About Loops A Daisies

About Loops A Daisies

Loops A Daisies is the name of my little business started May 2013.

Lattice Inifinity scarf (60+ inches) with attached flower
in Dark Chocolate
$33 ($30 without flower)

I make and sell handmade crochet items from my home and at a local coffee shop (392 Caffe) here in Clinton, Iowa, a small town on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River.

This past holiday season brought an unexpected, but delightful response from locals and online friends who purchased items from my "store" (my Facebook page).  I kept very busy, but was never overwhelmed.  I'm very grateful to all who decided to purchase something from my shop. Several customers sent me encouraging messages telling me how much they loved their scarves, hats, coffee cozies... and how impressed they were with the quality of my work.  I so appreciate this feedback.

At least once a week you can find me sitting at 392 with my big bags of yarn, crocheting my little heart out.  I absolutely LOVE working at the coffee shop.  It's like a huge family where everyone gets to feel welcomed. The busyness of people coming and going, the conversations, laughter, and YUMMM the smell of coffee ironically compliment my quiet, rhythmic, solitary labor. Strangely, I am most productive there.

Herringbone Stitched Infinity Scarf
$30

How my shop works:

My Facebook page, Loops A Daisies, is where I take orders and display the work I've done and can do.
To place an order, just message me at Loops A Daisies about what you'd like.  I will ask questions to get your order specific to what you want... yarn color, stitch preference, style, button color... etc.  I prefer this to filling out some sort of form.   If I know you, I might accept a check as payment... or I can take Paypal payments.  If you're local, you can meet me at 392 Caffe to pick up your order, and grab a latte while you're there.

You can also contact me via email: Salliepool@yahoo.com
or text/call me at: 563-593-2504  

Boot Cuffs in Grey
$15 a pair
(also shown: Herringbone Infinity scarf $30)

Can you make this?:
Occasionally, I have people send me pictures from other sites... pinterest, ravelry.. etc., inquiring if I can make the pictured project.  I LOVE this.  First of all, it tells me what people want, instead of my making random things that I'm not sure will sell well.  Second, it gives me a challenge.  I love a challenge; especially, when the picture is of something knitted... knowing most people don't make a distinction between the two crafts... and that we, who crochet, are particularly prickly about being called "knitters".  ;).  Yes, I can make that.

Some of my best selling items have been customer suggestions.  Thank you!

Newborn Tulip hat and cocoon
$40 for the set

Wait time:
Generally, it takes me 2 days to fill an order.  This can change based on how many orders I have lined up, whether your yarn needs to be ordered and how many items are in your order. That being said, it isn't unusual for me to get an order one day and have it in the mail the next, but I won't guarantee it.  However, I'm often praised for my speediness... just sayin'. ;)

Shipping:
I usually charge $3 shipping for the first item and $2 for each additional item. A few pieces come with free shipping.. the coffee cozies and smaller headbands are two such items. I have never shipped blankets, but if I were... it would require actual postage to be paid.

Fisherman Blanket
$70

Why I don't sell on etsy:
 It has become way too busy with crochet sellers and, honestly, just makes my head spin.  I'm not a person who does well with complicated systems.  I prefer to grow slowly and with a lot of personal interaction.  I LIKE knowing the people I make things for.  I have no desire to "make a quick buck".  When I stop taking delight in the things I make, simply because I need to fill an order... I'll need to close up shop.

So that's a little bit about Loops A Daisies.  Thanks for taking the time to read this little blog post, and I hope to hear from you. :)
Sallie


Find me on Ravelry.com :  Loopsadaisies

Once He Came in Blessing

Blessed Advent.  Today is December 18th and while I may blurt out a "Merry Christmas" or two born out of habit, I do not mistake that we, the church, are observing Advent, not Christmas, at this time.

For thousands of years God's people have waited. Since the fall, we have waited, and the church continues to wait.  Those who are asleep in Christ as well as we who are alive... we wait.  We wait for the restoration of all creation; for the removal of sin and all its deformity, decimation, and desecration.

And while we wait, our Lord comes.  He came to the Hebrews in fire, cloud, and manna.  He came to Mary and the disciples in flesh and blood.  And He comes to us in Bread and Wine.

