What a nice feeling

What a nice feeling it is to not have something that has to be done. I had such a relaxing weekend. Saturday, I had the morning to knit and pick up the house. Went to friends house in Prior Lake for a party. I found a couple new knitters and we may have a foursome to knit with. They are knitting for Mary's Place in Minneapolis. I guess Mary Copeland needs hats, mittens, etc. for the kids and I said, "Everything is half price in my basement, stop by and see if you can use any of this for your project." Hopefully they will.

Came home to let the DOG out and then went to babysit for the grandchildren. Josh was in bed already cuz he had no nap that afternoon. Ellie was sick with a cold so she was in bed. Logan was the only one up to keep me company. He's such a happy baby. I fed him a bottle and put him to bed at 8 PM and thought I'd have time to watch some TV, when , Ellie woke up crying. She was a mess! Gave her some motrim for her fever and let her lay on the sofa watching Clifford movies until about 9:30. Then we scooted up to bed and Logan woke up. He was fussy, gave him some more bottle and he was still fussy. Finally, I called his mom at 10:30 and she said to give him gas drops. That helped but he was still up when they came home. It was easier for me to hold him than to run up and down the stairs 15 times. He's getting heavy. I got home about 12:30 and crashed.

Sunday, had breakfast with a friend and did a little shopping, came home and read a new book I just got and can hardly put down. It's called, "Whistling in the Dark "by Lesley Kagen. It is so nice to be able to just read for a couple hours with nobody bugging me. Of course, I have piles of books stareing me in the face and I just cannot bring myselft to get them on EBAY.

Happy reading!

BUSTED

This is a photo of Cally just lounging around on the ottoman that is OFF LIMITS! She just stared at me! I have no control over this dog, obviously.




Last night after leaving work, I noticed I was on empty on the gas guage. So, I went to Kowalskis in EP and picked up a few things, then went across the street to the gas station. I put in my cash card and was asked my zip code. I couldn't remember if I had changed the address on this card or not but I decided to put in my new zip code. Wrong! So I put in my old zip code. Wrong again! "See the Cashier". So I tried a different credit card. same thing. See the Cashier! I was so frustrated. All I wanted was gas. Why do they need your zip code. Are they tracking us for some reason? Who wants to know what city I live in.? What a bunch of+*&%$! I left, on empty mind you, and found a user friendly station! I could not believe it!

I finished Ellie's sweater in time for the Holidays. She loved it and it looked so cute on her. I hope to get a photo up here soon. Her mom took the photo, so it's in her camera.

We had a great Christmas. I finished the robes for the "Christmas Story" skit that the children do each year. One of the adults reads the story and they act it out. Josh and Ellie and their cousins Matthew and Elizabeth were the two sets of Mary & Joseph. No one else wanted to do it this year. I'm sure it will catch on next year. They will all be walking. Surprisingly they were all so well behaved you'd never know we had 7 children in the house all under 5 years old.

Of course, we all are sick this week. I have a cold/flu thing and stayed home on Wed. to gain some momentum and the babies are sick too. Oh, well, Happy Holidays!

Knitting:

I'm working on a Christmas Stocking I started several years ago and decided to finish for my other granddaughter "Lucy". She will be over on New Year's Day so I thought I would finally give it to her. Now, of course, I have four more stockings to make now!

I also finished some fingerless gloves for Jenna and now she wants a Hat and Scarf to go with a new coat. Lucky for me it's on big needles. Then I'll look through my stash of unfinished projects and see which one gets worked on next.

Josh's sox?
Vest from Fleece Artist?
Vest from Knitter'a magazine? Started two years ago.
Felting projects-?I have about 15 felted sweaters in the basement that we need to make into something. Hopefully, in January, we'll have time.

My next big project is getting all the books listed on Ebay to sell. I have many, many books. Most of the photos are done it's just logging them in and setting up the photos. Wish me luck.

Keep knitting - anyone interested in knitting at the Dunn Bros. in Chaska, Jan 8th is the next one - 5:30-7:30 pm.

Saturday was spectacular! We had Bungee at my house! Seven of us sat around and knit and ate goodies. We always have great discussions but Ann provided some great stories from her earlier years sparked by Noelle. They discovered they had something in common besides knitting. Noelle used to work at Creative Fibers and now lives out by me so she joined us.

I am working this week at a temp job which is keeping me motivated to get "things" done.

I'm not baking this year but the grandchildren were over on Sunday morning and wanted to make cookies. We made simple sugar cookies, rolled into balls, and baked. Then decorated with frosting and sprinkles. They lost interest after they at their first cookie. Oh, surprise.

They tired of the toys and books so I brought in a couple plastic containers of snow. We headed to the basement and they used spoons and bowls and muffin tins to fill and make cakes for a tea party. It was great fun and they were both soaked by the time they were done. Had to strip and throw the clothes in the dryer and they ran around in the basement (it's very warm down there) naked! They love to say "I'm a naked kid". I finally coralled them for lunch, which they never actually eat at my house, but I try anyway. I was exhausted after that so I went out to dinner with Dan and Jenna.

