Ravelry YOP Update! Don't get too excited...LOL!

Above is a result of a long and fulfilling Thanksgiving.....no....she's not dead just "full" and we all feel like she looks! LOL!  We definitely "bulked up" for the long Winter ahead!  Ha! Ha!  I just had to share as I rarely catch Orphan Annie like that.....she's so funny!
Anyway....on to the YOP UPDATE! 

No, it is not a second pair of socks...oh, how I wish!  But the yellow yarn got very tired so I grabbed another skein.  I am learning so much....in fact, I actually know that I am knitting the gusset of the sock right now.  I think it looks better too.  This is where I ran into problems the last time I "frogged".  I have the cuff down pat now and even the heel flap.  If I can get this gusset then I only have to master the toe and I will have one whole sock and be able to go on to make many!
Here's my cross stitch project which I'm not sure is legal for Ravelry but it is a project on my list......

Wow!  It's been a long time since I cross stitched but I am getting back in the hang of it.  That plastic waste canvas is a "dickens" to work with though.  I'll be going back to something a little more basic after this project.
I finally wrote up a word document to list my projects for this year and to update and include in each Sunday's post.  These are all my needlework projects of any kind although I don't have a category for spinning yet and I want to learn that too but next year and only if I can knit properly by then! LOL!  So, it's not much but it's what I have for now.  Thanks for tolerating my lack of progress! LOL!

Ravelry YOP Project List  from July 2012 to June 2013

(anything added after the original list will be for next year)

(not as many knitting projects as I am learning this year)

Knitting:                                   Started:                                        Finished:

3 dish towels (cloths)               07/15/12                                      07/28/12

Bath mat                                   07/29/12                                      08/29/12

2 pairs of socks                         07/28/12

Situpons

Crocheting:                               Started:                                         Finished

Granny Stripe Table Runner    07/05/12                                       08/12/12

2 crocheted pot holders            08/17/12                                       09/05/12

Blackberry Salad Striped afghan

Everyday Edgings

Pinata Bag

Cherry Jam (crocheted cherry sprigs)

Crochet Covered Stone(s)

Seeing Stars Blanket

Striped Rug

Babette Blanket

Tornado Twist

Sewing:                                                    Started:                        Finished:

Flannel pajamas from existing pairs

Quilting:                                                   Started:                        Finished:

Sew binding on sampler quilt

Finish Uriah’s grow chart/quilt

Cross Stitch:                                            Started:                         Finished:

Cath Kidson little purse                           07/13/12

Applique:                                                 Started:                         Finished:

Finish folk art appliqué quilt blocks        07/13/12

Embroidery:                                             Started:                         Finished:

  The MS Word document doesn't look quite so good in blogger form but you get the gist of it.  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend and even if it wasn't a holiday for you I hope you enjoyed yourself!  Next up........................Christmas!!!!

Thanksgiving - Episodes 1, 2 & 3

I was planning on starting to cook on Wednesday but unexpected calls and complications derailed those plans.  Not a biggy...it's just me and the girls so I figured I'd get up early Thursday and hit the kitchen but when I awoke I wasn't feeling great but thought I'd "forge ahead".  I watched the Macy's parade (like I have since I was a child or since they invented t.v.....I'm not sure which came first) and threw the pie together with my homemade pumpkin that I had baked and at the very end threw a can of evaporated milk in.  I forgot to put it on my shopping list but the heavens were with me (or so I thought) as I found a can in the pantry.  I gave the can the usual old-fashioned method of 2 triangular cuts on each side of the top and proceeded to pour it in when I noticed the color didn't look right and some gloppy stuff started coming out of the can.  I looked for an expiration date and it was April 2011!  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!  I ruined the whole dang pie and the stores were closed here and that will serve me right for not checking and "pitching" out of date items in my pantry!  So, instead I made the mincemeat pie and whipped the whipping cream with sugar and vanilla to go along side of it.  

I went ahead and made the dressing from Robin Mather's book that I've been obsessing about.....The Feast Nearby and evidently didn't look at the amount of servings because this is what I ended up with...........

