Mias Folk Art

2nd Secret Pal package

2011-02-25T21:15:00.004-07:00

Received the second secret pal package today in the mail: sock yarn, Peanut M & M's, some cool pens,and 5 packs of Nestle Chocolate Caramel Hot Cocoa Mix. Sounds good! Thanks, secret pal!! Already opened the M & M's..... :) Here is a photo!

More news:

We went to 11 year old ds's basketball game tonight! They won 39-19! Alex made 6 points and 2 or 3 assists. They all played great, Alex did too!

Now this weekend our Scottsdale Blackhawks Soccer is hosting a Tournament! Alex so far has 2 games on Saturday. Probably Sunday too, but I have to check.

OH! And we pick Russell up tonight at the airport!!!

France!

2011-02-22T13:42:00.003-07:00

Missing my hubby.......and then he sends this beautiful picture of where he is in Pont-Audemer, France! Isn't it just lovely? What more can I say....

I get up, I get dressed....

2011-02-20T10:47:00.004-07:00

I get up, I get dressed...... I check my email, and Facebook. Facebook? Why Facebook? I love to play games the most, but they suck the energy out of me. They are fun to play, but they stifle my mind into this little box of crops or whatever. Very sick if you really think about it. Hypnotizing the masses...well, that's a little severe but not too severe... so I am seriously thinking of hitting the "delete"button on that whole thing. I have more creative and enterprising ideas that I can plan for.

Other news: Saw "The Green Hornet" last night with 11 year old and not sure if I liked it. It was incredibly stupid, but funny, lots of action.... I left kind of scratching my head. Still want to see "The Eagle" and a few more...

Am going to take 11 year old ds horseback riding at Arizona Cowboy College. He has been wanting to ride a horse for some time... I used to ride now and then, and it is so fun.

Other news: slow progress on knitting older son's beanie... will post.

note: ds= dear son, dd=dear daughter, dh=dear husband

I know you already probably know that, though.

Cards and More!

2011-02-18T20:21:00.009-07:00

So, on Wednesday I went to my friend Lorri's house and we made 3 cards! We had lots of fun and I left with a lot of inspiration! Doing things with her is always very fun.

She is a Stampin Up Demonstrator, and has been for a long time. She is very creative and loves to share her talents and time. My favorite this time is the Chocolate card, but I love the other two, as well!

Some not so happy news, 11 year old ds got sick again and has a fever for 2 days, with headache, cough, congestion...today I feel rotten, I believe I am catching it. Consuming Airborne like crazy... Hope I don't get any worse. He seems better.

And, I also joined this group on ravelry called Monthly Adventures, and right now they have a traveling sheep named Wandering Woolomena who travels all over to those who signed up to get a visit from her!! She is sent from person to person, with gifts along the way, and everyone has to contribute some knitting to her little scarf....and a hostess gift (s) for the next recipient. We take pictures of her adventures, and it is all very fun. I am hoping she comes to me soon!

Ahhhh

2011-02-13T15:13:00.004-07:00

Valentine's Date Night was a blast. The movie was mediocre. We saw "The Mechanic". I mean, it was good, but not really good. The Gold Class seats at iPic theater here were very nice, like our theater room seats. Yes, they offered a blanket and pillow, and complimentary popcorn which was good. They had a good looking food menu, but, since we had just eaten, we weren't very hungry. I don't know if I like that idea, anyway...eating real food in a theater? Even though each seat has a little swing-out table, and a place between every two seats to hold a bottle of wine, I don't really like smelling and hearing someone eat food near me when I am trying to concentrate on the movie. I mean, real food smells like balsamic vinegar and feta cheese and grilled chicken smells...and the crunching that goes along with all that. Besides, how can they see their food? It's beyond me, a little crazy.

So, I started knitting a slouchy beanie for Andres, and I am using some Cascade 220 in a light brown color. Seems fine so far. I started it at Alex's basketball game yesterday. He had 2 games, at 3 and 5.

So, too, tomorrow my dear love Russell has to leave again for work. It will be sad, and I will have to comfort Alex the best I can. This traveling is hard on all of us.

Today is an ART Day

2011-02-11T09:33:00.002-07:00

Today is an ART day. I have been totally inspired by other mixed media artists on You Tube who share their art journals. So today is ART Day!

Also, it's an early Valentine's Day Celebration, since DH has to leave on Monday. We are going out to eat at Fleming's, and to a movie at iPic Theater here in the Scottsdale Quarter! We reserved Gold Class seats. It'll be such a nice time with my Valentine!!

So the day is pretty much taken with such FUN stuff!

Trials of a Deprived Child

2011-02-09T10:38:00.003-07:00

Had a formidable challenge today driving to school with the 11 year old. He protests that I make him eat, and make his clothes match and he is tired of it. Hhmmmpph... the drive seemed like 100 miles instead of 5. I hate to see him so unhappy but life will never be perfect. It'll be worse tonight when he gets home and finds no XBox for a while.

There are lots of thing to say...

2011-02-08T11:46:00.003-07:00

Well DH came home Sunday after being gone 3 weeks. He is only here for a week, but we are so happy!!! New work schedule is different and will take getting used to.

I am happy picking out things for my Secret Pal, I just ordered some yarn for her for a Valentine's SP gift from my favorite Loopy Ewe. I think she will really like it because it is shades of pink and she likes pink.

Thinking of some direction I should go...(ha ha life lacking direction...private joke).

Studio is pretty clean now, guess I'll take a pic to show you! Pretty obvious that I just changed the blog around a little, too.

Bought a new pattern book : Celebrity Slouchy Beanies. Can't wait to knit some. Think they are very cool... I have some brown Cascade 220 I think I will use to knit one for Andres, my oldest son, and pray that he will like and wear it.

Had some friends over for the Super Bowl even though Russell had just returned from India, France, London and Connecticut that morning, he really loved to see them. He was tired that night but was OK during the day. The jet lag really hit last night and he was very sick, but feeling a little better. He caught something nasty somewhere....

Still meaning to knit myself a pair of socks......just have to start.

Oops

2011-01-30T12:01:00.008-07:00

Oops, I have been forgetting to post here.!!!

With Hubby traveling so much , it has been challenging to keep organized....

I joined a Secret Pal Swap with ravelry.com, and I got my first awesome package the other day!!

My secret pal sent me some Regia sock yarn (2 skeins) in the most awesome blues, greens, and browns!! I just love it!

I also received some beautiful unique pink heart stitch markers that look like they might be made out of shells, beautiful!

Also, a great sock pattern for Simple Socks (which I love!!!).

OK, OK, I got a ton of M & M's plain, peanut and peanut butter, which, I am sad to say have disappeared somewhere between my 11 year old son and me!

Thank you, Thank you, secret pal!!!

Organizing? Me?

2011-01-11T17:56:00.003-07:00

I really am having tons of fun organizing this house. Actually, I feel really good that I have gotten rid of so many things we have kept over the years! Things just seem, well, clearer or something!!!!

Tonight I am taking youngest 11 year old son to his band concert. He plays the sax, and says he is in a duet tonight! Can't wait!...

Haven't had too much time lately to think about knitting, although it lurks in the corners of my mind, sits on my shoulder and waits...

Happy New Year!

2011-01-02T11:13:00.007-07:00

Well today our daughter Karin left to go back to Houston... It was nice to have her here for Christmas. Our older son Andres was able to come for a few days, and that was wonderful, too! Today we'll take down the tree and the outside lights when it warms up a little this week. Tomorrow Russell goes back to work and Alex back to school....here we go! Big changes coming as we prepare to move to Connecticut. Lots to do....

Knitting-wise, I am working on a UFO - that Manos Throw I am knitting for oldest son. Next, I'll sew up the Sienna Cardigan I have had done, but not put not sewn together...for a long time... Mine is knit in Malabrigo Worsted Merino Wool in Lettuce. And I do have an unfinished pair of socks which I am thinking of just frogging and start a new pair of socks. Out with the old, in with the new....

Speaking of "out with the old".... I am also embarking on getting rid of tons of scrap-booking supplies which at one time I thought I needed.....(Cough....ahem) we'll go into that later...

Gotta go but will be back soon.

Happy New Year!

My SECRET PAL 16 QUESTIONNAIRE

2010-12-31T11:31:00.007-07:00

I am here, back, and posting my Secret Pal 16 Questionnaire! Now, blog of mine, you are an official part of my day planner....

