Making Tuesday Tolerable

In your easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,
You'll be the grandest lady in the easter parade.
I'll be all in clover and when they look you over,
I'll be the proudest fellow in the easter parade.
On the avenue, fifth avenue, the photographers will snap us,
And you'll find that you're in the rotogravure.
Oh, I could write a sonnet about your easter bonnet,
And of the girl I'm taking to the easter parade.
                                           Irving Berlin/ Easter Parade

After a pretty windy evening here in Missouri (I'm talking tornado warnings all over the place including one here), I thought it would be the appropriate time to share a recent accomplishment. After all, a hat for covering those ears in this wind is a must when you are under a year old. 

An old high school friend was looking for someone to make her granddaughter a hat. I tried out the pattern and took 7 rows off before coming up with the right size she'd be needing. Confucious say: Be cautious of free patterns. This is just my personal experience talking.

 After some contemplating, the Daisies were picked as her preference over roses and I'm so glad she chose them. They are so gosh darn cute!!

These lil' sisters helped me figure out the size. The top model is 2 1/2. The infant is 3 months. Between the 2 we got the size just right. 

Just in time for Easter!!

Hope these  little rays of sunshine have made your Tuesday more Tolerable!

The Beret in Tan/Missouri-Made Mondays

What can I say except that winter is not over yet. Depending on where you're from, it's a cold hard reality.  So on this Missouri-Made Monday, I'm presenting a hand made beret.

Find this on Etsy

As hats go, I typically stick with the baby variety. Babies have no concern with sophistication. 

But I took a chance and tried out this style and am pretty pleased that it turned out.

Wishing each one of you....

Have a Wonderful Week!!

Just As Good/ Friday Flavor

After an afternoon and 3/4 of my evening struggling with a computer issue, I've got a small window of "Friday" left.

So on with a quick post this evening for some Friday Flavor.

I'll even share the recipe. It's just as good as the restaurant variety I promise.

Along with a few pickled beets, this was a very tasty way to end my evening. 

(yes there is rice under that meat)

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Across the Missouri Border/Missouri-Made Mondays

After last night's heartbreaking loss between the KC Chiefs and that other team who will remain nameless for the purpose of this post, I'm steering towards a new direction in sports. That of KU in Lawrence, Kansas who are currently ranked #2 in the nation. My daughter gets bragging rights as a student there, in case I haven't mentioned it a kazillion times.

Field of Kansas Sunflowers photographed by Rachel

And this matters in "Missouri-Made Mondays" because?????

Part of my weekend was spent creating a potato bag for Rachel's apartment. While on a fabric excursion, she noticed these in the remnants bin and so it saved a few pennies in creating this 'legacy team' potato bag. Fun fact,  James Naismith (November 6, 1861 – November 28, 1939) wrote the original basketball rule book and founded the University of Kansas basketball program. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Naismith

The 'gotcha' moment from the weekend. 

Practicing her sewing skills with some pillow creations amid her mountains of research. 

From Missouri, wishing you a wonderful Monday!

The Long Project/Missouri-Made Mondays

I've survived Craft Show Season 2016. And now is time for the Long Projects.

By request, I have official approval for this color combination.

Calling it The Green Palette.

Ignore that bit of purple over on the left. It's just hangin out.

And this sampling is called a Star Stitch. I began this project with the variegated yarn called 

Aspen Print. In a future post I'll try for a better picture to show the blues, greens, and browns in the yarn. 

From Missouri, wishing you a wonderful Monday!

Missouri Wine Country/Missouri-Made Mondays

Did you know that Missouri has a history of wine-making that dates back to the 1850's? In fact until Prohibition, it had developed a sophisticated image during those years. Prohibition ended it for a time but it was reborn in the 1960's and is increasingly winning national acclaim.

I present for the Missouri-Made Mondays, a little Grape/Wine theme Microwave Baked Potato Bag.

And now some images of the winery at Rocheport, Missouri.

The Vineyards

Overlooking the Mighty Mo.

I need to revisit on a clear, sunny day. Taste-testing is in my near future.

From Missouri, wishing you a wonderful Monday!!

Rice Is Nice/Friday Flavor

In the cookbook corner of my kitchen counter is this little helper.

