So, I am the type of knitter that feels most comfortable with one big project on the needles. I can do one big project and one small (1 sweater and 1 small something) but that really is my comfort zone.  I truly lose sleep when I have too many projects started. Crazy, I know. Usually, I resist the temptation to start something new. Lately, not so much.  I have four things on the needles. That sort of makes me nervous.
Number 1: I knit with six others (non-bloggers) once a week.  I have for years.  And we decided to do a little knit-a-long. So, last week I cast on for the wool bam boo rickrack pullover. This project will be slow going as I hand out the starting/stopping points.  Last week I gave them an eight row assignment.  (See, this one will take a while.)  
Number 2: I ordered another cone of the habu merino for my kusha kusha scarf, because I ran short. It arrived last week.  (Darn.)  This may seem like a "little" project, but knitting with string sort of turns this into a big project.
Number 3:  My plisse.  Yes.  The project that has captured my attention.  Above is a shot of half of the back and one sleeve.  The construction of the Hanne Falkenberg sweaters are what keep you going.  Keep you wanting more.  Mostly done in one piece with very little finishing.  Gotta love that.

There was knitting this weekend.  My new favorite "go to" baby gift set.
I have been making the Dulaan Hat for a couple of years and just found the link on Ravelry. Using size 10 1/2 needles and a ball of Lambs Pride Bulky, you can knit that hat in an hour.  With the remaining yarn I make thumbless mittens joined by an i-cord. The i-cord was my favorite on my kids mittens.  Heck.  I wish they would still let me put i-cords on their mittens.  I can't stand searching for lost mittens.

A while ago, (almost fifteen months ago) I posted a photo that had a pillow package sitting on a chair. I received e-mails asking about that pillow. I feel terrible that I am just getting around to letting you know about this.
About twelve years ago, I made about ten of those pillows.  Red and green metallics with gold bows.  They come out every Christmas and are placed around the house and used as decorations.  And toys.  The kids have used them for a number of things like playing store, practicing their bow tying techniques and playing catch. 

What will a 20"x58" piece of fabric get you?  A new skirt for your little girl in about 30 minutes.  Okay.  It took me an hour but that is because I tried to get the lint out of my sewing machine and couldn't figure out how to put the darn thing back together.  All fixed now and ready to make a few more of these.  No pattern necessary.  Just sew the salvage edge with right sides together (this will be a back seam). Make a casing that will hold a 2" piece of elastic, leaving an opening to feed elastic.  Feed elastic through.  Sew opening closed.  And voila.  A new bright, happy polka-dot skirt.  Libby thought she wanted an unfinished edge on the bottom but changed her mind and now wants it to be hemmed.  So, a 1" hem it will get.

While spending some time with my friend, Jennifer, she mentioned that I haven't shared one of her favorite cookies with you. We used to make these a lot and loved them.
So yesterday, I decided to whip some up.  However, something has happened.  My relationship with the orange blossoms has changed.  It took me about six cookies to decide if I still liked them.  After the sixth one, I knew. My feelings for them changed.  I felt sick.  Seriously too many blossoms. 
I couldn't believe it, but I decided to give them another go this morning.  And then it hit me. They have a little bitter taste.  I guess from the zest.  And it was a definite.  I don't think I will ever be able to eat another orange blossom.  But my kids like them.  (Two out of three.) And just in case you think you may like them, here you go:

Last Sunday, my favorite eleven year old taught a knitting class. All family members were required to attend.
It took Libby over an hour to set up.  Gathering books, projects, yarn and needles.  Setting up a refreshment table.  Most important to lure the boys.
And speaking of those boys.  They were less than cooperative.  Wrestling and throwing balls all through class.  Libby didn't seem to mind though.  She stayed completely focused.  I think she was just happy to have humans to teach,  as she usually teaches school in this room to 23 invisible children.  

It just so happens that my new project is green.  

Oh, green.
You are just so easy to spy in my kitchen.
Having two out of three kids that will eat this makes me pretty darn happy.

So, I am home from Utah with a few more laugh lines and a bunch of great memories.  The skiing was fantastic.  I have never skied in Utah and now may have a new favorite spot; Alta Ski resort.  It is absolutely beautiful with wide open slopes and NO snowboarders.  Don't get me wrong, I think snowboarders are some of the coolest dudes out there.  But it was just so nice not to have the roar of that board flying up from behind you.

