Gratitude Monday

This week's affirmation:

If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten.

-Anonymous

I am grateful for.....

1. warmer weather
2. walks with the family
3. giggles from my husband and daughter
4. projects completed
5. comforting foods
6. movies that make me think about life
7. holidays to enjoy with my daughter
8. "The Secret"
9. looking for the positive
10. snuggling by a fire

Happy Chinese New Year

The Year of the Pig






1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007


People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Gratitude Monday

Today's affirmation:

Wisdom is, and starts with, the humility to accept the fact that you don't have all the right answers, and the courage to learn to ask the right questions.

-Unknown

I am grateful for....
1. For small errands or jobs hubby does without complaint
2. the laughter of my daughter
3. Snow and all the moisture it will provide for the plants in the spring
4. Understanding friends
5. quiet moments
6. family thoughts
7. dreams of tomorrow
8. the crystals formed on the trees from the cold
9. the internet and the circle of people it brings together
10. curiosity

M & M in all of us

What's yours?

Beware of the man of one book

The more that you read,the more things you will know.

The more that you learn,the more places you'll go.

~ Dr. Seuss ~

Books have always been a safe place for me to journey. As far back as I can remember books have been in my life. Other than bible story books, my first book was a collection of nursery rhymes. The book is well loved with its fall out pages and aged look...but it sits proudly among my collection of favorites. I still remember my Grandmother reading me the stories everytime I asked and then me thumbing through the pages and reciting what I had been told moments before.

When I turned seven, my Grandfather grabbed my hand one day and took me for a walk. We sauntered across town to a building nesseled close to the police station. It reminded me of the house you imagine when you read Hansel and Gretal. Inside was a treasure beyond your wildest imagination....inside was a warehouse of books. My Grandfather had decided that I was old enough to have my own library card. This acquisition was the beginning of a love affair. I travelled weekly to that house of books. Inside I journeyed to places only a mind can go. I went on adventures with the Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew. I visited the characters created by Enid Blyton, Mark Twain and Barbara Cartland. I caught a glimpse of the lives of Elizabeth I and Henry VIII.

As a young mother I started reading to Sheridan at a young age as well. I surrounded her with brightly colored books and crazy characters. And as I read to her, I just increased my love of literature.

2007 was started with a goal for reading for myself. I was going to read, read, read!!!!

To accomplish that goal I.....

Joined TBR challenge.

The object of this group is to choose 12 books that you have been meaning to read for atleast 6 months and finish them within the year.

TBR challenge books

1. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

2. Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

3. The Tin Flute by Gabrielle Roy

4. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

5. Eragon by Christopher Paolini

6. For one more day by Mitch Albom

7. The Other Boelyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

8. The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier

9. The Gods of Newport by John Jakes

10. The Stand by Stephen King

11. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

12. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Alternate List

1. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

2. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

3. Inside my Heart by Robin McGraw

4. California Gold by John Jakes

5. The Copper Beech by Maeve Binchy

6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

7. Streets of Riches by Gabrielle Roy

8. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

9. Night by Elie Wiesel

10. The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

11. Little Women by Louise May Alcott

12. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Also all selections chosen for the Knitting to the Classics

I also joined Knitting the Classics. It is a group that chooses one classic book to read each month and combine with knitting if we should so desire.

With these goals and a love of reading...it should be a good year.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

The glory of small things

I have started this year with enjoyment of the small thing.
Always one who enjoys crafting, I am finding that quick projects are much more enjoyable than the sweaters that I have on the needles waiting to be finished.



I started the year with these beauties as I said before.
It only led to me wanting to work on my small items.


The

biscuit blanket was a popular item being made just before Christmas. But alas I had other more pressing projects. I made mine a bit bigger as I didn't like the way it buckled when it was empty. Overall, I am very happy with the way it turned out.

This year I have also decided to make each of the dishclothes in the group I belong to. January's first KAL was a snowflake and I think it turned out quite nicely.


I also have made a cute item...but will have to show you later. Its for my secret pal....so once she gets her finally package I will post a picture of it.

Knitting isn't the only small crafting out there....I was generously given a fob kit from

marianne





And after about 15 minutes of crafting bliss I had myself a nice piece of bling to decorate my winter purse.

Finally a huge thank you to Gail from my knitting parents. She was awarded my name in our Christmas swap which was to be gifted by December 32nd (a small joke from the group)

She gifted me with two skeins of Claudia handpainted yarns in pinks/oranges/purples/reds, a pattern to make socks and fingerless gloves and a sock blocker keychain. Can't wait to start that project.

