The Birthday Girl

I can't believe little Moops is 4!....

But it's not today, it was the day BEFORE!!!

Why did this happen... I did think of her....

It must have been the holiday blur.

The smiles she has and her voice is so sweet..

I knew I had to make a wooly to meet,

her at the door for her fantastic hugs!

A blue sweater, this year, made with love.

We've Been Busy

Holy cow is it Christmas Eve ALREADY!!!! I swear, it's not like the date is different every year, I mean - we all know the date, but I really feel that there is some sort of cosmic joke on mothers to get everything done in a time period of 2 weeks. Who knows, but what I do know is when I have a gazillion things to do, the first thing that gets kicked to the curb is laundry, no it is my dear blog. 

Here is what we have been doing since our last visit.

Dumplin' was an angel in her school play! It was wonderful, even our Aunt showed up!

We went to a fun party!

We decorated our Christmas tree

We went to a favorite Uncle's house in Pennsylvania for Sunday dinner

We had Snow!!

I have been crocheting/knitting holiday gifts (as of this minute -I am still not done!!) This is my favorite new hat. Details when I don't have people coming over for dinner and gifts still left to make!!

Yes Colin, There Is A Santa Claus

Last night I went to pick up Son #1 from piano lessons. It is a quick drive and last night I was by myself when I picked him up. As he hopped in the front seat (asking permission to do so first) I could tell that he needed to speak to me about something. I got that pit in my stomach as he carefully chose his words:

"Mom, if I ask you something, will you tell me the truth?"

  -Holy crap was the only thing that came to my mind. I put the car in park. I said to him, "Honey, I will tell you the truth if I can...."

  -As his lips began to quiver he took a deep breath, "You can tell me, Mom, I can handle it you know...."

  -Oh my, what is coming next? "I told you that I would tell you the truth, honey."

"Is there really a Santa Claus, or is it just you and Daddy?"

  -When I tell you the look on his face was pure Angelic, one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen,  I will remember that look for the rest of my life. And I did what I had to, I gave him the facts.

"Honey, it is true, your father and I do buy a lot of the gifts at Christmas time, but you have to remember the Spirit of Christmas and Santa Claus is a powerful, wonderful gift itself.... it is an honor to be a part of such a spectacular thing.... yes honey, there is a Santa Claus"

"I knew you would tell me the truth Mom, thank you...." 

  -The relief and brilliant smile that came over that boy's face was again, the most beautiful thing I have witnessed.....

Thank you Santa, I have already received my present. Merry Christmas!

(I am SO Glad I didn't have to lie)

It's Beginning.....

To Look....
A lot like Christmas!......
From the top: Handmade stocking made for me by my mother (she is also crafty, she just does not knit or crochet). Handmade pillows by me for Christmas one year. Tree I made for the wonderful woman who runs Dumplin's school. It took about 4 hours to make, I loosely followed this pattern. Today is the Christmas play at her school, so from now on I will have her home. Kind of makes it tricky to Ho Ho Ho!!!

Lucky Teachers!

Wow, do I love this pattern! It's Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau. What a nice, straightforward pattern that is easy to memorize and made in luscious Malabrigo. I finished the first one in a couple of days, and the second is almost finished. One more to go.... by Friday, it shouldn't be too hard to finish. 

We are busy, busy, decorating the house and getting ready for the Big Man. It is fun to do with the crew - pictures on Friday!

I've finished my Holiday Sweater! It took 2 days to make and I weaved in the ends yesterday afternoon waiting for school pick up.  I love the way the yarn looks in this pattern, and it is so soft! I could easily wear it with a tank and not feel scratchy! Love artyarns, love, love, love it!!

The pattern is from Tahki Stacey Charles 2nd Edition Crochet book called Java Sweater (java is the name of the yarn it is made in.) I remember designing this at the beach - and I love the way it looks in both yarns. I held the artyarns double for this top.

Remember when I said I was scaling back on the handmade gifts? Yep, I've done it again - I went to my LYS and just went off! Here is the booty I came away with yesterday. 

As all professional shoppers do, I couldn't resist buying myself a gift, and so here you have the LAST Addi click set available at Knit knack for ME! I am already using them working on this great scarf from Laura called Just Enough Ruffles - what a great pattern! I need 3 teachers gifts by next Friday - so quick projects are in order for the next week!

Shopping

 I am REALLY good at shopping, really, just ask Mr. Fantastic - he'll tell you.... I should win an award or something. I am hummin' along on my Christmas shopping - yesterday, I scheduled a trip to the Mall. Yes, I was showered and ready to rock, nice and relaxed... happy to be a little ahead of the game in the shopping department! My trip was very successful..... I am almost completely finished, even the gifts that need to be shipped are purchased and ready to be wrapped - which reminds me, I even have my gift wrap purchased! I feel good, I feel like I am not going to be worried and waiting in endless lines, no! Not me, I am going to enjoy this Holiday if it kills me!

My sweet niece has a birthday, just a few short days before the Big Day and I always try to get her something great.... this year, I've done it. Our gift is going into the Gift Hall of Fame! I just know it. Here is the box......

