 

I usually drizzle a little icing on the top when the cake has cooled (optional).  This recipe is all about the consistency you are comfortable with.  If it's too thick to drizzle, add more milk to thin it out.

Drizzle:
1 1/2 cups, Powdered Sugar
3 oz, Cream Cheese (soft)
2 Tbls, Milk (maybe more)
1 tsp, Vanilla
1 Tbsp, Melted Butter

How Sweet!

A little bit of Crochet Chunky Sweetness for your little one this fall!

Pink Chunky Baby Beanie

Buttons from my Forest!

Wood Branch Buttons 1"

Well, purchasing buttons for my Coffee Cup Cozy's & Hats has become a bit costly.  As a desperation move, I asked my husband to forage for branches in our forest, cut them into small thin circles & drill holes in them - all so I could make my own buttons!!  A bit tricky in the beginning, but SO worth it in the end!  Ha Ha.  Instead of rubbing them with oil, I am coating them with a thin layer of shellac.  I worry about people hand washing their Coffee Cozy & damaging the wood.  The shellac will protect the 'button' from harm.

The kids got involved in this project by finding branches & sticks the correct size & making sure Daddy cuts them 'just right' for Mommie!  I'm working on sizes & thickness at this point, but I am thrilled with the outcome, so far.  My husband asked me:  "Does this make me a 'crafter' now?"  I said, "Most certainly not.  You are just my Supplier!"  He is such a great support to my quirky crafy ideas - I don't know what I would do without him...

1 1/4" Branch Buttons

1" Branch Buttons

Pumpkin Wow-Wee!

Iced Pumpkin Cookie Treats!

I found this recipe for Iced Pumpkin Cookies on the 'Mommas Like Me' blog (http://lacee-mommaslikeme.blogspot.com/) &  I knew I had to try them as soon as possible!  The photographs & descriptions on her blog took me in.  I am a sucker for anything pumpkin this time of year.  As soon as the temps start to cool, I get all snuggly & my taste buds seem to require spicy pumpkin things (whoopie pies, cookies, pies, coffees, creamers, pancakes, waffles, lasagna, pasta, etc.) - you get the idea!??

I love to bake a lot & often make a big mess - today was no execption.  After making these yummy cookies, my kitchen was a total disaster, but they were SO worth it!  This recipe creates a 'cookie' that is so different than anything else you've had - soft, moist, sweet, cupcake-like, spicy, melt-in-your-mouth-Yum-O, have-to-have-more, feeling you've got to experience!  I added some cream cheese to the icing & some chopped nuts to the batter as well as a garnish.  Oh my!!

Iced Pumpkin Cookies

This recipe has found it's way into my holiday collection.  I hope you experience these - let your family enjoy the amazing smells coming from the kitchen & feel the warmth of your love through these cookies.  Experience this snuggly season with your loved ones.  Thank you so much Lacee (Good job)!

Fun for Fall....

Thick & Chunky Sweet Beans Cup Cozy's are on their way!  Oh my - These Chunky Cozy's have stollen my heart with their fluff.  You know you are grabbing something thick & snuggly when you hold one of these.  I can't wait for you to try them.  Working on Butterscotch, Bark Brown, Harvest Pumpkin, Fisherman Cream, etc.  Most of them will match the new Sweet Chunky Neck Cowls that are being added to the shop.  Get 'em now, so you won't be left holding a steaming hot (naked) cup of coffee!!!  Do you like them with the flower & button or not?

Pumpkin Cozy Neck Cowl

As you must know, I have started listing my new Sweet Chunky Neck Cowls into the shop for the upcoming chilly Fall weather!  Today I will list the newest - 'Sweet Slim' in Harvest Pumpkin - Oh my!!!!  Get 'em before the weather gets nasty....

Cowls are In...

A couple of the Chunky Neck Cowls have been listed in the shop. This is the 'Sweet Slim' in Bark Brown Wool.  Enjoy!

Neck Cowls

I will be putting these Chunky Neck Cowl's in the shop this week, for sure!  They are made of a soft chunky wool blend yarn with a simple edging & will be available in 2 different styles:  Sweet Chubby (short & fat) & Sweet Slim (long & skinny).  You're choice, both will be the same price.

This is the perfect accessory for fall - Just enough bulk to provide warmth for those chilly evenings sitting on the back porch, windy walks to the local coffee shop, picking pumpkins, choosing christmas trees or an added something special when you're out on the town with your love!

Newborn Chunky Baby Beanie...

Chunky Charcoal

As I am designing new things for the fall, I couldn't help but come up with a little bit of snuggly warmth for our little ones!  Oh my, these Chunky Beanies are precious.  This one is made with charcoal acrylic & creamy alpaca yarns with a coconut button.  Still working out the sizing between newborn & toddler before considering them for the shop.

I would love to find someone local (in PA) to help me product test this newborn size...!...?