Escargo

M wanted a hat with texture. I needed not to be knitting cables (my current WIP vest has cables). I found this snail hat and thought it could work. Yes the pattern is in Japanese, but there is a standard knitting chart. Some notes are up on Ravelry in English. I did CO less stitches because M wouldn't want a slouchy hat. And he'll be wearing the hat folded up. Here it is just before i used a 3 needle BO to form the cylinder.

And a bunch of finished shots. Since I only had a partial ball of the Paton's Wool and I wasn't sure of the yardage needed, I mixed in some denim marl Paton's Wool every few stripes.

So which photo do you like best #1, #2, or #3?

Treasures

Some times it's easy to rely on the things we have around us and not choose Faith.

I've been thinking a lot about this recently as I've read the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. When you have a portfolio for retirement, a sizable savings account, a stocked freezer,...are your thoughts with God's provision or with how well you've arranged things so you won't ever have to worry? I know what I was thinking...

And again as I've watched this YouTube video on the Advent Conspiracy. And I watch the masses scurry around buying just to have presents when so many don't have clean water, warm blankets, or food for the next meal.

And now, the moths have had me thinking.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

I really do appreciate the stash I have...but, I need to think about it differently. Where are your treasures? Here are mine.

One hundred years from now
It won't matter
What kind of car I drove
What kind of house I lived in
How much money I had in the bank
Nor what my cloths looked like
BUT
The world may be a little better
Because, I was important
In the life of a child.

Author Unknown

Prizes

This post is so overdue. Much like my library books. It's a good thing they don't charge a fine for overdue children's books at my library. I'm not checking out adult books until my life is in better order...that may be never.

Nearly forever ago, I entered a contest on Chan's blog and won the purple grand prize. October was quite a month for us. I finally quit my night job at the craft store to focus on being a wife/mom/homeschooler. M & I celebrated our 10th anniversary. He was laid off just 1 week shy of his 1 year with the company and just days after my last day. We remembered the 2nd anniversary of my dad's passing. In some ways, I feel like I've been holding my breath since October. Let's forget about the not breathing...and focus on one of the gifts I've been given. They have encouraged me more than you can know. Thank you Chan, Jessi, Piddleloop girls, Nicole and Anita. The fact that this prize is a gathering of the knitting community is not lost on me.

Clockwise from the yarn. 2 skeins of Get Ewe Done Sport Merino in “Haddon Wood’s Princess of Joy”. Bag from Piddleloop -my first. A tin with 2 stitch markers (included with the yarn). Stitch Markers from Lapdog Creations. And a tape measure from Anita. I'm so enjoying this prize. Here's a close up of the yarn.

And here's the WIP. I've already started the lace portion of this shawl. This is the larger Ishbel. The color here is pretty accurate.

I've had to let this project rest, so I haven't worked on it since we got home from Napa. I'm busy knitting hats in hope that my kids will see snow for the FIRST TIME EVER!

MOTHS!!!

A knitter's swear word! The hole in 4's hat just didn't sit well with me.

And then tonight, I found 2 similar holes in a sock.

Both of those items were in a basket of knit things in my room that was on the floor. I'm PRAYING that my stash has not been affected. I did email back to comments on my last post and got some quick answers. Thanks Amanda and Jessi! Chan said freezer too...and I'm hoping she's not right about the 10 to 14 days, but I might just see how much wool I can fit into the freezer and leave it until after Christmas. Well, at least the good stuff. I'm going to separate the cottons and silks and synthetics. Then I'll bag the wool and prioritize the freezer treatments. I'll start with the yarn in my room, as I haven't found evidence in any other place yet. I did find 2 good articles on infestation.

A Colorado article here.

About Knitting article here.

I typed the above, then I went put all my wool in the freezer. All the good stuff fit. The rest is in ziplock bags waiting its turn. I didn't see any evidence of intruders in my stash. But, the freezer is good insurance anyways.

