What I did for my thanksgiving was.......

This thanksgiving we drove 11 hours to WI to spend the holiday with my family.
I got to meet my adorable niece Chloe. she's sooo cute and just as sweet as her pix on my Sister's blog. At dinner I snapped a photo of her eating her mashed taters. and since I can't just take one photo, I took pix of the whole fam.
You'll recognize the bub and next to her is my nephew, Gabe. I got to sit next to this chick magnet! He's acts shy when I talk with him but really he's not.
Of course you need to see my brothers. whom look exactly alike just 10 years apart. and Trev (in black) has longer hair.Jared just got back from China, where he was working but is thinking about going back to finish learning the language! (amazing really) You may not be able to see the similarities but it was really bad when Trevor was about 10, and we would come home b/c I mostly remember Jared being 10 and they looked exactly alike so I kept calling Trevor, Jared. (actually i still do) LOL I'm a dork.
Here's my BIL Joe and niece Leah. She's on her 2nd helping I think. I actually think i skipped a pix of my Sister... but that's ok she's told me she really didn't like the pix I took of her.
Next, is a photo of my brother making a face and my mom.
Yes I timed all my photos so i took a pix of everyone while they were either taking a bite or chewing or some other form of bad photo pose.. but hey it's the fam.
Finally i have a photo of my DH and The beady... LOL he actually was posing in this photo. He likes to fool around.
All in all it was a wonderful dinner. too bad my stomach is all choppy this weekend. I only ate a little bit. (the scale enjoyed it this morning at Weight Watchers)
After dinner we watched The Santa Clause 3. It was a cute movie and of course after every turkey day dinner we have the sleepers. That's my dad who was cut in half in those pix above. So I hope you enjoyed my photo presentation of what I did for my thanksgiving....
Not pictured in any of these photos is my older sister, Dawn who had to leave Wednesday morning to go back to CO where she lives. (we missed her too!)
so how was your thanksgiving?

A recipe for a crochet hat

I know we knitters have knittinghelp to watch videos for learning to knit. But us crocheters don't have anything like that. That is until now....
over at YouTube if you type in crochet you can find some great tutes! Like this kid for one... though his terms are a little off. when he says wool he means yarn. He has 3 videos on how to make these hats. they're a little dark in lighting but fun to watch.

Note: when he says double he means 2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch. When he says single he means one single crochet in the next stitch.

HTH!

Busy Day!

Last Sunday was Michaels, "Big Yarn Event" there was supposed to be yarn demo's from 1-6 at all Micheals stores. Well at my Michaels that was me. So I got to sit around for 5 hours crocheting things, getting paid for it! Michaels had projects we were to make. But since I'm the Crochet instructor I switched a few to promote my classes and a few I didn't like the patterns a I didn't follow any of the patterns to the T......nd did my own thing. OkLOL
The first hour I made this scarf. I only did 4 rows b/c I don't like thick scarves.
The second hour was supposed to be a nifty knitter made bag. I don't want to go off on what I think of the nifty knitters..so I'll move on.
The third hour was a one skein scarf. It went back and forth, back and forth which I don't like. so I changed it. to a Simple Skinny Scarf. (I also typed up the pattern for my classes).
I skipped the 4th hour project, and went right to the baby hat. I changed that one too. LOL then I was done and had 4 projects finished in 5 hours. I had super fun talking with people! I came home sooo happy that I get to get paid to do what I enjoy!

Hello Kitty KAL

Look what I just joined! i'm soooo pumped! It's only for ravelry people in the HK group. don't you wish you'd joined ravelry already? ok i'm done rubbing it in. I love Hello Kitty so this was something I just had to join. I'm off to add the button to my sidebar...

Kisses

Kisses always make our boo boo's better.
Today when I was trying (and moaning and wincing in pain) to get up my 3 year old said "Momma, can I kiss your back?"
How sweet is that? Too bad it doesn't work that way huh?

I Do Love Him!

My husband is a sweetheart. Since I've been working a lot more lately he's picked up the slack a bit and learned to cook chicken and rice. (the kind made with cream of chicken soup I'm sooo proud!) Today he decided to make that for lunch......
When I got home from work it was almost done. He pulled it out and said... um Hun, was the lid supposed to go in the oven?
me: Yeah it can go in.
Dh: The plastic one?
me: What plastic lid?! (trying not to sound shrill)
Dh: The one for the stone.
me: the stone has a stone lid. (dreading what would come next)
Dh: OH....

