Hamlet's Castle

Friday is a good day to dream. . . of things to come, and things that have been.

This is Kronborg Castle, also known as Hamlet's Castle. I've been lucky to visit this castle a few times in my life. It's in my hubby's hometown of Elsinore, Denmark. What s a beautiful sight!

And this archway creates the perfect view and I can close my eyes and dream. . . 

Valentine's Day is Coming

So I thought I'd share a few of my past valentine's day projects, like this hand-made felt heart.

And this hand-made paper heart project.

And these cake projects and this one too.

So that should be enough projects to keep you busy until Valentine's Day.

Lemon Drops...and NOT the candy

They are so simple to make and ohhhhhh so yummy.

Here's how I make 'em...


INGREDIENTS:

1 and 1/2 cups lemon flavored vodka
1/2 cup Triple sec
1 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup simple syrup
2 cups ice
(Simple syrup Recipe)

1 cup water
1 cup sugar

(bring to a boil on the stove, stirring constantly until the liquid is clear--then chill in the fridge)

(SECRET TIP: Use a lime - not a lemon - to rim the glass with liquid, then dip in sugar and let set until hard)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix ingredients together and pour into a shaker (we use a Starbucks travel mug - with a lid)

Put ice in shaker and pour ingredients over ice. Shake!

Then pour chilled ingredients into a sugar rimmed martini glass and serve.

CHEERS!!!

(I put a slice of lemon on the edge of the glass just for fun...and a little extra squeeze;)

Bacon Wrapped Dates

This was the first time I've ever made these and they were oh-so yummy!

Here's how I made them.

First I split the dates in two:

Then I stuffed them with raw almonds and wrapped them in bacon.

It takes a little bit of effort to cut, stuff and wrap...

But they were so good and so easy to bake that I will definitely make them again. Plus, they would be a great appetizer to serve at a party because you could prepare them ahead of time and then simply bake them 15 minutes before your party . . . because it only takes 14 minutes for these to cook.

Set your oven at 350 and bake for 7 minutes, then flip them over and bake for another 7 minutes. They were so good because they were sweet and savory with a little crunch !

MLK Day

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1/15/29 – 4/4/68) was many things and worthy of honor.

He was an American pastor, activist, humanitarian, and civil rights leader.

Born Michael King - his father changed his name to honor Martin Luther.

He led nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs. And, if you would like to honor him, one way to do it is by volunteering. If you are interested, check out this site to find some place to serve in your community.

Hollyhock - and not the flowers

I found the cutest little shop over in Sellwood ...and I'm not a big shopper but when I find a store that uses (or maybe I should say REuses) fabrics from another era (vintage material) then I tend to pay attention.

And these clothes are sooooo cute I can't resist posting them.

These pieces are so pretty and I'm no photographer but I have to share a few snapshots I took when I was looking around.

These little tutus were two cute ;D

And there are a lot of floral designs - so Hollyhock seems fitting.

So whether you're a baby or a grownup, Camp Hollyhock has something for every lady in the house. Sorry men, I didn't see anything there for you.

Book club for January - Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

He might have been a great author and an American legend but to me...he was not my favorite. In fact, I don't think I would be compelled to read another page by him.

His pages were too...descriptive. I know that sounds silly. But all things in moderation...right?

I like to get a setting, an image and then let my own imagination run wild. F. Scott was simply setting sail, he went overboard and took me with him.

I felt like I was drowning in all those words.

Maybe he was just meant for a different time...at least he was meant for a different reader...than me.

If he's your favorite...sorry. Not so much for me.

I think I'll stick with the King...Stephen :D

Worth Your Salt - A Fiction Writing Contest

If you love to write and you're looking for a challenge, here's one you might not be able to resist:

It's called Worth Your Salt and it's put on by Hazel and Wren. It's easy to enter and it's free. All you have to do is submit 2000 words by January 31, 2014 - so if you're interested, hope over to read all about it.

And, if you win, let me know because I'd love to hear some good writerly news ;D

Best Part of the Golden Globes

Jennifer Lawrence - like Ariel in her sail dress...so cute :D

Rose City Yarn Crawl is Coming

I know it sounds like a scary movie...or a book to curl up with beside a warm cozy fire. . . but it's not. It's an event for all crafters, knitters, crocheters, or anyone who wants to use some fancy smancy yarns to make something special.

Plus it's a fun event.

If you're interested, pop over here and read all about it!

It begins February 27th so mark your calendars and pull out your knitting projects and get ready.

Hope to see you at some of the yarn shops here in the Rose City.

THE GREAT CRITIQUE - THIS SATURDAY

START THE NEW YEAR “WRITE”!

WITH ANOTHER GREAT CRITIQUE

Another chance for writers to be mentored and critiqued by a professional and their peers. 

We’ve done this before and it was so successful that attendees asked for a repeat, so here it is!

When:        January 11, 2014 from 9:30 to Noon

Location:   The Dining Room, TaborSpace, 5441 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97215

Time:         9:30 to noon. First half hour networking, with coffee and donuts, and then from 10:00 to 12:00 critique session.

Never been in a critique group? Wish you could be critiqued by someone who is ahead of you in the publishing game? Want to strengthen your work? Need a fresh set of eyes and ears on that oft-revised piece? Want to have your manuscript ready for the May conference? This is your chance. A published writer will lead each small group and critique your manuscript. You'll also hear others' work and get feedback from those writers too. Plus you'll learn from the comments by the critique leader about the work of others.

Cost:

SCBWI members - $10.00 (That's less than the price of a Friday night movie!)

