Snowball Fight!

In the past I have shared Christmas ornament patterns. This year, mostly because I went crazy and decided to crochet a gazillion pairs of slippers and a secret family surprise, I opted out of the ornament search. For those who have missed it, check out the countdown CAL from last yearn and our Crochet Ornaments Pinterest board (huge thanks to the wonderful peeps who add to the board).

I have been seeing some super cute snowmen-ish things out there and can't resist sharing. A few months ago, Donna from "You Drive Me Crafty" volunteered to make ornaments for my annual countdown. They turned out so dang cute! She has published the pattern and it is free!
These remind me of something I saw in a Hallmark flyer last year. Her's are so much cuter, with tons of personality. Whether you create your own "indoor snowball fight" or make fun new ornaments for the tree, I know everyone will enjoy these squishy soft balls of fluff.

Speaking of Donna, she also has an amazing food blog I LOVE to follow. "My Favorite Recipes" is full of food you actually would want to make AND eat. Not just those foo foo things that only June Cleaver made.
My husband has been on a kick lately that he thinks "we" should have a tradition of making fudge at Christmas. Well, several years ago I used to cook, but then became a single mom and "ffy" (fend for yourself) became the most popular recipe in our house. I am gradually working back into the cooking stage and so turned to Donna for a tried and true. She sent me a link to an interestingly odd concoction that did not seem fudge-y. Guess what?? It worked! I made fudge today. Of course it was while everyone was asleep. 2 reasons: 1. if it was a massive failure I could destroy the evidence and 2. if it really did turn out I wouldn't have to let on that it was derived from 2 ingredients!
Look how cute and yummy it is! Totally looks and tastes like fudge! Thanks Donna for making my family think I slaved away on their behalf with "2 minute fudge".

Monday Muffins

While cruising around fb newsfeed and pinterest I see tons of yummy looking creations. Once upon a moon, when my two oldest were growing up, I cooked a lot. We always had homemade meals and goodies. Then, I heard of something a neighbor did once in awhile..."FFY" nights, which meant "Fend For Yourself". MARVELOUS idea, especially as my two teens got older and were coming and going at different times. Between soccer practice, games, pep band, work, etc there were few times when we all sat down together. Soon FFY nights became the norm. Now, as I start over with the kid raising (yes, there is a large gap between kids), I realize my little guy is being groomed for life as a bachelor.
I figure if I look at these yummy creations enough I will be inspired to whip out my fancy schmancy mixer and ingredients (pretty sure walmart sells all those supplies that once filled my cupboards).
It hasn't started inspiring yet, but I AM enjoying the pix. Hopefully you will enjoy these muffins I so carefully copy and pasted for you to start off your week. Click HERE for recipe.

My mom makes wonderful cookies, muffins and bread out of an odd looking veggie, that makes cucumbers feel less then their best. I always overcook quick breads.

Monday Muffins

Several months ago a "community room" was started in snappyland, thanks to a wonderful friend, miss Margaret. Many others join in providing muffins, cinnamon rolls and other yummy treats (all in a virtual kitchen). It has come to be one of my favorite things on my page and I so wish we really could meet around quaint little tables and chat face to face.
I thought it would be fun to share some recipes for things we might make to share in the community room. Many moons ago, before I started crocheting and knitting hours and hours a week, I used to cook. This past weekend, while visiting my daughter in Salt Lake, we walked through Whole Foods. It was my first time there and I LOVED it! From the breads, to the meat counter, to the seafood...that did not smell at all (compared to my local grocery store that makes me scurry past each time) everything was gorgeous. If I weren't a penny pincher and my tiny town had such a store, I would find myself there often. It seemed like the food version of a snooty yarn store.