We are so fortunate

I was tearing up watching this slideshow on Time.com about the atrocious conditions of Malaria plaguing Apac Uguanda.  The babes, the women, the working people all in turmoil from mosquito bites carrying Malaria. 

Such a simple fix...MOSQUITO NETS could manage so much, and avoid so much pain.  According to the article the average Apac resident is bitten TENS OF THOUSANDS of times a YEAR! 

 Image via Time.com

So, I did some research, and decided to make my first charitable contribution and donate to Against Malaria.

IT FEELS SO GOOD!

$5.00 buys 1 net!

100% of the proceeds goes to buying nets

So I am spreading the word. Please take part if you are so inclined.

Lala's Glazed Banana Nut Cake Recipe

This cake is warm, delicious, easy, and filling...who could ask for anything more?

Lala's Glazed Banana Nut Cake Recipe

Ingredients

2 sticks unsalted butter (room temp)

1 c. sugar

4 eggs

5 ripe medium bananas

3 c. flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 pinch salt

1 tsp cinnamon

3/4 c. chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.  Cream the butter, sugar, and eggs together in a large bowl.  Break the bananas into small pieces into the same bowl.  Set aside, and in a smaller bowl mix the flour, salt, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and then mix with an electric mixer at a low speed till well incorporated.  YOU WANT SOME VISIBLE PIECES of bananas. Now fold in the walnuts. Pour into a greased 9X11 glass pan, and put in the oven.  Bake for 40-45 minutes (or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean).  

 

Allow to cool and when finished cooling apply the glaze (recipe below)

Glaze 

In a sandwich baggie, fill half way with powdered sugar, add a tsp of vanilla extract, add milk to the sugar and mix until it forms a nectar thick glaze. 

Cut a small triangle out of the baggie corner

 

Drizzle over the cake (thanks Sam!)

Enjoy!

What a great sister I have!

Look at what my twinnie made for me!

She made one for herself a bit ago, and got he pattern from Heather (HERE!). Now ladies...these two crafty Mama's are some of the craftiest ladies I know.  

Please check out their Inspring Blogs at

Adirondack Mama (Julia)

Shivaya Naturals (Heather)

So..onto my lovely gift!

Made with love...my FANTASTIC NEW CAR ORGANIZER!

Made of the most beautiful paisley print...SHE KNOWS I LOVE MY PAISLEY!

So thanks Julia for the thought, and for the great gift.  I truly love it! You are the BEST!

Lala's Easy ULTIMATE Sticky Bun Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Ahhh, ladies, I have found heaven.  Please pass it along. It is called Schnecken.  I once had Schnecken at a baby shower, and FELL IN LOVE!  Today I made my own recipe for it, and thought I would share.  It is almost as fun to make as it is to say...SCHNECKEN!

Here is my own recipe for Lala's Schnecken, also known as a cinnamon roll on CRACK!  LOL

Lala's Schnecken

Ingredients:

-2 frozen bread loaves (thawed and allowed to TRIPLE RISE in size)

-1 stick unsalted butter melted

-1 3/4 c. chopped walnuts

-1/2 c. pecans

-1 lb...you heard me right...of dark brown sugar

-cinnamon

Directions:

1.Preheat the oven to 365 degrees F. WHEN THE SCHNECKEN HAS ATTAINED ITS SECOND RISE SIZE

2.Roll out your dough (approx size 2 ft X 1 ft), and allow to rest

3.Grease a 9X11 pan with the butter, and then sprinkle generously with the brown sugar, and the nuts (this will be the top of the Schnecken!), now dust with some cinnamon

4.Spread the remaining butter over the rolled out dough, sprinkle with the remaining brown sugar, nuts, and then dust with cinnamon (make sure you go all the way to every edge so you can make the most Schneckens!)

5.Begin rolling the dough into a snake like roll, beginning on the long edge and rolling towards the other long edge.

6.Cut the roll into 1 inch wide pieces.  Cut as many as your roll will accommodate.  Place with the spiral side up into the pan.  Don't worry about over crowding...the Schneckens make great friends with eachother!

7. Cover with a damp paper towel, and allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes. (Double Rise)

8. Place in the oven for about 30-35 minutes (or until it sounds hollow when tapped on)

9. Remove from oven, and IMMEDIATELY INVERT OVER YOUR SERVING PLATE! (I used a cookie sheet lined with tin foil)

 10...DROOL AND WAIT FOR THE COMPLIMENTS AND RECIPE REQUESTS!