SECRET PAL 16 QUESTIONNAIRE

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely not like? Love Malabrigo Silky Merino, Madeline Tosh anything, Dream in Color, Lornas Laces, many more….I don’t really like cotton s like Peaches and Cream or some acrylics. I don’t like rough wool or acrylic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? For my circs I have a Namaste Circ bag, for straights I have an old vintage vase, for sock needles, well, I just have them in a plastic bag.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I first learned in Junior Girl Scouts, and made a pair of mittens with my troop. Didn’t knit for a very long time, then relearned as an adult about5 years ago while volunteering at the Senior Center. The rest is self-taught from books or Knittinghelp.com, or You Tube videos. I am an intermediate knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, Amazon.com, the loopyewe.com, eastsleepknit.com, woolgirl.com

5. What’s your favorite scent? 1. Cinnamon apple harvest type scents, pine, also some fresher scents. Like jasmine too, and sometimes patchouli

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Oh my yes. Favorite candy? See’s chocolates….also Strawberry Twizzlers, Snickers with almonds, chocolate covered espresso beans, chocolate covered dried cherries…Haribo Gummy Bears… Also love any kind of almonds…

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I sew – aprons, curtains, pj’s, pillows, and I make dolls, folk art dolls. I embroider/cross-stitch, paint, make altered objects and use mixed media (all kinds of vintage sewing trims, old buttons, cool old and odd stuff)

Do you spin? No, I don’t spin … (yet! lol)

8. What kind of music do you like? I love Bruno Mars!! Also Mike Posner, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Corinne Bailey Rae, Michael Buble, Bryan McKnight, Brian Culbertson, Diana Krall, Boney James, Dido, Seal, to name a few. Pop and smooth or contemporary jazz. Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? Yes (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? I love almost all colors except neon. I like deep rich colors, purple, reds, blue, greens, including sage but not pea green. Any colors you just can’t stand? Neon, light earthy colors that look non-descript.

10. What is your family situation? Married for almost 27 years (March 17, 1984) have a daughter almost 25 who lives and works in Houston Texas, a son, 23, who lives and works in West Lafayette Indiana, and a son, 11 years old, in 5^th grade. Do you have any pets? Yes, Maya, an 8 year old border collie/English Setter mix from the pound, Lalo, almost 4 year old AKC black and white English springer spaniel, and 7 year old Frankie, domestic brown tabby.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Love mittens and ponchos! Once we move to Connecticut in the spring, I am sure I will wear hats as well. Love hand knit socks.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Socks! Also lap blankets, some sweaters, hats

13. What are you knitting right now? Finishing a Manos de Uruguay Throw for my oldest son…

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I use both. Love circs and straight sock needles. Sock: bamboo or some type of wood. Circs: I like Addi Turbos or Crystal Palace or a real treat is Lantern Moon…

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes and yes!

17. How old is your oldest UFO? A year or a little more-it’s the Manos throw I am working on...

18. What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is Christmas not only because we celebrate Jesus’ birth, but it is festive and I love to have family come home and gather, and I love to cook and bake and feed people!! What winter holiday do you observe? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Vintage sewing trims and unusual buttons and trims, papers, and cool stamps like from stampington.com.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? At this time, I can’t think of any but I will. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? none -I love a magazine called “Where Women Create” by stampington.com, and I LOVE almost all of their magazines. I just got the most recent issue of WWC for Christmas!! Regarding Knitting magazines, I like Knitscene, Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting and as well.

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn? More intarsia, I suppose.

22. Are you a sock knitter? YES! What are your foot measurements? I wear size 7 to 7 1/2 shoe, wide feet

23. When is your birthday? November 27

24. Are you on Ravelry? Yes! If so, what’s your ID? MariaE

Sunday

2010-08-15T16:34:00.001-07:00

Happy Sunday.....our dear niece Kristen and her husband Daniel are expecting their first child October 30, 2010! Wish I could go to her showers...just sent a gift to my sister Anna...and now to see what I can knit for that little guy! They named him Mason.

Missed You

2010-08-12T13:40:00.003-07:00

Missing my blog. Admit I kind of forgot about it with life happening. Getting back to it and to my painting and knitting and general artistic endeavors. So, if anyone is still around, lookout! Will post my adventures. Hugs to you!

I'm Back!

2010-05-02T17:33:00.002-07:00

Well, I was gone for a long time.......last summer my mom got really sick from a back surgery and she passed away to be with Our Lord on December 1, 2009. She had been really sick since her surgery in July so I was going back and forth to Albuquerque to help. We got through Christmas, then my dad came and stayed with us for 6 weeks in the early spring, and went home a little stronger. Then, among others things happening around here, my dear mother-in-law Vicky passed away this last April 23, 2010 and is also with Our Lord . So, that's the story.
Other than that, time has been passing by very quickly and I cannot believe I haven't written here in almost 9 months! Whew! I am glad to be back....

La La's Simple Shawl

2009-08-17T15:31:00.003-07:00

Oh, I forgot..
I have been knitting a Manos of Uruguay Four Seasons fall throw, and I have one strip done of 3. I haven't taken a picture yet, but will. Also, I have been knitting La La's Simple Shawl out of Malabrigo Silky Merino, and I have to say this yarn is a dream to knit with my addis.... I already frogged twice, and the first time I had about 18 inches done!!%#@)*&^&$%$, yes, the life of a novice knitter.... but here is a picture of the third try above:

Doggie Treats

2009-08-17T15:04:00.007-07:00

This is my latest batch of "Maya and Lalo's Yummy Doggie Treats".... I was going to frost them, but decided not to. For the next batch I am going to use a different cookie recipe that uses fresh orange juice and I will frost those.... so, if you have a dog, they are easy to make... and fun. Of course I love to bake....the recipe is simple, I have several that are very simple and dogs love em!!!

Wow, it's been FOREVER

2009-08-07T16:10:00.005-07:00

Well, I have many times sat down and said, "Oh, geez, I really should post something here on my blog..." but failed to accomplish that... So much has happened this summer that I just dropped the ball. I really do love this little blog, but STUFF was on my mind so , anyways, blah, blah, blah......
That reminds me. The other day I took Alex to the eye doctor for a check up before school starts. We found that he needs glasses just to see the board, not always....we were in the exam room laughing and talking with the doctor, and we came out and sat down, and when I told him we'd try on some frames, he didn't quite get it...I asked him "Didn't you hear us talking about you needing glasses to see the board?" and he replied, "No! All I heard was 'blah blah blah blah blah...'" I said, "Oh, so you just heard 'adultspeak' language and not what we were talking about?" "Yeah." He was thankful that he doesn't have to wear them all the time. He was so shocked when I asked him to try on frames!! lol.
Well Karin starts teaching reading and writing to fourth graders in Houston in a few weeks! How exciting. I am excited for her! She will be a great teacher. Andres is working hard in Indiana, and Alex starts fourth grade this coming Monday! He and Russell are going on a Father-Son camping trip with our church. Russell is the speaker there.
My mom and dad and sister Marta need your prayers, please. My mom has now had her 3rd lower back surgery since June. They really need to figure out what is going wrong here, this just isn't right. Marta is there holding down the fort and staying with my mom and keeping my dad company. It's tough, Marta is a miracle. She has been there since the 2nd surgery on July 8 all the way from Michigan. I was there (in Albuquerque) a couple of times but my stays have been limited because I have to be here, too. Thanks for your prayers. Much appreciated.
This weekend when the boys go up to the mountains camping, I plan on painting and organizing my studio (craft room) downstairs. I don't like to really call it a craft room because that is too generic. I am not making stuff for a bazaar, but I create original works of art--hence--I call it a studio. Capiche? Well, if I get that done this weekend then I deserve a pat on the back, because we have lived here a year now and the room looks like a storage room. (Dare I take before and after pictures???)
On the other hand, depending on how my mom and dad and sis are doing, I may jump on a plane for Albuquerque. Depending.
Peace to you, my friends.

Whew!

2009-05-19T19:30:00.003-07:00

Oldest dd has graduated officially from U of AZ and has a job with Teach for America!!! She is so excited I can hardly stand it!!! Oh, the excitement! Oh the praises we sing! Oh, I am tired........... we now are moving her back to Scottsdale, then in July to Houston.... she is buying herself a new car, and will be on her way....what more..... we are proud of her! More to come......

Capturing Moments

2009-04-20T08:35:00.006-07:00

I took pictures of our 9 year old's bedroom to show the dresser I refinished....it was easy since I just sanded and painted it, and it turned out great! I got the handles at a garage sale---there is a decorator here who has garage sales and when I see them I always go! She sometimes has some really great stuff! Here are pics of the black dresser in Alex's room...here is the link to the blog entry where I showed the dresser being sanded down... It, too shows the finished one, but not in his room... yes, I got the dresser for $5 at Savers in Minneapolis when we lived there!!! Awesome, huh? I love to paint furniture and re-purpose stuff. Soon I will finish some chairs and I'll post them here to show you.......

Happy Easter, and.......

