food, crochet, merriment
Sure am missing this particular not so “little person.” Feeling rather lucky to have him in our lives. :]
I’ve been asked by several people about the Crocheted Leprechaun Hat and Beard–from last year— so I thought I’d give you a close-up.
I’m working on the pattern–which is an profound struggle for me–but it’s coming along.
Thanks for your patience my friends.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone. Go eat some Lucky Charms…or corned beef…or green eggs and ham. Whatever…
Earthquake, tsunami, radiation, and now…
record cold temperatures and snow.
Utah Friends and family:
The LDS Church Humanitarian Center has put out an “immediate need” request for twin and full sized quilts to help those suffering in the aftermath of the disaster and now extreme temperatures.
In an effort to aid those suffering in Japan, we have scheduled a Orem church building this Saturday to tie quilts–as many quilts as possible. If you have any time at all this Saturday, please consider coming–even for an hour.
If you have flannel, fleece, sheets, yarn, or batting, that you’re willing to donate–it would help so much. We will also have a giveaway there as an added incentive–as if the cookies and good “servicey” feelings aren’t enough! :}
Those who live outside Utah, I know you can’t come, but could you pass this to anyone who would be willing to help in UT?
Saturday, March 19th
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1075 W 1100 N (church building)
Orem, UT
Please pass this on to anyone you can~friends, family, coworkers, etc.
If you know quilt or fabric shop owners (or avid quilters with a huge stash!) who would be willing to donate fabric or batting, please ask them.
This is obviously short notice, but also an easy thing we can do to give service and help our sweet brothers and sisters in devastated Japan. This would be a great opportunity to teach older children about the power of timely service–even when it might be a little inconvenient.
For more information, and a link to pass to friends, please go to April’s blog, here or the local Relief Society blog, here or email Launi@GraciousRain.com.
Thank you- thank you–from the bottom of our hearts!
Launi, April, Lyndi, Jillian and Dane
Gracious Rain
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Everybody knows that St.Patrick’s Day isn’t only about corned beef and cabbage. At our house, it’s about anything…green. Salad, asparagus, apples–why, even the milk and mashed potatoes aren’t safe. So, for dessert, aren’t these the sweetest little butter cookies—with just a hint of mint? Trust me–your little leprechaun’s will love them.
Lucky Mint Pinwheels
(Original recipe from Taste of Home)
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1-1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 Tbsp vanilla
3 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
Green food coloring
Directions:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in corn syrup and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. To one portion, add peppermint extract and food coloring. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
Roll out each portion between two sheets of waxed paper into a rectangle. Remove waxed paper. Place plain rectangle over green rectangle. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side.
Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices.
Dip tops in sugar.
Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.
Makes about 4-1/2 dozen soft, minty butter cookies. You’ll be glad you made these–I promise!
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sparrows to share lunch breadcrumbs with…
letting a toddler pick the movie…
a girl with discriminating taste…
a basket full of yarn…
pretty things at a sidewalk sale…
the very idea…
giant blue heads…
shamrocks popping up everywhere.
What about you? What are you loving today?
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I found these sweet little Shamrocks over at Skip To My Lou and couldn’t resist–being the crochet fiend that I am. They were so easy and fun that before I knew what was happening…
I had little piles of 3 leaf shamrocks and 4 leaf clovers all over the place. I couldn’t seem to stop myself. At first I thought I’d turn them all into sweet little pins and force my family to wear them out into the world to keep from getting pinched.
But then…
the bigger the pile grew, the more I loved the idea of hanging a garland around the house to welcome the little people and their pots of gold…
especially their pots of gold…heh, heh.
If you’d like to whip up a few yourself, and you have a G crochet hook and some yarn then you can try your luck at luring a Leprechaun over to your place too.
Shamrock
Chain 4, join with a slip stitch in first chain to form a ring.
Leaf (make 3 for a shamrock or 4 for a clover): Chain 3, trc, dc, trc, ch 3, slip stitch in ring.
Stem: Chain 6, sc in 2nd chain from hook, and slip stitch in remaining four chains. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
To join into garland:
Chain 40.
Sc in the top of right side of shamrock petal, chain 2, sc on the left side of top of shamrock petal. I actually staggered my connection stitches so that the shamrocks and clovers tilted different ways along the chain–some to the left, some to the right, and some straight up and down—but you can do it however you’d like.
Ch 20, sc in the top of right side of shamrock petal, chain 2, sc on the left side of top of shamrock petal, chain 20, continue until all shamrocks are joined.
Ch 40, fasten off.
Hang this pretty thing on your hearth, banister or door for maximum Leprechaun capturing effect. Good luck!
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