Memory Lane of Crafts

The Crochet Dude posted a review on the new Simplicity Rotary Cutting Machine in which he recalled the making of rag rugs in his childhood. He asked for comments on reader's favorite childhood crafts. I was relieved to discover that I was not the only one who recalled so many wonderful times and many of us recalled the same things, especially the pot holder loom, knitting spool and, embroidery. I would have to add cracked marble jewelry, dipping fall leaves in wax, worm painting, paper dolls and crepe paper flowers. As a teen I added sewing, crocheting, crewel embroidery, macrame and drawing.

Of course it never stopped. As an adult I added calligraphy, tole painting, counted cross stitch, a number of painting techniques, candy making, cake decorating, latch hook, candlewicking, quilting, card making, machine knitting as well as hand knitting, hardanger embroidery and drawn work, both shuttle and needle tatting, weaving, and fine silver jewelry.

I love seeing new techniques for old tools and new tools for old crafts. There is always some fun new thing to try like Friendly Plastic or any of the many clays like polymer and eraser and paper. Then there are makeovers like the old cribs in my garage waiting to be turned into benches... Hmmmm I have to go start another project, don't you?

I'm sure there are other things. Some of them I have revisited many many times. Others I have yet to try. But it keeps life interesting. I am so glad that I have shared many of these adventures with my children and grandchildren as well as others I have met along the way. So thanks to Drew (That Crochet Dude) I have had a lovely journey today, down the memory lane of crafts!

Week 11 of the Recipe Challenge

Remember the Lollipop Cakes and Graduation Cap Lollipops I made for my granddaughter's graduation last month? Well, this week I finally typed up those recipes and put the photos with them. I am glad I am doing this challenge. Even though I am not trying as many of my recipes as I had expected to I am making headway in getting them organized! I had not anticipated such a hot summer but at least this way I am making progress.

Oding

It often amazes me the quality of the articles in some community newspapers after reading the worthless drivel in big city ones. Maybe it is just that I am a country girl at heart and so the content is more appealing. At any rate I certainly found it enlightening to read about Oding the other day and was reminded of it on the way home today when I drove through dozens of these dainty creatures.

Oding is like birding only you watch Dragonflies and Damselflies instead of birds. The species is called Odonata, hence Oding. My dear friend Vanessa loved words and we often shared finding new ones. She would have appreciated this one.

I probably have read at some point the difference between Dragonflies and Damselflies but had forgotten so I appreciated refreshing my memory. In case yours needs refreshing, the main difference is that Damselflies have more slender abdomens and perch with their wings folded over their backs while Dragonflies set with wings horizontal over stouter abdomens. The Dragonflies have eyes that are closer together and are stronger fliers. Darlene located these photos and helped me add them so you can see for yourself. (By the way all of these photos came labeled as Dragonflies, but one is obviously a Damselfly. Can you tell which one it is?)












Oding is particularly popular in Texas where 225 out of the 457 known species in the world have been seen according to this article in the Sealy News. Some may think this to be all too close to watching the grass grow but the vision of myself sitting on a veranda, sipping iced tea while listening to the cicadas buzzing and watching the dragons and damsels darting around sounds quite peaceful indeed. I would invite Darlene to join me but I fear I have scared her off with updates on the heat and mosquitoes.

Week 10 of the Recipe Challenge

This week the heat seems to have gotten the best of me and I have been taking it easy and not eating much so not cooking. Which means no photos this week; instead I typed up a recipe for Mint-Fondant Filling. I will make some candies up at some point with this filling and show photos then.

Full Buck Moon

The full moon in July is known as the Full Buck Moon as the new antlers are pushing through on the buck deer. The moon was full on the 7th and was lovely as always, I just now am getting around to this post.

It is sometimes also known as the Full Thunder Moon due to more thunderstorms in July but that is not the case so far this July.

Peanut Buter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Darlene, here is the recipe. Enjoy!

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, and 2 large eggs in a medium bowl with a wooden spoon until blended. Stir in 2 cups chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are lightly brown. Cool on cookie sheets 2 minutes beore removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 84 cookies.

Per cookie: 11 calories, trace of fat and protein, 2 g carbohydrate, 0 g dietary fiber, 4mg cholesterol, 1 mg sodium.

Have to tell you though that I make adjustments to all my recipies. Cookies are always larger ;-) and depending who I am baking for determines whether or not or how much I add nut, chips etc. So I recommend you use this as a starting point and make it to suit your tastes.

Week 9 of the recipe challenge

We had one glorious day of rain this week which brought the temperature down so low I was able to open the windows and bake cookies! While peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are my granddaughter's favorite, my son was thrilled with the treat and she has been busy working so doesn't know what she missed! I have several different peanut butter cookie recipes but this one is his favorite. For those who have allergies, this one is made with no flour or milk. Best of all it doesn't require a mixer so cleanup is easy!

Hawk and Mockingbird

I kept hearing this terrible bird racket outside and looked to see a hawk on the neighbor's roof so I got this not too clear photo through the window.

After a few tries I managed to just barely catch the mockingbird that was doing his best to chase this intruder out of his territory. I have seen them go after cats and heard of them nipping at people but this was the first time with a hawk, who by the way did not seem at all impressed.

Week 8 of the Recipe Challenge

Well, it just would not be the 4th of July without hot dogs and potato salad at my house so I photographed just plain old potato salad - a family tradition and typed it into the computer. Some years I have done more elaborate desserts but I kept it cool and simple this year.

Happy 4th of July

It is still in the triple digits here and we have started water rationing which means watering is a lot more labor intensive and leaves us wanting to be indoors more rather than outside at the bbq. But to get into the spirit of the day I got out this vase of red, white and blue fake flowers. The blue ones are roses I crocheted years ago, even though I am not any good at arranging flowers. I love baskets, especially lined baskets so I often change the liner in this basket to match the holiday. It also keeps the yarn from snagging on the basket. This lovely yarn is for a jacket as I am almost finished with the purse which I will photograph soon.

On this 4th as always I wish everyone a safe day as we remember the cost of freedom and what it means to each of us.

Name that bug

Can you name that bug? This is actually the underside as it was on the outside of the storm door. It does kind of look like a giant bug walking upright on it's back feet. Wow, look for this on the next scifi/monster bug movie!