Sunday, October 25, 2015

Much Ado About Monday {No.131}

Happy, happy Monday everyone!


I can't believe Halloween is this weekend!!! We had a wonderful weekend just relaxing, getting together with friends, and pumpkin carving with the kiddos while it rained. Oh and there were plenty of hours spent on a costume for a certain little boy. Thor has proven to be a bit difficult! And since we have a costume party to go to, my hubby and I are dressing up. Fingers crossed that I can get everything done in time...
This week has also been Halloween focused with me sharing a delicious recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds. We made them with the seeds from our jack-o-lanterns this weekend, and they're completely gone... devoured in one day!



We loved all of the awesome posts that you guys shared, and to continue the pumpkin theme, here were our favorites.



Jamie's Pick: Mason Jar Ring Pumpkin via Refresh Living

Jill's Pick: Yarn Wrapped Pumpkins via Karen's Up On the Hill

Lydia's Pick: DIY Sweater Pumpkins via Twelve On Main

And our most viewed post of the week was:


Bacon Wrapped Chicken via Simply Stacie



Congratulations to all of our featured bloggers!! Make sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog.







 Now let's get ready to party!

The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

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*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram, and Google+
* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!
* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+
* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.
* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.
* You may link up to three posts a week!
* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.
* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by to party with us!! 




Friday, October 23, 2015

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds {Recipe}

Hi again! 

This week, I wanted to share with you this amazing recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds. With Halloween right around the corner, chances are, you're carving pumpkins, and you'll be searching for the best recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds. Well look no further, because this is it, the tastiest roasted pumpkin seeds you'll ever make. Promise!



I'm not going to lie, these may not be the healthiest pumpkin seeds in the world, but they only come around once a year in our household, so they're a special treat. What's my secret? Butter. And really not that much, but it definitely makes these pumpkin seeds. So if you dare, try out this savory fall treat... you know you want to!

What you'll need:
1 cup of pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp melted butter
fine grain salt

Part 1: Separating the seeds from the pulp
We like to get everyone involved in pumpkin carving around here. And when your 2 and 3 year olds are tasked with seed sorting, they tend to leave a little pulp stuck to the seeds. I guess I can't complain about free labor ;-)  A great way to separate your seeds is to soak them in water. Just soak the seeds in warm water for a few minutes and rinse a couple times. Drain, place onto paper towels, and pat dry. 

Part 2: Seasoning 
Place your pumpkin seeds into a bowl, and for every one cup of seeds, add two tablespoons of melted butter. We had three cups, but I only used four tablespoons and it was enough. I've tried the method where you sautee them in butter, but it really doesn't make a difference and dirties an extra pan. Add fine grain salt, to taste. Personally, I always add a little extra salt because it all isn't going to stick, right? 

Part 3: Roasting
Line a jellyroll pan or baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the seeds into a thin layer. In a 300 degree oven, roast your pumpkin seeds for about 40 minutes, stirring about 2 times. Wait until the edges are turning a nice golden brown. Once they're finished baking, toss them into a bowl lined with paper towels. 




Part 4: Enjoy!
We enjoyed our pumpkin seeds while we watched an outdoor theatre production of The Addam's Family. Needless to say, our seeds were gone by the end of the show! And we've got some pretty fun jack-o-lanterns to show for it too!



Sunday, October 18, 2015

Much Ado About Monday {No.130}

Happy, happy Monday everyone!


This past week was pretty special as my oldest baby girl celebrated her 6th birthday. I'm still trying to figure out how she went from the sweetest little squish to this beautiful and kind little girl so quickly. Watching her change and grow is so overwhelmingly wonderful, but seriously, can time just slow down a little... just a bit, please?


Because we are Canadian and the Toronto Blue Jays made it to the playoffs, we decided that a fun way to celebrate her birthday would be to drive up to Dallas and watch the Jays take on the Texas Rangers. It was a ton of fun and I'm really glad we made the trip. :)


This week has also been Halloween focused with me sharing a super cute free pattern for a Crochet Ghost Knot Hat. It whips up pretty quickly so you'll have plenty of time before Halloween to get one done. :)


We loved all of the 'spook'tacular posts that you guys shared as well, and here were our favourites.


Jamie's Pick: Halloween Full Moon Marquee Sign via Fynes Designs

Jill's Pick: DIY Mummy Bowls via Love Create Celebrate

Lydia's Pick: DIY Pumpkin Dog Treats via Living La Vida Holoka

And our most viewed post of the week was:

Stuffing Muffins via made with Happy


Congratulations to all of our featured bloggers!! Make sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog.







 Now let's get ready to party!

