My first properly done Links!

I am celebrating my fist success in adding the clickable links. YAY!
I hope someone enjoys using them. I don't know why I was so dorky about getting them done right, but I guess practice makes perfect!

Be sure to go to the "Carrot Museum"...WOW!!
Hee!

Halloween...are we getting ready?

NEEDLEWORK FOREVER!!! HOUSEWORK WHENEVER.

[Don't you love this?]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Yes it's coming!
Are we ready for Halloween?

On Cat's blog, http://tinyurl.com/3yaqpg
she shows some lovely table arrangement for their Canadian Thanksgiving, which will easily morph into Halloween.
I am going to drag out my ceramics of a cat and pumpkin and a really fun ghost holding a pumpkin. One year I forgot all about them and other years remembered so close to the date that I decided to forgo using them. DUH!
I went with ME to Michael's as you may recall and while we were there, I saw those 4 ft. scarecrow people, that push into the ground to display. They are so cute and not very spendy.
Problem...where to store them? I am going to get a couple when they come on the after Halloween sale and utilize the under the house space to store them for use next year. A friend in our community does this. She puts things in sturdy plastic bags and "under they go!"
How sly is that?

There are so many neat ideas for the Halloween/fall décor of knit/crochet.
Have you any needlework creations to display? Please share.

In my snoop~surfing, I came across the Carrot Museum. Honestly, I must be nutty...OK I am nutty, because this was the most fascinating place I have found for ages. Check it out and tell me what you think. If you look through the site...for hours, if you want, there are carrots to knit and to crochet and to make into jewelry. Links are below--> Pretty amazing!

Our Monday adventure was a swell trip, but alas, no leaf color. We didn't go to high enough elevations, where they are getting frosts. We did see some extremely interesting sights and in AZ copper country you can see the working mine, HUGE digger and trucks, then see the separator and finally the ingots of copper worth probably close to 1 million dollars being hauled to the working plant that utilizes it for making copper products.
FYI: http://www.azcu.org/index.php
My narrow warm weather scarves, for the critter fund are coming along. I have several finished and one OTN. I will scan and share soon.

Happy Creating!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sharing
from Susan: I just discovered wikihow.com
-- there's not a lot in the knitting section:
http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Knitting
and even fewer items in the crochet section:
http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Crochet -- so maybe people on the list would want to check it out and share!
[I looked, saw the listings and loved that "How to knit a cherry pie was there!" Why don't some of you gals,who are advanced enough to give some directions...put some info into the site? B]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~How To
Another e-site for how to:
http://www.ehow.com/articles_4108-knitting.html
http://www.ehow.com/articles_4104-crocheting.html

for you: How to give yourself a salt glow!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2043436_give-yourself-salt-glow.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bizarre

There IS a Carrot Museum! [Who wuda thunk it?]
http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/craft.html
Hmmm..jewelry?
http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/hbsoler.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Halloween
I know you will enjoy this page:
http://www.mummble-jummble2.blogspot.com/

It's a cutie!
http://www.curlypurly.com/pumpkin.html

A lot of...Free Knitting Patterns For Halloween
http://knittingonthenet.com/holhalloween.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Would you carry these purses?

See http://crazyauntpurl.com/
for October 4.
While you are looking...the pumpkin hat is darling; it will come up first.
She writes such a funny blog

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Have heard good things
about Vanna's Choice Yarn by Lion Brand

I looked at it in Michael's and thought it was really pretty.
The 23 colors are enough for most of us to find one or two...[or 23] that we like!
I believe the price is good and it has been on sale there, too.
Here is a little one's cardigan...not sure I love the color choice as shown though.B
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60698A.html

...comment from AW on Knit list group:
"I love this yarn. I was so surprised. The colors are beautiful and it knits up so smoothly.
I am making the Mod(ern) blanket http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70174A.htmlthat is on the Lion Brand Web Site .
This yarn looks fabulous in this project. I would definitely buy it again.
I think for baby clothes it is a must. It is machine washable and dryable."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Christmas giving
...Soft and warm and pretty: headband
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzewqwy3/id10.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hmmm...very interesting!
Seen knitting on the bus and check out his crocheted outfit!
http://www.in-public.com/store/image/file/1266/new09.jpg?1155047972
.
...Which reminds me: Did I ask if anyone had knitted/crocheted anything strange? or odd?
Haven't heard from you

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If shoes are your thing

Made from flip flops...remember when we called them thongs!! Hee!
http://floofle.blogspot.com/2007/04/yay-recycling.html

Boot Shoes on DIY
http://tinyurl.com/yw7tvt

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Youth knitting
Nice website to see:
http://www.woollythoughts.com/schools/index.html
[Math and knit really do mix and that is where I fall apart! B]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Aran doggy coat

http://tinyurl.com/2o44ye

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Knitting Daily
Always help and nice stuff here:
http://tinyurl.com/37n7y8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Soaring Eagles
...sharing for kids
Hi ladies!
I just wanted to inform you that we will be doing the Soaring Eagles Project again this year. However, it will be a little different as we have enough hats left over from last year, to give one to every child at the new school already!
Please take some time to offer feedback on the blog as I am trying to make some decisions regarding what direction we will head in this year. I wasn't sure we were going to do it this year, but I had so many emails about it that I just couldn't let it go by!
Stop by the blog by Friday the 12th if you want to have your voice heard! Also, there should be a Ravelry group together by the end of the week as well!
Rachel - aka theprocrastiknitter
http://soaringeaglesproject.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Smiling
Great quote from Gayle in Abilene, TX
"If you're not using your smile, you're like a man with
a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook."
Les Giblin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipes
Cover your eyes...
...if you don't want an instant 5# to rush to your middle
Gosh these both sound great!

