It's Drinky Pooh Time

It's 3:15 in the morning and what would any knitter be doing beside knitting at this hour . . . why telling you about the fantastic goodies she received!!!!! I recently participated in a new one-time martini drink swap called of all things "The Dirty Knitter" which my good friend Brooke started (Brooke came up with the name from a martini called the Dirty Martini - which is a regular gin or vodka martini with a splash of olive juice in it . . . hey it's an acquired taste) . . .

anyhoo back to what I was originally telling you about . . . I was matched up with the very talented and funny Rachael (better known as Stash Monkey-link to her blog is on the side) and look at the goodies she sent me . . . the Cocktail Handbook (which has been a very intersting read-hey I didn't know there were that many different drinks out there) . . . the cutest little fabric bag with names and pictures of drinks all over it for storing goodies in and a hank of yummy green superwash merino yarn called "Appletini" (named after a drink called the Apple Martini - recipe I like to follow) . . . so THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! Stash Monkey . . . I love everything!!!

now here is the Apple Martini recipe I like (BTW - try to use only the best ingredients)

Apple Martini (great with salty food)

2 ounces premium apple juice or apple cider (fresh pressed prefered) . . . 1-1/2 ounces citrus vodka . . . 1 ounce Berentzen's apple liqueur (apple brandy or apple schnapps can also be used) . . . 1 ounce green apple puree (this is optional, makes for a more robust martini) . . . splash of lemon juice and a green apple wedge for garnish . . . . . combine the apple juice, apple liqueur, apple puree and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. . . strain into a chilled martini glass . . . garnish with an apple wedge!

BTW . . . this drink is not the neon-green drink that some bars will sell you . . . ya know the ones that look like neon-green liquid kryptonite and taste like a green-apple Jolly Rancher or liquid toothpaste . . . once you try this recipe you will taste a world of difference . . . which is why I never order this drink in a bar!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Dear Friends and Fellow Knitters . . .

I wish y'all a fun-filled Valentine's Day with plenty of chocolate, flowers, yarn, and whatever your heart desires.

With love,
LindaB

WONDERFUL GOODIES FROM MY SECRET PAL

All I can say is WOW and a big THANK YOU!!!!. . . the postman cometh with a package full of wonderful surprises from my secret pal Courtney (confessionofaknitter.blogspot.com) . . . I had to take two pictures to be able to show you everything . . . The first picture shows you that I am now the proud owner of a Clover tapestry needle set with needles (2 of which already came bent on purpose-image not having to bend your own!) . . . #2 bamboo DPN's . . . and lots and lots of yarn - - - 2 skiens of Regia sock yarn in a blue, green & purple colorway -- 2 skiens of Peaches & Cream cotton yarn in a blue, green & white colorway -- 2 skiens of Paton's allure in maroon -- 1 skien of very soft blue Filati Mighty . . . Courtney also sent me a pattern book called "Socks" from Spin Off publications for knitters and spinners (Brooke and Heather - you may borrow it . . . for a price that is . . . how about some handspun yarn) . . . looks like I am going to be one busy busy lady!!!!

BUT WAIT --- THAT'S NOT ALL . . . Courtnery also sent me . . . . a big bar of Ghirardelli Intense Dark Espresso Escape dark chocolate (had to hide this from the hubby) . . . a box of Queen Anne milk chocolate covered strawberries . . a handpainted "love 2 knit" heart-shaped magnetic and the cutest little knitted sweater key chain (at first I thought Courtnery had knitted this herself-but then I saw the tag from Latern Moon) . . . and LAST AND MOST SPECIAL OF ALL . . . Courtnery found the time to crohet me a beautiful scraf in a blue-green-purple colorway!!!!

Now I have to admit that you other participates in SP9 had some pretty special spoilers but COURTNEY IS THE BEST!!!!! . . . I love everything she has sent me and Courtney if you want to continue to spoil me I will let you!!!!! . . . and if you have a chance checkout her blog!

Oh yes . . . here is one more picture . . . the first thing I unpacked from Courtney's package was the beautiful scraf and my cat Chloe (better known as "dishrag") loves it also!!!!

THANK YOU again Courtney . . . you are the best!!!!!

WEIRD? ME WEIRD?

