Funny Magic

New Snow, New Frock

Yesterday, the view outside our window:

Winter is very much alive-and-kicking in these parts, where we got a good dose of new, white, very cold snow to cover up the dirty, ice-covered old stuff.   Personally, I just wish it would all melt away now. I'm just sayin'...

Inside, however, it was warm and toasty, just right for Rascal to frock-around-the-clock in a Simple Servant Frock:

It turned out to be rather big on her, especially around the neckline, so I fudged a bit to make it work. Because I'm all about making it work.

(Mental note-to-self: make the smaller size next time, like, 'k?)

So here's to a happy weekend, and the onset of March, and the crawling creeping inching our way toward Springtime. (Oh man, I feel positively scandalous just saying that word. Feeling frisky? Give it a shot - you'll see!)

Oh, yes. Yes I did.

Prior to watching the Oscars on tv last night, I did this:

I measured out some Snap, Crackle, Pop! and combined it with a sugar and corn syrup mixture. Then I did this:

 

I gathered some ingredients, melted them, spread them, and chilled them.

Then I cut the chilled slab of sweetness into squares, took a bite, and yowza! These tasty little treats are trouble in a pan for sure. Here's Charlie asking for seconds:

Of course I said yes; only a heartless soul could deny their child a little overindulgence in the Peanut Butter Crispy Bar experience.   (Note to self: Next time, and there will be a next time, remember to use an 8x8 inch square pan, not a 9x13. Duh!)

The Other Day...

...it was just beautiful outside, somewhere near 40 degrees, so Juliet and I took advantage of the warmth and went for a lovely little walk/stroller ride around the neighborhood.

 

When we got back Juliet kicked-off her shoes and we sat out on our front stoop for a bit.

   

 

It was really, really nice.

This-n-That

Oh, ho-hum. That's how I feel lately. Doo-dee-doo...not much to say...I've been putting in lotsa extra hours at work, filling in the gaps and bringin' home some bacon. Oh, but I have been sewing; I'm almost done with a Simple Servant Frock for Juliet. Let me just say, this is an awesome, easy pattern to follow, and there's lots of room for improvisation and embellishment. I love it a whole lot - hopefully she will, too!

One thing I've learned is to cut my patterns out for the largest size and then, using tracing paper and a tracing wheel, trace along the lines for the size I want to cut. That way the pattern can keep up with the growth of my little one.

Charlie's socks are coming along:

So is a scarf for myself:

I'm using some yarn that was a gift from Charlie last Christmas, a worsted Misti Alpaca. I swear, I could knit with this yarn for the rest of my life and be completely happy - it is so soft and luscious. I often find myself just picking it up and pressing it to my face....

Oh, and here's the loot I sent to my partner in the Knitter's Coffee Swap last week:

A bag of fresh coffee beans from a local coffee shop, sock yarn, dark chocolate, and a couple handmade trees. This was a super fun swap - speaking of swaps, the Bend the Rules Sewing Swap is up and running for another round; not sure if I'm gonna join-in yet, but I'm thinking about it...

Sunne Rocks.

Yesterday I got the most awesome package in the mail from my partner in the Knitter's Coffee Swap:

Chocolate Chip cookies, fresh coffee beans, some beautiful handmade stitch markers, a sweet little bag from Lantern Moon and, of course, yarn:

Lorna's Laces sock yarn in a totally gorgeous colorway,

and Lana Grossa sock yarn in a combination of oranges and browns. ...I am so happy... Thank you Sunne! You totally made my day, my week, my whole entire month! I've even put my little Lantern Moon bag to good use already:

It's housing (and toting) a new pair of socks-in-progress for Charlie. (Yarn is Opal's Harry Potter in the Hedwig colorway.) Oh, happy day!

Tagged :: 5 x 5

I was recently tagged by my lovely friend Anna to divulge 25 tidbits about meself. Here goes:

List 5 fun/unexpected facts about yourself:

In 1991 I got my first car:  A 1979 Oldsmobile Delta '88. It was free, I was 21, and I loved it. It looked a lot like this:

 

(Of course, it was rusty. And missing a hubcap or two, but the stereo was good and loud and that's all that really mattered to me back then.)

I grew up in a small town with a graduating class of 73 people.

I like to sing, and have been told that I have a nice voice.

My favorite vegetable is the brussel sprout.

It drives me crazy when people stand behind me and read over my shoulder.

List the 5 funniest or most unusual jobs you've had:

 

Dishwasher at a supper club. First job ever.