So my dear husband has melted my lid.. but hey that's ok I wasn't crazy about it b/c it didn't seem to fit right.

Yesterday I hurt my back.. today I'm shuffling around the house trying not to puke from the pain.. sigh.. I'm going to go lay down to try and get some sleep, hopefully tomorrow I can get in to see the Dr.

fingers crossed!

Apologizing all around

I must apologize for the quality of these photos. Or at least wait for natural light to take a photo.
anyways Here is a baby gift I whipped up for my neighbor who just had a baby girl. I started it when she went in to the hospital (2 Fridays ago) before I knew what she was having. so I picked a yarn that could go both ways. I used my sister's Baby Pixy Hat pattern. It's in the Knitting Pattern a day 2008 Calendarr. I paired the hat with a pair of Saartje's Booties.
I have to also say sorry for not posting much anymore. I can't seem to find much time. I seem to work come home spend time with the girls, make dinner, get them ready for bed, hopefully work out/exercise, then sit down relax and knit or crochet or veg out. I know, not a really good explanation but it is what it is none-the-less.
Finally I need to tell my Sister I'm sooo sooo soooo sorry for not getting my niece's baby gift done. I'm not sure I'm ever going to get it done. I may just bring it along on our trip up there for thanksgiving. Which I'm totally excited about! Aren't you?

Got Clutter?

When we moved to our new house we also got our things out of storage. It's all sitting in the basement now waiting to be unpacked. Sometimes when we need something we look through it, but most of the time it looks like a tornado came through and dropped of a ton of clutter. We're planning on building a garage soon and I'm thinking of using some of these storage solutions . We could organize and store all of our outside toys. My husband would love to have a place to store his tools. Lets not forget our outside tools and lawn equipment. I'm even dreaming of getting some of those cabinets and drawers for my yarn and craft supplies. Oh imagine making the garage my own personal crafting room/building. That would be heaven! CarGuyGarage.com carries over 1,000 products to make the garage another room in your house. so what do you have that needs storage solutions?

Gift complete!

I actually finished this sweater on Monday! I know don't fall off your chair! It was a really quick knit I just had to make myself work on it. Don't get me wrong, I love this pattern, I just wanted to start so many other projects and I've been trying to teach myself to finish first then start... (it's not going over so well) Ravelry doesn't help much! (not that I'm complaining though) I just have to wash it and then I'll be gifting it to a friend. I'm of course worried it won't fit! I know I'm such a goober. I got these really cute sports related buttons at Joann's a couple of weeks ago so I used the hat. it looks really cute don't you think?
I'm also going to be testing some Ugg booties for a gal over at crochetville. They're really cute. so I think when those are done I'll be giving them to my friend also. I plan on doing them this weekend.
My neighbor had a baby girl. I quick whipped up a hat for her and I'm working on booties also. I love being able to knit up a hat and booties (if that doesn't work go here and on the right hand side are the saartje's booties click on it) sooo quickly. they make such a nice gift!
Tonight i was going to go to my LYS and knit but my sitter backed out at the last min so I've been scrambling around all day trying to find another sitter. Hopefully I can find one b/c I'd really like to go tonight!
Well I'd better pretend I'm working again!

Smells Good!

Yesterday when my husband and I got home from work we walked into the house and said "it smells good!" and it wasn't the BBQ chicken I had in the crock pot. It smelled nice and clean, so at first we thought it was the carpet. (we'd just cleaned them with a carpet machine Wednesday) But really it didn't smell like the carpet machine stuff so I continued to search for the smell. I found it when I went upstairs to my bathroom! The culprit: the glade air thingy. (I forget what it's called) Here's the problem... this particular one I have in my bathroom I noticed wasn't working so I'd put new batteries in it about a week or 2 or so ago. Well it still wasn't spritzing the air freshener. So to tell you the truth I didn't give it another thought. that is until... yesterday. The wonderful thing malfunctioned and all day yesterday began spraying every 1 min or so the whole day. It went through that brand new 60 day air freshener in ONE DAY!!! How do I know this? well when I went upstairs I heard it spritzing but not really b/c the can was empty. Then walking further into the bathroom I noticed the floor and counter was wet from the air freshener! It's crazy! sooo i threw away the now empty can and the malfunctioning air spritzer thingy... Bummer. Though it is nice b/c the house smells sooo good b/c our bathroom is now an air freshener all by it's self!
The craziness!

