tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308763162024-03-13T17:36:54.452-04:00coconut cupcakesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-53046632810994722912011-09-08T21:55:00.003-04:002011-09-08T22:08:38.293-04:00Gosh, what a slacker!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I can't believe its been this long without my posting anything - I'm such a slacker!! Gettting back from CA Sunday near midnight and turning right around and leaving for NJ at 8am the next morning plus jet lag really threw me for a loop. I had so much to catch up on at the new job after being gone for a week, plus lost time and work piling up from being in NJ on business. Not to mention that I needed to train for my half marathon last weekend AND my master's program semester ended 8/31. Whew - its was NUTS. Oh yeah, and an earthquake and a hurricane that hit us directly here in Va Beach. I swear - did the rapture really happen and we're all just still left here? But we didn't realize it before now? What's next? Locusts? Sheesh. Makes me all nervous about 12/21/12 now.....you know, the end of the world and all.<div><br /></div><div>Well, I did catch up on work, our house survived and I did complete the half marathon! woot! It was great but I was slow. At least I really did run the whole thing which was my goal. I'm going to work on getting faster next. Right after my toenails fall off. Seriously. I think my toenails are going to fall off again, like the did the last time I walked the half marathon 2 years ago. My toenails hurt so much still that I just know its going to happen and it totally sucks. I bought the right shoes and everything - I think I didn't tie them tight enough so my foot wouldn't slide forward. They were a full size larger than I normally wear - just so this wouldn't happen. I also had my shoes professionally fitted - so this wouldn't happen. Oh well! At least its not Summer and my toes will be hidden most of the winter. Last time it took a full year - 12 complete months - for my big toe to grow back and look the normal length again. I'm going to get this shirt:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 426px;" src="http://meganerdruns.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/dsc_0913.jpg" border="0" alt="" />I am registered for a 10K in October and another half in the Outer Banks (yep the place that was nearly washed away from Irene) in November. </div><div>Hope all of you are doing GREAT! I miss everyone!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-80554629360947747672010-03-27T08:28:00.000-04:002010-03-27T08:28:40.211-04:00Leila and Ben Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/03/leila-ben-patterns-guest-giveaway.html">Leila and Ben Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-37456676990702392832009-08-01T11:50:00.003-04:002009-08-01T11:57:04.915-04:00One month left in the summer? really?The summer is flying by. I've only been to beach a few times, one time to the water park, a few times to Busch Gardens. I had so many plans for this summer. I have been doing a good job with my time - taking days off to spend with the kids and working in the evening as well. It is so very nice to have flexibility in job to go in whenever I want. Stress at work is lower than its been in a while - regardless of the looming fact that we could be closed and laid off at anytime. I'm contemplating getting masters since work would pay for it - so that I have to put on my resume in the event I am laid off. I'm not even sure a Master's degree would make that much of a difference, really. If I could use the degree to learn how to run my own business, now that would be a different story. Anyway - back to summer - I turned 40, DH turned 40. I've been traveling a lot for fun and not at all for work. Been to some amazing concerts and had some amazing experiences with all the traveling. No complaints, its been quite an awesome year so far. Now its time to plan for travel for the family. I'd like to go to Legoland in CA and Disney World in FL. We also still have Busch Garden's tickets to use.<br />We've been getting a ton of stuff done around the house. Since Lainey is bigger we actually have 20 mins or so at a time that might be uninterrupted or when she's actually not destroying something or putting herself in danger or running down the street. We still have a lot on the list to go - but I know we'll get a lot more done in the weekends to come! Its been very motivating!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-44392646506807426572009-07-16T19:54:00.002-04:002009-07-16T20:24:27.789-04:00Is it really the middle of Summer?Alana had her first birthday already! wow - I can't believe it. My sister celebrated it with her when the family visited Virginia last month. Lainey really had a wonderful time and really enjoyed dressing up as a fairy!<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3580287322_607f1bf296.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3580287322_607f1bf296.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3580296558_f6dd27f8ea_m.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3580296558_f6dd27f8ea_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Weather has been beautiful and we've been getting a lot done around the house and having a lot of fun. Mr. Cupcakes and I planned to make a special effort to be sure we planned fun time with the kids this summer and not just worked on projects all summer long. In fact Mr. C is at Kings Dominion right now - on a weekday - with Will. They've been texting me pictures all day long of all the roller coasters they've been on today. Will is having a great summer so far.</div><br /><br /><div>Lainey is swimming well in the pool, she's willing to go underwater on her own, holding her breath. She's not afraid anymore - so the next step is to add swimming and she'll be done!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-70254367169765585222008-12-08T21:43:00.003-05:002008-12-08T22:01:20.892-05:00OMG - my favorite knitting needles ever...<div><br /><div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/3093682895_4be2cfa5a1.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/3093682895_4be2cfa5a1.