You Relate to Eagles and Whales |
 Your Power Animal: Eagle Animal You Were in a Past Life: Whale You are active, a challenger, and optimistic. Hard-working, you are always working towards a set goal. |
Monday, December 29, 2008
Animal Personality Test
Okay, I just found this funny. Thanks Michelle for sharing this with us.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
What Color Christmas Lights Are You?
You Are Green Lights |
 Your holidays are a time of rest and solace. You take time to reflect on the year that's passed. You also enjoy connecting with friends and family you've lost touch with. The holidays are your opportunity to remember what's important in your life. |
Oh yeah, this is me to a T
Another Knitting Project
My friend at work has a beautiful private office to work from and it has two beautiful big windows looking out onto gorgeous fields and wildlife. The only down side is that those two big windows are COLD. She never complains, but when she comes out of her office rubbing her hands together trying to warm them up I know she's cold. We've talked about her needing gloves to work with, but then how would she pick up papers? Well, after giving it a lot of thought I came up with these.
I just worked up a pattern and I think they'll fit. They really warmed up my wrists and hands when I tried them on. I'm sure they'll look a lot better on her tiny little hands and hope they make it easier for her to work.
I just worked up a pattern and I think they'll fit. They really warmed up my wrists and hands when I tried them on. I'm sure they'll look a lot better on her tiny little hands and hope they make it easier for her to work.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I've Been Knitting
Bet you've been wondering why I've been so quiet. Well, I've been busy. My son and DIL are having a daughter in March and I like to give a gift to the baby at Christmas time even before she's here. So, once I found out it was a girl I started knitting up a storm. For Pocohauntus (as they loving refer to her now) I made a sweater and hat in size 6 months.
Of course I couldn't forget lil Peanut. For her I found a quick little pattern for mittens complete with an idiot string lol. This is my first attempt at mittens and they weren't perfect, but I'm sure they'll keep her little fingers warm. Her coat came with mittens, but they were the little sock kind that don't have thumbs.
I made another little something for a friend at work so I'll have to post that later after I give it to her.
But there you have it, I've been busy getting ready for Christmas, knitting and working full time. That'll keep you away from the blog world if anything will. What have you been doing to prepare for the Christmas Celebration?
Of course I couldn't forget lil Peanut. For her I found a quick little pattern for mittens complete with an idiot string lol. This is my first attempt at mittens and they weren't perfect, but I'm sure they'll keep her little fingers warm. Her coat came with mittens, but they were the little sock kind that don't have thumbs.
I made another little something for a friend at work so I'll have to post that later after I give it to her.
But there you have it, I've been busy getting ready for Christmas, knitting and working full time. That'll keep you away from the blog world if anything will. What have you been doing to prepare for the Christmas Celebration?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Poem written by terminal young girl in New York
I got this in an email today and was really moved by the fact that I am trying to do way too much and I need to slow down. How about you?
SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask how are you? Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time to call and say,'Hi'
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music before the song is over.
This kind of reminds me of when my kids were very small and my daughter asked me to read to her and I said "no, I don't have time right now." and a few minutes later someone came to the door and asked for a minute of my time. I told her "I'm sorry, but I just told my daughter I didn't have time to read to her and if I don't have time to read to her I definitely don't have a minute for a stranger". I think I did sit down right then and read to her, it just kind of all came into perspective for me. We all need to remember to "JUST BREATHE"
SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask how are you? Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time to call and say,'Hi'
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music before the song is over.
This kind of reminds me of when my kids were very small and my daughter asked me to read to her and I said "no, I don't have time right now." and a few minutes later someone came to the door and asked for a minute of my time. I told her "I'm sorry, but I just told my daughter I didn't have time to read to her and if I don't have time to read to her I definitely don't have a minute for a stranger". I think I did sit down right then and read to her, it just kind of all came into perspective for me. We all need to remember to "JUST BREATHE"
Friday, December 12, 2008
Time for Baking
Last night was all about baking cookies and making fudge. I worked for 6 hours and was then too tired to sleep...go figure. First up were the Chocolate Chip Cookies. I got this recipe from a wonderful gal, Renee, that I've taken some community education classes from.
