Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Cocoa Swap Question #4

This weeks topic:
What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable? My MOST memorable vacation was a family vacation we took in 1973 when I was 15. My parents, the adventurers they are, piled 5 kids and themselves into a gold white-topped Chevrolet Suburban, hooked up a travel trailer, and went south from Michigan. My father, being the German that he is, had planned this, of course, months in advance. My mother's parents are from Mexico, (she was born and raised in Iowa) and my dad was (and still is) deep into genealogy. He is from Koln Germany, and arrived on US soil in 1953. The trip had more than one purpose:
1) to introduce us to our Mexican heritage, and 2) to get original birth records from as many of my mother's family members as possible. We traveled all the way south almost to Guatemala. My father would stop the car before we reached each village or town, and would tell us all the things we were going to see and why they were important. It really was awesomely educational. (Even though I was very unhappy that I had to leave my first boyfriend behind in Michigan for 3 months..) I remember seeing cows on the beach in Salinas Cruz, and my mom jumping up and down in terror when I went out there because the waves were monstrous!! Well, there wasn't just me. I was the oldest of 5, yes, that is f-i-v-e children....15, 13, 11, 9, and 7. The trip took three months, and I would have to write a short novel describing the adventures we had! hahahaha maybe that's why I love Frieda Kahlo... My dad is not a "turista" type. He is "get there, jump in and get your hands dirty type".... which explains why we drove EVERYWHERE, or walked, saw EVERYTHING in Fodor's book and more, who knows, and we usually entered small towns and mountain villages the back way or hiking up a mountain so my dad could talk to the local police guy or whoever. Yes, he speaks Spanish and my mother, by the way, speaks German.......by the way , some small town near Tampico Mexico is where I first encountered a fish head swimming around in a bowl of soup...in a restaurant with blue adobe walls and hardly any light ,and long wooden benches to sit on, and probably the best tasting soup and corn tortillas I can remember. I didn't eat the fish head, no, my culinary tastes are wide, but fish heads, no thanks.
Anyway, thanks for jolting that memory out of the library of memories I have of life with the Kriechel's!!!!!!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Found Some Pictures

This one isn't very good, but it is younger son and neighbors playing hockey in the pond in our backyard.
Here is a picture of older son home from college at Christmas. He helped younger son make a snow fort on the side of the house.

Our Pets

Here are some pictures I took of our pets.
Maya, our rescue baby. She is Border Collie/Eng Setter mix, and unfortunately very afraid of loud noises and the camera flash. We don't know her history, but she is a very sweet girl.



Lalo, our sweet and wild 10 month old English Springer Spaniel,

And our younger son with Frankie the cat, also a rescue. Frankie is a doll.

I started socks again!! This is getting funny but I think I am finally getting it. I feel good about this time! Hopefully you will see them soon. I ended up using a size 3 needle instead of a 1 or 2, I knit really tight I guess. One of my size 2 needles bent a little!

Friday, January 25, 2008

New Swap Question

This weeks topic:
What is the most 'random' memory you have from your childhood? I know it's not knitting content, but I love learning about the little quirks and interesting things about people!
Well, a random memory I have is one I have a lot, except I am always doing something different. I'm usually in the front yard of our house, and it must be around August, and almost dusk. I am playing with a lot of neighbor kids! I remember playing "Red Rover" and "Mother May I'" and Kick the Can" and some hiding game, but it wasn't Hide and Seek. I remember climbing trees in an empty lot down the street, and a friend and I had our own personal trees side by side that we would climb into and sit and talk. I was probably around 9 or 10 or 11 or 12..... I remember riding my blue bike from Sears up and down our street, also remember saving up for a bike with high handle bars and a banana seat. Some of you may not remember, this was in the 60's..... lol.....

Saturday, January 19, 2008

New Questions from Cocoa Swap

These are a little late, but...

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?
My knitting hasn't really changed... I have been trying to knit socks but have ripped out untold starts-- maybe 6 or 7? I am getting disillusioned.. but will try to persevere....argghhh. Anyway, I am going to knit a hat from Itty Bitty Hats for a brand new grandneice, Anna Joy. She was born December 20. I also am starting some mittens with some Queensland Collection hot pink Katmandu Aran yarn. Those will probably be for me. Don't really know yet... So, I am loving nice sock yarn, and also soft pretty merino yarns. Would also like to try a sweater soon. :)

Monday, January 14, 2008

Finally...

I am finally knitting socks! Good thing I didn't announce it earlier, as I frogged 2 or 3 good starts. Now I have decided that the ones I am knitting now are going to be THE pair of first knitted socks, hopefully the first of many more. I suppose maybe I have some strange form of ADD because I do want to start an awful lot of things......like a kid in a candy store. heh heh
Got invited to my first knitting party in a couple of weeks and can't wait for that , either!
So. Maybe tomorrow I'll post the infamous socks, after my root canal! ....Sounds like just tons of fun, doesn't it?!!Oh, life. We have to laugh..... :)

Monday, January 7, 2008

Scavenger Hunt Hot Cocoa Swap

Take your time with this... you don't have to do the whole thing at once :-) Just edit your post as you add more to it :-) Have fun getting to know the other swappers!

