I Have Been Nominated For The Liebster Award!

What an honor to be nominated for a blog award!

What is the Liebster Award?

The Liebster Award is an award that exists only on the internet, and is given to bloggers by other bloggers. The earliest case of the award goes as far back as 2011. Liebster in German means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

My nomination for this award comes from the lovely Kelley of Oceans Originals.  Kelley is a beautiful soul that loves the Ocean as you can clearly tell by visiting her blog.  She designs her own patterns and I have been fortunate enough to have been asked to test her patterns for her.  She has many free patterns on her site that are just gorgeous.  Please visit her site using the link above – you will not regret it and will feel the island vibe immediately. Thank you so much Kelley, for the nomination!

As a nominee I am to list 10 Facts about myself:

1. I am left handed but crochet and knit right handed as that is how my Oma taught me.
2. My first language was German but learned English at an early age.
3. I live in an area where Peacocks run wild.
4. I work as a Surety Broker but my dream is to one day open my own yarn shop.
5. I do yoga everyday.
6. I am gluten intolerant.
7. I belong to an organization called the National Association of Women in Construction.
8. I lived in Turkey for a few years.
9. I am Italian and German.
10. My family loves to go camping.

In addition to providing you the 10 facts about myself – intended for you to get to know me better – Kelley has presented me with several questions of her own:

1. How/when did you start crocheting? I started crocheting at a very early age.  My Oma (German Grandma) taught me to knit and crochet most likely around the age of 8 or 9.
2. What blog post are you most proud of?  I would say the blog I am most proud of is the one on how to clean a granite composite sink.  This one gets a view at least once a day.
3. What is your favorite song? My favorite song is Happy by Pharrell Williams
4. What is your favorite book? hmmm that is a tough one… I would say it is the one I recently read called: Present Not Perfect
5. What is your favorite t.v. show?  My favorite TV show was Army Wives – so sad that ended.
6. What is your ideal vacation? My ideal vacation would be a trip where I could be surrounded by nature – either in the mountains or at the beach.  I would be camping for sure!
7. Do you have any pets? I do not have any pets, but we sure have a ton of peacocks.
8. Do you have any advice for new bloggers? My advice for new bloggers is to just go for it.  Write about what interests you – chances are there are others out there with the same interests.
9. Do you have any non-crafting hobbies? Most of my hobbies involve crafting, but I do like to cook as well.
10. What is your favorite dessert?  My favorite dessert is a banana split – loaded with all the sauces, fruits and nuts…. Yum!
11. Sunny days or rainy days? Definitely rainy days since I live in California and we welcome the rain.  Cuddled up by the fire  – crocheting or knitting.   

Now for the fun part…. I get to choose some nominees!  Drumroll please….

It’s A T-Sweets Day

Gifted Goodies

Sew RED-y

Mahlicadesigns

Sew Everything Blog

I do hope these bloggers will accept the nomination and play along.  I am now going to ask you a few questions of my own.

1. Out of all the countries you have visited, which one did you like the most?
2. Bike or Train?
3. Apple or Samsung?
4. Name the top 3 most beautiful beaches you have visited?
5. Does blogging replace or enhance journaling?
6. When do you find time to blog?
7. Would you rather explore the deep ocean or outer space?
8. Do you speak any other languages besides your native tongue?
9. Left or right handed?
10. If you could be any super hero, who would you be and why?                               I do hope all of the nominees decide to play along.  You can find the official rules here.   Have Fun!

I Opened an Etsy Store!

Hello all –

I have always had a dream of opening my own yarn store.  A place where creative people can come and grow.  A place to connect, knit or crochet, learn, drink coffee, chat, etc.  Since I am a bit away from fulfilling that dream, I thought why not start with Etsy.

I have actually had the shop since 2012 but never listed anything.  I have finally listed one item – Knit Russian Nesting Dolls.

I am pretty excited about the idea of having a shop – even though it is only virtual at the moment – but one day – some day – you may be able to visit me At Margareta’s Haus!

In the meantime, swing by the shop and see what you think.  Be on the look out for more items to be listed soon!

 

Click here if you want to stop on by!  Hope you will visit soon!!

