Too much time on my hands

Yes that is a song title. I need to buy stock in Google for the sake of You Tube. OIY!

So now after the banana bread we have moved onto blondies. (since I cannot have chocolate) They are pretty good if a bit sweet. No subbing this time, I just followed the recipe. I must say that my oven bakes faster than the recipe calls for. Usually by 5-10 min. The Pear butter is coming but it will have to wait till tomorrow or something. Thusly as my friends say if you're baking you have too much time on your hands! Speaking of friends, another has been telling me (and proving) It's tuff having friends. So it is Jim. Donna and Jim two of my friends who are quickly becoming favorites gave me these..

On Tuesday and there are about 1/2 of them left now. Who knew eggs came in so many colors! Blue, green, and red brown .

Oh and look what else Donna does...

Isn't she amazing? That's a quilt that started in Africa, then came to America with pieces from Pennsylvania and Plattsmouth

I am almost done with the adult dream in color tulip cardigan. Lots of changes here but since I never bought the pattern I can only guess where they are. The first I think is that I have 8 colors so no repeats, the second is I going to hem the "button band" and the collar. That will take care of the stockinette curl. Photo's when I'm done, I promise. It is a knock out.

This is a yarn tomato. If you don't see it that's fine, I just had to catch it. The thing in the foreground is some of the cardigan.

Inspired by my daughters first project, a need for a dress purse for church, and an upcoming trip to Worlds of Fun, my next project will be a 4X4 white wool bag.Speaking of the oldest, her birthday was thursday. Now she is officially 15. Where did I hide those car keys....

Speaking of church, I have been made secretary for the new Salem Commitment Academy. I am also in charge of organising and planning the final graduation ceremony.(March 2009). I'm not bragging, I'm more going What did I get myself into? But if I can pull off a fiber show, I can do this, God willing.

Today is a beautiful day and I hope you all got to enjoy it. I know I did!

The wilderness

I was watching a PBS special on David, King of the Israelites and they talked about how the bible has a lot of metaphors in it. I have always tried to look at the bible as a literal work but now here is a deeper meaning. One of the metaphors that struck a chord with me was Moses and the Exodus.
The exodus is a story of life on the path of God. First you are in bondage, slave to all your wants, needs, mistakes, habits, and sins. Yes you may get things out of this stage in life but it is ultimately unsatisfying. You cry out to God to save you. Then you are saved. God brings you out of slavery, darkness, and sin. Usually there is much rejoicing. Next he brings you to the wilderness. Here you will wander for a while. This is the place were LOTs of stuff happens. I often wondered "Now that I'm free, what do I do with the freedom?
1) Learn: about yourself, about God, about the truth.
2) Develop your relationship with God: pray, read the word, go to church, and apply the faith in your life.
3) Heal; the old wounds, the new wounds, purge the lies, trash, and bad habits from your life.
Pretty much what you do is cast off the old you, mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, and socially. Then God replaces them with the you he destined you to be in the first place. Once that happens, God will bring you into your "promised land".

Don't worry more knitting stuff next post with photos!

That's a pretty hairy yarn!

Over the last couple of days while waiting to become employed, I have been processing the chocolate corriedale fleece I bought from Country Dream acres.
I've learned a lot about washing fine fleeces; like you may have to get them to near boiling temp to keep that grease off, and (boiling does not always felt fleece!) Still plenty of soap. Usually what hasn't come out in the wash came out when I washed the yarn. So now what do I do with it?

This first yarn is a 50/50 blend of fawn alpaca and dark chocolate wool. It is carded: 2'ce each as an alpaca batt and a wool batt then carded 2'ce as an alpaca/wool batt, then split in 1/2 and carded once more. It drafts like a dream since the alpaca and wool are the same staple length. It's Just Hairy! Not scratchy hairy, maybe I should say more fuzzy like mohair. The color is a tweedy medium brow spun at a sport or DK weight when plied. I wonder what it will knit up like? I think just about all of my yarns are destined to be shawls, shrugs, or caps, mittens, scarves, sweaters, throws and occasionally socks. Ah well.

This weekend my oldest and I made banana bread with substitutes. We sub'ed some flour with maple and brown sugar oatmeal, sub'ed some sugar with syrup, sub'ed the butter with oil and left out the baking soda and rice milk. IT WAS STILL GOOD! We used baking powder only but the recipe calls for both. The last batch I made gave me ...gas. I thought it was the butter but....? We also used 2 banana's instead of one and added the Cinnamon and all spice. Wow.

She is also working on a lace capelet she picked off the Internet. That girl knits like a fiend! I'm so proud. (sniff) Hold on, I gotta go hide my stash...
Next weekend I think I will try my hand at pear butter. Yes I said pear, not apple.(I'm allergic) I've checked out the recipe and it looks simple enough. Cook, mash strain. Cook, add spices and sugar, store and spread when cooled.

5 year Tattoo! Have you heard about this? They are in the FDA approval stages now. A needle and ink tattoo that fades out completely in 5 years. I may get one.

Well we'll see how that goes! Stay tuned.

HAPPY 4th!

My new Store!

Go check out my Etsy shop! http://SnarledYarns.etsy.com

More photos

This is it finished and blocked. I gave it to the new Mom to be Sunday and she was thrilled.