Spinning! (That's Meant To Be In The Tune Of Winning!)

I cannot believe it has been a year since I have spun yarn. Yes, a year. The same yarn I was spinning in Santa Fe last year is still on my spindle and is collecting dust. It's not that I'm not passionate about it anymore. Frankly, I'm not really certain what happened. Maybe there was just too much going on last year, my lovely little family did go through a lot. I love spinning. The sound of the wheel is comforting, the motion of spinning is calming, and the art of creating something is so very satisfying. Maybe I am just mourning not being in New Mexico! My poor little wheel has just been sitting, waiting for me to do something...anything. I have so much roving that still needs to be spun. I have so much wool that still needs to be carded (thank you so much Taos Sunflower!). I am excited about it. I am excited about spinning again, carding again, and even learning to dye wool...the proper way. I think sometimes it is easy to get in a slump. Not that you have lost passion...but just a plain ol' slump. However, I have come out of that slump and I plan to spin, card, dye, and learn as many new things about spinning and wool that I possibly can!

Cheers! 

Rah Rah TCU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Alma Mater just one the Rose Bowl! Wahooo!!!!!!!!

I grew up living less than a mile from TCU and going to the football games at Amon Carter Stadium. Then, one day I actually went to school there and got my first degree in Social Work. I am so proud of my Alma Mater! Just a friendly little shout out to the Frogs!

OK, back on track. Happy New Year everyone!  This morning to kick the new year off I made a breakfast pull-apart bread.  A co-worker brought this one day at work and it was so good! Then I found out how easy it was to make. Oh, and it was a good as I remembered.

First you cut up onions and bells.

Then while your onions an peps are cooking you take 3 cans of Grands biscuits.....

And chop into fourths...

This recipe calls for 2 pounds of bacon. Now, I do love some bacon but 2 pounds of bacon seems a bit ridiculous and a heart attack waiting to happen. So I fried up 2 ounces of bacon and also chopped up some turkey sausage. Not that the sausage actually had to be turkey, but, I do tend to eat healthy regardless of what what this post looks like and typically have turkey sausage on hand for breakfast on the weekends. But, anyhow, I guess what I am trying to say is, I fried up bacon and turkey sausage and mixed it together.

Then I took each biscuit and dipped it into melted butter. 

Yeah I know, Paula Deen should be on hand but she is at the Rose Bowl! 

I put one layer of biscuits, one layer of bacon and sausage, one later of onions and bells, and one layer of cheese, into a bunt pan. 

I repeated and ended with a layer of biscuits on top.

I popped it in the oven at 350 for about 30 minutes but that really was not long enough. I would crank this up to 375 for at least 45 minutes or so. Just keep an eye on it so it does not brown on top. I actually placed a piece of foil on top for the last 30 minutes. 

 It turned out perfectly!

We pulled it apart and then.............

Ate it up with a bit of New Year Mimosas! 

Then, after we ate, I chilled out all day and knitted up my Victoria yarn and watched the Rose Bowl. I also learned how to card wool but I will post about that tomorrow! Until then!

Cheers and Happy New Year! 

Thanksgiving Is Around The Corner And Christmas Is In The Air!

This weekend I started doing a little Christmas shopping.  I am getting better and better at getting the shopping done early every year. I really don't like to be running around like crazy the day before Christmas, it makes me miserable and I don't want to be miserable this holiday season.  Plus, I live about 1 mile from a mall and one of the busiest streets in the area. You can get stuck in so much traffic this time of year and I really would like to do my best to prevent all that.  I got stuck in the mall parking lot on Christmas Eve once for one hour! So, get the shopping done so I have have some crafting fun is my motto this year! I love to make stuff and crafting around the holiday season is so much fun! I am a bit short on time but, there are a few quick projects I want to do this year. 

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is this week!  Jeff and I will be going over to my Aunt's house for Thanksgiving and this year. Since I am not on-call for work (that was miserable), I am able to cook a few dishes to take. I am being a bit bold, I must stay, because I am making a pumpkin cheesecake.  This is a challenge that I have never attempted before. I have never made a cheesecake period!  I know, strange. But, I accumulated a spring form pan at one of my wedding showers and I busting it out and giving it a whirl! I am also going to take and some biscuits and am thinking I may add some dried Rosemary to them for an extra kick of flavor.  The recipe I am going to use is from Tammy over here. I will certainly post about this cooking endeavor! 

