seventeen

Oh boy.  That just sounds old to ME.
A box of cake mix and my favorite homemade icing:

1 cup butter
3 cups powdered sugar
2 TBLS whole milk (I use 1 TBLS of half and half and 1 TBLS of 1% milk)
1 tsp vanilla

Cream the butter until fluffy.  Add the powdered sugar and continue creaming until well blended.  Add the vanilla and milk, and blend on low speed for 2 minutes.  Add additional milk if needed.  Beat at high speed until the frosting is fluffy.
*I added 1/4-1/2 cups of cocoa powder to make chocolate icing.

Cheers to celebrations!

anhinga

I had to look back through my archives to see when I last finished a sweater.  November.  Last November.  Holy cow.  
I was happy to be working on an interesting, stockinette stitch, pattern, with just enough "change it up" to keep my mind busy.  I love how the center insert highlights the intersecting pieces.  The visible seam was a challenge for me as my mother has taught me how to hide the seams so well.  A trip to the yarn store was actually required for teaching me how to show my seams! 
 
A super straightforward back piece and two sleeves with exactly the same number of rows (ha! thanks to working both sleeves at the same time).  
I am mostly a cardigan knitter, but can't tell you how much I adore the "wear" of this sweater.  The "flowy" front makes it fun and easy on the body. 
It was not my first time for a Berroco, Norah Gaughgan pattern (which I love) but was my first go around with Amy Butler yarn.  100% organic wool/cotton blend.  It is super soft and I think I could actually wear this sweater all year depending on that summer day.  I thought it gave the perfect drape for this pattern.

Pattern:  anhinga
Yarn:  10 balls Rowan by amy butler belle organic aran  color 212
Needles: size 8
Size:  34"

I wanted to let you know that Jimmy Beans Wool is carrying a limited edition of Denise2go's newest set of interchangeable knitting tools.  This special line will feature eight designs of the Denise2Go released monthly over a six-month span (through February '13).  There are only 46 sets of the "roll back to school" edition available.

And one more thing.  I don't really have a recipe for my veggie chili.  I just take every veggie I have in the fridge and saute them in olive oil.  (This time I had, onion, mushroom, zucchini, eggplant!, green and red pepper and celery.  Then I toss in a couple cans of any beans, one can of corn, and 1-2 cans of crushed tomatoes along with a teaspoon of chili powder.  Let that simmer for a bit, then spoon a big ladle into a bowl and top it with cheese (i love cheddar) sour cream, diced red onions and avocado.  Serve with tostito chips.

Enjoy your weekend!

one of those

I had one of those moments when the eggplant started to grow.  They were so tiny and cute.  It really is amazing.  And another one of those moments when I diced the beauty this evening for the veggie chili.  Wow.

Back soon with a finished (yes, finished!) sweater!

getting organized

Five knitting bags were cleaned out.  Each housing a different project.  Yep, I start some that just never make it to the finish line.  It's amazing what I had in those bags.

Enjoy your weekend!

summer '12

planted a big vegetable garden  picked wildflowers  dave matthews concert  hiked  a gorgeous, meaningful, extraordinary wedding at bedford spings  jumped into lake tahoe fully dressed  jeep rides  chambers punch  rocky mountain national park  golf teams  lake tahoe  slept in a log cabin  star gazed  fried zucchini  mountain bike ride  joan osborne concert  bought my first pair of toms  saw an elk  danced  new friends  took a dyl course  boulder  grew zucchini  camping  sunrises  finished a sweater  libby got her ears pierced  fireworks  mojito's  knit  grew eggplant  andrew started playing football county fair  melissa etheridge concert  an amazing wedding at cherokee castle  buzzard lake rode on a ferris wheel  sunsets  tomato themed dinners  charlie grew long hair  sang  saw a double rainbow  made homemade tomato sauce old friends
Just some memories I want to keep.

Happy September!

walking into the new school year

We went out for dinner last night to celebrate the new school year.
Charlie-11th!
Andrew-7th!
Libby-9th!
Sea salt brownies were made today.  I've made some sort of brownie on the first day of school since Charlie started kindergarden.
I can't believe how fast the time goes.  Especially this summer.  Didn't it just start?
Happy School Year.

hittin' the road

We are going camping, tomorrow. So I made us some new pillowcases, today.  Flannel.  Totally fun.  As it was to sew.  It felt g r e a t.  Knitting is packed.  That feels great, too.