And since I put the fear of Moths in you all, here's a fun photo of Rex so you don't just stop breathing. It's been a bit chilly here. He's a spoiled kitty. He's been sleeping curled up in our down comforter. I didn't want kitty fur everywhere, and I didn't want to shoe him away, so I gave him my robe to lay on...and left the comforter cave to keep him cozy.

A fix...

I have to fix a hat. I'm glad I took this photo of the kids.

But now, looking at it, I think I can see a tiny hole in the hat here. It's 4's hat. I thought I could just mend it, but its seems to incorporate several rows. I undid the 3 needle bind off last night and was disappointed to find the hole is in the 2nd of the short-row wedges. So I have a question, I've never unknit and added to a piece backwards. Can I unpick the CO edge and then reknit in garter the reverse way. Otherwise, I'll just unknit the whole hat and start over. Here's the kids with M in front of my Gramp's house. They were on their way to the tree lighting.

Since I haven't taken it's own FO shot, I cropped in a family shot to show you the Hurricane Hat I knit for M. while on vacation. It's in Zoom which is cotton/merino yarn. Lovely yarn really!!! But, this is a thin hat and he needs a warmer one too. Why don't I think of knitting hats in the summer?

Another List

I'm so glad I can share my fun memories with you all. Too bad lists aren't as fun. They sure help my productivity though. And at least I've found a few photos. =0)

My mom helped me finish an apron today for a birthday gift tomorrow. 4 needs the next size up, so I see some sewing in the future. I bought the cutest apron pattern a few years back. It was the best $10 I've spent on a pattern. We've made 6 or 7 in the little girls size and I have one.

I sewed in ends on a scarf. It's a feather & fan pattern in Blue Heron Boiled Wool. 6" x 80". I haven't decided if I'll keep it or if it's a gift yet, but I have decided a scarf is a good "car project" for me. This isn't blocked yet, but I'm not sure if I will block it or not.

I liked my Beach Fog Ishbel so much...I cast on for a 2nd one. I worked on it in the car to and from Napa. On the way home I actually started the lace portion. But, I haven't had a chance to work on it since coming home. This is the only photo I have of this project...taken quite awhile ago. This one is in a really special yarn...that will get it's own post...hopefully next week. Some of you will recognize it. ;0)

And to replace my last scarf project, I started this one. It's Ysolda's Ariel in Tilli Tomas Disco Lights Teal. I got this yarn from my MIL & FIL for Christmas (I'm not sure if it was 2008 or 2007). I don't think this scarf works as a "car project" because the purl rows have pattern to them as well. Still, I hope to finish this for New Year's Eve. Maybe it will be for 2010...

My new "car project" is the 2nd front to my Hoodie. I've finished 2 1/2 repeats this week carrying it with me. I have 3 1/2 to go. Then just the hood! Hopefully I can finish this to where it while it's cold here (that's such a short season).

I'm hoping to felt some hats. I have one ready to go (for 4) and one that just needs the shaping at the crown (for me). And they should have flowers. Maybe I'll finish the hats and add the flowers later...they have to felt separate anyways.

M is still asking for another hat. He's got quite a few picked out. Pismo. Groovy Tuque. Handmaiden Quick Hat (but he thinks that they cheat by loosing the stitch pattern when decreasing...I think he's right, but I'm not sure I can fix it.) Wilson. Aaron's Hat. Dean Street. Botanic. Flintshire. If you've made it this far...and looked at some of these links...let me know which hat you like.