I just saw a couple nice links to some nice handdyed sock yarn. www.sunshineyarns, katycraftsblogspot.com and on ETSY www.hazelknits.com.

Because of the temp job I'm still working on Ellie's sweater but should finish this evening.

I'm reading "The View from Mount Joy" by Lorna Landvik. If you haven't read her books yet, please do. They are usually about Minneapolis or vincinity (she's a native) and they are very funny! "Patty Janes House of Curl" was her first.

Happy Knitting!

Yes, Sandra

YES -Sandra, there is snow in Minnesota at christmas time. I think I mentioned in one of my blogs that my sister couldn't believe we had snow this year, the only year she's not coming. Well, here's the proof, Sandra!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE????

Remember that game when you were a kid? Find the thing that doesn't belong. Well, can you guess what is wrong with this sweater? I put this up so everyone will know even a seasoned knitter can make huge mistakes.

My only excuse is that it is dark in my house at night and I didn't look very closely at the colors on this sweater. Well, the bottom part is white and pink and the sleeves and upper half are off-white (Roma) not Karabella white.

I just looked at it closely this morning in the daylight and saw what I had done. I don't think you can even tell in the photo. Oh, well, I'm not ripping it out at this point. If she wears it for two months I'll be happy and I bet no one else will notice unless we tell them.

I am not going to rip this sweater!

I keep forgetting to tell you....

I keep forgetting to tell you people out there that Garns Studio has a Holiday Calendar with a free knitting pattern for every day of December. It is so cute. I have copied off a few of the patterns so far. Just go to http://www.garnstudio.com/ and then follow the icons to the Holiday Calendar.

This is my tree this year - I scatter Christmas books under the tree for the grandchildren rather than presents because it drives them crazy not to open them. Instead they pick a book and we read it, usually many times.

Guess what? I got a temporary job in Eden Prairie. Yes, until January 4th. So now I have four days to finish up what needs to get done before Christmas.

I need to mail packages, go Chaska Court house, Post Office and photograph the rest of the books I have for sale, hang the curtains in my bedroom and make a curtain for the bathroom. Plus I want to sew a couple capes for the grandchildren to wear on Christmas Eve when they act out the Christmas Story. Not too much do you think. Plus a few knitting project. I finished the Christmas sock. One project done.

Oh, yeah, I have a couple other projects left to start and complete. More on that later.

I've also checked out the possibility of getting my real estate license with an agency in Chaska. I hope to start classes on Jan. 5th and if all goes well, I should be done by the end of January.

I'm off to work on Ellie's pink/white sweater - should be finished soon.

Happy Knitting.

It's looking alot like Christmas....

Well, we have snow. It is so pretty and cold! My sister always comes for Christmas ever since the babies have been born and we never have had snow. This year we have snow and she's not coming. She is bummed to say the least. She's in Phoenix.

I have several books and patterns for sale since I closed the shop. If you are interested you can check out Craig's list under "For Sale" under Knitting and books. They are all half price. I also have some listed on my website under books. There are alot so I will keep adding to them as time allows. If you are looking for a particular book just give me a call or email me at Bonny@creativefibers.com

We had Bungee Group yesterday at Betsy's. Eight of us arrived and enjoyed coffee and fellowship. This is a great group of women. In fact, I enjoy them so much I invited them to my house on the 15th for a Bungee session. We are all working on different projects, knitting to needle felting. These are the women who gave me encouragement through the last year and some for many years. I am very grateful to them and enjoy their company. If you would like to join us on the 15th just email me and I'll tell you where they are carpooling from in Edina.

I took the new #312 highway yesterday into town. It only took me 25 minutes from start to finish. I catch it on #41 out of Chaska and it goes straight to the crosstown. It is so slick.

I babysat the grandchildren last night. All three, all by myself. They were angels. They knew I was all alone, so they were kind. They were all in bed by 7:30 and I never heard a peep. Incredible if I do say so myself. My daughter wants me every Sat. night. Don't think so!!!!

I am working on a project for a neighbor - yes!, I know- David is a restorer of older homes and he and his family live close by. Well, he knows I had the knit shop and when they were getting out their Christmas displays they found an unfinished Christmas stocking that his grandmother had started for his 4 year old son. She dyed before she finished the heel and toe so he called to ask if I could take a look at it and see if I could finish it?

Wellllll, how can you say no! Actually, I did say "NO, I'm too busy finishing my knitting right now! " but when he told me the story I couldn't refuse. David's really good at the guilt thing. After I heard the whole story I heard myself saying, "well, I can take a look at it for you."

So, I'm finishing the heel and toe. The pattern was all typed out and he had another one to leave with me so I could make sure they were the same. I'll get a photo on here before I finish but my camera batteries are dead right now. Everyone at Bungee thought it was so cute. She knit their name and the year they were born on them. They are red, green and white ACRYLIC! I do not like working with acrylic, I haven't used it since I was in Jr. High and it is awful to the touch, but washable.
This woman has made 70 plus stockings through the years. I hope she thinks I'm doing a good job.!