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a> There really is a Santa Claus - because who else would have <a href="http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/C5DE587E-829E-4FBA-8825-881E03190A10/productID/93273C34-EB3C-43F3-8CCC-E7C937E566AC/">these</a> available in December!!??!! Way cool. Way expensive, but way cool. hmmm - if you bought addi's at $12-$14 each, well then they'd pay for themselves after 10 purchases....oh so many ways to jusify the cost. *sigh* <div><div><div></div><br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/3094534064_8d1338be2d_m.jpg" border="0" /> <div>We took the kids to Hunt Club Forest - it was a great time - they had a live nativity scene including a real camel! <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/3094531138_864bf01906_m.jpg" border="0" />They had bonfires where you could roast hot dogs or s'mores. Santa Claus was there, there was a fully lit up with xmas lights petting zoo, play area, and an all new Christmas barn full of animated stuffed animals in a complete winter scene. It really was magical!</div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/3094518924_277102d824.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3093681811_b1ca6367d6.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br />They also had this really cool maze of lights that, as you can see, Will enjoyed running through at top speeds and trying to get to the big christmas tree in the center and then find his way back out again. He has so much fun!<br /><br /><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/3094526930_679f9d9172.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-10495250959947426702008-12-03T19:55:00.007-05:002008-12-03T21:14:57.605-05:00Life in Minature or Farts and CrapsI decided to do Arts and Crafts (or 'Farts and Craps' as Will likes to call it) with Will for a little fun. So I gave polymer clay a try. Its really very easy and rather addictive. We'll be making some christmas presents and spending time making stuff up. Will made sharks, squid, the Loch Ness Monster and other interesting stuff. I decided to make mugs of hot chocolate, coffee, and a cake. Here are some pictures of some of the items. I want to make more b/c its really pretty easy. The neat part is you just cook it at 275° for 15 mins and it completely cures it! Also, the clay doesn't air dry, its stays malleable for days. I want to give liquid polymer a try - there are some cool effects that can be done with liquid clay. Anyway - give it a try - here are some of our results. *PS - the wires are head pins that I will bake in the clay so I can turn them into beads for knitting stitch markers or bracelets or whatever....<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275736486692325218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUbHlJTcrwfpala1ZmrLE-nPJ_C3rYyRI4GiZ27KRZ6gz2FIstb5yZL3PVWw1TXgZHxYm7NngGu8poJr0xHTXNOUgmUW-kkpk60iwwD3yTX3zitxBj0D7qIzEuDfn1Npj-Gdw/s400/DSC_1394.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NPadAqPC50k3pfShsPLSykCsiNztCIwBBjA-Y2NaLiGFVOZcA3_CHgIylErYanqHj6YPrJzc8lweiyxONRWF049etHbhxGYRG0L7f-38KWOoOsHoPEvcT6czMCHiHy6LLNnR/s1600-h/DSC_1392.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275736477556123010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NPadAqPC50k3pfShsPLSykCsiNztCIwBBjA-Y2NaLiGFVOZcA3_CHgIylErYanqHj6YPrJzc8lweiyxONRWF049etHbhxGYRG0L7f-38KWOoOsHoPEvcT6czMCHiHy6LLNnR/s400/DSC_1392.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpGsERnjG1tgIVH4sEU7FMxGcIrShst2hN_5QCvy5JgWghPYkK637KyEb2pujiUvnqjnslhyV-BEAP9wdcP3fmVQ7irxAIK3ShjNafSmWkdV7SOu9_i86BQENlhZwElE25_gf/s1600-h/DSC_1391.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275736471556421826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpGsERnjG1tgIVH4sEU7FMxGcIrShst2hN_5QCvy5JgWghPYkK637KyEb2pujiUvnqjnslhyV-BEAP9wdcP3fmVQ7irxAIK3ShjNafSmWkdV7SOu9_i86BQENlhZwElE25_gf/s400/DSC_1391.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjLhqnwF-SVCA0imr71hryGjJa4be8ICV7r9u_BYqMhtQHC_8L9YDtD6CgKj70On-bNOP-r0jZ5oe5ZDmhaEHZwqVnJRAaKcyb-pu2258PUkPBjC1bVpO90hbfXxEXv_kD5hT/s1600-h/DSC_1390.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275736462801318178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjLhqnwF-SVCA0imr71hryGjJa4be8ICV7r9u_BYqMhtQHC_8L9YDtD6CgKj70On-bNOP-r0jZ5oe5ZDmhaEHZwqVnJRAaKcyb-pu2258PUkPBjC1bVpO90hbfXxEXv_kD5hT/s400/DSC_1390.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMWNxaeAnYX-t7a4I9iTS702mdba5sifUoVAXCx3oWphZvV8FTNIkgbMhq8l_mobDtvARCbKvJH8yd-uFGEMRSU6G_tYv-pNeVBinDuRZtBUo3u75FzLxVlYgwQy5lSAc24cT/s1600-h/DSC_1395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275736459185937842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMWNxaeAnYX-t7a4I9iTS702mdba5sifUoVAXCx3oWphZvV8FTNIkgbMhq8l_mobDtvARCbKvJH8yd-uFGEMRSU6G_tYv-pNeVBinDuRZtBUo3u75FzLxVlYgwQy5lSAc24cT/s400/DSC_1395.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks MARCIE for subscribing ! You're the most important and the best subscriber I have!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-67848807828185708142008-11-23T20:08:00.003-05:002008-12-03T21:15:47.157-05:00The sweetest thing...I was looking around Ravelry and found this guy who knit the most beautiful blanket for his mom. I'd been wanting to make a wedding blanket for someone I know that had some celtic cables - and I came across this. He actually videotaped his mom recieving the blanket for her 50th birthday. For those of us who knit, making something like this would take hours and hours over months and months. Its just - well - the sweetest thing! The priceless part is how proud he is to give something so meaningful to his mom. Gush!<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gokzCZxTSLc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gokzCZxTSLc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-7796302264716409692008-11-23T12:48:00.002-05:002008-11-23T12:55:31.635-05:00Pretty and Simple<a href="http://elann.com/images/image1/y3234359.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 435px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://elann.com/images/image1/y3234359.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Saw <a href="http://elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=299024">this</a> on <a href="http://elann.com/">Elann</a> today - I really like how this looks and would make some nice and quick Christmas gifts. I also pulled it up on <a href="http://ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> - I see that the <a href="http://scottishlamb.typepad.com/">ScottishLamb</a> has made one. Hers is the featured photo - very nice! I've followed her blog for a few years now - I started reading it b/c she and her family were stationed in Germany - and I just loved that place as many people know when my husband and I visited there 7 yrs ago. Anyway - check it out and I'd love to hear if anyone else had made this !