New Patterns + Free Chart

There are 2 NEW patterns now available at the webshop! Hope you like them ~ the first is the fourth 'Clara' design in this yesteryear series of journal samplers. The second new release evokes sweet affection for any holiday of the heart.

Clara's Knitting Sampler 1891
Design by Tanya Marie Willis Anderson
Copyright 2011 The Sampler Girl

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You are the only Fish in the Sea
Design by Tanya Marie Willis Anderson
Copyright 2011 The Sampler Girl

. . . and . . .
Believe it or not, tomorrow is December 1st!
Tis the season to spread joy.

**BELIEVE**

Design by Tanya Marie Willis Anderson copyright 2009 reissued here
as a FREE CHART ~ NOT FOR RESALE.
(Click chart to enlarge)

food, glorious food

Thanksgiving was warm here ~ in the 70s! We had a fantastic meal at my parents house last night and happy to report the leftovers have already been opened even though after that big a meal, one would think they could never eat again. Ever. It's still in the 70s today and doesn't quite weather-feel like the start of the Christmas season but I've started putting away the Fall things already, cleaning house, and bringing out a touch of red and green anyway.

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If you click these, you will be taken to their recipes ~ each were delicious!!
Pumpkin Pie Dip
Served with ginger thins, mini nilla wafers, wheat thins, and apple slices
Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
I could not stop eating this! Lordy, it is amazing. Didn't add the jalapeno pepper because it was kicked up just right - I'm making it again for Christmas!
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Sooooooooo creamy and good.

Mom made this absolutely fabulous pecan pie ~ she said the recipe was on the Karo syrup label; I found it online HERE. She used Light instead of the Dark syrup - this pie was an out of body experience kinda good!

My brother and his fiance's dogs, Hazel and Sophie, came as well and thoroughly enjoyed the turkey! It was priceless watching them sit by the table for their portions :)

happy thanksgiving

I am so very thankful for all my blessings. Love to you and your dear ones this holiday season. Eat up!

slow cooker garlic chicken

The recipe is from the December 2011 issue of Everyday Food (the cute little recipe magazine from Martha Stewart) that came in the mail yesterday. As I quickly browsed through it last night, I knew this was to be dinner tonight. YUM!!



Slow-Cooker Garlic Chicken

serves 4


1 whole chicken (3.5 - 4lbs), cut up and patted dry

coarse salt and ground black pepper

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, halved and sliced thin

6 garlic cloves, halved

2 teaspoon dried thyme


1 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc

1/3 cup all purpose flour

fresh Italian parsley for serving



Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In large skillet, heat olive oil aver medium-high. Cook chicken, skin side down, until skin is golden brown, about 5 minutes.



Combine onion slices, garlic, and dried thyme in crockpot and season with salt and black pepper. Top with chicken pieces, skin side up, in a tight layer. In small bowl, whisk together wine and flour until smooth and add to crockpot. 

Cover and cook on High until chicken is tender, about 3.5 hours (or 7 hours on Low).



Serve chicken (sprinkled with fresh parsley) and sauce over rice or couscous.

thankful

So many things to be thankful ~ it's been a rain (downpour at times) mixed with sun kinda-of year here but sometimes those can be the sweetest to the heart's memory.

Happy Thanksgiving ~ may you be loved greatly and blessed abundantly.

nov 16

Dear Blog,

It's raining heavily and the leaves are sitting in big wet piles scattered everywhere I look. I'm convinced the leaves are bigger this year than last. They are. I am sure the squirrels have something to do with that. Yes, it all comes back to the squirrels. It's Wednesday and the week doesn't feel like it's completely started but glad to see it's nearly at weeks end anyway. Since I last wrote ...

