Pie hunting, etc.

Happy Sunday!  Before I get too far into this post I'm going to let you know I'm one of those sad people who loves planning WAY ahead.  I mean it's September and I'm already thinking about Thanksgiving, never mind Halloween of course.

Thanksgiving.  For those of you who don't know Thanksgiving is and American Holliday about giving thanks for Indians helping pilgrims and stuff but the main reason I enjoy Thanksgiving is the Thanksgiving meal itself and the FOOD!  Even just making the food.  

It's always weird celebrating Thanksgiving in Northern Ireland.  I've spent several Thanksgivings in school.  Doing tests and stuff seems to dampen the whole holiday spirit.  To most people here it's just like any other day.  Our family may not have a super traditional Thanksgiving but it's still special because almost everyone in the family pitches out with the food.  My younger sister makes to die for twice baked potatoes with bacon and last year my little brother helped make rolls.  Dad typically makes Turkey and the rest of the sides are prepared by Mom and Dad.  

My thing is to contribute to the meal by making pie.  Last year it was a Banoffee (which was a decent success) but I have not yet decided on this years pie so I'm scanning pinterest for a solution.  I like to go for pies that aren't super traditional.  

These are my pie suitability requirements:

1. It must have multiple flavours.

2. It must look really yummy in pictures.

3. It can't be a pie I've made before.

These are the contestants so far in my conquest for good pie from various baking blogs around the web...

1.Ricotta Chocolate Chip Pie

2. Lemon Blueberry Buttermilk Pie

3.  Rhubarb Apple Pie

So that's my pie planning, I think I'll need some advice from the family (They're all very harsh pie critics of course)  I'm not kidding, something tells me the whole rhubarb idea WOULD NOT go down well with most of the family but at least it would be a hit with my parents.  I think I should be able to come to a conclusion before Thanksgiving arrives

-Madsyroo xx

Tumbler Cozies and stuff like that...

School arrived a little while ago, which means I've been pretty busy but I also had time to whip up some tumbler cosies/sleeves.  You want to know why I love making them?  They're easy!  That and you don't need a pattern!

I was actually searching for a mug cosy pattern, when I stumbled upon an adorable tumbler cosy pattern and realised that would be a lot easier (I'm lazy when it comes to crocheting stuff).

Unfortunately my computer stopped working during the day but I managed to make some anyway.  I just chained as much as I needed around a Starbucks tumbler laying around in our house and double crocheted around until it was the height I wanted.  Later I got more creative, tried other yarns and added bows and faces.

Ta da!  I'm now selling them to raise money for the missions trip my youth group is going on next summer.  We're going somewhere in Europe, but we're not sure which country yet.  I can't wait!  I think I'll freak out.  It'll be my first foreign trip with out parents and travelling is one of my favourite things.

Anyways, that's one thing I've been up to lately.  Today at one point or another I'll probably sit down with a cup of tea, and make a few more while I'm watching some cheesy TV show.  Bye!

 -Madsyroo xx