The red nosed reindeer

I finally wrote this pattern up, I made this hat awhile ago and Courtney took such a darling picture with it, I thought I better get busy.

I took some pictures too, when the hat was finished, but on a real live baby, it is so much cuter!

It is fun to make and the weather is getting ready for some reindeer.

Try it out, it is so cute!!

I'm not quite ready for the snow though.

Chicago

Today I am going to share some information from a blogging friend Kendra Thorton who lives in Chicago.  Here is some of the information about her and her cute family.

  My name is Kendra Thornton and I'm 37 and a mother of 3.  Before being promoted to the full time position of mom, I was the former Orbitz Director of Communications where I was able to travel a great deal.  I now live in Chicago with my family, where they are my number one priority in everyday life.

What I Love About My City

Often referred to as “The Windy City,” Chicago is one of the most beautiful and diverse cities that the United States has to offer.  From the abundance of culture that has been in development for over one hundred years to the natural wonder of the landscape itself, there are few destinations in the country that have so much to offer.  The food is outstanding, it is a wonderful place to raise a family, and life in the city has numerous things to offer people coming to the area with all types of tastes and interests.  

Culture Calls Chicago Home

In addition to the Chicago Institute of Art, the opportunities to experience music, theater, ballet, and visual arts throughout the city are beyond measure.  The Museum of Contemporary Art is heralded throughout the world as being an institution of the highest quality, possessing one of the greatest permanent collections in the United States.  Located on East Chicago Avenue, this mecca of culture and artistic history is only blocks away from some of the most intriguing areas in the city.  The MCAC also opens visitors' eyes to the culture that blooms in this vibrant city.  All of these locations are also only blocks from the revered shopping that exists along “Magnificent Mile.”

Shopping

The “Magnificent Mile” is an area of Chicago that will have shopping fanatics overjoyed at the possibilities.  Situated on North Michigan Avenue, this stretch meanders along the Chicago River, offering shoppers a scenic view in addition to shops and outlets that are unbeatable.  The number of stores placed in this roughly one-mile avenue is astounding, creating a shopper's dreamland that is on par with any shopping avenue in the world.  Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles and Fifth Avenue in New York can barely hold their ground when one considers the quality of goods and services that are packed into this one bustling area of Chicago.  High-class merchandise, trendy and second-hand clothing, and even Eco-friendly boutiques are all part of the temptations that will have shoppers returning again and again.

Nature Blossoms

The beauty endowed to the city by Mother Nature herself makes Chicago parks an absolute pleasure to spend time in.  Pack a lunch, bring a good book, or gather up the family for an afternoon of fun in the sun during your visit to Chicago.  Grant Park is one of Chicago's top attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year.  This “Front Yard” of the city rests at the heart of its busy streets, providing a natural respite for anyone who needs the scent of fresh air.  The park features architecture that is on the cutting edge of design and tours or outdoor exhibitions that is free for anyone to visit.  

Fantastic Food

No visit to Chicago can be considered complete without indulging in the world-famous, deep-dish pizza.  Virtually any local pizza shop can offer a culinary experience that is unlike any other deep-dish that one may have had in the past.  However, Gino's East is one of my favorite choices.  Locals and visitors from all around the world delight in their pizza and other Italian cuisine.  The prices are great, and the food is like none other in the city.  They have been in operation on Chicago's South side since 1974, perfecting their culinary art in order to offer up the amazing food that they serve today.  My kids love coming here to eat, as the restaurant lets you “autograph” your name on the walls!

Visiting

If you ever choose to visit the city I call home, where you stay can have a big impact on your trip.  It is important to get a good deal on lodgings, however, it is just as important to be near the locations that you desire to see the most.  Chicago offers hotels of every kind to visitors making their way to the Windy City.  From five-star luxury, to quaint bed and breakfast locations, there is something for everyone.   Before booking your reservations, check out the site Gogobot in order see the very best and most diverse options available.  This site features user reviews of each location, pictures of the actual lodgings, lists of amenities, and other valuable details.

A Family Agenda

Traveling with a family to any location makes it necessary to outline your plans ahead of time in order to make sure that there are plenty of friendly and entertaining items on your itinerary.  In this vein, Chicago has plenty to offer.  The Chicago Cultural Center hosts a huge number of events throughout the year that include conventions, art openings, and music of all kinds.  It is centrally located near all of the best parks for family fun, including Millennium Park.  This institution always books events that are fun for all ages and reflect a true sense of what Chicago culture and entertainment is all about.  

Derby golf hat pattern

This pattern was a little hard to figure out at first but after figuring out how to make the brim it made all the difference.  I had a model night and this little guy loves to pose for the camera.  His little brother had been in front of the camera most of the night so he couldn't wait for his turn!

I hadn't planned on him having his shirt off but we had undressed little brother to get him set up for all of his newborn props so he figured he needed to take off his shirt as well.

It actually turned out pretty cute with no shirt.

No, I didn't pose him this way, I just snapped away as he did what he wanted to do.

Here's little brother and do you know how many times this little guy was pinned this last week?

