Charlie Chaplin and the Keystone Kop

What could possibly top 2009's halloween costumes?!

Well, in my terribly biased and personal opinion - Nothing.

Check it out, Blogging for YARN!

SO I'm finally getting some blogging in for the shop I'm working at. It's all things Yarn related, knitting, crochet, classes, shop information and updates.. I'll be putting some interesting tips and tutorials up in the next couple weeks, if there's anything you want to see leave a comment and I'll see what I can do. So if you're interested in anything to do with knitting, have a look. There will be LOTS of new stuff going up soon, so don't forget to check back :0) YARN DURANGO

Aspen Trees, # 2 in a Series of 3..

My Latest Article on IndieSmiles.com

click here I just realized that I forgot to post it here! Shame. Well I have an excuse, I've been BUSY! No, like before I though I was busy, but now I AM busy! I started working at Yarn, and my Etsy shop has activity constantly, if not sales, then at least convo's.. Then I have a new project, I hooked up with a photographer, and I am SO glad she found me! She's amazing, and she'll be taking my listing photos for me. I TOTALLY needed her! Then I have the once a week articles at IndieSmiles.com. Which is not much, but it can be time consuming! All this NEW business on top of my life as it was before, so I am actually busy, and I LOVE IT! I Love being busy, when things are actually productive. Oh - Throw in my husband needing me to do some more stuff for his business on top of all that, in case I didn't have enough. But I don't mind a bit - My whole life I've followed a "creative flow", which basically meant I was unorganized and just did whatever I was "inspired" to do that day, regardless of priority or necessity, and without any acknowledgment of importance. Even if it meant I was inspired to do nothing, I was the ultimate procrastinator. I'm not doing that anymore. I love it. I hated being that way, and I think that a new responsibility of having to answer to somebody else besides myself is what changed that for me. So I am enjoying being truly busy, and quite productive. I'm working on carrying it over into keeping the dishes washed and the clutter cleaned up around the house. So maybe I still procrastinate a little, one step at a time right?! lol Well, I promised my kids they could dress up today. I really hate halloween. But the kids, they love the costumes, they use them ALL year long. I am trying to get out of the whole, Trick-or-Treat thing, but I still have to get them dressed up. I also promised that I'd take them into the shop so they can visit the ladies at work. So I'm off, have a look at the latest article I wrote, and keep an eye out for the next one this coming week. I have a long list of things to do, I may forget a few things, but I always catch up. Have a great weekend everyone!

Article posted on IndieSmiles.com!

See the full article at: http://www.indiesmiles.com/the-oak-bush-tree-series/ Oak Leaves Collection:

Oak Leaves by knittaddiction

VS Handmade and vintage items on Etsy:

Knittaddiction on Etsy wrote an Article for IndieSmiles.com! Pass it On!

Wow, so many things are changing. So many new opportunities. So many new beginnings. After a very long and complicated September, I was looking forward to October. Mostly because of the fond memories it holds. First, Our anniversary, this year is 8 years of blissful and at the same time strenuous marriage. You can't have one without the other I suppose, but I m still head over heels in love, and possibly even more than I was 8, 9, even 12 or 14 years ago... Where did the time go? Then, October brings the changing of the seasons, like a changing of the guards. One day it is summer, hot days, cool nights, green grass.. The next day, silently, effortlessly, and almost secretly, it is Fall. Just like that. Golden leaves, colder days, snow capped peaks, dewy mist on the windows, fireplace smoke in the air and time to break out the jackets and knitted hats. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and before you know it, it's winter, and then... Christmas day. This year, October brought new opportunities as well. We have discussed the possibility of me getting a job. Preferably something part time. I had stated that I would not beg anyone for a crappy job, but if September were not "better" as far as our business was concerned, I would go get a job. Also if it were to be the right timing for me to do that, then the right one would come along. Something that was just enough to help, so we did not have to go through another slow season in the business of steam cleaning. Side note: (Apparently SPRING cleaning is a religion in this town, and the residents pretty much do just that. Clean only in spring, play in the summer and hibernate (I assume) in the winter.. Because winter is pretty darn slow for us.) Moving on. So September came and went. I wasn't happy to see it come, and I was elated to see it go. But I knew that it meant I had to go get a job, and relatively soon. Right when I thought I should buckle under and get a holiday job at JC Penny's or something of that nature, I was asked if I were interested in blogging for my local yarn shop's website. Of course I said yes; I mean, what a drag it would be to have to talk about how much I love yarn, how cool my local shop is, how nice the people there are, and what kind of fun, new, and exciting things are going to take place there during this knitting season! ;0) Total bummer I know.. Total knitter's dream to be more precise! So, of course, I said yes. I went in to talk with the shop owner, and after just a few minutes, she told me, she wanted me to actually WORK for her in the shop! You don't know how hard it was for me to contain my joy right then. I thought I would have to settle with a retail department store job, and here is a job, that I could only DREAM of having, looking for me, AT A YARN SHOP IN MY OWN TOWN. I mean, REALLY looking for me. She told me that she was racking her brain on who would be best for this, and MY FACE came to HER mind. MINE! That's a compliment. Really. So needless to say, and to get to the point, I was hired and I start next week. I am so excited, I just can't even tell you enough!