 

Assembly-line sandwich-maker/ham-slammer extraordinaire. Worst job ever.

Receptionist at a hair salon. Second worst job ever.

Waitress at a Greek restaurant. Opa!

Waitress on the graveyard shift at an all-night diner in the middle of the city. Most bizarre job ever.

What are your 5 favourite flowers?

Chrysanthemums

Sun flowers

Snapdragons

Peonies

Zinnias

Last 5 films seen?

 

The Wrestler

 

Sex and the City

 

The Changeling

 

Madagascar 2

 

Stepbrothers

5 things (material) on your wishing list:

A new couch, preferable a big 'ol sectional.

These boots.

A pair of good rain boots, like these. It's been melting out there lately!

About 10 yards of this fabric. And this one.

Yarn, yarn, and more yarn.

Ahhhh, dare to dream, right?!

Toodles for now, and feel free to play along - let me know if you do!

Begin Again. Then Laugh Your Arse Off.

Well, the Placket Neck sweater I've been knitting for Charlie has thrown me for a big 'ol loop.

I knit the body and finished one sleeve before suspicion set in.

It's entirely too small, and I just don't get it. I thought my guage was right on, and I believe I followed the directions for size 8-10. But you know what? It's definitely not a size 8-10.  I thought about tossing the whole darn thing in the back of a closet because it offends me so at this point. Then I thought about tossing it in the wash for a good felting (that'll learn it!). After that I just stared off into space for awhile and contemplated my reckless, feckless ways while eating cookies, drinking way too much coffee, and assisting Juliet with her 50th outfit change of the day. In the end? I think I'll go ahead and keep knitting this bugger because guess what? I bet it'll fit Juliet, if not now, then later. (Let's just ignore the fact that my littlest one doesn't do sweaters...perhaps she might if I pair it with a brand new extra-twirly skirt? And embellish the sweater with flowers and woodland animals or something? Oh, someone stop me!) 

Although this is really no laughing matter, I'll sign off from this post with something that cracked us up today:

So Charlie comes home from school with a very special request:

"Mom. You gotta teach me how to breakdance."

Huh? You mean like this?

Is that funny or what?! Charlie and I were hootin' and hollerin' with laughter this afternoon...take that Placket Neck Sweater!

Swaps, Pics, and Questions Answered

Yesterday I received some darn good mail:

My first set of squares for the Charm Square Swap. Yay! And last night I spent some time sortin' through my stash and gettin' rotary with it.

In thinking about this project over at Shutter Sisters, I chose PLAY as my word-of-the-month, because if ever there was a month that could use some focus on play, February is it, in my opinion.

I'm also participating in the Knitter's Coffee Swap this month. So fun! I've gotta answer a few questions for my partner today - here they are, Sunne!

1. Whole bean or ground? Whole bean for sure.
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Locked-and-loaded!
3. Regular or flavored? Regular.
4. How do you drink your coffee? All mucked-up with cream and sugar.
5. Favorite coffee ever? Anything freshly ground will do!
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? Not fussy.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Scones, cookies, chocolate...
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? Nope. I'm not real picky.
9. Yarn/fiber you love? Wool, wool, and more wool. And sock yarn. Love sock yarn.
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Don't care for acrylic or novelty yarns too much.
11. What's on your needles? Ack! Scarf, sweater, log cabin blanket, cowl...
12. Favorite colors? All colors!
13. Allergies? NKA.
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? I just love yarn. I'm mad about it, really, and I especially love yarns that have a good, all-natural feel to them. 

And that's it for now - have a good day!

Doo-Dads

Once upon a time, I taught Charlie how to knit. He took to it for a bit, but then lost interest....

Lately he's picked up the needles again and is knitting lots of little "doo-dads," as he like to call them. I like how these little pieces resemble a heart:

Would you believe he even brings his knitting project(s) along when we have to go someplace in the car? And knits while he rides? Like me?

This past Saturday it was - get this - 42 degrees outside. 42 degrees above zero! It was stunning and such a welcome respite from the bitter cold, which is back today with a vengeance. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

Here's some good stuff out there in blogland to share with ya:

Jess' Annie and the Wild Animals sweater. So cute!

Amy's good question. Still thinking...

This website and this recipe.

This project. Although I really know very little about photography, I'm intrigued. Oh, and of course now I want a new camera. A real camera, like one that can take a decent picture before sunrise and after sunset. (Just a small, minor detail, I know. A gal can dream, right??) 

Ahh, Monday. Open the door and let it in.