Contest - o - rama!!! And what it means to be me...

First, stop over at A Few Stitches Short and My House of Wool for some wicked contests/giveaways! Mention I sent you - Please!!!

- late note - here are a few more -

La Verna needs thoughts of spring, The Spirit Trail is giving away cashmere (ugh...this dilutes my chances of winning - but for you, reader...sigh...it is worth it!), and put on your thinking caps for this one!!!

Second, I got this from Kent last night - sorta scary how close to the truth this hits....

What Mary S****** Means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Whip it up Wednesday!!!

This is a new feature for the blog...I hope you like it!!

Each Weds, I am going to highlight something yummy that I have 'whipped up' in the kitchen. And in most cases it will be pretty frugal in cost and time for prep.

Last week it was PIE, cherry PIE! This week it is a different kind of pie.

QUICHE! (pronounced kwichie- then it is not so frou-frou).

OK - so here is the recipe....(I cannot always promise a recipe)

1 box Pills#ury ready to make pie crust, thawed
1 pkg chorizo or sage breakfast sausage
1 1/2 c sharp cheddar cheese
1 c chopped onions (I used green onions today)
mushrooms (if you want - I was not in the mood today)
garlic powder (to taste)
paprika
4 eggs
1 c whole milk

Preheat oven to 450

Unroll one pie crust and put in pan. Tuck the extra crust under and smoosh the rim of the crust. Prick sides and bottom. Bake 10 min. Let pie crust cool.

While crust is baking, cook sausage. Drain. Let cool. Once cool, mix with the onions, cheese, garlic powder.

Spoon sausage mixture into pie crust. (if you have alot of meat - you can increase cheese and onions and make two quiches... and you will need to make another batch of egg/milk. I did that tonight...well, tried to - the 2nd crust sorta shrank during the pre-baking process - so it was a really small quiche - it still cooked for 50 min.)

Whip eggs and milk together (I use my La Machine - whipping for 45 seconds). Pour over mixture in crust. Lightly sprinkle paprika over egg/sausage mixture in crust (helps it to get nice and brown - did you know that is how to get your turkey really browned - use paprika all over it - sorry, I digress).

Bake for 50 min at 325. Let cool 10 min. Serve. Enjoy.

Here is the pretty quiche.... I was worried it would not turn out since the crust cracked and alot of the egg mixture seeped below the crust - but it worked out fine!!


Here is the side view - see the egg against the pie pan...

Here is the sad little one I made for my dinner.

Total cost - approx $9.00 for two quiches...
Chorizo $2.00, 6 eggs 1.09, 1 bunch green onions .63, crusts 2.29, milk 1.00, cheese 2.00.
Prep time was about 45 min for cooking sausage and mixing etc. 50 min baking time.

ENJOY - I hope you like the new feature!!!

I IS SMART?

Thanks Janna - nice to know that diploma from Trinity is still good... :) I don't want to think how long it has been since high school...ugh - hint - 20 yr college reunion is this year....EEK!!

Your Language Arts Grade: 100%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).

Are You Gooder at Grammar?
Make a Quiz

You paid attention during 91% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

On the film front - saw two good musicals this weekend - Dreamgirls and Hairspray. One of my buds could not believe I still had not seen Dreamgirls - knowing how I love music. He tied me down in front of the screen and forced me to spend some quality time with music..I have to say I really liked the music!!!! ...and the ipod has been updated with the film and broadway soundtracks for Dreamgirls - thanks for the loan buddy!

How Freaky Is THIS?!?

SO - I get the comment from Bezzie on yesterday's blog, mentioning that she thought this week was National Pie Week.

Not only is it this week....National Pie Day - was YESTERDAY.

Freaky, huh?

Guess that is why I was moved to make a pie....and I am especially pleased since I invited a friend over for some late night pie and sent some home for their other half...AND I sent 1/2 a pie home to the 'rents today as well.....

for your perusal.....text in purple is how I participated..!

Perform Random Acts of Pieness

and Celebrate National Pie Day on January 23

Share pie. Whether you make or buy pie, share it. By its very nature, pie is meant to be eaten with others.

Pay it forward. Hand out pie slices to strangers and encourage them to do the same for others. It could spread the peace on earth and goodwill to mankind that we all hope for.

Be a good Samaritan. Buy an extra pie at your local grocery store and give it to the person behind you in line. You may just change their life!

Reach out to new neighbors you haven’t met and bring them some pecan pie – it says your thoughtful. Stay awhile to get to know each other over pie and fill them in on the neighborhood.

Indulge your co-workers. Bring some pie to work – you’ll create a lot of good rapport and maybe even get a raise.

Surprise your significant other at work and bring him or her a pie to share with their coworkers.

Say thank you. Know a special someone who deserves some thanks? Maybe it’s a friend who did you a favor, your child’s teacher or your postal worker. What better way to say thanks than with a warm hug wrapped in a delicious crust?

Got a crush? Invite the “apple pie of your eye” for some pie and get to know each other better. But make it chocolate – most Americans believe it’s the most romantic pie. Before long, you may be calling each other “sweetie pie.”

Delight your family. Share the love and share your favorite memories together over a warm, fresh pie. Have older family members talk about the history behind the family favorites. Start a new tradition and publish pie memories and recipes, then send them to family members.

Spend time with your kids and make a pie together. Let them pick their favorite pie and show them how it’s done. They’ll be proud of their creation and have fond memories of you as the best parent ever for years to come!

