Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Fiber Arts Versus Valium




Yesterday was all about the yarn. Journey, my sister in law had a doctor's appointment on the same day that she had scheduled a lesson for Makena (her daughter) to learn how to use the huge weaving loom she had got her for Christmas. I quickly volunteered to come over and stay with her during her lesson. It is a 7 foot pine wood loom for weaving yarn into a shawl. It is wonderful and I watched and took notes while drooling. As I was taking notes and being Makena's back up I was planning where I could put a 7 foot triangle in my house. Then I decided some new yarn would probably give me the quick fix I was craving. The shawl picture is an example of what can be woven on the loom and I found it on this gorgeous etsy site http://www.etsy.com/shop/AguapauDesign

I had been contemplating trying to knit socks because we love our merino wool, tres expensive, outdoorsy, snobby socks from the Backwoods Store or Dynamic Earth and thought what fun to knit something useful and appreciated. I ran over to Sprouts because when I first had the knitting socks idea I figured there was a way to do it on a circular needle and this whole 5 double pointed needle thing just looked like it defeats the purpose of being relaxing and meditative. Julie is always amazing and helpful and showed me the sock book by Cat Bordhi and sure enough it shows how to knit socks on circular needles. Julie then suggested I stray from the instructions in the book and instead of buying 2 identical needles I should buy a #2 24 inch and 32 inch. That way my collection continues to grow. What a good drug dealer.... errr I mean yarn seller she is! I in no way mean she deals drugs! I mean she fills my yarn, fiber, creativity addiction with just what the doctor orders! These two needles had different colored cables between them and I found that nice also to give me a little reassurance of which one I was using next. So, here are pics of the beginning of my first knitted socks. Love it! It has totally consumed me and that is exactly what I was wanting. It makes me focus less on what my husband needs to be doing (because that is my job right?) It also makes me appreciate why wool socks cost so much. You can see by the picture that an evening of knitting didn't get me very far. My kids asked why I was knitting baby socks?!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Goode Family Marathon


The Goode family get together marathon has begun! Friday night was at the Farm for little nieces' Kloe and Ava's Birthday. Last night was Mary Margret's Graduation Party where there was a lot of dancing to Black Eyed Peas and Deaf Leopard. I think of Mary Margret whenever I hear "Pour Some Sugar on Me"

When I logged in this morning, a little late because I had to vacuum first, I noticed a giveaway on my favorite blog http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/ Her Photo's are beautiful and her recipes are easy and amazing. Here is the answer to the contest question; What do you do on Christmas Day? We are the real Brady Bunch, so we open presents and then go see Grandma’s controlled Chaos. My husband is the 10th of 12 children, 7th son of a 7th son! Therefore Grandma’s house is open and bustling and joyous! Tons of squishy babies everywhere. Then the kids go for JC Christmas (joint custody or thank Jesus Christ and let the spiked egg nog flow) Happy Holidays, Jennifer

The picture is a little snowman gourd ornament.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Lacy's Little Helper



Look! my Sam isn't the only cat friend drawn to find the most fun vintage stuff in the house. This is Lacy's cat and it was helping her with her gorgeous vintage art frames and light switch covers. http://www.etsy.com/shop/laceyellis This is the link to see her fun stuff up close! MUST SEE.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Sam's Week





i am having trouble typing with my kitten laying in my lap. but, he gets to lay here since he was run over by the car last week. i was not driving. and, he was almost put out of his misery, but as john went outside to take care of it, sam wrapped his paws around john's leg and he couldn't do it. sam gets to live inside now, and he tries out all the cat worthy spots. here are some of the places i found him. the last pic is taken a minute ago by my laptops camera, so you can see he is laying on my arm, therefore, no caps tonight.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Chip Chocolate Chewys




11 years ago today I want into labor; twice. With the holidays and trying to conserve resources and money I am baking the treats for their class with what is in the cabinet. Have you ever had to buy birthday treats for 2 classes from the grocery store? Highway Robbery! I pulled out an old favorite from Grandma Slusher; Chip Chocolate Chewys. YUMMY. My kitchen smells so good and it is just heartbreaking that no one is home to lick the spoon. Here is the recipe. Tres Simple. (redneck french)
Chip Chocolate Cheweys
2/3 cups shortning
2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecans
2 cups flower
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
7 oz chocolate chips (I might have poured those a little heavy)
mix together and spread in a pan and bake for 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Grandma always baked them in a pan and cut them in squares and I can't imagine them any other way!