</div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-11184400864675908762008-11-22T13:15:00.002-05:002008-12-03T21:16:21.905-05:00Getting cold outside!It sure is getting cold outside! It actually flurried just a bit the other morning - Lainey's first ever time seeing snow. I am busy cleaning the house and logging 'inventory' - making lists of the things I've bought and for whom so that I don't overspend! I'm going to be using Google documents - in addition to the shared calendar - we're using to track the kids' practices, boy scout meetings, races, etc. If we track our Xmas expenses - i'm thinking we'll spend a lot less this year!<br /><br />I'm also making lists of holiday crafts I want to make. Going to Michael's today to get some felt to make felt gingerbread men and pre-tend cookies to decorate the tree whenever we get it. I found this site - <a href="http://flipflopsandapplesauce.com/">http://flipflopsandapplesauce.com/</a>. It has great crafts and links to crafts that are great for the kids during the holidays.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-26660026930446167142008-10-05T19:49:00.006-04:002008-12-03T21:15:27.015-05:00I've been Buble'd - again!<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2914256013_6422880043.jpg?v=1223248950"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2914256013_6422880043.jpg?v=1223248950" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2914122361_32072a81fa.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2914122361_32072a81fa.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a> Did I mention we were in 1st row? see? wow - maybe a little too close up?<br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2915105672_23b2227df4.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2915105672_23b2227df4.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2915104394_cf4d2b69c0.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2915104394_cf4d2b69c0.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, its happened again. Another stalking episode of a hunk with money, looks and talent on the older woman groupie show. Yup - that's me! Well and my sister too. She's the one who got me involved in this whole wonderful mess. We did a road trip to go see Michael Buble - that little hunk of Canadian bacon. We had a great time and as always, my sister scored big, and I simply benefitted from being related to her. She scored us FRONT ROW seats! Uh huh, oh yeah! And that's not even the best part. The hug and kiss at the end of the night while he was signing our autographs was! Wooo hooooo - and did I mention - he smells good too? ~*~swoon~*~ Here's some awesome shots and some video as well. </div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88498543@N00/sets/72157607758654839/show/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/88498543@N00/sets/72157607758654839/show/</a></div><br /><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3qfW236Mxw4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3qfW236Mxw4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-31431133628999910452008-09-14T14:27:00.002-04:002008-09-14T14:34:31.097-04:00Petal Hat<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2665849364_99aacbbf32.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2665849364_99aacbbf32.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2665850268_1fb332208b.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2665850268_1fb332208b.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2665849714_201ea25b14.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2665849714_201ea25b14.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I'm making the upside down daisy hat from Susan B. Anderson's "itty bitty hats." I've made it in cotton ease for my new little neice Alana, but its clearly too big so I'll see if it fits someone else. I like the color combination. Finished the petals (I added 2 rows to make the petals a little longer) now all I have to do is sew on the petals and voila! I have so much I want to make - and just not enough time to do it in! </div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-73886440244448363272008-09-06T08:29:00.005-04:002008-09-06T15:29:26.497-04:00Maroon 5 concert was great<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2703806008_fe14a528f9.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2703806008_fe14a528f9.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2703781748_5daf669c05.jpg?v=1217075912"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2703781748_5daf669c05.jpg?v=1217075912" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2703781748_5daf669c05_m.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Been a long time since I posted - but its been a busy summer with toddler, an active 7 yr old boy, and a high stress full-time+ job (whose job isn't high stress these days)?! Anyway, its been a great summer and I plan to post pics and things we've done this summer! I got 7th row to a Maroon5/Counting Crows concert about a month ago - and got some great pics. Some of my pics even got chosen to be posted to a high profice Maroon 5 fan website. My sister and her son got to meet the bands - very cool too!</div><br /><br /><div>I've gotten some knitting done - that's a great personal accomplishment! Hope everyone else had a great summer too! </div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-80572829483596330282008-02-25T19:16:00.001-05:002008-02-25T19:16:02.134-05:00Back from long business trip and look! Cocoa swap box!<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88498543@N00/2292756004/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/2292756004_c7f75a66d2.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88498543@N00/2292756004/">DSC_0794</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/88498543@N00/">RhondaMHC</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> I recently returned from a very long business trip - hence no posts since late January! Well, upon my return, look what I found! Some awesome gifts from my secret pal! How wonderful is this??? She sent me the most decadent Dove bars (I ate one so one is missing - oops!), a GORGEOUS cocoa colored mug - its just the perfect size and weight. She also sent me a tape measure - needed one! The most decadent dark chocolate marshmallows - simply divine! And you should see the adorable stitch markers - they are handmade, came in a lovely little burgandy organza drawstring bag, and the most fun yarn! Its fuzzy and mulit colored - gorgeous! What you don't see is some pretty little crystal heart votives and a the most adorable little fuzzy valentine's day guy! My daughter has confiscated and won't give it back! Thank you so very much Secret Pal - you are simply AWESOME!!! She did such an amazing job and was so thoughful! You really did a wonderful job and I thank you so sincerely! It was such a welcome surprise when I came back from out of town! