Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

Yesterday afternoon I was treated to a wonderful concert by my long-time friend, Sheila. We met at the CGOA crochet conference in Cleveland in 2000. She's the one who encouraged us to visit Ajijic for the first time. She has lived here fifteen years. The Northern Lights Festival, in its  in Ajijic attracts world-class musicians from around the world. Started by Chris Wilshire, an Aijic resident, the two week festival has grown in reputation and prestige. However, its commitment is the same, "to create a musical retreat for international artists each year to present concerts that are affordable for the general public." Since Bethany left on the 11th after a wonderful visit with me, I haven't been overly busy; but things move slowly here! In pictures, I'll take you back through the last 5 days... I started my morning off right with yogurt topped with granola and fresh raspberries. I remembered the granola from years ago at the grocery, El Torito , and was so g...

Amidst making lists; checking lists; packing; resisting to pack too much, I must stop for a minute to tell you how excited I am to be leaving in two weeks for a crochet tour to Tuscany, Italy!

Twinkie Chan has the sense of humor and knack for executing realistic-looking "food" just for fun and also for useful items. I thoroughly enjoyed her first book,  Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies . I adore my radish boa and my 6-year-old granddaughter insists that her mother wear the pizza scarf when they go out for pizza! She has dedicated her newest book, Crocheted Abode A La Mode , to keeping the home cozy and "yummy"with 20 food-themed crochet patterns that transform the adorable style of amigurumi to useful items for the house. Admittedly, I am probably not fun-loving enough to appreciate Twinkie's creative spirit when it come to MY home decor. I don't have a strong need to transform my living space into something "delicious." However, if you are like me, try applying some of your own creativity to these patterns. Rather than used as a toiletpaper cozy, any child would love a crocheted birthday cake that becomes an annual tradition at ...

Monday, December 23, 2013 There is nothing like a holiday party filled with crocheters and their stash of creations that become gifts to their fellow stitchers! This year I belong to two chapters: my go-to Northern IL Chapter and my new neighborhood chapter: Chicago Crochet Connections, so it was twice the fun! On December 8th in Chicago: 4 of us "connected" at the CCC chapter. It was a horrible Sunday afternoon, snowing and slushy so the group was small. Crocheters are not ones to let a little weather keep them away; so maybe it was the ticking of time and fewer shopping days this year! Chicago Crochet Connection On December 14 in Rolling Meadows: We always have a beautiful spread of each member's best treats. Whoever wants to bring a crocheted gift joins in on our very exuberant "exchange a gift and steal" tradition. This year I got a lovely cup and saucer with "hot chocolate on a stick." It was from Anthropologie, which I love, and was e...

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Feeding Alice - A Love Story by Shelly Schachter My blog has always been about family, life and the intermingling of crochet into my everyday functioning. For my brother-in-law, Shelly, life is about food; and more importantly, life is about showing his love for his wife with creativity in the kitchen.  This full-color, self-published book is a feast for the eyes and a smorgasbord of taste-tempting recipes. The life Shelly and Alice have created in picturesque Carmel Valley, California has evolved over many years. The fantasy-like setting and the colorful, seemingly perfect meals that are pictured did not happen magically. Much dirt under the fingernails, sweat on the brow, and experimentation in the kitchen brought this book to fruition. Shelly is a house-husband who manages the home fires while Alice assumes her high-pressure executive duties. He works the soil caressed by the California sun; he prunes and harvests; he plays in the kitchen. B...

Tuesday, March 5, 2012 Every other Thursday I walk with dear friends, Debbie and Rita, in the Forest Preserve. Yes, I live in Chicagoland but we are privileged to have acreage set aside for recreation and land preservation with wonderful walk/bike paths.  Here we are last week between snow storms. The paths were not plowed because they leave them for the snow shoe/skiers. It was rough walking and great exercise for the legs! As we started we saw a larger herd of elk than usual. They are so interesting As predicted, we are enjoying a huge snow storm with 6 to 10 inches expected. Is it the last storm of March, or knowing Chicago, just the next. I love a snow day; it's like a freeby from responsibility and it brings thoughts of a warm fire crackling, a pot of soup on the stove and warm slippers. I'm spending today enjoying what I have to get done and  not feeling pressured. Speaking of soup, one of the projects I've been working on is my new display fo...

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Here in Ajijic, the days preceding Lent are celebratory and full of interesting activities like parades, art shows, mariachis and other type bands in the plaza, plus storing up the fat before the fast with lots of eating and drinking!Men seem to enjoy dressing up like women at the parades. I think they signify the devil/evil then are transformed to good. The pictures tell the story better than words. Men on stilts. How do they do that on the cobblestones of Ajijic? Broken ankles are the most common mishaps here due to the uneven cobblestones! Peacock float. Men discovering their inner feminist! Fish float. Disney inspired; I see Cinderella. Just regular horses. We hear them clip-clop past our house morning and evening.