It's Beginning To Look A Tiny Bit Like Christmas!!

WOW....where has the time gone and what do I have to show for it since my last post?


First there was Thanksgiving......pies to bake. Princess Cupcake spent some of her time from school with me. We started the tradition of baking Thanksgiving pies many years ago. I remember when she was so little she had to stand on a stool to reach the countertop....don't even like to think about how long ago...makes me sad she isn't a little girl anymore.


This was only 5 years ago...









And Today.




She just turned 14...sniff...
sniff.


No more baby dolls to buy, now it's


Facebook, Texting and....BOYS!!!!
(note cell phone on counter)



There has been some knitting...and not all has been socks...SHOCKING I know!!!























We got some snow here in Alabama...and it isn't even March!!

















Well over 40 dozen (yes, FORTY DOZ.) cookies have been baked.






















A sampling of Holiday decorations......





A few good men!

























One down, personalize, add a hanger block, repeat for second stocking...today is Wednesday, due to be sent off for delivery on Saturday.

Ahhh....I love knitting pressure!! LOL!!

Ten On Tuesday and Other Things

Ten On Tuesday's Post Today is "Guilty Pleasures"

Hmm.....only ten?

1. Pajama Day
2. REAL hot chocolate made with whole milk and shaved chocolate
3. Knitting all day....and letting the housework go
4. Reading all day....and letting the housework go
5. Going to a movie in the middle of a week day.
6. Taking a long, hot bath.....usually accompanied by a good book.
7. Manicure and Pedicure
8. Eating good chocolate.
9. Wasting time on the internet
10. Shopping for yarn

FINALLY......cooler weather....Frost Warning a couple of nights ago...and it is just October...and this is ALABAMA!!!

When I saw the weather

report I rushed to the sock

drawer and pulled out a pair

of socks....

The green wad of yarn is my

Sugar Maple Shawl. Probably finish with the lace

portion tonight and start the ruffle tomorrow night.

My sister and I wait breathlessly each Fall on who will find the first Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer....

I won this year...
picking up 8 bottles (on sale).....only to be VERY dissapointed!! Despite a phone call to the manufacturer, stating that there have been no formula changes from previous years....there is a most DEFINITE change in the taste and smell. As in you can no longer smell the peppermint once added to your cup of coffee...and there is only the faintest hint of peppermint taste.


There may have been a tear or two shed............we do love...or loved this stuff!! Sniff, Sniff!!

Whiskers On Wednesday

This is Heidi's first

cube.....she has spent

countless hours running

across the floor and

dive bombing in through

a hole and rolling from

room to room!

She has been on the attack

several times.

Playing until she passes

out without

an ounce of modesty.

Best $3.77 I have ever spent!

It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I have regularly posted....lot's going on for the past few months.

A big thank you to all my wonderful friends that have contacted me over the past few months. It's nice to know I was missed...not that my blog posts are very exciting!! LOL!!

I had planned to attend SAFF this year, had a room reserved but due to a family illness, was afraid I wouldn't be able to make it so I cancelled my reservation. Family is wayyyyy more important...and there is always next year!!!

Where to start:

I made a last second decision to join the dishrag tag this year and glad I did!!! I received a lovely pkg!!

In between times, there has been some knitting:

Fleece Artist Yarn

K3, P1 pattern

Finally got yarn ordered to finish this cardigan/shrug

Claudia's Handpainted

Watermellon

Vanilla sock

I have completed two other pairs of socks, will have to get them photographed.

Many, many thanks once again for everyone's thoughts and prayers during my Father-In-Law's illness and subsequent death. It is nice to know there are so many that care and I have truly appreciated all the EM!!

Ten On Tuesday

10 Things You Think Are Cool (in no particular order)

1. Friends.....coolest by far!!

2. Iphone......seriously, this is your own personal assistant right at your fingertips!!

3. Ravelry: How cool is it to be able to log onto a site and see every variation of a particular pattern you want to knit...not to mention all the wonderful FREE patterns that people share.

4. The Internet...good GRIEF.....whodathunkit?

5. Computers.....see above.

6. Digital cameras

7. Ipod

8. Health...not only cool, but a true blessing.

9. Family, good/bad,warts and all...having family is pretty darn cool.

10. Being able to help others.

What You See is NOT What You Will Be!!

