Good times!

This weekend was nice. My Dad and step-Mom came into town and we had a nice time.
Here's some pics: My Dad and Sean, Joanne and Jake and Sean enjoying a chocolate bunny for the first time.


























For more pics of Sean's bunny-fest, click here.

I also managed to get some work done on my Mom's sweater (which I didnt take a current pic of) and Damarys' sock. I have almost finished the collar/buttonband on the sweater, which is cool. Then it will be back to the other pieces, and I'll take a pic of it tonight. Here's the sock:

Done and begun

I finished my Dad's hat. Wanna see? Of course you do. Here's it on me!










Guess you really can't tell much from that - sorry. But it is really soft and pretty. And, I started Damarys' socks today at lunch. I was very worried since these are done toe up using the magic loop method. Never done that before, and although it did feel weird for the first round or two, it worked itself out nicely. My progress so far:









Yep, leaps and bounds I tell ya! You can see the whole sock here. I really like how these look, I just hope I can pull them off.

In other news, Cliffy will begin battling his cancer shortly. Please keep him and his doctors in your thoughts and prayers as they work through this challenge. And no, this wont get him his afghan any earlier!

I hate it when that happens

I dropped a stitch in my Dad's hat. When did I notice it? Today at lunch (3 inches after it happened). Whoops! I had to frog the whole thing. That's OK, I didn't much like the 4x4 rib and have re-started it as a 2x2 rib instead. It will fit better I think, since the alpaca doesn't have any stretch to it.

I did manage to take pics this morning.
Me and Jake, then Sean wondering why he wasn't in the picture!


















I also got 2 new books!!

Houseworks
and Things I Learned From Knitting (Weather I wanted to or not!). I got the Houseworks book in yesterdays mail and I haven't gotten very far but I like it. Lots of great tips and they are helpful!

Not much else to talk about. Hopefully I will have more tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to my Daddy!

And since he doesnt read this, I am perfectly comfortable telling you that I started knitting him a birthday hat this morning. Yep, this morning. He will be in Florida tomorrow and I will see him on Friday, so I think it is perfectly acceptable to delay his birthday gifting until then, thus allowing me time to finish the hat.

So far, I have kitted (in k4p4 rib) about 1.5-2 inches and a few rounds of knit on 10.5 16" bamboo circ. I'm using (drumroll please) the alpaca from my last trip up home. It's black and soft and georgous, with a bit of hay stuck in, although I am trying to pick that out as I go. I'll keep on knitting, eventually decreasing until it fits a human head. Easy peasy.

So, how was your Easter? Ours was ok, the kids had fun, and when Travis got home from work at 6:30, we had a nice dinner at his parents' house. Sean thouroughly enjoyed trailing after Jak while he picked up eggs. He understands what egg means and it sounds like he's saying bock bock bock (what a chicken says). He's saying baby, kitty, puppy and thank you. And yesterday I noticed something a little too advanced. My FIL was playing with Sean on the floor, going around the coffee table and letting Sean "chase" him. He got a little quicker and once he got more than half-way away Sean did an about face and went to fetch him going the other way. Normally they will follow, around and around, until they catch up. I was pretty impressed and gave my MIL the "Uh oh, we're in trouble" look.

Well, that's really about it for now. Hopefully more tomorrow, with pictures!

Updates. And pictures!

Sean is doing ok, he is responding well to the antibiotics and it seems to be looking less ugly and red. Thank you for the well wishes. Wanna see what impetigo looks like? Course I couldnt get a pic of him actually looking at me! Funny how he makes being sick look cute.









Also wanted to share the last pic of mom's sweater before it starts going behind a cut. Not a lot to look at at this point:









We also itroduced Sean to the guinea pig. After this pic and we put Buddy away (-ish, since we were cleaning the plastic bottom of the cage and the pig was inside the cagey part on the floor) Sean went directly over to him and tried to pick him up, and when that failed tried to get INTO the cage with him. I failed to get that pic but was adorable!









