Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower with Parmesan and Garlic

Hi friends,

I have a great side dish recipe to share with you. It’s super easy to make – perfect for a weeknight dinner.

I love roasted vegetables! Roasting just brings out the best flavors and you can season them any way you like. I found this recipe for Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower with Parmesan and Garlic here at Wholesome Yum.

Ready for the oven…
Roasted and ready to eat!

It only takes about 25 minutes to get this on the dinner table. Precut broccoli and cauliflower florets can make your prep time even faster!

Be sure to eat your veggies! 😊

Anita

Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Chunky Crochet Infinity Scarf

Hi friends,

It’s January 2019!! Can you believe it!?!?! Is it cold where you live? Here in Alabama it can be cold in January – or it can be warm…you just never know. So I created this pattern for a Chunky Crochet Infinity Scarf for those chilly days that may come along.

I used 2 strands of worsted weight yarn held together to crochet this scarf. But I think it would work great with 1 strand of a bulky yarn as well. Here’s the pattern…

Chunky Crochet Infinity Scarf

N/9mm hook

7 to 7.5 ounces worsted weight yarn

Crochet with 2 strands held together – I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Grey Marble

Stitches used (US terms)

Chain – ch

Half double crochet – hdc

Back loop only – blo

Slip stitch

Note: ch 2 counts as a stitch

Ch 17 using 2 strands of yarn held together.

Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (16 stitches)

Row 2: ch 2. Skip 1st stitch. Hdc in blo of next stitch and in each stitch across, ending with hdc in top of turning ch from previous row. Turn. (16 stitches)

Rows 3 – 10: Repeat row 2.

Row 11: ch 3 (counts as 1 hdc and 1 ch). Skip 1st stitch. Hdc in next stitch. * ch 1, skip 1 stitch, hdc in next stitch* Repeat from * to * across, ending with hdc in 2nd ch of ch 3 from previous row. Turn. (8 ch 1 spaces and 9 hdc)

Row 12: ch 3 (counts as 1 hdc and 1 ch). Skip 1st hdc and 1st ch 1 space. Hdc in next hdc. *ch 1, skip ch 1 space, hdc in next hdc* Repeat from * to * across, ending with hdc in 2nd ch of ch 3 from previous row. Turn. (8 ch 1 spaces and 9 hdc)

Rows 13 – 30: Repeat row 12. (8 ch 1 spaces and 9 hdc)

Row 31: ch 2. Skip 1st hdc. *Hdc in next ch, hdc in next hdc* Repeat from * to * across, ending with hdc in 2nd ch of ch 3 from previous row. Turn. (16 stitches)

Rows 32 – 40: Repeat row 2. (16 stitches)

Row 41: Repeat row 11. (8 ch 1 spaces and 9 hdc)

Rows 42 – 60: Repeat row 12. (8 ch 1 spaces and 9 hdc)

Row 61: Repeat row 31. (16 stitches)

Rows 62 – 70: Repeat row 2. (16 stitches)

Row 71: Repeat row 11. (8 ch 1 spaces and 9 hdc)

Rows 72 – 90: Repeat row 12. (8 ch 1 spaces and 9 hdc)

Row 91: Repeat row 31. (16 stitches)

Rows 92 – 100: Repeat row 2. (16 stitches)

Fold scarf in half and slip stitch ends together. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finished size is approximately 6 inches by 60 inches. I used approximately 7 to 7.5 ounces of yarn for my scarf.

I made my scarf long enough to double it, but you can easily adjust the length of this scarf. If you want it to be a single cowl, you can stop around row 60. Need it to be longer? Just continue with the pattern until it’s the length you want.

(Please link back to my pattern if you make this scarf. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t copy or rewrite my pattern onto another page. Thank you!)

Click the link below if you’d like to print out a free PDF of the pattern.

I hope you enjoy this pattern!

Happy Stitching!

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts | 9 Comments

A Look Back at 2018

Hi friends,

It’s hard to believe that another year has flown by! They really do seem to go by faster and faster! 

This past year for us seemed to have been consumed with a major remodel in our home – kitchen, living area, and one of our bathrooms. Lots of planning, noise, and dust…but so worth it in the end! It was something we have wanted to do for a long time and finally found an amazing contractor to do the job for us. (If you’re local, I highly recommend Gothart Homes and Renovations.) Here are a few before and after pics.

Kitchen Before
Kitchen After
Kitchen After
Fireplace Wall Before
Fireplace Wall After
Guest Bath Before
Guest Bath After

In August, my nephew and his bride had their dream wedding at Disney World…

The Groom and his Bride

After their wedding, we flew down to Key West. Let me just say…Key West in August is hot!!! ☀️☀️☀️

Our plane from Orlando to Key West
Speaks for itself 🙂
Sunset at Key West
Ernest Hemingway’s Home
Beautiful tiles at Ernest Hemingway’s home
The lighthouse that guided Ernest Hemingway home

In early December, we made a quick visit to Biltmore Estate to tour the “house” (that’s what they called it – quite the estate!) while she was decked out in all her Christmas finery! Absolutely gorgeous!!