I have been TAGGED and have to list on a blog 6 weird things about myself . . . sooooooo here goes . . . BTW . . . this is NOT for the faint-at-heart:

1. I freak out when I have to go over a bridge while riding in a car . . . if the bridge is over water I freak out even more . . . I do this quietly - just don't let any kleenex near me because I will shred it!

2. I am an aggressive control freak while driving a car (so if I am a passenger in your car you better put me behind the driver's seat - I apparently make little annoying sounds that freak out the person driving or so says my hubby and a couple of friends).

3. I am a Martha . . . not a Mary (bible related) . . . when doors, drawers and things are out of order around me I have to fix them . . . I am always straightening up after people but not in what I deem as their environment.

4. I like swimming in places where I can see the bottom . . . you know swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs.

5. I played classical violin between the ages of 8 to 19.

6. I apparently jump to conclusions in a single bound (this is according to my husband and I am sure that my friends will agree with him even though I don't think so).

Geeeeeeez . . . after reading this I think I ought to go into counseling (for myself that is) . . . sooooooo . . . now I get to tag 6 people out there so ya all better watch out . . . you could be it!!!!!!

TTFN and ladybug kisses

SSSK2 Answers

Yes . . . I have joined another swap (or cult as my hubby likes to call them) and this one sounded really cool . . . all you have to do is knit one sock and send to your swap pal that one sock together with the yarn and pattern for her to complete the other sock (along with other goodies, of course) . . . is this not the coolest thing yet - you only have to make one sock!!!! . . . well the pal matches went out and fortunately my pal is a beginning sock knitter like me, so I will neither be making nor receiving a hard pattern . . . YAHOO!!!! . . . anyhoo . . . here are my answers to the SSSK2 questions:

1. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SOCK YARNS? Well as I am new at this sock thingy (have only made 1 pair) I don't have a favorite yarn yet soooooo surprise me!

2. WHAT ARE YOUR LEAST FAVORITE SOCK YARNS? ANYTHING YOU JUST CANNOT USE? I don't like yarn that separates as you knit (or unspins) and I don't like that eyelash stuff at all.

3. WHAT METHOD DO YOU PREFER TO USE? I like to use DPN's . . . as I have only made to one pair I haven't tried anything else yet.

4. IS THERE ANY METHOD THAT YOU CANNOT USE? Not that I know of . . . if I don't know it I am sure someone at my semi-LYS will be able to help me.

5. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLORS? I like all colors EXCEPT PINK - please please please (one of my favorite James Brown songs by the way) NO PINK!

6. ARE YOU A BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE, OR MORE ADVANCED SOCK KNITTER? I am a beginner.

7. ANY OTHER INFO YOU WANT TO SHARE? Beside knitting I love to SCRAPBOOK! I hate PEANUT BUTTE (any way, shape or form) . . . I love to drink rich coffee and ice chai tea . . . I also love milk chocolate over dark . . . I collect all things ladybug . . . shoot I'm easy (not cheap just easy) so anything I get is great as long as its not PINK or contain PEANUT BUTTER.

8. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, WHAT ARE YOUR SOCK MEASUREMENTS? I wear a size 6-1/2 shoe . . . see I told you I am a beginner . . . I haven't learn how to do all those foot measurement things yet . . . I do like a longer cuff (actually no long than 6") . . . hope that helps . . .

Well that's about it for now . . . I can't wait to start spoiling Lynnette . . .

TTFN and ladybug kisses . . .

NEW BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS

My granddaughter definitely knew what I wanted for Christmas (I think she had a mindmel with her Grandpa-who has had a list of books for a year now) . . . anyhoo . . . Kyra gave me "Weekend Knitting" by Melanie Falick . . . and I can't wait to make a couple of little projects from it . . . one of which is the "flower washcloths" . . . I had forgotten that the pattern was in this particular book (its terrible when you get over 50) . . . in one the the email conservations I have had with my wonderful SP9 pal (who loves to spoil me by the way) she told me she was making these washcloths and she sent me the pattern (thanks again pal of mine) . . . well upon receiving the pattern I immediately went out, purchased yarn and put the bag with all my other stash and there it still sits today (shame on me) . . . so after I finish crocheting my felted slipper I am going to make some flower washcloths . . . I had better get busy because I want to give a couple as part of a birthday gift to my mother-in-law (who's birthday is January 31) . . . so that's all . . . till later ladybug kisses . . .