Get caught up with friends and invite them over for some afternoon pumpkin pie. You can dish on all their latest news.

Throw a pie potluck get-together. Have everyone bring their favorite pie and exchange recipes. We’ve heard of events where more than 100 folks come with 100 pies. Have a contest to see who can come up with the most pie songs. The winning prize? A pie!

Hold a charity pie-throwing or pie-eating contest or a pie auction. You can donate the proceeds to your local community food bank.

Hold a pie-making contest. Invite the best pie makers in town to compete for prizes in various categories. Ask cooking teachers, pastry chefs and pie lovers to be judges. Be sure the kids are involved – you can include pie poetry and pie art contests for them.

Register for the 2008 American Pie Council (APC)/Crisco National Pie Championships

Eat pie. Whether you make it yourself, buy it at a supermarket or bakery or order it at a restaurant, perform a random act of pieness on yourself and enjoy some pie on National Pie Day – it’s great with lunch, dinner or as a late-night snack.

sniff...

I was shocked last night when my friends mentioned that Heath Ledger died yesterday. I kept waiting to have someone say - 'Kidding!' nope.

I knit many rows on the Candlelight last night over several pints of New Belgium's 2 below Winter Ale (to Heath's memory)...and enjoyed some great company (and got a mini shoulder rub too!!!)

I keep thinking of when I first saw him - 10 Things I Hate About You...yum. Then there was A Knight's Tale.

Sigh.

I am looking forward to The Dark Knight and seeing how he is as The Joker.

So what does a gal do....

SHE BAKES PIE !!!!!!



I made the following masterpiece and a friend came over to have some with me - hot out of the oven...YUMMY....

WE WON!!

No...not talkin' football here. Nope. Since my 'boy's lost last weekend, I sorta lost interest.

I am referring to regaining some of my childhood. I won on Ebay.

Yup.

Ebay.

I won this:

And this...


Which both go really well with the two copies of this that I got last week.



I also saw this today - who knew my special secret crush could sing so well... I think the border's gift card in my wallet has found it's purpose in life. I see new music in my future!

Where oh where have I been...?

Writing up annual reviews for my team....

But I have been knitting too!

First, here are some photos of the crapotis cap calamity ...

Here you can see how nice it looks with the dropped ladders

Here you can see how nicely I seamed it up - notice how the ladders meet at the seam! I am very proud how it turned out.

Now you can see why it was a calamity vs. a completion. It is now in hibernation.

'Nuff said.

Now that I have fessed up to the first fo that was f'd up, on to the next project. Yup. I got right back up on that horse! Sorta fitting since the rodeo is coming to town in two weeks.

Anyhoo - I decided to cast on Sunday night the Candleflame shawl by Dean.... It is a nice, easy knit - once you get past the set-up rows (1-20), it is a nice 10 row repeat which is VERY intuitive! For me to not need the pattern, it has to be easy. I am using Malabrigo Worsted in Color 117 Verde Adriana (kettle dyed solid) that I picked up in Austin at the Knitting Nest

Here is what I have done since Sunday....keep in mind - no knitting last night or tonight...so it is really what I have done Sunday - Tues...



You may be thinking what the heck is that little thing on the right - one of Tigger's friends decided that they wanted to help....especially since I am using my new KP Harmony needles that I got for Christmas!!!

Here is a closeup....aren't they both beautiful? (the knitting and the needles, that is?)

I will not be discouraged

That is one thing I will focus on this year....

I was giddy that I almost finished a new project in one week already this year - I cast on for the Crapotis Hat...and I think I jinxed it with the nickname... I quickly tore through the body of the cap - quite a quick knit when I put my mind to it.....especially after knitting the Crapotis itself.

Anyhoo - I got the body finished yesterday, dropped the stitches and stitched up the two ends together. I even got the ladders to match!! (all this while on the plane home yesterday from business trip to Maryland...no snow...only cool temps and rain...)

Then the moment of truth - I pulled it on my head...and it slunk over the forehead.

hmmm...not sure what the fate will be of this wip. All I know is that it has gone into hibernation for now and I am thinking about casting on my candleflame shawl.

Waiting for a friend to arrive - moving from Kansas City MO and is driving in as I type this....Last update was from outside Oklahoma City.

More later -

Knit on~

Where did the time go?

Wow. The last time I was here, I was not here.

Odd I know. But true....

The last time I was blogging, I was in Santa Fe, NM.

One of my favorite places to go and visit. I know the city really well (which helped when driving through some massive snow sessions while I was there this time), have an amazing spa to visit and am pretty good friends with the manager of the place I stay (you know it is bad when he is sitting at the front waiting for you to check in ...and greets you with a hug.)

Anyhoo - I got loads of rest - drank lots of coffee - knitted a lot of yarn and thoroughly LOVED the snow! Here are a few of my favorite shots....

This is from the Lensic Performing Arts Center - a very picturesque old theater just outside the main Plaza area in downtown SF... I have a pic of these guys in the summer on my wall - thought a snowy version would be good.



Next up - I was walking around downtown and saw this - if you look closely, you can see the snow flurries! God, I love snow.


Mom was SUCH a trooper, she joined me in tromping around the plaza after dinner at the Plaza Cafe one night - I got these two shots.... the lights were amazing! And I loved the couple walking arm in arm in the sepia one....

And last, but not least - while driving back to our diggs that night, the guy driving us back to the resort stopped in the middle of the road and told me to jump out to get this photo - he rocked!



More soon on the end of year festivities and my fiber-related resolution for 2008.