from VA

Chocolate~Chocolate Chip Cookies

Duncan Heinz Dark Choc Fudge cake mix [...decided other dark chocolate would be fine]
2 lg eggs
1/2 cup butter/margarine melted
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup semi sweet choc chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts

350 degrees
put cake mix, eggs, butter, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl
stir with spoon until blended. stir in chips and nuts.
drop level tablespoon full onto greased cookie sheet,
12 min for chewy cookies
14 min for crisp cookies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I admit it, I am addicted to using Bisquick! I usually use the lower fat version. B

Sour Cream Dill Bread
[for the sake of cutting calories...a combo of fat free and low fat sour cream and cheese might be used]

Prep Time: 10 min
Start to Finish: 3 hr 5 min
Makes: 1 loaf (16 slices)


3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (5 ounces)
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1 egg

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Generously grease loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches.
2. Stir together all ingredients just until moistened. Pour into pan.
3. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove from pan and place top side up on wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 10 days.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Generously grease and flour pan.



Nutrition Information:

1 Serving: Calories 145 (Calories from Fat 65 ); Total Fat 8 g (Saturated Fat 4 g); Cholesterol 30 mg; Sodium 390 mg; Total Carbohydrate 15 g (Dietary Fiber 0g); Protein 5 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 10 %; Iron 4 % Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 1/2 Fat
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.



Success
Most quick breads are removed from their pans to a wire rack. This produces a drier, crisper surface. If left in the pan, the bread would become steamed and soft.
Success
Keep a light touch when combining bread ingredients. Over mixing can result in tough, dry bread.
Variation
For Cheddar-Topped Sour Cream-Dill Bread, sprinkle the loaf with 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese about 5 minutes before the baking time is up.

Weekender

Ok Gals since this is the weekend I bet you will do a little shopping...Maybe?
If you do, and just happen to hit the LYS or shop on line, let us know what you bought!

To blog readers...please leave a comment! Thanks

I said I wouldn't get anymore yarn, but while at Michael's Friday with ME, getting fall floral stuff
[to change our decor and hopefully bring on some fall weather...cool/rain we need so badly.]
I did get some very Halloweeny color yarn for use in my paper art.
[+ Two other skeins to add to yarn for the critter scarf sales, which is a good excuse
and they were ON SALE ...don't those words make your heart glad! ...Only 1$ each.]

In my surfing for today's post, I found the most delightful pirate...[no darn it, not Johnny Depp]
I found: Ta Da!...

Barnacle Bill the Pirate, complete with parrot!
http://www.carascreations.biz/Caras_Creations_Blog.htm
Quite an undertaking and a lot of fun. Take a look on her blog!

Now, if you are making toys or other interesting projects, please tell us about them.

We also want to know the most ODD item you ever knit or crocheted?
[Mine were crocheted green snakes made with Aunt Lydia's Yarn...
that tells you it was eons ago, like about 40 at least.

I had such a nice time in Bend, OR ...knitting with the gals at the Senior Center, that I thought it would be fun to continue with this plan here in Mesa.
We have been getting excited about the group forming in November here in our community: Needle Crafts Circle.
Any sort of needle work will be neat to see.
We are planning a show and tell and refreshments and Ev has shopped for cake mixes, so we have things coming together. It will be a bit of nice companionable visiting and creating.
We will keep you updated.
If this gives you an idea for your friends and you want to "join us," in this sort of thing...be sure to let me know what you are planning for your area. If you already get together, what are you working on and how do you structure your meetings?

My latest critter sale scarf is about 1/2+ finished.
We had a crochet "tune up" session with Ev and Helen for our baby hats...as learners H and I frogged and started over! As we slowly did our rows for the band, Ev finished a hat and a whole band and I think H and I did about 4 inches. [Snarl!]

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Creating! [and shopping! ]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After chatting about cloths, I have seen a lot of good places for yarns and for patterns:

...here is a site with nice "Peaches & Cream" cotton yarn and a fall leaves ensemble "special" on a page to click to, on the site.
http://www.elmore-pisgah.com/index.htm
There is a "grab bag" section...looked fine and very inexpensive.

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/clothmiter.htm

http://knitted-kitty-creations.com
reasonably priced cloth patterns
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~More free-Bee's

http://tinyurl.com/2fdwhz
Knitting Daily free-bees
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For a Pal

