Knitters' Coffeeswap 4

QUESTIONS

1. Whole bean or ground? Whole bean preferred but also ok with ground

2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully-loaded

3. Regular or flavored? Regular

4. How do you drink your coffee? I like adding flavored creamer(anything except cinnamon/pumpkin spice) to black coffee

5. Favorite coffee ever? Kona Extra Fancy Medium Roast-only get this once in awhile though.

6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? A bit fussy...But always willing to try something new.

7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Lately, Tim Tams! But also like biscotti and other dunkable treats. Sometimes toast with some good jam is great too!

8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? I generally like just the plain coffees and would prefer to add the flavors with creamers but will get chocolate/caramel/nut type coffees every once in awhile.

9. Yarn/fiber you love? Sock yarn! But am also in the process of collecting samplings of different kinds of purple yarns to turn into a shawl.

10. Yarn/fiber you hate? No acrylic or fun fur!

11. What's on your needles? A couple of scarves, socks, Clapotis, and a Huggable Hedgehog. Check out my Ravelry Project page.

12. Favorite colors? Think Monet's Water Lillies. Or anything in the purple/pink/blue family.

13. Allergies? Nope

14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? I'd love to get something regional! I also like Monet's work, and love love love purple. I'm an avid reader, love trying new recipes, and have a very spoiled cocker spaniel named Sophie.

Tim Tam Slam

I discovered TimTams at T@rget one day last month and decided to try them out (couldn't let a new cookie go untasted). Both DH and I were "eh" on them. They were good, but not outstanding.

Then I read about Tim Tam Slams. After watching a video or two on youtube I decided I must try them out! Back to T@rget I went.

Step one: Gather ye Tim Tams and a hot beverage of choice (mine=coffee).


Step two: Bite/cut ends either diagonal or straight across.


Step three: Dunk one end of cookie into hot beverage, sip beverage through cookie (like a straw), once it hits your mouth turn it around and eat the saturated cookie.

MMMMMMMM..The explosion of flavors in your mouth is incredible!! Some say orgasmic!!

Notes:

• The nibbled off bits should be kept small as the suck is more powerful.
• Refrigerating the Tim Tams prior to use allows longer sucking, and more thoroughly soaked biscuit without the fear of the chocolate coating disintegrating
• I read the authentic Australian TimTams can be found at Cost Plus World Market but I found the PP version at Target.

Check out the video!

Monday Randomness

Today's entry is all over the place so hang on for the ride!

• The last time I went to SnB this car was parked outside the coffeehouse and I couldn't help but take a picture of it! Be sure to click to enlarge to see all the details! I think the flipflops and pool noodles tied to the bumper really complete the look!

• Sophie's sweater lasted less than a week. I came home from work one day and found it held together with a twist tie under her neck and that did it for me. I frogged the underbelly part-was able to salvage the main section so it won't be any problem to reknit and reseam. Luckily the temps are going to be pretty mild this week so it doesn't need to be done right way.
  

• TasteSpotting is my new favorite website to get meal ideas. Check it out!

• My dad sent this picture of him with his work of the day (surf fishing). He looks so happy and relaxed. Wintering in Texas seems to agree with him! I'm sure Mom is THRILLED to have so many fish to cook!
  

• k, k, k tbl, p -stuck in my head for my latest knitting project. Any guesses on the pattern?
  

A Sweater For Sophie

The first request DH made when I took up knitting a few years ago was to knit a sweater for Sophie. When we were at S. Padre over the holiday Sophie was shivering so I bought a cheapie sweater from a discount store. It was a little snug but she loved it.


I decided to finally knit her one when we got back. DH was excited when I told him of my intent, wanted to be a part of it and offered to do the seaming-crazy I know! He sews on a button like no one's business, so I agreed. I also wasn't too concerned since I was only using acrylic yarn.

The sweater knit it up fast and fairly error free with my modifications for her size and the yarn I was using. I finished with the top and underbelly section and was ready for DH to do the seaming.


It was hard to let him do it and we had quite a discussion about his planned method of attack. I tried to tell him about the weaving in of ends and the whole thing about knots. He insisted he knew what he was doing, I was panicking more and more as he progressed.

Knots were formed. "Tacking down" was done. The seams were not good..but they were just the seams and I could live with it.