PS . . . thanks secret pal for the info about updating my blog template . . . everything is sooooooo much eaiser now!

I MADE THE SWITCH -- HAVE YOU?

I switched . . . am now BETA and it was rather painless . . . blog address has remained the same . . . just have to get use to entering in a google password now . . . only time will tell if this is a good thing or not and if there are other changes that I have not run into yet . . . can anyone tell me what the advantage is to this switch?????

I have to apologize to everyone . . . for the past 2 weeks I have been extremely busy (just like everyone else) and did not make the time to blog or to answer my e-mail . . . as a matter of fact I did not got near the computer for over a week . . . that has been the longest time that I have ever been away from a computer . . . so look to future blogs for all your answers . . . for now ladybug kisses . . .

HAPPY 2007 EVERYONE!!!

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful New Year!

COFFEE HIGH!!!!!!

Look at what the the post brought me . . . I am in COFFEE HEAVEN!!! When I came back from lunch on Monday there was a package on my desk at work from Canada . . . well I knew immediately what that meant . . . ANITA LEE SENT ME GOODIES FROM RICHMOND, BC!!! . . . and what goodies they are . . . Anita and I had a slow start (we were unable to connect with each other at the beginning the the Coffee Swap due to wrong email addresses and Anita doesn't maintain a blog) . . . anyhoo . .

Anita wrote in her letter to me (the back side of the letter is shown here . . . Anita cut out ladybugs and put them all over the letter . . . too cute!!!!) that she went to three different coffee shops in the Vancouver area where they roast coffee and sent me organic French Roast beans from Salt Spring Coffee, organic Arabica beans from Viva Java (a local Richmond coffee shop where the beans were roasted the morning that she sent my package-talk about fresh!) and a Christmas blend from JJ Bean House of Coffee . . . and the bonus to all these coffees is that if I fall in love with any of them I will be able to get more by e-mailing my request to the shops. . . isn't that great!!!!! Anita also visited "THE" Canadian coffee & donut shop, Tim Horton's, and sent me a mug with a little package of their blend of coffee.Now as you can tell from the picture the goodies did not end there . . . Anita also whipped up a batch of homemade (that's right . . . made fresh the morning of the mailing) Peppermint Bark . . . of course my co-workers and I had to try some of that right away . . . WOW its great especially with a cup of coffee . . . who knew that you could make something that tastes so good from Special K cereal . . . and the final goodies in the package were 3 skiens of 100% wool Jojoland yarn if a soft varigated green color . . . I can't wait to start knitting that yarn up!!!!

So a BIG THANK YOU Anita . . . you did good!!!!! . . . I am now going to enjoy a cup of Viva Java coffee while I look through some knitting books for the perfect pattern for the yarn!!!

Oh . . . for those of you who want to try a semi healthy goodie . . . here is the recipe for Anita's Peppermint Bark as she wrote them to me . . . "it's really easy - some melted chocolate, some Special K cereal and some crushed up candy cane. Toss the candy cane in while the chocolate is melting, then stir in the cereal. Pour it all out onto a foil lined cookie sheet, pop it into the fridge for about 15 minutes, take it out, break it into pieces and enjoy!" THIS STUFF IS REALLY GOOD and I am going to try making it this weekend!!!!

SOME HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

Here are a few holiday eating tips that I am thinking of incorporating into my holidays this year . . .

1. AVOID CARROT STICKS. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. DRINK AS MUCH EGGNOG AS YOU CAN. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of the year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Better still have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. IF SOMETHING COMES WITH GRAVY, USE IT. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. AS FOR MASHED POTATOES, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. DO NOT HAVE A SNACK BEFORE GOING TO A PARTY in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. HELLO!!!


6. IF YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING REALLY GOOD AT A BUFFET TABLE, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

7. SAME FOR PIES. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two applies and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one essert? Labor Day?

8. DID SOMEONE MENTION FRUITCAKE? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid store-bought fruitcake at all cost. I mean, have SOME standards.