Buffalo Shrimp

I love the Buffalo Shrimp at Redstone. They, of course, will not give out their recipe so I found this one on "About.com" http://www.entertaining.about.com/. I made them last Saturday night for a friend, my son and myself (and unfortunately the dog). They are not quite as good as Redstones were but still very tasty.

Ingredients: This recipe came from "The Ultimate Shrimp Book" by Bruce Weinstein, HarperCollins Publisher.

Makes 4 servings

Sauce: 1 cup Mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese

juice of 1 lemon

2 tsp. chopped onion

Batter: Salt

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

1 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup hot sauce (such as Texas Pete or Tiger Sauce, not Salsa)

Cooking:

8 cups peanut or vegetable oil

1 pound medium to large shrimp (35-40 per lb.) peeled, leaving the final segment of the shell intact, and deveined

2 Cups all purpse flour

Preparation:

1. Combine, blue cheese, mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, onion, salt and garlic powder, pepper in a small bowl. (refrigerate)

2. Prepare the shrimp, combine the melted butter and hot sauce in a large bowl, set aside.

3. Pour oil into large pan at least 4 inches deep and 10 inches in diameter. Oil should be 1 1/2 inches deep. If you use a deep fryer set it at 375 F

4. Dredge shrimp in flour and shake off excell. Fry shrimp for 1 minute - about 10 shrimp at a time until lightly browned. Remove shrimp and place on paper towel to drain.

5. Toss the hot shrimp in the butter/hot sauce glaze, coating them completely. Serve warm with blue cheese dip.

Well, we did all this and sat down to eat. We cleaned up and were watching a movie and I walked into my office and Cally had gotten into the shrimp tales that were left and ate them all. I knew I was in deep trouble. She did not get sick all night. I thought, oh good, maybe she won't get sick afterall. Gave her breakfast and left for a meeting. Came home to a pile of shrimp on the beige rug in the Living Room. Mind you this is the only carpet in the whole d______ place!

I put her outside and left her in her kennel for most of the day. She did not get sick in her kennel. I brought her in and left again for a short time. Guess what? Three more piles. There was red in that sauce, if you'll remember. Red does not come out of carpets easily. I called Service Master - they arrive tomorrow and I hope it comes out. This was a very expensive rug, still is, and getting more so by the minute.

I'm planning to make this for our annual Christmas Eve buffet. Cally won't be there.

Sorry, have to go knit on Ellie's pink/white striped sweater. Get the sleeves attached, now just for the shoulders and hood.

Christmas Elf

I have started a new business - it's called Christmas Elf. I'll offer to help people write out Christmas cards, invitations, whatever they need for the Holidays. I'll wrap presents, make reservations for dinner, help decorate for a party, shop, run errands. I'll be your Elf. I've distributed a few of these postcards around town. If you no anyone needing assistance just email me.



I was in Hopkins last week antiquing (great antique stores in Hopkins) and had to return a light fixture part so afterwards I scooted over to Excelsior. This is such a cute little town. I, of course, had to stop at Coldwater Collaborative. Now that I don't own a shop anymore I can shop at all the yarn shops.


Coldwater is so cozy. I love the location, there are lots of places I like to shop in that town. Coldwater has a lovely selection of yarns- from handpaints to the more basic yarns. They are very helpful, have a very friendly staff. You can go online and check out which yarn companies they carry (too many to mention). They have some very nice kits, samples are abundant. I did not need anything this time around because I have several projects waiting at home but I'll be back.

Well, are we happy now? We have snow! Yes, I'm still shoveling but it sure is pretty. Cleans up real nice outside. I didn't get my lights on outside yet (maybe never) but if it warms up a tad I'll get some in the front.

The Grandma's and Mom took Joshua to a play at the Children's Theater on Sat. In the midst of the storm. We made it downtown in an hour. They have changed the Children's Theater since I was there last. To the left of the door (where you pick up your tickets) there is a new section with a small theater just for toddlers. Everyone puts on slippers and slides around the open area while waiting for the play to begin. The cast comes out and invites the children into a special neighborhood. Then we all follow the cast into a room with trees and lights and colorful backdrops.

The children can sit on the floor on large padded benches that vary in height so the smallest sit on the lowest and so on. It's very comfortable. Adults can sit on chairs or on the floor cushions also. It's a mixture of Marianettes and actors. They sang, danced, and roller skated.Very cleverly done and Josh was entranced. He sat still for 45 minutes and was able to follow the story line easily. I won't tell you anymore because you may want to go yourself. We had a cookie on the way out and a bottle of water. Great time.

I think my mind is really going. I finished the second sleeve of Ellie's pink/white striped sweater and compared it to the other one and it was smaller. I forgot to increase at the beginning. Pulled it out and started again.

Knitting at Dunn Bros. tuesday night 5:30 PM - Chaska downtown. JOIN US!