Gratitude Monday

Today's affirmationIf I have a belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it;
even if I have not had that belief in the beginning.

- Mahatma Gandhi

I am grateful for....
1) freshly fallen snow
2) lazy days filled with nothing important
3) smells of newly baked bread
4) the excitement of learning something new
5) friends who are comfortable calling at the last minute
6) appreciation of the colorful world around us
7) family time
8) completing projects
9) seeing things again thru my daughter's eyes
10)homecooked meals

What to do on a cold day???

This morning I woke up to snow and cold, cold temperatures.
Can you say.....bbbbrrrr!!!?

Weather like this has one strong effect on me. All I ever want to do is stay inside. Now what to do??? Some days I like to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea. On other days I like to grab my knitting and watch a movie.

Today I decided to bake. I love the create in my kitchen so this was the perfect excuse.

I popped ingredients into my bread machine and turned on the beast.
What better than warm fresh bread on a cold winters day?
And I pulled out ingredients to make Peanut Butter cornflake squares.

Now there is a story behind these squares. Not sure if I have mentioned it before, but my hubby is not one to rave about much (more than his motorcycle of course...LOL). Anyway just before Christmas he handed me a paper with a recipe on it and proceded to tell me about these squares he had tried at work.

This was a big enough stamp of approval to have me hustling around the kitchen preparing them for the traditional Christmas goodies try. And they were good.
However, hubby just wasn't quite satisfied. Something was different! He was sure what...but something was.

So he waited for all to return back to the office after the holidays to quiz the person who had originally introduced him to this treat. After a conversation he passed on his newly acquire knowledge to me and here I am attempting to create the perfect square.


Peanut Butter Cornflake Squares
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter
7 cups cornflakes
1 cup wheat germ
1 1/2 cups peanuts

Combine sugar, corn syrup, and peanut butter in a pan. Bring to a boil, stirring til smoothly blended.
For chewy squares, boil for 1 minute.
For crisp squares, boil for 2-3 minutes.
Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
Pour syrup over cereal mix and blend well.
Turn into a greased 11 x 15 x 2 pan. Press down firmly.
Cut into squares when cool.
Now the main difference is this time I used dark golden corn syrup and not white.
Will they be made correctly this time?
A taste test tonight by one of my best testers will decide tonight :-)

Wordless Wednesday

My cup runneth over

Today started like any other day full of chores and jobs.
Then I visited my mailbox and found a pretty surprize inside.

Isn't this a colorful package?

Once I read the return address I knew who had thought so kindly of me. It was my Secret Pal once again :-)

I raced home and stopped long enough to take my first picture, then ripped open the puffy to find these treasures inside.....

Inside I found a christmas card wishing me happy holidays, two balls of soft green yarn, some hot chocolate packages, a small bag of candies, and a circular addi turbo needle for me to test drive.

Also she made me this cute potato chip scarf.



I just love homemade gifts. Such things are treasured close to my heart.
Thank you Secret pal for making me feel so special!

Gratitude, thanks and gratification

Today's quote
The whole worth of a kind deed is in the love that
inspires it.

-The Talmud


I am grateful for.....
1. a husband who loves me no matter what
2. the spontaneous laughter of my daughter
3. the holidays spent relaxing with family
4. crisp mornings
5. the love of an animal....or two or three....LOL
6. appreciation of all music types
7. time to craft
8. friends...online and off
9. citrus smells
10. finding a place for everything

I wasn't a very good blogger last month but want to take this moment to thank all who made December such a wonderful time with their spoilings. Thanks went to all personally but none on here...so in no particular order

Lucie from
a loving home was my partner for the ornament swap. She was kind enough to gift me these homemade beauties.

They were a great addition to my tree this year.

Bridget from Knitting with the Classics was my swaping partner for the holiday season. Her package included a cute woodsman created by her own hands plus other goodies. Another ornament to add to my growing collection.


I joined a swapping group centered around the growing trend of stitchmarkers.
Stuff knitters want and gotta have exchange is a hoot for anyone who enjoys this craft.
I was spoiled by four great ladies.





Spoiling Kim, Mariann, Betty and Prissy was as much fun as getting spoiled by them.


My secret pal was kind enough to gift me a book I have been dying to add to my crafting collection.
I look forward to working on many of the patterns included within the pages.

Swapping is so much fun....new friendships and gifts..what could be better.