I have every intention of leaving this world with chocolate in one hand, a martini in the other and screaming "WOO HOO WHAT A RIDE!"

Oh, and speaking of MARTINIS, there is a new short term knitting swap (ends January 31st) starting up called the "DIRTY KNITTER" (dirty is what they call martini's I've been told) . . . if you are interested in joining check out this site: http://knitqmb.blogspirit.com . . . you must join before Friday, December 15th (she did say that when she matches people up they will be given the "dirty knitter" blog site address) . . . email her (princessk1p2@sbcglobal.net) the following info:
your name; your mailing address; your blog address and blog name; your preferred email contact; do you have allergies; are you 21 . . . apparently you do not have to drink but you do have to knit . . .

So that's all for now . . . till later ladybug kisses . . .

Finding Inner Peace and Calmness

Things have been pretty hectic around here . . . okay down right crazy . . . and I have been dealing with a lot of stress lately . . . I was recently (just a few hours ago) emailed this message and I want to share it with everyone who is crazy enough to read my blogs . . . so here it is . . .

"I am passing this on to you because it definitely works. We could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too, can find inner peace. Dr. Phil proclaimed, 'The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you've started and never finished.' So, I looked around my house to see all the things I'd started and hadn't finished. And before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos and a box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel!"

This made me laugh . . . even though that person did not mention one unfinished knitting project . . . my husband was under the short lived illision that knitting relieves stress but he has since learn that in my case knitting makes me swear like a sailor and throw things (yarn-needles)!!!!

I hope this little message has helped relieved some of the stress anyone may be going through right now . . .

BTW . . . with rehersals, parties, families, work, board meetings, church meetings . . . I have not been knitting for the past week . . . hey maybe this is why I am stressed . . . maybe I can get some swearing (I mean knitting) time in this weekend . . . here's hope'n!!!!!!

GREEN HAT CONTEST ENTRY

I just finished my contest entry for "The Monkees" hat that Mike wore on the program (an apparently all the time in real life) . . . I know that it is not quite the same color as Mike's hat and it has a rolled edge and is made from yarn that is 65% cotton/35% acrylic (Lang Yarn-Coco and oh soooooo soft) instead of scratchy wool . . . but it is green and will look adorable on my granddaughter (and the cat loves it too)!

SLIPPER SOCKS!

Look at what the mailman delivered yesterday . . . another wonderful surprise from my secret pal . . . aren't these the cutest slipper socks you have ever seen . . . I LOVE THEM . . . especially the little attached pom pom ladybugs at the back of each pair. . . of course they went on my feet as soon as I walked in my front door when I got home from work . . . they not only kept my little tooties warm while I was knitting last night . . . they kept me from slipping and sliding on the hardwood floors . . . the bottom of them have little heart shape grippers . . . THANK YOU SECRET PAL . . . YOU ARE GREAT!!!!!

HANDMADE STITCH MARKERS

Here they are . . . the beautiful handmade beaded stitch markers that my SP9 Pal had made especially for me . . . I can tell that she has done her research about me as she knows I love and collect all things ladybug . . . THANK YOU AGAIN SP9 PAL . . .

BTW . . . the picture was taken with my new digital camera . . . its a Pentax 7.0 Optio M20 and has the one feature I cared about most . . . it's suppose of be jiggle-wiggle proof . . . so hopefully no more blurry pics . . . with the help of my daughter I have kind-of figured it out and with time I expect I will get better at taking pics of everything (especially of my granddaughter)!!

On the knitting scene . . . I have started another project . . . my SP9 hostess with the mostest, Heather, is having a little contest about knitting a green hat like the one Mike from the TV series "The Monkees" wore . . . the contest ends December 1st . . . sooooooo . . . I am going to sign off as hat knitting time is getting short . . . thank you again secret pal . . . your the best . . . ladybug kisses!!!!!

GOODIES FROM MY SP9 PAL

WOW . . . I received not one package . . . but . . . two packages from my secret pal this week . . . unfortunately I have not figured out how to work the new digital camera I have (home on meds right now and everything I read seems to be in a foriegn language and upside down) . . . but I can tell you about them . . .

