Striped Crochet Scarf & Dachshund Puppy

This week I was working on a really cute scarf. I crocheted it with orange and black yarn for a really great October look. Being that my daughter's favorite color is orange this scarf was perfect for her!

I found the free pattern  here which you can use by clicking on the link from Red Heart. They call it the Super Easy Scarf Crochet Pattern, and it really is pretty simple to make.  (*updated 11-12-12 : I have since figured out that this is simply what is known as a moss stitch. Two rows one color, two rows the next. That is what creates this cute zig-zag. After your base chain, you simply do a single crochet in second third chain and then a chain, single crochet in space, chain, repeat ending in a single crochet, chain two and turn, repeating working the single crochet in each space.
For a tutorial there are many U-tube videos, or Google Moss Stitch Crochet.)

I am happy I can make this for my girl!

We chose it because of the zig zag look to it. Looks great Orange and Black!

I added a black border all the way around and an extra row of black on each end. It really needed that to give it a more polished and finished look.

So did you notice the puppy?

Yes, we have a new puppy in our lives.

His name is Hunter and he is 11 weeks old! Isn't he just a darling!

His big Brother Bear is so happy to have a new little brother!

Today the weather is just a perfect Fall day here in Colorado!

 I am going to go outside and spend it with family and pooches. 

What a blessing indeed. Hope you are having a great and wonderful day!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Give Aways and Party Fun

Monday morning is a good morning! Today I went to visit one of my favorite new blogs, Old Time Farm House. This is Cindy's new blog she also has Old Time Pickers which is her other blog about her wonderful finds she picks up. Cindy is such a wonderful craft designer and transformer of old items into new treasure! And to prove my point look at this!

 

Isn't it beautiful? I have to announce that I was the happy winner of her first give away! Yes, this is what Cindy made and will be sending me! Now, I know you must be thinking.. "Why can't I win something like that?" Well, you can, because her new blog, Old Time Farm House has a new monthly party and give away! Yes, not just a party, but a give away!

 So if you want to join in, it will be on the first Monday of every month. See, I told you Mondays were good! I had so much fun at this party hop, and there are three catagories! So I am sure you can fit in!

• Pickers - flea market, thrift shop, curbside, any other thrifty outlet!
• Crafters - Your projects, involving glue, scissors, paint, and other creative tools!
• Healthy Home Makers - Show your healthy recipes, going green, gardening, homesteading, and maintaining a healthy balanced home skills!

So see what her rules will be next month for the giveaway, and maybe you could be a winner, too! If not, Cindy, has lot's of fun by just visiting as well. Thanks Cindy for letting me join in on your first party. I also, am so excited that I won the very first give away!

If you would like to make this pretty rake hanger, she also has a tutorial here so you can make your very own!

Bless you, Cindy!

Speaking of give aways, I have another give away that I would like to have you go visit and enter. If you don't already know Donna at Donna's Lavender Nest you have to go introduce yourself! She is a sweet lady that loves to quilt and collect vintage pretties, and do other pretty paper crafts! This week she posted about a new give-away from her Etsy Store! This is where she sells her wonderful quilting items, and this includes her very own Quilt pattern called Scrappy Love.

Donna is going to give away some Lecien fabrics from her shop and here quilt pattern! so if you want to win you have to go Follow her and leave her a comment. I want to support my friend Donna, because she has just been such a good friend to me. She is a wonderful quilter, and go see what it is all about. You won't be sorry!

Thanks to all of you for reading this post today!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

From Mud to Sweetness

How was everyone's weekend? We had a rather rainy and damp weekend here. Saturday morning, I had Bear's monthly appointment with his wonderful dog groomer. I had brushed out all his long thick Pekingese hair just before I took him for his beauty appointment, because I always like to take him in freshly brushed.

 When I was going outside the steps were so extremely covered with ice that I dropped Bear's leash. So that I could grab the rail and not slip. I made it down safely, but being the rascal that he wanted to be, Bear ran around the house to the back. The chicken yard gate was open and the chickens were out in the yard eating. He ran after all of them chasing them around the coop and through the garden, etc. 

It was really wet out, and he finally got a hold of one poor hen that he cornered up to a fence. Here he is all full of mud and twigs, pinning down the chicken. I was so mad at him! So I took him off the terrified girl, and put him in the car. He seemed so proud of himself, but I scolded him. We went on our way down the road and I wouldn't let him jump into the seat like I usually do, so he can enjoy looking out the window. I mean, he is a muddy wet mess! He was so thrilled to go to the groomers because they treat him so good and love him there. So here he is dragging me up the sidewalk on the leash to get to the door. We get inside and there is the groomer and her bather and they look mortified to see this usually well taken care of dog soaked in mud, and twigs and leaves stuck in his hair! I felt so stupid bringing him in like this! They are like, "What happened to him!!" So I tell them the story.