Doggie's sweater
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/PATTpenny.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~See Arizona!
and More!
Nice page and it features some Arizona pics.
The free purse pattern is a cutie!
http://www.berroco.com/knitbits/knitbits_207_H.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Annie's Attic
for crochet addicts...Do you ever look on Annie's Attic for the Pattern of the Day?
Here is the link. She always has the neatest patterns!
http://www.anniesattic.com/free_pattern_day/index.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Getting ready for Christmas!
Slippers to...
~~knit
http://www.knitwits-heaven.com/pocket_book_slippers.htm
~~crochet
http://www.jpfun.com/patterns/free/wearables/f124002grannyslippers.shtml
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~On sale - on line
JAG's has a ton of new clearance fibers!!
http://www.jagsfunkyfibers.com/
Why Recycle? Recycling gives crafters the opportunity to work with the finest yarns at reasonable prices. My Fibers have been carefully hand selected from fine sweaters, thoroughly cleaned, and rewound into skeins. Because the yarn is minimally processed, it will be wavy. This will not affect the quality of hand or machine knitted items
[I made my last three scarves with Jag's yarn and Patti's...
my favorite way to use yarn is to mix it up!]
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't forget this site for very reasonable yarn prices and shipping. Get together with a friend to buy and it will save you a bunch! There is cotton yarn there too. I have some and it is good quality. All that I have from Smiley's has been great.
http://www.smileysyarns.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Knit Picks: another knit site with good prices
http://www.knitpicks.com/Yarns/Knitting+Yarn.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Helping Others
It is always interesting to talk about helping others and so when I saw this info on Talking Crochet page, I went there are decided you need to know this too! Look here and surf the site. It is a good one:
"Nice Things to Do"
We are always talking about helping others and so when I saw this info on Talking Crochet page
I went there are decided you need to know this too! Look here and surf the site.
It is a good one: http://www.nicethingstodo.net/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For Locals
Jessica Knits
10401 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
There is a nice map on the site. http://www.jessicaknits.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipe for the weekend

We are eating meat, but cutting back, as much as possible with smaller servings.
This recipe seemed a good one for forgoing the meat for one or two meals.
[The leftovers will be nice saved for another day with just us two eating, as this serves 6]. Leftovers of this sort always taste really good the second time around and no slaving to make the meal.
I have a *spaghetti squash to substitute for the pasta, which would pare it down from the over 500 calories per serving.
~~
from good old Betty Crocker
Spaghetti and Spicy "Meatballs"
Vegetarian meatballs?
Who would have guessed?!
Enjoy classic *spaghetti with red sauce.
~~
Prep Time:25 min
Start to Finish:25 min
Makes:6 servings
~~
1 package (16 ounces) uncooked spaghetti
2 cups cooked white rice
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup Progresso® plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups spaghetti sauce
Shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired
1. Cook and drain spaghetti as directed on package.
2. In large bowl, mix rice, oats, onion, bread crumbs, milk, basil, oregano, red pepper and egg. Shape into 12 balls. Roll balls in wheat germ.
3. In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook balls in oil about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown.
4. Heat spaghetti sauce until hot. Serve sauce and rice balls over spaghetti. Sprinkle with cheese.
>>Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 565 (Calories from Fat 90); Total Fat 10g (Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat ncg); Cholesterol 35mg; Sodium 470mg; Total Carbohydrate 107g (Dietary Fiber 7g, Sugars ncg); Protein 19g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 12%; Calcium 8%; Iron 32% Exchanges: 6 Starch; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 3 Vegetable Carbohydrate Choices: nc
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
>>Variation
Decrease the amount of ground red pepper for a milder version of this recipe.
Did You Know
These "meatballs" are rolled in a small amount of wheat germ to give them a golden brown color, bit of crunch and nutty flavor. Store wheat germ in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Gail's quotes
We know what happens to people who stay in the middle of the road.
They get run over.
Anuerin Bevan

Behold the turtle
He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out!
James B. Conant

Always a day of slow knitting!

Hello Friends!
I hope your week is going well.

I wondered if anyone is still making dish/face cloths?
I really think the spa idea for Christmas giving is neat...a basket with spa stuff like lotions and such and several of the cloths.
For so long they were all the rage and everyone was picking up on making cloths and variations on the theme. I like the scrubbies too, so when someone mentioned them in the dish cloth group I saved the link for us.
I think it is a repeat, but we have new folks here all the time
Here it is:
http://tankhouse.knitability.com/freepatterns/DishClothDuo.pdf
I haven't made any cloths since early summer.

By the way, I was at the DR. for routine appointment and to meet our new DR. While there I didn't see the magazines [new office, too] as a large woman was blocking my view of the table they were on. So, I sat...didn't take my knitting, as we were nearly late.
[...due to sitting and talking over coffee and the newspaper, duh!]
When my BP was taken it was up.
I know partly due to do with pain from arthritis and my tweaked knee, but also because I was getting steamed, for having to wait with nothing to do! I hate that!
Always have some knit/crochet project to take with you...always!

Here's another person's perspective on knitting.
Read the Yarn Harlot's blog. http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/A "Real Friend," took over for Stephanie on Oct. first. Nice to read and enjoy.

I have to buckle down and get scarves knitted for critters, as I signed up for a table for our
community bazaar in November. Anyone in my area available to donate a scarf or two for this project? I am selling them for a reasonable cost in order to "sell," so if you make some do a fast and easy pattern with your toss away yarn. Let me know.

Did you know there was a MYSTERY A-FOOT? No, well...I didn't really tell the whole story about the yellow blanket.
Funny the yellow baby blanket [...which came out black and white on the scan] was a mystery for awhile, then I decided it was from Pat F, who lives next door, since there was no note and it was just hanging there on the knob. But, it wasn't her, then I called another lady, nope. Last night at the children's home sale and dessert [...by the way, beautifully decorated with Christmas and super fine delectable cakes and such...], I met up with another knitter pal and it was Judy who knit the blanket. Mystery solved! [It is a work of knitting perfection.]

