Thursday, August 30, 2007

I know that today is not yesterday, but we'll get to that in a minute. My sister Erin is getting married in January and as the bridesmaid that lives closest (i.e. not Colorado), I'm in charge of the bridal shower.

The wedding has an Asian theme, based around the cherry blossom, so I thought it would be cute if the shower followed suit. Enter Nicole's Monday Loves and the absolute perfect pattern for favors: Felted Fortune Cookies.

This whole plan almost fell apart when just a few hours after I knit up the first 'test' cookie Erin called to ask me how to w&t. I thought it was a strange question (and alarming 'cause these call for lots of short rows) so I asked what she was making. She replies that she found this adorable pattern for felted fortune cookies online and was thinking about making them for each and every person coming to the wedding.

An aside: I am pretty sure that I can knit the 25 necessary for her shower between now and early November, but her stating that she was going to knit almost 100 for her mid-January wedding seemed crazy.

I tried and tried to convince her it wasn't a great idea without actually coming out and telling her my plan. I mentioned things like the number of people coming, her inability to knit short rows at this time and lastly I topped it off with mentioning how most people put wedding favors in their 'dressy purses' and don't think about them again until their putting in their lipstick for the next wedding/event.

None of these things would dissuade her, she was still saying things like, "I'll just talk to Paul about it." That was it, I spilled the beans about my wanting to make them. She acquiesced and it's on.

I settled on Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool 'cause the skein is huge and the color is pretty accurate. The 'test cookie' is the orange one, knit in Cascade 220 and not quite following the pattern. I didn't realize there was a Line 5 on the 2nd page and omitted it. To be perfectly honest, I'm happier with the one I did wrong.

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And for all of you living your lives thinking that you know how to fold a fortune cookie, think again. When the rubber met the road, this chica ran into quite a few problematic folds before she got it right. *Note actually fortune cookie from Pei Wei for comparison.

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Yesterday's posting was delayed by the fact that I locked myself out of the house. Technically I lost my house key, but in the end, I was outside and everything I had to do was inside. Armed with barely enough formula and my check card we managed to entertain and feed ourselves for 7 hours at the mall. It wasn't pretty.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Totally flattered



My lovely friend Nicole tagged me as a Rockin' Girl Blogger! Thanks 'Cool!!

I tag . . .

Ann-Marie
Yvonne
Chick
Harriet
Julie

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Tonight is knitting and hopefully tomorrow will be 'put an end to mumblings of put some darn pictures on your blog' day. Hopefully. :)

Sunday, August 26, 2007

NoOne

For the last few months, Wayne and I have noticed Alison talking.

Not to either of us, but to her room full of no one. You'll ask her to go dance in her room and before the door closes, you can clearly hear her say, "My mom says come dance in my room." Or, "My Mom says this blue skirt doesn't go with that yellow shirt." Or, "My Dad hates leggings."

Tonight I decided to ask her about it. "To whom are you talking Alison?"

"A friend."

"A boy friend or a girl friend?"

"A girl."

"Does she have a name?"

"Yes. But you can't know it."

With that she walked away.

I figure it's normal, she's almost 5 and loves to talk, why not think someone up who hangs out in your room and wants to know every little thing about your day.

However, it is also occasionally hilarious.

Moments ago, while listening to Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" she loudly sang out, "The smell of wine and chee merfue . . ."

Then looked over at NoOne, laughed and said, "No, I have no idea what chee merfue is, but it's so lovely to sing."

Saturday, August 25, 2007

OMG!!

There's a new show on the Noggin that we'd missed until today - it's on when Ali's at school. But I sure am glad we caught it. Click this and watch.

There are no words.

Except how much more do I pink, sparkly puff-paint heart Elijah Wood?? :)

Friday, August 24, 2007

And the knits keep coming . . .

Erin's Clapotis is coming along beautifully. I've finished the increases and started the 'body' of the shawl. Dropping the first stitch was a little nerve-wracking, but I totally heart how this yarn drapes with the dropped stitches. It's lovely.

Thanks to everyone for their recipes and ideas. To answer a few questions. Legumes are not included, they're too starchy and I'd have to count them against my carbs, which I prefer to reserve for breads and chocolate. :) I don't have to eat 3 cups of cooked veggies, it's 3 cups raw or 1.5 cups cooked - I just prefer raw veggies.