Too many to count!

Are you ready for some football?

I have been working on this pattern for a few weeks,( I haven't quite got it written up yet) but I had a couple of cute little guys visit me this last week so I had to get some pictures.  Of course it is fall and when I think of fall I can't help but think of football.  I have a few football players in my family and have spent many hours in the fall watching games, I really love it!  I know that may sound strange for my gender but I grew up with it and had a hubby and sons to watch and now I have grandsons!

I created this hat with the football in mind.

Some of the games later in the season can get a little chilly and wouldn't it be fun to wear a hat like this.

I even had this little guy model for me.

Can't help but want to kiss those little cheeks!

This is a knit pattern and was pretty quick to make up, I promise I will get it up in my shop soon.

I think I'm ready for some football!

Is it fall yet?

Today I went to my first football game of the season, that is crazy, where is the summer going?

When fall comes I start thinking of Halloween and I thought if you are going to get a head start on crocheting these cute hats, you better get going!

These little pirate bandana's are so cute to make and the skull and crossbones, just make you want to say AARGGH!

can't believe how quick this little guy is growing!

of course if you have a boy pirate, then you must have a girl pirate!

love this little princess of the Caribbean.

so if you get a hankering for crocheting these cute hats, get going! they are in my etsy shop!

Making Fondant

Today I am going to show you how I make rolled fondant.  My daughter and I made her wedding cake and I have made my other daughters as well and this is the recipe I have used for all of their cakes.

Rolled Fondant Recipe

1Tbsp. unflavored gelatin

1/4 cup cold water1/2 cup Glucose

1 Tbsp. Glycerin

2 Tbs. solid vegetable shortening

2 lbs. confectioners sugar

2-3 drops food coloring

and flavoring as desired

Combine gelatin and cold water; let stand until thick.  Place gelatin mixture in top of double boiler and heat until dissolved.  Add glucose and glycerin:mix well.  These can be found at specialty cooking stores, I get mine at Kitchen Kneads. Stir in shortening and just before completely melted, remove from heat.  Mixture should cool until lukewarm.  

Next, place 1 lb. confectioner sugar in a bowl and make a well.  Pour the lukewarm gelatin mixture into the well and stir with a wooden spoon,

mixing in sugar and adding more, a little at a time, until stickiness disappears.

Knead in remaining sugar, icing color and flavoring.

Knead until the fondant is smooth, pliable and does not stick to your hands.  If fondant is too soft, add more sugar; if too stiff, add water a drop at a time.

You can add any flavoring, lemon, almond, vanilla,(use clear vanilla and flavorings or it will color the fondant.)

Use fondant immediately or store in an airtight container in refrigerator.  When ready to use, bring to room temperature and knead again until soft.  This recipe yields enough to cover a 10 x 3 inch high cake.  So you may have to make 2 batches for a bigger cake.

To roll fondant

Spray work area and rolling pin with vegetable oil spray and dust with a mixture of confectioners sugar and cornstarch.  I usually use plenty of confectioners sugar on the counter and just use my hand to roll it, unless I have a very large piece and then I will use the rolling pin. 

 there are 2 ways to prepare cake for fondant.  Coat with piping gel or apricot glaze.  I usually use butter cream icing and ice the cake with the frosting and let dry and then cover with the rolled fondant.

Roll out the fondant into a circle twice the diameter of the cake you are covering.  As you roll, lift and move the fondant to prevent it from sticking to the surface.  Gently lift fondant over rolling pin and place over cake. ( I didn't get a picture of this because it helps to have 2 people, especially if the cake is large.)

smooth and shape fondant on cake, using palm of hand, make sure you have a coating of confectioners sugar on your hand.  If large air bubbles are trapped under fondant, prick with a pin and continue until smooth.  Trim excess from base.  A fondant covered cake may be kept up to 2 months, when tightly wrapped in clear plastic wrap and frozen. ( I always have made the cake ahead of time and just put it together the day of the wedding.)

Marzipan recipe

1 cup almond paste

2 unbeaten egg whites

3 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla or rum flavoring

Ina a bowl knead almond paste.  Add egg white, mis well.  Continue kneading as you add flavoring and sugar, 1 cup at a time , until marzipan feels like heavy pie dough.

We cut out the circles with different sized small cookie cutters.

We had help with this because we had lots of polka dots!

I made the ribbon by cutting long strips of fondant and shaping bow, I used rolled up plastic wrap in the middle of each loop to help keep the bow shape until it dried.

We used styrofoam  forms for the large bottom layer, because I have made all cake before and you will be eating cake forever, it's a lot of cake!  We served the one layer and saved the top for their one year anniversary.

On the day of the wedding I put the cake together. I piped the small border around the bottom of the cake after putting it together.  I used wooden skewers in the middle of the cake to keep the layers in place, so they won't slide.

She looks like she is  afraid to cut it!

She loved the cake, we made banana, and the wedding reception was everything she dreamed it would be.

Have a long and happy life together. and

We will always remember the day we made her wedding cake.