And finally, I wanted you to see Sean's new word. Thank you. Apparently the video thingie isnt working and it will need to be on a seperate post. Some day I'll figure it out.

That's it from me. Have a great Easter, and I will try to get Jake to take a nice picture.

What is it with this kid?

Sean is home sick. BIG surprise, right? I thought the problem was his breathing, which became labored last night and warranted a breathing treatment. Yes he had a thing on his nose (and by thing I mean what was once a hapless red dot is now a big-as-his-nose ugly sore) but I really took him to the doc about the breathing, all the while praying "Please don't send us to the hospital, please don't send us to the hospital". Yes they gave us a steroid for his breathing and the advice to keep up the breathing treatments, but they also gave us another diagnosis about his nose. Impetigo. Shocked! I have never seen such a thing and everyone I talked to (my MIL, an older co-worker) hadn't seen it in years! But that doesn't stop Sean at all!!
Anyway, No real post today, just that explanation as to why. Wordy, right? More tomorrow.

Quiet evening

I dont really have anything to talk about - shocking I know. Last night I made chicken burgers and I thought they were pretty good. I got my Mom's advice on them since it was at her house that I had them the first time. Her suggestion - add BBQ sauce to the mixture and some breadcrumbs. No need for an egg. Here's what I did:
1 lb ground chicken
1/3 c Italian bread crumbs
2 Tbsp BBQ sauce
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tbs garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 Tbsp no-salt seasoning
1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Mix it all up and form it into 4 patties and on the George Foreman it went. Tasty yes, very burger-like especially when covered with a slice of cheese and ketsup and mustard. However, it got kinda burned on the bottom of the burgers but not the tops. I thought that was pretty odd and I have no explination. Thoughts?

I worked on Mom's sweater last night and during lunch today. I have about 2 inches done. Sweaters go REALLY slow in sock yarn. Just saying is all.

I am almost done getting my submission together for the seekrit jacket. I love it, and hopefully they will too. Wish me luck!

Travis got his schedule - Mon through Fri 9 - 5:30. That was his first choice. I am thrilled to pieces that we can be like a normal family again. Woo Hoo!!

I am planning on a yard sale Saturday 3/30. I already have a few boxes of stuff that I've been tucking away for this event, starting with Christmas. I've got Jake into the spirit by telling him that anything of his that he sells he gets to keep the money. Hopefully this will get him motivated to part with some of his 19 tons of stuff.

That's it for now, sorry I dont have more.

Finally some progress!

I guess it makes sense that if you knit/crochet on many different items that they never seem to get done. Well, this weekend I finished Mom's socks, finished the baby blanket and worked on Cliffy's afghan. Wanna see pics? Of course you do.

Mom's socks - they match even!!











Tami's baby blanket - sitting on my childhood rocking chair (which Jake promptly stole once I got it out for Sean even though it's been in Jake's room for EVER):














And Cliffy's blanket. It's currently about 2.5-3 ft square. I like how it's coming out, and even though it is very, uh, colorful, I think he will like it, for 2 reasons. First, he is at least partially to thank for th BIG bag of yarn that this is coming from and second I think he will be excited that I'm making something for him. He's funny like that.











And for those of you who are not here to see yarn:

New stuff!

I have been really busy this morning, but it all started really simply. I wanted to share my Monkey & Yak scarf pattern. Well!! Not as easy as I thought. I created the pdf - I've done that before and it's easy peasy. I wanted to add it to Ravelry, but thats where the problems started. I needed a link to the pdf - and in order to do that I created a new website of sorts. I'm calling it My Design Spot, and it's just a place where I can put the projects that I've designed. Some free, some not available since I'm trying to whore them out to magazines. Probably ought not say that, huh? Whoops. Anyway, I've done it and it works - 4 hours later. I've added the link to the side over there -->. Or you can go to this link.