The “House”
Fireplace in the dining room
The Library – My favorite room!
Beautiful Nativity
Some of the lights in Antler Hill Village

Just a few highlights of our year…of course it was also filled with cleaning, errands, and laundry as well as crafting and creating. I can’t wait to see what 2019 brings!

Happy New Year!

Anita

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Happy 2019

Hi friends,

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

This cute little snow peep from Unity Stamp Company is ringing in the new year! I made this card a couple of years ago and it’s still one of my favorite creations. 🙂 (The embossing folder is from Sizzix.)

I hope your 2019 is filled with love, laughter, and creativity!

Happy New Year!!!

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Simple Thanks

Hi friends,

Have you sent out your Thank You notes for the Christmas gifts you received? If you are looking for a clean and simple Thank You card to make, I have just the thing for you! It truly comes together in just minutes…

The embossing folder I used is from Stampin’ Up. (Here’s a little different take on a snowfall embossing folder by Carta Bella.) The “thanks” stamp is an older one from Amuse Studio. (I love this thank you stamp from Hero Arts or this one is great, too.) I’ve had my oval and scalloped punches from Marvy Uchida for a long time – I’m not sure if all the sizes are still available, but if you are in the market for a set of oval nesting dies, this set of Nested Ovals is a good one. This is a nice set of scalloped oval dies, too.

To make the card, layer a piece of red card stock to a white card. Emboss a panel of white card stock with the embossing folder and attach to the card. Stamp “thanks” on white card stock with red ink and punch with an oval punch. Layer to a scalloped oval punched from red card stock. Attach to the card with foam tape.

And that’s it! Super fast, clean, and simple! 🙂

Happy Stamping!

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Shortbread Toffee Cookie Bars

Hi friends,

Are you in need of a yummy dessert to ring in the New Year? I’m always ready to try new dessert recipes! 🙂  I found this recipe for Shortbread Toffee Cookie Bars here at Cookies & Cups and knew I just had to try it! 

Shortbread, chocolate, and toffee bits – of course it would be delicious!

The Shortbread Cookie layer
fresh from the oven!

Sweetened Condensed Milk layer
all hot and bubbly!
What’s better than melted chocolate??
Toffee Bits!!!
How can you resist?!?!?

If you want to make these incredibly yummy Shortbread Toffee Cookie Bars click over to Cookies & Cups for the full recipe. I promise you won’t be disappointed!!

Happy Baking!

Anita

Posted in Recipes | Leave a comment

Merry Christmas

Hi friends,

From our house to yours…  

We wish you a very Merry Christmas! 🎄🎄🎄

https://creatingme.net/2016/12/09/christmas-owl-card/

May your day be filled with love.

Anita

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Stamping, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Our Christmas Tree

Hi friends,

I have seen so many themed trees with gorgeous matching ornaments and amazing bows. And they are so beautiful! And I think maybe it might be nice to decorate our tree that way.

But then I pull out my boxes of Christmas decorations and all of the ornaments I’ve collected over the years – and I know that it just wouldn’t be Christmas without these precious keepsakes on our tree.

I have ornaments that some sweet friends have made for me. I have ornaments that I’ve picked up on our various vacations. I have ornaments that were given to me as gifts. And I have ornaments that I’ve made. Each ornament evokes a special memory. I just can’t imagine any other way to decorate our tree!

Here are just a few of my favorites…there are way too many to post them all! 🙂

I know that you love your tree just as much as I love mine. I hope your season is filled with family, friends, and love as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Merry Christmas,

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Decor, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

We Whisk You a Merry Christmas

Hi friends,

Do you need a last minute gift? Or something fun for friends and neighbors? I love this cute idea using a simple whisk from the kitchen section of your favorite store. I’ve seen it done several ways on Pinterest – here’s my take on it.

You’ll need a whisk (I found mine at Walmart), chocolate kisses, cellophane bags (you can find these in the cake decorating area of Walmart or your local craft store), ribbon, and the tag to tie onto the package. If you like the tag I created, click on the “Gift Tag” link below for the pdf to print. It will print on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. I printed mine on white card stock, trimmed each tag, and then layered them to red and green card stock.

A simple little gift that is sure to bring a smile!

Merry Kissmas!!

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Gifts, Tags, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Butterscotch Banana Bread

Hi friends,

Do you end up with bananas that get too ripe and mushy to eat? Yeah, me too! Of course the go to way to use them up is to make banana bread. I found this recipe for Butterscotch Banana Bread here at Six Sisters’ Stuff and it adds a little twist to the normal recipe.

It’s super easy to make and easy to double if you have a lot of bananas you need to use up! 😉

2 loaves ready for the oven!
Golden brown and they smell so good!!
So yummy with a hot cup of coffee or tea – or a tall glass of cold milk!

You can also make these in mini loaf pans. Perfect to tie with a ribbon and a cute tag for a sweet Christmas gift.

Happy Baking,

Anita

Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized | Leave a comment