Then the scissors came out and strings started getting snipped. And then I realized what he had snipped....an unwoven in end..... I was speechless and kept trying to tell him to stop because he didn't realize what he had done. When the ribbing started unraveling I grabbed the sweater back annoyed that I would have to reknit that part, but upon further inspection realized he had used so much yarn in his seaming I couldn't tell the top from the bottom......SIGH..... He picks up on my mood and decided he could fix it. More yarn went on the needle and more "tacking down." I just closed my eyes and tried not to completely lose it. I think at this point he was ready to get duct tape to try and repair his damage. So....here it is:



The top part is fine. The seams are horrendous. The bottom part is slowly unraveling but Sophie loves it! Here's a picture of his handiwork:

As upset as I was, I eventually realized it was only a couple bucks worth of yarn, a fast knit/reknit and one with a story!

Pattern: Easy Dog Sweater
Yarn: Vanna's Choice Solid-Cranberry
Needles: 9/10.5

List For 2009

Although I don't care for New Year's Resolutions per se, the Concrete-Sequential/Gold side of me does like to have lists.

Here is my list for 2009, The Year of Finishing!

Finish reading "Books in Progress" from 2008:

• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
• Free-Range Knitter: The Yarn Harlot Writes Again
• Heart of Texas, Vol. 1: Lonesome Cowboy / Texas Two-Step
  
• The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken: A Search for Food and Family Done! Completed 01/08/09
  

Finish my current WIP's:

• Clapotis
• Fish blanket (just needs seaming)

• Huggable Hedgehog

• Lydia's Socks
• One Row Scarf
  
• Scroll Stitch Scarf
• Sister Scarf II
  
• Sweater for Sophie

"Clean Sweep"

• Kitchen cabinets
• Closets
• Garage

Quirky thing for 2009
Last year I tried to make a different soup every week..didn't quite do it but had fun trying. This year I'd like to try a recipe from all of the cookbooks I have and weed them out in the process.

Transitioning

The time has come...to transition from vacation life (16 days of vacation) to work life...SIGH......

Yesterday I woke up grumpy...made worse by the fact it was going to be in the mid-eighties temperature wise, not a cloud in the sky, and I had to go back to work in two days. I know people up north would trade those temps in a second, but down here...being originally from MN I hardly ever get cold weather...and when it's suppose to be winter...I want it to be winter!!

So I was in a funk yesterday...I called it the "Back to School Blues." Talked to a fellow teacher from my school who was also feeling the same way. Posted on Ravelry about it and got many responses of similar feelings. I just wanted to crawl under a blanket and not have to deal with going back to work. I like my job...but like staying home better. Decided to hit the grocery store and figure out the food for the week. When I got in the car to leave, put on my sunglasses and this happened.


I guess when your sunglasses break, its a sign that vacation is over.

No more:

• sleeping in
• staying up late
• shopping trips to malls and outlet stores
• indulging in hours of reading, movie watching and knitting throughout the day
• all day pajama days

Out with:

• dips, spreads, crackers, chips
• cookies, candies, holiday sweets

In with:

• fruits
• vegetables
• salads....lots of salads
• the scale....oh the scale..
• thinking about the health club and working out (baby steps)
  
• setting the alarm
• working
• being "in charge" and responsible for others

Today I woke up to a beautiful gray/cool morning.

Even colder tomorrow-YES!!!

The transition begins..I'm ok with it. I've made my peace. I'm going to enjoy the day, already have a load in the dryer, been putting things away and getting organized, also have a good start on a few fast knitting projects.

Besides, Spring Break isn't too far off!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! DH and I rang in the New Year with some friends last night and today are looking forward to a quiet day filled with football, food and fiber (knitting variety). DH made some black eyed peas last night so 2009 is sure to be filled with good luck!

In keeping with my non traditional tendencies, we are having a turkey dinner with all the trimmings today. It's our first turkey of the holiday season and we are both looking forward to leftovers.

I can't think of a better way to start a new year but with a finished object! I finally finished my scarf for the World Winter Special Olympics. I'd had it done for awhile but had to weave in a million ends and then wash the crunchiness (I'm sooo not kidding about this) out of the acrylic yarn . It was for a good cause but I am sure glad to be done with it. I had thought about adding fringe but am sending it as is.


Project: Special Olympics World Winter Games Scarf
Pattern: here
Length: 66 inches
Yarn: Red Heart Yarn Color 0885-Delft Blue and 0311-White (as required in guidelines)
Needles: U.S. 10