Turning to the Rice Pilaf recipe, I see a variation that could prove pretty useful in using up that garlic.

Why I bought so much is beyond me.

But it is that time of year to make the kitchen smell good.

There are also a good bunch of these to use up.

Does anyone else have trouble with green onions staying good very long?

Sticking to my guns, I did NOT stir the rice once the liquid was added.

I used chicken broth instead of water by the way.

Much better, trust me.

After 'the stir'.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Do You Have Anything Smaller?Missouri-Made Mondays

This message came to me from Etsy last Thursday. So a plan came about to show some fabric samples I have on hand, choose a favorite and start creating the 'smaller' version of a kerchief. The request was specifically for an 18 month old.

Neutrals were the request, but I speculated for a little girl, there needed to be some flowers.

Here were some choices.

Once the great debate was finished, I began the creating. (Favorite part😁)

I love how this one turned out.

 I may have to make a 2nd one just because I know it'll look so adorable.

Wishing you a wonderful Monday!!

Warmin' the Walls/Missouri-Made Mondays

My seemingly endless pile of scrap fabric was dented a little this weekend.
The frugal penny pincher in me saved these batting pieces, and tacked them together.....

Pardon the strings attached, but you won't see them inside a quilt.

And I may or may not have ever mentioned one of the greatest inventions ever in a sewing machine......

The Walking Foot. I will explain more later on this add-on that didn't come with my machine.

There are still things that are best done by hand.......

Like basting together the layers. I love it best when I have a small enough quilt that I can do this on the table rather than on my knees. Too many knee surgeries make for much tenderness when you have to crawl around to baste. Just sayin'.

Maybe my quilter friends out there will give a miraculous suggestion on saving the knees??

Masking tape helps guide my stitches when I don't feel like drawing lines with quilter pencils. And I can reuse the tape a few times when transferring it to the rest of the quilt. 

Binding tomorrow evening while waiting on the election results.

Please remember to Vote! 

In the words of Missouri's own Mark Twain:

"Politicians and diapers must be changed often,

and for the same reason."

Versatility/Missouri-Made Mondays

Many accessories are out there for keeping us warm in the great outdoors. Both in stores and online you can find just about anything that suits your fancy. To keep up with new trends, I decided to change up one of my most popular items and create a scarf with a bonus attribute. This is my newest item for sale in the Katy Trail Creations Etsy shop.

Infinity scarves have long been popular. Not to mention they are pretty helpful when the wind is blowing. Who in the world wants to worry about their scarf blowing off.

But making it a little larger this go-round gives you a little extra for evenings out where you need a little shoulder coverage.

Or what about keeping grammy warm in church? Beats trying to hold up her coat on her shoulders.

Come back next week for another Missouri-Made Monday to see what's new in the shop.

Gonna Make This/Friday Flavor

It's not too often I blog on a topic twice, but this is one that had double duty for me. Over on WordPress, I had the priviledge to enter my Thursday Doors post using a set of photos from last weekend. This is Part 2 using the rest of my pics.

Port Fonda is what was once a restaurant in an Airstream trailer turned into 2 restaurants of very classy "Inventive Mexican Food". One in Lawrence and the other in Westport, Mo. 

I have to admit I played it safe and tried the Chorizo Fundido. But Only after I inquired on the level of heat those poblano pepper strips carried. This Was All Mine! Sorry, I  had already dug in to the skillet. 

The view to my left.

The Bar behind me.

Note to the chef/owner, Patrick Ryan, (who by the way is doing the Midwest proud with some pretty outstanding awards)

I am going to attempt my own homemade version of your dish.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Berry Fresh! /Missouri-Made Mondays

blue·ber·ry

ˈblo͞oˌberē/

noun

1. 1.

   a hardy dwarf shrub of the heath family, with small, whitish drooping flowers and dark blue edible berries.
2. 2.

   the small, sweet edible berry of the blueberry plant.

This handmade item is new on the list at the Etsy store.

They are 100% cotton, hand crocheted scrubbies.

This set of 10 is done in a variegated "BlueBerry" yarn with a mix of

 Lime Green, Blue and Purple coloring.

For less than $5 you can indulge in a little treat for yourself

before the holiday rush.