Back soon.

tnna weekend

On June 22, my mother and I took a road trip to Columbus, Ohio, and met my sister there.  (Thank goodness for my father who couldn't wait to stay at home with the kids!)
Hanging out with each other is always a special weekend.  Like years past, the TNNA show did not disappoint.  Inspiration showed up everywhere!  And there is something so incredible about being surrounded by like minded people.  It just feels awesome.
The Classic Elite Booth is always one of our favorite stops.  I just LOVE the way they display their yarns.  Their new yarn for fall '12, Color by Kristin, is 50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% mohair and 100% delicious!
How about this gorgeous number?  Maybe something I could work on that would work on my concentration!  
However, see that?  Up there?  I am SO ordering the yarn to make that.  Looks like something my brain can handle about now.  A lot of stockinette with a little detail to keep it interesting.  Cute to wear to boot!
The Blue Sky Alpaca booth is another one that always impresses me.  
The creativity pours out from every fiber.  Honestly.  My mouth hangs open as I catch new sights in that booth.  And the way they print their patterns!  Totally vintagey cool.  There are some definite things I want to make.  
My sister took a seat on one of their most awesome displays.  I was dreaming of a few of those sit upons around a table that would be set up to knit around.  Their displays truly are incredible.  
I was so excited to meet the sweet Melynda of French Press Knits. Have you made her famous felted slippers?  Still on my long growing list of "things to knit"! 
It was so much fun to meet Ysolda, too.  
ANOTHER inspiring booth.  It would be dreamy to have that work station.

SO much talent, so much creativity, so much fun!

hi....

Blue Sky Alpaca 
Hi guys! First off, thank you SO much for all your kind words on your last post.  I can't tell you how much they all meant.  I will reread them over and over.  And for those of you going through something similar, remember to stay strong and honest.  Big hugs to all of you.

My mother, sister and I attended TNNA again this year.  I'll be back to tell you some cool things I saw.

Have a beautiful weekend!

strong and honest

Me and Libby.  Concert in the park.  June 3, 2012
Some of you have checked in over the past year as you noticed a change in my posting.  Not posting as much.  Not knitting as much.  Not baking as much.  Not taking as many photos.  Not a single thing sewn. The emails meant a lot.
Thank you.

There have been some major shifts in my household as of exactly this time last year.  My husband and I decided to separate and will soon be divorced.  A major life change that was all about learning, adjusting and re-balancing a different life.  A friend reminded me to be "strong and honest" throughout the whole process.  Repeating those words was extremely helpful to me.  I couldn't be more grateful for those two powerful words and the support from my family and friends.  As things change in life one learns to adapt and can only grow from the experience.

I'm gonna try to get back to spending more time doing those creative things I love to do and spending more time on the blog.  I have missed you all a lot.

Onward and upward!

Have a beautiful day!

{Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.  -Dr. Seuss}

i make them jump


It's official.
Summer of '12 has begun.
My 3 + 2 friends.
I make them jump.
They hate it and then love it.
We plan on spending the summer doing not much of anything and a little bit of everything.  So looking forward to it.
Happy Summer!

take tee's

A good friend of mine, Amy,  has a little inspirational t-shirt business.  They are 100% cotton and printed with earth friendly dyes.  4 different colors: milk chocolate, midnight black, snow white and fairy pink.  4 different styles:  shorts sleeve- crew neck, short sleeve-v neck, 3/4 sleeve-crew neck, 3/4 sleeve-v neck.  4 different sayings:  "take charge", "take notice", "take action" and "take control".  I'm a "take control" fan.  Take control of your thoughts, your feelings, your attitude, your life, your knitting stash!  A motivational reminder to live your life with a healthy attitude and positive outlook.

Amy would like to give my readers a 50% (!!!) discount. Enter the code afriendtoknitwith when checking out.  You can order here.

