I've been hired!!

Someone hired me to make their daughter's first birthday cake! I am soooo excited. And honored to be able to make someone's cake! She wants a ladybug theme and I had a million ideas, but I did narrow it down to a final design. It will be another fondant cake at the client's request and my delight! No other details for you though, you will have to wait for pictures the night before the big day, March 6th. I'm planning on making a couple smaller test cakes this week just because I am so new at this and I really don't want to ruin someone else's daughter's cake. I think the design I'm chosen should be fairly simple and not totally new to me. I really just want to try out a few new frosting and filling recipes I found.
Well time to put the gremlin down for her nap. Had to share my news.

In a daze

Well just when I was so excited to start some socks I could wear, wouldn't you know the toddler gets very sick. I still have not finished off my Asherton hat, my new needles from big sis are sitting on the desk behind me, and I know any second now Sydni will find me and in her pathetically sweet sick voice she will say "issue" (tissue) for the millionth time today.
I think I have decided to try the Cowboy Slipper Socks from Interweave Knit's Winter catalog. I was soooo happy they sent me that one as well. I absolutely LOVE it! There are so many patterns I don't know which to buy yarn for first.
Oh that's my cue. I hear a tantrum. Let's just hope she hasn't found my stash again!!

Still Running

I went running again Sunday evening. I know, it's only my second run, why am I posting about it? This is how I'm going to keep myself accountable. You will be my "running buddy" since I have been completely unable to talk any of my friends into running with me. Anyway, I was soooo sore from running Saturday night, that I took things much slower to keep from injuring myself any more than I already have. If you really are a couch potato like I became over the winter, DO NOT RUN TO THE BEAT!!! or walk to the beat really. Maybe in a couple weeks I will be able to. I'm going to see how my run goes tonight, and if I'm still really sore, I will most likely repeat week one. I'm going to be running every other day and doing pilates on the alternate days. I have to work out daily or I will just stop altogether. Also I eat like a pig! :)

On a knitting note, I have been meaning to post pictures of my Twirl Hat for ages! Here it is:


It was knit for Julia, not Sydni, but I somehow never took a picture of Julia in it. Since she has lost it for the second time, I probably will never get the chance. Oh well, it was like a $2 hat. Don't you love knitpicks yarn?? I would not use the Totem yarn for this project again though. Well I guess what I would really need is a size smaller needle (this is not a plea to buy me more!! I really don't need them right now) I used a heavier yarn for my Asherton hat and like how that turned out much better. I still have some finishing to do on that one before I can take photos.

My Big Sister Is Better Than Yours

Neener neener neener! I'm really just kidding, I'm sure your big sister is a fine person. I just really love mine and I will tell you why.
1. Did you read her comment in my last post? How sweet is that?? By the time I'd called to talk her out of it, she'd already placed the order.
2. She taught me how to knit and is my first resource when I run in to trouble.
3. She lets me call her any time I want day or night. I haven't actually called her in the middle of the night, but it's nice to know I could! :)
4. She helps keep me motivated to reach my goals. For example, she sent me a link to a Couch to 5k podcast. I tried it out Friday night and absolutely LOVE it. I'm totally going to run again.
5. She helped me figure out how to budget. For the first time in my life, I actually feel like I'm in control of my money, not the other way around.
6. She spent Christmas with me.
7. She loves my kids as much as I do and enjoys hearing me talk about them.
8. She understands motherhood better than most people I know.
9. She's my soft place to land. She's always taken care of me.
10. She taught me how to curl my hair and put on my make up.
11. She helped me gain a testimony of prayer.
12. She taught me about boys and how to deal with their stupidity. ;)
13. She shares her recipes.
14. She gave me Fearless Fiber sock yarn.
15. She shares my love of chocolate and baked goods.
16. She wrote that beautiful post on my birthday that really made a difficult day much brighter!
17. She reads my blog! :) I'm pretty sure she's my only reader!

I wish I were as eloquent as she is, but this is the best my feeble mind can manage. I know if I'd just had more sleep I could think of a million more reasons. It's been one of those nights. I am NEVER up this early (5 a.m.). Sydni is getting her molars and I feel like we have a newborn again. Three more to go and then we are done!! Hallelujah! Well I love you Kristie! I can't imagine my life without you. Growing up would be a million times more difficult. Thank you for always being there.