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-74703077469586742192008-02-01T21:46:00.000-05:002008-02-01T22:10:14.841-05:00I've been a little busy....realizing my dream since I was 14!!<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/2230979853_f903211879.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/2230979853_f903211879.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2231773930_3de7573d6c_s.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2230977135_c06e6f08bb.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2230977135_c06e6f08bb.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2231773806_922307d3b2.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2231773806_922307d3b2.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/2230978731_964a5649e8.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/2230978731_964a5649e8.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><div>My dear sister got me into see my absolute idol from when I was 14 years old - bck in 1984 - and for those of you who were teenagers in the 80's - this group of fabulous boys from England were so hot you had to say their name twice.....who is it you say? DURAN DURAN! Yes - I'm a groupie and for an hour and a half the other day, I was 14 again. No kids, no long and committed relationship, no stressful job, no bills to pay, and no college funds to save up for.....just me, my older sister, and I swear - I could feel my hair perk up - wanting to be BIG again! Even though I KNOW there is a hole in the ozone layer with my name on it from all the AQUANET I used in the 80's - big hair, big earrings, big shoulder pads, and skinny jeans - it all came back to me as I sat FOUR FEET away from my teenage crush - Simon LeBon. *SWOON* This took place at a local oceanfront restaurant, 40-50 other women just like me, all us realizing a DREAM. Nick Rhodes was also there - there were promoting an upcoming tour and recently released new album. How neat. Sigh. How divine. Sigh. I remember when I went to their concert - I was so far back I couldn't really see them at all performing - but I remember just thinking I couldn't believe I was actually in the same room with Simon LeBon! Fast forward 24 years later (OMG, Am I really that old? really?) and I'm freakin' FOUR FEET away from Simon LeBon! All I was thinking was, I'm actually in the same room as Duran Duran. Are they really sitting right there talking? Did he just look at me? OMG. Do you think I could actually TOUCH him? Uhhh huh. Oh yeah. Not only touch but actually TALK to them - and not like you talk to your computer - they actually heard you and TALKED BACK. OMG. I was SUCH a girl. SUCH a 14 year old girl.....and it was (in my best valley girl accent) Oh Ma Gawd - it was like totally awesome!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-50546106392161066112008-01-21T15:36:00.001-05:002008-01-21T15:41:33.804-05:00Hubby won his race<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2611/3319/320/DSC_0029.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2611/3319/320/DSC_0029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2611/3319/320/DSC_0029.jpg"></a> DH (dear husband) won his race in Charlotte this past weekend. He doesn't usually race down there but he decided to give it a try after they invited him. He was very happy he won and of course Will was excited that his dad brought home a trophy. I'm not sure how much longer DH will race, but he enjoys it, and at our age its hard to find thing you really enjoy. When you find it - you should enjoy every minute of it. I know he does - I do try to relate - but its just not something I enjoy. I've told him to keep racing his cars for as long as he wants. Besides, it gives me a great excuse to keep knitting and buying yarn without guilt!<br /><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-18942984138535993152008-01-19T15:12:00.000-05:002008-01-19T18:03:23.796-05:00Cocoa Swap update<div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2204069089_6a93e96aac.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2204069089_6a93e96aac.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a> Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?<br />I don't think I'm a slow knitter - my time is just limited with a 1yr old, a high stress job that requires a lot of hours, and a need for 8 hours of sleep each night. So while most other people are looking ahead to spring and summer, I'm still working on finishing my winter projects! I've not found the right cotton yarn yet that gives enough not to hurt my hands (any suggestions?) but I do very much like cotton yarns. I got my shipment from WEBS from their year end sale. I must admit, I'm a little disappointed with the yarn choices I made. I guess the pictures looked better online than what I selected. I know I took a chance - but I wanted to try something different since I always seem to buy the same type of yarn. </div><br /><br /><div>This is Lains Du Nord - Cashsilk. I bought it in a creamy off white, a light grey, and a deep chocolate brown. It was simply such a good deal - I wasn't sure what I'd make with it - perhaps a nice layette or something for my sister's baby to be.</div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2319/2204860308_b380e4c9b5.jpg?v=0" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2204860540_801415c44d_m.jpg" border="0" /> <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/2204068911_cd0e7e9e3e.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></div><br /><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2204068849_8145374df4.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></div><div>I also bought this - Bazic Wool superwash - I liked the colors - teal blue, nice apple green and pink. The yarn is a little nubby - neat texture - and very soft. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/2204068283_d1d389f6e5.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2204068413_494d3a9147.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2008/2204068351_ca97dd929c.