2009-04-12T18:43:00.004-07:00

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter. We did, we just returned today from my parents' house in Albuquerque.
I am knitting another pair of socks, Tesserae sock pattern again, but this time around I understand it better and really see the mistakes I made on the first pair! lol.... anyways, it's with Yarntini "Designated Driver". I joined the malabrigo club on ravelry.com, too,through eat.sleep.knit.com in December, and I got 7 wondrous skeins of malabrigo worsted in lettuce. Ooooo, it's wondrous,and I finally decided to knit a sweater called Sandrine. I couldn't decide, kept going back and forth, so I'm pretty sure this will be it. Meanwhile, I got the next 2 shipments!! ha ha ! some malabrigo lace in "cognac", and some malabrigo sock in "indecita"---it's awesomely beautiful...so I have to post so much stuff on ravelry, and I have been neglecting that.... I also started knitting a prayer shawl. I joined the prayer shawl ministry at our church and I am working on that as well.
This Easter weekend was fun with my parents and brother and we flew one of my sisters in from Michigan for a couple of weeks so I loved seeing her, too. My mom is having back surgery on Wednesday and my sister is taking a couple of weeks off work to help her and my dad.
So, happy wishes to all and Hallelujah, He is Risen!!!!

25 Years!

2009-03-17T10:38:00.003-07:00

Today is our 25th Wedding Anniversary! It doesn't seem like it's real! Wow!

Here are some words to Sade's "All About Our Love":

It's all about our love
So shall it be forever, never ending

After all this time,
After all is said and done

We have seen some suffering, baby
It has not always been perfect

After all this time,
After all is said and done

Darling, we know it
Whatever may come
We can get through it
As if its just begun
Oh, it's just begun

It's all about our love
So shall it be forever, never ending
Darling, we know it

After all this time,
After all is said and done
After all this time,
After all is said and done

I love you, Russell.

My Rainbow. What's Yours?

2009-02-24T21:56:00.000-07:00

Your rainbow is strongly shaded violet.

What is says about you: You are a creative person. You appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. You are patient and will keep trying to understand something until you've mastered it.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

The Dresser I Refinished

2009-02-24T15:29:00.007-07:00

Wow, blogger has decided to allow me ACCESS to my blog so I can post again! How lucky am I? (ggrrrgh) So, today I am posting pictures of that dresser bought for $5 in Minnesota. I sanded it a little, refinished it and put new little knobs (not really knobs, but little handles).
It didn't take much sanding, as I was just going to paint it. Wa-la!
Alex likes it, and I like to do stuff like this!!! Love it! Always looking around for what else I can paint or alter!!! (evil laugh).....

My Recipe Collection

2009-02-23T21:13:00.009-07:00

har har har, yes, here are some photos of my recipes. In a drawer, and I also have some in a little recipe box, and I have some stuffed in between cookbooks. My goal is to organize them, and have them ready to put in a scrap book form, so I can enjoy seeing them while I cook.....
I love to cook, but lately have been uninspired, so I figure if I menu plan and organize my recipes, it'll be more fun. I really do love to cook, don't know what's up with me the past several months. Saturday we went to some friends' and I made a Strawberry Charlotte Russe, Eclairs, and Enchiladas Suizas. YUM.. The 2 desserts were first tries and were wonderful; the enchiladas I make all the time. I found a blog entitled Vintage Mommy, and I love that title! I love her blog as well!! And I LOVE the feet picture she has in the title!!! Vintage is a nice word...and better than some of the synonyms I looked up!! LOL
I also tried to start another blog because I am getting so disgusted with blogger...I tried Wordpress but I am unsure....

Our Dogs and Cat in Their Christmas Best

2009-02-16T22:44:00.009-07:00

OK, I finally got the pictures for the dogs Christmas garb. I even changed my profile picture to reflect that. Here they are! Maya's picture turned out dark, Lalo's is fine, and Frankie's (cat) is ok too. I also have dresser pics but Blogger is making me almost scream so I might even be changing my blog soon to a different one...keep ya posted! Thanks for looking.
p.s. Can you tell Maya is terribly camera shy??? :) poor girl. She is a sweetheart!

Organize!

2009-02-09T19:08:00.003-07:00

OK! I am going to have an organizing project for February. You can see the site by clicking on the button here on the left side of my blog. I missed January, (boo hoo) BUT the end of February, if done correctly, will find my recipes, all 90 million of them organized! So, I am just adding this little piece of business to my life, which is really positive, and hopefully will be beneficial to the smooth running of things around here. Once recipes are organized, maybe I'll be able to take the next step, and REALLY menu plan..........

February 9

2009-02-09T10:34:00.007-07:00

Hasn't been quite a month, but almost! Facebook, I tell you, is in competition here. Spring Break Plans are already shaping up and little guy really wants to go to Disneyland again....this time with a trip to Universal Studios. So, we will do that in mid March.
Knitting? Well, yes, that. I love my yarn........I want to start a pair of socks again, but there are all kinds of excuses getting in the way! I also joined a Malabrigo Yarn Club, and we are getting our second shipment, mine should come next week, and I think it's a sweater! So, here we go! I love to see what other people are working on. Wish I knew more knitters down here in Scottsdale and Phoenix.
I painted Alex's bedroom a lovely khaki tan...it looks much better than it did. I am refinishing his dresser, the one I bought at Savers in Minneapolis for $5!.......I am painting it black and I bought very cool silver/pewter drawer pulls at a garage sale the other day --the owner is a designer and gosh, she had gobs of fun stuff! I bought bolts of designer fabric for $2 -$5 a roll! And cool trims! (anyways, Alex wanted red and black walls-so I'm giving him a black dresser instead)- and Russell is going to put up his Devin Hester (Chicago Bears) giant wall decal (I can't remember what they're called right now) -A life-size decal of the wondrous football player is all I know for sure.
Oh, and I got my hair all cut off and colored one color (espresso) instead of highlights...kind of short, yes, but it'll grow. Hubby says it really is nice other than that he likes long hair better, in general... he is so nice about it! It really is a nice cut, but I miss my hair to tell you the truth!
Today, I also plan to get out there and get on the elliptical ......
What else? Spent an hour at the library this morning perusing books for Alex to read and also looking at cookbooks. So, I have been busy, I also bought fabric and trim for some different window coverings in my studio downstairs. I want to paint the walls, too. I have a lot to do down there, in terms of organizing and decorating. The fabric I got is wondrous. Where is my camera, again??? I didn't lie when I said I'd post photos, I just haven't gotten there yet!
Well, I'm off. Have a blessed day!

Tuesday

2009-01-13T09:34:00.003-07:00

It's already Tuesday and I have so much to do I am dizzy! Today I am making a list for all the projects I have to do around this house. One of them is to post more photos. I didn't take nearly enough photos over Christmas, I could shoot myself (with a water gun) I regret that I was so busy with guests that I didn't take more pictures. No, that came out wrong. I loved my family and guests here, I just wish I took photos to remember......
You know I was laughing to myself because I write here and I write I guess to myself and a very limited but SPECIAL audience!! Maybe my readers are just clandestine, or can't type, oh, maybe they don't have arms or toes or lips to punch the keyboard. Who knows, but I am happy to write to my few and faithful friends....lol oh geez! Thanks to those who visit me!!!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-10T17:29:00.003-07:00

Yes, yes, old news....but life is getting back to a normal pace...dropped off oldest daughter at school yesterday, and oldest son had to go back January3rd. School has started again for Alex, and this are slowly snapping back to a different pace.
Speaking of slowly....Alex got a new turtle pet. Named him Bob. He's a red eared slider and tiny now. but unoffensive and quiet...just right! Soooo, of course we had to add to the menagerie here. (No more comments about that).
Alex had basketball practice today and got signed up for Spring Little League..he is in the Minors this year. He is so happy when he playing with some kind of ball. It's a boy thing.
Dogs were cute for Christmas, dressed up in Xmas garb, holly collars and elf hats..took pics but don't know how well they turned out yet. OK,OK, I'll post them, but later. I know you can't wait...LOL...

oosh ...need to post

2008-11-21T20:38:00.001-07:00

Oops! I haven't posted in a while. Life has caught up, as you know we moved in August from MN, and I just got the final "swat" of extreme business! I have so much to say and to catch up on!! I will post more this weekend. Have a great one!!

Raggedy Anne....

2008-10-29T11:58:00.008-07:00

Here is a photo of the pincushion I sent to my pincushion swap partner. I make folk dolls, and she mentioned that she likes Raggedy Anne, and, although this pincushion is sewn, not knit, I made it anyway! Well, I DID use yarn for the hair!! Hope she loves it as much as I do! Here are some photos:

Also, I made her a little card with Raggedy Anne and Andy on the front:

I'm getting in the mood for doll making now!!

Pincushion Spoils

2008-10-29T11:51:00.004-07:00

I received a swap package from my swap partner in the ravelry pincushion swap! The pincushion is a wonderful little knitted pumpkin! It's so cute! Here is a picture:
It looks a little lopsided in th photo, but it really is cute!!! She even put leaf shaped pins in it!! She also sent some coffee, soap, and a cranberry candle (yum..)
Thanks, Bette!

Got my package off!

2008-10-27T19:46:00.002-07:00

I joined a fall pincushion swap on ravelry, and it is so fun! I just mailed my swap partner's package. I just love to make and send cool suprises! Of course I love to receive, too! heh heh.... I am knitting some wrist warmers for my older son. Hope he might possibly like them and wear them in those chilly Indiana winters..... the pattern is "Toasty" and I am knitting them in a beautiful dark gray semi solid superwash wool by Queensland yarns...can't remember the yarn name offhand. Knitting time has diminished lately, as it seems the days are rushing by, almost like in the movies where everything runs into a blur...