Socks

Well I did it! I knit my first pair of socks and here they are in all their glory? ? ? Bear in mind, they are my first pair. The first sock is on the left and I was actually very pleased by how it turned out. It wasn't as difficult as I had feared either. I did not have trouble with the gusset or the heel turn. I did have trouble with my sizing, the heel, and the bind off.
I ended up making a sock that fits my husband. I really need size 0 or maybe 1's to make socks for myself, I think... We'll see when I get new needles!
On the heel I kept my yarn forward when I slipped my stitches purlwise which I think was wrong to do. (don't laugh, I'm new at all this! ;) I kept the yarn back on the second sock and like how that looks better. Here are the pictures of both heels as well.
I did run into trouble again when it came time to bind off. I still need things spelled out for me, so to just tell me to "bind off" didn't cut it. The first time I bound off, it was so tight Ja couldn't get it on his foot. So I searched the internet and tried a few more instructions I found and finally decided that I just needed to use a larger size needle and the Russian bind off. One small problem though, I started doing the finances and buying new needles, yarn, etc just does not fit in the budget right now. Everything came to a stand still, but I really wanted to finish my second sock. What's a girl to do? I bound off sloppily(seen on the right) and figured I'd fix it later. So here are pictures of my first bind off on sock one and the improved correct bind off on sock 2 (pictured on the left). I discovered I really don't need a larger needle, I can be loose!
I keep debating on whether or not to felt these socks. I think I could get them to fit my daughter and then all my little flaws will be gone. Ja can wear them around the house until I decide.
In the meantime, I started smariek's Asherton Hat. I am knitting it in Lion Brand Wool-ease in the Heather colorway. Yup the same yarn I made the Braided Hat out of. I have tons of it left.

Good News

Yesterday was a good day that I would have really really enjoyed if I were feeling better. I had my appointment with the dentist and found out all is not as dire as he initially thought, I most likely will not need surgery although he was reluctant to guarantee I wouldn't, but I will happily delude myself into thinking it's a sure thing! The absolute best part of the visit was hearing him say as long as I wear the appliance as instructed, he has a 100% success rate. And if I for some reason do not get results he will not charge me. Wow! That never happens and I feel much better about getting treated now.
I also had Bunco last night, and would you believe I won again?? Not the whole thing, but I did get high score so I got to pick second. I chose these lovely candlesticks that I will not be returning! :)
Aren't they lovely? And the candles smell like Mulberry, yum yum!! I came home and just crashed. My head cold has taken over and today I am useless.
The other great thing about yesterday was I finally relocated a blog I've been searching for, it's Maia's blog and she makes beautiful socks. I'm so excited for her to post her lace sock pattern. I'm definitely going to give them a try.
Well Sydni found me and wants her "Einstein computer" so I guess that's all for me.

Too much pain!

I am so confused about what to do that I thought maybe if I write about it, I'll be able to sort everything out.
I've had TMJ disorder pain for a while now. Two years ago I went to an orthodontist who claimed to treat TMJ problems. I felt reassured that they knew what they were doing and was very pleased that I wouldn't need surgery, which I'd been told by other doctors I would. Fast forward two years, braces are now off and my TMJ pain is now ten times worse than it was before. The orthodontist who treated me did try different things that were supposed to help, but nothing did. He finally kept telling me to go to a chiropractor and that the problem was in my neck, not my jaw. I did try the chiropractor, but going to the chiropractor every week for the rest of my life just isn't a solution. The pain starts in my jaw and facial muscles, not my neck. I really don't have much neck pain unless I've been knitting or looking down for long periods of time. So I see a dentist who is trained in Bioesthetic Dentistry. I have been through the initial work up and tomorrow will discover what he thinks needs to happen.
This morning I get a call from a neighbor who heard what has been going on ans she tells me she has been to the dentist I am currently seeing and had a horrible experience. So now I'm left wondering if I am doing the right thing or not. She recommended getting a NTI appliance or at the very least getting a second opinion. The NTI looked pretty lame to me, but what do I know? I had a similar device about 4 years ago and it was completely useless. I'm just so tired of my face feeling like it is on fire and having pretty severe headaches that may be migraines every single day. It's hard to talk myself into moving at all. I really would rather stay in bed all day and that is so not like me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good night's sleep, but I hate just laying around all day. I have to do something or I go nuts. Lately I could care less. It hurts to do everything. Even laying in bed all day isn't really an option. I cannot stand to lay on my side because of the pressure on my jaw, so I end up on my back which eventually kills my back. I was doing well before my braces came off, I'd been exercising, eating somewhat decent, I did more around the house and now I do nothing. I like to eat when I am in pain. Especially when I have a headache, I keep thinking that food will make it better, maybe a little shot of sugar will be just what I need. Nope, it doesn't. I just watch the numbers on the scale get higher and higher and my clothes get tighter and tighter.
Well I am just as confused as I was when I started this post. Now you know why I have no finished projects to show or anything else for that matter. I am making painfully slow progress on my second sock though. Maybe next week it will be finished.