Also at the same time, My Etsy Shop is so darn busy right now, I am pleasantly pleased about it, and at the same time floored. I don't know where all the new and extra interest came from, but I don't care! lol I am THANKFULL for it!

Then, even another cool thing happens. I was given an opportunity to guest blog :0) Totally cool to me, I never expected it, and I never thought of myself doing something like that. But you know, I love to "talk" online. I do. (Do you see how long my blog posts are?!) So I took that opportunity as well. Perhaps all those A's on English and Language reports in school were not just because they were so long and involved, and that the teacher got bored or fell asleep reading them, but maybe because I was actually good at it! lol ;o) So anyhow. In my next post, you will get to see my very first article, written for IndieSmiles.com! I hope you all love it, I hope IndieSmiles and their patrons love it!!! I really put a lot of myself into it. Apparently all the daydreaming over fashion and such was for some good, and not wasted time after all! It's funny how I think I am so busy and don't have time for things. Then I get all this new stuff going on and realize that I have LOTS of time. I am really enjoying all of this! So come back soon. I'll be linking to their blog for my article, but read the other articles as well while you are there. There's some really good stuff over there! Such a cute site, I like it a lot, if you haven't been there you should go. Then comeback over here,and see a sneak preview into next week's article! You got that? Here, to there, back to here. Pretty easy :0) Hope you enjoy, and pass it on... Meaning - "Knittaddiction on Etsy wrote an Article for IndieSmiles.com! Pass it On!" <3 I crack myself up! :oD

xo, Enjoy.

My fashion Muse for the season...

After a trip to the salon, I decided that my new 'do needed a muse.. I needed inspiration.. Having never had hair like this before in my life, what the heck am I supposed to do with it now??! I was browsing my hard drive and somewhere along the way, I came across a Louise Brooks photo.. I actually own a couple reprints of her photos.. Like this one: I also saw a photo on the internet comparing Katie Holmes' recent style to Louise Brooks.. (Not a big fan of her, but hey, her hair looked cute last I saw it..) SO, it was all downhill from there.. I'm totally going on this direction this season!!! I think I need to sell off and clean out all the clothes that don't fit, and I do not need.. And invest in some wardrobe staples that can take me in any direction and still support this look. I am going to be loving this! This is what started it all: Thanks to Hector Cruz @ Luca Salon in Durango Now let's get on to the Good Stuff!! Louise : Fashion Muse for the Season by knittaddiction featuring Forever21

Items in this set: Ines Et Marechal Beige Fur Coat, 5,359 GBP Thread Social Wool bouclé sweater dress, $180 Farhi Cap Sleeve Contrast Beading Dress, Blue, 10, 250 GBP The Lindsay Dress, $180 Plaid Pony Vintage - The Mansion Tan Ultra Suede Coat, $68

My future Ride!

I'll take an Avocado, with the side car, the seat back-rest, the front and back racks, and a leather jacket! And this helmet!!!

Eat your Greens!