Robin said to use a large bowl to mix it in....I had to use the bottom of the roasting pan to mix it I had so much!  Evidently it serves 12-14.....I thought she said she was a having Thanksgiving alone?  Evidently not when she made this recipe! LOL! 

I think I also used too much bread but she said 2 loaves...next time one will suffice for me.  It made several casserole dishes and 3 quart freezer bags full!  I froze all but the small one and prayed I would like it as there was so much of it!

 By that time I was really tired and decided that God was trying to tell me to relax and take it easy so I did.  I watched some football (Iowa State was on but they lost to West Virginia...this day was not going well!) and I knitted.

The neighbors had a "boatload" of company and they brought over a big container filled with everything anyone could want on Thanksgiving Day!  No dessert though but I had that covered!  I poured a nice glass of wine and enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I hope you all did too!

P.S.  Let that be a lesson to you (and especially to me).....clean out your pantry and cupboards and get rid of all expired items! LOL!  Now you know why I don't entertain....it's dangerous  business!  If you ever get an invite from me, be afraid....be very afraid!

P.S.P.S.  The mincemeat pie was SO easy and SO delicious!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!!!

 Getting ready for the big day!   I am still wanting to be Robin Mather's best friend as her Thanksgiving that she spends by herself in her book, The Feast Nearby is just like I usually have mine.  I'm thinking we were sisters separated at birth!

Above is the prep station and yes, Robin I hate to admit it but I do love me some candied yams with brown susgar and butter and mini-marshmallows on top!  I think it's the only thing we don't agree on though and I just wanted to get that out.  The remainder of my Thanksgiving is just like hers....a free-range turkey with sausage apple dressing, roasted brussel sprouts, oh....24 hour salad (a family tradition although I'm the only "family" in attendance! LOL!), mashed potatoes and gravy, scalloped corn, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie and whipped cream (no CoolWhip in this house!).  I did buy some mincemeat hoping I'd make one of those too but really?  How much can one person eat?  I wish I had some of those individual pie dishes but then it's a big jar of  mincemeat so once opened it doesn't make any difference.  Maybe I'll save it for Christmas.
I bought a little pie pumpkin for .89 and am making my own pumpkin pie filling.  Once you make one from a real pumpkin you'll know why......Libby is good but not like fresh!

  seeds for toasting later......

and the pumpkin all baked and ready to be made into pie........(it's so easy...REALLY!!!)

and apples for the sausage stuffing.

The weather is gorgeous here and the leaves are in their last stages of floating down from the trees but beautiful for a walk in the woods and to work off that dinner tomorrow!

I will enjoy my day with my girls and they'll get some turkey tomorrow for sure, the new member of our family is settling in well with them and vice-versa. 
 Robin states that she enjoys a day of cooking, eating, knitting, reading and some wine.  I'm all set for exactly that....what a treat! 
I hope you all have wonderful plans for a day of "thanksgiving" whether you are surrounded by family or  celebrating solo.  I know I am very grateful for all of you!!!!!

Ravelry YOP Sunday Update

 This is so embarassing.....I haven't accomplished anything lately. I have excuses but I'm sure you don't want to hear them. LOL!  Anyway, I am very happy to announce though that despite the lack of PHYSICAL progress, I have learned a lot!  By the time I finish this pair of socks (still on the first one) I expect I will no longer call myself a novice.  I won't be a great knitter but I will no longer be a beginner either.  I changed colors in the yarn because that poor yellow yarn was getting SO tired of being knitted and frogged and knitted and frogged plus I thought a new color might bring me luck and it did!  Here's my little lonely sock with the cuff done and the heel flap.

I also purchased this book on circular knitting and so far it has been a big help, along with www.knittinghelp.com    and my pattern and video tutorial on Learning to Knit Magic Loop Socks that  I purchased from Very Pink    Yes, it takes a "team" to teach me!  But I am learning...albeit, slowly!
 I like the workshop book because it covers all types of circular knitting....dp's too which I still want to learn someday.  The reason the shamrock cow is atop the book is because I have kept it open for so long I couldn't get it to close without a weight on top of it! LOL!