With Friday being a holiday (when the courts are closed our office is closed . . . I LOVE IT!) and Saturday being a nonwork day (besides I was at a legal sec conference most of the weekend) . . . on Monday when I got to work there was an envelope from my SP9 Pal and in it were the instructions for making flower washcloths (these will be christmas gifts of course) and a package of the cutest ladybug stickers (which I have already used some on some cards I designed) . . . however before the day was over UPS delivered ANOTHER package from my SP9 pal . . . it contained six handmade (from Karen, the beadmaker lady) ladybug stitch markers (2 each in red, orange & yellow) . . . they are sooooooo cute and look even cuter on the little white sweater I am knitting for my granddaughter (yarn & pattern were b-day gift from Heather) . . . THANK YOU again secret pal . . . I will post pictures as soon as I figure out the camera . . .

On the knitting news . . . I have unfortunately not been doing much as I have been under the weather healthwise (meds make me very very sleepy) . . . but plan to be going strong again this weekend (okay next week) . . . I have got a lot of christmas gifts to complete!!!!! I can't believe that Thanksgiving is a week away . . . where in the world did all the time go?????? So that's all for now . . . take care and ladybug kisses!!!!!!

COFFEE SWAP ANSWERS!

Here are my answers to the coffee swap questions . . . can't wait to find out who my pal is . . . I have been gathering all things coffee related with the thought that if my pal doesn't like them . . . that will be okay . . . because I like them (hehehe)!!!!!!

1. WHOLE BEAN OR GROUND? whole - I love love love the smell that fills the house when you grind beans.

2. FULLY-LOADED OR DECAF? fully loaded please . . . it goes with my personally don't ya know!!!!

3. REGULAR OR FLAVORED? regular - french roast or anything rich & dark . . . I add the flavoring after brewing.

4. HOW DO YOU DRINK YOUR COFFEE? first thing in the morning I have a cup with just a little milk . . . later in the day I add flavors . . . especially cinnamon cream right now . . . and in the evening there is nothing better than a cup of dark rich coffe which Bailey's has been added to!!!!

5. FAVORITE COFFEE EVER? french roast with bailey's . . . even though the other day I tried a cup that was pumpkin spiced flavor -yummmmmmmie. . . which is great for a small treat during this time of year!

6. ARE YOU FUSSY ABOUT YOUR COFFEE OR WILL ANY OLD BEAN DO? I guess I am semi-fussy as I love rich dark coffee . . . any type of dark bean will do.

7. FAVORITE TREATS TO HAVE WITH YOUR COFFEE? pie for breakfast-lunch-dinner-snack . . . okay I also like cake . . . hummmmmm . . . let's just say any kind of dessert!!!!

8. ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR COFFEE PREFERENCES? Just no weak coffee please!

9. YARN/FIBER YOU LOVE! any natural fibers . . . sock yarn can have a little elastic in it.

10. YARN/FIBER YOU HATE? cheap cheap novetly year . . . any of that eyelash yarn - it sheds!

11. WHAT'S ON YOUR NEEDLES? right now I am making a pair of felted mary jane slippers for a christmas gift and a tiny purse to be felted as a gift and a pair of socks to be a gift . . . oh yea I almost forgot . . . making an "ice cream cozy" for my husband (he likes to eat ice cream right out of the carton)!

12. FAVORITE COLORS? right now its rich looking purple . . . I also love red, golden yellows, greens, rusts, browns, creams . . . NO PINK!!!!!!

13. ALLERGIES? none in regards to this swap.

14. ANYTHING YOU REALLY LOVE REALY DON'T LIKE, OR JUST NEED TO GET OFF YOUR CHEST? just one thing . . . I really really really HATE peanut butter!!!!!

So that's it for now . . . soooooo . . . oh where, oh where, can my swap pal be?????

Need Golf Club Cozies Pattern

Help . . . does anyone know where I could find a simple, but manly looking pattern for a set of golf club covers, hats, coozies (whatever they are called) . . . ya know the things that go over the golf clubs when they are in that thingy bag that golfers seem to lug them around in . . . I want to make them for a christmas present . . . BTW . . . in case you couldn't tell I know absoluately nothin about golf . . . how many of these cozies do I make and do I need to make them in different sizes . . . should they be made out of a particular type of yarn???? . . . HELP!!!!!!!!

OH WHAT A WEEK!

