12 Weeks of Christmas CAL 7

This week we made the City Girl Cossack Hat. I made mine to match the City Girl Boot Cuffs from week 4. I used the same materials, Red Heart Super Saver in black and zebra. I added the Red Heart Boutique Fur and used the Clover Pom-Pom maker in size 3 3/3-85 mm for the added pom-pom. I love Clover Pom-Pom makers!


I had to shorten the main part of the pattern form 18 to 14 rows, and then did the color change. I would suggest anyone making this hat to try it on before starting the brim to make sure it fits.

Just a reminder that all these CAL patterns are free and can be found in the links. Thanks for looking.

12 Weeks of Christmas CAL 6

This weeks project was a cute Gift Bottle Sweater. I couldn't find the Red Heart yarn it called for, so I used Caron Simply Soft Party in red. It has red sparkle to it and for some reason it reminded of Santa Claus, so I added Red Heart Boutique Fur in polar.
It was an overcast day and I had a hard time finding a good place to take a picture. The white fur kind of blends in with the curtains so I took the bottle out of it to better show the details.

It is sitting on the Joyful Flower Table Runner from week 3

12 Weeks of Christmas CAL 5

This week we made a cute Snowman Wall Hanging. I left mine plain and just put a pin on him, but I might go back and embroider some snowflakes on his scarf. I used Red Heart Super Saver for his hat and scarf and Red Heart with Love for his face.

Applesauce Raisin Cookies

Applesauce Raisin Cookies.

Every year my husband bugs me to make these cookies. They're soft, spicy,  full of raisins and very easy to make.This is the third batch of this recipe this month, I think he's gotten his fill of them.

I bought this book at a thrift store about 25 years ago. 

I have several copies of these Betty Crocker Cookie/Cooky(the red one)books, if I find one at a thrift store, I buy it. My mom got me the first one when I was a kid in the 60's, she had ordered herself one then decided I needed one too. I hope I'm not the only one that had a cookbook collection when they were a kid!

The first step is to beat together the brown sugar, shortening (I use butter), applesauce and egg.

I just dump the dry ingredients into the first mixture and blend until completely mixed.

 Then add the raisins.

Scoop onto a cookie sheet, I like to use parchment, but it's not necessary and bake for approximately 12 minutes at 375° until they just bounce back. 

Cool on a rack and then enjoy!

Applesauce Raisin Cookies

1 cup brown sugar, packed

3/4 cup shortening (I use butter)

1/2 cup applesauce

1 egg

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt 

1 cup raisins

1/2 cup nuts

Preheat oven to 375°

Mix together brown sugar, shortening, applesauce and egg. Then add flour, spices, baking soda and salt, mix until well blended. Add raisins. I don't add the nuts so I add an extra 1/2 cup of raisins. Scoop with 2 spoons or a cookie scoop onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake until tops just spring back when touched, my oven takes 12 minutes, remove to cooling rack.

12 Weeks of Christmas CAL 4

Week 4 of the CAL is The City Girl Boot Cuffs. Where I live it doesn't really get cold enough to wear these, but they are cute and don't take long to make. I used Red Heart Super Saver in black for the bottom and zebra for the bobble tops. These are supposed to have buttons, but I opted to add Red Heart Fur to the bottoms.