Lovely Autumn

2008-10-23T16:37:00.011-07:00

Autumn is my favorite time of the year....the weather gets cool and everything seems cool and crisp! Our trip to the mountains in Mew Mexico was wonderful, because we saw so many trees and forest and the weather was soo nice! I am posting some photos of my DH and youngest son on one of our fall hikes:

Soon winter will be here, and that's all right...then beautiful spring, and the hot summer....Fall is definitely my favorite season! It's also a time to get ready for all the holidays coming up and time to getready for all of our family to come home!

Amazing Autumn Coffee and Yarn Swap!

2008-10-12T19:09:00.008-07:00

Well, I found another fun coffee swap! To see details and join, go here. Sign ups end October 15th....I participated in Coffee Swap Three last fall and really enjoyed it... here is my questionnaire:

Questionnaire

About Your Yarn Passion
1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? When did you first learn? I knit. First learned in third grade at Junior Girl Scouts (knit some mittens). I re-learned about 3 or 4 years ago..

2. Do you like using a particular type of needle or hook? (wood, metal, straight, circular) Is there something you've been wanting to try, or a particular size you always seem to be short on? The only metal I like so far are addi's... love wood needles. I use both straight and circular, depending on the project.

3. What kind of projects do you enjoy making? Any types you just haven't ever gotten into as much as others? I love knitting socks. I have knit a poncho and a couple of sweaters, scarves and several felted bags. I guess I love socks the most, but bags are second.

4. What's on your needles\hook right now? What's your oldest UFO (unfinished object)?Right now I am finishing a pair of socks. Oldest UFO would be my striped dog hoodie from the book Knitting for Cats and Dogs.

5. If you were going on vacation tomorrow, what project(s) would travel with you? Socks or a bag...maybe wrist warmers...or beaded scarf or bag...or baby stuff...........

6. What are your favorite types of yarns? Any you're allergic too, or just hate working with? Anything in particular you've been dying to try? No allergies, love sock yarn and worsteds, wool, alpaca, merino wool,bamboo, soy, corn...I don't care for 100% acrylics. I want to make lots of socks! Want to try making a Noni felted bag. I have a pattern for the metro bag I've been looking at...

7. What sort of colors do you love in yarns? Brights? Pastels? More muted colors? Variegated? Are there any you can't stand? Hmmm..sock yarn, love variegated and solid. Worsteds...love almost any color but bright yellow or bright green. I love green, but not "neony" green. I love rich colors. Also, colors that contrast and look wonderful together, also like textures, but textures as in different yarns knitted together...I live to make bags, too, felted or not...

Your Coffee Passion
1. Do you prefer caffeinated or not? caffeine, please

2. Whole bean or ground? For what type of pot or press? either. I use a Capresso drip. Want to try french press..

3. What types of roasts do you enjoy? Are you more the light and lively or dark and robust type? dark and robust, definitely!

4. How do you 'take' your coffee? Creamers? Sweetener? Other add ins? Sometimes black, sometimes cream.

5. That first morning cup - is it about the taste, or the caffeine? taste!

6. Do you enjoy going out to coffee shops like Starbucks? What are some of your favorites?Yes, Starbucks. I love nonfat sugar free caramel macchiatos......otherwise I get black coffee..

7. You've just made the perfect cup of coffee - is it in a thick mug, or a thinner cup? Where would you sit to drink it? Regular size mug. I drink while running around. Usually if I sit it would be in the office.

8. You're enjoying that perfect cup, and have a magic cabinet in your kitchen - when you open it, magically, your favorite treats will appear to enjoy alongside the coffee - what are they? Are they sweet? Crunchy? Soft and flaky? ooo,biscotti or cookies, so crunchy and sweet.

All about YOU!
1. Do you have other hobbies like spinning or scrapbooking? Yes! Scrapbooking, painting, writing,sewing, making art dolls and altered art

2. Do you collect anything? Not really. Used to collect unusual pigs or little sheep... ha ha ! now I collect yarn!!! ;). I love gel pens or pens that write well..also like vintage buttons, photos, pictures, sewing scraps, fabrics and trim.....love Amy Butler type fabric--I also sew and like to make cool stuff...purses etc..

3. What is your favorite part of Autumn? Weather, leaves in the Midwest, smell of apples and pumpkins, decorating, having everyone home for Thanksgiving...

4. What sort of scents do you enjoy? Any difference in what you like for your house versus what you like for your body? Yes, for home I like harvest, spice, apple, pumpkin, linen,warm homey scents. For body I like Philosphy's Amazing Grace body wash.

5. Are you allergic to anything? no

6. Are you on Ravelry? What's your ID? Yes! MariaE

7. How would you spend an ideal fall afternoon/day? Like I did last week in the mountains watching the trees and beautiful sky

Renewed....

2008-10-12T14:40:00.003-07:00

There is so much to say about the outdoors. We hiked and hiked and and enjoyed the woods and the mountains. The drives were spectacular....Oh I love this country. We stayed in The Palace Hotel in Silver City, taught Alex about Billy the Kid (he had a billion questions), we stayed in a rather (kind of) remote cabin in Pinos Altos...we went the the Gila Cliff dwellings, the Catwalk, and just hung out in the perfect weather and outdoors. Ahhhhh. I would love to live somewhere there in a little cabin with my knitting!!! Oh, and my family, of course!!! I took loads of photos and will post them soon....
Well, meanwhile I won a prize in the Carefree (or not) Holiday KAL!!!! Yes! ME! Won a prize!! Can you believe it???!! (GRINNING) I won some Merino5 from Crystal Palace Yarns and I chose Red Cinnamon...going to make some Genome Socks without the frilly edge.... I saw a photo on ravelry of the exact sock I want to make!!! ooo, thanks Carefree (or not) KAL!!! for picking MY name from that huge container of names!! :D

Also, I was TAGGED by Corrine, of Craftyloca's Sanctuary: She has a great blog, I like to go there because I feel so at home there!

So here are the rules:

list six details about myself
tag six fellow bloggers
leave them a comment so they know they’ve been tagged.

Six details about myself:

1) Hmmmm.. I wear contact lenses AND reading glasses....when knitting, creating art, reading or writing. I don't want to have lasik surgery. I have worn glasses since I was 5 or 6 and have always been far-sighted.
2) I love to change rooms around and move all the furniture around when I get in the mood
3) I love to paint things like furniture and walls
4) I always seem to get into trouble in one way or another
5) I love people and my DH wonders at the way I can converse at length with a perfect stranger
6) I can't stand to eat any kind of bbq ribs...don't know why but they make me feel sick...

Okay, now it's my turn to tag six fellow bloggers:

Kathy at Aunt Kathy's Place
Lori at With Six You Get.....
Monica at Rubys N Purls
Lorri at Let's Talk Over Coffee
Adrienne at knitting in the bellybutton of california
Liberty at My Words Come Tumbling Out

Knitting Hopes and Dreams

2008-10-02T10:54:00.005-07:00

OK, so no takers on the carefree knitting holiday thing... well, I thought it was a great idea, and furthermore, I am going to do it. I even have some things picked out: Toast and Toasty wrist warmers, Seafoam Towels, socks, Fourteen Cowl and Ridged Lace Cowl, and maybe a scarf.

Coming up next week we are going to New Mexico for some hiking and exploring in the Gila Wilderness:

and then we'll travel north to Albuquerque to visit Oma and Opa (my parents). Little guy has fall break so we are going. We are looking forward to this trip. The little guy will miss a soccer game and 2 practices, but it'll be ok. I am bringing him plenty of nightly reading and even some math facts for those evenings!! ha ha - don't tell him....

Well, I guess I'll even post a picture of a half done tesserae so ck:

Done in Sanguine Gryphon's Eidos sock yarn in Phaedo colorway. Kind of a gray- green. Great yarn, by the way!

Hmm, I started thinking that I am going to start writing again...my writing is so rusty - downright normal anymore...

Well I'm off.

Carefree Holiday Knitting KAL!

2008-09-24T08:52:00.002-07:00

Prizes! Fun! No Pressure! I just joined this awesome KAL for some stress free holiday knitting. There are prizes and lots of great people to help encourage you to complete your projects! They are also on Ravelry! Tell them I sent you, and post on your blog as well! There are patterns and lots of suggestions as well! I can't wait to get started. Join by October 1st. Happy Knitting!