My Gram's Cookies

My Gram has 4 recipe boxes. They are neatly organized by category (poultry, salad, dessert, etc.) And then, she has an entire box filled with cookie recipes. My Gram & Gramp used to make several batches each of 10-15 kinds of cookies and have a stack of cookie tins for us to eat when we all came up for Christmas. Aunt Stella's, Nanny B's Shortbread, Cut-Outs, Pepparkakor, Ginger cookies dipped in white chocolate, Evelyn's Date filled cookies, Chocolate Crinkles, Spritz, Candy Cane Cookies, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Dorothy's Coconut, Neapolitan, Special K, Chewy Noels, and Russian Tea Cakes were all in regular rotation. (I'm sure there were others, but those are the ones my Mom and Gramp remembered well when I asked this morning.) When I was a kid, it was my job to take out 4 of each and arrange a cookie plate to pass around the table after the meal. As the grandkids got older, my Gram asked us each what our favorites were, and she eliminated a few of the less popular tins. Then in the last years there were just a few. We visited my Gramp for Thanksgiving, and I decided to leave him with a few cookies (as well as a freezer stuffed with meals). The cookies were fun, but took hours. I made Nanny B's (named after my Great Uncle's Mother), Cut-Outs, and Peanut Butter (with out the kisses this time). I brought up Shortbread and Chocolate Chip from home. As I baked yesterday, I asked my Gramp if they made one kind a day from Thanksgiving until we arrived (usually around the 20th of December and stayed for almost 2 weeks). He said, some times they worked all day for days. I don't think as kids we ever appreciated all that. I know I need to make a few more kinds of cookies when I'm home to send up here.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I'm so thankful this year. I know when times are tough it's easy to look at what we don't have. I am surrounded by family. I'm making memories with my kids. I've got so many wonderful friends. I am blessed. If you're reading this...than know that you're one of the friends I'm thankful for!!! Happy Thanksgiving.

Ishbel Beach Fog!

I love this scarf. I didn't even know I had a perfect shirt to match when I bought this yarn.

I need to get myself a good shawl pin...but for now this old hair stick worked.

I should have put on nicer pants for the photo shoot...so ignore my black sweats for in these shots.

I definitely see more of these in my future. I've started one for me in the larger size. I think my mom would like one too. She mentioned I should knit one for my MIL too. The stockinette portion of this makes great "on-the-go" or "listening to kids" reading knitting. Have you knit an Ishbel yet?

Ishbel Blocking

My first lace. I took photos along the way. Here is Ishbel just after I cast off.

Here she is taking a bath in Lavender Eucalan.

Here's the first half pinned out on my bed. The boys went to basketball practice and my mom took 4 out for a drive. I had 1 hour to myself! I threw the sheets in the wash and blocked lace. =0)

Here's a close up!

Modeled photos in the next post.

List Update

• I blocked my Ishbel and I LOVE it. I CO for a 2nd one in the larger size.
• Started on the Right Front for my Hoodie. I've got the back and the left side done. I hear the hood takes forever. I'd like to have this for Christmas. (a fun gift for myself)
• Made a new hat for me. (a Thorpe)
• Made a hat for M. (a Hurricane Hat)
• I finished a Finish the scarf I was working on (a Feather&Fan scarf 2 Weeknights with Warrick).
• I CO a new scarf to have as a "in the car project"...except the pattern isn't really "car knitting". I'm knitting Ariel in Teal Disco Lights. It's pretty. I think I have to unknit the first 2 repeats because I was doing the PTBL wrong. I can't just unravel because of the sequins. So, I have to decide if I'll really notice 8 stitches that slant the wrong way over 2 repeats.

A list really does help. I still owe the blog a bunch of posts. I've got photos of Ishbel on my laptop. I packed up my Lexie Barnes with SO MANY projects. I might just get a report on how much I LOVE that bag. I'm cooking up a storm. I'll be putting that on my kitchen blog. I'm cooking big dinners every night to fill my Gramp's freezer. He'll have meals from now until Christmas. I'm making cookies...and I'm enjoying my Gram's recipe box. I miss her TONS still, but I'm thrilled to share her recipes with my children. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

A List for Me

I can not believe that I don't have 2 skeins of matching green. I have an assortment of greens, but not 2 skeins that would work for the crochet-along. And really....I have a long list of projects I need to be working on. Why have I lost my knitting focus? Can I really learn to crochet right now...before Christmas?

• Block my Ishbel.
• CO for a 2nd Ishbel (the larger one...in a pretty purple yarn).
• Finish the 4th Red Pear Mitt (from the KAL in Feb).
• Finish the Hoodie
• Make the 2nd mitten for 4.
• Make a new hat for me.
• Make a hat for M.
• Make a felted purse for 4 (can't believe I made them as gifts for a million little girls and my own little girl didn't get one).
• Felt 2 hats (they're already knit).
• Finish the scarf I'm working on (the ball of yarn is golf ball sized...I'm knitting until I run out).
• CO a new scarf to have as a "in the car project".
• Finish 3 2nd socks so I can wear them this winter.