Soooo......I did my gauge swatch.....(which I hate doing)

I made many stops along the way and measured....

What I FAILED to do was stop and try on along the way.......and while my measurements are right on target, it is simply too short for me!! I am only 5' 2"!!

In retrospect.....in looking at the picture on the pattern the model is definitely smaller in the bust than I am, BUT....the length is most definitely longer than the length called for in the pattern and I can't fathom that my bust size would shorten the overall length of the sweater

THAT much!!

SOOOO.........it's off to the frog pond, glad I was excited to try on prior to wasting time with the sleeves.

I do like the basic cut of the sweater and will reknit but when it gets to the point where I am to bind off I'll try on and continue knitting till it at LEAST hits my waist rather than barely underneath the bust.

Oh well......Saturday plans include finishing season one of Tudors....so this will be perfect knitting for that!! I'll also be casting on with some BEAUTIFUL denim blue sock yarn that someone oh so special gifted me....along with YUM..........POUND CAKE.......YUM!!!!!!!!!

Ten On Tuesday Post and Knitting In Review

10 Bad Habits You Can't Break

1. Going to bed with makeup on....EWWWW......I know!!

2. Drinking large quantities of Coke Zero

3. Buying yarn when I have more than I can knit in one lifetime.

4. Staying up too late

5. Eating Junk Food

6. Saving/Collecting Recipes

7. Buying too many magazines

8. Procrastination.....regarding Oh So Many Things!!

9. Dieting.....a new one every Monday

10. Collecting Knitting Patterns

Weekend Knitting In Review:

Two socks off the needles, mates to be cast on this week.

The summery cardigan shruggish type thingy is 3/4 way finished. I will finish the edging tonight and be well on my way with the sleeves. Hope to have a blocked pic by the end of the week!! WOO HOO......

Wee Tiny Baking And A Whole Lotta Knittin Goin On!!

First you take a few Wee Tiny baking tools and a wee tiny cake plate.

Mix a together a few ingredients...

Pop in the oven and POOF.....a few minutes later you have your very own, adult, Easy Bake cake!

This cake was so utterly decadent and rich that it took 3 adults two days to eat it!!! This is a 4" cake folks!! Double chocolate, sour cream frosting.....to DIE for!!!

And....since this IS after all a knitting blog here are a few things I have been working on lately....in no particular order.

Future shruggish style summer cardigan garment.

Socks.....

AND.....MORE Socks!!!!

I also received a shipment of Berrocco Vintage Wool. I had received an EM about this yarn, took a chance and ordered enough for the Sugarmaple shawl and a summer cardigan.

WOW......this yarn is very soft but strong enough to hold good stitch definition and be hard pressed to know this is a blend of wool and nylon.

I plan on keeping the shawl over the back of my chair to pull around my shoulders on chilly nights...and considering how the cats love to sleep on anything I knit...I will be able to throw in the wash when needed and not have to worry about felting. I'm glad I hadn't already started this project with the Auracania yarn I had planned on using!!

Hmmm.......It seems I fell down on the Webs site too..... :) :) :)

But more on that when the Box-O-Bliss arrives.

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Labor Day Weekend!!

FINALLY...a post

Sorry for the delay in posting......computer.....love it/hate it...that's all I'm saying.

In a nutshell:

Finished some vanilla socks.

Started a sweater.....not photo worthy at this point...hopefully have a pic up by the end of the week.

Lot's of kitty naps taking place!!

I have now read every single book about Julia Child.

Spent 16 hours watching every episode to present of True Blood.

Gathered supplies to wash the fleece I recently received.

Dusting off the spinning wheel and about to get busy spinning.

NOT enough hours in the day to craft all that I want!!! UGH!!

Monday's Simple Woman Post

Outside my window I see...GREEN!!
I am thinking...about my dog...spending the day at the Vet for blood work.
I am thankful for...my family!!
From the kitchen...I am baking cookies for the Vet Tech that cares for Max.
I am wearing...my usual...shorts and a t-shirt.
I am creating...some dishcloths.
I am going...to clean house today.
I am reading...A Julia Child book.
I am hoping...we can get Max's diabetes under control.
I am hearing...Geek Loves Nerd podcast.
Around the house...it is quiet today.
One of my favorite things...is knitting and baking
A few plans for the rest of the week: Exercise (UGH)....

