Still busy working on holiday gifts here! I have a little overrun on one of them, so I might re-stock my wee etsy shop with a few of the extras– I’ll keep you posted! But because I really don’t like to be away from the blog for so long, just a few things that I like!
*The Loop-d-Loop Lace Leaf Scarf pattern

The very talented Joyce turned me onto this pattern a few years ago. It is just right for my knitting style– quick (I can finish one in a few hours), and just interesting and varied enough, but not so challenging I get frustrated. This is not the *best* yarn to show off the nice lacy pattern, but I’m very fond of the autumn colors and the soft, squishy heft of it.
*Pumpkin dip

I know there are lots of ways to make it, here is how I make mine
8oz light cream cheese (preferably room temperature)
1/2-3/4 of a 15 oz can pure pumpkin
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 T maple syrup
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t ground ginger
1 t vanilla extract
Cream the cream cheese and brown sugar in your mixer until they are nicely blended and there aren’t any crystals of sugar showing in the cheese. Add the maple syrup and vanilla and blend some more. Add in the spices and mix again until nicely blended, then add the pumpkin a bit at a time, blending between additions. Taste every so often and when you feel it has the right amount of pumpkin taste to suit you, its done! Cut up some tart apples and nosh!
*Spectacular fall sunsets

photo courtesy of Moondoggie
*My grandmother’s teacup collection

My mother recently sent me a few boxes of things from the attic, and this was in one of them, along with a note from my grandmother (who passed away many years ago) to me, about the tea parties we had together and how she hoped I’d enjoy the collection. My grandma and I were peas in a pod, and I know she’d be so excited that I’m not only having a baby, but having a girl! I can’t wait to have tea parties with my own little girl and tell her all about her wonderful great grandmother who gave us these beautiful cups.
*The handmade gift buying opportunities popping up all over the place! I’m particularly excited about an event in Mill Valley that Christina will be participating in next week:
The Love Makers Sustainable Craft Fair
Tuesday, December 4, 2pm-8pm
Ambatalia Fabrics
1 El Paseo
Mill Valley, CA
For more details about all the fantastic vendors, click here. I met Molly, the owner of Ambatalia, at Maker Faire in May, and she is amazing. The selection of beautiful, natural fabrics at her booth was stunning, and I can’t wait to browse the whole store’s worth of goodness, let alone the crafty wonders made by the talented artists selling at the fair!