Don't you just love birthday's . . . especially when you can celebrate yours all month long . . . well that is what I am doing . . . it all began with the surprise party from the knit group the Sunday before my birthday . . . then the morning of my birthday I won a b-day cake , via the oldies radio station I listen to, from my favorite bakery - Mim's . . . however what surprised me most was hearing on the radio the names of other people who have the same birth date as me and had a chance of winning my birthday cake . . . here I thought I was the only one born on "All Saint's Day" . . . anyhoo . . . I get to work where more goodies await me . . . flowers and ladybug stationary from my co-workers and a gift card to my favorite scrapbook store from my bosses (they knew I had a gift card from my favorite yarn shop) . . . that night I had to conduct my legal sec associations board meeting and I knew we were having dinner (pizza of course) and I kind of figured I would get a cake . . . which I did . . . it was chocolate with white frosting, had little ladybugs all over it and said "Happy Birthday Madame Prez" . . . it was almost too cute to eat- but never fear we did eat it . . . however I didn't expect the wonderful gifts . . . they gave me a Mary Engelbret crystal paper weight saying "The Queen Mother" (goes with the crown I was given at my installation) and Lynn gave me "all things" ladybug and a crane magnetic needle holder . . . needless to say it was the best board meeting I ever led . . . on Thursday everyone at my office went out to lunch to celebrate my b-day at one of my favorite restaurant's . . . Friday was a birthday holiday from work from my bosses so of course I spent it getting hair and nails done and doing some knitting (okay it was really crocheting) . . . Saturday my friend Marsha and I went to a scrapbooking convention and she treated me to a birthday dinner and on Sunday evening the kids arrived from Wichita with granddaughter (early - they weren't suppose to be here until Monday but they drove straight from Idaho) . . . you would think that the celebrating is over but oooooooooooh nooooooooo . . . the kids, hubby and I are going out to bunch this Sunday . . . and at thanksgiving we will be with the rest of my family in the bay area . . . now do you see why I love birthdays!!!!

On the knitting front . . . I have been crocheting . . . I am "A" Mary Jane slipper . . . yes that's right . . . I am only doing one slipper not a pair because the LYS only had 1 skien of the yarn I liked and apparently you need 2 (they thought they had more in the back room) . . . so Devvy has promised me that she would find another skien so I can have one for the other foot . . . all I have to do now is connect the two additional bottom soles to the slipper and felt it . . . I think I may be bringing the slipper to the legal conference this weekend and begging Lynn to help me with this part . . . I can't figure out which is the front & back loops on this part . . . its been a very very very long time since I have crocheted . . .

So anyhoo . . . that's what this past week has been like and this coming week looks to be very interesting also . . . more on that in my next blog . . . for now ladybug kisses . . .

LATE BLOGGER!!!

No the title doesn't mean that I have stayed up late blogging . . . it means that its been a while since I have blogged and I don't have a good excuse either . . . haven't been sick . . . haven't been on vacation (I wish) . . . just have been plain lazy . . . so I hope that my friends and SP pals will forgive me this laspe! I promise not to make a habit of it. BTW . . . my camera is broken so no pics until I get a new one (hopefully for my b-day - hint hint hubby in case you are reading this) . . .

Before I tell you what I have been doing the last couple of weeks . . . I want to tell you about the surprise my knitting friends gave me yesterday (Sunday) . . . we had our usual CHAMPS get-together at the LYS and we were also celebrating Lynn's birthday (birthday was Oct 11 but she was out of State and this was the earliest we could all get together) . . . here we all are singing happy birthday to Lynn when those sly friends of mine also say my name also. . . boy was I surprised (I kind of forgot that my birthday is Wednesday- All Saint's Day - this is what happens when you have too much stuff going on in your life - you start losing brain cells) . . . and I not only had some yummy chocolate cake (which Julie's granddaughter Kaylee blew the candles out for we two old broads) I also got all kinds of other goodies . . . the group gave me a gift certificate to the LYS (which of course I had to use that day and still have some left to get more yarn - yahoo!) . . . Heather gave me the cutest tape measure, a set of snap hooks (for purse handles) and three skiens of white Lion's Brand Jamie Baby yarn (so I can make another cute sweater for my granddaughter-she emailed me the pattern today) and all of it was in a bag from the yarn shop "knitting arts" in Saratoga, CA (I have visited this store a number of times as it is only 10 minutes away from my favorite mother-in-law's home and LOVE IT!) . . . Devvy, the owner of the shop, also gave me a ton of yarn scraps for me to use on my scrapbooking pages (she knows us scrappers!) . . . Lynn also gave me the cutest fabric lamb orement and a coaster that says "did you say chocolate? I'm listening" which she brought back from Maine . . . I can't say it enough . . . THANK YOU GUYS!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

