Free E-Book Cook Book

Just wanted to post this link so you can get your free cookbook for some copycat recipes for a few chain restaurants like Olive Garden and Paneras. Their version of Olive Garden's Black Tie Mousse Cake sounds delicious!

Famous Restaurant Recipes: Copycat Versions Of America's Favorite Restaurant Dishes

Look at this Crazy Weather--

It's been windy outside today and then suddenly there is this pinging noise. I looked outside and it's hailing like crazy! Here's a few pics:

I Decided on a Crochet Project

After hemming and hawing and going through patterns online, patterns on my computer and patterns in my stash, I finally decided on a project. I did decided to go ahead with the Topsy Turvy Doll from Gourmet Crochet. I dug up some odds and ends of left-over yarns to use so this is a small stash buster project. I did decided to use a smaller hook (E) for the doll because 1--I'm a loose crocheter and 2--I want to be sure I don't run out of one of my yarns in the middle of the project. I'm pretty sure that I have enough except the variegated that I'm going to use on the dress. Fingers are crossed.  I only finished one of the doll's heads. So, this is my work-in-progress aka WIP for Wednesday. If you click on the button at the bottom under the picture you can see what some others are up to.

What to Do...?

I'm looking at the ufos sitting by my corner of the couch and I don't want to work on any of them. I've been looking online at crochet patterns and looking at my stash of patterns. Nothing appeals to me right now. I want to do something though. Guess I'll flip through some more pages of a few of my pattern books and maybe something will appeal. I know I should work on a ufo, even if I weave in the ends on the dishcloth that has been sitting here for sometime. I pulled out my pattern from Gourmet Crochet for their Topsy-Turvy Doll, maybe that's my next project. Stay tuned....

Search Amazon.com for crochet doll pattern

This Was a Quick Project

On Mondays, I put a link to a free pattern. This weeks pattern was for a doily out of ww yarn. I had some ww cotton here from Hobby Lobby so I thought I'd give it a whirl. In just a little over an hour, I was finished. I really like this pattern and I think I'm going to make more. Thanks for stopping in.

Search Amazon.com for doily patterns

More Slippers

Here's a pair of ladies slippers that I just finished. It was so nice to be able to sit on the patio and make them. Spring is in the air!

Do You Have a Pet Peeve?

I have a pet peeve and I was just reading something on another blog related to this. I am deaf in my left ear and hard of hearing in my right. Often when I have a conversation with someone I don't know very well or just met, I will have to ask them to repeat what they said or I will restate what I think they said. It is important to me what people said to me not only for my sake but also because I value what they have to say. The peeve part comes in when I've asked people to repeat what they've said and explain that I'm hard of hearing and I've been told many, many times "that's ok" or "never mind." I DO mind. I don't like to be outside of the loop and I'm not stupid (I had an IQ test once so I know there is a bit of active gray matter up stairs). My suggestions are that during conversations, look at the person you are speaking to. I think most of us were taught that this was good manners when we were youngsters. Speak plainly--don't mumble or speak softly. If there is a lot of background noise, go to a quieter area for conversation. Don't roll your eyes or get an exasperated look on your face when asked to repeat what you said--that is so very demeaning to the hard of hearing person.  Most of this is just good manners and not only a consideration for a hard of hearing person. Don't feel sorry for a hard of hearing person because there are some advantages--I'm able to sleep through my husband's freight-train-like snoring! Take care y'all and have a nice week. :)

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (21 March 2011)

Here's a cute doily made from yarn for those of you (like me) who like doilies but find the thread hard to work with.

Search Amazon.com for doily pattern

Added New Link for Another Round Afghan Pattern

There is a pretty new free pattern for a round ripple afghan at JR Crochet Designs. It is a beautiful variation on the round ripple. Why don't you go on over to her place and check it out... Under the header for my blog is a link to a page full of links to free patterns for round afghans. I have added this pattern and it is listed under today's date. Have fun and I hope that if you make of of these afghans you will either blog about it or send a link to me so that I can go see your pictures. I love the round afghans and can't get enough of looking at them and seeing how others adapt the patterns and use different color combinations. Have fun y'all...

What Do You Look for in a Blog?

When I read blogs and intend to follow them, I look at several things. The first thing is subject matter--does it interest me? Does the writer talk down to the readers or is she even friendly? Is the blog just a "store front" for etsy or other sales venue? Let me explain what I mean.

Subject matter--that should be pretty much self explanatory. The vast majority of the blogs I read are about crocheting. The authors post pictures of their finished projects and usually post what patterns the project was made with. I also enjoy blogs that are about being thrifty--within reason--I may make my own laundry soap but I'm not going to grow my own coffee beans :).

Authors who talk down to their readers. I don't mind if you mention that you have certain talents or educational background. Just don't be a bragger--it is boring to hear someone go on and on about how great they are. Be friendly with how you present yourself and also realize that your way of doing something isn't the only way.

There have been a few blogs that I've read a few times but decided not to continue with because the majority of the posts were illustrations of what was for sale on etsy, ebay or other online store. No matter how cute your blog is, I'm not going to be a "regular" there. You may be saying, "but Sharon Marie, you have adsense ads and Amazon ads on your blog." Yes, that is true but if you notice, I am not selling anything in my posts.

I had been following a couple decorating blogs. They were all about "my house, me, me, me" and I stopped following them. I enjoy reading about your adventures in decorating and commiserating with you over the difficulty in selecting paint colors but when it appears to be a bragging book about what you have then I'm not interested, sorry... Don't care to read blogs that are largely used to promote businesses or products. If I want to read ads, I'll google whatever it is that I'm looking for.