I'm sure there's more...but this is what I'm going to focus on today. OK...I can't do all that today, but I will at least start.

I'm so tempted...

I'm not really a crocheter...but this Mystery CAL looks so fun. If I had 2 balls of any green yarn I'd be hunting for my 4mm crochet hook. I have so many green yarns, but go figure...I don't have 2 that match. And I should be knitting cold weather accessories.

Time for a title change.

My boy is 8! I'm not sure how 8 years have gone by so fast. I remember bringing home this tiny bundle like it was yesterday. M & I weren't sure why the had let us take him home from the hospital. He slept in his car seat that first night. On the middle of our bed. M on one side and me on the other. And this year the clothes he received for his birthday were size 10. He's grown 1 1/4" just since June! I feel like I'll blink and he'll be taller than me. Even more than I'm impressed with his stature, I'm in awe of his LOVE for JESUS. 8 accepted Christ just after his 3rd Birthday, and his first venture into evangelism was to try and get his little brother to repeat the prayer after him. Of course at 20 months, 6 wasn't sure what to make of all that. 8 has a heart for the lost. I love that about him. He is kind and generous. He's sensitive and sweet (he's wonderful to his little sister and her friends). He loves to cook (when he helps me in the kitchen, we're always on a 'cooking show'). He LOVES his LEGOs. He's building an Agent Helicopter right now (one of his gifts last night). He wants to learn to speak as many languages as he can...because that would make him a good spy. Or, he'd like to play in the NBA. I love childhood dreams. He has so much to look forward to. And I'm so blessed to be his mama.

I owe the blog a post....

this will either take 3x the normal post or have numerous typos. I just typed that 4 x. Last week, I injured the pointer finger on my left hand and now I'm wearing a fancy brace until I decide to go to the Dr. My bro...came over yesterday after the pumpkin launching contest at the local university...he taped it up for me. This really is harder than it looks. But the worst part of the injury...I'm a continental knitter...it's my left pointer...My Yarn Finger. Last week I was having a hard time purling, but I persisted. Now, I think I'm going to have to learn to 'throw' if I want to keep knitting.

I've got photos of the pumpkin carving and the pumpkin patch to share. I've got a boy turning 8 this week and there will be much cake to celebrate. I finished Ishbel, but she still needs blocking. AND...I won a contest over at Chan's! That's big news! There will be photos soonish.

My hunt and pecking is driving me nuts. Never take one finger for granted.

Vote for Jenna!

A friend of ours has a photo that could win! Please go vote for Jenna's Snowman. I know how much this would mean to the family. Vote Here. You can vote once per day. And I'm thinking that I should ask for a pound of that coffee if I bring in a ton of votes. ;0)

Knitwise: I've got 9 rows and the BO for my Ishbel. It looks like my next projects need to be hats and mittens for the family. If the money thing remedies itself, then the In-Laws are taking us to 5300 feet for New Years Day 2010. There might be snow...but at the very least it will be cold.

Schoolwise: It is so hard for me to stay focused right now with M home...but having lunch and dinner as a family is a real treat. When he's working he gets home after I feed the kids dinner most nights.

Wish I had more time right now...but M is off to an exam this morning. He's still working on his ARE. I'm off to CBS. Well, 4 just woke up and her nose is a bit stuffy. I'll see if she's ok before we head out the door. It's a brunch morning. I HEART brunch. Especially those potatoes. J's bringing potatoes. =0) I'll post a recipe on my other blog soon. Happy Friday!

WIP Wednesday

I'm feeling lazy about photos. Also, M is on the PC that has our card reader. I'm not sure where the cable for my camera is...if I even have one. So, here's the update...and use your imagination.

