Babies!

My husband's cousin just had her first child. In celebration, I wanted to crochet her a blanket. I used this pattern minus the border since it was for a boy...Lovie Security Blanket

My husband picked out the most soft polyester yarn by Bernet. Its a smaller blanket, perfect for car seats, ect.

xoxo,
k.

Baking GF for my volunteers

I have an awesome job. I get to work with about 20 dedicated volunteers who's passion is the reason the Museum I work for exists. We have quarterly committee meetings that take up three long hours on the first Monday of certain months. This past Monday was one of those days. Instead of working on my paper (that's due tomorrow), I decided to whip up a batch of cookies to let them know how much I appreciate them. One of my very dedicated volunteers is gluten free and when I usually bake she can't have any. So I picked a cookie that was specifically for her.

I had made the recipe before and they turned out great. I am gluten sensitive, so I make a conscious effort to eat food free of gluten (I'm still a sucker for good pizza though). The first time I made these my husband whined that he wasn't going to like them and wanted me to put gluten in them. He ate his words. They turned out great. They are light and really hit the spot. The ingredients are probably all in your cupboard right now.

The original recipe can be found on this page. You can find it also on my Pinterest page, under "I'm a Baker". Follow me here.

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar (plus more for rolling the cookies in)
1 large egg – lightly beaten with a fork
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl mix the peanut butter with 1 cup sugar. Stir until well blended. Add the egg, baking powder and vanilla. Stir well. Pour some additional sugar in a small bowl. Take 1 tablespoon the dough and roll in a ball. Roll the dough ball in the sugar and place on prepared baking sheet (optional, I found this was a lot of sugar the first time I made it, so I just sprinkled some one top this time). Repeat with the rest of the dough.
Take a dinner fork, stick it in the sugar and gently press down each dough ball to flatten, then turn the fork 90 degrees and gently press again, making the traditional hatch markings of a peanut butter cookie.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. Take out of over and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.



Enjoy!
xo, k.

I will crochet.

My grandmother's passing in January hit me harder than I thought it would. She had suffered from Alzheimer's for the past 8 years and I thought I was prepared. I was not. Knowing I needed helping coping, I decided to start a new activity. Pinterest is the best distraction but I needed something more to keep my mind focused. I decided on crochet.

What a beautiful art form. I was inspired by the amazing designs and bright colors. I wanted to make my own scarf. Where to start? A quick trip to the craft store with my best friend resulted in two skeins of yarn and a tutorial book with hooks. I can do this!

My first scarf!

Nope, I couldn't. I was really confused and kept getting my fingers tangled in the yarn. Thanks to my cousin, youtube videos, and almost a month later, I had my first scarf! I was so excited I put it in the mail and sent it to my mom for Valentine's Day! I had to share my excitement with her.

Next I made one for myself, then a cowl, then an infinity scarf, and finally started one for my husband (that was is still not finished, sorry hunny!).

International Scarf Swap

Whew, I was actually getting the hang of this! And I wanted to do more and more! I've never been "artistic" or "crafty" in my eyes, so this was exciting! My job as a curator and my love of scrapbooking were crafty and artistic but this is different. I felt more accomplished somehow. Then I found Raverly. Whoa. Signed up for an international scarf swap (the USPS guy was super interested in how this worked and thought he might look it up). And sent my scarf to Ireland!

Up next? Gifts, gifts and gifts! Sorry friends and family, you might be getting something handmade for your upcoming birthday/Christmas gifts.

xo, k.