I hope you have a creative day!
The Knitting Tortoise >>GRIN<<
Barb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sharing
I loved this comment by VA:
I crocheted an aqua bikini for me back when I had no hang overs. I for sure, never wore it out...[ and about].
and:
I just got a project to finish. I am worrying about the tension between what she was doing and now me. A vest on size 13 needles. There is only about 4 inches to do in the front and then the ribbings. Say a little prayer for me.
A Garden club member wants to learn to crochet again she says. Wants to make produce bags. I think I told you this before. She liked my little bulb bags and wants to make a big one.....have you seen a simple bag like this? Wants to use kitchen cotton. I made one last night but it is too big around and not tall enough. Once I got started I didn't want to "frog it". See how quickly I learn the terminology. I don't want to make another one to change it....I think I know what to do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Barb, Did you get Lion Brand newsletter? Lola is a riot and they have a bunch of felted coin purses done in Crochet and a couple in knitted versions I think I would like to try one just to see how to do it and if it doesn't work out....it's only a little bit of wool. Rocelle and Kimberly in my SnB group did really nice purses felted. I really liked them Hugs Cat
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60778A.html?noImages=
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60778A.html?noImages=
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Knitting Saint
This is an article mentioned on Knitting Novices group, that explains about a patroness for knitters and is an interesting story.
"...there is a saint who is unofficially the patron of knitters. St. Rafqa (or "Rebecca" for us English folks)" If you are interested, please see the article: http://tinyurl.com/2d7egd
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Knit/Crochet free-bees
I liked this site because there are a lot of simple things to make, such as a pin cushion and even how to crochet the covered hangers. Some oldies that everyone likes and make great Christmas tuck in gifts.
Love the crochet and knit bunnies!
http://frugalhaus.com/scripts/freepats.asp
Thinking...When you look at the round pin cushion, couldn't you sew a doubled thread through it and pull down the to to the middle, then run a double thread in at the bottom of the curve and pull it in and make a heart shaped pin cushion? Hmmm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Michael's on line
I seem to forget there are so many pages of tips and ideas through Michael's on line FYI...take a look and read through their informative pages on the yarn and needlework main page: http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=needlework[If you do other crafts there is a message board that is fun to read on many subjects, too.
snoop~surf around!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Knit Your Bit
Neat new "V" pattern scarf
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/education/knitting.htmlPlease check here for a great place to make scarves for the veteran's.
I have three done, but not the V.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Report in letter form:
[This is about the donated yarn from South West Trading Company in Tempe, AZ.]
www.soysilk.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Mindy,

I wanted to report about the yarns you donated to us.

Phoenix and the AMAIZING:
Jo Anna made 3 hats for people... and 11 snugglies for the animals!

I used one of the yarns...dumb me, not sure which, and added it into scarves for veterans and for cancer recovery group.
Also some of your yarn was added in a hat and blanket for the hospital, this was passed on to another effort, not the babies...
...As it turned out the Banner Hospital needed the tiny baby hats made with finer yarn, which they have donated to us to use.
One of my friends and her " support staff," so far have made over 500 *baby hats for the Banner Desert Hospital
this summer.
[24 babies are born there every day!! E-Gad!]

I am trying to learn to use the *crochet pattern they used...not too swift!

Thanks again for your sharing. It helps so many.
Barb Kipper

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipes

"Martha's" recipe for marinade on Salmon
[Because I love to use liquor in my marinades I would add 2 - 3 Tablespoons of brandy or orange flavor liqueur.
I need to get the hoisan sauce, I love to use it and lobster sauce, in so many oriental dishes B ]

1 tablespoon orange juice
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons honey
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 salmon steaks (8 to 10 ounces each), 1 inch thick
Vegetable cooking spray
Heat broiler. In a glass measuring cup, whisk together orange juice, hoisin sauce, and honey.
Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil, and spray the top of the pan with cooking spray.
Season salmon with salt and pepper, and place on pan.
Brush half of the hoisin sauce mixture over to coat.
Broil salmon about 4 inches from the heat source, basting once, until opaque in center, 10 to 13 minutes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~More on Sannies

Because I have my thrifty [8$ at the Lutheran Thrift!] George Foreman grill, I am thinking of all sorts of grilled sannies.
On Martha's site I saw a BBQ-ed chicken sanny...just get the cooked chicken from the broiler at the market, pull it apart, add *BBQ sauce
and put it with fresh spinach leaves on whole wheat bread and stick it in the griller.
I spray my bread on the outside with Zero Calorie butter, or you can use a thin spread of light mayo.
[We use the *zero cal BBQ sauce from Walden farms http://waldenfarms.com/]

If you grill stuff, let us know...and any recipe is welcome!

Needle Notes ~~ leaves and things

Happy October
As you can see today's picture is a lovely fall tree scene.
It is from Gail in North Pole AK

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today I am having a slow time of getting going on my message to you.
Maybe because it is now "muggy in Mesa," [supposed to rain..?]
it is Monday...
and I tweaked my knee getting into the car yesterday and am a limper today.

Enough of these excuses...
I do have good news:
this week another 1.7# off my zaftig body!! Slow, but coming off!

I received a charming surprise hanging in a sack on my door knob when we came home from a play last evening.
A yellow checkerboard stitch baby blanket for a baby at Banner Desert Hospital!
Thank you Pat F.!