Free Crochet Bowl Pattern

tutorialFinished Bowl Dimensions: 6 in. Diameter, 3 1/2 in. High

Pattern By Laura Hooker

(DO NOT REPLICATE THIS PATTERN

YOU MAY SELL ITEMS MADE FROM THIS PATTERN THOUGH)

Yarn:

Bernat Satins, and Loops and Threads Impeccable Solids

Hook : K

Key:

CH: CHAIN

HDC: HALF DOUBLE CROCHET

SS: SLIP STITCH

DC: DOUBLE CROCHET

PATTERN:

TAKE TWO SKEINS OF YARN, AND HOLD THE TWO STRANDS IN YOUR NON HOOK HOLDING HAND.  yOU WILL USE BOTH STRANDS TOGETHER FOR EVERY STITCH THROUGH OUT THE ENTIRE PATTERN

-CH 4, SS TO THE FIRST CH

-PLACE 9 HDC INT HE CENTER OF THE LOOP, CH 3

-HDC IN THE SAME STITCH YOU JUST CH 3, HDC NEXT HDC, 2 HDC IN THE NEXT HDC, HDC NEXT HDC, 2 HDC IN THE NEXT HDC, ETC TILL THE END OF THE ROW, SS TO THE TOP OF THE BEGINNING CH 3 OF THE LAST ROW, CH 3

-HDC IN THE SAME STITCH YOU JUST CH 3, PLACE 2 HDC IN EVERY HDC ACROSS THE ENTIRE ROW, SS TO THE TOP OF THE BEGINNING CH 3 OF THE LAST ROW, CH 3

-HDC IN THE SAME STITCH YOU JUST CH 3, PLACE 1 HDC IN NEXT 2 HDC, THEN 2 HDC IN THE NEXT HDC, CONTINUE THIS SEQUENCE ACROSS THE ENTIRE ROW, SS TO THE TOP OF THE BEGINNING CH 3 OF THE LAST ROW, CH 3

-HDC IN THE SAME STITCH YOU JUST CH 3, HDC IN NEXT HDC, THEN 2 HDC IN THE NEXT HDC, CONTINUE THIS SEQUENCE ACROSS THE ENTIRE ROW, SS TO THE TOP OF THE BEGINNING CH 3 OF THE LAST ROW, CH 2

-HDC IN THE SAME STITCH YOU JUST CH 2, HDC EVERY HDC ACROSS THE ENTIRE ROW, SS TO TOP OF THE BEGINNING CH 2, CH 2

YOU WILL SEE THE EDGES OF THE BOWL START TO FORM WITH EACH ROW YOU FINISH!

(CONTINUE TO PREVIOUS ROW FOR 7 MORE ROWS, EXCEPT IN THE LAST ROW, ONLY CH 1 AT THE END OF THE ROW)

-SKIP 2 HDC, PLACE 6 DC IN THE NEXT HDC, SKIP 2 HDC, SC IN THE NEXT CH, PLACE 6 DC IN THE NEXT HDC, SKIP 2 HDC, SC IN THE NEXT HDC, CONTINUE THIS SEQUENCE FOR THE REST OF THE ROW.  AT THE END OF THE ROW, SS TO THE BASE OF THE CH 1 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PREVIOUS ROW.  FASTEN OFF

 

ENJOY, AND PLEASE POST YOUR FINISHED PICTURES UP ON RAVELRY SO I CAN SEE YOUR AWESOME WORK!!!!!!!!!

ADIRONDACK PATTERNS CROCHET CAP PATTERN (FREE)

ADIRONDACK CAP

BY LAURA HOOKER

HOOK: G
YARN: BERNAT ALPACA NATURAL BLENDS

KEY:

SS: SLIP STITCH

CH: CHAIN

HDC: HALF DOUBLE CROCHET

DC: DOUBLE CROCHET

PATTERN

-MAKE AND ADJUSTABLE RING

-PLACE 7 HDC IN CENTER OF RING, SS TO FIRST HDC, CH 2

-HDC EVERY HDC, PLACE 2 HDC IN THE FIRST AND LAST HDC'S THOUGH, SS TO CH 2, CH 2

-HDC EVERY HDC, PLACE 2 HDC IN THE FIRST 2 HDC, AND THE LAST 2 HDC'C THOUGH, SS TO CH 2, CH 2

-ALTERNATE PLACING 1 HDC IN ONE HDC, AND 2 IN THE NEXT, ETC TILL END OF ROW, SS TO THE CH 2, CH 2

-PLACE 2 HDC IN EVERY HDC, SS TO THE CH 2, CH 2

-DC EVERY HDC, SS TO THE CH 2, CH 2

 -DC IN THE SAME STITCH YOU JUST SC, SKIP 2 DC, SC NEXT DC, CH 2, PLACE 2 DC IN THE SAME STITCH YOU JUST SC'D IN, SKIP 2 DC, SC NEXT DC, CH 2, PLACE 2 DC IN THE SAME STITCH YOU JUST SC'D IN, SKIP 2 DC, CONTINUE DOING THAT SEQUENCE TILL THE END OF THE ROW, SC INTO THE SPACE MADE BY THE FIRST CH 2 OF THE PREVIOUS ROW.

-CH 3, PLACE 3 DC IN THE SAME CH 2 SPACE YOU JUST SC'D IN, SC INTO THE NEXT CH 2 SPACE, CH 3, PLACE 3 DC INTO THAT CH 2 SPACE, CONTINUE THAT SEQUENCE TILL THE END OF THE ROW, SC INTO THE FIRST CH 3 SPACE OF THE PREVIOUS ROW

-CH 3, PLACE 3 DC IN THE SAME CH 3 SPACE YOU JUST SC'D IN, THEN DC INTO THE 2ND DC (FOUND IN THE LESS HIGH STITCHES FOUND BEFORE THE NEXT CH 3, WHERE IT DIPS BEFORE THE CH 3) SC INTO THE NEXT CH 3 SPACE, CH 3, PLACE 3 DC INTO THAT CH 3 SPACE, THEN DC INTO THE 2ND DC (FOUND IN THE LESS HIGH STITCHES FOUND BEFORE THE NEXT CH 3, WHERE IT DIPS BEFORE THE CH 3) SC INTO THE NEXT CH 3 SPACE, ETC CONTINUE THAT SEQUENCE TILL THE END OF THE ROW, SC INTO THE FIRST CH 3 SPACE OF THE PREVIOUS ROW

- CH 3, PLACE 3 DC IN THE SAME CH 3 SPACE YOU JUST SC'D IN, THEN DC INTO THE 2ND, AND 3RD DC'S (FOUND IN THE LESS HIGH STITCHES FOUND BEFORE THE NEXT CH 3, WHERE IT DIPS BEFORE THE CH 3) SC INTO THE NEXT CH 3 SPACE, CH 3, PLACE 3 DC INTO THAT CH 3 SPACE, THEN DC INTO THE 2ND AND 3RD DC'S (FOUND IN THE LESS HIGH STITCHES FOUND BEFORE THE NEXT CH 3, WHERE IT DIPS BEFORE THE CH 3) SC INTO THE NEXT CH 3 SPACE, ETC CONTINUE THAT SEQUENCE TILL THE END OF THE ROW, SC INTO THE FIRST CH 3 SPACE OF THE PREVIOUS ROW

- CH 3, PLACE 3 DC IN THE SAME CH 3 SPACE YOU JUST SC'D IN, THEN DC INTO THE 3RD, AND 4TH DC'S (FOUND IN THE LESS HIGH STITCHES FOUND BEFORE THE NEXT CH 3, WHERE IT DIPS BEFORE THE CH 3) SC INTO THE NEXT CH 3 SPACE, CH 3, PLACE 3 DC INTO THAT CH 3 SPACE, THEN DC INTO THE 3RD AND 4TH DC'S (FOUND IN THE LESS HIGH STITCHES FOUND BEFORE THE NEXT CH 3, WHERE IT DIPS BEFORE THE CH 3) SC INTO THE NEXT CH 3 SPACE, ETC CONTINUE THAT SEQUENCE TILL THE END OF THE ROW, SC INTO THE FIRST CH 3 SPACE OF THE PREVIOUS ROW

DO THE PREVIOUS ROW 10 TIMES FOR THE PATTERN, BUT YOU MAY ADJUST THE  NUMBER OF ROWS IN ORDER TO ACCOMODATE YOUR HEAD SIZE.  

ENJOY THE PATTERN, AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!

REMEMBER..POST UP SOME PICS OF YOUR FINISHED PROJECTS TO RAVELRY...SO I CAN LINK THE PICS!