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2204068501_13403d8f82.jpg?v=0" border="0" />I took a few pictures of LuLu in the cream bolero I made for her. She's walking around playing with my Blackberry - pretending to talk on the phone. She loves to push the buttons, of course, goodness knows who she has called! Can you see I didn't sew on the left sleeve yet? Hee Hee. It fits her nicely - 3/4 sleeves and all.... <br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2293/2204861430_7a0d9e032a.jpg?v=1200781207" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2386/2204069679_6281a0aff2.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-38166541752886065782008-01-13T11:46:00.000-05:002008-12-09T02:02:52.616-05:00Cupcake ice cream cones (say THAT fast!)<a href="http://lh5.google.com/rhc360/R4pCDqBYQXI/AAAAAAAAAWg/kiq1BASs2ec/DSC_0660.JPG?imgmax=512"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh5.google.com/rhc360/R4pCDqBYQXI/AAAAAAAAAWg/kiq1BASs2ec/DSC_0660.JPG?imgmax=512" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPWsU7mKzuQL49bEg2iAJ1uwgSSUnpwPZf3TYfN-Uu6_m75XlAqvMsIXvnD10R3V0OeBfqkmkdYOWYIw2dNShPRe0epkMA7cGvqhwqYjsxJpyYUk9V7T4xxr0RFN-EpEBuXuM/s1600-h/DSC_0603.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPWsU7mKzuQL49bEg2iAJ1uwgSSUnpwPZf3TYfN-Uu6_m75XlAqvMsIXvnD10R3V0OeBfqkmkdYOWYIw2dNShPRe0epkMA7cGvqhwqYjsxJpyYUk9V7T4xxr0RFN-EpEBuXuM/s400/DSC_0603.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>So this is the Nordic ware cupcake pan I bought from Willams-Sonoma at Christmas. I know many people make cupcakes right in the cone itself -but I thouht this would be really cool. Well, it is and it isn't. I wasnt sure how much to fill the pan with batter - I used pinapple supreme! Yum! Notice the lovely mounding on top? Perfect shape for icing just like a real ice cream cone, no? No.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BgxMSD3Ne7w3FUOEiiTtexpDuCrG1U_lnbgdgnKdJ2mHtwxEPssOGxayRigFwH8fW1oqffZpzwLyn1DigplBE-OHcvfjWgkBYtsPlweMNFEyRRlMhrMG6RDYGf7eQRPwd9Lb/s1600-h/DSC_0604.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BgxMSD3Ne7w3FUOEiiTtexpDuCrG1U_lnbgdgnKdJ2mHtwxEPssOGxayRigFwH8fW1oqffZpzwLyn1DigplBE-OHcvfjWgkBYtsPlweMNFEyRRlMhrMG6RDYGf7eQRPwd9Lb/s400/DSC_0604.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Just in case you wanted to see what the inside of the pan looked like - to get the 3D idea of the cone shape it makes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd2STa6n5JuYCFn3G6jRpBNbucB9T8oZa-fdJmlmKNXWMBR9ZbLMHq4G8BtnsqeLsp1rnxyNV8gGgQJmlk9kCrCZcozPLu7S4qc0QzZMbXfdjbBR0YmNt3TrmSu0IWoy3bnz8/s1600-h/DSC_0607.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd2STa6n5JuYCFn3G6jRpBNbucB9T8oZa-fdJmlmKNXWMBR9ZbLMHq4G8BtnsqeLsp1rnxyNV8gGgQJmlk9kCrCZcozPLu7S4qc0QzZMbXfdjbBR0YmNt3TrmSu0IWoy3bnz8/s400/DSC_0607.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>So I popped 'em out. Perfect. Well, not so.....they're TOP HEAVY. ugh! so as you can see, I had to CUT OFF the lovely roundness perfect for icing just like a real ice cream cone. Also, notice the extra cupcakes on the side. A box of duncan hines cake mix made enough to fill (overfill I realized now) the pan mold and have enough left for 4 traditional cupcakes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yd11mjlssHiqh75kzq_bsnLoOiKjybEBcVQ13Ph035-ZRcaFsm034XU3wKk8RrGAgVaXB0ptDs6UsZj_50ckXGLMljmKdUjrjDWDu-GyFsUEB4fX8OGtA8XrpmGL3w65FGkt/s1600-h/DSC_0614.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yd11mjlssHiqh75kzq_bsnLoOiKjybEBcVQ13Ph035-ZRcaFsm034XU3wKk8RrGAgVaXB0ptDs6UsZj_50ckXGLMljmKdUjrjDWDu-GyFsUEB4fX8OGtA8XrpmGL3w65FGkt/s400/DSC_0614.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><p>Et Voila! Ze perfect ice cream cone cup-a-cake-ah, no? Well, actually no again. Its still so freakin frackin top heavy guess what happened after I took this picture? (oh and notice the back up cupcake in the background - that little worker cupcake is holding up the star of the show there!) </p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh4.google.com/rhc360/R4pB0aBYP2I/AAAAAAAAASU/1UHr5tnmO2Q/DSC_0627.JPG?imgmax=512" border="0" /><br /><p></p><br /><p>The cake is so heavy (read - deliciously moist) that it can't stand up!?! An ice cream cone you can't stand up! Grrr. My dear husband, always supportive replied, well maybe you're just supposed to hold them........its honestly too much cake to eat and the proportion of frosting to cake just isn't right. Darn it! </p>So, here's some calorie free cupcake goodness for your viewing pleasure! mmm. Pinapple supreme cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. *oh! and replace the water in the batter with pinapple juice. wow.</div><br /><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh5.google.com/rhc360/R4pB2qBYP7I/AAAAAAAAAS8/rg3Uzc__tLo/DSC_0632.JPG?imgmax=512" border="0" /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/rhc360/R4pB9KBYQJI/AAAAAAAAAUw/8D3-lkOSe6o/DSC_0646.JPG?imgmax=512" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/rhc360/R4pCEKBYQYI/AAAAAAAAAWo/i60sfMqOj-c/DSC_0661.JPG?imgmax=512" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/rhc360/R4pB6KBYQDI/AAAAAAAAAT8/LDWny1OmeNY/DSC_0640.JPG?imgmax=512" border="0" /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-77772904798915628992008-01-12T13:56:00.000-05:002008-12-09T02:02:55.794-05:00<div><br /></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3ww2zBSMw2DpyP_ZnKL7VBEMBcT2tPF-ab3bG6lDaoScYNfYgrRokmU-nSc5-vLVOaRpGY5YlPt5Ba9j99PZFV1EHldxLVGleQNlHulkymQkIFcEUk7P3_dH9ez1yVZV4caQ/s1600-h/DSC_0436.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3ww2zBSMw2DpyP_ZnKL7VBEMBcT2tPF-ab3bG6lDaoScYNfYgrRokmU-nSc5-vLVOaRpGY5YlPt5Ba9j99PZFV1EHldxLVGleQNlHulkymQkIFcEUk7P3_dH9ez1yVZV4caQ/s400/DSC_0436.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquuTsMOom7bWXf9kpD8wIORPmJGuE_mtc6nmxwIjjZ8LBHIqUHom6G8jlGIh2OBbWAu8Or3pRkf9GUW2awAiJ-L6U__X4xgy2MkZ-5e4aCWarY84TQeq-QT1Vfvt3bnMcJltJ/s1600-h/DSC_0437.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquuTsMOom7bWXf9kpD8wIORPmJGuE_mtc6nmxwIjjZ8LBHIqUHom6G8jlGIh2OBbWAu8Or3pRkf9GUW2awAiJ-L6U__X4xgy2MkZ-5e4aCWarY84TQeq-QT1Vfvt3bnMcJltJ/s400/DSC_0437.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGS4gHeLBrvYbRrGqRiEB4bsOcqjSlVWj6BNtvP6xrkOn47wLHBjZ5shA2P6ziE1BPadm4z5P9TE2c43LNXEY47E0CBbdaPMd6EQNE5RJD6AW-9zS_5lE_-6yskqDFxfsUoXR/s1600-h/DSC_0440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGS4gHeLBrvYbRrGqRiEB4bsOcqjSlVWj6BNtvP6xrkOn47wLHBjZ5shA2P6ziE1BPadm4z5P9TE2c43LNXEY47E0CBbdaPMd6EQNE5RJD6AW-9zS_5lE_-6yskqDFxfsUoXR/s400/DSC_0440.