Boy that felt like work! I am almost done with Tami's babyghan (more done that this pic from a couple days ago):









I also started Mom's Christmas sweater. Have I told you how much I love that yarn? It's pretty good to work with too, but since it's fingering weight and a SWEATER I think it will take forFREAKINever! Good thing I have 9 months, right? Here's what it looks like so far and a better look at the yarn itself:




















Well, that's it for me. More tomorrow hopefully.

Fine thanks, and how was your weekend?

Lets see, what have I gotten accomplished?

I did:
finish up the seekrit jacket (Thanks to Cliffy for help with the snaps)
start on Tami's baby blanket (the star one, in purples)
find some patterns to put on here as freebie .pdf's (NTS - figure out how to do that)
go to Mom's and the Grandparent's on Sunday
take some cute pics of Sean
see the gray hair in Jake's head that my MIL found

I did not:
work on Cliffy's afghan
work on either pair of socks
work on the brown sweater for me
start Mom's Christmas sweater (though did put the supplies in a bag for when I do)(NO, that doesn't count)
go to Disney
take cute pics of Jake, because he hides






















Anyway, Travis had a grand time in MS, but, unfortunately, didn't win a million dollars at the casino. Oh well, maybe next time.

Here's a new recipe for you to try out. We had it last night, and I think it was pretty good. I served it with green beans and chicken flavor Lipton noodles:

Saucy Chicken - Serves 6
Total baking time 30 minutes.

1.5 lbs chicken cutlets or breast cut up
1/4 cup olive oil
8 oz sliced mushrooms
1 onion sliced (I didn't add this cause we don't like onions, I added onion powder)
1.5 cups chicken stock (I was out so I used the bullion equivalent)
2 T lemon juice
2 T balsamic vinegar
4 T flour

Preheat oven to 450. In baking dish, combine olive oil, chicken, mushrooms and onions and mix to coat everything in oil. Bake 5 minutes. Turn chicken, stir around veggies, bake another 5 minutes. In separate bowl, whisk flour into chicken broth until dissolved. Add lemon juice and vinegar. Add broth mixture to chicken, cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. Remove foil, stir veggies, bake another 10 minutes.

This made a whole lot of gravy, which was tasty and I thought it would be nice over rice. Travis thought it was good but would be too sweet to put as gravy. Now I just need to see if I can either reduce or remove the olive oil. As it was, it was only 5 points a serving.

Well, that's it for now. Have a great night.

Progress.

Well, I've finished the seekrit jacket except for some snaps that I need to buy. Yay!!! It came out so cute, I really like it. Extreme closeup? Sure.











I also wanted to show you Mom's sweater as it is right now. The colors aren't really like that. I cant get my camera to capture it correctly.:












Travis is on his way back from a few days in MS with his Dad. I don't think he won a million dollars, but hey - you never know! Tomorrow we're going to Epcot (weather permitting), then Sunday I'll probably head to my Mom's - she's missed her time with the Dyson since I forgot it last weekend. Whoops! At some point I need to buy a size 6 24" circ and the snaps, as well as head to the grocery store. Busy busy.

I accidentally had a small falling down when it comes to sock yarn. I ordered 2 skeins from Yarn Discontinued one of these and one of these (only from the other place). I'm so excited. The turquoise ones are for Damarys for Christmas. That's her favorite color and I've decided to give her 1 more chance at owning hand-knits. The other skein will live in the stash for a while. I just couldn't pass it up since it was half of what I normally pay. Yay! Same with the Supersock, it's normally twice as much as it was there. AND they are giving away some samples of sock yarn for each purchase. How could I turn THAT down?


Thats it for now, have a great weekend.

Some quick pics

The new couch:










Mom's sweater yarn:










I've finished the seekrit jacket but I need to re-do the bottom because I dont like it. It really is as cute as it is in my head. Yay!

Thats it for now. Back to work.