DO NOT COPY OR REPRODUCE THIS PATTERN IN ANY WAY!
YOU MAY SELL ITEMS MADE FROM THIS PATTERN

Beach

Today I surprised the boys after they got off the bus.  I had their swimming trunks on the floor, and a beach bag all packed.  They were SUPER excited, and READY in no time!

We got there...to our "BEACH", which is technically a "RIVER", but I digress.  When we arrived, and I had applied a dollop...(I LOVE THAT WORD) of sunscreen we noticed that the boys favorite cousin was there...JACK!!!!!!!

They ran off into the water, and emerged with perm-a-smile.  Jack then suggested that they go to the new dock! 

Off they ran.  Here are a few of their most fabulous jumps.  

I came fully equipped with my new "ANTI-AGE SPOT HAT".   I am a freckly girl in general, and have made every attempt lately to avoid the inevitable age spot future.

Then they saw some more kids they knew...Colin and Nina from school.  

Here they are debating who is going over to say hi first. 

After a while they got a bit cold, and shivery

So we sat on our beach sheet, and snacked on some gummies

and dug our feet in the sand

What a lovely day's end!

FREE Adirondack Patterns Baby Bootie Crochet Pattern

YAY!!!! My bootie pattern is now in the FANTASTIC new edition of the Uber lovely Online Magazine Rhythm of the Home!

Here is a link to the PATTERN!!!:

Rhythm of the Home Link 

Ravelry Link (for Ravelry Members)

Here is a link to the MAGAZINE!!!:

Remember...PLEASE POST YOUR FINISHED PROJECTS ON RAVELRY!!!

I would love to see your interpretations!

Enjoy browsing the other fantastic ideas on the magazine...IT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW...7!

Today is Jay and my 7th Wedding Anniversary! 

It was a wonderful day!

Together we made this little man out of love...

 Who made me these little lovelies out of love...

One big happy family!  Through the highs and lows we are always there, and know the love is what binds us!

Here is to many more!

READ THE BOX!

Ok ladies and gentlemen.... today after much hemming and hawing I decided to make 

a trip with Jay to go get a grill.  

THERE IS NOTHING I LOVE MORE THAN MEAT OFF THE GRILL. 

We had a grill for years that we found on the side of the road over 4 years ago, and we did not have much luck with it.  So, that being said, we decided it was high time for a new one.  

Off we went, and got our new baby.  I also picked up 12 flats of begonias for the hanging baskets I saved from a few years ago.  

When we got home, Jay had to go to work, and I set to work erecting the Grill.  

EASIER SAID THAN DONE...believe me.  

NOT ONE PIECE WAS ATTACHED TO ANY OTHER PIECE.  EVERYTHING NEEDED A NUT AND BLOT, AND WASHER, AND FITTING, AND F$%# this!  I was sweating bullets, and tired, and hot, and sick of reading the directions.  Then I moved a sticker off of the inside of the top of the grill and saw a sticker saying " ask about FREE assembly"  FREE ASSEMBLY????? 

FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE F$%&'ing ASSEMBLY?????

Oh, and then I moved the monstrous box with the packaging contents spilling out of it,

and what do I see then???

THAT IS RIGHT!  Just incase I didn't feel like a super dolt before.  

Well, after 2 1/2 hours of swearing, sweating, nutting and bolting I was finally done!

HERE SHE IS, and I must say I take pride in my job!

 Sam, Jay, and I also planted the Begonias, and hung them to admire while our dinner sizzled on the grill.

Sausage, and Chicken DONE TO PERFECTION!  SO DELICIOUS!

Public service announcement...

 READ THE BOX...THAT IS ALL!

P.S. I wrote pubic service announcement 3 times before I finally wrote it right. LOL!

Ahhhhh...a spruce up, and a skirt!

Today I was lucky enough to get the day off, and woke up full of energy!

Our outside looked a bit on the shabby side recently, and I decided that it was time for a mowing.

So this morning at 7:15 I proceeded to get out the lawn mower and get to it before the sun burned me up!

It looks fantastic, and I am super relieved and excited to have it done! I have these lovely little Pansey's beside my house that I am hoping my husband doesn't weed wack today.

I had placed our screen door back on the front door the other day, and I must say...MOM YOU WERE RIGHT...it makes a huge difference with the cross breeze, and it looks nice too!!!

I also donned my first skirt of the season today, and man oh man does it feel good!

Couldn't be left without my new favorite accessory, my crocheted headband!

Love this one, only did 3 rows instead of 4 because it is a larger guage yarn. 

Find the pattern here: Headband