I've finished Chart B on Ishbel. I'm knitting the smaller size, so I have to knit A then C before the BO. I'm so excited to block my first lace project. I really see myself knitting another one of these and I'm not even finished with this one. The stockinette section of the scarf was so simple and that's about all I can focus on now. I think I'd like to knit a larger version...that's something I don't have yarn for yet though.

I CO for a simple feather and fan scarf in a beaded wool. I'm about 18" into this project. I spent a great deal of time handwinding the skein into a ball. Yes, I have a swift and winder, but something about the slow winding was soothing. I'm really liking the simple 4-row repeat of this project. It was the perfect thing for the sore throat day. That, and a lot of lemon tea with honey.

My Knitterly Hoodie has slowed down. I'm almost done with the back. But I'm trying to decide if lengthing the sweater is what I want to do. I did lengthen the front. According to the pattern it should be 22". That's about 5 1/2 repeats of the cable pattern. I think I'd like 6 full repeats, and I have a long torso, but I'm just not sure. I've knit one front with 6 repeats, and the back it 4 1/2 repeats. I should finish it up quick...the weather is perfect for a hoodie. Only one small front and then the hood to finish. I hear the hood takes forever though.

That's it for what I'm working on. I do have 2 pair of socks OTN, and a few dishcloths...and I'm dreaming about a new shawl. This one, but I need the yarn for that project too. I'll have to knit from the stash until we're employed here again. Thank God, I should be able to knit for at least a year. ;0)

Both! ...answers to the contest

Bonus points if you know where we were by this sign.

The first piece was created by a pendulum. Some of you were right that spirograph draws repeated curves over a distance (often in a circle). Because of the pendulum, the complex curves here get smaller and smaller.

Here's a link to a YouTube I uploaded. It was a big file, so I'm not even trying to embed it. The black cylinder with a handle is a weight that you can move to change the way the pendulum reacts.

The second piece was mold. There was some mold/fungus sandwiched between pieces of glass. There were flaps you could lift so you could see the different colors of mold determined by if the mold was exposed to light or not. I didn't get a photo explaining this one.

The third piece was Sun Painting. This was one of my favorites. The photo I showed is of a wall about 12 feet tall and 20 feet wide. There were prisms and reflectors for this display. It was a fantastic sunny day, so I'm sure we we saw a treat.

Our family really enjoyed our day at the Exploratorium this summer. I would so love to go back. Other homeschooling moms might enjoy this website. There's tons of great information on their Learning Resource Collection.

And about the contest. Since no one got all the exhibits right, I'll have to just draw from all who left a comment on that post. I'm having 4 roll a dice for the winner...

And the winner is.... comment #2! And Miss Me...your answers were the most correct. I'll be sending something off to you soon. Well, I'll try for soon, but this is my blog and I'll reserve the right to get to the USPS as soon as I can.

Menu Plan Monday: the clean out the freezer edition

I knew that I had a jam packed freezer. I think that's just another way that God will provide for us over the next few weeks (I'm hoping it's just a few). I caught some good sales on whole chickens recently (59 cents/lb) and then there was just the buying of bread because the 2 loaf bundle was on sale and I didn't see the other loaves of bread hidden behind something else. So, yesterday I organized my freezer. I was blown away by how much food was hidden in there. I've planned 4 weeks of meals! I'll only need to shop for eggs, milk, and veggies. I've planned 6 meals/week with one night of planned left-overs.

Week 1

1. Stromboli (bridgeford dough in the freezer!)
2. tacos
3. whole crock pot chicken
4. turkey braid (cooked turkey diced in the freezer!)
5. hot dogs
6. lentil soup

Week 2

1. spaghetti
2. mexican lasagna
3. Tigger chicken
4. chicken pot pie (filling and pie crust in the freezer!)
5. roast (cooked and left-over from another week)
6. black bean chili and corn bread

Week 3

1. pasta & peas (Youtube link)
2. tacos
3. whole crock pot chicken
4. meatloaf (cooked and left over 2 weeks ago)
5. hot dogs
6. vegetable beef soup (use fajita meat because that's what's in the freezer)