It was Andrew's pick for our cookie of the week. He asked for black and white and I am pretty sure he meant these after seeing one at the coffee shop.  But, um, no thanks, not this week.
Instead I made these.  So much easier and they all loved them.  
Another slice and bake.  Perfect.  I wasn't exactly sure if I was doing the yin and yang correctly, but I think it worked.    
My husband will be holding down the fort over here while I travel west.  I am leaving early in the morning to meet my sister and a friend for a little ski trip.  So excited.  I packed a few party favors for them.  Chunky beanies, fetching and Rosebud salve. (Have I ever told you how much I love my Rosebud salve?)  I also have the Habu packed.

Besides the obvious reasons to cast on for a kusha kusha scarf, my boys came up with a few others......
-to talk on a habu phone
-to build habu towers
-to be a habu pirate

I wasn't going to commit to Erin's yellow week. Just decided to instead peak in on the flickr group to add a little bright spot to my day.
So there I was, minding my own business, sautéing mushrooms and shallots and I saw it.  It can catch your eye even when you aren't looking for it.  Especially on a grey February day.

Remember the libby sweater?
Well, I finally put together the pattern for it. However, I am completely nervous in doing so. I cannot guarantee that there are not mistakes. I really wish I would have had someone knit a test sweater. But then I thought, well, the first person to make it will end up being a test knitter. I also wish that I could have offered it in other sizes besides the size I made (which I am assuming is a 10-12 year) however I just couldn't get my brain wrapped around the numbers.
With all the stitches, increases, decreases, measurements, and my substandard notes, this was the best I could do. (I'm thinking that there is a program that could do this for me, but I do not own it.) I apologize for those who were waiting for other sizes. However, I am sure there are those of you who can use this as a guide and resize it to fit your little one. Please e-mail me with any questions.

Loving:
-Balloon heart garland.  Inspired by birds and trees after seeing hers.  Made out of card stock, hung on twine, a little tippy so I added twine to the bottom.  Floating heart balloons.  

Well, after much stretching,  I can fit into my honeycomb cardigan.  When I first put it on I like it, and actually think it fits fine.
See, not too tight across the back.
However, after I have it on for a while, (a minute or two) it pulls across the chest.  Mistake #1: since I raised the neckline, I should have also added more buttons.  Darn.  But, I figure that I don't always have to wear it buttoned.
And if I want to wear it buttoned?  Presto.  Cover it with a scarf.

I had a heart shaped cookie request for this weeks cookie. Ugh. I guess my children haven't realized I don't really like doing the whole cookie cutter thing.
Then I remembered that the barefoot contessa has a shortbread recipe, that I made in the past, where the dough is just right for cutting.  You know, doesn't get misshaped moving it from where you cut it, to the cookie sheet.
In her cookbook, she dips half of the heart in chocolate.  Really, really delicious and pretty.  I think a stack of those wrapped in a cellophane bag, tied with a ribbon, would make a really lovely little gift.  Just a thought.

While making dinner {saute onion, garlic, mushrooms in olive oil until tender, add sun dried tomatoes, add white wine, simmer, add half & half, and cream cheese, cook until thickened, throw in some peas, let those cook for a few minutes, add cooked pasta, campanelle are good, toss all together, garnish with shaved parmesan } it dawned on me that I have never made fetching and should really change that.  

We are in full valentine making mode around here.
We saw this idea over on the purl bee and immediately Libby started tearing the card stock.  (Which has now become her least favorite part.)
She was able to cut all of the hearts out of scraps of fabric.  
To make it a little easier I made "half a heart" template and she cut the fabric on the fold.
Instead of sewing on the hearts, she is glueing them on using a glue stick.  I am doing the sewing (it is unusually rewarding to sew on card stock) and Libby is doing her favorite part....writing the names along with a special message inside.  Spreading a little love.

Hello, Saturday. Sunny, cold, eight inches of snow on the ground, cookies for my breakfast, Saturday.
Brian mentioned that he made these, and the next thing you know, I was too.  Another slice and bake...love that.  My kids think the best part is when they bite into a chip.  Clearly I did not put enough chips in them.  Also, my dough was a little too crumbly.  I ended up adding 13 tablespoons of butter instead of 11.
I also had a wonderful surprise last month that I have been meaning to mention.  Carolynn sent a box filled with the most amazing things. Homemade cookies in a vintage tin, homemade soaps (and the supplies to make our own felted soap), a knit washcloth, scrubbies that I LOVE and stitch markers.  All made by her.  Along with a signed Stephanie Pearl-McPhee book and some lovely buttons.  Thank you so much Carolynn!