Yes, I know..... it is a little over the top, but you know what? She deserves it! Anyway, remember a few paragraphs ago, when I was so happy about my scheduled trip and not waiting in lines, etc.? My elation turned to complete annoyance when I opened the mail today and got this......

Yep, 25% off my entire purchase! I guess I will be going back to the store and waiting in line, to get my Credit!!!!! 

Christmas Crafting

Well, Thanksgiving is over and it's time to get into the groove of my holiday gifting!!! I am scaling things down quite a bit this year in terms of handcrafted gifts. I won't be able to show any of my progress because my entire family reads this blog!!! I will show my teacher gifts. 

This beautiful yarn is from Artyarns and is called Silk Mohair Glitter. A quick run to my LYS on Sunday (holiday hours are sweet!) and I found this beautiful stuff tucked in a corner. It really looks like ice and snow and will make a beautiful Christmas top for ME!!!! I think I am going to do a variation on something I have already designed - we'll see.

Dumplin' couldn't resist being in the photo!

I am Thankful for Cookies

Baba was my maternal grandmother, she passed away when I was 9.... For every special event, I try to bring Baba's Sugar Cookies - it makes me feel like she is there. They are the old fashioned roll out, cut out kind that are simple to make, but take some time. While I make these I think about my mother and my grandmother. I think about happy Christmas times, and funny Halloween cookie decorations. I think about decorating the holly ones (because I am better at those, mom!) and staying up late at night to get ready for Cookie Parties.

Baba's Sugar Cookies (make them with love)

1 stick butter 2 cups four

1 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 egg 1/2 tsp salt

1 T. milk

1 tsp vanilla

Soften butter and mix sugar, egg, milk and vanilla together. Mix in all other ingredients. Form into ball, wrap in plastic wrap and chill. Take from refrigerator and roll out dough. Cut with cookie cutters. Use up all scraps.Bake in 350 oven about 10-12 min or until done (my dad likes them dark!)

Frosting:

1 stick butter  

1 box confections sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 T. milk

Mix together with electric mixer - add food coloring.

I was thankful that my mother taught me from a very early age, that even though someone you love has died, they are still very much a part of our lives. They live through memories, smells, dreams, basements, knitted and crocheted garments made especially for you... and yes, even in delicious cookies. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday was the Thanksgiving Day Feast at Dumplin's school (man, I'm going to miss this school next year!) Today I will be baking for Thanksgiving - I love to bake! I am going to make apple crisp pie, pecan pie, and Baba's sugar cookies. I will try to show pictures tomorrow with a recipe. Have a great day!

I've been trying to upload the video of her singing, but I've been here for an hour and it isn't working.... I'll try later.

Welcome to the Family!!!

On Friday we had spectacular news!!!! My brother Gus and his girlfriend Jenni (the aunt of the most adorable baby M from 2 posts below!) Got Engaged!!!

I kept looking for pictures of Jenni alone, but every picture I found she is either with my brother or with one of my children. That to me speaks volumes about the kind of person my baby brother is going to marry. My children ADORE her and my brother is over the moon in love..... I couldn't be any happier to have Jenni as my sister-in-law. Jenni is a kind, patient, funny and beautiful girl in every way, she lets my brother be himself and loves every bit of him. I wish you many years of love and laughter..... Welcome, welcome Jenni - we already love you!

My Blonde Brain

Here is the way my brain works.....

Last Friday I bought a new pair of black boots (surprisingly I did not have black boots - well, I do but they are healed boots and I wanted flat boots - oh, I did buy a pair of flat boots in London last year, but I can't tuck my pants in them.....) I needed to design a sweater to go with them.

On Saturday, I went into the stash I brought out this deliciousness! It's malabrigo worsted in the colorway Paris night. I had three skeins. My idea was to crochet a short little swing sweater with a pleat in the back, and mid sleeves (because I dig the shirt hanging out of the sleeve look). I found a stitch pattern I love and went to work..... and on Sunday ran out of yarn. Crud!!

On Sunday I was blessed to be able to attend an event at my LYS. I was able to meet Gina Wilde of Alchemy yarns and listen to her very inspiring, wonderful, colorful, spectacular story about writing her new book shibori knits and the story behind Alchemy yarns. I was so moved by Gina and Austin that I wanted to buy every last bit of the yarn in the shop. What I did buy became this. 

My friend Lady V knit a beautiful scarf in these yarns and to touch it was so soft, so beautiful, I had to make a crochet version. My scarf is made with 2 skeins of Monarch and 1 skein of Haiku held together. The colorway is tea leaf, and it is green (I know, shocker!!!)  To quote Lady V, when working with these two yarns together it is "hand candy". I had to remind myself to slow down, so that I could savor how wonderful it feels to create with these spectacular fibers!

Well, I really wanted to finish the sweater design I started on Saturday and my LYS was out of the color - so I started another one. This time in a hand painted yarn that is 30% wool and 70% acrylic that can go in the washer!!! It became this:

How cute!! I love, love, love this and I am working on the pattern and will offer it as a class after the holidays at knit knack.