2008-09-23T19:27:00.007-07:00

I picked this up from Guinifer's blog:

This is what you do:
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list in your own Blog

1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien
2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling
6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis
10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë
11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë
13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks
14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger
16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame
17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres
20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
22. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, JK Rowling
23. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, JK Rowling
24. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, JK Rowling
25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien
26. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
27. Middlemarch, George Eliot
28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving
29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck
30. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson
32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez
33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett
34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens
35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl
36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute
38. Persuasion, Jane Austen
39. Dune, Frank Herbert
40. Emma, Jane Austen
41. Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery
42. Watership Down, Richard Adams
43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
44. The Count Of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh
46. Animal Farm, George Orwell
47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
48. Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy
49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian
50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher
51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck
53. The Stand, Stephen King
54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth
56. The BFG, Roald Dahl
57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome
58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman
62. Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden
63. A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough
65. Mort, Terry Pratchett
66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton
67. The Magus, John Fowles
68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett
70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding
71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind
72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
74. Matilda, Roald Dahl
75. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding
76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt
77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins
78. Ulysses, James Joyce
79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens
80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson
81. The Twits, Roald Dahl
82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith
83. Holes, Louis Sachar
84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake
85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson
87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons
89. Magician, Raymond E Feist
90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac
91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo
92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel
93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett
94.The Alchemist, Paulo CoelhoT
95. Katherine, Anya Seton
96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer
97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson
99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot
100. Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie

so, I am not underlining because I have to go pick up Alex from Awanas.
I am hibernating (or frogging) the lace anklets because I am mad at them right now....... I started Tesserae socks from Knitspot with Sanguine Gryphon's Eidos hand painted sock yarn in"Phaedo" colorway.....really liking it so far!!!
Now I have to go get in the car!!! Happy knitting!

Thanksgiving!!?

2008-09-17T16:30:00.003-07:00

I just made reservations for oldest son to come home from Purdue in Indiana for Thanksgiving.. I can't wait to see him! Everything seems perfect when all five of us are together! It's hard to imagine Thanksgiving already, isn't it. Halloween is a stretch, too, and the stores sure aren't wasting any time......
Well, I got a Chicago Bears shower curtain for Alex's bathroom. It's a Jack and Jill bath with the office, so Russell is very pleased, as well...today I got blue and orange towels and rugs... oh yippee..
I like sports, I just don't REALLY like sports....
I started and frogged and started and frogged and started and frogged, OH, AND...started and frogged and finally RESTARTED my lace anklets with that Panda Cotton yarn. The color is gorgeous(Strawberry and Kiwi or something like that), but it splits. I'll show you a photo later. I didn't take one yet and I'm too lazy to take one now. I'm resting up for Alex's first soccer practice tonight! (lol) He love sports. Loves to run, compete, etc. Right up his alley!! Well, gotta go feed the boy!

Tuesday Eve

2008-09-15T19:40:00.002-07:00

I just have something very important to share and it cannot wait. If you have a bible, go to John 14:16-17.
It is Jesus, and he is speaking to his Disciples. He is telling them to trust in God, and he says.."And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. Th world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.."

All I can say is "wow".... I'm telling you, you have to read the bible. Your eyes will open, even if not right away, keep at it.

Sending all of you love!!

Finished 2 Felted Bags! (almost).....

2008-09-11T09:08:00.007-07:00

Finished the Fiesta del Sol bag, finally, at least my version! I also finished the Caledon Hills Bag, except for finishing the trimming and putting on the magnetic clasp and button!!! Here are photos:
Here are some photos of Alex and our dog Lalo swimming in the backyard:

Tuesday

2008-09-09T16:52:00.006-07:00

Today I am tired, just got home when I picked up younger son from school at 2:45. He had a pretty good day, I think, but they have lunch at 10.40 a.m.! I send a snack, but he has been eating it before lunch and drinking all his water as well! (he says they water at school is nasty because it tastes like "art water"........ does that mean he's sampled watercolor water while painting??...hmm- anyway, I am going to start sending 2 snacks and give him a bigger breakfast and 2 big bottles of water. He gets downright impossible when he is hungry and/or thirsty... As soon as we got home he ate a giant cheeseburger (all if it) and a drink pouch and wha-la! he was sweet as pie!So, besides running late for Bible Study, losing my phone temporarily, cutting my finger, and having a conference with Alex's teacher early this morning (there was a "mean" sub yesterday! - Alex got in trouble.....) the good thing was that I started a new class! I am taking a Kay Arthur Precepts class on Numbers, Deuteronomy and Joshua over the course of this year! Yay, it is a lot of work, but very good. I also did a bunch of errands that I needed to do. Well, I have to go now to watch Alex go swim for a while.

Wednesday, Fairy Day?

2008-09-03T10:38:00.016-07:00

Here were are, Wednesday, and I must get down to the craft room and clean. It's the only room where there are still way too many boxes. Can't walk or do anything in there, and I know that the cords to my printer and speakers must be down there somewhere! Still have to unpack some boxes to fill the curio cabinet upstairs, and finish the dining room. I did finally put the Tupperware- type stuff away. Then I have to dust, vacuum , clean the bathrooms...Arghhh, can't I just call the magic moving fairy to come?

OOPS! This one above is not her! Where could she be?

or is she this one, on the left????
If this is a possibility, it could be grave, because it appears as though she is TRAPPED in a glass case....well, I have to say that dreaming of magical fairies who do your housework is nice, even though I don't really believe in fairies, they are fun to imagine....especially because instead, I know that I could be here with these sturdy waschfrauen women: Well, now, how do I really feel about all of this??? This next picture says a lot, and yes, I am on my way to the front lines to do the washing, scrubbing, cleaning, organizing, and fluffing of it all:
And with this, I bid you adieu. You know, if this little blog had more readers, or more readers who commented, I maybe just could have a little accountability action going...as of now, I can sit back and eat bon bons and nobody will know....

Fiesta del Sol bag

2008-08-29T20:33:00.002-07:00

hey hey! I am almost finished with the Fiesta del Sol bag! I don't know if I am going to add the pom poms like the pattern directs, though.....MAYBE I can take a picture of it to show!! It's very colorful, though not as long as the pattern, either, because I ran out of red yarn.....no worries, though. I improvised and I like it... SOOO..... now I have started the Caledon felted bag which I hope to whip up quickly. Then, contrary to my queue on ravelry, I think I might try socks OR socks and the Hobo Bag by Stitch Poet simultaneously!!!(oooo)

Yes, we are here!

2008-08-25T20:19:00.005-07:00

Yes, and I am crawling in and out of boxes.....can't find the cord to my printer and speakers....but I do have my camera (I think I know where it is!!) Everything is upside down...oh dear--but I think I am handling it pretty well.
It has been hot and we have been making great use of the pool, and we even taught puppy Lalo to swim, and now he loves it! Maya would bark at him at first, because she doesn't necessarily like swimming. She will wade but that's it. When Lalo went for a full fledged jump in, Maya about had a heart attack and barked at him as if to say "You Fool!" --but she then realized that Lalo was having a blast. Now she puts up with all the attention he gets. Oh, to be wild and crazy. - Oh, to be sensible and calm....
Hopefully soon I can post a pic or two of our new digs.
Knitting wise, I am almost done with my felted Fiesta del Sol bag, and I finished Karin's cami. She likes it, although she is long waisted; I'm thinking I could have lengthened it a bit.

Welcome to Scottsdale

2008-07-31T17:03:00.002-07:00

We have been here since very late Sunday night (actually, Monday morning!!) We close on our house August 11th, so we are in temporary housing until then. Things are fine, nice, great, what have you.....I am loving the sun and the landscape and visiting old friends!! Thanks for yur prayers. God has just been so good to us during this move! We are going to Tucson Saturday to visit oldest daughter!! YAY can't wait to see her and her new puppy!!
Gotta go for now---

The Movers Are Here

2008-07-24T07:16:00.004-07:00

.....and all of a sudden the whole aura of the house was transformed into a bustling center of moving things, packing, lots of people........ music playing from radios........the sound of plastic being ripped from large rolls, paper rustling, boxes being assembled and tape guns searing across them...... I would take photos, but I ran out of batteries and my camera isn't working.......these guys are fast!

We're almost on our way!

2008-07-23T10:31:00.005-07:00

Tomorrow the packers come and will be here Thursday and Friday, and they are going to load the truck on Monday and Tuesday.........wowee it's going by fast!
We are going to have a little birthday party for youngest son on Saturday at a fun place here. Today is his 9th birthday!! Can't believe he is already 9!! wow!
I am working on daughter's cami and packing knitting projects for the road-- have a pair of ankle socks and 2 purses to felt....fiesta del sol bag by Kristin Nicholas and the Caledon Hills Felted City Bag from Yarnmarket. I figure those should give me PLENTY, as IF I was not going to be crazy busy anyway!!! Oh, I may as well take the Exploring Stripes Bag.. as well...... stuff for the road....
Wish us luck in this move, and that we all get there safely - animals, too!!!!Thanks!

Hey Ho!