The season of Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of our Lord and Savior.  The coming of our Immanuel, God with us.  And He is with us.   He is the Christ and He comes to us in His Word and Sacraments.  Advent ends with Christmas, with the Christ Mass. Advent ends with the giving of the very thing we have been praying would come. It ends with our Lord coming to us in the Holy Supper;  His true body, His true blood.  We kneel at the altar just as the shepherds knelt at the manger, and we also... behold the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

Receive Christ this Christmas.  Receive His body and His blood. Receive His Word.  Receive His forgiveness.
Amen, Come Lord Jesus.

St. John Lutheran Church celebrates Christmas at 9:00 on Christmas morning.
416 Main Ave.
Clinton, Iowa

Once He Came in Blessing

Once He came in blessing, 

All our sins redressing; 

Came in likeness lowly,

Son of God most holy;

Bore the cross to save us;

Hope and freedom gave us.

Now He gently leads us;

With Himself He feeds us

Precious food from heaven,

Pledge of peace here given,  

Manna that will nourish

Souls that they may flourish. 

Soon will come that hour

When with mighty power

Christ will come in splendor

And will judgment render,

With the faithful sharing

Joy beyond comparing

Come, then, O Lord Jesus,

From our sins release us. 

Keep our hearts believing,

That we, grace receiving, 

Ever may confess You

Till in heav'n we bless You.

Hot Dog Wrap Ups

Lammersville School 1904-1905

Going to a small rural K-8 school in northern California was a blessing I took for granted.  My parents picked very carefully where they would live based on the school system.  Back in 1979, Lammersville School was the place I spent a lot of my time.

One thing I took for granted was the cafeteria food we ate.  I have since come to realize that not all school kids ate the way we did.  The ladies in our cafeteria made so much of our food from scratch and oh, man, it was good.

Lammersville School...
Closer to what it looked like when I attended.

One of my favorite lunch days was when we got "wiener wrap-ups"... yeah, it needed a name change. To make these, the Lunch Ladies took the fabulous dough they used for our rolls and ... well, used it to wrap up hot dogs.

This recipe is my effort
to regain the past...or at the very least attempt going home again.  It comes pretty dern close.  At any rate, my boys love it.  So does the veggie girl, but for her I wrap up a tofu brat.  ;)

I use my trusty dinner roll recipe I shared in this blog entry. My Favorite Dough Recipe
 Put ingredients into the bread machine in the order they are listed:

1 egg

1/2 stick butter cut into chunks (1/4 c.)

1/2 c. hot water

1/2 c. warm milk (I usually mix the hot water and milk together and call it warm)

1/2 tsp. salt

 3 3/4 cups flour... often I use half wheat flour and it gives it a nice sweet taste.

1/4 c. sugar

2 tsp. active dry yeast (or one packet)

Set your machine for "dough"

Start your machine at least 2 hours before you want dinner so the dough has enough time to go through all it's cycles and you have time to roll out and bake the dogs.

 I do the same thing as for dinner rolls, only instead of 2oz portions, I use 3 oz. portions.  I use my digital food scale to weight the pieces.  I highly recommend everyone get a digital food scale, comes in handy.

Preheat your oven to 375 and line a cooking tray with parchment paper.  Parchment paper is the way to go, folks.  I simply crumple up the paper, throw it away and put the pan back into my cupboard.  Way easy cleanup.

I roll the dough out into a long oval, slap a piece of cheese in the middle, grab a dog... we use Jennie-o turkey dogs... and start rolling. You'll roll it a few times. You can fold over the ends if you don't like your dog peeking out, but I've decided that takes too much time.

Pinch the dough together and place the dog seam side down on the baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make more than you need... I try to do the whole package of dogs.
Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes or until the bread starts to get golden brown.  You'll smell the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread and you won't be able to wait another minute!



These reheat beautifully in the microwave for another meal.

Get out the ketchup and mustard and enjoy!


