Happy New Year

Life in 2011 has been full. As the eve of a new year is upon us the sauerkraut and pigs in the blanket are baking in the oven, the potatoes pared, homemade applesauce and rolls. The Italian Wedding cake I make every year is cooling, ready to be frosted soon. The kids take turns every year doing the backward toss of a silver dollar into the batter before baking. After dinner we all get to choose which piece we would like, no worries about making the cake look messy, just pick your piece. If you get the coin it is to bring good fortune in the coming year. I made this tradition up.  Our father always made sure we were holding a piece of silver when the clock struck midnight on new years, this meant good fortune for us. Now I am asleep way before midnight so we do the cake thing. As my daughter put it, "this is not the party house on new years mom!" That was the response when I told her she was more than welcome to have her friends here to welcome in the new year.
Western Reserve Guild in Cleveland is welcoming me to teach the first week of January. We are hooking one of two patterns of Deanne Fitzpatricks. I am presenting on thursday highlights from my trips to Nova Scotia to Deanne's shop. What a treat it is to go there.
The following week we start up here in Ashland for a new year of open classes. It will be good to highlight everyone's holiday highlights.
Beginning in March I will offer a two Saturday class on Hooking Samplers.  March24  and April 28. from 11am-4pm each SaturdayWe will use a pattern from Nola. I have a brochure printed up if anyone is interested in joining us in Vermilion, Oh at the Chairmaker and Friends Shop on Liberty St. 216-905-2300. Call to sign up by February 15 and order a pattern.
Norwalk, OH in January we will hook a snowman mat at the Senior Center (130 Shady Lane)
Date Saturday, January 21 at 10am. Contact the center if you would like to join us. 419-668-6245.