Friday Foto

After the rain....a cobweb takes on a totally different look!

(Enlarge and check out the delicate cobweb)!

Whiskers On Wednesday

Today's post is all about Heidi......and her many naps! She DOES enjoy a good nap!!!

And can't leave out Bella!! Who finds the entire photo process rather irritating.....so today's shot is a mear shadow of Her Highness!!

Ten On Tuesday Post

Ten Favorite Characters From Television



1. Lucille Ball

2. Grace (Will and Grace)

3. Christine (New Adventures of Old Christine)

4. Allison Dubois (Medium)

5. Bree (Desperate Housewives)

6. Nora Walker (Brothers & Sisters)

7. Ann Marie (That Girl)....yes...I am THAT old!! LOL!!

8. Hawkeye (Mash)

9. Charlie (Two And A Half Men)

10. Samantha (Bewitched)

Ten On Tuesday Post

I am going to give the Ten On Tuesday posts a try for awhile so here goes: Each week participants are sent a subject and you are to post ten things.

Today's Ten On Tuesday Subject is 10 Favorite Sounds, so in no particular order:

1. Rain
2. Thunder
3. Train Whistle
4. Ocean waves crashing on the beach
5. Wind blowing
6. Anything played on an acoustic guitar
7. Piano music
8. Saxaphone music
9. Laughter
10. The stillness that comes with standing outside listening to snow fall.

Monday Post

I ran across the Simple Woman Blog

and thought I would try the Monday post for awhile. All you do is cut and paste the questions onto your blog each Monday and fill in the blanks!

NO knitting this weekend......I have been totally immersed in a book this weekend!! (see below).

FOR TODAY July 27th

Outside my window...I see lot's of weeds!

I am thinking...I have a lot to do today and don't want to do anything.

I am thankful for...my family!!

From the kitchen...I am going to create a new recipe for dinner tonight.

I am wearing...my usual...shorts and a t-shirt.

I am creating...some knitted socks.

I am going...to run some errands today.

I am reading...The autobiography of Julia Child.

I am hoping...to be able to start this week out on a diet and stay motivated for the ENTIRE week, not just the first 5 days.

I am hearing...my dog whine.

Around the house...is where I enjoy being.

One of my favorite things...is knitting.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Exercise (UGH)....knitting, visiting a friend and her sweet little boys.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

NO...it's not a fungi of some kind........

It's a bowl of blueberries, pulled from the freezer and thawing for breakfast!!

Happy Monday!!!!

Whiskers On Wednesday!!

Whiskers On Wednesday!!

Pretty boring week so far.....a whole lot of napping taking place!!

I guess they are resting up for the weekend!!

Friday Fill Ins & A New Post!!

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!




And...here we go!


1. Grilled burgers (because the hubby is in charge of the grill) and salad make a quick and easy dinner.


2. Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson is the book I'm reading right now.


3. July brings back memories of being a kid and swimming at the pool and playing with cousins, in town for the summer.

4. The crash of Jon & Kate was obvious.


5. They say if you tell your dreams you will be jinxed.

6. It is ALWAYS best to think it over.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Farming on Facebook, knitting, tomorrow my plans include baking my Dad a German Chocolate cake for his birthday, shopping for a birthday gift, washing the MOUNDS of laundry and Sunday, I want to call a Pajama Day, but will be traveling out of town to spend the day with my Dad for his Birthday!






I recently ran across the Better In Bulk blog and have decided to start following and posting my own......





I have had a love of photography that dates back to my teenage years when I got my first 35mm camera. While in college, I took photography classes and fell in love with the dark room....watching pictures magically come to life on paper was AWESOME!! (All you digital age photographers have missed out!)

Over the years I carted my camera (totally manual) with me everywhere I went.....including all the props of white boards for reflection, tripod, etc. All in hopes of catching that perfect shot. But then life got busy, my camera ended up in a yard sale and I have always, ALWAYS regretted letting it go!!!! I would love to dig out my books for a refresher course and get back to totally manual photography.


BUT.....until then......I'll be posting a weekly "Give Me Your Best Shot" digital picture....and here is this week's best shot.