*Start a nice hot, bubbly bath.

* Lather up these scrubbies with your favorite soap.

*Wash away the stress!

Hope you check out this and other items in my Missouri-Made shop!

World With Octobers/Missouri-Made Mondays

It's been a beautiful October weekend here in central Missouri. Just look what I opened my truck door out into.......

If only we could bottle this up.

Love this time of year!

Also love the fall colors as you will see in this latest kitchen helper.

Stop by Katy Trail Creations on Etsy for other great Missouri-Made items!

Those Monday Blues/Missouri-Made Mondays

Blues in this instance are symbols. Looking into the symbolism of blue I read that it can convey a sense of trust, loyalty and understanding. It's no wonder it's a favorite color of most people.

So when I worked on various projects this weekend, I wasn't surprised in the common denominator of blue I ended up with. Time to share them with you....

This wrap took me through 5 skeins of Homespun Yarn. It's extra wide and was nearly part of a new garment, but I ran out of yarn. sigh! Maybe next time.

Maybe it's width will qualify it for a "Super Wrap", (Super being the trend in crochet this season)

More blue in this vintage fabric. Storage never looked so lovely!

I hope these pillow cases I embroidered by request will make the newlyweds feel like royalty. Thanks to my cousin for letting me help out! 

To see more Missouri-Made items, drop by my Etsy Store, Katy Trail Creations.

One Dish, Four Meals/Tasty Thursday

What's in the Cabinet?

This Tasty Thursday began with a box of these Oven Ready Lasagna noodles. You may not realize it, but this means you don't have to preboil them. And guess what else?

The recipe is on the back.

Now we ad libbed a bit in the seasoning and made it our own. 

Parsley?? Naa. We used Italian Seasoning. Much better, trust me.

First night, we dug in and had 3/4 of it left.

On #2 meal night, I thought I might add a pic of the garlic toast and salad.

We ate on this fabulousness for 4 evenings. 

And it is Gluten Free, convenient, and good for you. 

Random Food Fact:

 McDonald’s sells 75 hamburgers every second of every day.

Why not keep your $$ and eat home cooked meals??

Dinner for Two / Tasty Thursday

 It's pretty awesome when you don't feel like cooking and you know you don't need to go out to eat. No one else wants your sneezes. So to the rescue was the hubby. Smothered Steak is on the menu this Tasty Thursday.

Still have some of these from the garden.

After cleaning them up and joining them with the other vegies.....

You simply add the steak to the pan with some butter n oil.

 Simmer for around 5 minutes on each side.

Finish off by

topping them with this rainbow of nutrition and simmer to the desired consistency.

In my opinion, I should have chopped up More vegies.

Check out the Tasty Thursday host site here.

In The Round/ Missouri-Made Mondays

Thinking of a quick gift idea? Many times we think of bath items for someone. I mean, you never have enough items for you skin care, right??

Paired with a special scented soap, bath salts/bombs and lotion, this creates a very nice basket combination. 

A new baby will love the tag-free softness.

Pampering never felt so good!

These also work great 

*as a drink coaster

* displayed in a dish on your counter

*as teether biscuits 

*and are wonderful for little hands in helping with dishes.

More colors will be coming soon to Katy Trail Creations on Etsy!

Check back each Monday for more Missouri-Made items.

Autumn Greetings/ Missouri-Made Mondays

Craft Booth September 17, 2016

I blogged a little about the Green Ridge Park Day on my other blog's regular Sunday Sampler feature yesterday. 

But I didn't share what lovely treasures my mother surprised me with.

It's inside the bag of course.

These were quite the bargain and mother never let's those pass her by.

Kerchiefs for $1 apiece, already hemmed and ready for use.

The one on the left is a medallion pattern that resembles a giant chrysanthemum.

The right kerchief is a Dresden Plate in lovely autumn colors.

I have a plan to alter these.....just a little.

First I'll be cutting them into triangles.

After hemming the cut edge, I'll add some trim.....

In the form of crochet with ties. 

Too much wind or sun is hard on the hair. These darling hair accessories keep it in check and are very pretty on little girls in their Sunday best.

Hope you'll be back again for another Missouri-Made Monday!