This is one of those projects that I couldn't be happier about finishing. I honestly don't know why it took me so long. (Probably because I am a little (a lot) intimidated about quilting.)
Remember me talking about the twelve square quilt?

I'd like to knit a huge amount of these. I thought about attaching a piece of grosgrain ribbon (or just a piece of yarn) while sewing it together and hanging from some twigs that I have in a vase. I think that would look really fun. Or, attaching them to Valentine's Day gifts. Or, filling with lavender and throwing into a drawer. Or, how about leaving the top open and filling it with little love notes!
But, for now I am just tossing them into a vase in the center of the table. I like this, too. They are meant to be felted. But to be quite honest, I am not even sure this yarn will felt. However, it is the perfect use for all those leftover little balls you have. (Suzanne!) This pattern accomplishes the shape of the heart by knitting short rows. I found a free pattern here that uses increases and decreases to do the same.
If you ordered the place mats (thank you!) remember to decorate them for yourself or for your sweeties. They are still available and if you order before February 7, you, too, can have them for Valentine's day.

I have sort of been on a hat kick. Easy to make. Easy to wear.
Simple Hat from Cables Untangled. I really love this hat. The cables are fun and everyone in the family can wear it. Yarn: Cascade 220 tweed. Color, 7612.
Tetsubou by Kristen Johnstone. I was lucky enough to win this pattern over on Kristen's blog. Love this hat and I adore the I-cord tie in the back. Yarn: Cascade 220 superwash.
Zig Zag beanie from Interweave knits, fall 2008. This was fun to make and the yarn I used was so soft and furry. ("Furry" injected by Andrew.)

So, we've had snow-days, half-days, delays and holidays. Resulting in an extra break from school and me drawn to the kitchen. Baking.
Okay, if you have tried making pop tarts, you know how delicious they are. Best eaten right from the oven. Or warmed later. With a big glass of milk. (I haven't had a glass of milk in years... coffee for me.)
Then I tried the sour cream orange cake (5th recipe down) from the Moosewood cookbook. Not too sweet and perfect with coffee. I almost omitted the glaze because I didn't have an orange liqueur and didn't want to buy a big bottle. However, they have those little bottles by the check out in my liquor store. Containing a perfect 3 TBLS just like the recipe suggested. I think that made the cake.
By the third batch of pop tarts, I feel like we discovered our favorite way to make them. I rolled them super thin. Seriously. Almost paper like. 3" x 4". Then, we put a B I G spoonful of the filling (Triple the recipe for the filling. You won't be sorry.) along one side and fold the piece in half. And then, after they cooled, drizzled brown sugar icing on top. Now THAT was the perfect little pop tart. Small, cinnamony and delicious.

I've been a little off my game over here. This morning, I ripped out the second sleeve of my Elizabeth sweater. I reversed the decreases, so the sleeve was pretty tight near the underarm. That just wouldn't do. And last week, I made hockey pucks. No, seriously. Hockey pucks.
I didn't really catch it with the first batch. I thought that I had just forgot to roll them in sugar. So, next batch, I rolled. Then I realized that wasn't the only problem. They were heavy. As in, really heavy. Checked out the recipe. Whoops... I used baking powder. Not baking soda. And it was a really big whoops. Cause I had doubled the recipe.
When you don't succeed, try, try again. And so I did. And they turned out exactly as they should. (It wasn't my first go around with these. We love them around here.)
Over the last few times I have made them, I decided I like them a little smaller. They pack up nicely to give to friends.
I did finish a little knit. Made for a special friend. I had this yarn in my stash for some time. I turned to one of my favorite books, Pipsqueaks. Over the years, I have made my children several sweaters out of this book. It really is a great one to add to your collection. You may even be able to find it in one of your used book stores. Speaking of used books... I recently stumbled upon the Moosewood Cookbook. Where have I been? And how did I ever live without it?

Libby asked for a store bought hat (shudder!) and I get that. The whole teen thing... I guarantee she will come back around.
However, she said she would love if I made her flip-top mittens. Okay, then. I'll get right on that.