The Snow on Snow Chunky Crochet Button-Up Cowl

Today was the first day in ten days that we haven't had additional snow accumulation.  I actually like snow, but new snowfall every day for nine days gets a little tiresome.  All throughout the past week the poem (and Christmas carol) In the Bleak Midwinter, by Christina Rossetti, kept running through my mind, particularly the first verse...

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

While my husband and sons were out repeatedly shoveling and snow blowing, I was working out this quick and simple pattern.  It was fitting that I called this project the Snow on Snow Cowl :)

Um... awkward.  I will never be comfortable taking pictures of myself.  How come everyone else on the interwebs can do it??  I ended up taking a whole bunch of pictures in front of a mirror and picking the least awful after having asked one of my children to do it and ending up with a lot of blurry pictures of my chest.   Have any tips on taking not-awkward selfies or other appropriate pictures to show off your crochet creations without buying a plastic head from a craft store??  Send em my way :)  

For this project, you'll need:

1 1/2 skeins Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease Thick and Quick yarn.  (I used "Glacier")
10 mm crochet hook
tapestry needle for weaving in the ends
two large buttons
needle and thread 

I wanted my cowl to have some texture to it, but I didn't want it to have gaps in between the stitches.  I wanted it to be seriously warm for wearing under my coat out in all this snow.  After trying several ideas, I decided to just use the same stitch that I used for my cotton dishcloths, so perhaps that's why it looks familiar :)  

Pattern:

Row 1.  loosely chain 17 (or 15 if you want the cowl to be shorter.)

Row 2. Turn. 1 half double crochet (hdc) in second chain from the hook, 1 slip stitch (ss) in next chain.  *1 hdc, 1 ss* until the end. 

Row 3 - 50?  Turn, chain 1.  *1 hdc, 1 ss* to the end.  (note: every row will start on a half double crochet and end with a slip stitch.)   (Mine was 50 rows long, you may add or subtract rows to achieve the length you want.)

Continue until the cowl is long enough to fit around your neck with approximately two inches of overlap.  

Once you have reached the desired length, chain one and begin to single crochet around the edge of the entire piece, using three single crochets at each corner.  

Slip stitch into to the starting chain one.  Finish off and weave in the ends.  

Sew two large buttons on the two corners of one end.  Use the natural holes in the crocheted piece to button the cowl closed.  

You're done!  Stay warm :)

all kinds of awkward...

... but at least I'm toasty warm :)

Our First Baptism Day Celebration

Were you reading my blatherings back at the beginning of January??   (And you've stuck with me?  Wow!)  One of the things I had included on a list of goals/ideas for the new year was our intention to celebrate Baptism day anniversaries.  I've always been so grateful that our children have been able to witness the Baptisms of their siblings, our godchildren, and family friends.  It helps them see and appreciate what happened at their own Baptism.  Celebrating the anniversary of the day they became Christians seemed like another meaningful way to help them appreciate and understand the sacrament they received as infants.  

We kicked off our new family ritual this past week.  Dominic Jerome was baptized on February 2, 2008, so we celebrated Monday night, February 2 - which also happens to to Candlemas - the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple, so isn't that neat how they coincide!?!

We began by asking the kids to remind us what Baptism is all about.  At their age, we expect them to be able to tell us that Baptism permanently washes away the stain of Original Sin, that Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ, Children of God, and members of the Church, and that Baptism is God's gift of His grace into our lives.  

Russ offered an opening prayer and Dominic lit his Baptismal candle.  (Can you believe I actually found all of them?!?)  Then Russ led Dominic in renewing the Baptismal promises, then asked the questions of the rest of us.  We closed with a blessing with holy water and a final prayer, and then we enjoyed pumpkin pecan pie because that's what Dominic chose!  

It was a lovely, simple, and meaningful celebration.  I'm looking forward to the rest and hope that this becomes a regular tradition for us!  

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Renewal of Baptismal Promises...

Closing prayer:

God, the all-powerful Father of our 

Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new 

birth by water and the Holy Spirit, 

and forgiven all our sins. 

May he also keep us faithful to our Lord 

Jesus Christ for ever and ever. 

R. Amen. 

7 Gifts for the Youngest Jane Austen Fans (or perhaps the not-so-young!) :: 7 Quick Takes

I recently watched Death Comes to Pemberly on Netflix and I've been waiting for a while to be notified by the library that Stephanie Baron's latest Jane Austen mystery has come in for me.  (Whoever's got it out right now is taking their sweet old time reading it.)   It got me thinking about how much "Austen stuff" is out there that's not actually by Jane Austen and eventually I turned my attentions to all things Austen for children.  

Have an Austen-loving friend?  Perhaps your Janeite girlfriend is expecting and you've been in torment about what to gift the new baby?  Or have you been hoping to get your own young ones introduced to the classics early on?   