I am now hopelessly addicted to Haiku and am working this morning on a crochet shawl design that can be a huge scarf or a shawl this time in a beautiful brown colorway called Montreat Path.....

I am doing all this because...... you know it - I have a crochet deadline on Dec. 1st!!! Got to get started on that bad boy! See you Monday...

Do Me a Favor, Please?

Happy Wednesday! I just got home from my Parent/Teacher conferences for the two boys, and I am so proud of them. Well, actually I am really glad that they have been good for the first marking period, and I don't look like the mother raising demon spawn children.... 

Speaking of wonderful children, this is baby M. He came to visit this summer at the beach and he was just the cutest thing ever!! We all enjoyed playing with him. One of the most heart wrenching facts about our baby M (see how he belongs to us now?) is that his daddy is fighting for freedom in Iraq (or somewhere "over there").  He is coming home very soon (which is wonderful) but looking over my pictures the other day I thought how sad that I was able to spend time with this beautiful baby and his dad did not..... Well, as it just so happens - my brother (you know, the model!) sent me an email this week and it is all about the holidays and while you are filling out your cards this year, why not send one to this address?:

A Recovering American Soldier

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

Why not send one....... or 50!

Octopus

So.... it's been awhile, huh? Well I am not going to make excuses, dudes life happens - and mine has been crazy with a capital C! Last night the crew and I were watching Survivor (PS I do mourn the elimination of Marcus - he was hot) and I was knitting because, you know, I have a crochet deadline! Anyway, Dumplin said to me, "Mom, don't you wish you were an Octopus?" I looked at her kind of crazy and said, "Why?" "Weeelll, then you could like fold laundry and knit and crochet all at the same time!"

I do like her thinking!!

I have been working like a Mad woman, but I have nothing to show for it. I was thinking of taking a picture of my knitting/crochet chair without all of the boxes, but it's too dark now and that's kind of boring. I have been working on Morgan from Knitty. I love it. I am making it in a blue color and I will be making another in brown tweed to match my winter coat. I am just waiting for the right tweed to jump out at me!

I am thinking of a new design - it is going to be in Malabrigo in black to go with my new black boots I got today, because.... you know, I needed to shop instead of writing the patterns I have deadlines for!!

I leave you with pictures of my sister's surprise 40th birthday because, well.... I miss her and she emailed me telling me to update my blog, so here you go Katherine! 

PS sorry mom but the happy gaping mouth expression was too funny not to make the blog!

P is for Procrastination

When deadlines are blaring down my neck and I have a million things to do, do you know what I do? Something completely not important at the time. I really must be a pressure junkie because I cannot figure for the life of me why in the world I needed to make this in the last 2 days....


The pattern is my own called Impression, I added long sleeves and a funky closure. I also added a buttonhole just in case one day I want a button closure. I do love this pattern and the fact that it can be made in a day or two. The yarn is Noro Kueryon Sock and I used 3 skeins with just a few yards left over. Impression can be purchased at Knitknack.


It is going to look awesome with my new Rockin' boots!

Holy Deadlines, Batman!

These are the boxes that contain the yarn for the 4 projects that are due November 1st! I am finished with 3 of the 4 and I will be a happy person when the 4th is completed! I have to write the patterns, and.... that is not my favorite. I can't show you any pictures of my projects, but I do have one finished project that I can show you.

It's the Sideways Spencer by Annie Modesitt. Click on the picture to see how beautiful it is, really, you can't see the detail on the smaller one. I was one of her test knitters on this project back in FEBRUARY! I know, it's a long time ago. The yarn is Iona from Colinette. Green is so my favorite! It is worked from sleeve to sleeve with the ribbing added after the sleeves are seamed. I love the way mine came out. I added an extra lace repeat (which caused me to have to keep my whits about me during this knit!) and extra ribbing. The original pattern is for a cropped sweater, and I don't do cropped! The buttons, wait look at them!


Don't they look like they were made for this project? I did have to change the pattern to have 3 buttons on the sweater instead of the called for 6 or 7 - because.... the buttons are from my button jar! So cool!

Katherine the Great

My sister and I had the normal childhood, we shared a room for a while and things were good. She is 2 years older than me and I worshiped her..

Then, we became teenagers. I don't know how my parents survived, things were bad.
She is 2 years older than me and I hated her..

Now we are married mothers, I don't know how I would survive without her, things are great.
She is 2 years older than me and I worship her..


Katherine is the most unselfish person I know, she is forgiving, kind and the smartest woman I have ever met. She is a lover of books and a voracious reader, the first to call on your birthday and never forgets a thing! She is a beautiful person in every way and I am lucky to have her.



So dear sister, I have made you your own sweater for this momentous birthday (sh, she's 40!) when I write the pattern, I think it will be called Parrish just for you. I wish I could could give it to you in person, but you get to see it here on your actual day!! It is drying right now and will be in the mail as soon as it is dry. I love you Katherine, Happy Birthday!

Fairytale

When you marry your best friend...............









You live Happily Ever After.............. I love you Mac - it seems like 12 minutes, not 12 years!