A Little of Everything

I tried something new today! I made Honey-Wheat Bread, from the Panera Bread Cookbook and while it could be prettier, it's pretty yummy!!
I've started knitted up the sock yarn & pattern that my cocoa swap pal, Lyndsay, sent me, it's coming along (a whole inch or so!) but I don't have any photos of it yet!
I DO have photos of the sweater and hat set she made for my daughter, though:I know she doesn't look happy, but she LOVES it! Thanks again, Lyndsay!!! (PS Sorry if I've spelled your name wrong!)



Here, she's looking a bit happier snuggling Miss Bean. How she got it away from me, I'll never know!! It's almost as snuggly as she is!

Spoiled!!!

When I got home from a lunch with Jen & a trip to Costco (yay, Costco!), I found these on my doorstep:


I opened straight away and found all kinds of wrapped goodies inside! In my favorite color, pink, no less!

After I tore through all of the yummy wrapping, I found this:

Here's a closer look at my blues buster buddy:

And a closer look at the DELICIOUS sock yarn:


Lyndsey-Jane was/is the best swap friend I've ever had (well I've only had two, so...) She lives in Cambridge, England and filled my parcels with all kinds of yummy treats that I miss, like Munchies (my favorite English candy) and Cadbury's cocoa. She ALSO sent me some really yummy looking liquid chocolate from Hotel Chocolat which I can NOT wait to try! And pretty pink stitch markers and a book called Knit Speak and a bag that she made herself, which I LOVE! DPNS from Knit Picks, a GORGEOUS sweater and hat set for my daughter, chocolate for me and my husband.. I mean, WOW!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I will take some photos of her wearing it and post them just as soon as she wakes up from her mid morning nap.
Oh, and the yarn is so soft and lovely, I'm going to start trying to make socks today! It's Fyberspates Sock Yarn designed in Wales.
Check out Lyndsey's blog here and say hi!

Stuff!

So Lily & I met up with Sara & Evan today and (of course) I forgot to take photos!
Sara is very courageous and is making her own calorimetry!!! I have 2 more to make (one for a friend, one for me) so we can sort of knit a long with it, which will be fun. That is, IF I will ever finish my husband's incredibly boring garter stitched scarf that he wants to be 7 feet long.

I also want to let all my readers know about a contest on insanknitty's blog! Check it out: http://insanknitty.wordpress.com

It's her blogaversary in 10 days, so help her celebrate! Go have some random guesses.

I'll post some pics of the scarf soon.

Blog Talkin'

Here's the weekly topic for the Cocoa Swap...Weekly Topic #3
This weeks topic:

What is the most 'random' memory you have from your childhood?

I don't have a lot of memories from childhood; I have no idea why, from all the stories I've heard, it seems like it was a good one. I have more sensual memories than anything else - the smell of our clean laundry (laundry detergent and cigarettes because my mom smoked), the smell of my Nonna's house (a little musty but also sweet, like the honey she would drizzle on our zeppoles,), the feeling of heat on my cheek when I got too close to the fireplace, the taste of my mother's hand as she turned the pallet separator I had to wear, before I could get braces, the sight of staring out my window on Easter morning before my brother and sister could rush in there, to see if I could get a sneak peak at where the bunny had hidden his eggs...

Hot Cocoa Swap Topic of the Week #2

So, as you know by now; I am participating in a knitting swap; they have topics that we can blog about and be entered in a contest - I'm all about contests! I always lose, but I LOVE to participate :)
Here's the topic:
Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?

Here's my response:

All right, this isn't all that thrilling... I, so far, have only been *able* to knit certain things, so I've been knitting hats since the middle of the summer. :( I'm also just starting to learn about the world of yarns, so I always just knit what feels good! Yesterday I started knitting a Calorimetry in a lovely DK Alpaca from Plymouth, finished a hat, and a baby blanket out of some terry cloth like yarn. It's really soft!
So, yeah, that was really exciting wasn't it?

Since that was boring; here's a photo.
Doesn't that look yummy?
If you want some, send me a message and I'll put you in touch with the fabulous pastry chef who makes them!

Scavenger Hunt!

Scavenger Hunt for Hot Cocoa Swap.


1. Who's favorite animal is an Otter?
Anne K.
2. Name someone who prefers whipped cream with their hot cocoa
Angela T
3. Find 3 people who live outside of the United States
Angie H., Bianca B., Amanda R.
4. Name a fan of Harry Potter
Angela A-H
5. Name someone who crochets
Angela A-H
6. Name someone who DOES NOT have a healthy supply of notions
Katherine S.
7. Name someone who has NOT put up their questionnaire yet (just put a date with your answer in case they put it up after seeing their name listed somewhere ;-) )
AnneMarie M.
8. Who likes to have Kahlua, Baileys, or Peppermint Schnapps in their cocoa?
Deb W.
9. Name someone who knits fingerless gloves as a 'quick knit'
Cindy F.
10.Name someone who's looking forward to gardening this spring.
Amanda D.
11.Who's favorite way to drink cocoa is with a gorgeous Frenchman, while overlooking the eiffel tower from a French Cafe? (I'm right there with you... well at the table next to yours!)
Kris L.
12.Name someone who's favorite animal is NOT a dog or house cat
Anne K.
13. Name someone who's favorite treat is NOT chocolate.
Angela A-H
14. Who plays Candyland?
Criquette
15. Name someone who DOESN'T get the winter blahs
Katherine S.

Cocoa Swap!!!

Here's the questionnaire for the cocoa swap - how exciting!!!

Cocoa:
1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug?
I like my cocoa made with milk, store bought or home made in a big mug. My favorite is my big, purple, tinkerbell mug.

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?
Why not both? IF I had to choose, def. marshmallows!!

Yarn/Knitting/Crochet
1. What is your favorite type of yarn? In what colors?
I haven't found a favorite type yet, though I do like alpaca. I have no color prejudice except yellow and maybe orange, but some oranges are ok. No yellows are ok. I have no idea why I don't like that color, I just don't!

2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)?
Knit.

3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new?
I just got a pair of Lantern Moon hardwood needles (a christmas gift to myself) and I can't wait to try them out. I don't really have any favorites yet and always love to try new things!

4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions?
I have hardly any notions!

5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)?
More sizes of DNS and a bag to take my project to my weekly knitting group.

6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification)
Just a simple hat. I adore hats.

Miscellaneous
1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter?
Play in the snow, when there is any. Snuggle up in a blanket and watch movies (and drink cocoa...maybe a glass of wine)

2. What is your favorite animal?
Favorite domestic animal is a dog, favorite farm animal is a goat (no idea why) and favorite wild animal is a cheetah.

3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'?
Not really, but sometimes I get plain old any time of the year blahs.

4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs?
Take a bath, put loud music on and dance, eat chocolate.

5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring?
Taking my 2 month old to see the iris' in Montclair, NJ.

6. What are your favorite treat?
Chocolate via cookies or brownies. Or dark chocolate pretzels on the salty side.

7. What is your favorite board game?
Scrabble.

8. Do you have any children (furry or human)?
1 furry - 3 year old Stella, a Westie/Yorkie mix and 1 human - 2 month old Lily.

9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about?
I don't like nuts with my sweets. In fact, I'm not much of a nut fan at all, but, oddly, I do enjoy peanut butter with chocolate.