Here are seven gifts that will tickle the fancy of literature lovers everywhere but will win extra special bonus points with parents who are keen on getting their little ones hooked on Austen early on.  Who am I kidding, adults will appreciate these maybe more than kiddos ;)

(1)

Cozy Classics, by Jack and Holman Wang

Pride and Prejudice and  Emma

Cozy Classics are really a favorite around here - I love them and so do the kids, so we all win when someone grabs them off the shelf.
(read my C. C. review here)

(2)

Baby Lit, by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver
Sense and Sensibility: An Opposites Primer and  

  Pride and Prejudice Counting Primer Board Book and Playset

Alison Oliver's illustrations are just the cutest, most whimsical things!  We really enjoy these books as well, though they're less about the stories themselves and instead, tend to use themes/characters/ from the books to "teach" counting, colors, opposites, etc...

(3)

Jane Austen Tattoos

You may think that Regency-proper Jane Austen and tattoos don't go together, but I'm not going to lie - these look awesome!  I especially like the Captain Wentworth/anchor design and the bust of Jane in the lower right!

(4)

This onesie :)
(from Melissa at Little Literary on Etsy!)

image from LittleLiterary.etsy.com

(5)

Jane Austen Paper Dolls: Four Classic Characters

Dress up Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Elinor Dashwood, and Edward Ferrars in 
paper-crafted Regency garb!

(6)

Jane Austen Inspired Sleep and Play Nightgown
(from Vanessa at KindredHillFarm on Etsy!)

I just love this nightgown so much!

image from KindredHillFarm.etsy.com

Want to try your hand at making your own Regency style dress for your little girl?
Here's a pattern and tutorial for you to check out :)

 - How to Make a Basic Regency Girl's Dress - 



(7)

Pemberley, Longborn, and Netherfield Plushie Set

(again, from Melissa at Little Literary on Etsy!)

A Pemberly pillow?!?  It's as close as I'll ever get :)
Something about these little soft mansions has me going back to Melissa's Etsy shop to take another peek at them!  They're pretty cute!

image from LittleLiterary.etsy.com

Have any favorites for young Austen fans that you'd add to the list?

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Linking up for the first time with Kelly, the (relatively) new host of Seven Quick Takes :)


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(Amazon links are affiliate links.  Thanks for clicking through!)

Big Pot of Delicious Chili (10 Days of Family Friendly Soups)

Are you calling me out on my non-soup chili recipe??   Let's call a spade a spade - you make it in the same pot as you make your soups, with practically all the same ingredients, and you eat it with a spoon.  Chili is a soup.

(Even if it wasn't, I'd still give you this recipe because it's so easy and so darn good!)

This series: I've made a lot of soup in the past few years.  I've come to know what my family will eat and what they won't.  Why don't you put my experience to work for you?!  Hope you find something tasty!  (I think you will!)

10 Days of Family Friendly Soups (or a chili!) :: Day 10  

(last day - happy face or sad face? I'm not sure which...)

Over three years ago, we took a family vacation meeting up with two other families for a weekend of fun.  One of the other moms made this chili while we were there and I have remained loyal to it ever since.  Whenever we eat it the kids still ask, "Is this Mrs. Smiths chili?"  I always tell people, if you don't already have a chili recipe that you love, make this your go-to chili.  No other chili recipe needed... at least not for my family!   This is a favorite and I think you'll like it also.  (bonus points - it super easy to make!)   

Big Pot of Delicious Chili

Ingredients

(Note: this recipe makes a big pot of chili, suitable for a large family dinner and then some.  It can easily be cut in half for a smaller dinner!)

1 lb. ground beef, cooked (or 1/3 c. bulgur wheat for meat-free option)

olive oil

1 1/2 large onions, finely diced

2 cloves garlic

1 large green pepper, finely diced

2 cans (28 ounce each) diced tomatoes

1 can (15 ounce) tomato sauce

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can red beans, drained and rinsed

1 c. frozen corn

2 tsp. chili powder

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. paprika

 1 tsp. black pepper

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

In large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Saute onions and garlic.  Add green peppers and continue to saute.

Add remaining ingredients.  Stir thoroughly to combine.

Simmer for as long as you want...  1 hour-ish.

(If using the bulgur wheat instead of beef, stir every so often to bring it back up from the bottom of the pot.)

Notes

This chili freezes well.  Just thaw, reheat, and eat.

Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips or corn bread.  

The first time I made the chili without meat and used the bulgur wheat instead, no one noticed.  Kids and husband ate it up.  (well, my husband noticed, but he played along...)  Now, I rarely make it with meat to keep it a "budget" meal.

Eating with Diabetes??  Here's your carb info:

meat variety, 1 c = approx. 28 carbs

bulgur wheat variety, 1 c = approx. 32 carbs

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When the 10 Days Series is over, all soup (and chili!) recipes will be available on 

The Soup Savvy Page at the top.  So please feel free to Pin them now, or come back and visit the soup page another time!  You won't miss out on anything! 

Beef Barley Slow Cooker Soup (10 Days of Family Friendly Soups)

This series: I've made a lot of soup in the past few years.  I've come to know what my family will eat and what they won't.  Why don't you put my experience to work for you?!  Hope you find something tasty!  (I think you will!)

10 Days of Family Friendly Soups :: Day 9

This recipe was adapted from this soup here.  I made some changes to the recipe to get some extra veggies in there and to stretch the beef.  And I used my slow cooker.  (bonus!)