IK summer '12

My interweave knits was delivered along with the warmer temps.  Perfect timing.
I think I found something that I certainly want to look into knitting.  I L O V E this sweater!  "Nautical striping goes modern with super-skinny lines and neutral beige in the bethany wrap I-cord edging and a polo collar add weight and anchoring detail to the long flyaway fronts."  This moved to the top of my list.  (I really must show you what I am working on.  So that I will actually work on it.)
I thought these darn beach umbrella's were just about the cutest things.  Ever. (Except no pattern.) The article is great.  All about "cool wool".  Wool is back for summer.
And this cute little swaddling leaf blanket?  Almost made me want to have another baby.  Almost.  Well, not really.  Just made me want to hold one.  I actually love the ages of my kids.  16, 14, 12.  I have a driver!

k1 yo p1 p3 tog

the yarn lounge.  richmond, virginia
The random number generator chose number 224,  Judith and number 9, Maryse as the winners of stitchionary.  Congrats to you both!  Please e-mail me with your address and I'll make sure the book lands in your hands.  

Happy MAY!

stitchionary

Stitchionary  volume one knit & purl
250 stitch patterns from Vogue Knitting.
This book is amazing.  Divided into four chapters by stitch pattern:  Knit & Purl, Lace, Traveling and Unusual Stitches.  
I just love the beginning... how to use this book.  It is honestly one of the easiest most comprehensive, well written knitting books I have ever had my hands on.
Each chapter is arranged from easiest stitch pattern to most challenging.  Truly a wealth of information for the novice knitter or the seasoned.  
Michelle's bachelorette party.  April 20, 2012  Deep Creek, MD

Soho publishing has offered to give two of my readers a copy.  If interested, please leave a comment here before Monday April 30, 4pm EST and I will have the random generator choose 2 names.

Have a beautiful weekend!

the weekend

Two fun things to do this weekend.  
Make these:
Do this:
Make sure both include yarn.

Blogger went and changed on me since the last time I posted.  How are you blogger users finding it to use?

Enjoy your weekend!

well, hello there

Hello, you.
Hello, April.
Hello, goodbye spring break. THAT was fast.
We spent it at home this year and I must admit, I liked it. It was a taste of what summer is... in our home. We checked some things off our list. The adventures weren't as often as I would have liked, but that's okay.
I did manage to finish a couple of small projects.
Susie's reading mitts were fun. I used some angora I found in the stash and made them pretty long. 12 inches to be exact. Instead of knitting a thumb, I opted for just a small opening for the thumb. Accomplished by switching from knitting in the round, to knitting 4 rounds in stockinette. Easy, peasy.
Those mitts can really be knit in a few days.
And I think that makes the perfect little gift for a very sweet friend.

I'll be back. I have recipes, a book to give away and a new project to share.

lucky

March 17, 2008
It's St. Patty's day... and it is going to be 75˚ with not a cloud in the sky!!!

The winner of Extra Yarn book is number 4... Lyn. Please e-mail me with your address and I will get the book off to you.

Have a beautiful day!

extra yarn

Have you heard the buzz about this book, EXTRA YARN? Seen the darling pages?
I think it is one of the most charming little books I have ever read. Probably because of my love of knitting.
A girl named Annabelle. Who has a tiny box full of never ending yarn for her.
And a heart full of the love for knitting and the art of giving.
Sweet and creative with darling illustrations.

I have one copy for one of my readers. If interested, please leave a comment here before Wednesday, March 14, 5pm EST and I will have the random number generator choose a number.

pepper nuts

Good morning! Good afternoon! Good evening!
Good day!
Wanted to share a recipe with you where you will either love me for or not.
They are a little time consuming. Hopefully, worth your time.
The name given is "pepper nut" but, nothing nutty about them. They contain no nuts. Just sized like a nut. Little bits of spice. Perfect for your yarn.
After the dough is mixed, roll small pieces into "snakes". The thinner the snake, the smaller and crisper the "nuts". If your dough is sticky, you may want to place your snakes in the freezer to harden a bit. This will make the next step easier.
Cutting. This is the part that may take time. I find that using kitchen scissors is a little quicker... although you may just want to use a knife.
Lots of little nuts ready to pop into the oven. Try to make sure there is enough space in between them on the cookie sheet. Bake at 350˚ for about 10 minutes... until they start to brown.
They really are the perfect size to grab a handful and pop into your mouth... one at a time.
Knit a row.
Repeat.

Enjoy your weekend!