Also, with a new year upon us, I have decided to keep track of my many creations in 2007. To start the year I needed something quick and easy....so this being said I grabbed a ball of yarn I fell in love with at the beginning of 2006 and created these cute flowers. All they need now are pins sewn on the back to make a flower for any girl's lapel.


I have so much to be grateful for and give thanks to.

Thank you everyone!!!

What Tarot Card are you?????

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

January reading choices

I have decided this year to focus my reading for each month.
That means...each month I will begin with a list of books for the month and then with any luck finish the books within those 30 days.
Also I am hoping to complete the month book for Knitting with the classics each month.

January's selection for the classics is Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. But since that book is still has not arrived at the library, I will start my other choices for this month.

1. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
2. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

It is fantasy month and since I have loved each of these movies, I have decided it is time to immerse myself in the worlds that these authors have created. I am sure I will enjoy each of these adventures as much if not more than the movie experiences.

The month began with me finishing a book I began a week ago...Girl with A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier.



Ms. Chevalier spins a tale from the painting by Vermeer. She surrounds you with history from the narrative of a girl who must become a maid for her family's survival in the 1660s Holland. She becomes a member of the Vermeer household and shows you her life and the life of a brilliant but different man.

I found this book to be captivating...rarely putting it down until its conclusion.

Now onto the movie...should be an interesting comparison.

Goals or Resolutions???

As 2007 approached I heard many saying that they had made a New Years Resolution. The usual...Weightloss! Improved finances! stop smoking! work less!

There is also the group that refuses to make these resolutions because they know that they will swerve off this new path and fall into the habits of old.

I must admit I often make resolutions with the best of intensions but somehow get distracted...LOL

This year I have planned out monthly goals instead.
It has been said and proven that changes can become habit once they are repeated daily for 28-30.

I plotted out each area of change I wanted to make...home....physical...creative and spiritual...then I wrote changes for each month.

I won't bore you with all at once...just monthly focuses like I will be doing.

January goals....Home - declutter/decorate diningroom
- daily chores
Physical - 8 glasses of water daily
Creative - crafting weekly
- one charity knitted piece
Spiritual - 2 affirmations for month (working on this)
- read 30 mins daily
book club book and fantasy are the monthly choices

This should be interesting.
Wish me luck.

Happy New Year

Skipping Christmas???

Each year as Christmas approaches I hear grumbles from family and friends about the upcoming season. This year I have even noticed some of those grumbles appearing in blogland and it isn't even December yet.

I just don't understand!!

Christmas is a magical time for me. As December approaches, my excitement grows. What baking will I do? How will I decorate?? What gifts can I make this year???

Being in a new house makes it even more fun because it will all be new...old traditions and ornaments but shown in another way.

This anti-Christmas feeling makes me think about a Christmas movie I enjoy.

Christmas with the Kranks is a lighthearted movie staring Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen. Throughout the movie the two main characters deal with the fall-out of their decision to just forget Christmas. The hussle, the insane buying, the activities...everything (except charity which Jamie's character insisits on). The reason for ignoring this holiday is their only child is gone for the holiday but that changes on Christmas eve when she calls to say she is coming home. Then insanity really does arise as they try to create the holiday season in less than 8 hours.

These two actors add humor and high-jynx throughout the show and in the end you have your mushey ending with Tim Allen's character understanding one of the main purposes of Christmas...thinking about others.

I could watch this movie over and over and often do...LOL
It also gets me in the mood for the season.

This year I decided to read the book this movie was made after. Now I will admit I often read books after seeing movies. I always expect more from the book.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham didn't really offer me more. I must admit I didn't expect a heart-tugging book from this author and it was a nice read and great for the holiday season. However, I found the movie went into details more and with the added humor of these two actors the story flowed better. Maybe this is the rare case where the book should be read first.

Christmas is a busy time and often we get caught up in the unimportant points.
But could I ever skip Christmas....never!! Christmas is a time of warmth, humor, tradition and sappiness that I look forward to being involved with each year. It is a time when people remember the importance of being human....helping others and spending time with those you love.

Hopefully one day we will be able to expand that warming feeling to stay with us year round.

Which reindeer are you????

Which reindeer are you?

You're Rudolph - the leader of the pack! You are full of Christmas spirit...after all, you lead the way every Christmas eve!
Take this quiz!








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Christmas is coming!!!

The clock is ticking and the season is almost upon us...so to get in the mood...a Christmas meme for you.