Mom's Overture by Anita Renfroe

This is hilarious! I laughed so hard. I know this has been running around fwds lately but it's too funny not to post

Knitters' Coffee Swap 3

Here's my Questions!

1. Whole bean or ground? I love to grind my own beans, so whole beans it is!
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully loaded please (i really don't see the point in decaf)
3. Regular or flavored? Both. but i don't like chocolate flavored (it gives me headaches)
4. How do you drink your coffee? Well first I pick the mug I want to use, then I pour the coffee into the mug and add just a little bit of low fat or fat free creamer and sit down and enjoy the coffee
5. Favorite coffee ever? My fave coffee to enjoy is from California coffee roasters their Moka Java blend is my favorite
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I'm pretty much a coffee snob.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? OK this may sound really weird but I love to have popcorn with coffee. OH and chocolate!
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? Um...what would you like to know?
9. Yarn/fiber you love? I love it all!
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? OK I lied in that last question, I really don't like the squeaky scratchy and yucky acrylic.
11. What's on your needles? I've always got socks on the needles, along with multiple baby gifts, right now it's a baby sweater.
12. Favorite colors? I love browns and greens and blues. Also deep rich purple.
13. Allergies? nope
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? I really love this swap!

Yummo!

Oh I just have to share this sandwich with you.... before it was grilled and then after... YUMMO! I first saw the pix of this sandwich on Tried and Trues blog. Then I followed the link to the Pioneer Woman Cooks' blog and had to make it. I love rye bread so I knew this was going to be good! I did skip a stage and just used dijonaise and I couldn't find the whole green chilis so I used diced. But it is AWESOME!!! look at that picture just delish! Though I made it for the girls too.... and they picked apart the sandwich and didn't do the onions. (they take after their father that way) But it was so good I had to make it again. I'm pondering making it again today! I just can't get enough of it. Though I'm also pondering using only 2 slices of cheese to cut back on the points. But I've def been getting my milk requirements for the past few days.
So what are you waiting for?? Go and make one for yourself, you'll be glad you did!

On to other things....
remember last year when I submitted my patterns to the Pattern a day calendars? Well when you submit your patterns to the calendars you get a free calendar. (the deadline this year is Dec 15th, 2007 for the 2009 calendars) Well they shipped their calendars out in July/Aug time frame and I never got mine. so I kindly emailed the editors and asked what happened thinking they probably overlooked me since there were SOOO many contributors.I really didn't mind I just wanted to find out what happened. They were very kind and got on it right away. A couple of weeks ago I received my crochet calendar, there are quite a few projects I'd like to make. Then yesterday I got my Knitting one! and the editors are soooo nice they sent a handwritten note with it apologizing for the delay. I'm sooo happy to have gotten them now, there is just something sweet about seeing your patterns published! I've got to remember to email and thank them.

Actual Knitting Proof

I'm trying to be more update-ish on my blog b/c who likes to read a blog that isn't updated weekly if not every couple of days? So my goal is to post at least weekly if not bi-weekly. But ever since I got my ravelry invite I've been consumed every waking online hour with getting that squared away. I'm adding my finished projects and the ones I'm working on and I'm now working on my stash! It's so wonderful! I love ravelry! I'm StarKnits there if you're interested in hooking up.

Anyways to prove that I've been knitting I took pix.. OK really I took them to put them in ravelry but I figured since I've got them on flickr I might-as-well blog! LOL So first we have my Toasty Toosties that I knitted for my LYS as a shop model and to adjust the pattern for Cascade 220. Here they are in their natural habitat. I took them on Friday when I went to my 1st Knitting night out at the LYS. It was fun! (Remember I now teach knitting at Knit 1 at Blacksmith Exchange.) If you live in J-town the shop is in Moxham. So going to the knitting night was good for business so to speak. It enabled me to meet the people taking classes and let them get to know me. (being the new knitting teacher and all) Though I went to knit for myself I found myself helping a bunch of people with their problems. But that didn't bother me, I'm a teacher. It was a fun night and I got to meet a great bunch of knitters.

Sunday I finished the bead's sweater, all I had to do was the sewing Sunday night. I don't think I mind the sewing too much. I actually really like seeing everything come together. The pattern is called Little Luxury Kimono from Lion Brand's website. (you have to register, for free, to see the pattern) Yesterday I got some pix of the bead in her sweater. She was being silly. of course the Bub wants a sweater now too. Yeah I can get rid of that yucky acrylic yarn in my stash that's just sitting there not being used b/c I don't like it.
Well I've got to go... ravelry calls.

