Today

      Just a couple of pictures to show you my day:

    These are baked cheese empanadas.  In Bolivia they would be made with Queso Fresco. We don't have any of that here in MO, so these were made with a mixture of sharp cheeses.  We really enjoyed them at lunch time today!

     And this is today's handwork, now available on Etsy.  It's a dark red, white, and blue patriotic hat for a little princess age 2-3 years.  The design is a little hard to see in this photo, but there are "holes" for extra breathability on hot days crocheted around the crown.  Of course the brim had to be finished with a big ruffle for extra princess flair  :-) 
     I've been working on those viking hats for my brothers as well.  They should be ready for a photo shoot soon, if I can get the pattern for the horns figured out.   These projects take a little extra time when you make up your own patterns as you go.  They're totally worth the effort in the end, though!
    I hope you had a wonderful day as well, and that all your tomorrows are even better!
                                                                           Be blessed!

Finally!!!

    OK, feel free to laugh at me, but I am doing a silly little happy dance over here.  Why?  Because I finally have a store front of my own started up on Etsy.  I know, it may not seem like a huge accomplishment, but for a procrastinator like me it's a BIG deal!  My mom kept telling me I should try to make a little something with all the stuff I crochet, but...  I have a thing for giving everything away as gifts.  Bad habit?  Maybe, but I do so love to give!  I only have two things in my shop so far, but hope to have more by tomorrow.  Here's what I made yesterday:

         It's a fringe purse, and it was very fun to make!  Just hoping someone else will like it as much as I do.  I think I'd like to make another, slightly different, in a peach or pink color.  What do you think?
         Please feel free to head on over and visit my shop, here's the link.            http://www.etsy.com/shop/SharaiStyle?ref=seller_info
         Hope to have more available soon!   I'm making viking caps for my brothers today, they're very excited about it.  An 8 yr. old and a 4 yr. old playing at being vikings... I think I'll have to scour the house for all sticks and dangerous objects before they get started, lol!
        @ Joanna,  I will be purchasing one of your amazing prints A.S.A.P.!  Hoping that "Possible" will be very soon!  And folks, if you haven't seen Joanna Haber's beautiful art work yet, you are missing out!  You can check out her blog "A Bit of Whimsy", I have it in my blog list on the right side of this page.  She also has her work available through Etsy, and it's wonderful!  Go. Look. Now.
       I really have to go, as the housework will not get done on its own (and why not? lazy housework!).  I just had to share my exciting news!
                                                       Have a wonderful day! 

And so it goes...

     I mentioned in my last post that I'm now making bath salts.  Being a mermaid (at least according to my brother), I like nothing better than a long soak in salt water, especially when I can't go swimming!  Last night, I decided that even mermaids need a good scrubbing once in a while, and that they should have a proper cotton bath cloth to scrub with.  So here's what I made.  What do you think of it?  I'm thinking a crocheted bath cloth tied with raffia onto a jar of home made bath salts would make a perfect gift for any of my spa loving friends! 

    The edges of this cloth are finished with a ruffle, although it's a bit hard to tell with this photo.
   
    And now that you've seen my project for the evening, perhaps you should see my parents' on going project.  At least part of it :-D  There are seven of us included in their current project, this photo shows just one.  This is my sister.  At 15, she's becoming quite grown up!  She was preparing to go to town, and so we quickly took a few pictures.  What good is dressing up without a photo shoot?   Her bag was designed @ www.definemystyle.com.  The interior is in the same pattern as the outside, but in hot pink.  I could tell you where the rest of her outfit came from, but it would make quite the long list.

   I just love how her teal jacket and shoes contrast with her burgundy/pink dress! 
  What are your favorite color combinations?  I always enjoy hearing about my friends' style!
                                                                      Have a great day!

Of Lazy Days and Bath Salts

      We've been having a beautiful February!  We had a white Valentines day, and just 9 days later the temperature is well into the 70's F.  I am loving this weather!  Just cool enough, yet not too cold, it's perfect for taking walks!
       Today was a "lazy" day.  By lazy, I mean a laid-back, fairly quiet, no extras need to be done kind of day.  So, being unusually bored, I started brain storming, and worked on creating a birthday wishlist.  My siblings had asked for one, as they know that I love presents, but never know what to get for me.  So I've been working on it.  Today I decided to add Bath Salts and other Spa stuff to the list of things I'm just aching to have ( I'm trying to put "small" stuff on my list, as it's easier for the children to get or make and it makes them happy ).  Then I decided to look up Bath Salts on the internet, and after that looked for instructions to make my own.  Needless to say, my research got a little out-of-hand, and I now have a glass jar full of beautiful orange bath salt, rosemary and orange scent.  Sorry guys, the bath salts are now on my DIY list. I could use more epsom and sea salts, though  ;-)
      Other DIY projects this week included painting the stairwell and hall a lovely mint green, crocheting a doily, and making doughnuts. We also harvested wild onions, and dried their green tops for later use.  It's been a good week!
      I hope you've had a wonderful week as well, and that you have an amazing weekend!  Be blessed!

My Brother

These are photos of my brother who passed away March 11, 2010. I will be remembering him this Valentines Day. We miss you, Aaron!

Small Miracles

     It's been a while since I had time or inspiration for a good blog post, but today I need to share.  When did you last have a small miracle?  I'm talking about those little day-to-day things that just seem impossible, or nearly impossible.  Here are the two latest miracles in my life:
     First, my sister's miracle.  Esther just turned 1 in January.  She isn't walking yet, but she is quite the little athlete, always scooting and climbing.  Two days ago, while sitting in the seat of a Wal-Mart shopping cart, she decided to climb out.  She was not buckled in yet, but my mother did, thankfully, have a good grip on the back of Esther's jacket.  As Esther began to climb over the side she lost her balance, and fell headlong toward the floor.  Mama, knowing that she couldn't just "hang" her by her jacket, allowed her to fall, but did slow her descent.  Sometime in midair, Esther managed to do a complete somersault, and landed gracefully on her feet.  We are all very thankful that Mom was holding on to her, and that she didn't hurt herself.  She didn't even seem surprised, after her landing, until Mama told her "that was a no-no!". Then she cried.  I'm almost ashamed to admit, I laughed a little when I heard of her reaction.
    Shortly after this (this is not the second miracle, but it was a bit funny), Mom stuck Esther into the cart, and  (unbeknownst to me) fastened her with the buckle straps.  She then left me with the cart, and went to get something in the next aisle.  Esther began to fuss, stood up, and reached for me.  Worried that she would fall, I immediately grabbed her, and carried her for the next 5 minutes or so.  When Mom finally returned, she was surprised to see me carrying Esther.  I told her what Esther  had done, and she was shocked. "But I buckled her in!", she said in surprise.  "Is that why the straps were hanging into the seat?", I asked, "She has strong fingers".  Yes, she had unbuckled herself.  So now we know; carry the baby, or she will escape/go climbing/get hurt.  I'm going to need a stronger back.  :-D
   The second miracle was a simple one, but quite touching.  My four year old brother, after watching me working at the washer and dryer, decided to help.  When the dryer stopped, he quietly got an empty laundry basket, and unloaded the dryer.  He then took it to the living room to be folded and put away.  This is the first time he's done such a thing, and it meant a lot to me.  Thanks, Isaac!
   These are the type of thing I give thanks for each day, while trying to live as though every day might be my last.                                                                                                                            May you, and yours, be blessed!

Trust in Me Now

This video isn't the greatest (no movement), but I really appreciate the words of this song. The second anniversary of my brother's death approaches, and this song says just what I need to hear and remember. Blessings!