Transfered over from my Facebook: About 3 weeks ago we planted 1 packet of Icicle Radish seeds in an empty flower pot on our balcony. Actually, half radish and half carrot... Townhome living is new for us, so not having a yard is odd. And confining. And constricting. As a kid my dad had a HUGE garden every year, and I have fond memories of wandering up and down the rows plucking the seed pods off the radish greens and munching on them. I never really cared for red radishes, but the icicle radishes are pretty refreshing when harvested early, and chilled well. I just wanted something EASY to grow that had multiple uses.And as many carrots as my kids eat, I figured we'd toss a packet of those in there too.. Well, 7 days on the dot and we had sprouts about 1/4 inch tall.. At 2 weeks we had 1-2 inch sprouts.. And at 3 weeks we had clusters of 2-3 inch sprouts, shoving through each other trying to get up closest to the sun. It's really amazing how quickly 21 days went by! My dad was here for 3 days, since had had to be nearby for work, and he firmly informed me that I needed to thin my radishes right away. I couldn't justify thinning them and tossing them out.. I thought I remembered eating the greens as a kid, but looked it up just to be sure. Of course you can eat tha greens, and was I happy with what I found in the way of health benefits! Go Here: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-radish.html And here: http://www.everynutrient.com/healthbenefitsofradishes.html So I went out and pulled all of the biggest sprouts out of our little patch. I just placed them on a plastic plate. When I was satisfied that the remaining plants were all the same size, and within a week of the next thinning I stopped and tried to figure out what in the world I was gonna do with a palm sized bunch of radish sprouts. (One might be surprised how many sprouts you'd get from one packet.. And how far they really go once harvested.. I'll thin at least 2 more times before I can leave the rooted plants and the ones I want to go to seed.) So knowing that radishes were traditionally a salad veg or asian veg I decided to use up some left over Teriyaki Sauce I had made, and some rice.. (Recipe will follow) So basically "Mr. Picky" got Teriyaki Pork over steamed white rice and a Spinach Salad with the Radish greens tossed in.. Topped with Pomegranate dressing... Sort of asian and he actually liked it.. He didn't even know he was eating ahem, spinach, and never noticed the sprouts. (considering he doesn't like much in the way of "green" food this is a good thing! To him, salad is lettuce drowned in ranch.) Then the kids and I, just to make it easier, We tossed ours all together in a bowl. Rice, pork, sauce and sprouts.. And it was Delish! I'm not big on food, or posting things about food, but I was darn proud of myself for making a REALLY good teriyaki sauce and for using my own home grown veg. It really could not have been easier, and since teriyaki chicken/pork/beef is a favorite in our house you can be sure we'll be having this more often. Interesting note, In the way of health benefits: One of the health benefits that got my attention was HEADACHE RELIEF and weight loss. Now I can't say I lost 10 pounds over night from one bunch of sprouts.. However, I had a pretty bad headache coming on. Headaches are something I haven't been able to shake. I can remember having occasional migraines as young as 4 yrs old and they got more frequent and more intense after I had kids. And also just mild headaches on a weekly and almost daily basis at some points in life. So last night I could feel the pressure starting to build and sure enough, within an hour had what one could definitely define as a headache. Instead of reaching for the Ibuprofen, I tossed those sprouts in my sauce and enjoyed the work of my own hands. Within an hour, no more headache. I'm sure I needed to eat a real meal. And maybe some very mild allergies aggravated it. And my neck has been stiff. But those minuscule little Radish Sprouts in my rice and sauce not only spiced up my dinner But they got rid of that headache!! And I slept like a log last night! So read over those 2 pages, and consider tossing some in your next salad or microwave chinese, or even home made teriyaki. One