Nonmembers - $15.00 (If you bought any refreshments, your movie night would cost way more!)

WORD FOR WEDNESDAY

WORD OF THE DAY: SWAGGER

Do you know what it means?

Do you have it?

Do you want it?

Well maybe part of it...

A swagger is an air of confidence but then there's a catch...

the bad part...

it is to walk or strut with a defiant or insolent air.

As people say the good and bad, blend together 

If you want to read more about the word, check it out here.  

Knitting - the American Way

Did you know there's an American way to knit? No, neither did I. Not until my mother-in-law tried to help me with a stitch I dropped. Then she took my needles and started to work the yarn but I was like, "what are you doing?"

She said, "I'm fixing it for you." But it looked so strange the way she was holding the needles. And then my son's gfriend said, "that's because you knit the American way."

"Huh?"

Then they both tried to explain to me (they both being from a different country originally...Denmark and Germany) said, "You knit backwards."

"Huh?" I said again.

Then they showed me. There is a Continental way to knit and an American way.

Yep it's true. And if you don't believe me, just google it and check out a few youtube videos.

But that's the way I've always knitted and now I'm wondering if there's an American way to crochet... ;D

OMENS

I have cooked all my life with cast iron pots and pans. I have had them passed down from my great grandmother, to my grandmother, to my mother, to me...and I have never seen one crack before...

UNTIL NOW...

I'm hoping it's not a bad omen of the things that will be cooking in 2014 ;D

I don't think I would have thought this except for on New Year's Day we woke up to a COLD house. Our furnace had gone on the fritz...and it's not an old furnace, plus I had just had it serviced to be cleaned and inspected in October...and then my daughter got in an auto accident. She was rearended on Saturday night...

I'm not usually superstitious but I'm just saying . . .

First Friday of the New Year

It's always a little sad when the New Year comes because it means that the old year has been laid to rest. Now, it's time to take down the tree and put away all the decorations from the holiday and tuck 2013 back into our boxes filled with memories and ornaments.

And, hopefully we will begin to make some new traditions and set some new goals for 2014!

Pasta Salad Challenge of 2014

Some people know that in my family we like to eat and a lot of us like to bake, cook, and bbq. So over time there have been challenges laid down and victories claimed.

New Year's Day 2014 we had a Pasta Salad Challenge. There were 8 entries and here are the winners:

Nikki Elmore took first place, Beth Lillie took second place and Liz Womack took third place.

It was a lot of fun with family, friends and good food.

A couple of the recipes were very similar...Tammy's, Nikki's and mine - thanks to my Mom - guess we all followed in her footsteps...

Nikki tweaked Mom's recipe with a few more spices, Tammy tried adding quinoa and I kept mine simple. Next time, I guess I'll remember that I need to spice things up nowadays.

HAPPY 2014!

Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2014!

Finished

Better late than never...right?

It turned out really pretty and I think it's kind of funny how well it blends with our fir flooring being that it is made out of pine.

It must be the color of the stain. It's a honey color. Obviously one of our favorites.

I told Kara it looked like a coffin so she climbed inside to see if she would fit. And she said, "Maybe one day."

Then Lars just had to glue on the little tag he had burnt into the wood for her. So that many years from now she can look back and remember that her Dad made this chest for her during the Christmas of 2013.

Now, we just need to deliver the present.

Christmas and the Elves have been Busy

Lars has been working on a hope chest, (blanket box), or Cedar Chest - made from Pine ;D for our daughter for Christmas...

He put it off until December 20th - which didn't leave him a lot of time to figure it all out because he's never made one before and he didn't want to "buy" a pattern or try to find one on-line. He said, "I'll wing it." But with only a couple of days to buy the wood, figure out what he was making and make it...I was a little worried.

Here's how the project went.

First he just built a box (which I thought looked a bit like a coffin). And then he had to make the top.

He glued together a couple long pieces of word for the top and used little pieces of wood for support. And he glued some more . . .

 And some more

 Here he's using a silicon basting brush (yep something from the kitchen) he says the glue won't stick to silicon . . .

 And some more. . .

 He glued and glued and . . .

 GLUED!

And then glued some more.

Then he worked on making the back  . . .

Wishing You All a Howling Happy Holiday!

Merry Christmas - hope you all have a howling holiday!

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn...YUMMMMMMM

It's so easy to make a special homemade gift to give your friends and neighbors without spending a lot of time or money. Here's how I did it this year.

First I popped a huge portion of popcorn.

Then I melted some white chocolate.

You have to check it - to make sure you don't burn it.

I melt it slowly...checking on it as I go.

When it's smooth and glossy - you're ready.

I smashed about 8 candy canes -- but first I put them in a baggie to keep the mess contained - but you could use any peppermint candy - I just had these around the house during the holidays.

I stirred most of the crumbled peppermint into the white chocolate but I reserved some to sprinkle over the top of the popcorn to make it look prettier.

And I left a few big chunks of peppermint.

Then I poured the white chocolate and peppermint mixture over the top of the popcorn - in a stainless steel bowl - and I stirred it around to make sure it was well-covered.

Then I took some metal tins and lined them with aluminum foil and poured the popcorn inside.

That way they have the tin after they finish the popcorn for another little gift :D

But, if you don't have tins, you could use baggies - after the popcorn has cooled and the white chocolate has set - and wrap a pretty ribbon on the top and WAH-LAH a wonderful edible gift you can give and feel proud that it will be enjoyed. And, if you want to add a movie into the mix... no problem!

It can be a wonderful evening you can give a family...now, if only FROZEN was out in dvd. :D