Week 4

1. spaghetti
2. fajitas
3. mustard chicken
4. chicken kisses
5. roast (cooked and left-over from another week)
6. tortilla soup

And...because of a pancake making frenzy on Friday (if you're on FB you know why), I have enough pancakes to serve them once a week for breakfast for the next 6 weeks! I also have a dozen frozen biscuits from 'B' week. And 6 loaves of bread for sandwiches. And 6 packages of english muffins. I guess I'm I bit like a squirrel storing up for a rainy day. I'm SO THANKFUL! And a little overwhelmed. I don't know what we'll do in 6 weeks...but I KNOW God will provide. And if it seems crazy that M is enjoying lobster and shrimp while unemployed...well, that's in the freezer too. Because of my allergy he can't eat it when I'm around, and so it's sat in the freezer waiting for a celebration. Maybe he'll pull that out to celebrate an interview.

For more menu plans, check out the Organizing Junkie

!@#$%^&*

I don't normally use curse words. Right now, I kind of wish I did. I'd like to use them to let out some of the emotions I'm feeling right now. Instead, I'm typing here. I have to let it out in a way that my kids won't see. Sure, I want them to know Mommy gets frustrated. Right now...their tender hearts need to be protected.

M is home. It's not yet 4pm...on a Tuesday. What's this mean. Well, at 10:30 this morning he was laid off. It took awhile to finish things up and clear out his desk, then a co-worker took him to lunch. To say the least...my head and my heart are reeling.

October has been a good month...our anniversary, last year M's first day at a new job....

October has been a hard month...5 years ago my Gram's cancer diagnosis, 2 years ago losing my dad...

(Yes, we've told the kids. But, we're trying to keep the emotional level stable for now.)

And now...M was laid off. The 13th would have been his 1 year at this company. We're just a week short of that now. And the ironic thing...September 26th was my last day of work. I finally quit thinking things had settled down and I could find a less hectic balance as a wife, mom of 3, homeschooler, friend...

I'm not even sure of what to think...or do for that matter.

It's Monday alright.

Contestwise: no one is 100% right yet. I'll go with a random drawing if there is no better answer tomorrow.

Kidwise: Took 4 into the Urgent Care yesterday after she was up all night Saturday night with an earache. They said it's not infected yet. She did sleep better last night, but the cough is worse. Hopefully she'll clear out of this in time for art.

Momwise: My house is the cleanest it's been in a long time. We're redoing our loan, and the appraiser is taking photos today. You can bet that snapped us into a 'fall cleaning' mode. There's still work to do, but for today I'm happy. I'll probably take some photos for myself as proof it can be this clean. The kids are instructed not to take anything out before she comes at noon today. And, lunches are packed for the kids so I can shoo them into the backyard to eat at the picnic table while the appraiser works.

Knitwise: Ishbel it is. I looked a bit more around ravelry to see if I could find something where I would use more of the yardage...but Ysolda's design won. I am having problems with the YO's matching on both sides so I read in the Ishbel Forum a link to this post that explains why I had the problem I did...and how to fix it. I'll frog back my 20 rows and fix that after the appraiser today...I'll deserve a break by then.

Menu Plan Monday (my first time linking)

Monday

B: bagles

L: lunchbox

D: roast & red potatoes

Tuesday

B: French Toast (F-week)

L: Muffin Tin Monday...since we were busy on Monday

D: Crock Pot Lasagna (first time I'm trying this...so I'll let you know if it's good)

Wednesday:

B: English Muffins

L: freezer burritos (I made these...I might just write about it later)

D: Chicken Kisses

Thursday

B: French Toast

L: Turkey Sandwiches

D: Tortilla Soup

Friday...it's a big day...it's our 10th anniversary.

B: eggs & biscuits

L: Peanut Butter Sandwiches

D: Brisket & Oven Fries & Gravenstein Apple Pie (M's been wanting to smoke something again since the ribs he made on Labor Day. I bought him a brisket. It's 10#. I figure that's a good 10th anniversary gift since we're 'not really' buying each other gifts...we bought new bedding together at the end of summer...that's our gift to each other.)