2008-07-15T17:38:00.003-07:00

Hi,

Well the most exciting thing so far today is I found out that I won a prize from Aunt Kathy's contest from her blog!!! oooooweeee! I won a cool sock knitting tote from BeaBinneys Etsy store!! Wow and have I been admiring those, too!! Who knew?? Wow thanks Kathy!!!
The second exciting thing is that we are waiting for an answer to our offer on a house in Scottsdale.... We are ready-just need a house to live in!!!
Youngest son is outside playing with a bunch of kids and I let him take out a bag of Cheetos Puffs to share...he seems to be pretty possessive of them but is happy to share......I usually don't let him do things like that. Otherwise, I continue to change my mindset to a moving on one....have been knitting my daughter a beaded cami to calm the nerves...here is a picture:

It has been fun to knit so far. I hope it turns out cute and fits her. She is tiny!!
Well, what else can i say. Please pray for my cousin Mary as she has a job interview on Thursday of this week.
Have fun knitting!!!!

Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge

2008-07-09T16:38:00.001-07:00

Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge
Originally uploaded by wobbly85

I spent this morning on this ride: SpongeBob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge Roller Coaster, with youngest son. !!!! Older daughter and my sister wanted to go to Mall of America, so we did...had fun- although I had sworn off roller coasters, I went on this one and just didn't let my mind go to the sane place it does sometimes when I am scared....... I didn't fall off or anything severe, just closed my eyes the whole way and laugh-screamed..... sister and daughter had fun shopping, and I offered my sanity as sacrifice for everyone to have a little fun..it wasn't so bad. I might actually do it again!

Knitted Babe #4 is done!

2008-07-07T17:18:00.007-07:00

Well, she is finally done..... I have to make clothes for all of these little babes, though. So, mom has 4 now. I guess the initial thrill is gone for me!! I still want to make a Frida Kahlo one, though. Think I'll try to make some of famous artists and writers or something!!

We had a wonderful 4th of July here at our house, and 2 more of my aunts even joined us from Chicago! So (these are my mom's sisters and a cousin--all in their 70's and 80's)! We had a blast and at night did fireworks and put Mexican music on and danced!!! Good food, too........ Of course you know there were young people here too!!

Saturday we traveled to the bustling metropolis of Mason City, Iowa, for the bi-annual Vega Family Reunion...(my mom's side- my dad is from Germany..) it was fun and we had great Mexican food! What a treat! Tamales, a pinata for the kids, met people I never knew, etc. etc.

So, my arm is doing great, too, thanks for the nice thoughts!!

My parents and sister are still here, oldest son left today and oldest daughter leaves Sunday.

What a fun exit from Minnesota!

We Sold Our House!

2008-07-02T16:43:00.003-07:00

Well, we sold the house in a record 10 days. God is shining down on us. We went to AZ to find a house, found several, but haven't made an offer yet. Things are moving quickly now.

Tomorrow daughter and older son are both flying in, as is my sister Marta and my mom and dad! Friday we'll have a huge party here with 2 more of my aunts, their husbands , and a bunch of cousins! One aunt is coming from Iowa, the other from San Diego. We'll have a wonderful 4th! I am still trying to knit clothes for my mom's knitted babe dolls,with everything else. I'll just give them to her when she gets here instead of mailing them.
When we were in AZ, Frankie, our cat got really sick and had to be transferred from the kennel to the vet. He was so stressed that he couldn't pee and he wouldn't eat. They got him straightened out, though, and the vet kept him the rest of the time he was there.
The night we returned from AZ, I was baking cookies and burned my left arm pretty badly. I would take a picture but it looks nasty. It has been healing well, though.

Off to Arizona

2008-06-20T19:40:00.008-07:00

We are leaving tomorrow to find a new house! Hope it goes well. I have been knitting some little things for mom's knitted babes dolls--she doesn't know about the three new ones yet...I wanted to get them fully dressed before I send them back to her! I made a swimsuit and some undies for one of them.
These pictures are placed a little strangely... can't get them to behave. Don't have time right now to fix them,but I will later!

It's Beautiful

2008-06-13T15:35:00.002-07:00

A beautiful day! Perfect! Took the dogs to the dog park while we had people looking at our house..yes....we are moving!! We are moving back to sunny Scottsdale AZ this summer. We are excited, as we have friends there and we miss them! So, the cleaning and organizing and fluffing and froofing of the house has been taking place! So, it's a good thing. I am working on some knitted babe dolls, and also a cami for daughter and getting ready to start a summer sweater. Things are in a bit of a frenzy, though, with the moving thing nearly upon us. We'll go house hunting next week for 9 days, then come home, have lots of company for the 4th of July, and go to a family reunion together in Iowa. Found a pattern for a really cute 4th of July bib . Isn't it adorable?

Hmmm...

2008-06-06T10:07:00.002-07:00

Today is Friday, June 6. Still blustery, 64 degrees or so, cold and windy. Is there spring? Summer? It's almost fall ......just kidding. I have all but given up hope. One day we will wake up and we'll have to get the saddles out to put on the giant mosquitoes...and it will be humid as all get out......help me be positive about the weather, please....
Well, yesterday was younger son's last day of school! yippee! I am working on a couple of knitting projects at the same time and have to admit that I have kind of been wandering off from my knitting projects. Things have been very busy and I can't sit down long enough to enjoy knitting. Tonight son and DH are going to a Father/Son Camp-In at our church!! They will have fun! Let's see, Yesterday I made Pecan Parmesan Crusted Salmon and rice with peas. It was good. What else? Younger son had pizza at a neighbor's end of year party. They had a big jumpy thing in their yard, and water balloons, fun and games, although it poured for a lot of the time. They had a blast just the same! He went over again this morning to extend the fun....!!

Finally, a decent day!

2008-05-31T14:33:00.004-07:00

This spring has shown us pretty horrendous weather. Today, May 31, is really a nice day-- around 70 and sunny!
I finally finished my sweater, Silverlake Shirt pattern from Oat Couture. I like it. Very simple pattern. Used 8 balls of RYC Soft Tweed in Thistle. Now I am starting a surprise for my oldest daughter: a beaded cami in turquoise cotton........ of course there are also various other things going on...... little son had a soccer game at 9:00 am today, a baseball game at 10:30, and baseball pictures at 1:00! So we ran around all morning.....it is so fun!! Now I am supposed to be cleaning and organizing but the computer has turned into a black hole where I disappear in ravelry!! Ha ha ha I guess I'll have to KNIT a cover for it and hide it, or an least make it harder to get to!!! A computer Cozy!!!!!! ;) Well, see you later!

What Age Do You Act?

2008-05-26T10:08:00.001-07:00

You Act Like You Are 31 Years Old

You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

You're responsible, wise, and have enough experience to understand a lot of the world.

You're at the point in your life where you understand yourself pretty well.

You are figuring out what you want... and how to get it!

What Age Do You Act?

Frankie!

2008-05-26T08:26:00.001-07:00

DSCN3788
Originally uploaded by miasfolkart

a couple of things

2008-05-20T11:41:00.004-07:00

Well, I clearly have not been posting things I've been knitting on this blog, but I finally have done so on ravelry. The latest things are these two baby items: a bib with a vintage button and a berry baby hat. Fun to knit!

Time Flies!

2008-05-13T09:56:00.002-07:00

Oh, geez, can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything. I will post more soon. Been hanging out at ravelry. I'm MariaE there. So, lots happening, the weather here has been simply atrocious, though. Disheartening..... but yesterday and today were nice days! School is almost out for our youngest, baseball season and spring soccer has started, and DH is coaching soccer. School is out for two college kids. Older son got an internship at Purdue for the summer and his first day was yesterday. Older daughter will be coming home soon!! Dogs are fine, enjoying our visits to the dog park and running around. Frankie is, well, just being a cat I guess. He is so lovey-dovey!!

Mitten Swap Goodies

2008-03-02T12:24:00.003-07:00

I just wanted to share some cool yarn I got from a mitten swap on Ravelry!!!The colors are beautiful and the yarn is wondiferous!! Thanks, Sandie!!!! :) The variegated yarn is chunky/thin/chunky!!! the bigger ones are Araucania Magallanes color 312, and Araucania Nature Wool Chunky, color 120. The smaller ball is Zitron Filou, color 112. Aren't they gorgeous??? I can't wait to knit some mittens and/or wrist warmers with them!!

Sock Saga

2008-03-02T11:48:00.005-07:00

Here they are:
My second pair of socks. The pattern is from Very Easy Circular Knits by Betty Barnden. A very easy pattern and I knit the first 2 pair of socks from that pattern. The third pair is started and the pattern is "Janis' Koigu Socks" from the internet but I am using SockPixie's Scarlet Pimpernel Yarn instead of Koigu. I also decided that I am going to use size 1 needles next time. I have the book Knitting Circles Around Socks and attempted to knit socks on two circs following the book, but I got frustrated and went back my size 2 dpns. So, I am half done with the first sock of the third pair already!! I think I love sock yarn and knitting socks, even though I am such a newbie........ I even joined Sock Knitter's Anonymous on Ravelry... ;) .

Sock Pair #2!

2008-02-23T20:24:00.001-07:00

Well, I haven't taken a photo yet, but I am finishing sock #2 of pair #2!! Loving it, but still such a novice! Will post again soon in more detail!!