I want to run to the Dollar Store; they are advertising Lion Brand Chenille and some other yarns! Holding back since I have enough yarn to knit for years. If they have it in your area, let us know what you picked up.

My burgundy scarf is all but finished: one end needs fringe and the even-ing of both fringes. I am not sure what I will select next...maybe a soft green mix.

I am excited that our community will have a needle group. We are planning to meet twice a month, beginning in November. A title may be: Needle Crafts Circle. This will encompass all needle arts. Anyone have an better title? Let me know!

Love the sharing and hope to hear more from you all!
Barb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sharing
This looks good!
from Cam:
Are you a member of eons.com? If so, then you already
know of the Knitting Group (along with the other
crafting, cooking, etc groups).
Reply,from Barb:
It looks really interesting and fun.
I plan to take more time to see if it is a place that I will enjoy joining.
My problem is time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from Cat:
A darling pony tail hat and what a pretty page it is shown on!
http://tinyurl.com/364cmf
Pumpkin head!
http://tinyurl.com/2p3jqm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Does this say fall or what?
http://tinyurl.com/ytyndu

What a pretty sweater in fall shades and even has leaves for the trim. Pattern is free.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Blog to enjoy
The Yellow Dog Blog
http://tinyurl.com/ysfbxa
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~knit your own...
Leaves!
http://www.pokiedot.com/knit.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A variety of free patterns
leaves, again
http://www.kidsknits.com/free/cherryleaf.htm
~~~~~
http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/5/Issue5.php
Vine Lace Vest in Four Seasons.
Finished Measurements: 33 (40½, 48, 55½, 63)"
~~~~~
http://knitting.about.com/od/stitchglossary/g/horizontal_dash.htm
This looked like a fall stitch to me...not sure why, but maybe you will enjoy it:
I can see it on the kids vests featured here:
http://www.warmwoolies.org/
This is easy to knit and great to send to kids less fortunate than yours or your grandkids
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipes
To help cut calories and for Diabetic baking

[I might make this as a 9 X 12 cake and add a bit of fresh peaches on the top with "Free" whipped topping.]

Fresh Peach Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins
Ingredients

1 cup peeled, chopped fresh ripe peaches
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon mace
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, or 1/4 cup egg substitute
1/4 cup canola or corn oil
1 cup fat-free milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick pan spray or line the muffin cups with paper liners.
Combine the peaches and lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir to mix; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, mace, and salt; mix thoroughly.
Beat the egg, oil, and milk together in a small bowl. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until the flour is moistened.
Fold in the peaches. Divide batter among the muffin cups; each will be about 2/3 cull.
Bake about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the pan immediately to avoid sticking.

Calories: 154
Protein: 4 g Sodium: 156 mg Cholesterol: 18 mg Fat: 5 g Carbohydrates: 23 g
Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 1 Fat
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Grilled Sannies:
As you may recall, if you read my Saturday blog, I shopped for a rice cooker and grill and by golly I found them at the thrift store! YAY It fits two regular size bread sandwiches side by side.
Last night, we had lovely grilled veggie/albacore tuna sannies, with several cheeses and walnuts added in.
There are a lot of recipes to use with my George Foreman grill, on line
I love the panini effect with the grill.
http://busycooks.about.com/od/breadrecipes/a/grilledsandwich.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Fuzzy Friends
Oodles of our fuzzy friends ...on fabric:
http://www.fabricattic.com/cats_and_dogs.htm

Saturday errand/efforts

Hello!

My Saturday morning errand was to go to the thrift stores [Salvation Army and Lutheran Thrift] and see if I could find a rice cooker for cooking our morning oatmeal and a George Forman, or other grill, for cooking pannini sandwiches. I was a very lucky gal and got them both.
The rice cooker 5.00, the grill 8.00. They were both in perfect condition, but of course *I needed to clean them...rice cooker was new, grill barely used.
It is amazing that these items are actually used so little and then sent to the thrift.

I made the oatmeal, following the timing, but decided to add 5 minutes...WRONG...it bubbled over.
A bit *more clean-up time! Now we are in business for the next time I need oatmeal.
The rice cooker also steams veggies, which I learned from the brochure. I had never even looked into a rice cooker before, but thought it would be good for our needs; I have broccoli to try.

More at the thrift:
Looked for cook books, got two on grilling for Bob and a tofu cook book for myself. I also found some cute shoes [Just washed them up and they are drying.] and a darling Christmas floral [red green, black] top, as well as a nice lightweight denim collarless jacket and a black and white top and matching black skirt. I have to adjust the skirt as it is too long. I will take it up at the waist since there are a lot of cute white beads along the hem.
I love to get these bargains. I almost can't shop at real stores!

Stopped at the PO to send two fall cards and a challenge of some fall paper, yarn and ribbon to my pals in OR.

Also sent four Close To My Heart catalogs off to people that will help with my aims for funding the critters.

A friend in our ATC paper arts group, lives where an animal group comes in and picks up kitties that are strays, spay/neuter them and then bring them back.
She feeds/waters 10 kitties that are strays.
There is a similar program at Arizona State University in Tempe, one of our close by cities. The students fund this and maintain water/food stations for the kitties and adopt some, but care for the all that live in the area.

I think I will concentrate on giving the funding to the spay/neuter program.
[When I make some $$]

If anyone is a thrifter or wants to help the critters, leave a comment. I would love to hear from readers of this blog.