Is is Science or is it ART?

Can you figure out how each of these 'pieces' was created?

I might just have to send out a prize if someone gets all 3 correct. Hmmm...I wonder what I have to give as a prize? Bonus points if you know where I was when I took these photos. Answers coming at the beginning of the week.

Ideas to share?

Since I'm not starting school on time, I thought I'd ask for some ideas while I was still enjoying my coffee and the kids are playing kindly with each other. Who am I kidding...the school across the street doesn't start for 10 min...so we're still ok for start time. But...I do want to know......

I have a skein of DIC Smooshy in Beach Fog. I bought it this summer in the bay area. I really want it to be a smallish shawl. Any pattern suggestions?

We've named him Charlie...

Rex is really upset that someone is spending time in the tree in HIS backyard. Charlie clearly doesn't care. He's pretty bold. I was standing about 3' from him to take these photos. He didn't want to interrupt his lunch, so he let me snap away with the camera. This is our "squirrel proof" bird feeder. Charlie's weight would close off the feeder, so he hangs out upside down.

See...I really was close. You can click on this one to see it bigger.

I think he was posing for the photo op.

Knitterly Hoodie 1

I bought the yarn for this Hoodie at Knitterly in Petaluma. It's GGH Aspen. That's a wonderful Merino/Acrylic. It's bulky...super soft...and I loved this discontinued color. Here we have the left front and the start of the back. I started the front in lieu of swatching. I figured if I was going to knit a full repeat of the cable to measure, then I'd might as well knit a piece of the sweater. I did end up frogging my first attempt and going down 2 needle sizes.

I LOVE the XO motif. I'm excited to be able to wear this. I think a short sleeve sweater is perfect for So. Cal. I was getting sad that I wasn't further along on this yet...but then a 105degree day reminds me that I've got at least a month before it will be cool enough for any handknits.

Cooking Update!

I did say that I would share more about the meals that must have made me gain 10# over the weekend. It's easier for me to cook with M home, so I decided to try some fun new recipes. And we had been watching food network while I worked on my dishcloth for DRT.

Saturday's breakfast was Buttermilk Waffles with Strawberries. Since it's not strawberry season, and since I'm a bit lazy in the mornings...we used jam. But, no one seemed to mind. I think the trick here is the cinnamon with the strawberries and the whipped cream. Everyone loved these. M thought they reminded him of all the things he loved about his birthday cake.

Monday's breakfast was to be Apple-Maple Chicken Sausage Breakfast Sammies. But we slept in a bit because M got home so late from the ER. 7 made these with me for lunch. I added an egg to hold the meat in little patties. And, this was supposed to serve 4. I used my large Pampered Chef scoop and made 10 patties. These fit perfect on a English muffin. M did eat 2, but still this recipe would serve 4 men.

For Monday's dinner we had smoked ribs. It was totally worth the $60 thermometer that M bought. M has been asking for a smoker. I found a website with instructions on how to turn you BBQ into a smoker. I think we'll stick with this for awhile, but I really see a smoker on the birthday list next July.

And a bonus recipe for you. Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding. This is WONDERFUL! I didn't make this. A friend brought this over for us to have during "B" week. Yes, we're eating our way through the alphabet again. Do make this. It's so YUM!

Hope you're hungry. Go cook something wonderful.

My Very Lucky 6!

Sunday Night we had some Chinese Exchange students over for dinner. We were just about to pull the food together and sit for dinner. M. was at the BBQ. I was pulling our apple pies out of the oven. 7 comes running into the house shouting 6 is hurt. 6 comes screaming covering his eye. I move his hand for a second...and it didn't look good. I carried him to the couch. 7 got our ice pack. I got a towel for under his head, a washcloth for his eye, and the 'just tears' eye drops. I had to get his dirty hands away from the eye. 7 got another washcloth wet and gave it to M to hold 6's hands and clean them. I opened his eye and used the eye drops as a eye wash. I got all the dirt out. But, there was still a piece of stick in the lower lid (at the left of that scrape). He put the ice pack on the eye...it was getting puffy and I took a minute to breathe and PRAY.