pot, one packet of seeds, a little water and 14-21 days and you could be thinning your own sprouts and your headaches. Let me know if you try the recipe and if you notice that they help you out as well! Enjoy :o) Teriyaki Sauce Soy sauce Orange juice Brown sugar Ginger Garlic Onion Pinch of Pepper TINY PINCH red pepper flakes Water TINY bit of Peanut Butter OPTIONAL 9 baby carrots and 2 celery stalks FINELY CHOPPED In a 2 cup Pyrex measuring glass pour 1/2 cup of soy sauce. Continue to fill up to the 1.5 line with OJ.. Then top off with water to the 2 cup line. Basically 1/2 c soy - 1 cup OJ - 1/2 c water Whisk with a fork and add as much ginger as you like or can stand. I don't care for it so I only use a TINY sprinkle. Add a pinch of pepper and a little pinch red pepper flakes. Whisk. (1 packet of the red pepper flakes you get with delivery pizza works fine, shhh! ;o) In a deep pot, heat a SMALL nickel sized drop of oil. You can use sesame or peanut oil, but I didn't have any so I use canola. Add a grape sized "dollop" of butter. Add onion. Add garlic, as much as you want but this makes about half to 3/4 a quart of teriyaki so don't go overboard. I used about a half tsp. (I also had chopped up 9 baby carrots and 2 celery stalks and cooked those in the oil.) Heat the garlic, oil and butter, then pour in the OJ/soy mixture and a TINY dab of peanut butter. You DO NOT WANT TO TASTE THE PEANUT BUTTER, but that 1/8 - 1/4 tsp or so makes the dif! It will dissolve whilst cooking and stirring. Keep it on med heat and add brown sugar. I just added it right from the bag and eyeballed it, but it was about 3/4 of a cup or so. Everyone knows how it SHOULD taste.. So start with a half cup and add 1 TB more til it tastes right. Stir in the brown sugar til it dissolves. Bring it to a boil and cook it at med-med high heat for 1-3 minutes. Basically stir occasionally and the heat should keep it boiling but NOT boiling over. It will look dark but not syrupy, but when it cools it will thicken so don't over cook it. After about 5-10 minutes of cooking, or when it looks right, pour it in a jar that will hold it all. I used a glass honey jar, that was about 3/4 of a quart. This should keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, but I make extra rice and it lasts barely a week around here. Teriyaki Pork Pork or other Meat Rice Teriyaki Sauce Radish Sprouts Steam some white rice. I pour the rice my "rice pot" (It seems like rice only cooks correctly in a particular pot ;o) Then I add HOT water. I do not measure - I learned from an old Puerto Rican lady that you put the water OVER your rice and when you stick your finger in and touch the very top of the rice, the water should be up to your first knuckle on your index finger. Works EVERY time for ALL kinds of rice! Bring it to a boil, then turn down to simmer, cover and cook til no water remains on the bottom of the pan. EASY Meat Season some thin sliced boneless pork chops or fillets or tenderloin with salt and pepper on both sides. Easy on the salt... (OR use chicken/beef/even baby shrimp!) Grill on each side til well done. You can also broil or bake them. (shrimp should be sauteed unless big enough to grill, but don't chop them..) Let them rest a few minutes then chop them up into bites. For those who don't know, resting your meat keeps it tender, Instead of the juices pouring out and getting all tough and dry. Throw the chopped meat into the teriyaki sauce pot and add just enough sauce to coat the meat, but not smother it. Simmer for a few minutes, the meat will soak up the sauce and the flavor. It should not thicken much or caramelize. If it does, you cooked it too long, but it will still be ok. Serve on top of the white rice and toss some of the Radish sprouts on top, WASHED IN COLD WATER and RAW. OR you can toss rice, meat and sprouts all together and dish it out. You want to add the sprouts raw because 20 seconds in hot water blanches them, right from the faucet. So the heat from the meat and rice will soften them but not destroy them. I know it sounds like a lot, but it's not, really! I don't usually cook from a recipe. I guess I get that from my Grams. I just toss things in til it tastes right, but I tried to give generally accurate measurements anyhow. Enjoy! :O )