Margareta

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day – the big Demelza Blanket Reveal

My passion for overlay crochet started with the Mandala Madness.  It blossomed as I crocheted the Peacock Tail Bag, but became an obsession with the Demelza CAL.  When the yarn kit for the Demelza CAL arrived I knew right away it would be created for my Mom.  Her favorite color has always been yellow and the color yellow in this blanket can be seen throughout.  I could hardly resist the temptation to give it to her, but I maintained patience and waited until Sunday.

She was so excited to open the box..

She knew I had made the blanket for her and had seen some of the squares here and there.  I quit posting on the blog as the blanket started to take shape so as not to spoil the surprise.  I am glad I did as the look on her face was priceless.

We have been having some cooler weather here in So. Cal so I am hopeful she will be getting a bit of use from it now.  I love you Mom!

Margareta

Weekly Menu For The Week Of May 1 – May 5

Hello  all!  I hope this post finds you well and eager to cook!  Friday is May 5 – or — Cinco de Mayo.  Those of you who live in Southern California know we all enjoy the Mexican Cuisine and of course the Margaritas on this day.  At my Haus, we will be celebrating all week – as this is the theme for this weks menus.  My son absolutely loves Mexican food and of course is the source of this weeks menu ideas. 

So from my Haus to yours – enjoy!!!!!

Monday: Beef tacquitos

Tuesday: Cheese steak quesadillas

Wednesday: Frachos (french frie  nachos)

Thursday: Asiago chicken pasta (managed to squeeze one Italian meal in the line up)

Friday: Enchilladas, rice and beans

Margareta

Weekly Menu for the Week of April 24 – April 28

Hello!!! How was your Easter?  Ours was lovely and we were honored to be able to have my Sister, my cousin and her two sons here to celebrate with us.  They all live in Germany so the time we get to spend together is very precious.  I hope your Easter was filled with celebration, love and peace.  

I did not post a menu last week as we petty much were winging it all week and eating what we had on hand.  This week I am ready to go and am sharing my menu with you.  Hope you enjoy it

Monday: Sweet & Sour Carrot and Cucumber Salad, Porkchops, rice

Tuesday:  Porkroast, twice baked potatoes, green beans

Wednesday: Garlic butter and asparagus rice, frikadelen, cucumber salad

Thursday: Lime cilantro chicken with black beans and corn

Friday: slow cooker cashew cicken, rice, green beans

Hope you find something on the menu you may enjoy cooking as well.  Happy week to you!!

Margareta

New Year, New You – Resolution #4

Did you know that a resoulution does not have to be something hard or something you feel you need to fix, it can be something fun.  Let’s have some fun with this month’s resolution.  This month lets start a journal.  It is not a Diary type journal that many of us kept as children, but instead a more reflective, creative or organized journal.  

     
I had started a Crochet Journal a while back to keep track of all the crochet alongs I wanted to partake in but never added my completed projects or continued adding projects.  Michelle of the blog Gifted Goodies not only takes photos of the completed projects, she also adds notes, yarn samples, and the yarn band when available.  All awesome ideas and an inspiration to me to revamp my journal.

In addition to this journal,  I am playing around with a more creative journal.  I searched Pinterest and they have many resources for Journaling Prompts.  Some prompts are for art journals, or for telling your life story, prayer journals, travel journals, etc. 

Just start where you are!  Don’t stress about making it perfect.  Don’t over think this – remember this is to be your fun resolution.  So grab some supplies …

whether you start with a blank page and find journaling prompts to inspire you,

or find a book that provides prompts –

just start where you are and enjoy the journey.  Here is a sample of one of my pages.

Hope you enjoy this months resoulution.  No matter what form your journal or journals take: art, food journal, excercise tracker, motivational quotes, poetry, life, travels, etc.  Enjoy your journey!

Margareta

                        

Toasted Coconut Almond Rice Crispy Treats

Yesterday I posted about finding inspiration on Pinterest.  The recipe for these Crispy Treats were found there and were posted by Beaming Baker.  You can click here to link to her original post.

I changed the recipe a bit and added some chocolate chips.  This recipe came together so easily and is gluten free, dairy free and vegan.