Bunco madness!

I hosted Bunco at my house last night. It was my first time hosting and I was so nervous. I don't entertain on a regular basis, other than my 8-yr-old daughter's friends which doesn't really count. They are happy with a pizza from Little Caesars and a 2-liter of root beer. I got all stressed out after talking to my sister-in-law(SIL) who has been doing Bunco for years. She told me I absolutely should not buy food from Costco- that makes for a terrible night.
So I fretted and worried about what on earth I would make and what gifts would be "good enough." I took a friend from our group shopping with me, and we got some really great prizes from a cute local store called "Rod Works." I felt much better. Then we did go to Costco to buy food, I found out my group isn't as snobby as my SIL. I ended up getting a big ol' chocolate cake and some lettuce, they just didn't have anything that looked all that yummy, I was shocked. I ended up making Lemon Rosemary Chicken, Garlic Smashed Potatoes, homemade rolls, spinach dip, Little smokies and caramel pecans, and a caesar salad. I also made some Lemon Water to drink and we had various sodas as well. I REALLY did not intend on actually cooking so much of the food, I honestly don't know what happened. I spent almost the entire day yesterday in the kitchen, but it was really worth it in the end.
Once people started coming I just relaxed and really just enjoyed myself. The food turned out great, everyone kept going back for more which never really happens. I was really expecting to have tons of leftovers, I didn't expect others to have abandoned their New Year's Resolutions as quickly as I did too!
It was the loudest night of Bunco I think we have ever had, definitely the loudest I have ever been to. I was laughing so hard! And the very best part, I WON!! I never win. Ever. I'm lucky to get one Bunco all night long, and usually am 20 pts off getting the low score prize. I rolled 6 Buncos. Two of them back to back in the very last two games. Here's my prize:

It's cute, but I am going to return it to get a couple items at the store that I liked better. Shhh, don't tell! That's the really nice thing about hosting, you have the receipts and you know which gift cost the most money!! :)

December Recap II

Ahhh, the rest of the month. I couldn't possibly leave out Christmas!

Here we are assmebling the tree. Julia had been begging all month long to set it up, and finally on December 14th we did. It seems we always get sick the first few weeks in December, so we promised ourselves next year the tree is going up the day after Thanksgiving. After throwing things together so late in the game this year, I think we really will... I hope...



Here it is folks, the Bob Vila gingerbread house. We had a blast decorating it. We have a tradition of doing this on Julia's birthday. I assembled the house before we went to Winger's so it could really set up and then over the next day or so we put all the candy on it. I love the little "rocks" I found for the chimney, front walk, and front of the house. I'm told they tasted delicious as well.