My morning tea...

Explanation on my Facebook page, in my notes, add, me... :O) New Morning

Wow..

I haven't posted since January!! Shame be upon me and my blog. Shame. Well, I'll play catch up from the past 6 months later, right now I'm wish-listing Tea Paraphernalia. Enjoy! Feeling Blue? Typhoon Shanghai 6 Cup Teapot Polka Dot Tea Pot

Grand Tea Pot

[u'Blue Arden'] - Tea Pot at Burleigh

Tea Cup & Saucer 200ml at Burleigh

Denby Blue Jetty White Tea Cup

Seeing Red? Red Botanical My Time For Tea Set

Oscar&Bromely Porcelain Tea Pot at Choiceful

Red Botanical Set of 2 Tea Towels

Red Calico Tea Cup & Saucer

How about Red with Spots???Retro Spot Traditional Teapot Seeing spots can't be good... but I'll make an exception:

Present Time Tea set

Tea Bag Rests Tea Pot : LS Dot Charcoal Fairmont & Main Large Tea Pot Blue Spot Tea for one Teapot, Cup & Saucer Set Typhoon 2 in 1 Tea Service Maxwell & Williams Polka Dot Tea Pot Mix & Match Black Tea-For-One

SAVE HANDMADE!

All of this was borrowed from: KnitPurlGurl Please go over and check out her blog! I couldn't possibly put it any better, and fully agree and find no reason to believe that any of the following information is false. " Have you heard of this law? Chances are, if you are a crafter, you have. Written as a way of protecting our children from lead poisoning, this law requires extensive testing of toys or items that children come into contact with. Before you applaud, you should know that this will shut down most mommy-crafters and artisans. Unfortunately, this law doesn't take into account handmade items by small-time crafters. If you've ever bought a sock monkey at a craft show or a hand-knit teddy on Etsy - then you know that these are small-producers of handmade toys and are not making a killing on these items. However, these items do help these moms (in many cases) continue to be SAHMs or WAHMs. This law SHOULD be in effect, but with modifications. These handmade, small producers of craft toys should be held to a different standard than these mega manufacturers of children's toys. Your neighbor who sells 5 sock monkeys a month cannot afford the extremely expensive testing as say Hasbro could afford. This would drive the cost of handmade goods up exponentially and likely cause these Etsy shop owners, basement crafters, and makers of handmade gifts to go out of business altogether. Join me today as we bloggers, crafters, friends of crafters, and/or admirers of handmade goods engage in a BLOG IN. Get the word out there and help save these crafters' businesses. In this economy, we all need to look out for each other! Here's a post that is being cut and copied to blogs everywhere today (Many thanks to The Copper Cauldron): As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA. Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it. The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too. How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples: To the Parents of Young Students: Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12. To the Avid Reader: Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all. Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322 To the Lover of All Things Handmade: Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter. To the Environmentalist: Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation. To the Second-Hand Shopper: Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits. To the Entrepreneur: Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America. To the Antique Toy Collector: Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html To the American Economy: Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake. To the Worldwide Economy: Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses. If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react. "

WIN A MOHAWK HAT? YES MY DEAR YOU CAN!

Wowza. Not only have I been busy, I have been battling the worst and most long suffering toothache I've had in a long time. A battle that make's the best Pokemon episode look like an episode of Barney and friends. But in spite of the many distractions, and overwhelming "I want's", "I need's", and "Can You's" I actually managed to get a little work done. Took me longer than I really wanted or ever intended but I finally finished and here's the Great news.... Somebody out there in the world of internet could win one of my hats....

In the terms of Mater:

"Shoot! Don't care who you are, That's exciting right there!" (Perhaps I've gone a bit mad also...)

Here's the story: I was fortunate enough to be contacted by Tonya from the blog: A Family Completed.. And she invited me to participate in giveaways on a Bloggy Carnival.

Well this was all new to me, but not only do I LOVE giveaways, even though I can't recall ever winning.. I also ♥ ♥ ♥ LOVE ♥ ♥ ♥ giving things away to people. So here's how it works: Love my hats? Go to her blog and enter for a chance to WIN ONE! Serously? - Seriously! Four to choose from and custom sizing available. There's more giveaways out there that you might be interested in too, so keep looking around afterwards... You never know what you might find! May I take this chance to tell Tonya Thank You - AGAIN! This is all very exciting to me, to have someone like my hats enough to want to use them in something like this leaves me terribly honored. May I also say that there are knitters out there who have inspired me greatly, and without them I would not have progressed into creating my own patterns and such. I am so humbled every time I read a blog or book or new pattern that just looks amazing and I think "Geez, I wish I was that good..." So thank also you to all the published and well known knitters out there, for being so dang cool that other people want to be like you! And finally, Thank you to all the custom orders I've had in the past 2 months! Holy cow I love you people! Do you even know?! I have been busier than I ever thought I would be, and it has raised my expectations that possibly and hopefully, next holiday season will totally kick my butt!!! I seriously love my customers. So Thank You - ALL of You! Much Love, look me up on Facebook (Knittaddiction .etsy.com) and go win something people!

One of the most touching "knitting" stories ever....

Everyone has a knitting story.. Some of them are funny, some are nostalgic.. Some are horror flicks... But I found this and pretty much cried all over my laptop. It was terribly heartbreaking and oddly comforting at the same time. Even the not-so-knitter will appreciate it, and I think that every person could identify with in in some way or another - As everyone has experienced a loss at one time or another, Although not necessarily as deep or as heartbreaking as this one. READ IT HERE

Well..

I've been kind of lost.. totally caught up in Christmas and inevitably not finished with most of my gifts. And it's almost January. Good thing they all live far away! But I stopped in because this is beyond hillarious! Check it out: Now I really hate chickens. They are so gross. They really are. Especially bald ones... The only good chicken to me at this point in my life, is one that is heavily seasoned and roasted to perfection. After having a lot of chickens for many years, I even had a hard time cooking and even eating chicken for a couple years. Seriously. But this is so ridiculous. I just had to laugh. Needless to say that I won't be wasting my precious knitting for this any time soon. I am so cruel, but oh well.

Pumpkin Scones (GIGGLES)

I'VE NEVER HAD A BETTER SCONE IN MY LIFE. NOT DRY. NOT UNCOOKED IN THE MIDDLE. LIGHT AND FLUFFY. NOT HEAVY AND BRICK-LIKE. THEY ARE THE BEST!

