November 2017
November’s giveaway grand prize is a Merry and Bright bundle from Target. The winner will receive a merry and bright holiday decor sign, throw pillow, mugs, and a signed copy of MERRY AND BRIGHT. 10 runners up will receive a signed paperback Read more
Remodel Update
Our office was being renovated so I spent nearly five months writing at home, which was quite the switch for me. I’m accustomed to writing with my staff and lots of activity. I have a much smaller office above our Read more
Chocolate Turtle Pops
Chocolate Turtle Apple Pops Makes 10 2 large Granny Smith Apples, washed and dried 10 Lollipop sticks 12 ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips 1 Tablespoon coconut oil 20 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped 1 Tablespoon water ½ cup pecans, chopped Line Read more
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…
I had something of a fright recently: I looked in the mirror and saw my mother’s face. It was a surprise because I always thought I looked like my father. As I leaned in closer and adjusted my glasses I Read more
Pumpkin Spice Scented Pinecones
Pumpkin Spice Scented Pinecones Paper grocery bag Pinecones Spray adhesive Pumpkin Pie Spice Cut off and discard the top half of the paper bag. Open the now-shorter bag. Set a pinecone inside, and spray the adhesive spray all over the Read more
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Pumpkin Bread Pudding Serves 12-14 15 oz canned pumpkin puree 2/3 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup white sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 tablespoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon ground cloves ¼ teaspoon ground allspice Read more
October 2017
This month’s giveaway grand prize is a Fall Berry Wreath from Magnolia, plus a signed copy of my newest book, MERRY AND BRIGHT. 10 runners up will receive a signed copy of MERRY AND BRIGHT. Congratulations to Our October Winners! Read more
One Piece Baby Jacket
ONE PIECE BABY JACKET Pattern: While I was away on my recent trip to the VOGUE Knitting Destination event, one of our side trips was to a beautiful shop called Cast Away & Folk, tucked away in the Historic Railroad Square Read more
Baby Pullover
Baby Pullover, by Knitting Pure & Simple www.knittingpureandsimple.com Yarn: A beautiful blend of colors from simpliworsted by HiKoo, 55% Merino Superwash/28% Acrylic/17%Nylon, www.skacelknitting.com Needles: US Size 9 Comments: I made this for my grandson, Mason, and he’s growing so quickly Read more
American Business Women’s Day
When I made the decision to become a writer I was utterly naïve to running my own business, especially when it came time for me to rent an office and hire my first assistant. I was required to make business Read more
Stuffed Pork Loin with Mustard Sauce
Stuffed Pork Loin with Mustard Sauce Serves 10-12 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature ¼ cup Dijon mustard, separated 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary, plus 3 whole sprigs 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage 2 ½ teaspoons salt 1 ½ teaspoons Read more
September 2017
This month’s giveaway grand prize is a Fall Bundle from Target that includes 2 throw pillows, throw blanket, and candle plus a signed copy of my newest book ANY DREAM WILL DO and a signed advance copy of MERRY AND BRIGHT. 10 runners up will Read more
Knotty Scarflet
PATTERN: KNOTTY SCARFLET, by Sivia Harding Knit Design, www.siviaharding.com Yarn: Suggested; Fiesta Yarns La Luz, Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino, Mirasol Yarn Tupa Needles: Size 5 US, 3.75 mm circular needle, 24” pair of straight needles COMMENTS: This is my very first Read more
Radiance Shawlette
RADIANCE SHAWLETTE, by Tina Whitmore Yarn: Freia Worsted, hand painted, 100% wool, Color: Atlantis Needles: US Size 7, 24” circular needles Comments: This easy lace pattern triangular shawlette was quite a fun, quick knit; I absolutely love the Frei hand painted Read more
Stockinetter Haruni
PATTERN: Stockinetter Haruni, by Emily Ross Yarn: A hand-dyed yarn by a local artisan, 75% SW Merino/25% Nylon, fingerling weight, 434 yards, color: “four leaf clover” Needles: US Size 4, circular needle COMMENTS: This was the most challenging shawl I have ever done; Read more
Victorian Shoulderette
PATTERN: Victorian Shoulderette, by Sivia Harding Knit Design, www.siviaharding.com Yarn: I used a yarn which I had bought while in Ireland years ago now – probably twenty years – so see? A stash of yarn is never wasted in my Read more
Julian Shaw
PATTERN: Knitted Julian Shawl, Designed by Melissa Leapman Yarn: The yarn I used is from the Buffalo Wool Company. I know the lovely people who own this business. Purple Teasel, 50% Bison down, 50% Silk, Fingering weight. Special edition yarn Read more
Succulent Holder – Teacher Gift
Succulent Holder Makes 1 Supplies: Pint dairy carton Scissors Yard stick, cut into 3-inch pieces with sharp scissors Hot glue gun Small rocks Potting soil Succulents Sphagnum moss Wash and dry your empty pint dairy carton. Stack three of the Read more
Baby Football Hat
DMC Top This! Hat Knit Yarn Kit Yarn: This yarn kit came with a yarn which had three continuous textures, so I never had to change the yarn, and could easily do the project on the plane ride from Washington Read more
Caramel Apple Chimichangas
Caramel Apple Chimichangas Serves 4-6 3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced (about 2 medium) 1/3 cup sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon salt ¾ cup water 2 Tablespoons cornstarch ¼ cup sugar 1 ½ teaspoon Read more
Peach Maple Whiskey Jam
Peach Maple Whiskey Jam Makes 5 cups 4 cups chopped peaches (about 2 pounds) 2 cups sugar ¾ cup pure maple syrup ½ cup whiskey 2 tablespoons lemon juice One 1.76-ounce box fruit pectin In a large pot, stir together Read more
August 2017
This month’s giveaway grand prize is a $250 Target gift card and a signed copy of my newest book ANY DREAM WILL DO. Get the kids and grand kids ready with some back to school shopping! 10 runners up will receive a signed Read more
Zucchini Corn Chowder
Serves 6-8 3 slices bacon, sliced into 1 inch pieces 1 cup coarsely chopped onion ½ cup chopped carrot 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic 1 pound russet potatoes, scrubbed and diced (about 2 ½ cups) 5 cups water 1 Read more
Mexican Coleslaw
Mexican Coleslaw Serves 6-8 ¾ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup sour cream 2 Tablespoons lime juice 1 teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon honey 1 14.5 ounce can Read more