My husband's great niece, age two, who had decided she'd had quite enough of the wedding festivities, crawled under the table at the reception and proceeded to remove her dress.....when asked what she was doing she just put her little hands up and said she was "nekkid".....as if I were too dumb to understand!! LOL!!

It's hard to see on this shot, but if you go here, although a bit grainy, you will see a perfect little lipstick kiss on her left cheek.

Shot with just your basic point and shoot digital camera.

A Wonderful Movie and What Else...Socks Of Course!!

Boeuf (pronounced boof) Bourguignon.....I find myself overcome with the desire to cook Boeuf Bourguignon.......all this from someone who can mess up just opening a can of peas!! Not to mention, the closest I have EVER come to wanting to cook french was French Fries!!! LOL!!

BUT......I went to see the Preview of Julie, Julia by Nora Nephron last night and OH MY!!!!

First of all....what a GREAT, FUN movie!!

If you are like me, you remember when Julia Child was on Public T.V.....back in the ....well....if you remember when she was on PBS, then you are most likely my age or close! LOL!! The movie is featured around a girl that decides to blog for a year, (hoping someone will see her blog and purchase the rights for a book).....all while cooking her way through Julia Child's Mastering The Art Of French Cooking Cookbook, interspersed with scenes from the life of Julia Child, the early years in France and her evolution into a Chef (both story lines are true).

Meryl Streep did an AWESOME portrayal of Julia Child and it was very interesting to discover some of the humerous and downright bawdy nuances of Julia Child!!! A lot of the details of Julia's life was documented by letters mailed from both Julia and her husband Paul to family members who had saved everything!!

SO....if you are looking for a good movie to see.....opens August 7th...GREAT movie!!!

I'll let you know when I get up the nerve to make the Boof Bornine!!! LOL!!

You gotta see this movie!!

Woo Hoo......WATERMELON SEASON!!!!!

Can't wait to cast on for some watermelon socks!!!!!

Whiskers On Wednesday And ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Bella Says: Happy Whiskers On Wednesday.....now....GO AWAY!!!!

Heidi Says: I'm bored....want to come play with me???

Now For The Announcement Portion Of The Blog:

DISH RAG TAG 2009 sign ups will start SOON!! Go to Emily's website for all the details.

Over the past few years I have enjoyed the DRT as well as the Wee Tiny Sock Swap!! I know it takes a lot of work to pull these off and in a show of support want to encourage everyone to head over and check out the AWESOME patterns Emily has written and has available for sale.

Once prizes are purchased for the DRT, all proceeds from the sock pattern will be donated to the Humane Society.

Over the years, Emily has and continues to intervene in the care and placement of what otherwise would be a sad predicament for a lot of different animals. Oh...and all this while caring for a toddler!!!

I am all about supporting my fellow knitters as well as such a worthy cause and I hope you will too!! The bowling ball and pin are too cute!!!

If you aren't a sock knitter or have a little one to knit for....it is still for a worthy cause.

If you prefer to check it out on Ravelry.

Knitting, This & That

First: Off The Needles!!
















Secret Knitting!! I was asked to test knit a pair of socks and was flattered to say the least!!!

The pattern writer is someone that I admire VERY much!!

I believe the details will be available tomorrow......so please check back for an update. Hopefully tomorrow the pattern will be posted on Ravelry!!

My test knitting was done with Colinette Jitterbug Yarn...of course I have no idea the color name/number as the BALLBAND.....is missing!! Hee, Hee!!!



This weekend I attended the wedding festivities for a most precious couple......which I have the good luck of being related to the groom as he is my husband's nephew!


The wedding was simply lovely, about 300 in attendance yet it was not an overwhelming affair!!

Both are graduates of Auburn University!! The bride just graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in mathematics education and the groom graduated 2008 Cum Laude and is currently a Sophomore at the Auburn University School of Veterinary Science..(his older sister is about to graduate from Vet School)...Woo Hoo...two vets in the family!!



The happy couple left the church via the tractor so lovingly delivered and decorated (in lieu of their car)....by all the Groomsmen. TOO CUTE!!!!



After a week in Colorado it will be back to school for Brian and Kelli will be starting her first year teaching Math!!









Sweetest couple EVER!!!




AND......the color red!!!!




Thanks my friend.....red makes me VERY happy!!!