 I also came upon a another pattern I like and downloaded it but can't afford the yarn right now PLUS it is NOT on my YOP list.....what was I thinking????  Tee Hee!  It's from Alicia Paulson who I adore!  I need to check and see if she's on Ravelry!

 This is her new baby's room and I want it too.....not the crib but the beadboard walls and rose covered wallpaper...and of course the blanket in Mama size.
I also found a used copy of her first book which is very inspiring but this happens to be sewing although she is a great knitter and crocheter too.

So, I apologize for not getting more done....you all are so inspiring.  I wonder if anyone will ever say that about me someday? LOL!  Being accountable to this group has helped me stay the course and I am grateful to all of you for what I have learned!  Full steam ahead and thank God for the internet!

Well.....my surprise did not want her picture taken!

But here she is......the newest member of our family!

  I was not intending on getting another cat after my dear Patches died last year but a series of events let me know this cat was meant to come live with us.  I've always said my pets choose me, I don't choose them and it was certainly true in this case! I was outside working on,  guess what,  "caulking" and a friend pulled in the driveway.  She said she was on her way to put up an ad for this cat to be adopted at our local grocery store.  She said for some reason she decided to pull in my driveway.  I said absolutely not as I could not afford any more animals.  She told me that for this particular cat they were waving the adoption fee, having her spayed and all her shots and were throwing in food for a month and a litter box!  I took a look at her picture and she had the same exact coloring that my Patches had.  So, I finally said yes as it was the cost that was keeping me from getting another and also if I traveled I had no one to take care of her.  The dogs always go with me.  Barb, the friend, said  "I will take care of her if you ever need to go out of town"........so what could I say....she was needing a home so badly and all the doubts and obstacles were overcome!  She was spayed the other day and Dave, from our Animal Rescue organization here in town, even took her back this morning to the vet as he wanted to ensure she was doing okay before I picked her up.  Her name is Missy but I'm not sure how long she's had that name.  She's about 4-6 months old.  Usually I don't like to change their name if they are older and have become used to it but in this case I might.  The problem arises because all my "girls" have names ending in "y" and they get confused when I call them because "Nitty" and "Annie" sound pretty much the same to them.  I've started calling Nitty, "Nit" to alleviate the confusion so another animal with a name ending in "Y" may not be something I want!  Hopefully, I will get better pictures of her but for now she is residing in the messy guest room where she ran after I let her out of her carrier.  She's slept all afternoon pretty much and so I will leave her be in there with her food and water and litter box and maybe tomorrow she'll feel like venturing out.  The poor thing has been through a lot this past month so we'll give her her space and let her come to us when she's ready.  The sad part is, when I brought her in and put her on my bed, Nitty got so excited and was wagging her "stump" of a tail and whining as she thought it was Patches (come back from the dead, I guess!).  I kept telling her it wasn't and of course poor little Missy felt threatened and that's when she bolted to the guest room!  I can't say I blame her but Nitty is so confused....I KNOW she thinks it is her old friend Patches, not that they were ever bosom buddies, but Nitty is friends to everyone even if they don't return the sentiment.
So, that was my exciting news for today.  You'll probably be hearing updates as we move forward with our new little family member and hopefully some better pictures down the road!
Hope you enjoyed your Saturday, it was a gorgeous day here...warm and sunny!  TTYS!    

Oh Happy Days!!!!!

Look what I got in the mail today!!!!!! Oh!  I'm so excited!!!!

I ordered a wool applique ornament kit from Alicia Paulson at Rosy Little Things   I love her needlework and her color sense and her decorating and anything and everything she does...oh yeah....her recipes and cakes too! LOL!  She's an amazing young woman and SO talented!  Hopefully, if I follow the instructions and stitch well it will turn out looking like this..........

She has several ornament kits and you can also just buy the instructions and download them but I wanted the full kit for my first one at least.  Aren't they just precious?  I know I needed another stitching project like a hole in my head but for some reason it seems like when I am the most overwhelmed with unfinished projects there is nothing that motivates me like a new one! LOL!  I'm sure a therapist would have a "hay day" with that one! 
I spent the day paying bills, going through paperwork and clearing off my desk so what a reward I will be enjoying this weekend for all that boring work that doesn't really look like you've done a thing all day!
Did you notice the blanket under the kit?  I snagged this baby from a friend who was on her way to the thrift shop with it!  I took everything off her hands and she didn't have to make the trip! LOL!  I placed it on my bed and love it especially the pattern.