'Nuff said. Time to do computer catch up!

Needle Notes for all & griping about the weather

Hi, Happy Friday!
Whew...turn on the AC!

I am getting antsy for the weather to change.

It seems to be that high 90s are here forever.
I guess anyone in cold or rain would tell me to stop fussing [shut up] and enjoy it.
Well it is nasty when you are putting on your lipstick in the am and your forehead is sweating!
I guess this is one of the things I just like to crab about. [among many]
Remember in the fall when you started school, [we lived in Salem, OR at that time] ...you were all ready for the cool days and you wore a new swearter and wool skirt? Then by noon it was hot as heck and you were uncomfortable all the rest of the time?
That is the way it seems to me here.
In Hawaii with all the humidity, my wardrobe sure would lean towards the MU Mu if I lived there!

What kind of weather conditions are you living in and do you have tolerable or cold cold winters?

Looking at all the neat patterns available for sweaters [oh the gorgeous yarn!] is enjoyable, but it isn't feasable for me... so I just surf 'em, not wear 'em.

Yesterday I went with Evelyn, to deliver crochet hats she and friends had made for the new babies at the hospital. Would you believe they made over 500 baby hats this summer!!
We all need to say a BIG THANKS to Ev and her "team!"
[Shirley, our hspital volunteer contact says they have... "24 babies born there every day. A whole kindergarden class!"]

Ev started me crochetting...ha, I need another lesson or 20!
Now, I am toddling along on a burgundy scarf with some sparkly yarn in it shared by Patti.

Below you will see what Pat G has shared and I wanted everyone to know that she and Bill celebrated their 50th anniversary on August 31.

Thanks for the sharing. I hope you all have a great weekend!
Barb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sharing
Gail sent some quotes. Here are two of her favorites:

"There are two ways of spreading light
To be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen,
nor touched, but felt in the heart."
Helen Keller
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from Pat G.
We just returned to Arizona from 2 1/2 months in Oregon. We had a
lovely, busy summer. I didn't have much time for knitting. In fact I
only managed to finished one pair of socks and completed one sock of
another pair. Since we returned, I am half way through with the second
sock. I will be so glad when it is done. I am not going to make any
more socks for awhile. I plan to start on the "Glowing Colors" afghan
that I downloaded from Lion Brand Yarn. It calls for 2 strands of Lion
Jiffy yarn worked together, so it should be fast knitting.
That's what I need after knitting all those socks--instant gratification.
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70142A.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from Shelly
Regarding the Debbie Macomber Books, I've read all of the Shop on Blossom street series and am gathering the Cedar Cove series (by trading books, buying used, etc.)
I also enjoy the books based around knitting by Maggie Sefton and Mary Kruger. Maggie Sefton's books are a mystery series with most of the characters carrying through the full series which began with Knit One, Kill Two followed up by Needled to Death, and then A Deadly Yarn. The latest in the series is A Killer Stitch which I haven't read yet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wanna Paint Yarn?

Learn here and also pick up some great color ideas of finished socks.
I loved the wine bottle *cover ideas!
http://www.soxophoneplayer.blogspot.com/
[...all sorts of colors to fit in with the shoe covers, on this page]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~YH Fill in/she's great!

from http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Christmas for a guy
Travel shoe covers: "These special 'booties' fit on the outside of shoes
and protect your clothing from getting shoe polish on it in the suitcase."
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/BK4K-0606003.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Ghana Project
Inspiration about: What to do with dish cloths...
"This project is a combination of various people's knitted
or crocheted efforts, sewn together into afghans
which are given to these children as a love gift."
http://theghanaproject.wordpress.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Oops
...we were notified that our new shopping cart at www.soysilk.com had a glitch and when you tried to buy patterns, you were being charged shipping. Thats really silly considering they are instantly available for download!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Lola
Great to knit at all the Suns basketball games and at the hockey games too,in Phoenix.
I love to do this to promote the art and to keep from sitting bored before the game
and half time breaks.

On Lola's page, you will also find some swell patterns, kitties and even a Christmas one...
so start checking in!
Lola the knitter is such a riot on Lion website:
http://www.lionbrand.com/lola/20070928.html
Kitties!!
Ready for Santa!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Friday Recipes

Chicken Marinade for the BBQ
Skinless chicken breasts, to serve two people

brandy- 1/4 cup
honey- 3 tablespoons
lite soy sauce- 3 tablespoons
lemon grass- 2 teaspoons, rub it in your hand to bring out the aroma and sprinkle on
[or use a bit more of fresh and cut in small snips]
ginger- 1 rounded teaspoon

Add all this in a zip lock bag and marinate chicken for a couple of hours, then BBQ.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Chip-Pumpkin-Cookies/Detail.aspx

[I substitute *butterscotch chips and add raisins not walnuts]
1 cup shortening [I cut this to at least half, to save calories]
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla and pumpkin until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; stir into the pumpkin mixture. Mix in the chocolate chips. Stir in the walnuts if desired. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until edges begin to brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Happy Mid-Week.
Are you working on a project or nearly through or just lagging along...?
Whatever you do, enjoy your days.

Life is too short to be worried about half full or half empty...
Just DO IT!!

My chenille/ribbon scarf is finished. I have that and the two blue and white scarves to fringe...
guess I will "just do it," tonight.