*My husband has surgery next week on his ring finger (finger fracture & tendon avulsion) ... poor thing!
*My middle schooler made Honor Roll!
*My preschooler told me I was a good girl for washing my hands.
*My Kindle has been my workout companion even more lately which makes the treadmill time go faster! The desire for a Kindle Fire is growing ....
*Forced to watch a Ghost Adventure show on Gettysburg and actually liked it but don't tell the guys that.
*Volunteering for the upcoming school book fair has become more a bother than I had hoped but it will be fun, it will be fun ... it will. The posters I'm making are cool - it will be fun. You get the mantra.
*Trumpet practicing turned to duets with Ben as I played the piano which have been golden moments for me, if not really loud.
*I joined a ladies singing group at church and really like it! We sang twice this past Sunday and I must sing ok because they didn't kick me out yet.
*Ended the baseball season with a parents v. kids baseball game; I had a single - yay! The parents won - so much fun on a gorgeous Fall afternoon.
*Actually won several games at Words with Friends instead of being creamed.
*Laughed I cried so hard reading a book.
*My little brother is 35 TODAY!

I know I'm missing a bunch of things but you know how a week goes -- whoosh, like the wind! Till next time, dear Blog ... thank you for being here for me. Time to pick up Zack from preschool and hear about his day as well as his demand for lunch.
Tanya

C'est Noel, a free pattern

Christmas will be here next month! Oh my goodness ... time to make ornaments. Here's a free chart for you to enjoy!

::C'est Noel::
copyright 2011
Designed by Tanya Marie Willis Anderson
The Sampler Girl
CLICK ON CHART TO ENLARGE!

cheerful company

My boys have a long weekend as the new school quarter begins on Wednesday. Didn't school just start?? Anyway, we're off to enjoy this beautiful Autumn day and embrace a few fallen leaves, some yummy Chick Fil A sammies, and catch some laughter in the sunshine. May you find some Cheerful Company this week ahead. Mine will be zany but blessed. I wish you the same ... if less on the zany.

I Wish You Joy, a Jane Austen Souvenir ~ new pattern!

It's been awhile since I've released a new pattern! I've oodles of ideas floating around this mommy brain of mine and more of them jotted down in my journals and sketch pads that clutter the studio desk.

A few months ago I came across a poem by Jane Austen to her brother, Frank, which was quite lengthy but had a short and strong sentence, I wish you joy. That's all we really want, isn't it? Someone to wish us joy, happiness, good fortune in our busy path down life's road. To make us content in knowing someone is thinking of us and wishing us good thoughts. So this design is simple and sweet - one that can be stitched for just about any occasion. (The linen banding used for the model is also available on website for purchase.)

I Wish You Joy, a Jane Austen Souvenir
copyright 2011
Designed by Tanya Marie Willis Anderson
The Sampler Girl

Click HERE for details on the pattern.

Happy Week-end!

oh i love this time of year

This morning I skipped my gym visit and cleaned house ~ opened the front door and let some fresh Autumn air in. Such a beautiful day here ~ lots of sunshine, crisp breeze and leaves cascading down at all angles. All the Halloween stuff is put away and the Thanksgiving stuff is starting to make its way out and about. Here is a little sampling ...

Hope your November is off to a thankful, cosy start. Mine sure is!

remembering

This year has surely had its share of sorrow for our family. In the past 10 months, my paternal grandfather, my mother in law, my paternal grandmother, and my great aunt have passed away in addition to five friends in the community. My mother always says that God never gives you more than you can handle but I keep saying I've reached my limit!

On this November 1st, All Saints Day, I remember those who have passed on who have been dear to me and while we weep for those not here with us anymore, we wrap their memories around us for warmth and know inside they are always there with us.

This is a beautiful engraving on my Uncle's grave:
And when I come, I will put on your grave a bouquet of green holly and heather in flower
It is the end of a translated poem by Victor Hugo for his daughter who had died. My Uncle died in a car accident when he was 19 years old in 1971; I was a baby so don't remember him. My paternal grandmother who passed away in September is with him now and that makes me happy for them both.

May your life be full and blessed with love and laughter.