The kids are cute.

This weekend was plenty o'fun. I'll start with video of the boys. To preface this, Sean was eating the little pasta pick-ups raviolis and was apparently done with them but still had one on his table. Also, he's recently learned to say Jakey.




Saturday went well, we bought a sofa set and I dyed Mom's Christmas sweater yarn. I forgot to take pics of both but I will tonight. Sunday we went to my Mom's, CLiff and Jake went to see Spiderwick while Mom helped me wind some yarn.

That's really it, more tomorrow.

We're home

Thank goodness! Last night we got sprung from the hospital. We didnt warn Jake that we were coming with Sean to get him, so when he saw us he was excited. I put the baby down and he almost ran to Jake and threw his arms around him. It was SOOO cute and sweet. They really did miss eachother. I'd walk down the halls with Sean and he'd look into rooms saying "Jakey" like he was looking for him. Poor little guy, he really didnt understand why his brother was missing! But, we're out and only have to do steroids a couple times a day for a couple days plus breathing treaments 4 times a day.


I didn't really take many pics but here are a couple.

Sean in ICU on Sunday:










Getting a breathing treatment on Monday:










I also got the email from Penney's with the boy's pictures. Here are a few:

Jake & Sean together:













My favorite of Seans:













The littlest angel (to go with the one of Jake with Angel wings):












And finally, Sean wearing the cowboy outfit that was Travis', then Jason wore it, then Jake:












And for a yarn-related update... I am about 3/4 done with Mom's second sock - I got SO much done in the hospital! Also, I worked more on the jacket at lunch today. I joined the 2 fronts to the back and started on a sleeve. It's going well, I really do like it.

Well, that's really it for now. Have a great day!

A Quick Update

I have not fallen off the face of the earth, just been living in the pediatric ward of the hospital. Saturday Sean got admitted for Acute Asthma & Bronchitis attack with a slight pneumonia. He's still there. I've been coming home while Travis is up there for a few hours each day to take a nap (where I'm headed now). I have gotten Mom's other birthday sock almost done though! Anyway, thats it for now.

I've only been marginally keeping up with Bloglines, but Kim I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!

Hopefully we'll get sprung tonight, but I'm not sure yet.

Some updates

I beat the damn yarn! It is nice and caked up into 3 cakes that I refused to take a picture of. They are in time-out in the yarn storage area. They may come out later to be sold, but that will be only after they have learned their lesson!

I finished the mini-version of the felted basket. It came out very cute, even with hand felting and would look even cuter after a spin in the wash.

I also started on seekrit jacket 2.0. I started this a while back and got frustrated trying to figure out if I could felt part of it and attach it to another non-felted yarn. Now, I'm using wool-ease to get the wool effect without the felting. I like how it's coming out so far, but I just started last night so it's not very far.

I have not worked on either sock or the afghan. I did, however, buy the dye for Mom's Christmas sweater... the yarn should arrive this week!

Um, we went Saturday (even Travis) to visit my folks and grandparents. Then to the Indian Rocks Beach Winterfest - which is a little outdoor festival. Craft booths with people selling their hard work for WAY too little, firemen selling beer, bouncy house, etc. It was a nice time and I did buy a toy thing for the cat which he has hidden somewhere.

Sunday I went with my MIL to get the boys' pics taken. I should have them in email form in a week so I will share them.

That's really it for now. OOOOHHHHH - for anyone that watches All My Children - I was very saddened to see Jamie leave the show because he's my favorite guy and SO easy on the eyes. So sad. However.... I looked on the COVER of my tv guide and there he was - he's Knight Rider!!! I watched the 2 hour premier last night even though I should have gone to bed half way through it. I liked it, Travis hated it (something about 3 different types of helocopters used in this one scene). I'm sure it will be gone soon if I like it. But yay! That is all.

Sit down, take a deep breath...

