I was having my morning coffee and decided to have an impromptu Halloween sale for you.  Have fun and enjoy shopping!

Etsy Shop at:  https://etsy.com/shop/nestingbyrobin

Are you ready for a little summer shopping? All spring and summer wreaths are 20% off. Plus they are ready to ship at no extra cost to you. That’s right! Free Shipping!

Are you ready to browse? Here is the link to my Etsy Shop. https://www.etsy.com/shop/NestingByRobin

Happy Shopping! – Robin

One of the questions I am asked is where does my inspiration come from when creating. This is a good question. My answer is, multiple places such as memories, traveling, a painting, walking along a river, hiking, or just stumbling across a family heirloom. There are endless opportunities available to bring inspiration to create.

For example this wreath I am highlighting in today’s blog came from a memory of visiting my grandparent’s farm as a child. I loved exploring the barns, riding the tractor through the fields, milking the cows, feeding chickens and riding Granddad’s crazy donkey. I remember during milking time Granddad would sit on his stool. It wasn’t long before the barn cats would come and sit around him. They would just sit waiting for a squirt of milk being shot to them. Best meal ever as they lick their faces and paws! All fun for sure, but my fondest memory was walking to Grandma’s Garden with a basket in hand.

During late spring through fall, Grandma had a roadside stand. Here she would sell her home grown vegetables, fruit, homemade jams, pickles, beets, pumpkin butter and beautiful flowers. She was well known in the county for her garden skills. Believe me Grandma was hard working and very talented. We’ll continue with her story for another time.

During my visit after early breakfast and dishes done, Grandma and I would walk to her garden It was a jaunt from the farmhouse but once you arrived there was a very large garden that was nestled in front of a row of walnut trees. One half of the garden was filled with every type of vegetable, the other half was filled with beautiful, what she would call “wildflowers”. She created a well tended garden, but oh the wildflowers. They grew wild and free with butterflies, hummingbirds and bees all around them. Hanging on a pole in the middle of the garden watching attentively was a scarecrow made with a pair of Granddad’s denim overalls and a flannel shirt. It was a quiet and peaceful place to wander up and down the rows. We would prune and pick for quite awhile. Then I would hear her say, it was time to head back to the house. There we would wash and package our produce, wrap bouquets of flowers, pack her many jars of goodies in baskets and take all of this to set up at the stand. It wasn’t long after that cars from town and neighbors coming on tractors would line up along the road to shop from her stand until she closed.

My inspiration for this wreath? Grandma’s beautiful garden of wildflowers and the scarecrow watching over her labor of love.

Until the next time…Robin

If you are interested in having this wreath as part of your Fall decor, here is the link below: https://www.etsy.com/listing/717753478/fall-wreath-farmhouse-fall-decor?ref=shop_home_active_54&frs=1

There are some exciting changes coming in the near future for Nesting By Robin and me. Although I cannot share with you the wonderful things being planned right at this time, however I do need to prepare. A Clearance Sale is my first action in preparation. This allows me to pass on great savings to you and clear the path for future endeavors.

What’s on sale? All ready to ship Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter/Christmas wreaths are on sale. This does not include custom made wreaths. They are all mark down 15% plus FREE SHIPPING. Who doesn’t like free shipping, right? That alone is big savings these days!

Spread the news, but not before you take advantage of the this sale and receive the savings. This opportunity isn’t going to last long, in fact it all ends July 5th. Visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/NestingByRobin for details.

*All purchases from this sale are final, no refunds will be given.

For future notifications which you will not want to miss out, add yourself to nestingbyrobin.com email list.

Follow me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nestingbyrobin

Earlier in May I made my granddaughter’s teacher a striped beach tote gift card holder which I found on Little Monkey’s blog. You can find this free pattern at http://littlemonkeyscrochet.com/mini-beach-bag-gift-card-h…/.  I loved the bag and colors so much, it inspired me to design an adult size bag.  A couple of nights later I woke from a deep sleep with the pattern formulating in my mind.  I had to get up, rummage the yarn stash, grab my crochet hook and begin putting together what I was envisioning.  Here is the end result.

For your convenience I have included the pattern in this blog post.  Now I am going to admit I don’t write patterns.  I chicken scratch my patterns in code in a wired spiral notebook. The day is going to come when my granddaughters will find this notebook. Together they will have a fun time decoding in the future.  

 So here goes… Forgive me for any errors and please feel free to contact me for any clarification you may need.

Materials:
– I Love This Yarn in turquoise, greymist, and white.  I suggest getting two skeins of each so you can easily pull from the center while crocheting with two strands at once. You can purchase this yarn at Hobby Lobby.