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>Susan B. Anderson's 2nd book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Itty-Bitty-Nursery-Susan-B-Anderson/dp/1579653340/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200163956&sr=8-1">Itty Bitty Knits</a>, I bought it online and got in the mail a few days ago. I'm especially interested b/c I had made <a href="http://coconutcupcakes.blogspot.com/2007/12/coconut-cupcake-hat.html">my own knitted cupcake hat</a>, and wanted to take a look at hers. Not to mention I have her other book and have made a few hats from it. I also like her cupcake 'tea set' - its very cute. I may just make it for Lainey. I just wish I could find more of that yarn I used for Lainey's original cupcake hat. I can't find it anywhere and I don't know the name/manuf. I got it as an oddball leftover from my sister.<br />Anyway, <a href="http://cccracing.com/">dh</a> is racing in Charlotte, NC this weekend so I'm a single parent for Fri and Sat. He left early on Friday, and after racing all day Saturday, he will drive home and be home in the wee hours of Sunday morning while we are all fast asleep. It should be interesting and I hope the kids and I will have a lot fun. I've got some things planned for Sat to help the hours go by and keep them occupied. We may make a pizza together - they both like to be part of it. Maybe do a movie night with popcorn and all of us lined up on the couch eating popcorn. I'll light the german smoker for them to ooh and ahh over and I'll try to enjoy a glass of velvety red merlot.<br /></div><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/rhc360/R4kO6aBYPPI/AAAAAAAAALQ/Ho2ZEXEWimI/DSC_0428.JPG" border="0" /><br />Lainey is spending most of her day antagonizing the puppy - she hugs him so hard he yelps in pain. She doesn't understand why he runs from her when all she wants to do is love him. She looks hurt everytime we check to make sure the dog is still breathing. I think he does enjoy it - just a little bit. </p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh5.google.com/rhc360/R4kPj6BYPQI/AAAAAAAAALY/q8IKLw_tzSY/DSC_0449.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-40296713358117151272008-01-06T09:10:00.000-05:002008-01-12T08:41:37.837-05:00Hot cocoa swap questionairre:Here's my answers for the Cocoa Swap!<br />Cocoa:<br />1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? I don't have a preference - sometimes I don't have time to prepare the milk - but I honestly like both. I've never made home made cocoa - so I wouldn't know - but it sounds fun! I definitely make it in an oversized, heavy MUG. I love mugs.<br /><br />2. Marshmallows or whipped cream? I love both. Whipped cream is a standby for my coffee too, and I just tried Williams Sonoma chocolate marshmallows - OMG. what a dream!<br /><br />Yarn/Knitting/Crochet<br />1. What is your favorite type of yarn? Worsted - I live varigated yarns and like solids too. The colors I like currently are varigated pink/brown/cream, greys, dark blue, chocolate browns, greens, but I also like those colors when they're varigated with brights like light blue, fuschia, apple green. I also love pinks, dusty lavendars, apple greens, duck egg blue.<br /><br />2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)? I knit exclusively.<br /><br />3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new? I love my addi turbos, my bamboo and birch for baby yarn/projects. And always willing to try something new!<br /><br />4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions? I don't have a ton of notions - I'm personally trying to find the perfect row counter. Kids always steal mine. I like the ka-ching. don't have a tape measure, don't have many needle protectors, have a few stitch markers, so no - don't really have a lot of notions.<br /><br />5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)? those interchangable needles or the knit picks needles - but still not sure.<br /><br />6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification) I like making baby hats - the strawberries, watemelons, pumpkins, the quick circular needle baby cap.<br /><br />Miscellaneous<br />1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter? Cook, knit, read magazines, watch movies, all by a nice fire.<br /><br />2. What is your favorite animal? don't have a favorite but I like- bunnies, cats, marine animals (I live on the coast), you know - the basics. I don't like octopus (wow - what's the plural version of that? octopi? lol) , jelly fish, eels, nothing creepy crawly. ewww.<br /><br />3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'? Definitely.<br /><br />4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs? Cook and knit by the fire with a hot cup of anything.<br /><br />5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring? Planting flowers, planting tomatos and basil in my garden, sitting outside by the pool.<br /><br />6. What are your favorite treat? I love dark chocolate.<br /><br />7. What is your favorite board game?<br /><br />8. Do you have any children (furry or human)? Yes - have 2 children, boy 6, girl 1. Son has a new puppy - miniature dachsund named "Luke." I think I prefer cats - not used to the potty training thing for dogs. Cats just handle it themselves.<br /><br />9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about? No allergies, no special considerations!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-26970708756775229002008-01-06T07:30:00.000-05:002008-01-06T18:43:55.504-05:00Favorite Things CONTEST!<a href="http://www.favoritethings-cincy.com/images/Door.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.favoritethings-cincy.com/images/Door.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:8O3ues6x3zAOFM:http://picture-book.com/files/userimages/80u/favorite-things-cover.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>Just wanted to share I'm running a quick little contest!<br />I wonder sometimes who is reading this blog and I want to get to know who is! I look around a lot but I need some feedback! My comments are lonely! I also just think contests are fun so I'm really looking forward to this! The contest will run for the rest of January. On Jan 31st, I'll randomly draw one winner.