Pumpkin Scones Scone Dough 2 cups (280 grams) all purpose flour 1/3 cup (72 grams) light or dark brown sugar 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (113 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1/3 cup (50 grams) raisins 1/4 cup (30 grams) toasted and chopped pecans (optional) 1/3 - 1/2 cup (80 - 120 ml) buttermilk 1/2 cup fresh or canned pure pumpkin (if using canned pumpkin make sure there are no spices or sugar added) 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Egg Wash: 1 large egg 1 tablespoon milk or cream Cane sugar for sprinkling the tops of the scones (like they have @ StarBucks in packets - optional) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and place rack in middle of oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Stir in the raisins and pecans, if using. In a separate bowl mix together the buttermilk, pumpkin puree and vanilla and then add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Mix just until the dough comes together. Do not over mix the dough. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead dough gently four or five times and then pat the dough into a circle that is about 7 inches (18 cm) round and about 11/2 inches (3.75 cm) thick. Cut this circle in half, then cut each half into 4 pie-shaped wedges (triangles). Place the scones on the baking sheet. (Can cut the dough in bars also). Sprinkle the top LIGHTLY with flour (take two floured palms and brush together over top). Rub the tops of the scones with the egg wash and sprinkle a little Cane sugar on top, if desired. (Holiday colored sprinkles anyones?) Place the baking sheet inside another baking sheet to prevent the bottoms of the scones from over browning. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Makes 8+ scones. Buttermilk has a nice thick creamy texture with a rich tangy buttery taste that makes baked goods tender. It is now commercially made by adding a bacteria to whole, skim, or low fat milk. However, in the past it was the liquid left over after churning butter. You can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar, cider vinegar, or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before using. Using buttermilk, instead of cream, and omitting the egg makes a lighter, more bread-like scone. They are baked at a higher than normal oven temperature to give them a darker, crisp crust. Use two baking sheets (place one pan inside another) when baking these scones so the bottoms do not brown too much. Is your scone dough too sticky or maybe too dry? The cause of this is your flour. Flour absorbs different amounts of liquid depending on the weather (how humid) or its freshness. So if you find your dough a little too sticky or dry, try adding a little more flour or liquid.

New Baby.... (GIGGLES)

Ok, Not THAT kind. (sorry for the lousy resolution, camera phone) I love being a business owner that knows other business owners. We traded. That is so awesome, she's such a nice lady. We'd had this on lay away and happened to catch her in the store. She got a great deal being that her end would have cost her more than our end, but we don't mind a bit. Just happy to have it home and start learning to play.... And my fingers hurt like heck.

Veteran's Day came and went... (KNITS)

Besides that I am in love with black and white movies, I have been wanting to see

this one. I think I saw it when I was about 14, but don't really remember.

Today it takes a look back at the way things used to be during war time.

And I think about that time period and think about how Grandpa was in the

Marines during that time. He certainly was fighting in the war,

but I wonder where he was actually at.....

Sometimes things speak to you.

I was finally able to update our song library after it was "lost" when something happened (I have no idea what) and we lost ALL our music that had been saved in our laptop. 

Which was pretty much everything, Cause all our cd's are still in storage in another state.

Happily I found my library hiding in some old data files in the laptop, and now that we have a new 220G hard drive put in it, I've been able to add it all back.

I realize now how much I missed a lot of my old music. 

I also realized that as you get older and more mature and "adult" minded, songs suddenly mean entirely different things than you thought they did years before when you were a teenager.

(I mean, seriously, every song I heard was either about sex or anger, with a few exceptions, until just a few years ago.)

So I was listening to an album, you'll probably figure out what it is. 

I don't want to give it away quite yet. But I was listening to the lyrics and taking them in and realized how spiritual they are. And I don't mean spiritual as in "mystical and mysterious".

I mean spiritual as in worshipful and Godly. It was a sort of revelation.  

I looked at it from my own standpoint and it was very worshipful. I looked at it from the artist's standpoint and it was a celebration of growth and spiritual regeneration in this person's life, being reflected in the Day-to-Day.

I quite enjoyed it.

I'm finding my way back to sanity, again 

Though I don't really know what 

I am gonna do when I get there 

Take a breath and hold on tight 

Spin around one more time 

And gracefully fall back in the arms of grace 

I am hanging on every word you say 

And even if you don't want to speak tonight 

That's alright, alright with me 

'Cause I want nothing more than to sit 

Outside Heaven's door and listen to you breathing 

Is where I want to be 

I am looking past the shadows 

Of my mind into the truth and 

I'm trying to identify 

The voices in my head 

God, which one's you? 