– 2 yards of cotton braided cord, (I purchased at JoAnn’s). 
– Size I (5.5mm) Crochet Hook
– Large Tapestry Needle     – Optional:  Grey twine, charm (purchased at JoAnn’s)

Tote Bag Pattern:
Starting with two strands of Turquoise yarn…
Chain 41, SC in second chain from hook and rest of the way down chain making 5 SC in last chain.
Now working on the other side of chain, SC in each chain making 5 SC in last chain, join to first SC, chain 1 (ch 1 does not count as a stitch).
Round 2: SC in same stitch as ch 1.  SC first 38, 2 SC in next 5 stitches, SC in next 38, 2 SC in next 5 stitches, join, chain 1 (99 SC).
Round 3: SC in first 44, 2 SC in next 5, SC in next 43, 2 SC in next 5, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (109 SC)
Round 4: SC in first 46, 2 SC in next 10, SC in next 45, 2 SC in next 10, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (133)
Round 5: In back loops only, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Round 6-13: Now working in both loops for the rest of the project, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 14-16: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…
Round 17-19: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 20-22: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (133 SC)
Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…
Round 23-25: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 26-28: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…
Round 29-31: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 32-34: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Greymist yarn…
Round 35-37: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 38-40: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Turquoise yarn…
Round 41-46: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Round 47: SC in first 20, chain 2, skip 2, SC in next 25, chain 2, skip 2, SC in 41, chain 2, skip 2, SC in next 25, chain 2, skip 2, SC in last 22 stitches, join, chain 1 (125 SC, 8 chain st)
Round 48: SC in first 20, 2 SC in ch 2 space, SC in next 25, 2 SC in chain 2 space, SC in next 41, 2 SC in chain 2 space, SC in 25, 2 SC in chain 2 space, SC in last 22, join, chain (133 SC)
Round 49-51: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Handles: 2-1 yard of 3/4″ cotton braid cord.  Front side of tote, place one end through 2 chain space and knot, repeat in second chain 2 space.  Back side repeat instructions on wrong side.  Use picture as a guide.   When working with the cord, be sure to secure ends with scotch tape.  This keeps it from unraveling and easier to thread through the chain 2 spaces.

Embellishment:  Cut 3- 12″ strips of grey twine, braid, attach charm, attach to handle.

Hoping this is clear as “mud!”

*** 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.***

Enjoy! ~ Robin

Are you a carrot cake lover? Our family loves this flavorful dessert after an Easter dinner. It’s a traditional must have. The exception is it cannot be any carrot cake. No, it must be a homemade carrot cake made with love. According to the family it is the best carrot cake.

I posted a picture of three pans of freshly baked carrot cake (which was drizzled with a buttermilk glaze), on my Facebook Business page. Oh my, the response from the post was beyond expectation. Many people commented how they love carrot cake and would I share the recipe which my response was “yes”.  So here is the recipe, it is written below.

Best Carrot Cake Recipe

Cake Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 large eggs

2 cups sugar

¾ cup vegetable oil

¾ cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups grated carrot

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple drained

1 (3 ½-ounce) can flaked coconut

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (I use walnuts)

How To Make It

Step 1:  line 3 (9-inch) round cakepans with wax paper; lightly grease and flour was paper.  Set pans aside.

Step 2:  Sir together first 4 ingredients.

Step 3:  Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.  Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended.  Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients.  Pour batter into prepared cakepans.

Step 4:  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Buttermilk Glaze evenly over layers; cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes.  Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.  Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

Buttermilk Glaze

1 cup sugar

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

½ cup buttermilk

½ cup butter or margarine

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How To Make It

Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Boil, stirring often, 4 minutes.  Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.

Cream Cheese Frosting

¾ cup butter or margarine, softened

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

3 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

How To Make It

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Add powder sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.

Have fun baking and enjoying each bite of the wonderful sweet treat!

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/best-carrot-cake

Last night as I watched the ball in Times Square, NYC start to ascend up the tower, I thought the ball seemed brighter this year. Granted this is my mind’s eye, but it was different. As the ball disappeared saying goodbye to 2019 and welcoming 2020 in lights, the world had an epiphany moment. The beginning of a new decade as well as a new year. I wondered if many had the same feelings as myself of new restored hope and faith for the present and future days.

Do you keep a daily journal, (back in the days it was known as a diary)? I admit I try to keep one for each year. There are many days in each journal that were missing. I have kept both biblical and personal journals. Anyway, I pulled a few out last night to reflect and remember the journey I have been following for the past ten years. As I perused, I read documentation of my written prayers, business decisions, and the highs and lows of life. Glaringly, realization came to light that I didn’t record the days of even travel. You know, the days we consider uneventful. Are they? Are they uneventful? Or am I just not taking the few moments to reflect over the entire day and see that small snapshot of a moment. Maybe it was a smile from a stranger, a child or grandchild having a first time experience or maybe it’s a small growth experience. That small little blessing to bring joy, strength, or increase in hope and faith. How many have I overlooked? Too many for sure.

I’m really not sure where this blog is going. Just have thoughts of reflection rolling around with no definitive landing. What I do know, is my new year resolution will be keeping a daily journal “daily”. Each day I am going to commit to silent my mind, reflect and at minimum write a sentence. I really believe this is doable for me. “January 1, 2020. Dear Diary… “

What will your reachable resolution be for 2020 and the years to come? It will definitely be filled with new experiences in your journey of life. Wouldn’t it be fun to write them down?

Happy New Year, Happy New Decade! May the roaring 20’s be filled with blessings of good health, prosperity and a bright future for you and yours. ~ Robin