I was reading my mail this morning and I had a good reminder from an on line friend,
about Debbie McComber's books.
Have you read any of the one's centered in the yarn shop on Blossom Street?
Really they are great and there are more in the series that I haven't read.
http://www.debbiemacomber.com/
One nice thing is for me at least, she gives you a goodly amount to read
from each book and it allows you learn about the characters and the theme of the books.
She and I share rotator cuff surgery, so if you enjoy reading blogs, like I do, check out hers...there is a really funny section about her hubby helping her with her bra, after she was home from the surgery. [His comment is choice!]
http://blog.debbiemacomber.com/index.cfm

Speaking of bras, reminds me of the swim suits of the old days and the way the knit sagged. [...see link below for some vintage patterns, including swim wear.]
I wonder how the bikini tops knitted today fare, when the wearer comes out of the pool
...on second thought, do those who wear them, care?
Maybe they should knit them with Spandex yarn?

Hope to hear more from you, with shares, soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Vintage Pattern page
...featuring swim and sun patterns...just click over the picture on the site and the pattern will come up.
I really like a LOT of these!
This is a pretty crochet sun top, one of many,
which might be swell under a tailored jacket, for a little pizzaz!
http://www.geocities.com/fasharch3/patterns.html

On this same site...many other knit/crochet patterns. '>
~~~~~~~~~~
Bikini anyone? Spandex, glue, duct tape!!?
'>http://tinyurl.com/2gfo7y
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ever knitted a Tribble?http://1870pearl.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/02/rubadubdub.html
Go ahead look, pretty clever/useful!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Felted and fun
Home of knit and felted designs: Carol Bristol
...don't pass this one up! Even Pumpkins!!
'>
http://carolbristoldesigns.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Vickie Howell
http://tinyurl.com/2ro3xm
It's felted!
Check here for some rockin' patterns...left side of the blog

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~It will bring a lump in your throat
From Vicki Howell:
Noel the Wonder Pup! "Hey all! I wanted to take a moment to spread the word about the incredibly sad story of Noel, a dog who's missing both of her ears due to being used as fight bait. Sometimes I'm ashamed to be a part of the human race!"http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/search/label/doggy%20hat

She's a beautiful, kind eyed puppy whose story
broke my heart into a million pieces when I read it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Practically world famous
[I know this is a repeat but so *handy and some may not have this saved.]
This is the same pattern used for many baby blankets
...in fact one of our knitters in Bend, Elizabeth... was finishing hers when it was time for me to leave for AZ
I think this is a great one and you could use it for the "snuggle" pad/blanket for pets.
Just *change the size by adding stitches to yours for a square snuggle or kids blanket.
Use worsted yarn perhaps even double/triple for the pet's bed.

Grandmother's Favorite DishclothDesigner: No one knows, some smart cookie, that's for sure!
Materials: cotton [other yarn if making blankets or pet snuggles]
Size 6 or 7 needles (US) [ 10 - 15 for heavier yarn items]Instructions: Cast on 4 stitchesRow 1: Knit 4Row 2: Knit 2, yarn over, knit across the row.Repeat Row 2 until you have 44 stitches on the needle.
Add more at this point, for the larger items you are making.
This is where you determine the size of your project.Row 3: Knit 1, Knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row.Repeat Row 3 until you have 4 stitches on the needle.
You can now either bind off or for a dish cloth: do a round of single crochet and make a little loop of chain stitches in one corner so you can hang the cloth to dry when you are finished using it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Foodie Tips
10 Tips for Eating Out While on a Diet
http://weightloss.about.com/od/eatsmart/a/a101405a.htm
I liked this line:
"...and don't worry about being a member of the clean plate club.
I won't tell your mom if you don't tell mine."

Tips for those of us who love oriental meals:

http://weightloss.about.com/od/eatsmart/a/aa080707a.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipe

It is sweet, but no fat added! http://tinyurl.com/34frrz
from: Kraft Kitchens

Crispy Baked Bananas

1-1/2 cups POST HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS
with Almonds Cereal, crushed
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. honey
4 small ripe bananas, cut crosswise in half
1/4 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
[use low fat version]

Prep Time: 10 minTotal Time: 20 minMakes: 4 servings, two banana halves each
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil; set aside. Mix crushed cereal and the cinnamon on large plate. Pour honey onto second plate.
Roll each banana piece in honey, then in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Place in prepared baking pan
Bake 15 min. or until bananas are soft.
Place two banana halves in each serving dish. Top evenly with the whipped topping.

[Maybe a bit of rum in the whip topping? Crispy Banana's Foster?]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Giggle
Why did the girl's granny knit her three socks for Christmas?
Because she wrote to say she had grown another foot.

A Daily Discussion 9-25-07

It is great to have the fall come, the start of the new TV season.
All summer we watched shows that we didn't watch last winter, but at the end of summer they dwindled.
Funny, some CSI Miami shows we had seen...but our "Wandering Minds," didn't remember all of them, so we looked again! GRIN!
When the TV is interesting I can get a lot knitting done.
Cop shows/mysteries and British TV shows are good.
Animal Planet shows that tell of helping the animals, let us in on how rotten people are and for that we are glad to have the information.
Maybe we can help?
I am starting a funding idea to do this. Perhaps leaning toward spay/neuter funding.
A friend just wrote that her area is bad for folks just dumping cats. This is sad.
Sometimes I want the abusers of animals to have the same things done to them that they do to the animals...Does this make me as terrible as they are?

Needle Notes of the Wandering Mind

Hello Needle Notes Pals,
Is it time to think of cool weather knitting?

I think we are all getting ready for a change of season and many are doing fall yard work, getting set for indoor chores and fun knitting.
[Bob has gotten all the tree trimming/clipping, blowing, sweeping and raking taken care of...what a great yard maintenance guy...and he vacuums and does laundry! Now he is ready for tennis and bowling to begin.]

I really appreciate the comments you gals have sent in.
There are more today.
Here in The Valley of the Sun, we are still sweltering, with just a small respite,
so heavy yarned items are still sort of scary/sweaty!

Done:
...blue/white scarves, two finished, which now need the fringe.
[thanks to Patti for the yarn!]
I am still working on the chenille and ribbon scarf.

Have a great start to your week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sharing
from Cat
A blog for NN. She has tons of patterns on the blog and Barb she has a scarf a month lol, as if we need anymore scarf patterns.
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from Gail
I have been raking up leaves like crazy and putting them in my home made bucket sled.
I've got a whole basket full of neck warmers made for the kids at North Pole Elementary. Some of them are pretty wild. I have about 20 more to make before delivering them this fall.
I want to make a couple of knit dish clothes and crocheted pot holders for the Senior Center. I finally got the ones done for Butch and his family. I also made some crocheted grain heating pads like the ones that people sew, for Butch's Mom and Dad.
~~~~~~~~~~
from Janet ...for your stationary headings:
...and for the doggy lovers, see bottom of the page-->
free miniature knitting patterns (cool)
http://store.buttercupminiatures.co.uk/newsblog/?cat=11
Has anyone tried any of Alli's miniature cloths yet?
http://alliknitts.blogspot.com/
I finally tried the new self-striping yarn - very pretty indeed.
This was the ClothoftheWeek pattern (I think Sept 9). Maile has a lot of wonderful free cloth patterns at: http://freepatterns.k1p1keepingyouinstitchesstudio.com/
- 5 new patterns were also added this week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Local Shops
Here's an advert for our local E Mesa, AZ yarn shop.Very close to me.
It is a very nice shop/sweet owner.
Check out these websites:
http://www.yarnfifthavenue.com/
and another in Tempe, AZ a short drive from my house :
http://www.soysilk.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Great lot of free-bees!
Including lots of felted patterns
Opening page:
http://www.garnstudio.com/index_lang.php
English:
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/kategori_oversikt.php