Bob and Kristie came Dec 23rd and Kristie and I immediately went out to go last minute shopping. I hadn't bought myself a single gift yet. Oh, my husband and I have a somewhat unorthodox gift-giving tradition. To avoid being disappointed by what you got and feeling guilty about returning it and/or feeling like a shmuck for getting the wrong gift, and to retain that "oh wow!" surprise feeling, we purchase our own gifts. That way we always get exactly what we want and we get to be surprised by what the other person bought for themself. It works great for us. Anyway, we ran to Kohls. After a mad dash through the store and a joyous time in the dressing room (imagine this last part laced with sarcasm) the hubbies call to tell us to come make their dinner. So we dashed to the check out line only to get the slowest checker on the face of the earth made even worse by a lady demanding price checks, but we make it through run out the door and then, "hey, where did we park? Wasn't the car right here? We got a good spot didn't we? I swear we parked right here? Where is my van???" We walk up and down every aisle looking for my green Mazda and all I can say is, "Why when we are surrounded by Honda Odyssey's and Chryslers would a stupid car thief choose my MPV???" We're getting pretty paranoid by this point, imagining what our husbands will say (hers is a SHERRIFF!!) when suddenly a light goes on, "was there more than one entrance?" We head back inside and remember we came in by the shoes, so we go over that way through the doors and guess what? There's my van right out front like it should have been. We were laughing so hard with relief and were so mortified by our experience, that we vowed not to tell our hubbies the real reason we were soooooooo late.

I have been waiting for big sis to put this on her blog, but she hasn't so here it is, her Ric Rack Purse. I think it is absolutely adoreable and I really want one for myself. Hopefully I will be able to knit it myself before too long. Julia absolutely loves it, it is perfect!!








Christmas Eve -- another tradition we have is opening jammies on
Christmas Eve. So here are Daddy and his girls in their coordinating jammies. Sydni looks thrilled, doesn't she? Daddy didn't buy himself any jammies, shame on him!! I had pink ones to match the girls but we didn't get any photos of us... We also wathed a video of the Christmas story called "Joy to the World" and sang songs and took a moment to remember the Savior and the true reason we all gather together this time of year. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle. After the kids went to bed it was a mad dash to get presents wrapped and orange rolls baked. Big sis and I were up until 4 am!


It was all worth it Christmas morning though. The kids had a great time, Sydni was more interested in passing out all the red presents than actually opening any, but she did like the toys inside. We had a great time!! We had Christmas dinner at my in-laws. Ja's little sister that is my age came with her hubby and 2 girls and it was wonderful to see them! Gotta love the holidays.

December Recap


First up, Julia's Christmas Dance Recital on the 19th of December. They danced to the Dance of the Chinese Something Or Other song from the "Nutcracker" and they were so cute. Julia is the second girl on the right. The girl standing on her right looking at the camera is Bailey, our neighbor and friend. Her mom usually takes the girls to ballet. It is so much fun to listen to their conversations. Bailey has RA and consequently undergoes a lot of medical testing every month. When Julia had to get her flu shot, Bailey gave her advice about how to handle the "dreaded needle!!" Their latest conversation was about the age of their mothers. Julia was telling Bailey about my upcoming birthday and how I would be "30 (pause) years (pause) old!!!" Then Bailey said her Mom just turned 37 (??) and at her next birthday "I think she's going to turn 90 or something." I love kids!


Next up, the snow storm. We had about a foot of snow fall just in time for Christmas. We love the snow! No one more than Sydni. She and Julia played in the snow even after the sun went down. I literally had to drag them back in the house. Sydni was shrieking and kicking and actually I'm surprised none of the neighbors called the police or rushed out to see what happened. I guess they are used to her screaming since she does it every time I bring her inside.

We were so happy the snow lasted through Christmas so Uncle Bob and Aunt Krisite could have a white Christmas. Right after they left for Idaho, we had a few warm days and it melted. Now it's only a memory, but we're hoping to get a t least one more good storm in before the spring.

Happy Birthday! Julia turned 8 on the 20th of December. She looked all grown up in her outfit that really looked like something I would wear. The 20th was also the last day of school before winter break, so she got to sing in her Christmas program and have a party at school. We took her to one of her favorite resteraunts for dinner, Wingers. Her sister was a little terror and kept wanting to strip and they took the Jell-o off the kids menu, but they still had popcorn and Asphalt Pie so all was right with the world. She had her friend party in the summer (see my first post), so she was stuck with her family that night. Luckily she still likes us! I'll end this post with pictures of her opening some of her presents. Sydni is calling...







From Grandma and Grandpa Her new scriptures from Mom and Dad









From Aunt Angie & Family

To gusset or not to gusset...

When big sis came for Christmas, she started to teach me to knit socks. Unfortunately, we did not make it to the heel gusset. So here are some photos of what I have knit so far, but is it far enough???