Let me feel one more time 

What it feels like to feel 

And break these calluses off me 

One more time 

'Cause I am hanging on every word you say 

And even if you don't want to speak tonight 

That's alright, alright with me 

'Cause I want nothing more than to sit 

Outside your door and listen to you breathing 

Is where I want to be 

I don't want a thing from you 

Bet you're tired of me waiting 

For the scraps to fall 

Off your table to the ground 

I just want to be here now

Find Me Here

Speak To Me

I want to feel you

I need to hear you

You are the light

That's leading me

To the place where I find peace again.

You are the strength, that keeps me walking.

You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.

You are the light to my soul.

You are my purpose...you're everything.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms, and you give me rest.

You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.

You still my heart, and you take my breath away.

Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Cause you're all I want, You're all I need

You're everything,everything

You're all I want your all I need

You're everything, everything.

You're all I want you're all I need.

You're everything, everything

You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.

And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this? 

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this? 

Good Grief... (KNITS & GIGGLES)

I ran out of yarn. Dang. I pretty much never do that, but I suppose I forgot how much I actually had left. Which sucks mostly cause I have to either order online, or pay extra to have my yarn store ship some in from another yarn store. Either way I'm out on this one for at least another week. But I am excited to get on with it.

It is a prototype for an idea I've been toying with for a while.

When I was a teenager we knew this kid from camp.

We saw him in the winter and he was wearing - I kid you not - a Charlie Brown sweater. Awesome. Yellow with a brown zigzag. So I have been thinking of making my bulldog a Charlie Brown sweater. And knit my great dane one like Peppermint Patty maybe :0)

But it is easier to buy a plain one that to foot the bill for the materials to knit one. So I decided that a Charlie brown hat would be a bit more reasonable.

I have too many People gifts to knit, so pooches get store bought stuff. Well, anyway, all I have left is a few rows of white and then decrease rounds til it's finished. The next hat will need a thicker stripe. This one is kind of weak. Pretty simple though. I am thinking of doing a brown "dot" in every downward point of the pattern. Or maybe even another brown zigzag with a butterscotch colored "dot" in between the stripes. Whatever it becomes, I might just keep this one for myself and offer customs/pre-orders in my shop.I have some less bulky wool that I am going to use to do some "baby" Charlie Brown hats for my shop. I think my nephew needs one too.

In the mean time, I also have a set of fingerless mitts to finish for my Mother in Law. A cloche style knitted hat for myself. My union jack knitted purse. (It rocks hard!) An ornament. A baby shoe pattern that I started but didn't finish. A cowl pattern I half-arse started and never knit. A crocheted choker. A set of fingerless mitts for one of my boys that needs a thumb ripped out and knit in correctly. And a bag of scrumptious yarn waiting to be turned into something magnificent. And all that doesn't even cover all my Christmas gifts that I haven't started yet. I gotta get it in gear and move on with it.

brother.

New favorite Patterns!!! (KNITS)

I just bought 4 new patterns on Etsy!

I absolutely love them so far and I'm halfway through the first: Christmas Gifts!

I'm thinking I'll make this for myself and one of my very dear friends; after I see what's involved.

Also, for myself, someday.... And this for gifts as well.

Mmmm, Hot Chocolate. (GIGGLES)

This is THE best hot chocolate recipe EVER!

Paula Deen "Yaowl!"

You have to make it, it's wonderful, And when you do, Don't Freak Out, It's supposed to be super thick. You make a custard first, Then add the chocolate. I used half & half chocolate/white chips. Then you add the extra milk slowly, whisking it til it's the right consistency.

(I used a non stick pot and a funky pasta spoon instead of a whisk, no scratches.)

I also used half & half with milk instead of straight milk.

Less is really more in my opinion. It turns out super sweet, so if you like it milder then hold back a little on the chips/chocolate and about half the sugar til it tastes right to you. It really is a dessert drink, and too sweet for my taste, I had to tone it down. Once you've made it, you'll realize that if you make the custard, add the chips... stop right there and it is basically chocolate pudding. SO GOOD!

And for us, it's so nice right now, We're getting grey stormy skies and even had our first snow on the 5th. Don't know what kind of weather you all are having, but it makes you feel like winter is coming :o)

Enjoy, if you make it, Let me know if you like it!

