New in Shop~

DIY Vintage ornaments!

And a few finished:

Find them here

New in the shop...

Find it here.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

Super easy.

Not too sweet.

Delicious!

After an incredibly busy weekend, I was craving something "chocolaty" but not too much trouble to make.

These were perfect.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

6 squares (1 oz each) semi-sweet chocolate

1/3 cup butter

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 2/3 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup mini chocolate chips (standard size work fine as well)

Preheat oven to 400.

Over low heat, melt chocolate squares with butter.

Let stand off heat about 10 minutes to cool. (Can put in refrigerator as well.)

Lightly beat egg.

Stir together the chocolate-butter mixture, buttermilk, sugar, egg and vanilla until well blended.

In another bowl, stir together the flour, salt and baking soda.

Make a "hole" in the center of the dry ingredients.

Add the wet ingredients until just combined.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Fill paper lined muffin cups about 3/4 full and bake at 400.

Cook until done using the toothpick test.

Day in Photos

~My kids never miss their morning appointment with Mario.~

~The Ganache topped Bittersweet brownies are made for tonight's company.~

~Preparing to wash 1, 673, 986 dishes by hand.

No, we do not have a dishwasher.

Thank you paranoid landlord.~

~ May I join you, Opal?~

~Enjoying Snicker's Icebox Pie with friends~

Winner!!!!

First, let me say thanks to all of you who entered

the contest for $20 worth of fabric from Fabrics Boutique!

And a BIG thank you to Mary of Fabrics Boutique for

providing the gift certificate!

And the winner is:

(Thanks to Zachary for drawing the name for me!)

Congratulations to PuffPastryShop!

I'll be in contact with you so you can pick out some

delicious fabric!

Please continue to shop at Fabrics Boutique for a great variety of fabric and patterns!

On another note, I just finished reading this:

HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended!

(But have an entire box of tissue handy)

Cheers~

School's Out for Summer~ And a Giveaway!

The kids got out of school yesterday which means the fighting began at 8 am sharp.

I think it had something to do with Lucas's feet finding their way onto Zachary's blanket.

I plan on doing a lot of sewing and cooking this summer.

I will probably do more refereeing.

If your Summer plans include crafting and sewing, have I got a giveaway for you!

Mary of Fabrics Boutique has GENEROUSLY offered one of you, my sweet readers, a gift certificate for $20 to her shop!

Which means you can get your hands on A LOT of fabric or supplies for your summer projects!

I'll be honest, several thoughts went through my mind when I found out about Mary's generosity:

*I wonder if it's unethical to enter your own giveaway?

*Maybe Josh would like to enter this giveaway.

Zachary and Lucas too. They like fabric.

I've decided to play fair.

However, if my sweet sister who does not sew would like to enter this giveaway I want to remind her that she is welcome to. I'm sure she could find a loved one to mail the gift certificate to. ;)

Ok~ Just let me know your favorite listing at Fabrics Boutique in the comments below. That's it. You each get one shot. I'll announce the winner late Tuesday.

Get to know Mary better:

Believe it or not my background is actually in science. I was an environmental toxicologist for over 11 years and for then taught secondary for seven years. Five years ago ago my youngest son was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy resulting from a prenatal stroke. What a blessing his condition was diagnosed early! However, it became increasingly difficult to meet my teaching obligations and take my son to his physical and occupational therapy appointments (twice a week, two hours round trip for each visit), doctor's appointments, etc. So in June 2006, I "retired" from teaching to be with my son. However, due to economic conditions I have had to return to teaching part-time. During all of this time I also owned two antique shops and a gift shop. So within a couple of months of retiring from teaching, I was looking for something I could do from home to stay busy and bring in some extra income. My mother taught me (and my daughter) to sew at an early age and I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. I collect handmade papers and fabrics--although I usually don't have a project in mind when I buy them. (LOL You sewers and scrapbookers with a stash that is taking over your living space understand what I mean! ) I also love vintage and antique linens, porcelain, china, flowers, tea time etc. So in October 2006 I opened Sew Graceful. Although my emphasis is on quilt shop quality fabrics and patterns, vintage linens, and handcrafted soft goods...every once in a while you will also find some estate sale treasures-- fine porcelain and china, tea time treasures, and romantic cottage decor and personal accessories.

Thanks again, Mary!!!!!