All American Chocolate Chip Cookies
2/3 c butter
1/3 c shortening
1 c packed brown sugar
½ c granulated sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 package (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
1 c chopped walnuts
In large bowl cream butter, shortening and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; stir into butter mixture, mixing well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto greased baking sheets. Bake in 350F oven 8-10 minutes, just until edges are golden (centers will still be soft). Remove to wire racks to cool.
Cast of Ingredients
Yummy warm cookies.
Peanut Butter Cookies
1 c butter
1 c peanut butter
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 t vanilla
3 c flour
Pinch salt
2 t baking soda
Cream together butter, vanilla and sugars. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in peanut butter and then sifted dry ingredients. Form into little balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet and press down with the tines of a fork creating a criss-cross design. Bake in a 375F oven for about 10 minutes. Makes about 5 dozen.
Just a few changes to make these
I used all the colored sugar I had to kind of dress them up a little.
Walnut Crescents
1 c butter, softened
Confectioners’ sugar
2 t vanilla
¼ t salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 ¾ c flour
Cream butter. Add ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, the vanilla and salt; beat until light. Stir in nuts and flour until well blended. Wrap dough in waxed paper and chill well. Preheat oven to 300F. Divide dough in 8 equal pieces. On lightly floured board, shape in thin rolls about ½” in diameter. Cut into 2” pieces, taper off ends and shape into crescents. Put on ungreased baking sheet and bake 18-10 minutes. Remove to rack to cool. Sift confectioners’ sugar over tops. About 5 dozen.
Just a few ingredients here
In case you noticed, I didn't exactly follow the directions for shaping these, but they are still delicious. Do as I say not as I do. These are great with a hot cuppa...
Sugar Cookies
4 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, 1 separated
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbls lemon juice
Ornamental frosting
Mix flour and salt and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Add whole egg and beat well. Add egg yolk and beat. Beat in vanilla and lemon juice. Add flour and mix with wooden spoon. Divide dough in 4 parts and wrap each part in plastic wrap. Chill several hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On lightly floured surface roll one portion at a time to 1/8” thickness. Cut with small floured cookie cutter shape and put on lightly greased cookie sheet. Slightly beat egg white and add 1 tablespoon water. Brush onto cookies before baking. Bake 8-10 minutes.
Went through a lot of butter lol
Got a little lazy here and didn't do a lot of designs...and only one color of ornamental frosting...think that was in the plan?
Fantasy Fudge
3 cups sugar
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter or margarine
1 small can (5 oz) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup)
1 ½ pkg (12 squares) Baker’s Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, chopped
1 ½ cups Jet Puffed Marshmallow Crème
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp vanilla
Line 9 inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; set aside. Place sugar, butter and evaporated milk in large heavy saucepan. Bring to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 4 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees F, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.
Add chocolate and marshmallow crème; stir until completely melted. Add walnuts and vanilla; mix well.
Pour immediately into prepared pan; spread to form even layer in pan. Let stand at room temperature 4 hours or until completely cooled; cut into 1 inch squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature. Makes 3 lbs or 40 servings, about two squares.
This recipe is off the jar of marshmallow creme and melts in your mouth.
I had some smaller gift size containers that came in very handy.
I might make a few more things before all is said and done, but I wanted to get at least this much done for some gifts that I needed this weekend. I always love this time of year and it's getting to be about the only time that I really bake. It's not that I don't love the stuff, but I just don't need it and if it's not in the house I don't eat it. What are some of your favorite things to make for this special time of year?
All American Chocolate Chip Cookies
2/3 c butter
1/3 c shortening
1 c packed brown sugar
½ c granulated sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 package (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
1 c chopped walnuts
In large bowl cream butter, shortening and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; stir into butter mixture, mixing well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto greased baking sheets. Bake in 350F oven 8-10 minutes, just until edges are golden (centers will still be soft). Remove to wire racks to cool.
Cast of Ingredients
Yummy warm cookies.
Peanut Butter Cookies
1 c butter
1 c peanut butter
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 t vanilla
3 c flour
Pinch salt
2 t baking soda
Cream together butter, vanilla and sugars. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in peanut butter and then sifted dry ingredients. Form into little balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet and press down with the tines of a fork creating a criss-cross design. Bake in a 375F oven for about 10 minutes. Makes about 5 dozen.