Longing For Spring Swap Questions

2008-02-17T16:37:00.003-07:00

Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft? Knit, about 2 years
What are your favorite yarns/fibers? What are your least favorite yarns/fibers? merino wool, wool/silk blends, sock yarn. Least favorite are scratchy type acrylics. Not so many novelty yarns, either.
What are your favorite colors? What are your least favorite colors?Favs are vibrant colors, blues, teals, purples pinks, magenta, violet, lavender, greens, reds....;)
What ‘warm weather’ project are you looking forward to making this year? I'm thinking a summer sweater, and also continuing knitting hats, mittens and so forth for charity.
What are you favorite scents? Least favorite? Love patchouli, spicy scents, and some perky type flower scents. Don't care for rose.
What is your favorite flower? hhmmmm all of them! like pink tulips
What are you favorite spring time hobbies/activities? walking, gardening(but not too much), reading, watching my son's basketball, baseball and soccer games
Do you have a garden? If you do, tell us a little about it. Do you like to plant flowers or vegetables? A little patch....I always plant lots of herbs and jalapeños, and sometimes tomatoes. Flowers, yes of course!!
What are your favorite sweets? Jordan Almonds, fruit, Chessmen butter cookies from Pepperidge Farm, caramel corn
Do you collect anything? I like strange and artsy stuff, art and unusual stamps, like from Somerset Studio and Stampington and Co. Magazines. I also like little pigs and sheep.
Do you have any allergies? no
Do you have any pets?YES! 2 wonderful dogs, Maya and Lalo, and a nice kitty named Frankie

Sock #2 is done!

2008-02-14T07:12:00.005-07:00

Finished sock 2 of the first pair the other day...They are a little bulky and definitely a first try, but VERY comfy! I have learned so much and have already started another pair! I'm using size 1 needles this time with Lisa Souza'a hardtwist merino , color is Newtown.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Frankie Jr.!!

2008-02-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

I just got my Cocoa Swap package from Criquette and it's wonderful! And my blah buster buddy is none other than Frankie Jr.!!! Our Frankie loves him already!! He hugged and kissed him!! Then Lalo the puppy tried to steal him so I had to put Frankie Jr. in a safe place... Oh Thanks !!! and, oh ! a whole package of goodness came! Dream in Color "Classy" worsted yarn in Blue Lagoon --oooo GREAT COLOR! I want to eat it! And Haribo Gummy Bears, Werthers candies (I'll have to hide those), Lake Champlain Mocha Hot Chocolate, size 1 CP bamboo knitting needles, Starbucks Espresso beans covered in dark chocolate, some gorgeous blue and silver stitch markers, flowers and a kitty!!! I tried to take a pic but those are blurry. A journal, a notepad with a pen, a brown satin round padded box, Mardi Gras beads (ooowhooo) Some Doggy Human breath mints, and a cat toy for Frankie Sr.!! Oh, Thank you Criquette! You are awesome! Here are some photos:

Finally! My First Sock!!!

2008-02-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is.....my first sock. A little big, (ahem)..perhaps because I decided to use size 3 needles ? Didn't knit a test swatch? Who knows, but I am on my way! heh heh.. It was fun and sock number 2 is on the needles now, along with a pair of mittens from Louisa Harding's Knitting Little Luxuries....wow! Mark yesterday a day in history for me- February6, 2008. My first sock, which I just knew would materialize someday!

Another Try

2008-02-01T07:07:00.001-07:00

OK!! Here is my sock. The sorry blue and purple striped one I had at Amy's was frogged. This one is going pretty well, and I LOVE the yarn. It's Sophie's Toes - a present I got from Guinifer in the Coffee Swap. I am such a newbie at knitting compared to all these knitter's at Amy's. But I will not give up. Socks may not be my forte, but I will conquer the knitting world! Argh! (someone help me quick get off here..) just kidding. I am really happy with how my latest sock attempt is going. And, yes..I am proud of my work. ha ha Gotta go take youngest son to school.

Cocoa Swap Question #4

2008-01-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!!

Found Some Pictures

2008-01-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-01-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

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!

New Swap Question

2008-01-25T07:09:00.000-07:00

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.....

New Questions from Cocoa Swap

2008-01-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

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. :)

Finally...

2008-01-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

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..... :)

Scavenger Hunt Hot Cocoa Swap

2008-01-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

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!

Swap Questionnaire Mmmm ....Hot Cocoa!

2008-01-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

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

Hot Cocoa Swap

2007-12-30T16:47:00.001-07:00

I just joined the Hot Cocoa Swap! Trying to get the button on my page here.
They are at
Mmmm....Hot Cocoa*
Sounds yummy, doesn't it?

Tribute to Violet

2007-12-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Both college kids are off to their respective states, and DH and I are left here with youngest son and dogs and cat. Our guinea pig, Violet, has been adopted by a person today whose(1 of 2) guinea pigs died and the one left was very sad. Violet will be very happy with her new friend, Margaret, and Margaret will be happy, to, to have a new BF. Violet just did not get enough attention in this house, and she will be happier with a new buddy. Sad, but happy, too! Goodbye, sweet Violet! We still love you, and since this is an open adoption, Violet's new owner has agreed to let younger son visit her and Margaret!! A happy ending, what I strive for.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T21:46:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas to you!! We had fun today! Santa came early this morning and used his snowblower on our driveway! Imagine that........ We made caramels, laughed a lot, and decorated 3 1/2 gingerbread houses! We watched "A Christmas Story" on TV tonight, and love Ralphie and Randy. Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Day tomorrow. We'll get up early to see what Santa brought this year, and I am making a special birthday cake for Jesus tomorrow.

Birthday Fun

2007-12-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

I forgot to tell you that hubby gave me a SURPRISE Birthday Party!! Here... My 2 sisters from Michigan flew in for Thanksgiving (Hubby's family was also here) and they gave me a surprise party after a long day of shopping the day after Thanksgiving! It was so awesome, very fun! Older son is a musician and wrote me a song and played it for me and framed it as well, daughter painted me a picture with colors that reminded her of me and gave me a spa gift certificate. It was so fun, I am so blessed. Above is a picture of the cake!! Wow!! Love it! I am knitting in the picture! ha ha !very cute......and below is a picture of my car after one of my neighbors came over........hmmm..... :) !!

Overall, had a wonderful time, and just loved seeing everyone!!!

Gracious!

2007-12-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

Oh my! Time does fly! Had a HOUSEFUL at Thanksgiving, and loved every minute.....spent 3 days washing towels and more towels and sheets, etc.. but wouldn't trade it for the world! Today I tried out a gingerbread cookie recipe, meet these two little gingerbread people, surprised that I would take their picture, but happy!

Oh yes, I finally blocked my hubby's scarf and it is very nice!! Also finished knitting the blue scarf and red doll sweater. Red doll sweater was already sent to my mom, as she said her doll desperately needed the red sweater as part of her Christmas finery!! Finished most of the felted bags, but alas, have not started grandnieces jammies...oooo..socks are still coming....... :) :)
4 season back porch is nearly done, and is beautiful, too! Let's see, surgery went well, 50th birthday went... well I guess, I do not feel older, though. Feeling very good, as a matter of fact!!!:) ........Next week, already the big kids will be home again from their colleges, and we will have lots more fun!! This time, we will celebrate as a smaller family unit--just our immediate family! 21, 20 and 8 year old all together with us!!! YAY, so looking forward to it.
Busy time of year, hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year. I will try to post again soon!

photos

2007-11-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking of taking photos of things I've made and putting them on Flickr. Anyone who may read this--is it relatively simple? I'm sure it is....... My 50th birthday is next week and I was kind of hoping for a camera besides the 2 new porches I just got.......not sure if that's gonna happen....(!) things are good and getting ready for pre-Thanksgiving prep...older son and friend come in tomorrow instead of today. Life is good!........

FO's!

2007-11-15T20:14:00.001-07:00

I finally finished 2 more felted bags. I just have to sew on the beads. I will post pics when they are fully complete. Now they are drying..... I started the sweater I promised my mother, it's a miniature red sweater for a doll I made for her.
I'm sure wishing I had a better camera. The photos I take are not too good.....now, would that be the camera,or the photographer? heh heh
Spoke to older son last night and he is coming home with friend from Purdue on Monday. Older daughter is coming home Wednesday night, she and friend are flying in from Tucson. DH's 2 sisters and families are coming, also, for Thanksgiving. Very exciting, you know. I love to cook for everyone and just have a lot of people around!!!
Confession: I have never knit a sweater, I knit a cool poncho, which I should also take a picture of, anyway, someone once told me that if I knit these little sweaters, then I can knit a person sized sweater with no sweat...is that true?

Wow! Thanks!!!!! A gift from my Knitter's Coffeeswap Pal!

2007-11-14T16:31:00.001-07:00

I got home today, and I found a white box on the porch...it was a gift from my pal Guinifer! Oh, and I am so so spoiled. SOO spoiled! OH!