It's throw size but it adds a layer of warmth and color on top of my quilt.  See the divet in the bed.....that's where I "nest" every night! LOL!  I have a feather bed topper and by the end of the week you can see where I've "nested".  I fluff it up every Sunday when I change my sheets and then it is like climbing on top of a cloud again.  I LOVE my feather bed mattress topper!  Here's a bigger view of the pattern which I would like to replicate.  It looks like whoever crocheted this used a variegated yarn for the "flower" and then a rust color for the background and yellow for the borders and more rust for a big outside border.  If anyone has or recognizes this pattern I would appreciate any info on it as I want to make one like it in a different color scheme(s).

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow as I have a BIG little surprise to share with you and I am SO excited about it!  Hope you all are healthy and happy and have wonderful plans for Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is my mode every day....just look around you or watch the news and you'll realize how much we all have to thankful for!  Happy Friday!

Back in the 'groove" I'm hoping.............

Whether it was allergies or a cold...I guess I'll never really know but I struggled through it and never went to bed but I didn't blog either....sorry.  I took a lot of breaks and kept slogging along trying to get the "caulking" done but it's still ongoing....what a slow arduous job!  I did manage to cook up some Fall food though and apple cheddar treats for "the girls"!  I think I am in hibernation mode...moving slower, wanting to curl up in the blankets and eating comfort food...a lot!

This was for me with some cornbread on the side..........made with this..............

I'm trying to eat local which saves energy, helps the local economy and promotes local farmers.  Also, for health reasons as I don't really trust our food supply much anymore with corporate farms and how they treat the animals too so I try not to give them my business.  Bison/buffalo is very much like ground beef only there's a little sweetness to it but it is healthier as they are allowed to live naturally by grazing on grass.
I'm not a big meat eater but I have some old favorite recipes that just wouldn't be the same without meat.  Does that mean I'm too old to change?
I made the girls apple cheddar biscuits that they seemed to like (my girls love cheese!) but they only get minute amounts.

Here's the recipe for the Apple Cheddar dog biscuits compliments of Martha Stewart...........

·                            YieldMakes about 16

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Ingredients

·                            2 cups barley flour

·                            1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal

·                            1/3 cup shredded cheddar

·                            1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

·                            1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

·                            2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1.                           Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.

2.                           In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thick; remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 1/2-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.

3.                           Space biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.

4.                           Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off oven and place biscuits on wire rack in oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

I've also discovered a new, improved breakfast.  I usually have yogurt and toast but then I went from Yoplait etc. to Greek yogurt which is healthier and has more body to it and I LOVE the taste of it....Chobani, Stoney Field and then I found Fage!  Oh, it is the cream of the crop , literally when it comes to yogurt!  YUM!
I was buying the flavored which is pricey so I decided to buy a big container of the plain and "dress it up" myself.  I think Tammy of   T's Daily Treasures
was the one that gave me the idea of honey and walnuts which are quite a healthy combo with the yogurt and it is out of this world delicious!

Of course I have to have a couple slices of my homemade bread toasted with a little jam..........

I must be "bulking up" for the long Winter as it seems all I think about lately is FOOD!  I had better watch myself or this could be a long, fattening Winter! LOL!  I hope everyone is fine and dandy and that people who had devastation in their lives are able to move forward a bit and pick up the pieces...literally.  Good thoughts and prayers go out to all of you!
P.S.  Stay tuned as I have a surprise coming Sunday and I'm also going to start making my own yogurt! 

Cleaning and clearing...........slow boat to China!

 I'm on a cleaning foray right now.  I spend so much time outside during the Fall (really our Summer) that I basically ignore my house!  I got going yesterday though and got the bedroom done.  It's pretty "blah"...not carpeting or wall color that I would chose.  I plan on selling though so my first objective is to get it ready to "show" and then if I have time I'll paint, etc.