I went to a craft fair this weekend. A co-worker of mine was selling some of her goods. Her booth looked so cute! And if I do say so myself, it was one of the best ones! Good luck Rebecca! It has been a long time since I have been to a craft fair but it was fun.  I liked seeing what everyone had to sell. 

The crafting bug has bit me. I was in a bit of a funk last weekend but this weekend I am feeling it!  My Aunt emailed me a link to some really cute yarn wreaths. So, I did an online search on yarn wreaths and apparently it is the in thing.  There are tons of really cute yarn wreaths out there.  Of course I ran out to my local Jo-Ann's and got some supplies. 

I picked up a little Styrofoam wreath, yarn, and some red 100% wool felt. Stay away from crafter's felt.  It just is not of the same quality.   

I started by tying a knot in the yarn around the wreath.

Then pinned the yarn down to make sure it would hold.

Then I wrapped the yarn around and around and around and around and around and around, well you get the picture.  This took about 5 hours! Next time, I will select thicker yarn so it will go faster! But, I managed to get it all covered. 

Then I took some festive red yarn to make an accent design.  I pinned it down for a good hold and then wrapped a little design.

I made some cute little felt flowers and pinned them down on the wreath.  

Now, I am in the process of mass producing felt flowers to decorate the wreath with. This could take a while so stick around! I will post a picture of the finished project! 

 

Cheers and Happy Holidays! 

It Is Time....

........to start spinning all that roving. Which leads me to my number one New Year's resolution. Spin all that roving!

So, that is what I have been doing. I have decided that not only is it time to start spinning all my roving, it is time to start knitting with my own handspun yarn. Not quite sure why I have not really done this before. I guess I have been concentrating too much on spinning and not on the gratification of knitting my own yarn. It is kinda cool really. To have made something all on my own from just mere fibers. Now all I need is a little Corriedale sheep! :-)

This is the yarn that I got from the Taos Sunflower. It is Copper and Berry Corriedale that I spun into 2 ply. I am knitting it into a little something for someone that I cannot say!

Cheers!

Potato Soup For The Viral Pharyngitis Soul

So, I went to the MD today because my throat has been insanely inflamed. I get strep throat about once every other year so I tend to be hyper sensitive when I get a sore throat. But, the MD just told me that I have Viral Pharyngitis. No, treatment, just some Ibuprofen and Mucinex...and a little potato soup will fix it right up! Well, I added in the potato soup but what can't potato soup cure, right? This was the easiest recipe ever.

After my MD appointment I went home and got back in bed, watched the holiday, and worked on a bit of Christmas knitting. I wish I could do this everyday, without the sick part.

This little knitting project is for a certain someone that probably does not read this blog often so I bet it is safe to post a picture.

After I finished up the mitts, I started working on a "Man Scarf" for the DH. I think I may needle felt then ends with some of the roving I have from my huge roving stash! Ziggy joined me and my tissues in bed with me today. He loves to take naps...so do I and that is exactly what I did after I worked on this for a bit.

So, previously I mentioned roving stash. I bought some more. My name is Elizabeth and I am addicted to roving. Is roving hoarding a proper medical diagnosis? Well, anyway, a few years ago, when I was in New Mexico, I stopped in the most fantastic yarn store in Arroyo Seco called the Taos Sunflower. I purchased the best Corriedale wool there and have been looking for more like it. I happened upon her Etsy store and sure enough, there it was.....and on sale! So, I snatched up as much as I could and now it is on it's way to may house! I can't wait! Merry Christmas to me! So, that roving stash just got even bigger. I need to start spinning to make room for more roving!

I think I am going to get back in bed and cozy up with Ziggy and watch another movie.

Cheers!

Happy 4th!

So.....I had a nice quite night alone on the 4th. I can hear fireworks right now actually. At least my neighbor is not firing them off across the street like last year, but it is not 1 o'clock in the morning yet. I remember that last year the 4th was on a Thursday and I had to work the next day. Right around 1 o'clock I shot straight up out of bed because it sounded like I was under attack. I swear scud missiles were flying at my house. Then I realized it was my drunken neighbor and his friends. It had not rained in days and I thought for sure the house was going to catch on fire since we were in the middle of a drought.

Needless to say, I was not a happy camper and it kept me up until 3am, mostly because I was paranoid that he would catch the whole neighborhood on fire and...not to mention the screeching of the firecrackers. This is also the neighbor who's recycling bin fell over and all 3 trash bags of beer cans and bottles rolled into my yard and sat there for a few days and he never did anything with them. So, one morning, on my way to work, I picked them all up and put them in my recycling bin while beer leaked all over me. Hmmm....can you sense my animosity? Well, at least he is helping save mother earth by recycling, gotta give him props for that. Ha!!

