I have a few deadlines this week that have kept me very busy. Creative busy, which is always a good thing.
I participated in my first ever swap. Make just one sock and the recipient will make the other. This is the tyrolean stocking from fall interweave knits. I used Green Mountain Spinnery Vermont Organic. Three skeins make a pair. It is a thicker knit, and I am thinking the kind of sock you wear more at home, but maybe not.

It doesn't matter what time of year it is, anytime we curl up on our sofa, it's always with a blanket. There has always been one favorite. Until now, that is. Last week, I mentioned to Erin that I was collecting all of my old sweaters. Not hand knit sweaters, but nice sweaters that just didn't seem to fit me anymore. Erin suggested I make a blanket out of them. (Thank you, Erin.) I actually think I got off of the computer, grabbed those sweaters and started cutting. I used five sweaters, cut 2 13x13 pieces out of each sweater (front and back). This gave me 10 squares, not enough. I then cut the arms, and pieced two colors together to make a 13X13 square. I now had a total of 15, needing one more. Pieced some strips together, and now I had 16 squares. Just what I needed.

Charlie chose the cookie this week. An all time favorite, snicker doodles. This time I used spectrum organic vegetable shortening from whole foods. They tasted exactly the same. (I promise, mom.) And, they are non-hydrogenated! Gotta love that.

After seeing Kim's and Tracy's adorable acorns, I knew that we had to make some. Of course, I didn't want to buy the felted balls. I decided we should make them, so I put my kids to work. Last week after school one day I had them roll the wool into balls. Easy enough. Then as Martha suggested, we dipped them into warm, soapy water. The directions then tell you to pass them back in forth in your hands for about 10 minutes. The kids lasted about 2 minutes. I lasted about 3 minutes. I am sure there is an easier way to do this. However, I couldn't figure it out. Maybe Sabrina knows since she made a bunch for her beautiful bobble bag.
Next time, I think I would buy the balls. I think ours just look like balls of yarn with acorn tops. But, I guess there is nothing wrong with that.

As we walked through the woods this weekend, we came across a wooden pathway. I wondered why someone would build it. It seemed so unnecessary. It was barely elevated, not crossing anything, and placed exactly on top of the dirt path below. I voiced my thoughts to my kids. Libby said, "Mom, it is like some of the stuff you make. Not really necessary, it just makes life nice." Wow. She not only put me in my place, but she paid me the highest compliment; one very perceptive child.

Here's to making life nice.

Vests are just the best. I love not having to make sleeves! Pattern: I didn't have one.
Yarn: Classic Elite Skye tweed. 2 balls main color, 3 balls of contrasting colors.
Needles: Size 7
For: Libby, age 9.
Notes: Really, anyone can make this. I got the gauge off of Charlie's sweater (same yarn). Decided how big I wanted it. Cast on with contrasting color, changed to main color, joined, and did a 2x1 rib for 3 inches.
I knit in the round until the underarms. Then following my "drawn pattern", decreased for the armholes and neck. After sewing the shoulder seams, I picked up around the arm and neck and did the same 2x1 rib, finishing by binding off in the contrasting color.

Sometimes it is all about the little things. A little hat that I was commissioned to make. From the book knittng for peace.

I was going to show you my project lineup that causes many sleepless nights over here. However, the line is so long, I decided to show you the lineup that resides in my kitchen, and not in my head. From left to right.
::tea pot. Usually only used at night.
:: stove top espresso maker. Usually used only in the afternoon. Easy directions to make a delicious cup found here, by Blair.
:: coffee maker. Usually used only in the morning. 10-12 cups always waiting for us.
:: espresso maker. Usually only used to steam/froth my milk. Always only used for the cup of espresso.
:: TAZO tea. Lotus green (decaf) for me, please.
::biscotti. Usually only eaten with the cup of espresso. Delicious recipe here, by Elinor.

I am pretty sure that this lineup is not causing the sleepless nights. Nope, it would have to be the projects, since most of the above is usually decaf. (Except for the pot of coffee, that is always regular.)
Have a wonderful weekend!

First of all, thank you so much for all of the cobblestone love. Charlie loved it too!

I have started Libby's vest. I forgot that when I bought the yarn I bought one ball of the oatmeal color. So happy with that choice, otherwise I think it would have been very dull. Since I don't have a pattern, I am changing colors when the mood strikes. And holding it up after every row, to make sure I like it. For some reason, this brings a smile to my husbands face. (?) I guess I am spending more time looking at this, then actually knitting. I have drawn the pattern (onto a paper bag) and am using that as my guideline. Keeping my fingers crossed along the way.

I can't believe that it is now the sixth week of school and I have yet to do a cookie of the week. I have been baking, but I have chosen everything. This week is Andrew's turn, and he chose, Chocolate Brownie Cookies.

"Awww mom, are these going on the Internet?" Yes honey, they are. Charlie wanted nothing to do with "modeling" this sweater, but a little tackle football with his brother? Perfect!

I told my husband that I was tagged to do a seven facts about myself, but thought that I was too much like everyone else. He looked at me in disbelief and quickly rattled off seven or eight. Tagged by Hege for the seven truths.
Here are the rules:
1 Link the person who has tagged you 2. Tell 7 true things about yourself 3. Tag 7 new people
4. Leave a message with the person you have tagged so they know about it.

Here goes: (as told by my husband)
1. a germaphobic (yes, a bit I won't/don't eat off of buffets)
2. compulsive (o.k., maybe a little, i am sure you remember the ice)
3. obsessive ( aren't all knitters? O.K., I do tend to play the same song over and over, at least 250 times, whenever I find one i like, this was last weeks)
4. need quiet in the morning (yes)
5. get cold very easily (yes)
6. very laid back ( yes, it takes a lot to ruffle my feathers)
7. claustrophobic (yes, a bit, if the kids come into the bed, I have to be on the edge, but that is really not claustrophobic)

If you read this, consider yourself tagged. Play along if you would like.
You all know I love to bake. If you don't have these ingredients, you better stop what you are doing and go get what you need. This is the absolute best. Recipe was given to me years ago by a friend at my child's preschool.
Cinnamon-apple cake:

1 1/2 cup sugar + 1/4 cup :: 1/2 c butter, softened :: 1 tsp vanilla :: 6 oz cream cheese, softened :: 2 eggs :: 1 1/2 cup flour :: 1 1/2 tsp baking powder :: 1/4 tsp salt :: 2 tsp cinnamon :: 3 cups chopped, peeled rome apples, or any (2 large)
Preheat oven to 350. Beat 1 1/2 c sugar with butter, vanilla, and cream cheese at med speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture until blended. Combine 1/4 cup of sugar with cinnamon. Toss this mixture with apples. Stir apple mixture into batter. Pour batter into spring form pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 60-70 minutes.

And on the knitting front, Charlie's cobblestone is finished.
Just waiting for an opportunity to have a photo shoot. This may take a little bribing.

Happy Birthday, to the woman who fills every life she touches with sunshine. I love you.