Monday the fun day.

Today was an awesome day...
it started out normal then i checked my email and to my surprise I got my Ravelry invite! i almost peed my pants, I was so excited!
Then of course this is the best week ever! it's the week that all the shows start again. I think Monday is going to be the best day. I caught the debut of Chuck while I was waiting, on edge I may add, for Heros. Chuck seemed funny, but we'll see. Heros though did not disappoint! can I just say WOW! Milo you got to see for like 2 min at the end and I'm so glad! I was worried. I can't believe the turn they took with Kensi.. of course the spelling is wrong.
ok anyways I'm watching journeyman.. pretty good so far. Thursday during my knitting class I'm going to tape smallville and csi! this week is going to be excellent!
anyways I've got to go raverly calls...

You know you're tired when......

You sit down to read a book and wake up an hour later no further in the book than when you started....

off to bed I go!


PS:This post was brought you by the crazy kids of mine, for with out them I'd actually be able to get sleep but have no fun what-so-ever.

Red and Green

Today was the first day of Awanas at our church. This year they're doing a new program called Puggles for the younger kiddos. which works out for me since the bead has been wanting to go to awana's since last year. The bub is in T&T, this is her first year in this club. She's excited as she gets to see her older friends this year. Next week the ladies are going to start their bible study. We're going to be doing A woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I'm excited about it. The book is one of my fave's. I'm praying it goes well.

The other day I had the urge to can something. So I got some peppers and made some sweet hot pepper jelly. I think it tastes better with the red and green peppers, i did try to make it all green once but it tasted weird. So I stick with what I like. it's my fave served over cream cheese with triscuts! I brought some in to the ladies i work with, they were very appreciative. I also made some salsa... but it's gone now, b/c it was sooooo good!

OK i need some help here, I'm not sure what is going on. The bead is almost three and she's always gone to bed really well. that is until about 2 weeks or so ago. now she works herself up into a fit and screams and cries "MOMMY, MOMMY I WANT YOU, MOMMY MOMMY I NEED YOU MOMMY MOMMY" it just breaks my heart. I'm not sure what's going on. I've been doing the same routine lately. we read a story and I sing 2 songs and tuck her in and play some songs on the CD player and leave. She works herself up into that crying sucking in for air cry. Seriously it makes me cry. I'm not sure what is going on. any help?
Thank you for your help! I hope someone has experience with this type of thing. I appreciate everything!

Ollie Ollie ox and free!

OK knitting time, it's OK for you to come out now. Why oh why is it so hard to find you lately? This time apart is KILLING me!

Send reinforcements now! I don't think I'm going to make it!

Simpson me?

I'm a simpson! you can be too! Go here

What I did at the end of my Summer Vacation was......

Last week my parents came to visit. It was a lot of fun. I'm going to bore you with all the pix now... so be patient!
We started out by going to MD to visit my Grandma. My uncle and 2 of my cousins were there. It was really nice to see them. The girls really enjoyed playing out in the open. We had a campfire the first night (we were only there 2 days). With every campfire you have to make Smores. But we just didn't make any old smores we made smores with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.. talk about delicious! YUMMO! We of course had your traditional smore and also dark chocolate ones. We just HAD to change things up a bit. I think the next time we should try york peppermint patties or maybe snickers or babe Ruth bars... the possibilities are endless. The Bead Just loved the marshmallows and chocolate (that's Nana holding her)
The next day before we came home we went to Dobbin Falls and took a little hike. When we were younger we used to come to Dobbin Falls and we'd have a grand old time. The deposits from the water makes the rock slippery and so we could slide down them into the water. Like nature's water slide. It was always great fun! I didn't go this time but the Bub and my bro went. She doesn't know how to swim so he had to stay close, even though it's only waist deep or so, the rocks get super slippery and it was moving pretty fast. You know the mamma had to make sure her baby was safe.
The last time we were there was when the bub was about the same age as the bead and the water was really low that year so were able to walk up most of the way and get some really cool pix. We were trying to go a little ways up to get some pix but my DH fell and slipped and hurt his nose.. i was sure he'd broken it or knocked out a tooth but all is well. He just got banged up a bit.
We had lots of fun but we had to leave and get back b/c my Dh's fantasy football draft was that night. so we came home and my parents stayed an extra day. They came up that next day and stayed until Saturday.
It was a lot of fun.

LOL for some reason as I re-read through this post I feel like I've just written a school report. so there you go do I get an A?