Beef Barley Slow Cooker Soup

Ingredients

2 lbs beef chuck roast, cubed

3 carrots, peeled and sliced into thick coins

1 onion, chopped

1 large potato, peeled and diced

5 - 6 c. beef broth or stock 

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes

1/2 c. red wine

1 clove garlic, minced

1 T. white sugar

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 bay leaf

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. dried thyme

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. dried basil

1/4 tsp. dried parsley

1 small zucchini, sliced into thick rounds and then halved

1/2 c. mixed frozen vegetables

1/2 c. pearl barley

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Put the first 16 ingredients (up to and including the parsley) into a slow cooker. 

Cook on LOW for 6 - 8 hours.

Add zucchini, barley, and frozen vegetables.  Cook for another 1 -2 hours or until beef is cooked through.

Notes

Serve this soup with hearty bread or fresh dinner rolls.
Here's the dinner roll recipe I use.

This soup freezes well.  If it's too thick after defrosting, add water or stock to achieve desired consistency.

Of further note... in the photos, the one immediately below (with the sliced bread) is of the soup the day it was made.  The other photos (with the dinner rolls) are of the soup after it was defrosted two months later.  You can see that the veggies and some meat start to break down in the frozen-defrosted soup - it's just aesthetics - it taste just as great :)

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* Note: when the 10 Days Series is over, all soup recipes will be available on 

The Soup Savvy Page at the top.  So please feel free to Pin them now, or come back and visit the soup page another time!  You won't miss out on anything! 

Super Simple Black Bean Soup (10 Days of Family Friendly Soups)

This series: I've made a lot of soup in the past few years.  I've come to know what my family will eat and what they won't.  Why don't you put my experience to work for you?!  Hope you find something tasty!  (I think you will!)

10 Days of Family Friendly Soups :: Day 8

Super Simple Black Bean Soup

(from Family Fun Magazine)

- I love this soup because it's soooo simple, so quick to make, and really, really good-

Ingredients

(this recipe is doubled, suitable for a large family dinner)

2 c. salsa (Choose mild, medium, or hot to suit your family's taste.  I use mild, or sometimes 1 c. of mild and 1 c. of medium.)

4 (15.5 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

4 c. chicken broth or stock

2 t. lime juice (and some zest if you have it!)

4 T. chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

Heat the salsa in soup pot over medium heat, stirring often, for ab out 5 minutes.  

Stir in the broth and beans.  Bring to a boil, then lower heat.  

Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.  

Use an immersion blender or counter-top blended to puree some or all of the soup, whichever you prefer.  

Stir in lime juice and cilantro and reheat.   

Notes

Top soup with sour cream, fresh chives, and shredded cheddar cheese.

Serve with corn bread or tortilla chips.  

This recipe makes about 8 1-cup servings. 

This soup freezes well.  Just thaw, reheat, and eat!

While Family Fun Magazine called this a "hearty" black bean soup, it's a little misleading.  It is not the thick and creamy soup that is usually implied by "hearty."  But it is filling and deeee-licious!  It's one of my children's favorite dinners :)

Eating with diabetes?  Carbohydrate info: 1 cup = 40 carbs

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* Note: when the 10 Days Series is over, all soup recipes will be available on 

The Soup Savvy Page at the top.  So please feel free to Pin them now, or come back and visit the soup page another time!  You won't miss out on anything! 

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (10 Days of Family Friendly Soups)

This series: I've made a lot of soup in the past few years.  I've come to know what my family will eat and what they won't.  Why don't you put my experience to work for you?!  Hope you find something tasty!  (I think you will!)

10 Days of Family Friendly Soups :: Day 7

I make a lot of soups.  There are some shortcuts I never take, for example, I never buy pre-chopped veggies.  And there are some ingredient short cuts I do take... In this soup, I use a pre-packaged wild rice mix.  It's a convenience I take advantage of to get an otherwise "home-made" soup on the table.  This is a very basic, but very tasty chicken and rice soup... definitely perfect for cold days or days when you have a cold :)

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients

(this recipe makes a large double batch of soup, suitable for a large family dinner plus leftovers!)

7 c. water

7 c. chicken broth

4 c. shredded cooked chicken

6 stalks celery, chopped

6 carrots, peeled and sliced into coins

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

2 cubes chicken bouillon

2 bay leaves

2 c. frozen mixed vegetables (optional)

1 box Uncle Ben's Long Grain Wild Rice

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large pot, combine water and chicken broth.

Add chicken, celery, carrots, onion, bay leaves,and bouillon.  Reduce heat to low.

Cover and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.

Add rice and rice seasoning packet.

Continue to simmer for another 15 - 20 minutes or until rice is tender.

Add frozen vegetables is desired.  Reheat.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

This soup freezes well.  Just thaw, reheat, and eat!

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* Note: when the 10 Days Series is over, all soup recipes will be available on 

The Soup Savvy Page at the top.  So please feel free to Pin them now, or come back and visit the soup page another time!  You won't miss out on anything!