 She thinks he is like a child trying to get my attention and show me how talented he can be. I think she may be right, and I also think he is just a stinker!! 

They made him all pretty again, brushed, bathed, smelling good with his new Halloween kerchief. He was so sweet smelling and handsome! When he got home, he sat up on the ottoman all day yesterday like a little Prince in his beauty!! He is so funny, now he didn't want anything to mess up his pretty hair!!

Anyways, just another day here at the zoo! Haha! 

I hope you are doing good!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Come visit and party at these link below!!

Thursday Favorite Things 

Antique Folding Chairs

 I had a good time
 "Getting My Thrifting On"!

 I just had to make a trip to my favorite thrift store to see what might show up. 

 As I walked through, kinda looked through the dishes. No Pyrex as usual, not any fun vintage table cloths, etc. Wandered around looking at all kinds of stuff, but you know nothing too great was jumping out at me.

So just as I make my rounds back to the furniture and lamps etc, for the 2nd time. I see them unloading these folding chairs. I tell my daughter, "Look at what they are putting out!"

There were these two cute little chairs, and I knew I had to get them in my basket fast! Okay, I degress here.. Isn't it funny how when you see something that you know you love, you feel like you have to jump on it and fight others off? Or is that just me? LOL, it's like I have to defend my find!

So my daughter is learning this behavior as well, because this particular thrift store we have women trying to take things out of our basket quite often! Yes, really we do!  So she helps me start to pick one up, and we have hardly looked very hard before I have her hands on one and mine on the other, because yes, we already have people smiling and coming over saying do you want those? Well, yes, that is why we are trying to man handle them into our baskets! Haha!

 

 See these really neat cast iron hinges? They are not only beautiful, but heavy! The hinges work great and do not stick at all. They move so smoothly.

  The chair on the left is a chair and the one on the right is a rocker. They are pretty small, but surprisingly comfortable. I am not sure if they are school chairs, or from a theater or maybe a courtroom? But they are in really good shape. The hinges and the wood look great. They are missing a couple of bolts that I will have to replace.

Antique Chairs

 I am thrilled with the compact size of these, as I can keep them with out using up a ton of space. I put the rocking chair in a corner in my living room, and it is sturdy and very supportive for my back. I like it quite a bit. Does anybody think they know anything about these? I think they were a great find, and I am extatic! Price for both of them..$21
Yay!

Have you found any great thrifting items lately? Do people want to sweet talk them away from you?

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

 Come visit the fun parties!
Old Time Party at Old Time Farmhouse
Thursday Favorite Things  at Katherines Corner
Share Your Cup Thursday  at Daily Cup w/Mrs. Olson
Junkin Joe Vintage Thrift Finds at the Cottage Market

Good Wishes and Good Crafters

Sent and made by Donna

When I started blogging 

Donna made this pretty for me.

I had no idea how blessed

Tammy made me a get well home maker package

I would become by this community.

Tammy's Poppy Seed Bread

Women with the same interests 

A  Little Susie card by Tammy

and the biggest hearts in the world!

This has to be me! by Tammy

Taking the time to get to know me

Tammy's tag

and share in my life and my trials.

Pretty wrapping

Woman with hearts full of prayers and good wishes.

More fun

Thank you so much for blessing me and 

being the kind of friends every girl loves to have.

I won this made by Erica, 1 year blogaversary!

I plan on continuing down this road and being happy every step along the way.

Extra goodies from sweet Erica

Thanks to all my new and old blog buddies

for reading my blog, for leaving me comments, and interacting with me!

I am amazed by how talented and kind you all are! 

Bless you all,

Little Susie Home Maker

Vintage Doll-E-Crib, Chicken Scratch Embroidery and Color-Flyte Cream and Sugar Bowl

Not being able to go out and do some of my favorite things has been needless to say, a little frustrating. I have not been released to start driving as of yet. Friday when my daughter was taking us on some errands with her drivers permit, she made me so happy by driving me to two new thrift, antique stores in town. It was a fun day, and I am so thankful she is old enough to help me out like this!!

Ansco Vintage Doll-E-Crib 1950's

I found this to be kind of like a kid in the candy store kind of excursion! We went inside the first and I found this  vintage Ansco Doll-E Crib. Isn't it the greatest? I am guessing 1950's . It is made of metal. I think it was repainted white at some point, but the white is a little chippy with a pale yellow showing through.

Doll-E-Crib Lamb Decal

It has the cutest lamb and bunny decals on the headboard and the foot board. Look how sweet they are!!

