fancy little fellow

I've always loved the idea of peek-a-boo mugs, those mugs with funny little creatures at the bottom who suddenly become apparent as you drink down the coffee/tea/cocoa/other hot beverage. They are so charming, yet, at the same time, a little bit startling(which can be thrilling to those of us who are rather faint of heart).

So, for Christmas, my sweet friend Christy read my little heart's dearest desire and gave me a beautiful white mug with a fancy little owl fellow who sits deep inside the basin and peeks up at me as I drink my tea. He is rather hard to photograph since he is the same white at the mug, but I have been enjoying his company at tea time so very much lately that I just had to post a few photos. I love him so!

A wee cup o' cocoa

This tiny cup of hot cocoa may not look very important, but she actually represents something much bigger, at least much bigger to me. She is the very first Amigurumi(tiny crocheted creature) that I've made entirely on my own and been perfectly happy with the end result.



Like baking homemade bread, making Amigurumi was one of those life goals that I simply never thought I'd be able to achieve, but, once again, my mother came to the rescue. This year, she gave me a book on making Amigurumi for Christmas, and after my initial reaction of deep despair and sighing over the fact that I'd never be able to create such adorable, sweet creatures, she showed me just how very easy it is to crochet these tiny friends.


Thomas Keller's ultra chocolately, but ever so slightly salty cookies. Just perfect to eat with a wee cup of hot cocoa.

The truth is that, unbeknownst to my mother, I've had Amigurumi on my mind for several years now. My initial introduction to the concept came from one of my all time favorite food blogs (odd, I know), Chocolate and Zucchini. Some time after that, Matthew gave me two darling books on the subject as Christmas gifts, but I quietly put them aside after drooling through them. They were just too hard for me to tackle and, honestly, I had completely forgotten how to properly crochet and certainly wasn't going to begin to learn knitting.



In the end, my mother sat me down and helped me make my first little friend, a cheerful snake(I knew Matthew would love a wee snake for his friend). Once I finished the snake, I felt brave enough to try making a little mouse on my very own, alas, but I needed her assistance for my second little project.


yum, a carrot!

It doesn't seem as though it will hurt me?

Oh, yes! This was a delicious idea!

Once I came home after the holidays, my mother wasn't around to help me through the more difficult parts of crocheting these little cuties, but she had already given me the confidence that I needed to continue on my own.



At last! I succeeded. Maybe my baby Elephant wasn't the best that I felt I could do, but she was my very first on-my-own Amigurumi. Finally, with the little Cocoa Cup, I happily finished crocheting her and felt that at last I'd overcome another of those insurmountable accomplishments that those of us with small, quiet lives tend to aspire to. So, I've tucked bread baking and Amigurumi under my little pink belt; who knows what else I may learn to do next year!

Images of a happy Christmas

Below are a few Images from my cheerful Christmas. Yes, I actually did enjoy Christmas this year! So weird, I know!


Mistletoe reflecting in a silver dish. Sadly, this bunch of mistletoe wasn't hanging in a doorway, therefore, no cheerful Christmas kiss. Maybe next year!


A basket of Christmas crackers. So much fun from such a small and silly toy.


A delicious, juicy pear crostata - My Grandmother and I baked it together. It reminded me of all the amazing things she taught me when we would make cookies, pies and cakes together when I was a child.


The Little disapproving owl - I found him on the window sill and he made my entire day better. I couldn't find him anywhere a few days later; I guess he just came for a Christmas day visit. A much more preferable visitor than Santa (in my opinion).