Well, anyhoo, I stayed home and had a nice quite evening for the 4th. I updated my blog, had my favorite drink (rum, lime juice and Perrier), ate a skinny cow ice cream sandwich, watched Super Bad, and spun some more yarn. Meet Kate, Lazy Kate. She holds my yarn for me:

The yarn is called marigold. I am getting a bit better at this spinning thing, but I certainly am not perfect yet. I can't wait to knit with it! July is usually when I start making Christmas gifts, just because it takes from July until December to get everything ready. I have not quite figured out what I am going to do this year but I betcha it will have something to do with handspun yarn!

Cheers and Happy 4th!!

Little Bo Peep....

...she lost her sheep but I found them!!!!

Here is the skein of my handspun 100% wool yarn hanging to dry.

Here is the skein all dry and ready to be knit into something sweet!

This folks, is going to be very very addicting. It is sooo much fun. I am off on Friday, Happy 4th to all. So, I may take advantage of this day off and take my wheel outside and spin a bit on my newly redecorated patio! My parents came over on Sunday to make over my patio so we can continue our party on the patio...even though we are no longer in Santa Fe.

My dad hung bamboo blinds, which add a ton more shade in this Texas heat (I am melting as we speak).

He also hung a few potted plants, Moss Rose and Petunias. The birds will love this, but....I need to get bird food stat!! (you can see my kitchen curtains from outside!)

My mom got these bright and colorful pillows that add a nice comfy touch.

I could not be happier. A shout out to my Exterior Decorator, Thanks Mama!

Cheers!

Spin Me Right Round...........

Well....I said a few weeks ago that "I think I may see a spinning wheel in my future!" Well, my future recently arrived in the mail. I heard the doorbell ring, which does not happen very often. I thought to myself "who could that be?". I had completely forgotten that the wheel would be arriving soon, even sooner than I had expected. So, I opened the front door and the most magnificent thing was sitting right there! Jeff immediately put it together for me...but, it took him about 2 hours. There are so many parts to a spinning wheel! It is so easy to operate though. I have been hesitant to purchase one because I have always thought there was so much more to it but to my surprise, it is a cinch! Well, I may not be the best at it yet but, I think I know what I am doing and am certainly getting the hang of it. Can you see the cute little birdie on the right treadle?







I have spun some the turquoise roving that I purchase at the Taos Sunflower. I can't wait to spin some more and not to mention knit with it! That will be so gratifying! There is a great magazine called Spin Off by Interweave Press that you must check out. If you are a knitting lover, you will really love this magazine. I feel like a shameless promoter or something. I swear I do not work for Interweave Knits. :-) There is also a fantastic book that has really helped me learn about my wheel and about the art of spinning. It is certainly a must read for any knitting artist. It is called, Teach Yourself Visually: Handspinning. I am very much a visual learner and need pictures to figure things out. This book did the trick!

In the spirit of knitting, here are a few cool knitting websites you should check out:

*Check out Ashley over at: http://www.neauveau.com/

*Taos Sunflower has a blog too: http://blog.taossunflower.com/

*Vicki Howell always knows how to keep it real when it comes to knitting: http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/

*If you are into knitting, sign up for the Lion Brand newsletter: http://www.lionbrand.com/

*Vogue knitting brings the Chic back to knitting: http://www.vogueknitting.com/

*Check out blissful knitting over at Debbie Bliss' web page: http://www.debbieblissonline.com/

*Need a little therapy, Knit Therapy? You can get some right over here: http://needknittherapy.blogspot.com/

Ah, my love of fiber arts is never ending.


Right now I am reminiscing about our little wonderful parties on the patio in Santa Fe and want some of Daddy's fantastic guacamole!

I leave you with a little guacamole appetizer recipe:

2 avocados peeled and seeded

chopped tomatoes, to taste

chopped garlic, to taste

kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

chopped onion, to taste

jalapeno pepper, to taste

chopped cilantro, to taste

*Mix it all up and dive in! Tostitos Whole Grain Tortilla Chips are mighty tasty!

Cheers!

Oh, P.S. you gotta check out my sister's blog!