My ball 'o yarn is 2.5 inches in diameter. There is a LOT less of that then the mess that follows. Welcome to day 5 of the "Great Untangling of 2008". Course it is only February, there could be other "Gret Untanglings" yet to come. Sigh.

Need a recipe?

I got one! I wont get to try this until after I get to the store next, but it sounds SOOOO good that I had to share. AND, each serving is only 6 points!

Brushetta Chicken Bake (serves 6)
Preheat oven to 400.

Ingredients:
1 can Italian Stewed tomatoes (UNdrained)
1 pk stove top stuffing
1/2 C water
2 cloves garlic minced
1 1/2 lbs chicken breast chopped
1 tbs dried basil
1 C Shredded Mozzarella cheese (part-skim for that points count)

In a bowl, mix togther the tomatoes w/juice, stuffing mix, water & garlic and let sit. Place chicken in 13x9 pan and sprinkle with basil and cheese. Top with the stuffing mix and bake 30 minutes.


I LOVE brushetta and to see it as a meal is exciting to me. Of course this coming from the girl on day 4 untangling yarn because she's a dumbass, but still! And since I've been untangling I have not been knitting or crocheting. Thats a good thing cause my fingers have been hurting, but soon my friends (I hope). I have managed to creat 1 - 2oz yarn cake and the other 4 ounces are seperated in to 2 piles and a ball (all attached to eachother). I am working 1 pile into the ball, and once that pile is done I will finish with the rest and then wind it into cakes.

In a brighter note, I ordered the yarn for Mom's sweater. I need to go and get dye, but I can get that at Joanns. I also need to figure out a better way of not being a dumbass when it comes to winding the yarn. Because let me tell you, if I have to deal with THIS mess again I may have to tearfully BUY Mom a sweater for Christmas. I also bought one extra skein (just in case) and once the sweater is made I may make some socks! These socks. Not to say that I'll forget about Cliffy's afghan or the Other Socks either. I've still got, um, 10 months until Christmas, there's time for it all!

A Big Ole Mess!

Ok, first some updates. Apparently I forgot to tell you guys the part where my boss almost chopped off his finger in Ocala setting up an RV show. That was Wednesday, and he was banging a flagpole with this thing called a slammer. He broke the ring finger and nearly severed the pinky of his right hand (he's a lefty, thank goodness!). Anyway, he goes to the bone doc on Thursday (after the swelling goes down) to see if they will be able to save the finger but it is pink and has blood flowing to it so it looks good. No more pain meds, but he's a manly man anyway.

Also, Jovanni (although is a little sicky now) is doing much better since his surgery. He's such a fat little boy, and you'd never know he was sick! Our house is pretty much back to its non-sick self. And, Grandma is doing well.

Speaking of, yesterday the boys and I packed off to my Moms for a visit. My Grandfather brought my Grandma over from the nursing home and we had a nice dinner and a visit. It went well and we had a nice time. Here's a pic.










Backtracking a bit, here's Sean eating a chocolate covered cookie on Saturday. I think he enjoyed it:









On to my mess. I had some laceweight undyed yarn in my stash and some dye. I wanted to experiment to make sure that I could do the slight variations in the yarn like I wanted for Mom' Christmas Sweater. Here's what I did:








I think it turned out perfect! However, because I'm a dumbass, I untied the shoelace that was holding this mass of pretty string in some kind of order, just so I could take that picture. The mass got moved before I retied the shoelace. I've spent the sum total of about 4 hours trying to wind this 1200 yards of yarn and I've done maybe 1/3 of it. I'm not happy. Dumbass dumbass dumbass. It is pretty though!

In project news, I started the second skinny sock. I've only done about 1/4 of the leg while I was waiting on the laceweight to dry from its washing. UGH. I really need to get a swift. Sigh. Oh well, back to untangling. I am purposly not showing you a picture of the mess,for fear of shock-induced trama for which I do not want to be held accountable.

Move along, nothing to see here.