Toto...We're not in Texas anymore.....

I must have been really, REALLY good this year in Santa's eyes.... I got my Christmas wish extra early!!!

SNOW!!!!

People told me yesterday afternoon it would not happen...hmmmm

Here is what I had at 5pm....



And here is what I had when I got up this morning - I woke at 720am to the sound of snowplows - I forgot to close the window last night...it was chilly in the room! But I got over the crankiness of being awoken so horribly by the plows when I saw the white fluffy goodness -


You cannot see the waves and waves of snow pouring down....but they are there!

And remember my new hat I knit.....left it on the balcony railing for 15 seconds... and got this!!!


Needless to say - I am not in Texas - I am on vacation!!!

Gotta go play more in the snow - more tomorrow - maybe - loading these photos took freakin forever on the wireless connection in the lobby of my timeshare...no promises.....

Forecast is for 4-6 more inches of snow tonight. Snow. Glorious snow.

Think Santa is gonna get me a tripod tomorrow too!!!! Whoo Hoo!

Have a good week if I cannot get loaded - I will post this weekend!

Still queasy....

Yeah - I know - it should be better - working and fighting this thing is not as easy as I had hoped - had solid food tonight - lets see how it goes...

Sunday, one of Santa's elves has already let me know that one of the items I wanted for Christmas is coming my way...the KP Harmony Options tips set!~! WOW!!! (Thanks again Santa's helper - you shouldn't but I love them already!!!!!)

Anyhoo - I was surfing Ebay again - and YES!! I won the holiday gift(s) I was hoping for - SQUEEEEEEE~~~ And I hope the recipients are happily surprised..I even scored one item in a previously unknown/unseen color! Yeah - being cryptic, I know...but they may read this - so hmmm....who could it be......

So I was surfing....back to the story - I lost all my childhood memories in a car accident - (long story for another time) and I saw something that I remembered my dad reading to me - Welcome to Upsy Downsy Land.... Do you remember this?


I remember my dad reading me this - a story about dandelion seeds that go flying to earth - the ones that go through a rainbow end up landing right-side-up - the upsy's; those going through a storm cloud end up landing upside-down. And in the story book, the writing for the 'downsy's' is published upside-down! So when dad would come across that part of the book, he would talk in gobbledy-gook! (yes, I rhymed). And when he did - I would CRACK UP! My dad, the doctor...mr serious - being silly ....for me.... it still makes me smile.

Do you remember this? They even had games and figurines!!!

Ahh - a walk down memory lane!

Anyhoo - I am going to see if I can find this - and WIN it.....maybe Santa can find one for me - or some of the figurines....

Eye candy on Sunday.... off to see the wizard

Despite a mild case of food poisoning - I had a quiet evening tonight - knitted objects to be shared later this week - started a quick giftie for a friend moving to Oregon...sniff...

Anyhoo - check out the eye candy I watched from the sickbed....

Tin Man, based on L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a sci-fi channel mini series launched tonight at 9pm EST/8pm CST. All the parts and pieces from the original story that you know by heart are here, but everything has been ‘updated’ in a way. You’ve still got the Wizard, played by Richard Dreyfus, who appears to be outcast or captured in some manner. The scarecrow (Glitch) is back, played by Alan Cumming, but as a man looking for the other half of his brain which was removed. You also have the Tin Man (hence the title - named Cain)- played by Neil Mc Donough. Dorothy, played by Zooey Deschanel, now goes by DG as she looks for the ‘brick route’. And 90210 fans will be happy to see Kathleen Robertson in the role of the Wicked Witch - Azkedellia. Okay, you get the point. Watch it! Two more installments Monday and Tues night!

Check out the trailer below and some mini-infomercials - then tune in for the replay of part one tomorrow night at 7pmEST/6pm CST on the Sci Fi Channel (Part Two follows immediately after). Have fun!

FO FOr Me!

Squee....

I finished my first hat for myself!!



It matches my short row scarf and fetchings....mmmmm

Details -
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden just shy of 1 skein
Needles: KnitPicks Options US8, 16" cord & Bryspun Bry-Flex dpn's US8
Pattern: Kim's Hats from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Notes: Started 11/24. Finished 12/1. Quick and easy knit - it really took me only 4 sittings...I could have done it in 2 days if I had kept to it!

Fits like a dream! Love the rolled brim - can be worn low or high....

TGIF

Have you ever had one of those weeks when you think WOW - at the end.

Not mentioning details - but this was one week I started at one end of the emotional spectrum - and ended it at the other end.

It was a crazy-busy week - 12 - 14 hour days at the office - man was it worth it!

This weekend will be my reward for a week well spent. Have my eye on two things on Eb*y - one for me, one for a holiday gift - wish me luck - I love the hunt!!! 3hr 38 min left for my item....15hr 55min left on the gift....ooh - I cannot stand it -

Gotta run - House calls!

Thursday eye candy

HOLD THE PRESSES~!!!

NEW AND FAB movie added to the Holiday list -

I literally just got home from seeing what is a great holiday movie - some chuckles and some 'aww's' and some sniffles -


...

wait for it.....


wanna know?