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?Love both but neither likes me....give me gingerbread tea anyday though or tea with bailey's

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Santa fills the stockings and put one unwrapped gift under the tree Christmas eve.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights all the way

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
I love to hang a kissing ball. Last house didn't have a good entrance.
This one does :-)

5. When do you put up your decorations?
They start sneaking into places as soon as December 1st is here.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Stuffing all the way...LOL
I am a bread fanatic.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
Going carolling in my small town on hay covered wagon and then meeting up at the school gymn for a potluck

8. Favorite movie?
Any Christmas carole movie...especially The Muppet Christmas Carole

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
One gift Christmas eve...usually pjs and a video

10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas tree?
I have a very eclectic tree. Combination of decorations that I have collected over the years and things my grandmother had on her tree. Nothing matches.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
Love the snow but hate the cold.
However just doesn't feel like christmas if there isn't a bit on the ground.

12. Can you ice skate?
I spend more time on my butt on the ice but I can limp around the rink if I need to.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
My favorite gift growing up was a table and chair set my uncles got me when I was 5 or 6.
My favorite gift from my hubby is a green suede coat and silver locket.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Family time

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
White chocolate raspberry cookies

16 What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Lots....mainly the activites with my daughter

17. What tops your tree?
an angel

18. What is your favorite holiday book?
The gift of the Magi

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Too many to list

20. Candy canes?
Yum! I like the regular, white and red ones. The Spearmint ones are great too!

Tag!! You're it!

Its Turkey day in the States

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY AMERICAN FRIENDS

Gratitude Monday

This weeks affirmation:


Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

-Dr. Seuss

I am grateful for......
1. a loving husband
2. the smile of my daughter
3. the ability to be a stay at home mom if I want
4. going out with a friend for coffee
5. crafts
6. memories of my grandmother
7. christmas traditions
8. the ability to see the positive even when things are overwhelmingly negative
9. crisp mornings
10. the quiet of the morning with a good cup of tea

Peeping Friday

It's Friday!!
Then end of the work week.
All I want to do is knit lately...not complete projects....just knit, knit, knit!!!

Over-zealous behavior can be a disaster.
Has this ever happened to you???


Knitting along happily. Making lots of progress and then it happens. A mistake is found. Be it a dropped stitch. Too many stitches. Pattern doesn't work. Sigh.
Here it is too many stitches and after 20 minutes of looking the project over and over and over....


I had to frog the project. All that beautiful work reduced to a pile of yarn.
But then I saw a positive in the experience. Why knit the sweater in pieces.
So I wound the yarn back into a neat ball and cast on stitches to make it in the round.

I think it looks much better this time around.

I also found some gorgeous novelty yarn. I showed it some time last month.
It was a light greeny-blue with pieces of yarn and fabric woven into it.
Well I finally made it into a scarf.

I love it!!!
And this one is not going to be gifted to anyone but me. LOL
Now I am thinking maybe I should go back to the LYS and see if they have some more. Make gloves with it on the cuff and maybe a hat in a similar color.
Would make a stylish set for the oncoming winter.

And finally I want to introduce you to a new friend of mine.
Sheridan turned 11 last month and as part of her gift, we visited Build a Bear
This is one of her favorite things to do. I believe this is her third or fourth time. While there I saw they had Harley clothes. So what did I do....I made myself a stuffy as well.

May I introduce to you....Harley the Bunny

And the winner is........

Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke. YIPEE!!!

I, like many of your viewers out there, was sucked into the hysteria of "Dancing with the Stars". I religiously watched the show both Tuesday and Wednesday...cheering successes and mourning losses.

When Vivica Fox was voted out....I was saddened.
When Jerry Springer finally limped off the show....I had mixed feelings. It was his time to go but his humorous approach would be missed.
When Sarah Evans opted out I was heart-broken. She had come so far.

Then came the semi-finals....Joey, Emmitt and Mario.
I didn't know which way to cheer. I loved Emmitt's charism, Mario's passion and Joey's innocence. It was difficult seeing Joey leave...but he left with his head held high. He had done well and had no regrets.

Down to the last two. Who would win???
I must admit I leaned towards Emmitt. Mario was passionate and commited...but a bad boy...breaking rules. Emmitt was noble...gracious....consistant.

The announcement was made...Emmitt won...and his first statement was to thank Cheryl and Mario. How gracious and humble can a man be. Sigh
And let us not forget that Cheryl was part of the winning team last season as well


It will be interesting to see season 4.
Will Cheryl be back and if so...will they pair her with someone with two left feet.

I guess we will all have to wait until March to find out.

No time to waste

Let us not forget!!