Hello October!

Happy October everyone! Although it's 80 degrees today in Southern California, the pumpkin patches are officially open. We love all things pumpkin: pumpkin carving, pumpkin eating, even pumpkin pasta making! But 1st, we have to go pick out our pumpkin. So, how are you going to decorate your pumpkin this year? We're still thinking about ours. Hmmm.... Ideas?

BTW, for those of you in the Southern California area this weekend, we'll be vending @ the 1st ever Patchwork Show Edible Edition in SOCO located off the 405 in Costa Mesa.

It's going to be a spectacular event! The events calendar looks so (fabulously) crazy! Bread, Cheese, Meats, Kimchi, Cottage Law and so much more.

Nicole and Delilah have done a fabulous job lining up presenters, speakers and DIY activities to cater to everyone! Hope to see you there!

xo hallo jak

Take 5: Homemade Ice Cream

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

via

September and Labor Day are just around the corner! It been so mild in July and Aug that I'm kinda scared of what Sept will bring.

 

To prepare, I'm stocking up on some HOMEMADE ice cream. Nothing cools me down faster! Except maybe a dunk in the pool.

 

I love ice cream and it's fun making your own. I start off with an ice cream base from Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream. If you haven't tasted her flavors, you are missing out! Her secret ingredient.... Cream Cheese! Her base has no eggs so no worrying about cooking it and ending up with lumps. Also perfect for vegetarians.

 

Here are the links for some variations.

 

1. Kona Stout Ice Cream

 

2. Blackstrap Praline Ice Cream

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Salty Caramel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Coffee Ice Cream

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Backyard Mint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you give the recipes a try!

 

xo hallo jak

Take 5: Car Trip Crafts

With summer quickly coming to an end, sis and I are trying to get in the last of our road trips for the season.

The dessert is our next destination. Since we're gonna be on the road for 5 hours (each way), I've been collecting ideas (via Pinterest, of course!) on how to keep my hands busy with something creative and pretty.

Top 5 (so far) are:

1. Crochet Bunting
     no tutorial on this one, but it looks like a series of increasing dc's.

2. Spool Strip Tease Embroidery by maximumrabbitdesign
     the name makes me giggle!

3. Hexagon Embroidery by ladyface
     really liking the clean lines and use of color.

4. Fox Embroidery on goodsmiths
     all over the place right now!

5. Granny Squares by Sarah London

     So convenient since they can be made individually and then put together later.

     Perfect for blankets, afghans, edging on table cloths, pillows, stool covers, etc



 

FieldTrip Friday: Poketo and LA Food Swap

How did we get to August already?!

 

A couple months ago (like in June!) , we got the opportunity to participate in LA Food Swap held @ Poketo.

Fun times! A great venue and a great event @ the same time! Sign me up!!!

 

First, the venue. Poketo is just plain fun! Their flagship store in the bustling fringes of Japantown in LA is stocked with highly curated, beautiful, handmade, practical pieces. They really support local artisans and their crafts. You will definitely find something here that you can't live without. If your more of a DIY-er, they have a diverse list of classes.

 

Now, for the Food Swap. The main concept of the food swap is to SHARE and build a sense of community. Just one main rule: you have to have made, foraged, or grown the items that you are trading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our grown item of choice: Kumquats. Out trees were bursting @ the seams and we can only eat, candy, and bake so much. We'll share!!

 

There were lots of items to choose from and trade for: honey, fresh eggs, veggies, jams, jellies, kombucha, chili oil, granola, breads, cookies.

 

The swap is approx. 2 hrs and broken down to a couple of parts: setup, tasting, deciding which items you want to swap for, making offers (this is when it becomes a little frenzied since everyone is running around trying to get what they want and hoping that their trade will be accepted), packing up and clean up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't he a cutie!

 

 

Here's the basket of all our goodies! It was happy eating for weeks!

 



There are food swaps going on all around! It's a great way to share what you have and try something new!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

xo hallo jak

  

 



Happy Monday! Hope the beginning of the week is a good one for you guys.

I've had an busy last couple of days and woke up TIRED this morning. Let's just say that the coffee maker and I are sharing a strong kinship today.

Wanted to share Sarah London's great blog! She has FREE granny square patterns every Monday. It's my perfect way to start out the week! Crochet Talk is perfect for any crochet-er. She goes over the different components of crochet; ie stitches, terminology, etc.

Check out the darling crown she made to commemorate the birth of Prince George Alexander Louis!
Adorable!



Her Square for this week:

Hope you're inspired!

xoxo  hallo jak    

Happy Monday!

                             Ranunculus bouquet
                                   via pinterest

 

 

xo hallo jak

Happy Monday!

Hope everyone had a fruitful and relaxing 4 day weekend!
It's back to the weekly grind again.

A little something to make your Monday happy, sweet and hopefully, COOL!
It's reaching into the 100's here in So Cal. I gotta remember to stay hydrated.

                                         via

 

xo hallo jak