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!