I'm really excited about my first pair! I'm hoping it is the first of many, especially since big sis also gave me another hank of beautiful Fearless Fibers sock yarn. I figured I'd be ripping this first pair back so much that green would be a much more appropriate color.

This is all for now, Syds is demanding to have Einsteins on the "uhputer" right this second!

Quick post

I am completely overwhelmed by the holidays and have zero time to blog, but I just had to write about the gingerbread house templates I found on Bob Vila's website! I was surprised he would have anything like that on his site, but there are some great templates and detailed funny instructions! Check it out. We will be making a few of the designs for Julia's 8th birthday on Wednesday. I will post pictures most likely after the New Year. Who knows maybe things will quiet down and I can do it before then... I also finished my Swirl Hat just in time for Julia to wear it to school this week. More on that later too!

I took my daughter, Julia, to the Hale Center Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol." I was sure what to expect because I'd never been to this theater before. When I walked in and saw that it was theater in the round and a pretty small round at that, I thought "well at least I didn't spend that much for tickets." Once the production began though, I was pleasantly surprised. We had the best time! The actors and actresses did a remarkable job, the blocking was impeccable, the singing was excellent-- I walked out of the theater with the biggest smile on my face and full of Christmas spirit. Most of the cast was even outside in the bitter cold singing Christmas carols and thanking you for coming as you left. I really was just so impressed and highly recommend the Hale Theater to anyone in the area. Julia had a wonderful time, and the best part was watching her face light up as she was transported into the story. Going to this play brought back fond memories of when I was a theater major in college, and oh how I wish I could have been a part of it all! I do miss it, but motherhood is definitely worth the sacrifice. Hearing her laugh and tell me all her favorite parts took any longing for another life completely away.

Trying to catch up

I banned myself from blogging, knitting, papercrafting, and baking until I got caught up on all the little household projects I've been letting slip by for far too long. I did manage to reorganize the office and most of my bedroom, I reorganized Jul's room and Daddy did the toy room, I finished the evil evil blanket, but still have so many projects to go. So why am I posting? Because I just couldn't resist sharing some photos!

Halloween Houses:

Back in October I volunteered in my daughter's classroom to do "Friday Fun Clubs." We chose to do Haunted Houses. The kids had an absolute blast and made the biggest mess ever! We used chocolate graham crackers for the house, royal icing in neon purple, black and white for the glue, candy corn, m&ms, spider rings, gummy worms and kids, teddy "mummy" grahams, and crushed butterfingers for the fall leaves. Some kids used the butterfingers to bury their teddy grahams- my daughter included! Yeah, she's my kid!

Bubble Love!

Now Sydni loves her bubbles. The girls would spend all night in the tub if I would let them. Now I just need to find bubbles that won't upset my oldest daughter's delicate skin.

Finished Unblocked Projects

I have finally accepted that I will most likely never block these or any other project I make, so here are the pictures.

Mason-Dixon Ball Band Dishcloth

Materials: worsted weight cotton yarn in white and variegated yarn

Needles: size 8

Notes: lots of fun to make!

Vine Lace Dishcloth by S.M. Kahn

Materials: ww cotton yarn

Needles: Size 8

Notes: I really love her patterns, they are so much fun and turn out so beautiful!!

Diamond Lace Dishcloth by S.M. Kahn

Materials: ww cotton

Needles: size 8

Notes: I did these on my bamboo needles and really enjoyed them. This is my favorite dishcloth pattern so far. She has a TON more I can't wait to try!!

So there you have it! That's some of what I've been up to lately. Hopefully I will get pictures of Julia's finished bedroom soon and maybe the office. I really have to get the house decorated for the holidays and I need to finish my holiday shopping! Christmas is coming much too quickly for me this year.

It's starting to smell like Thanksgiving!

Today I am roasting the vegetables to begin making the stock for the turkey brine. Wonderful smells are filling the home and I cannot wait for Thursday. Hopefully I will not be too exhausted to enjoy the food and company.

