Simple and Beautiful

These little gems I just crocheted fit this category to a tee. All cotton yarn with a wee trim for a bit of flair. Will make washing up just a teeny bit more pleasant, yes?

There's a lot to be said about simple and beautiful. Jane over at Jane's Apron spoke of her love of Johnson Brothers ironstone. She chose this when she got married over all the more elegant china. I have always loved Johnson Brothers and still have the Blue Willow I bought shortly after I got married. My mother is partial to the "Pareek" style they had many years ago. All this thought has made me think of the lovely things we have around our homes that are just "simple and beautiful" that we take for granted everyday.

I am off to Boston on Thursday morning for a hockey. DN2 will be playing some exhibition games against some university teams down there. I am looking forward to visiting an Anthropologie store and maybe a yarn store if I can convince 20 or so other parents on the team bus that this is where they really want to be.

Knitting and Swapping

How's that for some quick knitting? This is the Gum-nut hat from TinyHappy. I think I have spoken about this little hat pattern before. I have knit a few of them and they always come out cute as a button. By the way, there is a cute little flower button there but I couldn't quite capture it in the picture. I am still busily working on the afghan for my SIL's housewarming gift and that shouldn't be too much longer, just a few more inches and the fringe.

The other picture is of some Lamb's Pride I tried to colour match with some Cath Kidston fabric. I just love this colour combination. Soothing and fresh. I think I will do some crochet with it, possibly trying something from 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns.

And I am very exciting to be doing my first ever Swap. Outi and I are getting together to try one and I am so terribly pleased. I know, I'm late for the party again, but who knew the anticipation would feel so utterly wonderful? If you have not visited her before I urge you to do so. The Scandinavian esthetic is so fresh and calming, like a breath of fresh Baltic air.

Delish Cranberry Flaxseed Muffins

Just whipped up a batch of these and thought you may wish to try them. Healthy, yet tasty. So rare to have the two together.

Cranberry Flaxseed Muffins

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar (I always cut this down to 1 1/2 or so)

4 eggs

4 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 tin whole berry cranberries

1/2 cup flaxseed (toasted, if you prefer)

1 teaspoon vanilla

On low speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and the sugar til fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and mix til blended. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Mix the dry ingredients with the butter mixture alternately with the milk. Add the cranberries and the flaxseed, then vanilla.

Grease muffin tins or use cups. Fill to almost rim. Bake at 375 degrees for 22-24 minutes.

This will yield you about 24 muffins. Feel free to half the recipe, it will work just as well.

All my family loves these muffins. They are moist and not too sweet. They go great with tea, coffee or that afterschool glass of milk.

Hope you enjoy them!

Lisa

xoxo

Cath Kidston and a Cup of Tea

I received my Cath Kidston cataloque the other day and it was like receiving a special magazine in the mail. I had to pick the right moment to sit and have my tea and browse the lovely items.

But I must say, that cute apron reminds me of my gardening apron, yes?

I love almost everything in the catalogue, however, the loose flowery dresses are a definite no for me. Laura Ashley's didn't look good on me and I just know these wouldn't. But it's always good to know the things you won't look good in. Saves time and money. Everything else is so adorable. Why are there no Cath Kidstons in Canada? Can't we petition or something?

We had the wedding on Saturday and it was a glorious day. What beautiful weather we had. Thank goodness that's over, now to school scheduling, hockey registrations and of course, knitting and crochet! Love, love, love the fall.