Taos Trip

Today we ventured out to Taos. We went to the Taos Pueblo. It is amazing to see buildings that are one thousand years old. The youngest building in the Pueblo was constructed in the 1800's! We had a tour of the Pueblo and after the tour we met the cutest lady who was selling blue corn bread. She said that she grew up in the Pueblo. She still owns the Pueblo she grew up in and also owns a house about 7 blocks away from the Pueblo. She said that she and her brothers and sisters would dance for the tourists when they were children. I think we ate about 6 pieces of her blue corn bread, it was delicious! In the Pueblo, people sell their hand made artifacts. I went to the Pueblo the last time I visited Taos, which was about 15 or so years ago. My dad took me and I remember being fascinated with it. I purchased a beautiful piece of pottery then. There are so many gifted people that live in the Pueblo and they make such beautiful things.

After the Pueblo we drove to Arroyo Seco and ate at the cutest little place called The Maverick County Cafe. I had a bit of hummus and shared a curried chicken salad sandwich with my mom. We also had the best herbal raspberry tea.

After we ate lunch we went to the Taos Sunflower. This has to be the best yarn shop I have ever been in. There is so much to choose from and the prices are so reasonable. What makes it a great shop is that they sell locally hand spun yarn and locally hand dyed roving. It really is wonderful!

I walked away with about 3 different colors of woving and hand spun yarn. I think I am going to make a purse and felt it and then needle felt some sort of design on it. I just love wool. Someday I just may end up with my very own sheep. Maybe I will name her Sunflower? Who knows. I could just name her Mable, the name my dad has given his GPS system, which has gotten us lost a few times. Well, I guess nothing is perfect, but for the most part she has been reliable!

After Arroyo Seco, we went to the Taos Plaza and did a bit more shopping. Taos is a lovely place. The mountains are magnificent. It has a bit of a different feel than Santa Fe but I have to say, I prefer Santa Fe a bit more. Of course, I would not mind staying at either place! The area is just so beautiful.

We went to the Taos Country Club where my dad purchased a golf t-shirt and where we also had a few drinks. We chatted up our bartender who was just the nicest person ever. She was a graphic designer who lived in Boston for a while and lead the corporate lifestyle for a while. Then she moved to the Taos area and left all of that behind. Now she has her own studio in Taos where she paints and also is a metal artist. How fabulous to be able to work on your art for a living.

The Taos Country Club does not have a shabby view either. Can you see all the adobe houses in the picture? I love it!

That mountain view is just unreal! I so want to live in the mountains. Texas is just too hot and flat. Tomorrow is our last day. I am getting sad. I have really enjoyed the visit. We have had such a good time and have met such nice people. Hopefully it will not be another 15 years before I return!

My Quest for Peeps and Other Happy Things

This year is the first year that my family is coming over to my house for Easter. I originally had thought it was going to be a small gathering of my immediate family, you know the usual people for holiday gatherings. Well, my mom told me yesterday evening that my Grandmother is so excited about coming over to my house for Easter that she is calling in the troops. Yep, people that I have not seen in like 10 years! So, needless to say I am freaking out a bit. Anyhoo, I don't have ANY Easter decorations and what is an Easter party with no decorations? So, the other day I was surfing the wonderful world of craftster (the most fantastic website ever, check it out under my links) for ideas and came across this link:

http://web.mac.com/thriftshopromantic/iWeb/The_Thrift_Shop_Romantic/Peep_Project.html

I thought this was the perfect way to decorate my house. What a wonderful idea! A peeps garland...fantastic, why didn't I think of that? So, now comes the quest for my peeps (something about saying that makes me laugh every time!). Well, apparently in my town, the cute multi-colored peeps are hard to come by. All I am able to find is yellow. Not that I have anything against the yellow peeps, they are cute too and will most certainly serve their purpose for this project. So...for the mean time, I settled for the original little yellow peeps until I come across the others.


Showing some love for the little yellow peeps:
Believe it or not, I have actually never eaten a peep. My Aunt's cat Ashley once licked all the sugar off a whole package of peeps. I figure if a cat has had a peep I should try one. I noticed on the package it said "a fat free food". I had to laugh because the little guys are covered in sugar and doesn't sugar turn to fat? Oh well....I found they taste just like a sugar covered marshmallow ;-)


So...of course while I was on my quest for peeps I got distracted and found myself wondering the isles of Jo Ann's. Not really sure what I went in there for but I came across the most happy looking and colorful yarn! I am going to knit some dish rags for my kitchen. Something about hand knitted dish rags makes me want to do the dishes more! Hey, anything that works right?




Since it is a really stormy night out tonight (we are under a tornado watch but hey, what's new), I am going to relax...watch Grey's Anatomy...and knit up a few little dishrags! Cheers!