<br /><br />To enter, all you have to do is leave me a comment with your name - share your blog if you have one - and I'd love to know what YOUR favorite things are! Refer someone to the contest and if they mention your name in their comments, you'll get an additional entry. Now, I know I'm not Oprah, but I do like her favorite things show - simply b/c its nice to know what things are really great things! My sisters and I do a much cheaper version of this at Christmas. So do my girlfriends. We get each other very little things - stuff that costs less than $30 on average, and just just buy each other our favorite things so the others know what's a good buy, good color, good product!<br />For example, my sister <a href="http://moosieknits.blogspot.com/">Moosie</a> bought all of us this:<br />-A handmade cosmetics bag (she made herself) great color, perfect size.<br />-Trader Joe's "<a href="http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/Products/Health,_Beauty/Honey_Mango_Cream_Shave/details/">Shave</a>" in Honey Mango. Its shave balm (she says its great-and we don't have Trader Joe's here yet in Va Beach)<br />-Bisous Provance Green Tea triple milled soap also from Trader Joe's. And it does smell amazing - not so much green tea - but its reeeally nice.<br />My sister Shelly bought us:<br />-the perfect shade of burgandy red OPI nail polish for our pedicures in "an affair in red square."</div><div> -Yankee candle votive to share her favorite new Xmas scent "Red Apple Wreath."<br /><br />And what was one of my favorite things this year? I bought them big 'ol hot chocolate mugs with Lindt hot chocolate and another favorite - from Target - they have a toffee almond hot chocolate that is simply the BEST I've ever had! Its seasonal, but oh my gosh, so wonderful! Some of my other favorite things this year:<br />1. <a href="http://www.bond-america.com/products/embellish-knit.html">Karabella Aurora 8 Bulky</a> - what an awesome yarn! My favorite yarn is Karabella aurora 8, and they also make it in bulky. Took something perfect and made it bulky. Love it. I'm making this <a href="http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=165024">Elan wrap </a>(free pattern) out of an lusterous charcoal grey right now...<br />2. <a href="http://www.bond-america.com/products/embellish-knit.html">I-cord maker</a> - "Embelish-knit" was a favorite thing from my sister. Now I make i-cord trim, ties for baby hats, all kinds of things. Love it. buy one.<br />3. <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/fd462/index.cfm?bnrid=3100117&cm_ven=WS&cm_cat=General&cm_pla=SiteMap&cm_ite=Products&CM_REF=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fsourceid%3Dnavclient%26ie%3DUTF-8%26rlz%3D1T4GFRI_enUS245US245%26q%3Dwilliams%2Bsonoma%2Bchocolate%2Bmarshmallows&flash=on">Williams Sonoma Chocolate marshmallows </a>- I had no idea how those things handmade marshmallows melt and have that amazingly, creamy, thick, chocolate topping for your hot chocolate. simply wow. I've now learned that's only a christmas seasonal thing too. They carry vanilla and chocolate only at christmas like these.<br />4. <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B000FBF5BI/sr=1-1/qid=1199625148/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&n=164991011&bcBrand=core">Benefit Bad Gal Lash</a>. Need I say more? right consistency, no clumping, big brush. worth the $$.<br />5. <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B000FBK5K4/ref=dp_collection-list_2?ie=UTF8&bcBrand=core">Benefit High Brow</a>. This pencil is really cool. You draw a quick line under your eyebrow and you look like you have an instant eye brow lift. I bought this for my sister too and she couldn't believe it and is now in love with it too.<br />6. <a href="http://www.schickintuition.com/">Schick Intuition</a>. The cartridges are expensive and they go fast, but so worth it when you want a perfect shave. Seriously, my legs are never smoother than when I use this.<br />7. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_(game)">RockBand bundle/game set</a>. We got this for my son for Christmas. Oh my gosh, what a fun family thing to do. Son is the singer, I am the drummer, dad is the guitar player. We have so much fun playing this together.<br />8. <a href="http://ravelry.com/">Ravlery.com.</a> Need I say more - I'm obsessed and well organized there. Just can't say enough good things.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">So get posting and the winner will get some of my favorite things: An EmbellishKnit I-cord maker and some yarn to go with it! Can't wait to hear what you all come up with! Please try to say where you got something if its not going to be easy to Google - ok? Cool!</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-63261595374576611312007-12-30T09:51:00.000-05:002007-12-30T10:04:05.840-05:00Something really different - roving appliqued sweaters!<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2149200372_00ff1ec0cf_m.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2149200372_00ff1ec0cf_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/2149200288_ed5db9665a_m.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/2149200288_ed5db9665a_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I came across this site through ravelry and think this is just such a neat and unique idea. If it isn't unique - I've never seen it before - and I think its a neat idea for knitting. Not sure if you could do this on handknit sweaters that aren't felted. Artist <a href="http://rosensweet.com/sarah/index.shtml">Sara Rosensweet </a>uses vintage adult sweaters and then cuts them up and makes them into children's sweaters. She was featured on <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=d7daaf8a3cb71110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=also_try_p1">Martha Stewart </a>and <a href="http://rosensweet.com/sarah/artist.shtml">this link is a video of her segment on Martha</a>. A good thing indeed...she also has a shop on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5616847">Etsy.</a> </div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-47249441171712599112007-12-22T09:07:00.001-05:002007-12-22T09:39:13.759-05:00Candy Cane striped knitted cap!<div class="flickr-frame"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88498543@N00/2128131859/"><img class="flickr-photo" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2295/2128131859_58229dca89.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88498543@N00/2128131859/">DSC_0535</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/88498543@N00/">RhondaMHC</a>.