1. Who's favorite animal is an Otter? Criquette
2. Name someone who prefers whipped cream with their hot cocoa Angela T.
3. Find 3 people who live outside of the United States Ana Sofia F, Bianca B, Maria M.
4. Name a fan of Harry Potter Ashley R.
5. Name someone who crochets Rachel S.
6. Name someone who DOES NOT have a healthy supply of notions Ana Sofia F., Lora B.,Katherine S.
7. Name someone who has NOT put up their questionnaire yet (just put a date with your answer in case they put it up after seeing their name listed somewhere ;-) ) Kathy B 1/07/08
8. Who likes to have Kahlua, Baileys, or Peppermint Schnapps in their cocoa?Alex E.,Annemarie
9. Name someone who knits fingerless gloves as a 'quick knit' Tanya M.
10.Name someone who's looking forward to gardening this spring.Amanda D., Kena M., Laura F.
11.Who's favorite way to drink cocoa is with a gorgeous Frenchman, while overlooking the Eiffel tower from a French Cafe? (I'm right there with you... well at the table next to yours!) Kris L.
12.Name someone who's favorite animal is NOT a dog or house cat Deanna K, Logan L.
13. Name someone who's favorite treat is NOT chocolate. Bea R.
14. Who plays Candyland? Criquette
15. Name someone who DOESN'T get the winter blahs Ashley C.

Have fun.. happy hunting!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Swap Questionnaire Mmmm ....Hot Cocoa!

Cocoa:
1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug?
I like hot cocoa hot, with marshmallows, usually. I have had store bought and home made- the homemade kind I make is "Abuelita"- it is Mexican Hot Chocolate with spices. I have lots of it.
I also love to try new kinds of Gourmet stuff, also. I prepare it with milk. I love to cook and make most things from scratch. Love to bake, too. Usually drink cocoa in a large mug!

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?
Marshmallows! I've never tried gourmet marshmallows but would love to try them sometime!

Yarn/Knitting/Crochet
1. What is your favorite type of yarn?
Merino wool, soft yarn, and hand painted sock yarn is nice. I also use fingering weight yarns or skinnier ones like that to knit doll stuff from my Knitted Babes book. I Like Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in soft pink, or any color. Also like wools, silks, cotton is ok, worsted weight and up.

In what colors? Love blues, greens in bright or medium colors. Deep Aqua is nice. Also love dark pinks like berry colors. I like deep, vibrant colors the best.

2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)?
Knit. Have been knitting for about 2 years, have felted quite a bit, I am now knitting my first pair of socks!

3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new?
My favorite needles are wood or bamboo. I like wood needles except for my metal Skacel addi turbos. Love those as well.

4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions?
I have never used a row counter and don't know if I will ever need one. I have a few cute stitch markers. Love stitch markers, could also use a cute little ditty bag to carry sock projects.

5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)?
wood knitting needles, like 9 or10" long, size 2. Also sizes 1 and 3. Not for knitting socks, but for tiny doll sweaters and clothes (Not garish ones!)

6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification) A purse or hat...or another doll from the Knitted Babes book. I give these to my mom and she loves them, but I have to keep up her dolls' wardrobe!

Miscellaneous
1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter? Enjoy the whiteness of outside! Like to have a fire, knit, listen to music, read, cook, have friends over, go outside and walk around, look at the sky

2. What is your favorite animal?
Hmm... pretend? sheep, lamb, kitty, rooster, pig, elephant.. Actually, I used to think I wanted a real goat and some chickens...my husband ignored the whole topic...ha ha

3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'?
Sometimes. I grew up in Michigan, but have traveled all over due to my husband's job, and we moved here a year ago from Scottsdale Arizona. That's why I'm loving this cold right now!

4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs? Sing, play music, watch snow falling, ice skate, knit, paint, alter assorted things including old furniture, watch tv, read, shop, clean

5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring? Continue planting in the back yard. I would like lots of flowers. There is also a field area behind the pond that I would like to have landscaped and plant lots of wildflower seeds.

6. What are your favorite treats? Hmm... to eat? Chocolate covered coffee beans, anything with almonds, Pepperidge Farm Chessman Cookies, Werthers candies, chocolate covered raisins, love Jordan Almonds and Good n Plenty...and also Haribo Gummy Bears - but only Haribo brand because they are nice and chewy.

7. What is your favorite board game? Scrabble.

8. Do you have any children (furry or human)? Oldest daughter is 21 and at U of AZ in Tucson; Older son is 20 and is in Indiana at Purdue, youngest son is 8 and in 2nd grade. We have 2 dogs, an English Springer Spaniel who is 10 months old, a Border Collie/English Setter mix rescue dog who is about 4 or 5, and a cat.

9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about? Nope

My answers to the Knitter's Coffeeswap 3 Questionnaire are here:
http://miasfolkart.blogspot.com/2007/10/knitters-coffeeswap-3-questions.html