(I made these last night for the boys and whisked them out of the oven just before I took off for a night out with some girlfriends... so there is no "after" photo. )  I'll try to remember the next time I make them, to take a picture... :)

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 
Proverbs 18:24

I am a middle sister.  I have two beautiful, intelligent, fun sisters who flank me on either side of the birth order.  I love them both dearly.

Both of my sisters have had the immense heartache of losing a child.  I have never known that grief, and while I do cry, pray, and try to empathize with their sorrow, the truth is,  I just don't know what that kind of heart wrenching pain is like.  But there is One who knows.

If it were possible, I would take their grief and share it with them, somehow making it less for them.  But it isn't possible.  Even if I had experienced similar tragedy, the fact that I know what they are feeling won't remove or even lessen their loss.  There is only One who truly removes our sorrow.  Only One who has destroyed the lasting effects of death, grief and mourning.  His name is Jesus and He sticks closer than a brother... or sister.

This side of heaven, they will continue to bear the loss.  In this life it won't leave them, but there is a promise; a promise of life eternal with Christ; a life to be lived with those who have fallen asleep in Him; a promise that one day my sisters will be reunited with their babies, and their sorrow will end.  Forever.

I can't truly share in their grief, but I can share in their hope.  I can remind them that there is One who has conquered death. One who has defeated it.  Death no longer holds us.  When we believe on Christ for our salvation, repenting and believing on Him for life, we are promised new life.

Outside of Christ, there is no life, there is no hope.  Repent of your sin.  Believe on Christ for the forgiveness of your sin and for the salvation of your soul.  It is in His life, His death, and His resurrection that we are given this hope of eternity with Him. He alone will turn our mourning to joy.
Amen, Come Lord Jesus.

Sallie

Vegetarian Options and Homemade Taco Seasoning

So, I have mentioned a few times that my 18 year old daughter has chosen the vegetarian's diet, and this often requires some creative thinking on my meal-planning-part.  It doesn't bother me at all that she has decided meat needs to be omitted from her life.  In fact because of it, we have all cut down on the amount of meat we consume.  We don't think it is wrong to eat meat, not at all, but we have noticed that many of our stomach woes were a direct result of certain kinds of meat... namely the ever delicious red meat.

And while I still adore a medium rare, thick cut, filet mignon...It happens more like once or twice a year instead of once or twice a month.

As a result, I have reworked some favorite meals and added new ones with my daughter's input to my repertoire of recipes, and I thought there might be a few friends who could use some good ideas for great tasting, easy to make, vegetarian (not vegan) meals.

Note: All of these vegetarian dishes have a distinct "Mexican" feel to them or at the very least a "Southwestern" theme.  Because I use these spices so frequently together, I make my own Taco Seasoning... and I'm terrible at measuring.  Basically, I use an empty Parmesan Cheese bottle and fill it with:

Homemade Taco Seasoning

• one bottle chili powder
• one bottle ground cumin
• plenty of diced onions
• enough garlic powder
• a show of paprika
• salt
• pepper

Looks a little like sand art.  Now shake it all up and there ya go.  Handy dandy Taco Seasoning.

Southwestern Egg Rolls and Avocado Dip

Mix the following ingredients in a large bowl:

• 1 boxed package of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 can corn
• 1 can black beans
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• half a small onion finely minced (or a small palm full of dried minced onions will work)
• 1 small can diced green chilis
• 1 TBS lime juice (more if you like)
• 1 TBS cilantro from a tube... you're welcome to cut up fresh, but I always have this on hand and it is easy!
• Taco Seasoning to your taste.
• 1 package of egg roll wrappers.  I get mine in the veggie section of the produce aisle.

You can make this ahead of time, but if you refrigerate it... just remember to adjust your baking time to compensate for cold filling.

Fill egg roll wrappers and roll.  The package should show how to fold. Spray your cookie tray with Pam and put your egg rolls on as soon as you make them.  I like to spray the egg rolls a little with the Pam spray.  You could also use oil from an oil spritzer (like from pampered chef).
Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes.  Flip, then cook another 10-15.
 If refrigerated, flip and cook another 10 minutes.

Avocado Dip

• 1 Avocado mashed
• 1/4 cup Ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
• A shake or two of taco seasoning
• 1 tsp cilantro
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1/2  tsp agave nectar

I use my immersion blender and mix all this in a small bowl.  It can be done with a sturdy whisk, I would imagine.