 I'm so bad, i just hung pictures on nails that were already there just to get them off the floor.....LOL!  You can tell can't you.  It's funny though........I'm noticing things that need to be done before I list it....#1  rehang the pictures in more appropriate places! 

 The dresser above was my Mother's and the one below was given to my by a friend years ago. 

 

Today I repotted all those plants I brought inside...what a mess that was!

I just can't let them die though........and the geraniums will have some propagating done this Winter where I "multiply" them!

Last week when I went to Mountain Home I visited the organic/natural food store they have there and picked up these precious, delicious, addictive treats........  

They are so crispy and delicious and made with olive oil so how bad can that be?  These happened to be sweet ones with orange but there are cinnamon and also savory ones with other spices and herbs.  They're imported from Spain and made by hand so they're not cheap but it was a special treat.  I decided to Google Spanish Tortas and lo and behold I found a recipe at Wild Yeast blog.  I haven't tried it yet but thought I would share it with you in case you wanted to give it a go.  I was going to copy it here but she asked that I get permission from her first.  What I find strange is that she copied it from a Spanish Cookbook that she refers to in her post.....hmm.....sounds like a double standard to me! LOL!  I'll definitely post when I get around to making them and vice-versa.  If you try them let me know.  They are out of this world delicious!

I hope you are safe and I'm still praying for our neighbors out East who just keep getting hit with bad weather.  I wish I could just go across the street and start helping but I can't, all I can do is pray and pray and pray.  God Bless you all!

Settling in for a long Winter's nap.......NOT!

But at least things are settling down a bit.  We had our national elections here in the U.S. yesterday and the girls and I stayed up late watching it all unfold.  We're not used to staying up so late thus the following scenario even though it is almost noon! LOL!  They went outside earlier but it was "back to bed" after that!

 

Annie (below) gets so chilled...it must be because she's so close to the ground so I finally gave in and put her dog bed on my bedroom chair and "tuck her in" with an old towel every night.  Maybe Santa will bring her a nice blanket for Christmas......she has been a really good girl this year.  Nitty (above) on the other hand is just the opposite....she loves the cooler weather and wants nothing to do with covers or blankets or sweaters but she could probably use a bigger bed from the looks of it! LOL!

 

I finished a great cozy knitting mystery.........LOVE this author too!  I think I've found my niche...cozy mysteries for sure........Maggie Sefton writes a great mystery!  She always includes a knitting pattern or 2 in the back of the book and a recipe.  It was a great read and she has a Rottweiler named Carl!  Too bad Nitty can't read...I bet she'd enjoy reading about Carl! LOL! 

While watching the returns come in last evening, I made up a batch of blueberry dog treats for the girls.  They're natural and healthy and since most overweight dogs get their calories from commercial "treats" I decided to start making my own.  Plus, there's no wheat involved which has been an issue of concern with some pet owners.  I had to special order my flours from Red Mill via Amazon but they will last me a year I'm sure and no more buying those expensive dog treats in the store!  Here's the recipe that I got via Martha Stewart website.............

BTW.......it says it makes about 30 dog biscuits but I got 2 trays of these by using a small heart sized cookie cutter.  A bite size snack is what I was going for with my girls as they get them frequently.

Blueberry Dog Biscuits

______________________

 1 1/2 C oat flour

2 1/2 C quinoa flour

3/4 C flax meal

1/2 C frozen, unsweetened blueberries

1/4 C olive oil

1 large egg

 Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F  Line a baking sheet with a non-stick mat or parchment paper.  In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients with 1 C water.  (I used my Kitchen-aide mix-master with the mixer attachment as it is a fairly heavy, moist and sticky type dough).  Roll out the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap until about 1/4 inch thick.  I divided the dough into 2 hunks first as there is a lot of it!)  Cut out the biscuits in your cookie cutter of choice and lay about 1 inch apart (although they don't spread at all so you can put them closer actually) on your cookie sheets.  Bake for 30 minutes, turn off the oven and leave them in the oven overnight to dry out.   I was fortunate to be able to get both sheets in the oven at the same time ( 2 different racks but it worked) and when the timer went off I turned off the oven and toddled off to bed! LOL!  Thus the reasoning behind making them in the evening.  You're not tying up your oven for an all day project.