Brandy.

Something I've actually finished. (KNITS & GIGGLES)

I love fall & winter style. LOVE it. I get a lot of style updates via email and I look at things and think "That is SO cute!" Then I see the price tag... *sigh* Jimminey Christmas things are expensive. So I usually take it upon myself to either make it myself, or bargain hunt. And this time I made it myself. While this particular item was not terribly expensive, I was less than enthusiastic about the fiber content associated with the cost of the item. I had to start small in case it was a flop, so it is baby/newborn sized. But I love it! I will be making grown up sizes next. The inspiration hat was 20 bucks (before shipping) made from acrylic yarn & fake fur.

I used some leftover bulky wool from my stash and an inexpensive store bought rabbit fur item to embellish with... And it was so easy. (So easy a Caveman could do it! ;op lol ) I'm Sooo Happpyyyyy! Woo-Hoo! Now if only I had a baby's head to grace it upon....

Art Perfecto (GIGGLES)

I find myself staring at endless pictures and blogs and image searches looking for unique tattoos and I have finally found the perfect style for me. I've been messing around on my computer with different phrases and scroll designs trying to figure out if it would look ok as an actual tattoo. I HAVE to have a tattoo NOW. HAVE to. So I'll spend the night at my computer with my sketchbook in my other hand designing my very own perfect tattoo.

Emperor Cuzco... (KNITS)

So I was out tracking down blue yarns for a girl today and I picked up some Berroco Cuzco. I think I'm in love. I almost don't even want to offer it up for the use of the hats she's ordering. (eek! Should I admit that?!!!) I cannot wait to get some more, it is so soft, in my opinion it is softer than Malabrigo. I've kind of become a yarn snob, I've noticed myself being very picky when I rub a yarn between my fingers. If my first reaction is a wrinkled nose, I pass. Like you'd pass on a luke warm glass of water. Politely. Cuzco was however, raised eyebrows and a slight tilt of the head to the right. Like a woman eyes a handsome man. Confidently. My husband may get jealous of the time I'll be spending with Cuzco. But then again, Cuzco doesn't have everything my adorable hubby has. ;0j

First time for evertything...

So since I have lots of friends spread across the country, I decided to go ahead and start a blog. We'll see how it goes. It's mostly for me, as selfish as that sounds, so I can keep track of my knitting ideas and little snippets I find all over the internet, that will inevitably either use up my computer's memory, or get lost in my list of a bazillion bookmarks. If you don't know me, or we haven't talked in a while, when I'm not knitting, I'm child rearing. When I'm not child rearing, I'm knitting. That's pretty much me. I have twin boys, which are home schooled for now. We all like it that way, and it works great for us and them. They are supposed to be in kindergarten, but are already doing first grade work, simply because of their own desire to learn. So I know it is good for them. As for knitting, Whenever I get knitter's block, I paint, draw, construct things; I find solace in many forms and many mediums. But I must say that knitting is my all time creative love. Drawing was my first creative love, which from time to time, I return to for a splendid weekend away from the norm. But I ALWAYS knit. In the car, but not while I'm driving ;o). At the park. Watching TV. I even did it while walking a few times. In bed. In stores. In restaurants. On the street. Anywhere that I am Idle, and have needles with me, and I can concentrate, just a little, I am knitting. Like some people have gum, mints or cigarettes, I have my knitting. And although my magnificent hubby doesn't always appreciate my addiction to creative needles, and I am often greeted with a wrinkled nose, He admits that it is great compared to what some people are addicted to, and He'll take my addiction to knitting needles over other types of needles any day. The other needle I seem to be morbidly drawn to, would be Tattoo needles. I do not at this time have a tattoo, but have been fascinated by them since I was a small child. The thought of art, permanently on my body is something that gives me an indescribable feeling of joy. I have waited my whole life to get a tattoo, and I have SO MANY laid out that I want so badly. But like every good parent, I put family first, and put tattoos on the back burner. But rest assured, my time in the sun, er - Ink, will come. I can't wait, but I have a feeling that once I start I won't be able to stop so easily. We'll see. That is all for now. We've had guests (my in-laws) visiting for a week. Actually 10 days. I'm the type who likes to be alone, or just with my own. And having all these extras around has cut quiet in the home out almost completely. So I took advantage of them all going to bed early to get this up and started. I'll be back soon, and to my dear friends that I haven't talked to in a while, say Hi. I probably miss you!