TIP:  I usually serve this with some Lime and Cilantro Basamati Rice.  Basamati Rice smells like popped corn as you cook it.  It is our favorite rice. Just cook the rice as the package says, drain, then add about a TBS of lime juice and as much cilantro as you can handle :).



Emily's Favorite Rice Dish

This was discovered while being the guests at a friend's home in Colorado.  She made this and we all fell in love with it.  Especially the Basamati Rice.

Bring to boil 6 cups of water.  Add 1 cup of Basamati Rice and reduce heat to low boil/simmer.  Let this simmer uncovered for 12 minutes. The rice will not absorb all the water, so you'll need to drain it.  Set it aside and let cool.

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans
• 1 Avocado cut into chunks
• 1 ripe mango peeled and cut into chunks (sometimes we just use canned pineapple chunks or canned mandarin orange slices)
• 1 TBS lime juice
• 1 TBS cilantro from a tube (told you I used this a lot)
• pinch of salt
• Basamati Rice

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.  That's it.  Serve as a side or as a light meal.


Black Bean Burgers

• 1 can black beans drained, but not rinsed
• 1/2 can garbonzo (chick peas) drained but not rinsed
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup diced pepper
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 TBS cilantro from a tube

Put all ingredients into a bowl and use either a potato masher or a pastry utensil to mash together.  Sometimes I reserve a few of the black beans to stir in whole.  Shape into "burgers" and fry in a pan on med. high heat with a couple TBS. of hot oil.  A few minutes on each side should do the trick.  I also wrap these individually and put them in the fridge ahead of time.  Just add a few minutes cooking time to ensure they are heated through.

TIP: Really great with some hummus spread on a toasted ciabatta roll.  Add a thickly sliced tomato, some sturdy kale and voila!

Proverbs 5 on September 5

It is my goal to read a chapter of Proverbs everyday for a month.  I have been attempting this for the past 13 years... and I have yet to get a month perfect.  But even in my failure to do this simple task, God is faithful.  His Word is faithful, even when I am not.

This morning I opened my Bible to Proverbs 5... after all, it is September 5th.

Proverb chapter 5 is a warning against Adultery.
 It begins:

My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.  

For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.


I stop here because I've read this before.  Many times.

Yes, adultery is bad.  Stay away from adultery.  Okay, so that's one way of seeing this; the obvious.  But I know God's word is layered, and it often works in a circular pattern, revisiting themes.  So, other than the clear warning against having intimate relations with someone who isn't my husband, what am I reading here?

What am I being warned about (other than marital adultery?).  Well, I know that God's people, Israel, were often described as an "adulterous people" because of their unfaithfulness to God, worshiping other gods.  So this is adultery:  The breaking of the first Commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me."

And I am guilty of this.  When I exalt something or someone to a higher place of authority than God and His Word... I am committing adultery against my God.

My son,  Well,  I know that even though I am a woman... I can include myself in the "My son".  I am a child of God, therefore, I am being spoken to here.  This Proverb is a warning to me, a child of God.

Be attentive to my wisdom;    Look alive! No sleeping in class.  God has something important for me and as my Father, he cares that I retain it.  He isn't speaking just to hear His own voice.  He has something for me and I need to be aware.

Incline your ear to my understanding,  We must purpose to hear God's Word; read God's Word; study God's Word.  It is in the Scriptures that we find HIS understanding.

That you may keep discretion,  When we seek to know the mysteries of God, to understand His Words to us, we gain wisdom.  Discretion.. the act of being discreet.  Discretion is knowing when to shut your mouth.  It's like humility and wisdom combined.

and your lips may guard knowledge.  If discretion is knowing when to shut up, this portion teaches us when to speak up.  Your lips... those two little pieces of flesh from which sound escapes, they stand guard at your mouth and make sure nothing comes out but that which is supposed to come out.  They are the bouncers at the nightclub of your brain. Knowledge is God's Word.  I should be speaking God's Words.