The girls seem to like them, of course not as much as the bacon, artificially flavored, calorie ridden, pricey commercial treats but we are ALL cutting back in this family and it must be joint sacrifices across the board! LOL!  These treats are very healthy for them too. 

I picked up my knitting again with a new yarn as the other yarn was getting VERY tired so I put it in "timeout" for awhile and started on my first sock AGAIN for the zillioneth time but one of these days.....I just might get all the way to the finish line!  I get farther along and better at it each time I pick up the sticks so here's to perseverance!  Hip Hip Hooray! Or just plain stubborness............LOL!

I hope you've all been well and happy and enjoying life where ever you are!

  

" Get out of town!" ..........and I did!

I went to Mountain Home yesterday for lab and doctor and it was a gorgeous day!  I wish I could have taken pictures of Lake Norfolk which is HUGE and going over the HUGE bridge that spans it.  I used to "white-knuckle" that bridge driving over it but I'm better now....not much but I get over it and back! LOL!
Of course, when you drive over an hour up and down and around mountains and hills it is VERY tiring but I managed to squeeze in a little shopping.  It was reward for going through it all! LOL!
I got a new book.........

 

I needed a new book like I needed a hole in my head but..........I was totally drawn in by the illustrations and the story sounds interesting too.  It is a best seller and  I got the impression it is along the lines of Harry Potter or one of those books that both children and adults enjoy.  Of course, I do love children's books so who am I kidding!  I looked the artist up on the internet and lo and behold the author and illustrator are husband and wife!  This is the first time they are collaborating on a project.  I have visions of designing some needlework along these lines as I love her artwork....well mostly the creatures and woods. Let's put it this way...I'm not going to trace her artwork but it is inspiration for a project I have in the works...along with Snow White and a few other inspiring tales from my youth.  They all have to do with animals.  Unfortunately,  I find inspiration every time I turn around I just need to DO something with it all! LOL!

I also picked up a couple magazines.....who can resist when there are no book stores near me and as long as I had to spend the gas money I needed to make the trip worthwhile, right?

Ruth, are you out there?  Do you see this? Ruth is a blogger friend who is REALLY Irish (not just wannabe) and lives there.  She also does beautiful needlework of all kinds and has a big family and another on the way.  Please check out her lovely blog at Ruth's Little Leprechauns .  I'm so excited!  I was especially interested in the article...."The Last Witch Burned in Ireland"...hmmmm.....I thought my relatives left because of the potato famine but now I'm beginning to wonder!?!?!  And of course "an Irish Christmas"...I'll be having one of those for sure this year!

 And who can resist this precious gem from Stampington and Jo Packam.............

I was so tired from all the driving and shopping (the 2 things that literally tire me out the most) that I got my jammies on right after supper and slipped beneath the covers with my new treasures and this........

ahhh....a caramel pumpkin spice latte (decaf)...yum.....life is good!  I was asleep by 9:00 p.m.! LOL!

I hope you had a great Friday for yourself and a wonderful Saturday today!  TTYS!

 

Happy Halloween!!!!!!

All set for the Trick or Treaters!  In fact, I've already re-filled the bowl!  They're so cute....I just love them when they come to the door!  Halloween was always a BIG DEAL at our house when my children were growing up.
Tonight my Halloween will be a nice fire going in the fireplace..........

A little needlework.................

And a nice pumpkin latte...recipe compliments of Barbara over at 21 Rosemary Lane




Please go visit her for the recipe..........I felt bad enough copying the picture but trust me I could never make one as pretty as hers. Her website is FAB and she does great decorating and makes yummy lattes!  I'm on my second now! LOL!
Have a great evening and stay safe!
P.S.  I EARLY voted today too!  It feels so great considering when my Mother was born women did not have that right.  Please, women, use your vote!  There are many issues concerning women this year so make your voice heard whichever way you lean!  Guys....you get out and vote too!