Cupcakes Topped with Chocolate Flowers for Wedding Guest Tables

A friend of mine in Ohio was so pleased with this wonderful idea for the guest table at her nieces wedding last month. I think it is a grand idea as well! Cupcakes topped with chocolate flowers in a flower pot make a lovely centerpiece.

Ahh...Lobstering in Maine

Floral Heart Motif In time for Valentines

Special Stitches
Beginning treble crochet cluster (beg tr cl): Ch 3, holding back last lp of each tr on hook, work 2 tr in same place as ch 3, yo, draw through all 3 lps on hook.

Treble crochet cluster (tr cl): Holding back last lp of each tr on hook, work 3 tr in place indicated, yo, draw through all 4 lps on hook.

Pattern Notes
Join with a slip stitch unless otherwise stated.

Motif
With pink, and crochet hook H, ch 5, join (see Pattern Notes) in beg ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 12 sc in ring, join in beg sc. (12 sc)

Rnd 2: Beg tr cl (see Special Stitches) in same sc as joining, [ch 3, tr cl (see Special Stitches) in next sc] 11 times, ch 3, join in top of beg tr cl, fasten off. (12 tr cl)

Rnd 3: Join white in any ch-3 sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 1, hdc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, tr, ch 1) in same sp, (dtr, ch 1) 4 times in next ch- 3 sp, (tr, ch 1) twice in next ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 1) twice in next ch-3 sp, (hdc, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in next ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 1, tr, ch 1) in next ch-3 sp, (tr, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in next ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 1, hdc, ch 1) in next ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 1) twice in next ch-3 sp, (tr, ch 1) twice in next ch-3 sp, (dtr, ch 1) 4 times in next ch-3 sp, (tr, ch 1, dc, ch 1, hdc, ch 1, sc, ch 1) in last ch-3 sp, join in beg sc.

Rnd 4: Sl st over next ch 1, hdc and ch 1, sc in each rem st and ch-1 sp to the ch-1 sp between the 2 tr at bottom point, work (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp at point, sc in each rem st and ch-1 sp, ending with sl st over last hdc, ch 1 and sc, join, fasten off.

Rnd 5: Join pink with a sc in the ch-1 sp between the beginning and ending scs of rnd 3 at top center of heart, ch 3, sc in sl st worked over the first hdc of rnd 3, [ch 3, sk next st, sc in next st] around, at bottom point working sc in the first dc, ch 3, sc in next dc, end with ch 3, join in beg sc, fasten off.


Find more at: http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/hearts.php

Christmas Preparations and Snow!

Well, it's not even winter yet but we have snow again...lol You just have to love Maine! We finished the Gingerbread House and have started on the decorations for the house and cookie baking. Hope your all having a wonderful Christmas Season so far.

Here is the view from my deck and one of the house in our latest snow storm.

Snow and Crochet

Well, it started snowing last night, very arctic cold air and wind..not too much snow though. But, we might be headed for a Nor'easter Wednesday so more to come.

I am taking time to make a pair of new crochet slippers in Thyme green and they should be finished tonight!! I started with a pattern from the Red Heart Yarn but decided to make my own version in the toe area.

The look like duck bills right now, but they will look better real soon! 

Will be getting ready for Thanksgiving...have lots of baking and chopping to do! I love the holidays!

Mr. Robin...Your Late Leaving

Walking around outside today making sure the garden is put to bed for the winter...expecting snow tonight. Then we saw a lone Robin hanging around.

Not sure why he is still here, but he needs to get on his way before winter sets in. We had a few hours of sunshine today...it was beautiful!

Thanksgiving Recipes

Creamy Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

5 to 6 cans sweet potatoes
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
1 cup miniature marshmallows

Directions

In a large bowl, mash sweet potatoes. Add eggs, orange juice, butter, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt; mix well. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish.
Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until set. Top with marshmallows; return to oven until they just begin to puff and melt, about 5-10 minutes. Yield: 10-12 servings.

                                             Old Fashioned Sausage Dressing

Ingredients

2 pounds bulk pork sausage

2 cups milk

14 cups plain stuffing mix (about 6 boxes plain)

2 cups diced celery

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 Tbs. sage

4 tablespoons diced onion

1 teaspoon salt or salt to taste

Directions

In a large skillet, brown sausage. Drain and discard drippings. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan. In a large bowl, combine sausage, milk and remaining ingredients.

Transfer to a greased baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: 24 servings