Just a few changes to make these
I used all the colored sugar I had to kind of dress them up a little.
Walnut Crescents
1 c butter, softened
Confectioners’ sugar
2 t vanilla
¼ t salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 ¾ c flour
Cream butter. Add ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, the vanilla and salt; beat until light. Stir in nuts and flour until well blended. Wrap dough in waxed paper and chill well. Preheat oven to 300F. Divide dough in 8 equal pieces. On lightly floured board, shape in thin rolls about ½” in diameter. Cut into 2” pieces, taper off ends and shape into crescents. Put on ungreased baking sheet and bake 18-10 minutes. Remove to rack to cool. Sift confectioners’ sugar over tops. About 5 dozen.
Just a few ingredients here
In case you noticed, I didn't exactly follow the directions for shaping these, but they are still delicious. Do as I say not as I do. These are great with a hot cuppa...
Sugar Cookies
4 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, 1 separated
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbls lemon juice
Ornamental frosting
Mix flour and salt and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Add whole egg and beat well. Add egg yolk and beat. Beat in vanilla and lemon juice. Add flour and mix with wooden spoon. Divide dough in 4 parts and wrap each part in plastic wrap. Chill several hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On lightly floured surface roll one portion at a time to 1/8” thickness. Cut with small floured cookie cutter shape and put on lightly greased cookie sheet. Slightly beat egg white and add 1 tablespoon water. Brush onto cookies before baking. Bake 8-10 minutes.
Went through a lot of butter lol
Got a little lazy here and didn't do a lot of designs...and only one color of ornamental frosting...think that was in the plan?
Fantasy Fudge
3 cups sugar
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter or margarine
1 small can (5 oz) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup)
1 ½ pkg (12 squares) Baker’s Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, chopped
1 ½ cups Jet Puffed Marshmallow Crème
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp vanilla
Line 9 inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; set aside. Place sugar, butter and evaporated milk in large heavy saucepan. Bring to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 4 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees F, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.
Add chocolate and marshmallow crème; stir until completely melted. Add walnuts and vanilla; mix well.
Pour immediately into prepared pan; spread to form even layer in pan. Let stand at room temperature 4 hours or until completely cooled; cut into 1 inch squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature. Makes 3 lbs or 40 servings, about two squares.
This recipe is off the jar of marshmallow creme and melts in your mouth.
I had some smaller gift size containers that came in very handy.
I might make a few more things before all is said and done, but I wanted to get at least this much done for some gifts that I needed this weekend. I always love this time of year and it's getting to be about the only time that I really bake. It's not that I don't love the stuff, but I just don't need it and if it's not in the house I don't eat it. What are some of your favorite things to make for this special time of year?
Things That Make Me Ponder
I was just visiting The Journey of a Writer Danica Favorite and she had on there a post about working out. Now I'm not really big on working out, but I do try to fit it in three or more times a week because I know it's good for me. What gives me pause for pondering is that we never want what we have and we miss it so much when it's gone. Case in point, my Mom (86 years young) is confined to using a walker and then as little as possible. She is always saying "I wish I could walk and drive.". When she could walk I don't know that she ever really worked out. My friend at work (also an older woman of 70) is currently having issues with her knee and as I left for my lunch workout she says "I wish I could go". I don't think she was a big advocate of working out before the injury.
So, for all of us that just don't want to exercise for whatever - fill in the excuse or 'reason' - just remember 'USE IT OR LOSE IT!!!'. You'll miss it when it's gone so take advantage of everything you can do because there is someone out there that can't do all the wonderful things that you are capable of. I don't mean this to sound preachy, I know it's just plain old human nature. Why do we do this?
So, for all of us that just don't want to exercise for whatever - fill in the excuse or 'reason' - just remember 'USE IT OR LOSE IT!!!'. You'll miss it when it's gone so take advantage of everything you can do because there is someone out there that can't do all the wonderful things that you are capable of. I don't mean this to sound preachy, I know it's just plain old human nature. Why do we do this?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
What A Hoot
I've just entered a fun contest over at My Charmed Life. Today is the 11th Day of Christmas Giveaway and it's this adorable What A Hoot Owl Pushpin set. I would love to be a winner, but if not me then you.
Wish me luck.
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