She sent 3 different kinds of yarn, 2 Merino 5's, some beautiful Araucania Ranco, and some gorgeous Sophie's Toes Sock Yarn (Fido)...oooh, I am a lucky and very very happy girl!
OK, some size 2 dpn's with a cool holder! Some awesome smelling Peace Fair Trade coffee! The best Ginger Cookie Thins made! A Lucy Neatby book, Cool Socks Warm Feet! 2 packs of Burt's Bees lip balm sticks and tins! A cute happy sheep pin! A pack of SOAK wool wash! Stitch markers, both turquoise and abalone! A scented Bee Bar hand and body lotion bar in a cute tin!

Oh, Thank you, Guinifer. Loving it! Now I am going to knit socks! And more socks! Just can't wait! This is a wondrous day. Thanks! You are an awesome pal!

Today .....

2007-11-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

Today I sent off my Coffeeswap 3 Pal's package (Guinifer)!
Had to run a few errands and now back to resting! Have to see what I can knit. I kind of really feel like sewing..........
Have to rest. I love life!

Just a Quick Note

2007-11-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

I have been sick with this coughing thing, and I had surgery on Monday for something else. I will be posting again soon!!

I Found a Delicious Video!

2007-10-27T18:49:00.001-07:00

Oh, this little video talks to me, sings to me! Makes me want to run and start crafting more dolls. Hey, I can knit their clothes!
Our youngest son is next door at a Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party, I am getting ready to go pick him up....He carved a cool pumpkin, bobbed for apples, played football, played "Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin", helped demolish a pinata, ate food, oh, and ate more food, was a finalist in "Guess How Many Candy Corns Are in This Jar". They also played "Roll the Mummy" or something- I wasn't there for that one but little son said that they rolled him all up in tons of toilet paper, which he just brought home. It was a fun time! Now we have tons of toilet paper lying downstairs...fun..for... puppy.....

This was a good weekend although I am still plagued by a ferocious cough. This asthma stuff really is getting old fast.
Am still busy getting a little something together for my Coffeeswap 3 pal Guinifer!!!!!
"And that, she said, with a wink and a sigh, is it for now"!

2007-10-27T18:47:00.001-07:00

Where is Time Going?

2007-10-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

holy mackerel,where does time go anymore?
I have been a little under the weather. A chest cold kicked my asthma(which I hardly acknowledge) into full gear and I have been taking meds to try and breathe properly without coughing up a lung. (Sorry for the graphics) But I am feeling better. My asthma only shows up in wild and sneaky ways, and it caught me this time. I HAVE been able to knit, I have started another felted bag, and finished DH's scarf (and he liked it!!). We celebrated older DS's bday from afar(He is a sophomore at Purdue in Indiana), and DH's birthday. All went fantabulous. Work also started on building our 3 season back porch with a summer porch below it. So, the dogs go wild when they see company-I have been taking them to the dog park double time to wear them out. I am also working on a secret project that I cannot describe here, at least until later sometime. Something exciting(At least I think so...)!!!!
I am also starting to read a new book for "Eden Prairie Reads". It is "The Weight of All Things" by Sandra Benitez......

Beef Burgundy Stew

2007-10-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

OK, now I am going to share a very delicious dinner. Beef Burgundy Stew, taken from my Southern Living Slow Cooker Cookbook. The bottom photo is of the beef browning ( you cook a little bacon and brown a little beef before adding it to the crock pot). After that, you put the rest of the ingredients in, and "wha-la!" you have dinner. A delicious one, at that. Add a salad and some crusty hot bread, and you're in business.The top photo is of the ingredients right after I put them into the slow cooker.

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-16T08:41:00.001-07:00

Monica from Rubys N Purls sent me this Halloween treat! Hootin' Anni started this goodwill gesture, and asks that we pay it forward to others...not people you talk to all the time, but new friends, or old friends too, it's up to you. If you receive this treat from me, please save the image to your server and pass the treat on to 1 to 5 others. Don't forget to explain that this originated with Hootin'Anni, and provide a link to her blog for the explanation.
I'll send this via a comment to Carole at Carole Knits (because I like those Peppermint Mocha socks) , Guinifer, because she is my new and awesome Coffeeswap 3 partner, Neila at Neila's Notes, Lisa, my first knitting friend who is wonderful, and Jessica at Rose-Kim Knits because I like the crazy photos in her October 3 entry. Thank you, Monica and Anni.

True Confession

2007-10-16T05:57:00.000-07:00

"I love coffee, I love tea,
Soon I'll knit some socks,
Yippee!"

Yes, it's true. I have never knit a pair of socks. I haven't been knitting very long, but I have oooed and aahhhed at the beautiful socks I see on it seems like almost everyone's blog......my gosh, the gorgeous yarns, and patterns and the beautiful work!! Since I started knitting again, I have wanted to knit socks. I have perused the web, I have scoured books, I have stared and appreciated and been afraid (yes, a little intimidated) at the thought of starting on such a project. I have a feeling that once I start I might get addicted to these things. You see, I love to wear slippers and socks. I love to buy socks...and knitting them-not just for me but for my buds would be absolute heaven! Ah, yes, those of you who are seasoned veterans are saying "Pshaw".......to this seemingly (to you) easy thing. My virgin run will be soon, don't know exactly when, but I'll keep you posted.......

Knitter's Coffeeswap 3 Questions

2007-10-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

Here are the questions:

1. Whole bean or ground? Whole bean. Occasionally ground.
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully loaded, baby! Unless it's late afternoon.
3. Regular or flavored? Regular! I like the taste of real coffee.
4. How do you drink your coffee? Black, sometimes with ff half and half. Depends on my mood, I guess.
5. Favorite coffee ever? Hmmmm...had real good coffee in Paris and Belgium. Colombian is good, Jamaican Blue Mountain is WOW good.
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I like fresh roasted beans, or a good brand locally; not really that fussy. Here I like Dunn Bros.,Caribou and Starbucks. Like to try new coffees.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Biscotti, OR my favorite sandwich of dark Norlander whole grain rye with smoked turkey, horseradish cheddar and Dijon mustard. mmmmm......
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? Like to always hold a cup, like a security blanket (ha ha)
9. Yarn/fiber you love? ooo cashmere, merino wool, love sock yarn and some novelty yarns
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? hmmmm.....Red Heart Super Saver- don't hate it, but really don't like it.
11. What's on your needles? a mistake rib scarf (Rowan Kid Classic/Berocco Super Alpaca), and a bag that will be felted (Galway 100% wool), also a striped dog hoodie from Knits for Cats and Dogs book.
12. Favorite colors? Green, purple, blue, pink
13. Allergies? Yes but they are seasonal only
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? Hmmm, have to think about that one. I'm pretty easygoing. Love to knit and sew, and paint, and rearrange furniture(ha ha).

Frankie, The Sweater Hater

2007-10-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

OK, I found a picture of the sweater I made for my little Frankie. He absolutely hated it. Why? It was a nice color, well made, he just couldn't bring himself to appreciate it. He wore it for only a short time. He refused to walk while wearing it.......

2007-10-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

Whew!
We had a crazy and sad week. My grand niece died suddenly in her crib - she was only 13 months old. It was tragic. We are waiting for toxicology report because they can't explain what happened.
So we left Wednesday and returned Saturday night. Everything was a blur...dropped the dogs off at the kennel, got the neighbor to watch Frankie the cat, drove to the airport and took off.

I had big plans to photograph the things I have knitted that I still have: my first poncho, purses, slippers, etc, but I haven't had time. Look for it soon! Not that these items are incredible or anything.....pictures are always fun!

I got into Coffee Swap 3 and I am oh so excited!!! Another reason to visit a LYS! I may have to venture out and go to one in Maple Grove that I have been hearing about.....

Sallie Junior

2007-10-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Sallie Junior the stuffed lab next to our puppy, Lalo. Lalo is a 6 month old English Springer Spaniel. He wanted to tear Sallie to shreds at first (all in fun, of course) but thought better of it. They are friends now, as long as they are supervised.

The Scarf

2007-10-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

I decided to make my DH a scarf for his birthday and you can see it posted below. It's Rowan Kid Classic and Berroco Super Alpaca 6297. It feels so nice to knit with. I joined Ravelry (Yea!) but I am so new I can't navigate in a timely fashion around that place yet! I listed some of my stash, but there's a lot more to go! I love that place. I am also working on some felted bags and I will post photos of them very soon, and I can't WAIT to start socks!..... DS Alex brought home a stuffed puppy and a journal for "Sallie Junior"(said puppy's name) and has to write in SJ's Travel Journal. It goes home with each 2nd grader in his class. It's so cute! Wouldn't it be awesome to knit up a little sweater for her?? Yes, I do have a life, but going off on tangents is so much more fun.....
Meanwhile back at the ranch, DH is out of town tonight and I am taking full advantage of it!! In other words, I should be in there cleaning up the kitchen, but, hey, it's all good.

Mistake Rib Scarf

2007-10-02T17:25:00.000-07:00