The first week of school is over and it went great. We had more tears at pick-up than drop-off, but they tapered off around Wednesday. And today we got an awesome compliment from Ali's teacher. She asked me if Ali had every been to school before and when I said no she was suprised. She said she's very intelligent for not having been to school before. Very intelligent! It makes me feel like I'm doing a great job.

Back to knitting, I'm thinking of knitting a Everlasting Bagstopper for Ali for soccer. I've got tons of cotton and it would be nice for the soccer ball to have some where else to live beside banging around in the back of my truck.

Monday, August 20, 2007

PreK!!

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My baby started school today. I have to admit, my heart is a little sad. She's only going from 9a - 12p, but we've been together every minute of every day for almost 5 years now. I'm very proud of how brave she was when I dropped her off and can't wait to pick her up so she can tell me all about it.

I have to admit, the quiet is a little nice. (Emily's napping.) :)

Friday, August 17, 2007

3 cups!!!

I'm participating in a drug research study/lifestyle modification program for Type 2 diabetics. I get to take this new drug (or not, it could be a placebo) that is supposed to aid diabetics in keeping their sugars under control and losing weight. In addition, I get to meet with a dietician and follow meal plans (or not, it's really up to me).

Wednesday morning I met with the dietician to get my meal plans. Ultimately, she did a really great job of taking the information I gave her about my eating habits (I don't drink milk, I can't eat a morning snack, I love a nighttime snack) and formulating a meal plan that suits me.

But I was completely blindsided by the amount of vegetables I have to eat. Three cups of veggies at lunch and at dinner!! Three cups!!

I've only been following the plan for two days now and I'm overwhelmed by salads, carrot sticks, etc . . .

Wayne says I should just drink V8, but I can't think of a more disgusting idea.

Does anyone have any interesting salad ideas?? I'm a little picky, but I also can't eat the same thing everyday so maybe this is my time to broaden my horizons. :)

Leave a comment with the recipe or link to it.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Love it, Like it, No way!

From Grumperina, et al

What are your limits when it comes to creative pursuits?

Love it! This is my thing: baking, knitting, photography, writing

I do or have dabbled in it: beading, cooking, crochet, sewing, web design, yarn dyeing, felting, cross-stitch, scrapbooking, cardmaking

I’ll give it a try: decoupage, glass blowing, soap making, spinning, pottery, designing/pattern writing, faux painting, interior design, book-binding, printing presswork

I’ve got absolutely no interest: applique, balloon animals, basket weaving, gardening, calligraphy, candle making, doll houses, etching, flower arranging, glass bead making, lace making (needle lace, cutwork), millinery, miniatures, painting/drawing, rug hooking, tatting, wood carving, woodworking

How about you? Where do you draw the line?

Thursday, August 09, 2007

I'm an Aunt!

My little sister gave birth to a lovely little baby girl last night after a very lengthy pregnancy and labor. She is officially the toughest woman I know which is a great trait for a Mommy!

Congrats Beanie!!

Monday, August 06, 2007

Going back to Cali, Cali, Cali . . .*

Hold the phone, I'm about to blog about socks, again!

The marvelously lovely and talented Agnes made my day today with my brand new Sockapalooza 4 socks!! Thank you soooooo much Agnes!!



They're not only beautiful and soft, but also fit like a dream. She knit me a pair of Undulating Rib socks which doesn't photograph well, but I'll try to describe. When the socks aren't on, it looks like the have little bumps in the ribbing. When stretched out, you discover that the bumps are actually places where the ribbing goes in and out. That doesn't make a lot of sense, but I don't know how else to describe them.

She used a yarn I'd never heard of, Interlacements Tiny Toes, but after wearing these babies and reading her praise of this yarn, I may be a new fan.

Plus I didn't get 2 socks, I got 3!! She used the scrap yarn to knit me a little sock blocker keychain. Adorable! And do you see that card?? It has actual teeny, tiny knitting on the front!! I love it and am in the process of finding out where we can buy lots of them. I'll keep you posted. :)

THANKS AGNES!!!

*Agnes lives in Santa Barbara. :)