The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

Follow on Bloglovin




*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram, and Google+
* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!
* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+
* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.
* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.
* You may link up to three posts a week!
* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.
* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by to party with us!! 





Thursday, October 15, 2015

Crochet Ghost Knot Hat {free pattern}


Halloween is just around the corner and if you haven't yet started on your kiddos Halloween costume, now is definitely the time! If you're looking for something fairly simple, and simply adorable then this little crochet ghost knot hat that I created is the perfect costume for your little one. Just pair this hat with a white onesie (or pants and l/s shirt, in the cooler areas) and you've got yourself a 'spook'tacular little ghost.


Can't Get Started Without: 
~worsted weight yarn in black and white (I used I Love This Yarn 'Super Soft')
~a US H/5.5 mm crochet hook
~tapestry needle

Stitches and abbreviations you will need to know for this pattern:
~magic ring
~SC- single crochet
~HDC-half double crochet
~DC-double crochet

Hat:
**at the end of each round DO NOT join to the first stitch, just continue to DC into first stitch at the beginning of each round** (this helps to eliminate a seam in the back of the hat)**

With white yarn, start by making a magic ring; ch2, 6 HDC in magic ring
Round 2: HDC in each stitch around (4HDC)
Round 3: *2HDC in first stitch, HDC in next stitch; repeat from * around (6HDC)
Round 4-10: HDC in each stitch around (6 HDC)  
Round 11: *2HDC in first stitch, HDC in next 2 stitches; repeat from * around (8HDC)
Round 12-18: HDC in each stitch around (8HDC)



The top part if the hat is now done. 


At this point you can tie it into a knot or wait until the hat is a little further along. I chose to tie my knot once I was a few rounds down to keep the piece out of my way.

Round 19: 2HDC in each stitch around (16HDC)
Round 20: *2HDC in first stitch, HDC in next stitch; repeat from * around (24HDC)
Round 21:*2HDC in first stitch, HDC in next 2 stitches; repeat from * around (32HDC)
Round 22: *2HDC in first stitch, HDC in next 3 stitches; repeat from * around (40HDC)
Round 23:*2HDC in first stitch, HDC in next 3 stitches; repeat from * around (50 HDC)
Round 24-39: HDC in each stitch around (50 HDC)

The hat will be very long, but don't panic.


You need those few extra rows to give the hat a rolled brim.

See, much better!



Eyes (make 2):
With black yarn CH 9,
Round 1: HDC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in next 6 stitch, 2HDC in last ch from hook; continue working around back side of chain. HDC in next 7 stitches. Join with first st. 
Round 2: 2 HDC in first stitch, 2 HDC, SC, HDC, ch2, HDC in same stitch, SC in next 4 stitches, 2DC in next 3 stitches, SC in next 2 stitches, 2DC in next 2 stitches, SC in next 3 stitches, join with first stitch.


Smile:
With black yarn CH 10

Now that your eyes and smile are finished all you need to do is sew them onto your hat. I wanted my eyes to look more ghostly so I turned one of the eyes upside down so that they were not exactly the same on each side. Ghosts are a little mischievious so I decided to give mine a little side smirk, but feel free to place your ghosts mouth wherever you'd like. :)


And there you have it, a really cute and pretty simple Crochet Ghost Knot Hat. 


I love how it turned out, 


and my little miss sure liked modeling it for me. :)

I hope this little ghostie will get you inspired and on your way to being ready for Halloween. Make sure to check back soon for another free Halloween crochet hat. I promise, it'll be worth it!! ;)

*** You may make and sell products from my patterns, but if you do, I ask that you link back to my post.Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.***

This post was originally shared at From Gardeners to Bergers as a guest post.




Sunday, October 11, 2015

Much Ado About Monday {No.129}

Hi Y'all!

Thanks so much for stopping by our weekly link party! We had such a great fall weekend, even if the weather in Texas didn't reflect it! Our neighborhood had a fall festival complete with pumpkin decorating, hay rides, and face-painting. It was super fun relaxing and now I've just got to play catch up with Halloween costumes. 


This week, we shared 15 spook-tacular party ideas! Check them out here.

And now onto the party! We loved checking out all that you guys had to share and here are a few of our favorites...


Jill's pick: Glitter Frosted Pumpkins via Bre Pea
Lydia's pick: Flat Front Panel Skirt via Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
Jamie's pick: DIY Fabric Pumpkins via Sweet Little Ones

And the most viewed link...




How to Make a Watercolored Leaf Card via Little Girl Designs

Congratulations to all of our featured bloggers!! Make sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog.




 Now let's get ready to party!

The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

Follow on Bloglovin




*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram, and Google+
* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!
* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+
* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.
* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.
* You may link up to three posts a week!
* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.
* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by to party with us!!