For the lips of a forbidden (strange) woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil  God's wisdom is often unsavory to us sinners.  I mean, He isn't very politically correct, ya know.  In fact often His Words can be intolerant and, dare I say, harsh.  Why does He have to call something sin?  Can't we just refer to it as "an alternative lifestyle"... "a woman's right to choose?"... "cohabitation".  Honey and oil.  Sweet and slippery.

but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,, sharp as a two-edged sword.  So what sounded sweet and sleek is often revealed to have horrible consequences.  If we haven't paid attention, if we haven't listened, if we haven't guarded God's knowledge, understanding and wisdom... we easily fall prey to the words that "sound good" and adopt them as our truths in place of God's Word. Adultery. Sometimes we don't even realize that's what we are doing.  We talk about dead family members as being angels that watch over us... awww, sweet (honey).  No! It contradicts God's Word.  It isn't truth.  When our loved ones die in the faith they are immediately present with God.  This is our glorious Hope. This is God's Word.  To take comfort or refuge in lies, no matter how sweet or easily digested at the moment, is dangerous. It is adultery. The damage is great... it is wormwood, a two edged sword.

Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol:  This adultery, this listening to lies is leading me somewhere.  There is a destination.  It starts by leaving that narrow door which was opened by God.  We stop listening...stop going to church, stop receiving from God.  We hold up our hand to God, and say... "Yeah, I'll be right back, I just want to see what this is.  I'll come back, don't worry."  It's like saying we're just going to check our facebook "real quick".  And before you know it... you're lost.  Unsure of where you ended up.  But it happened one step at a time.  One step away, followed by another, and another.  One acceptance of a lie, then a justification of that lie, then defense of it, then total acceptance of that lie. Then a rejection of truth: Sheol, Hell.

She does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.  There is confusion in lies;  disorientation away from the clear path of truth.  Contradictions and inaccuracies because everyone has their own version of what is right, what is true.  But with God's Word, we are centered, focused, oriented, and sure of our way.  For Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father, except through Him.  There is ignorance in adultery.  When we feed our minds on Christ and His wisdom, our minds are transformed, renewed and developed.  But lies, deception, and a life absent of God's clear Words, causes us to become stupid.  But even worse than that, we aren't even aware of our stupidity.

This Proverb goes on and there are SO many things to pull from it; to ponder and to rest in.  This is why I strive to read this book every month.

Remain in Him and He will remain in you.  Daily ingest His truths.  There is no other way to be faithful (to be given faith).  Outside of His Word, we would all be destined to an adulterous life.  God protect my heart, protect my ears and guide my mouth.  Amen.

This Mother's Reflections on the Past 18 Years

Maybe it's because she's heading off to college this month.
Maybe it's because I'm humbled by the faithful woman she's become... in spite of my sins and shortcomings.
But lately I am stuck;
Hovering above myself in thoughts about my daughter and the abundance of things You have taught me through this calling of motherhood.

So much, so many, so often... mistakes, no.
 Not mistakes.
 Sin.
 Revealed and exposed day in and day out.  Motherhood has lead me to repentance, over and over again.  The kind that stumbles me to my knees.
Heavy.
      Weighted.
              Desperate.
Realizing the capacity I have to mar this child, I plead frantically,
"Oh LORD!  Why?  Why would you ask this of me?  I am feeble at my best.
Oh the damage I am capable of!
Do something!"


...and You forgave me.
You strengthened my faith daily.
You brought Wisdom to my door and taught me to recognize Her.
You matured me and gave me confidence in the truth of your Word.
You never left me alone.  Always, You are there.

When You placed her into my arms, I felt the weight of all my inabilities.
I look at her now, and I see Your faithfulness to me.
She is the result of your Word.
Your Mercy.
Your Grace.

And I am not the same.
Sin still occurs, but I trust confidently in your forgiveness.
I walk boldly in places where once I hesitated.
Before, desperation gripped my heart, But your Word has released me and given me joy.

Now, I am able to let go of her hand and watch her walk away, completely dependent on You.
I don't grasp for her to come back, but encourage her to live in the same Grace and forgiveness which You have taught to me.

To God be all glory, honor and praise.