Do you see the beads in the corners? Tactile fun for the toy and just cute. One is missing, so I think I can replace it. the crib also looks like maybe it might be missing some roller wheels on the legs. But that is fine with me.

Doll-E-Crib Decals lamb and bunnies

The bottom has a wire mattress, holder that is bent up a little. I can imagine a small child climbing inside of this crib! The side rail still functions and moves up and down and locks into place. 

This is going to be perfect to fix up with a new mattress and baby bedding. I will have to start planning what I want to do!! I will have a cute bed to put my childhood baby dolls into for display. Won't this be fun!

Light Blue Gingham table cloth with Chicken Scratch

Then the next thing I wanted to buy was this cute hand embroidered table cloth. it is the Chicken Scratch stitch that I adore! 

Look at the design that was brought out on the light blue gingham. I know somebody can tell me what this is called. It looks like a quilt block design to me? I think this is so pretty.

I really should have ironed it before I took pictures. I was so excited to be able to have something to share on my blog, I skipped this step!

 I thought the clothesline would be the perfect place to take the picture.

Then the last item I found was at the second store.They had lots of really high priced things in there, but I found these cute vintage Cream and Sugar bowls! I adore the lime green color, they are from a line called Color-Flyte. the actual name of the color is Spray-Lime.

Branchel LaMoyne Color-Flyte

I also, took the picture outdoors to get the best lighting! So no, I won't be displaying them on the tree stump! The bottoms read.. A BRANCHELL melmac Product el finest quality The Branchel Co. St Louis, MO, LaMoyne Designer 

This is great because in an article I found here . This dates the cups between 1952-1958. The designer Kaye LaMoyne achieved his greatest success designing melamine dinnerware for the Branchell Company, before it was sold to Lenox in 1958. If you are looking to find out some history on your Melamine. This is a good link to follow for more information and history of the company and designer.

My afternoon was a fun distraction. I was pleased to find some fun vintage items that I can enjoy. You will have to let me know if you know anything else about these items I found.

May you all be blessed and filled with joy and happiness.

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Harley wanting his best friend, Bear to come in and play!

Come and visit the fun blog hops!

Thursday Favorite Things 
Junkin Joe Vintage Thrifty Finds 

Kelly's Hearty Kraut Burgers

Guest Post from Kelly!

Today I am happy to share with you my sister, Kelly. She has been making great meals since she was a teenager. Today she is going to share one of her recipes that she has added her personal twist. I can tell you, "It Rocks!" ..  Kelly's Hearty Kraut Burgers! 

 Kelly will be taking the role of guest blog author today! 

Thank you, Kelly!

Hi everyone! I enjoy creating fun dishes that I love to share with family and friends. I also, live a very busy life and love to take short cuts when I can. You will find a few in this recipe that are great time savers.

After trying other versions of Kraut Burgers, I decided it was time to create a burger that was to my own tastes and improve upon what I found out there. This is the first time I tried this recipe. I will admit adding the potatoes were my idea to make it heartier.

I also used the red cabbage because that is what we like. I didn't get it cut small enough before cooking so had to cut it down a little after it cooked. The cooked red cabbage is very prominent in the meat mixture. We liked it better because it is a sweeter taste.

I also added the dill pickle juice and mustard because I don't enjoy the fairly bland flavor of the typical kraut burgers that I have tried. I love the flavor of dill pickles and mustard in rouladen, so this is where I got my flavor inspiration.

 Kelly's Hearty Kraut Burgers

• 12 frozen yeast dinner rolls (I used Rhodes brand)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion halved and sliced thin
• 1/2 head cabbage, sliced thin*
• 1 can diced potatoes or about 1 1/2 c. fresh potatoes, diced small
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 Tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 1/2 cup dill pickle juice

Let dough thaw and rise.

Preheat oven to *350 F

Brown beef, drain and add onions and dash of salt and pepper. Let onions cook until translucent. 

Add sliced cabbage, and pickle juice, cook until cabbage is tender. (*note.. Make sure cabbage is cut small enough to not be "BIG" bites) 

Add potatoes and mustard. Lower heat and simmer 5 minutes.

 Let filling cool and transfer to bowl to cool in refrigerator until able to handle.
Place dough on floured board and roll out to 6" circles. Can also be stretched like pizza dough. 

Place about 1/4 cup of meat mixture in the center of the circle.

 

Bring edges to close at top, pinch edges together. 

Place gathered side down on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes. 

Can be served with a spicy mustard or brown gravy. 

To make ahead, wrap baked burgers in plastic and refrigerate, they can be microwaved 45 seconds for an awesome meal.

I hope you enjoy making and serving these pretty baked burgers as much as I do!

Enjoy,

Kelly

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