Fred Claus. It was funny, endearing, cute, sarcastic and all around a good holiday movie! Go see it. I think I want to see it again!

Holiday faves

Amy asked on her post today - what are some of our fave holiday ads and movies - here goes:

All time fave movie - The Bishop's Wife. Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young, Monty Wooley and James Gleason. Cary Grant plays an angel sent to help David Niven's character find guidance he needs - and it isn't necessarily the guidance he is hoping for.... bad angel...all I have to say. You may have seen the remake - The Preacher's Wife - with Denzel and Whitney - a good flick - just not better than the original....

Another good holiday movie is A Charlie Brown Christmas - the music and characters always make me smile - I even have the soundtrack!

Another one on my list...The Muppet Christmas Carol - CLASSIC!

And one my friend Bob (vacation buddy earlier this year) helped me add to the list - Die Hard. It IS a Christmas time movie, after all!!!

There you have some of my faves - yeah - White Christmas, Holiday Inn, Miracle on 34th, Nightmare Before Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas are all on the list....just not the top 4.

Well- there is one more series to add to the list - The Lord of the Rings trilogy!! Every Christmas morning - Bob and I would get up early and be there when the theaters opened...while others were at services, Bob and I (and a few other regulars) would be at the theater celebrating the holiday together - then going home to start the preparations of our roast beast. To this day - I never get tired of watching any of these movies... I miss the anticipation and excitement of getting a new installment of the series each Christmas. ...and I miss Bob.

Sense of impending....

...something...

The last day of vacation. Ugh. On the bright side, I only have two weeks before I go on vacation again.

Still.

It was hard to get up this morning. And I know I was not the only one. Amy had the same issues too! But the sweet smell of Dunkin Donuts cinnamon coffee perking got me moving in the right direction.

Luckily, I am still making positive progress on the downward trending on the scale. Whoo hoo!

Spent the afternoon with Michelle and family! Her mom made a FANTASTIC dinner and we watched some TV and got some knitting done! Plus I got to play with 2pac - the cutest kitten! And he has a gorgeous black and white big bro as well!

And just like Amy - I am cranking my new, super secret wip out of Noro Silk Garden. I am even using Color 37!! Amy - I have been in love with this yarn in this color for the last year. I thought 37 was discontinued - where did you get yours? Luckily, I still have about 5 skeins left...so far I have done a pair of non-matching fetching for myself and a short-row curvy scarf. Plus the super secret project - I am about 1/3 of the way done already.

And thanks go out to Michelle and her mom (again!) - I found a 16"cord when I got home and switched to Knit Picks Options circ's. MUCH easier than the dpns I was fighting with earlier today~!~

Santa - please put these on my list this year!

OK - gotta go hit the hay to get ready for re-entry tomorrow am!

Nice mindless day...

Today was a good day -

Spent time with the 'rents ...shopping with mom - yarn, bread, pastries, more yarn...followed by brunner (combo of brunch and dinner) of french toast (made with fresh sourdough bread bought earlier in the day....from Panera, of course)....then some quality time with Michelle - more shopping...catching up on tv and other stuff...and knitting!!

Cannot wait to finish my new project - yes I cast on something new - but with the really cold weather - I discovered that the attire I own for my head is lacking.....and the sweater I was working on may not fit pretty soon - so it will most likely get frogged later this week..then re-cast on (is that a word?).

Anyhoo - nice relaxing day - looking forward to tomorrow....who knows what will happen...hmmm

Monopoly!

I had a total BLAST playing monopoly tonight ... When was the last time you played a board game with friends???

I dare you.

I double dog dare you!

It was way too much fun!


p.s. Enid is a total Monopoly SHARK!!! The gauntlet has been thrown - I know I can take her at UNO.....hmmmm heh heh heh

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for so much in my life - my friends, family, job, puppy....and so much more. I am so lucky to have such great friends who understand me and the things I am addicted to..I mean.... like to do.

I had a fab day with the clan today....The home made stuffing & bourbon mashed sweet potatoes with pecans and marshmallows were great; the turkey was amazingly moist; the punkin pie was FAB.....and I got a wild hair this a.m. and decided I needed to make these rosemary cheddar proscuitto biscuits - they were definitely the hit of the morning with some streudel coffee that Rachel sent me for the coffee swap - YUM!!



Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

The Magic of Creating

I love knitting b/c it is almost magical - taking sticks and string and coming up with something warm to use or wear.

Cooking is the same thing for me - you can start with items like this:


And end up with this!


YUMMMM


Then I made a sausauge, onion & cheese quiche for dinner - FAB!

Baking season has begun!

Amazing Coffee Swap Batman!!

Wow!

My secret pal Rachel TOTALLY spoiled me!! I cannot believe how amazing the box of goodies I got tonight were - I have enjoyed talking with her and getting to know her through emails and her blog - well - she REALLY got to know me....

I opened my box and the first thing I see.... This amazing little sheep! ITS A BUTTON - his legs move too!!! Too cute!


Then the warning not to read further if I like surprises - so the card gets placed to the side for now...