I went back trying to figure out if I needed tweezers or if I should let the ER remove the stick and it was laying on his upper lid! Our own Sunday Night Miracle! With the stick out...I didn't feel as urgent about getting to the ER. 6 said he'd rather eat then go. Growing boys...can't give up their dinner. Besides, it was after 6pm and our urgent care was closed and it seemed like we'd be low priority at the ER. After dinner, M took 6 and I cleaned up the kitchen. The ER Dr's words...."You're VERY LUCKY!" 6 was just a blink away from eye surgery. But, as it turned out...this is how black the eye was. We'll need ice packs several times a day for the first few days, but he's going to be ok. I do think we need consider switching hospitals. I stayed at Pres. because that's where I wanted to have all my kids. Now that we're done with babies...maybe we should choose a closer hospital.

I hope our exchange students still like us...at least we're entertaining.

Labor Day Cooking

Full reports to follow...

Sunday Afternoon: making apple pie with some Chinese exchange students.

Monday Morning: Pie and icecream for breakfast. Bread=crust, Fruit=apples, milk=icecream. All the important groups covered.

Monday Lunch: Apple Maple Chicken Sammies

Monday Dinner: Smoked ribs with the rub posted by the PW.

It's been a perfect weekend...except for the trip to the ER.

We're eating so well...I'll have to plan lots of salad and veggies for the coming week so I don't gain 10#. Hope you're all enjoying a wonderful Labor Day

Now back to my knitting. I'm hoping to finish my hoodie before our 10th anniversary get away.

Son of a Dish Rag Tag

The box arrived.

I opened it. I turned on food network for the kids. I knit.

In a few hours I had a cloth ready to go back into the box. I took the kids to the P.O. and box was on its way to MO.

The kids want to know when another box is coming. I never put a hold on school to let them watch TV. I was excited that I made it to the P.O. before the last pick up of the day....that way the box wasn't stuck with me for the long holiday weekend.

Fearless Heart!

It's time for a new theme song for my life. These words are challenging to me. I don't have that fearless heart now...but I want it. I know HE can do this in me.

Fearless Heart! point of grace You can play the song here.

For even the most trusting soul
This world can be a scary place
So much that we can't control
In every moment that we face

When a thousand what ifs
Whisper in our ears
We remember who's we are
And watch them disappear

I wanna live with a fearless heart
Courage that's coming from trust in God
It's constantly guiding me though the road may seem dark
I wanna live, wanna live with a fearless heart

There are worries chasing everyone
It's evident in times like these
But I have found the confidence that comes
From time I spend on my knees

There's a truth I'm holding onto
As these days unfold
Greater is He, that is in you
Than he that's in the world

I wanna live with a fearless heart
Courage that's coming from trust in God
It's constantly guiding me though the road may seem dark
I wanna live, wanna live with a fearless heart

He's my strength, He's my shelter
He is with me all the way
He's my light and my salvation
Of whom shall I be afraid, of whom shall I be afraid?

I wanna live with a fearless heart
Courage that's coming from trust in God
It's constantly guiding me though the road may seem dark, yeah

I wanna live with a fearless heart
Courage that's coming from trust in God
It's constantly guiding me though the road is dark
I wanna live, wanna live with a fearless heart

With a fearless heart, with a fearless heart
With a fearless heart

We HEART hot air balloons!

One of our favorite things about Napa is the Hot Air Balloons! My Gramp lives close to one of the landing locations. Take off and landing depend on the fog that might have rolled in and where the wind blows. About 6:45am...you can run out into the street and this is what you'll see. Of course my kids are all early risers.

Here's a shot of one going down behind the neighbor's house. I'm standing in my Gramp's driveway to take this shot. And somehow it seemed to be going down not where it was supposed to.

So we got in the car and followed it. Here it is. It was landing on private property, so they let the people out and then had to get the balloon to fly again and drag it with ropes back over the fence into the park where the land was flat enough for the balloon to deflate.

But, while it was in someone's vineyard...it sure made for some good shots. You can click to see this bigger.