</span></div><br /><p class="flickr-yourcomment">I finished the candy cane striped knitted cap - pattern is from <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/">Susan B Anderson's itty bitty hats</a>. It was a pretty quick knit and he striping was easy. I did adjust the pattern just a bit and tried to make the end of the hat longer and less skinny. As other people have said, the funny part is that the end of the cap stands up on end. I'm sure once I put the tassle on the end (I hate making pom-pom's) it will droop and look like a 'stocking' cap. I used <a href="http://darkhorseyarn.com/">Fantasy Dark Horse yarns </a>worsted weight in red and cream. I really like this yarn - its a new favorite - although I've learned NEVER to steam it - it relaxed way too much and becomes lifeless and limp. This yarn is so soft and colors are great. The price is even better - 205 yards for $3-$5 per skein. I've not noticed any pilling and I sure hope the colors in this don't bleed. I'll let you know! What is the best knit wash you've used? Eucalan? Want a free sample of Eucalan to try out? Follow this link to the manufacturer's website for a free sample: <a href="http://www.eucalan.com/free_sample.php">http://www.eucalan.com/free_sample.php</a></p><br /><p class="flickr-yourcomment">Meanwhile, I've been enjoying my German smokers. No its not some gnome with a bad habit - I bought these on a trip to Germany and just love them. I didn't knit back then, but check out the little knitting lady sitting beside her German husband who is reading the paper. You put a little insence cone in them and scented incense smoke comes out of her coffee cup and smoke comes out of his mouth - as if he's smoking his pipe. I only take these out at Christmas but I sure do love them for some reason. I bought one for every family member - mostly they're Santas - but they have a whole slew of them in different characters. This one is mine. I also have a chimney with the buns cooking in the oven while a cat warms himself and watches over. Too cute. I took a few pics of them actually 'smoking' - you have to look close. </p><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2128928180_24a6b53c6d.jpg?v=0"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2128928180_24a6b53c6d.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="flickr-yourcomment"></p><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/2128147741_0bce2aa7de.jpg?v=0"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/2128147741_0bce2aa7de.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="flickr-yourcomment">You have to see this one - the girl isn't that attractive - but who cares - its funny just the same!</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment"><a href="https://shop2.mailordercentral.com/pinnaclepeaktrading/images/21617w.jpg">https://shop2.mailordercentral.com/pinnaclepeaktrading/images/21617w.jpg</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-42706696247768432442007-12-21T21:16:00.000-05:002007-12-22T09:41:35.066-05:00Sweater making madnessSaw this link on Ravelry - and <a href="http://weloveholidaysweaters.wehatesheep.com/">this</a> is hilarious. Not to mention the music is very moderno kitchy! Just create new holiday sweaters to your hearts content! Its a marketing company's site that boasts - we love holiday sweaters! You can make up as tacky a holiday sweater as you wish - its awesome! (And I really did like the music - LOL!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-29515745281315256172007-12-12T06:58:00.001-05:002007-12-12T18:46:21.959-05:00Puppy madness<div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/2097913418_933d2c67ec.jpg?v=0"></a><br /><br /><div class="flickr-frame"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88498543@N00/2097913324/"><img class="flickr-photo" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2097913324_3c1d3e1d39.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88498543@N00/2097913324/">DSC_0422</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/88498543@N00/">RhondaMHC</a>.</span></div><br /><br /><p class="flickr-yourcomment">We got Will a puppy. He's been wanting a hot dog dog for some time now and a girl at work couldn't keep him so we got him. His name is "Luke" as in "Luuuuuke, I am your faaather" I call him Luke Duke b/c dookey is what he seems to do a lot. I'm just not used to a dog - never having had one. He is very sweet and definitely a lap dog. Lainey likes to pick him up by his head only which is scary. She just doesn't understand he's not a stuffed animal.....anyway just wanted to show a picture of him.</p><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/2097913418_933d2c67ec.jpg?v=0"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/2097913418_933d2c67ec.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p class="flickr-yourcomment"></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876316.post-8983163741924040452007-12-09T06:33:00.000-05:002007-12-09T08:27:46.842-05:00Family Pictures - Winter 2007First, <a href="http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9600016902">we got elf'ed</a>. Take a look.<br />Here's my first time trying to upload a video! Blogger makes it pretty simple, really. I've been using <a href="http://www.bloggingbasics101.com/101/blogger/index.html">this site </a>to learn more about editing my blog. I have a lot of work to do! We took these pictures about 4 weeks ago. It was very warm here in Va Beach - in the 70's and 80's around Thanksgiving. The wind was blowing so hard our hair was very windblown and is why you see all the squinting....I'm also trying to enjoy a nice cup of coffee which never seems to work out. My goals are simple these days, try to finish a single cup of coffee without a kid crying, wanting to be picked up or a bigger kid trying to interrupt me. Its become somewhat of a joke - upon interruption (puppy, baby, kid, husband) I just point to the partially filled cold coffee in my cup after the issue/episode/poopy diaper is resolved.....Here's a cup of coffee that I'm dreaming of finishing. I like to get up at 5 or 6 am, when everyone is sleeping so I can make a perfect mug of coffee perfection and enjoy it looking out on the lake as the sun rises. I light candles and just sit for a minute. Its the only time I get to sit down and its so dark outside I can't see the piles of toys, dust, clothes, etc. around me. Its just me, the couch, and the coffee......sweeet!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxSHYgwS-oKy2xwWZbUPPGRygPgbxY3M_BsMKJqaywXFtxvlU_CYXT7RTUNGOKHcyNBluvgDMlPxpY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1