Does anyone have Thanksgiving traditions? My husband's family always just ate and ate and they were all skinny as a rail. Growing up I remember helping my mom the night before Thanksgiving. It was always the children's job to tear up the bread for the stuffing. Thinking back it seems like we tore up a hundred loaves, but it was probably only two. On Thanksgiving Day we would rehearse our version of "The First Thanksgiving" while the turkey roasted away. I'm sure my parents have some highly embarrassing footage of us sailing to the new world on my sister, the Mayflower. I remember one year after my older sisters had all gone to college, my brother and I were the only ones who still wanted to carry this tradition on so we used our Cabbage Patch dolls. I know there is no way I could convince my hubby's family to do the play, but maybe if we could just go for a walk and enjoy the crisp autumn air before coming home to warm apple and pumpkin pies... That would be just about perfect to me.

Frighteningly Possible...

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

I was reading my sister's blog ofcourse and thought, hey hers was hilarious, let's give it a try! I wasn't sure what to expect, but this could end up being very true! I love art and will really enjoy frequenting museums more like in those long forgotten days before I had small children. And I really love baked goods of every variety, yes even the small easy bake oven creations. Dare I admit it was my favorite toy growing up? If you could see my hips you'd know it's true.

I did go running for the second time this week tonight. I went for 35 min tonight and definitely felt it much much more. It is sooooo much colder here too. What am I thinking starting this program in WINTER???????? I just figure if I don't do it now while I am somewhat motivated and have a sister-in-law who calls to check my progress, I will just never start. The thought of eating all those pies this coming Thursday is fairly good motivation too. Oh how I love the holidays! Especially feasting holidays!! I am going to try to eat smaller portions of everything, but I totally plan on eating EVERYTHING.

What is your holiday menu?
We will be brining our turkey this year. We did this about 5 years ago and really loved it, but then we tried the Jennifer Garner-Martha turkey and really loved how little prep work was involved and the delicious gravy. Buying a bottle of wine in Utah is trickier than you might think though, and we decided going to the local liquor store just wasn't the best of examples for our girls. So Good Eats Roast Turkey it is! It really is so succulent and flavorful, I cannot wait!! We will also have family favorites like sausage apple craisin stuffing, monkey bread (it isn't sweet), a fab lemon pie, sweet potato soufle ( my fave!!), mashed tatoes, gravy, pretzel strawberry salad, and a pumpkin custard pie. I'm sure there will be a few more pies involved, we love our pie! And I've heard we are having some salad you can get at Nordstrom's with a cranberry walnut vineagrette.

Wish me luck!

In order to be a more "Fitter Knitter" I have decided to really get serious about this whole exercise thing. I'm not ready to give up my Twix, but I will try to move a little more. So I found "The Couch-to-5K Running Plan." Supposedly in 2 months I will be able to run 3 miles. My sister in law assures me it will work and in three months time I will be running for 2 hours every day like she is and the pounds will melt off and I will fit in a size 25" jean too. I don't really know if I want to run for 2 hours ever, but who wouldn't want a 25" waist??? I ran for the first time last night. I have no idea how far I went, but I did run for 40 minutes. Now the real trick is, doing it again...

I made a hat!!!

My Knitpicks order arrived on the 9th. I was so excited to knit that I canceled playing Bunco that night- don't tell anyone else in my group! The yarn was all very yummy, but much brighter than I was expecting. I was most concerned about the Memories yarn, but it is the yarn I like best now. I absolutely LOVE the options needles, with a little help from big sis I conquered my fear of using 2 circulars. Once I actually tried, I realized it really wasn't all that complicated. Maybe it's just that I have a great teacher... ;) I was too scared to use my "good" yarn on my first attempt, so I used some yarn I had bought for a crochet project I will never complete. It is the Chestnut Heather colorway that looks absolutely horrid on my monitor, but is quite nice in person. I also decided to make the hat for me and since I have one of those large Irish heads and I was doing a long tail cast on and wanted to use up all the tail, I cast on 122 sts. The ribbing is a little big even for me, but oh well! The cabling all went great and then I was wondering when to decrease... hmmmm..... what exactly is the "crown" of my head.....who should I call??... big sis ofcourse and like always she had the answer. She found a help for me in "Knitting Rules" that says the measurement from the palm to the longest finger is how high a hat needs to be. This trick worked great for my noggin, but my hubby has bigger hands than I do and he tried on my hat last night and had to roll it up a good three inches. Maybe that's just for women?? Or large-Irish-head-people??? Dunno. Back to the knitting though, the decreasing went great and poof like magic I had a hat!! I look like a complete moron wearing it, but hubby seemed to enjoy wearing it around and today I tried it on baby and she loves taking it on and off on and off. I think she looks adorable in it, what do you think?