Now on to what I have been doing . . . which hasn't been much . . . let's see . . . at work we had an attorney from our firm sworn in as a judge . . . so we have been either completing her client's work before she left or continuing on with the matter now that she is gone . . . the last two weeks have just been exausting at work (working through lunch, staying late) . . . on the family front . . . my hubby completed the baby crib Thursday night and it is just beautiful . . . it is by far the best piece of furniture he has made yet (and he has made quit a few pieces) . . . this is a hobby that will hopefully keep him busy when he retires (I will publish pics soon) . . . the kids will be leaving Wichita on Friday (11/3) . . . Justin's last day in the Air Force is the third and they should be here by Monday (11/6) . . . weather permitting over the Rocky's (they are driving) . . . I can't wait to see and hold my granddaughter (can't wait to see my daughter either) . . . the kids are excited about coming back home . . . Justin will be attending college and Brooke will have to be the bread winner for a little while . . . and with family support they will be just fine . . . I have been busy with housework . . . practicing my songs for the christmas concert (BTW the hubby and I are singing in this year's community choir christmas concert - he sings bass and I sing alto) . . . church . . . a little scrapbooking . . . a little knitting . . . a little more scrapbooking . . . and just plain vegging out when I get the chance! I have to admit that I have been scrapbooking a lot lately (I am trying to finish up a couple of calendar gifts for family for christmas presents) . . . even though I did finally finish my first pair of socks and have almost finished a little (and I mean LITTLE) felted purse . . . just have to sew the handles on it . . . I haven't been doing much knitting . . . I will tell y'all in another blog (with pics) what I am knitting next . . . I have also been busy with the legal secretaries group I belong to (actually I am beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed) . . . . not only conducting meetings as prez . . . but attending meetings also . . . keeping members involved, etc . . . it will hopefully all calm down when the holiday's are over (ya right . . . I am such a dreamer!) . . .

So in a nut shell . . . that's what's been going on in my life lately . . . till later . . . ladybug kisses!!!!!!!

MORE QUESTIONS / MORE ANSWERS!!!

Okay . . . better late than never with the answers . . . some of these have more than 1 answer and some just plain overwhelmed me . . .

ACTOR: James Garner, Harrison Ford and any hunky looking ones
ACTRESS: Reese Witterspoon, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine
ANIMAL: Cats
BAND: The Eagles
BEVERAGE: - HOT: french roast coffee - any type of tea / COLD: iced chai latte (love this one winter and summer) - Pepsi (regular) and white wine
BOOK: Harry Potter series, any on knitting - just about anything I can get my hands on
BUBBLE BATH/SHOWER GEL: anything spicey/citrus
CANDY: this is the one that overwhelmed me as I love all candy EXCEPT anything with PEANUT BUTTER - NO PEANUT BUTTER anything
COLOR: right now PURPLE , then green, rust, brown - NO PINK!
DESSERT: pies
FLOWER: orchids, roses, daisies
FOOD: Mexician, Chinese, Italian
LIP BALM: whatever is available
LOTION: Oriental Spice by Camille Beckman
MOVIE: Shall We Dance, Twister, all Harry Potter and any mystry type
NUTS: all of them
SONG: I Have A Dream by ABBA and Hotel California by The Eagles
TV SHOW: House, Monk, Cold Case, Without A Trace, Law & Order and Sex In The City (even watch all the repeats of these over and over)
VACATION SPOT: Victoria, Britsh Columbia
VEGGIE: artichokes
WEB SITES: SP9 (home, pals & friends), Ebay, knitting pattern central, CafePress, Sizzix Shop and Aha! Clean Jokes

That's about it for now!!!!