Ingredients:

Dry Mixture 

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut shreds or flakes

1/3 cup sliced almonds

3 cups vegan gluten free brown rice crisp cereal

Wet Mixture

1/3 cup natural almond butter

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions 

Line an 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.

Bring a small skillet to medium heat and add the coconut to toast.  Stir often and in about 3-5 minutes coconut will start to tan.  Remove from heat and add to a large mixing bowl.  Add in the almonds and crispy cereal and stir until well combined.

In a small saucepan over medium low heat add the almond butter and the syrup.  Wisk together until well blended and warm until mixture starts to bubble.  Add to the dry ingredient mixture.  Stir and fold until well combined.  Add the chocolate chips if desired and stir to incorporate.

Pour into the prepared pan and flatten out into an even tightly packed layer using a spatula.

Chill in the freezer for 30-40 minutes.  Remove and slice into 16 squares.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer for up to one week.  I packaged mine in snack bags so they are ready to pack in lunches.

Here they are – ready to go.

Enjoy!

Margareta

Weekly Menu for the Week of April 10 – April 14

It seems that I have resorted back to planning menus one week at a time.  Though I do still make a monthly Costco run, I find it easier to plan one week at a time.  Lately I seem to be in a menu planning rut.  I don’t seem to have to many fabulous recipes in mind to make, so this week I spent some time on Pinterest.  

I love Pinterest for inspirations on crafting, decorating, even camping.  I am sure you all have Pinterst boards as well.  I have pinned several new ideas to my “Recipes to Try Board” so this week – lets give a few a try!

Monday: Crockpot Bacon, Mushroom Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Salad (How can anything containing Bacon not be good! Can’t wait to try this one)

Tuesday:  Baked Beef Tacos

Wednesday:  Hamburgers and French Fries (I have a dinner meeting so I am keeping it simple for the boys)

Thursday:  Slowcooker Beef on Rice

Friday:  Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce and green salad

I hope these menus give you some inspiration.  If you try them, please share with me!  

Where do you get your menu inspirations?

Have a GREAT week – 

Margareta

Menu for the Week of April 3 – April 7

Hello my lovelies!  Can you believe it is April 1st today?  Where you pranked or tricked today?  If you were, then I hope it was all in good fun.  

Here is the menu for the week which got a resounding thumbs up from my son.  I hope you enjoy it as much as he will.  

Monday:  Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Tuesday:  Cashew Chicken

Wednesday: Meatballs Subs and Salad

Thursday:  Pizza

Friday: Sloppy Joes and French Fries

Today was our Costco run so I really don’t need to buy to much at the market tomorrow.  

Enjoy the menu and enjoy your week.  Until next time…

Margareta

Triple Chocolate Brownies – Gluten Free with a Secret Ingredient

I have been gluten free for about 2 years now and always get super excited when I find a really good gluten free recipe.

The recipe for these brownies did not disappoint!  My son ate 2 and my hubby at 1 1/2.  They are not aware of the secret ingredient or else they would not have even tried them.  I took some to work and my coworkers loved them!

I came across the recipe on the You Tube Channel: Clean & Delicious.  Dani has some great tips for clean eating.  Click here to access her page and find out more about Dani and her other delicious recipes.

Here is her recipe for the Triple Chocolate Brownies:

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour ( I used all purpose gluten free flour)

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup sifted coca powder

15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed (this is the secret ingredient)

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup maple syrup

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

3/4 cup chocolate chips

a bit of oil to grease the pan (I used cooking spray)

Chocolate Icing:

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbsp. coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Coat an 8×8 baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder and sifted cocoa powder.

In a blender combine the black beans, water, maple syrup and vanilla extract.  Blend until everything is well combined and the beans are broken down.  This will be very liquidy.

Pour the bean mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until everything is combined.  Stir in the nuts and chocolate chips.

Pour the mixture into the greased pan and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean.

Once the brownies have cooled completely, prepare your icing.  Simply combine all the icing ingredients and stir until combined.  At first I thought it was to dry, but keep mixing and have faith.  It will come together nicely.

Spread the icing over the cooled brownies and cut into squares.  Mine made 16.  These are so thick and dense they are almost like fudge!!!!

Margareta