Starting the year being productive

 Welcome 2022!

Happy New year to everyone!

I hope everyone had blessed holidays in December. I know we sure are blessed. There were cookie parties, games, laughter, love, and some gifts. I do appreciate that getting older it feels so good to be the giver, but I won't turn down a few great gifts.

I am so excited to start my year off being more productive, and hopefully organized. 

I finally got a new desktop computer. Well, new-refurbished, but so far I'm pleased. I mean, it works, and I totally hooked everything up myself. The cords were a pain, but I figured it out in less than a day!

I ended up getting an HP, just because we've had several printers from them, and we've never had a problem with the brand. We just couldn't afford a whole brand-new HP desktop. Hence, eBay refurbished 

It is so nice to jump on here and actually get things done. Not sitting here F bombing under my breath and controlling the urge to throw it out the window! It seriously was so frustrating and a huge setback.

Almost everything I needed to accomplish was computer related.

Whether it was writing for my blog, book reviews, homeschooling material or websites, getting my crochet patterns, materials, etc., it was such a daily struggle! Every. Single. Day.

Now, that the computer issue is solved, I can move along and get productive!

I've already printed out about 4 new crochet patterns. Mostly Valentines and plushies. You can see my inspiration board here:

CWM Crochet Pinterest Board

I'm still in love with the Premier Parfait Chunky yarn. You can go see the snowmen I made with it. They are so soft and snugly!

Snowman Plushie

Oh! I got another great yarn/project organizer for Christmas too!

This one is bigger than my older one, so I can work on bigger projects, or projects with several color skeins at once.

Mine came from AliExpress

I love this site so much! They are the best place to get everything from safety eyes to hooks and stitch markers! I cannot tell you how much I have ordered from them!

I am using my time more wisely, so I've also been working on homeschool for the new year. We pretty much roll our own way, but we definitely use the internet. I find charts, worksheets, classroom decor, record logs, science activities, from TeachersPayTeachers

I do have my own little shop started. Now, I will be able to get more material made, so much faster!

I cannot tell you how excited I am! This truly is a blessing for me and this new year! This computer will absolutely be worth the money!

Look at me making Pinterest pins using Canva!

This is the best site to create all different types of graphics. They even have pre-sized templates, so you can just click what you need(Pin, FB header, etc) and get creating!

So, so worth it.

Now that I have my first official 2022 blog post ready, using my new computer, I can hit publish!

I have lots more to do today! Enjoy the weekend and definitely be watching for posts more frequently!

Crocheting for Christmas and getting caught up. Crochet Snowman Pattern

Christmas Crochet

 Hi Y'all! Wow! How are we so close to the end of this year?!?!

This whole year has flown by. I stay pretty busy throughout the year, so I always feel so rushed towards the end. There is always something I never got around to, or kept putting off for later, thinking that I'd have more time.

You'd think I would realize by now, that isn't going to happen. My 2022 goal is to not overload myself. I want to set realistic goals, work on my time management, and seriously get more organized!

Every year I have this list of projects, whether homeschool, craft, reading, or blogging. I know that they need to be prepared and completed WAY before they are actually useful. (e.g. Christmas things should be finished by Halloween and published)

I know this and I try, but seriously get behind every time. 

This particular crochet post has been in the making for quite some time! The two main reasons I am just posting it late December are, 1. My computer is an old piece of fruitcake! And 2. I am no photographer.

Top of my list is a new desktop. I know, laptops. That just isn't for me. The photos, well I'm learning about light boxes and angles. I'm improving.

On to the crochet...

There are patterns that I absolutely follow to a T. Then there are patterns I play around with and tweak to my liking. Lastly, sometimes, I can just come across a picture of crochet and figure it out blindly, no pattern. I just go with shapes and piecing it together.

The pattern I used for this snowman came from Amigurumiforum.com They have a ton of patterns. I believe, both free and paid.

Honestly, I did pretty much follow this pattern, with the exception I wanted to see it a bit larger, so I went up to an I hook. Although, next time, for the nose and arms, I recommend no bigger than a G

(mine was done accidentally. Just forgot to go down a hook size)

Crochet Snowman Pattern

One of my favorite things about anything that I crochet is being able to choose colors, and customize them the way I want them. This one was super fun. I let my daughters decide the colors for the hats, and scarfs(I altered the "snood"). These are so soft and snuggable.

My new obsession with yarn is the super soft "baby" yarn.

Here are the yarns I used for my snowmen.

Premier Parfait Chunky

in white(body), chocolate(arms), and, tangerine(nose)

This yarn is AMAZING!

Red Heart with Love Metallic

in red and purple

I definitely will be making more of these! I hope you enjoy them as much as we have. Not only that, but I'd love to see pictures if anyone tries this pattern.

Be sure to go see Nataly Dastous and give her credit for the pattern.

She has some great patterns posted.

Happy Crocheting and Happy Holidays!

National Espresso Day(recipes included)

National Espresso Day

November 23, 2021

Did you know there was a day set aside just to celebrate Espresso? Neither did I. 

Espresso is, originally, a type of coffee that is made with a special machine in which the hot water is pressed quickly over the coffee grounds, creating a richer, thicker, and creamier drink.

The word espresso is a borrowed word referring to coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee. The method of quickly pressing is similar to doing what English call "express" or the Italian word "espimere".

The first espresso machine was invented by Luigi Bezzera in Italy, in 1901. His objective was to shorten employee breaks and speed up productivity.

Ok y'all. I am starting this post with one of those I was today years old moments!

How have I gone 41 years, and be an admitted coffee addict, and I did not know you could have an actual Espresso machine in your house!

I mean, I knew there was a special machine and technique, but I did not realize there were different sizes, types, and prices!

When I think of an espresso machine/maker, my mind instantly goes to some massive contraption in a busy little cafe'. All the levers, and gadgets, and the steam!

While doing my research for this post, by simply googling the word espresso, a ton of espresso machine/makers came up under Google shopping!

I mean tons! Big, little, pricey, affordable, electric, stove top...

How did I not know this? I never thought there was such a thing that a middle class household could afford or have the counter space for!

I'm so hooked. I have been now searching, researching, and deciding which one I want! I love the idea of the mini version of an actual café looking espresso machine, like this one,

Farberware traditional espresso maker

or if I want something a little more vintage looking to go better with my kitchen.

Primula stove top 6 cup espresso maker

I have an electric stove, so either choice would technically be using electric, although the first choice claims to have a cup of espresso in under one minute. That leaves the question, speed over aesthetic. For me anyway.

Now that I know we will be adding one of these, you know I had to go over to Pinterest and find some easy and yummy recipes.

And...before I share those, let me just let you in on another little secret. I had no idea that a cappuccino, mocha, macchiato, and lattes, are all  types of espressos, and are made using an espresso machine(jaw drop)

Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Now, I'll share a few recipes with y'all.

Honey Cinnamon Latte

Paris black Chocolate Macchiato

Vanilla Espresso Martini

Y'ALL, I cannot with these recipes! This could quickly become a problem. LOL

As if I need another excuse to live by the name CoffeeWastedMomma!

I'm gonna be unstoppable!

Join me and let's compare. Does anyone already own one? Do you have a favorite recipe?

I would LOVE to know! 

Now, Go celebrate National Espresso Day!