Practice complete, can I do a hat now?

I finished my "Braided Hat Practice Dishcloth" this afternoon and thought I'd hurry and blog while I had a chance. This was my first time doing cables and I really enjoyed them! I used size 6 metal knitting needles and the u-shaped cable needle which was a little tricky for me to work with, but I didn't mind it. I ordered a flying something one from knitpicks though, big sis says I'll like it much better! I used 100% cotton yarn in denim by Bernat that you can find at Wal-mart. Did I mention I'm cheap? ;) I have discovered that I despise knitting with Acrylic yarn now, so I had to try some knitpicks yarn. I ordered Swish Superwash in Capri, Totem in turquoise, and Memories in Yukon to attempt my first pair of socks. Little projects are best for me with a wild 2-yr-old hell bent on destruction. I am dying for my order to arrive, but I'm told it will take at least a week. I also thought I'd include the pattern I used for this dishcloth:

Braided Hat Practice Dishcloth
Cast on 66 sts (or 88 if you knit tight) Work a band in 2 by 2 rib knit for 1."
Row 1: *p1, k9, p1, repeat from * to end.
Row 2: *k1, p9, k1, repeat from * to end.
Row 3: *p1, place next 3 sts on cable needle and hold in front of work, k3, pick up cable k3, k3, p1, repeat from * to end.
Row 4: same as row 2
Row 5: same as Row 1
Row 6: same as Row 2
Row 7: *p1, k3, place next 3 sts on cable needle and pull to back, k3, k3 from cable, p1, repeat from * to end.
Row 8: same as Row 2
Repeat rows 1-8 to desired length and end with rib knit for 1."

Adapted by miss88keys originally a hat pattern by anise.

Punkins!

The theme of Sydni's whole day can be summed up in that one little word, "punkins." I wish I knew how to include sound, because if you could hear her say it, she would melt your heart. Not that I've been able to capture her saying it. Kids never speak when you want them too, well mine don't.
She started out her 2nd birthday by going shopping with Grandma and Grandpa. I was entirely shocked because she wanted nothing to do with them the previous night and all that morning. Once the word "bye bye" was mentioned though, she was more than happy to let Grandma hold her and take her out to the car. She loves being outside or anywhere new. While they were out shopping, I was madly baking and preparing her birthday cake. It took me about 5 hours to complete, including chill times and bake times, but I think the end result was worth it.
Once they were back and the cake was complete we all went to the Pumpkin Patch. She loved it, she was surrounded by punkins to throw. She didn't like any of the Halloween decor, but Julia and her older cousins loved it. I don't have very many pictures of the trip. Since my parents were with us, I rely on them to take all the photos. Wonder if I will EVER get them... Seeing as I still haven't received her photos from her 1st birthday, it doesn't look good. At least I know there are photos though and I can at some point get them from my father.
After the patch we had dinner and came home for cake and ice cream and presents. We made the mistake of giving her what ended up being her favorite present first and it was difficult to get her to open anything else. Oh well! As long as she's happy!! She received a ride along car from Daddy, a Backyardigans pirate ship from Mommy, a Pooh Bear Water Baby from Julia, a baketball hoop from Grandma and Grandpa Inglet, and a Magna Doodle from Grandma and Grandpa Ivey.

So here is "the cake." I made it by baking two bundt cakes and frosting them and then covering the whole thing in fondant. Then I cut out the leaves and rolled the vines and the stem out of fondant. For the eys and mouth I rolled yellow sugar into the fondant and painted it with yellow food coloring to give it a more shiny effect.

Here's one last photo of me trying to get Sydni interested in blowing out her birthday candles. She usually loves to blow out any candle I try to light, but wouldn't you know I ended up blowing them out! Maybe next year?? We had a great time. I really cannot believe my baby is 2!