Also appreciate bloggers who ask my opinion. There is no way that I can leave comments for every post I read but I certainly do read the posts on the blogs I follow and often I leave comments when the poster asks a question of the reader--if I have some ideas about the subject matter.

Nothing has happened recently and I'm not upset with anyone or any blog. I just thought it might be interesting to post what I look at before I decided to follow a blog. I follow over 200 blogs (many haven't posted in months so I'm not reading all of them everyday) and I wanted to open a discussion to see what others look for in blogs they follow. So what do you think? What are your ideas? Maybe this discussion can help us improve our blogs... Hope y'all are having a grand weekend. Hugs...

ps--I know that I have to work on being "friendlier" here. I have "people" issues that I'm working on and I do appreciate all of you who visit me here.

Ta Da! Afghan Is Finally Finished :)

I'm happy and pleased as punch that this afghan is finished. I made the squares almost a year ago but didn't crochet them together until now. I also improvised with enlarging it and the edging as I was working on it--it all came down to what yarn was available in my stash. There isn't a pattern for this--just make traditional granny squares in your choice of colors and sizes. Here's the pictures:

Still Working on the Afghan...

Yep, it's the same picture as the last time I wrote a post about this ghan--I don't want to spoil the grand reveal. Anywho, here's the update on my status with it. I decided since I had a lot of black yarn left, I would make 5 granny-ish rounds around the entire thing. I frogged a bit and got started. Well, I ended up with only enough black to do 3 rounds so I went on an archeological dig at the stash site and came up with some odds and end balls of gray and a reddish (maroon/burgundy/wine/claret) color. I ended up making 7 extra rounds and I'm working on the last 2 sides of the edging. I have a few ends to weave in too and then it will be done. I'm really happy that I wove the ends on the squares in as I made them otherwise this may have become a ufo again! Stay tuned...it won't be long now! Y'all have a great weekend!

Search Amazon.com for learn crochet

The Finish Is in Sight!

I have all my squares sewn together and I'm about a 1/3 of the way done making an edging on the afghan I'm finally assembling. I decided to enlarge it a bit so it's taking a tiny bit longer to finish but I think it will be worth it. Here's a sneak-peek:

Search Amazon.com for granny squares

Saint Paddy's Day Greetings!

An Irish saying for my friends and others:

May those who love us love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

Happy Saint Paddy's Day!!!

Hint, Hint...

I've been told that it is hard to buy presents for me. Let me tell you, that just isn't so! I'm a crocheter and as anyone who has a fiber addiction knows, yarn is always a welcome gift. Perhaps a few skeins/hanks/balls of a special yarn would be appreciated. Hey, even better, I have 3 yarns that are a staple in my stash and are always welcome. They're all Caron yarns in the 1 pound size. I try to keep white, off-white and black on hand. The dark blue is almost a staple too. Michaels has them as does Meijers or check out Amazon too. So you see, I'm not a difficult person to buy for. Perhaps you might like to pick out a more colorful yarn in the one pound size--GREAT! There is also a chance that whoever buys me yarn will get something made from it so you see, it's a win-win situation. Y'all have a great day.... :)

A UFO Has Become a WIP

You  may remember the squares in the following picture from last spring. One phase of the census job I was doing then was to be available in the basement of our city hall to hand out census forms to people who may have lost or not received any. Usually, no one came in so I crocheted all these squares and promptly put them aside until now. Soon, they will become an afghan! I laid them out on the bed in out guest room again and I am crocheting them together. I plan to add an edging and then voila I'll have a small afghan or throw for the chair in our living room! The yarn is all odds and ends from other projects in burgundies, grays and black.

I just added the wip Wednesday button to this post because I haven't anything else to share at the moment! Have a great day everyone. :)

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (14 March 2011)

Here's an interesting take on a throw made from squares. With the weather warming up, it is time to work on smaller projects or projects made out of smaller parts.

I'm a Bit Irate Today...

Do any of you have a wireless router at home?  I have a linksys router. I was irritated a couple years ago when I got it because after purchasing it, I could not get it to recognize any wireless devices. So, I called the company and for an additional $10 they were able to help me. Now, when my son comes over, he is unable to connect to Internet here. Good mom that I am, :) I let him use our laptop so no biggie. Last night, I replaced our deceased printer with a wireless one. Now, I cannot get it to work wirelessly. When I call linksys, they want $32.99 to reset the router and that does included 1 year support. They really like to milk their customers. I decided to just use the printer with wires and shop around for a different brand router from a company with better customer service. Do any of you have suggestions? My computer runs Vista if that makes a difference.

Hooded Scarf--A WIP

This project was going to be a "To-Go" project but I can't remember why I changed my mind and took something else with me when I went on a trip recently. Anyway, this is going to be a hooded scarf when it is finished. I saw pictures of the pattern on ravelry.com and found the pattern here. The recommended yarn is Lion Brand Homespun but the Yarn Bee yarn, Riot Eyelash, that I used has a similar gauge. I'm a little bit superstitious about posting pictures of wips in case the wips become ufos :(. This is also a stash-buster project for me because the yarn came from my stash. I love this color and the yarn has a little pizazz to it. This may go in my gift drawer--I'm not quite sure yet. I'm starting to ramble on here so here's the pics:

The main part of the scarf is done. I need to make the hood portion. This pattern is a bit different from other hooded scarves I've seen. Most of the ones I've seen before you make a scarf and put a seam up a portion of the back to make the hood. This one has a hood made separately and then sewn on. Thanks for visiting--y'all come again...

How True...

This morning I was reading some of my favorite blogs and this one had a great cartoon posted that I'm sharing with you. This blog always has relevant articles to read about politicians and the state of our country. Check it out.