The top package is carefully unwrapped to uncover a hand-crocheted mini wall hanging - of a sheep!! And it is softer than you can imagine! I thought it looked familiar - it is from the new Knit Simple magazine - one of the panels of this amazing afghan (which I did covet from afar... who knew I would get my own little lamb?) I adore her! And she is perfect...
(I have the issue of KS Rachel...thanks for thinking of me! )



The box is still chock-full-o-goodies as you can see -


And the little gauze bag catches my attention next - WOW - stitchmarkers


...and HOMEMADE Ginger Snaps!!!!!!!! (with the little sheep button lurking...) I cannot wait to try the cookies - probably Weds am to celebrate the start of my vacation!! They smell delish!



A candle....it matches the sage color in my den!!



Yummy coffee comes next! (The little button sheep is hanging out with all the goodies)



Then - magnets for my fridge - not just any magnets -- but magnets of MY ARTWORK!(and the Coffee Swap 3 Logos!)! Are you kidding me? How cool is that? I LOVE IT!!! - and nifty stripey magnet/memo pad for the fridge too!

MORE handmade goodies - coasters that match the sage of my den PERFECTLY!! and a scrapbook to log some memories and a little Tinker Bell bag (how the heck did she know)!

And in the Tink bag....CHOCOLATE~~~ need I say more?


And last, but most certainly not least by any stretch of the mind...some gorgeous alpaca silk blend in a solid and a variegated (Rachel noticed almost everything I have done is variegated) and an equally gorgeous skein of wool - with a pattern for felted coffee cozies....hmmmmm



Rachel - I cannot thank you enough - I can only hope that you will enjoy the goodies I got for you even half as much as I like my goodies! I can honestly share that I am thankful for my new friend who spent alot of time and thought on this!

Friday Eye Candy

Dinner tonight at PF Changs - great dinner - with my 'rents and the sister! It was great seeing her - cannot wait till vaca with her in Feb!

Any hoo - here is your Friday Eye Candy - no pics of dinner....but a pic from dinner...look at it small - sorta fuzzy big - will have to go and try to get another one....

Fiber, Fest & Flavor! Pt 3 of 3!!

As promised - more pics from this weekend.

When I last saw you, dear reader, I was telling you about all the fab people who were at the Kid N Ewe event. You have seen the spoils of my plundering....what is left?

Ahh...fret not - there is still more - the weekend was filled with fun...

Sunday I went to Wurstfest in New Braunfels. There was singing, dancing, music and food!

The singing was by the New Braunfels Kinderchor - (you thought it was me?)


Dancing was done by the Kinder Tanzer (again - not me!)



Music was by The New Braunfels Village Brass Band (they were amazing!!)...



and what would a German Wurstfest be without accordion music??? And lots of oma's and opa's singing and drinking beer?



And some spectacular curly spinny things....


And the food was great - no pics - sorry - but the funnel cake, wurst and beer rocked! I had a blast! The company was not bad either!

More pics tomorrow of some of the more artistic views from Kid N Ewe.

And my box for my coffee swap partner goes out in the post in the am!

This is only a test

I know I promised part 3 for tonight - but this posting has been pre-empted by a dinner with my CEO - he came to visit our site and I was hijacked to attend a fabulous dinner at Antler's at Hyatt Hill Country Resort.

The meal was amazing - I had the Sea Bass...with succotash - I ate lima's and they were good!! Jalapeno bacon wrapped scallops and a fresh salsa for appetizers and a house salad. With some of the house merlot.

This foodie was in heaven.

And the discussion was fabulous! A wonderful time was had by all. I am looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.

More on last weekend's events tomorrow.

TTFN

Fiber, Fest & Flavor! Pt 2 of 3!!

As promised - pics of all the people at Kid N Ewe!


Chris petting yarn at Amanda's shop - boy is she happy!














Amanda, me, David and Chris!













Brenda as she is arriving to bldg 2!


Jodi and Linda (Janna's Sis) with Starbucks in Hand!!













Amanda and Kim - all smiles!













Juanita as she shops Amanda's booth.













Amy and David - Amy was taking a brief retail therapy break and David was secretly celebrating his birth-anniversary!













Nhel was spotted on Friday and Saturday!

Fiber, Fest & Flavor! Pt 1 of 3!!

So - lots of activity in the last few days -

First and foremost - Kid N Ewe. Wow. Fiber everywhere...and alot of it made it home with me... still don't know if that is a good thing or not. Here are some of my pretties.... BROOKS FARM!!!!

From left to right. Mas Acero - for cardigan for me. Primero - dunno what it will be yet. Fourplay - for a Crapotis. Fourplay - crapotis. Acero - sox.






Next up.....

Plain & Fancy Sheep and Wool Co. From Henderson, TX - FAB yarn! Reasonable prices. I even bought some solid colors - someone recently pointed out I do mostly variegated work..hmmm I guess I do.





The solid colors will end up being fingerless glove/mitten combo for moi...to match My So
Called Scarf...






And last, but not least - my new drop spindle - isn't she pretty - Texas Ebony..



Tomorrow - pics of the people at the Fiber fest - then pics of Wurstfest on Weds!