Snow!

finally we got a bit of snow

ok, around a foot of snow.

I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to look outside and see all that beautiful snow. (This maybe because I didn’t have to shovel it. The plow guy did. Even got him to clean around my car this time.)

The kids where having a ball playing outside all weekend. Allysa had enough this morning after being out for 1/2 hour, and it was just Corra and Bryce for a while. Once when I peeked out at them I caught them chasing the snow shooting out of the neighbors snowblower. (If that doesn’t make since imagine kids playing in a lawn sprinkler. Now replace the sprinkler with snow.) All I could do was laugh.

We had a fun weekend, and the kids and I enjoyed the extra day off from school. But they better have school tomorrow, I have some shopping left to do!

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How I survived the snow day

Thursday morning (yeah I’m behind, what of it?) we awoke to this sleet/rain/ice crappity crap. I flicked on the tv to see if school was canceled and thank goodness it was. (I have been dreaming of a snow day, lots and lots of snow day. Not sleet/rain/ice crappity crap day.) So the kids and I stayed in our Pajammies all day, since we couldn’t go out and play (way too icy) we baked some Snickerdoodle cookies

This cookie recipe has a lot of memories attached to it. Do you have any like that? I can remember making these cookies with my Grammie Beth when I was little. Rolling the cookies around in the cinnamon and sugar, and she had a special glass with a star on the bottom that I would use to flatten the cookies. A few years ago I was looking though my Mom’s recipe box and found this recipe, I can’t tell you how delighted I was. I asked Mom if I could share it with all of you and she gave me the go ahead.

Grammie Beth’s Snickerdoodles serves 2.5 dozen
1/2C shortening
1 egg
1 tsp cream of tartar
3/4C sugar
1 1/3C sifted flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
Mix shortening, sugar and egg thoroughly. Sift together remaining ingredients. Then mix it all together. Form dough into balls the size of walnuts and roll in a mixture of 1 TBSP sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon. You can flatten the cookies with a glass or they will flatten a bit in the oven. Bake 10 min. in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven. Enjoy : )

I also knit another cozy, big surprise huh? While out Christmas shopping last week I saw a mug at Hallmark with a “hand-knit” cozy on it. (I really need to figure out the camera on my phone so I can take decent pictures) I tried to replicated it,

Not quite what I wanted but I’m on my way. I CO 40 sts worked K2, P2 for 4 rows, BO 3 sts Then knit back and forth for 23 rows.  CO 3 sts then K2, P2 for 4 rows, BO in pattern.  Next time I’m going to CO 44 sts, work 2 rows of K2, P2 (Cozy is too high, you have to move it down to sip) and work a garter stitch border on the sides of the hole for the handle so it doesn’t curl. I think the reason it pulls in so much is because it fits the mug rather snuggly.

So, that’s how I survived the “snow” day.  I can’t tell you how incredibly excited I am right now that its snowing outside and the weatherman keeps changing his mind on how much we are supposed to get.  I can’t wait to go out and play in the snow! Yay snow!!!

I think I need a 10 step program…

or is a 12 step program? What ever it is, I think I’m in need of one. I can’t stop knitting these mug cozies.

(click on the pictures in this posts for the details.)
Once I casted off of one, I had to cast on for another,

and then 2 more,

and since those where over so quickly I didn’t get my fix. I had to cast on yet again

Seriously I need a 10 step program, I just can’t stop! I was able to detour myself for a little bit yesterday. I bought a yellow metal tray a little over a year ago at Jo-ann’s on clearance. I used it last winter for cocoa, I’ve always met to paint it a solid color. This past week I was inspired to finally paint it (or just couldn’t take looking at the yellow tray any more you pick).

I spray painted it a medium blue, and free handed my family in snowmen on it. Because I couldn’t find any rub on snowmen. I’ve never thought that I could paint well, so I’m in total awe on how well it came out!! Its beautiful! I want to show it to everyone I’m so darn proud of it.
Now, I’m going to need that number for the cozy helpline… I need to cast on again!

Little Sprout Jacket

still trying to catch up on the Fo’s Kailey’s been wearing this jacket for almost a month now

pattern: double breasted seed stitch jacket by Elinor Brown
size made: 9-12 months
yarn: 3 skeins Casscade 220 color 7814 dyelot 7202 purchased from Webs.
needles: US 7 (4.50mm)
notions: 4 buttons JHB 1793
time: November 8-18 2007
notes: made sleeves 1″ longer. I like the look of them folded up a bit.

Elinor wrote a wonderful pattern for a classic baby sweater, but I have to honestly tell you towards the end the seed stitch was.killing.me! All that seed stitch was worth it for this lovely sweater that’s been keeping Kailey warm and toasty.

Happy Birthday Bryce!

Today is my little Bryce’s birthday. Somehow in this time warp continuum my little Bryce turns 7. (SEVEN! People, SEVEN!)

Last night before bed I asked him what his favorite birthday tradition was. Was it the cupcakes for breakfast?

Was it opening his presents before school?

or was it the streamers that decorate the living room?

He totally surprised me when he said the streamers where his favorite. Several years ago I started these birthday traditions so Bryce’s birthday wouldn’t get blended in with Christmas. And cupcakes for breakfast is just fun!
Happy Birthday to my little man. I love you Bryce, and you’ll always be my boogly bear. I know that you had so much fun being 6, just think how much fun 7 is going to be! (I’m getting all teary now, better go before I start to cry!)

Hugs & Kisses

Tomorrow is Allysa’s pre-school Christmas party, so I spent the weekend whipping up some gifts. (Why I didn’t think about doing this 2 weeks ago when I helped plan this party is beyond me.)

pattern: Hugs & Kisses Mug Cozy
yarn: green and red some really old acrylic, the light and dark brown wool is Dawn by American thread Co. (My Dad found it at a thrift store. I bet this yarn is also older than I!)
needles: US 8 (5.00mm) and a cable needle
US G crochet hook.
Time: 2 hours for each cozy. (One hour for the knitting, and another hour for the crocheting. I’m really slow!)
Mods: I used ceramic Christmas buttons that I bought ages ago to close the cozy. I didn’t make a button hole, just using the little hole where the cable twists. This makes the cozy adjustable.
Notes: I can’t express how happy I am that I could do the crochet edging! I did it! Yay!

Yesterday we went to Punxsutawney to buy more of those yummie chocolate lollipops. (Some for the teachers, some for the kids for tomorrow, and some for me ; ) and to Smicksburg to pick up some cocoa mixes (and some yarn). Allysa and I baked Cranberry Almond biscotti to put in the cups with the recipe too. And because presentation is everything, this is how I wrapped them up:

I had to make a cozy for myself too

I feel so good to use up some of my stash that I had no idea what to do with. Finally something to do with all those Christmas buttons!