Pimp my dessert!
Let me preface this by saying that the girlchild is seriously into cooking. Her fun outing last weekend was browsing the kitchen gadget section at Crate and Barrel, and then making a stop at Williams Sonoma. The kid prefers FoodTv to cartoons. (who would have guessed!) We definitely have a high level of food awareness around here.
Anyhow, I was driving the children home from school today and I was making small talk with my daughter while her bro dozed off in the back seat. I was telling her about the dinner that I had been preparing, and the grocery shopping that I did earlier in the day. I told her that I picked up some really nice apples so that she could make an apple crisp for dessert.

She asked me what kind of apples I bought and I told her the variety name, Pippin.
I got a silent stare for a moment and she looked quizzical, considering what I had said. Then, in a disbelieving sort of voice she said "Is that the real name of them?? Pimpin' apples?"
BWAHAHAHA. Talk about almost driving off the road laughing. Guess I need to speak more clearly or roll the van windows up while I drive if I'm talking!

So yeah, we have some really pimpin' apple cobbler here. aren't you jealous?!

Another funny thing. Someone that my hubby works with put a beer coaster in his work mailbox from
THIS company. (The wording on this page is the same as the coaster)
He's definitely one for a good joke though, so this has brought much amusement! I think we need to pick up a six pack!

Back soon, bedtime now! *mwah*

10.14.06 @ 12:11 AM PST [link]

Gifties!

So... I haven't joined the Secret Pal swaps for a while, but this one was just too cute to join. The Boo-ty swap is a Halloween themed swap for knitters. I have had so much fun getting my package together.

This is what I'm sending to my Boo-ty Swap Pal. (I'm 99.9% certain she doesn't read my blog, so I think I'm good to go with the posting!

Apologies for the really crappy pic, my camera was having a moment!
My Boo-ty swap pal is getting some really fun sock yarn, and a new set of Clover bamboo needles (One of hers recently broke and she was lamenting that fact on her blog so I hope she'll like a new set!)
There are some halloween caramels and several specialty chocolate bars. (The chai flavored one almost didn't make it into her package, but I was a good girl!)
I've also included some wine glass charms, which I'll trade out for some stitch markers if it turns out she's not a wine drinker. I just have a thing for wineglass charms lately, so cute! I'm also so in love with the card I found for her, it's sooo sparkly! Anyhow, I hope she likes all this stuff. I had a fun time shopping!

I also got an adorable card in the mail from my own swap pal, who lives in Connecticut. Thank You for the sweet card!

In other giftie news, here is one of the wee little socks that I knit for the new grandbaby of the folks that I work for. I have been *squee-ing* over this sock for a couple days now. I wish I had a baby this little again. I'll just have to wait for some grandbabies one of these days! I'm turning the heel on the second sock right now and I hope to deliver them this afternoon.

Back soon! *mwah*





10.12.06 @ 09:32 AM PST [link]

Surfacing

Wow, it's been a while hasn't it!?

I feel like I can finally take a bit of a breather. The worst of wedding season is past. I have one teeny little wedding to do in November and then I'm done done done! I actually have a few free days this week and I hardly know what to do with myself!

For now, I get to sit here and read some blogs and have coffee! I'm not running around like a screaming banshee and today I have time to blog to whoever is still out there reading. Imagine that.
I really do feel like I'm surfacing after being under water for a long time!

Being a list maker at heart (A lot of the stuff on the list never gets done, but it makes me *feel* organized, y'know.) I decided to make a list of the things I'd like to do over the next few months. A "New Year's Resolution" list of sorts. Who says those have to be made on January 1st?

Mind you, this list will *NOT* include anything like losing 10 pounds or cleaning my closet, because really, who wants to hear about that. Everyday to-do items like laundry and housework go without saying.
No... this list is my creative and satisfying endeavors that I look forward to returning to. The things that bring me joy.

1.) Sewing Finish the quilt for my bed that I began this spring. The top piecing is completed, I just need to put the backing on and do the actual quilting. It will be a tied quilt, so hopefully it won't take that long. This is high on my list as it's starting to get COLD at night, and also because my hubby agreed to help me paint the bedroom to match if I actually finish the silly thing!

2.) More sewing. I have four formal dresses to make before January. Two for my daughter and two for a friend's daughter. I'm definitely going to enlist help in cutting out the patterns. That's one thing about sewing that I absolutely loathe. I love the sewing/assembling/pressing part though!
I also have several items for myself that are in various stages of completion. Patterns and fabric are cut and not sewn. I have a couple of items I'd like to finish before I leave for vacation!

3.) Knitting - there are a couple of subcategories here! Of course.

Knitting subcategory 1 - Socktoberfest! This is one knitalong I actually completed last year. I'm in for another year as well.
My socktoberfest goal is to finish one pair of socks for myself, and the one pair of baby socks I began the other day for a gift. (Sooo freaking cute, wait till I can show you some pics!)

ALSO... and this is embarrassing. I have a drawer of handknit socks that are completely finished except for weaving in a few loose ends. I haven't been wearing my lovely socks because of these stupid little bits of yarn dangling (Actually, I must confess, I've worn a few pair and just tucked the ends inside the sock. Oh the shame!) My third Socktoberfest goal is to sit down with a pile of socks and a darning needle and get them really and truly finished!

Knitting Subcategory 2 - Eris - Not a stitch has been knit on this cardigan for two weeks. I'm looking forward to getting reaquainted with her again!

Knitting Subcategory 3 - Stockings - I still have one and a half Christmas stockings to knit and all the family will have matching stockings. Maybe this will be the year!!

4.) Webpage. My business page is dearly in need of a major overhaul in the next few weeks! I've just learned some really cool stuff in photoshop so I'm looking forward to having some time to play around with the site.

5.) Socialization - I know I've been a piss poor correspondent, blog friend, realtime friend and I daresay... a bad mother and wife these last few weeks with things being so crazy. Crankiness, a short attention span and a short temper have been my stock in trade for a while and it's definitely time to sweep all that out the door!
I am definitely looking forward to spending more positive energy on communication, correspondence, visiting, and family time! I'm also going to be volunteering in my son's classroom once a week helping with the art class. I can't wait for that and the boychild is sooo excited about it!

Okay well, that's probably enough of a list for now! Don't want to tire myself out just yet.
I'm glad to be back, really back!

Off to surf the blogs! *mwah* Back with some pics soon. Cam batteries are charging as I type!
10.11.06 @ 08:51 AM PST [link]