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Fall Felting
http://www.pippikneesocks.com/blog/fireside-footies/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Dave's Lovely scarf pattern
The Dave Daniels is an excellent photographer.
http://cabincove.com/journeyscarf.htm
...and for daily interesting blog entries...go here:
http://cabincove.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~from The Crochet Dude
I have followed Drew's blog for a long time and am very impressed.
Here is a darling crochet pattern to buy:
http://blog.thecrochetdude.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Help for head measurments
Nobody has the same shaped/sized head!
http://www.yarnstandards.com/headsize.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Doggies
from Janet
[This was so cute and it prompted me to lok up doggie's coats. B]

Top two ask you to join, but it is free, as are the pattterns.
Crochet:
http://tinyurl.com/3ad6xu
Knit:
http://www.patonsyarns.com/pattern.php?PID=2194

Not free, but cute and great ideas:
[kitty and mice on the socks]
http://www.fiber-images.com/mall/033_doggie_kitty_christmas.html

Loads of free patterns for the critters...you will love this site!
Scroll down for a big list of patterns!
http://www.barlowscientific.com/technotes/home/sweater.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More from Barb
I have yet to find the right venue [blog/website?] for my scarves, necklaces and other items to sell for making money for donations to the critters. I will also sell gently used glitzy cruise clothes. If anyone has suggestions, send them to me. Thanks!

FYI
Dear Friends,Did you know that for the sake of human profit, dogs are trained for dog fighting by being beaten, chained and fed gunpowder, illegal drugs and even live animals -- and sometimes they are not fed at all for long periods of time? In the end, dogs that do not win are either killed or left to die horrific and painful deaths. I can't even imagine what these dogs must go through. Every animal deserves the right to live a cruelty-free life.
I just signed a petition to end this horrific practice, and I hope you'll join me in urging the U.S. Congress to support the Federal Dog Protection Act: http://go.care2.com/helpdogs
Thanks! B.
PS: I also believe that the lives of the children who are around fighting of dogs can be completely ruined, as they are hardened to the sadness that aninmals go through. In turn they themselves are completely altered for the rest of their lives. It is a crime aginst them as well as the animals.

Removed my BIG PICTURE added smaller one!

Here is a more useable picture of myself and I say:

"No dart throwing please!"

First 2007 Post Happy New Year!

I uploaded my picture and it is like the size of a magazine cover!

EEE-Gads! I hope to get this changed when I learn how!

Filling in for the big lapse of posting:

I want to remind any reader that I am a slow knitter and will be signing my posts some days this way:

My interests are still with the scarves and I thought to do socks for my learning experience for 2007 and to do a cable scarf. This is as much as I want to commit to right now.

Cat info...The kitties I mentioned eons ago are all grown up. [We love them!!] They are still very frisky, so we have avoided chaos and had no Christmas tree this year. Maybe it will set a precedent, as it sure was nice not to have to mess with all the decor!

I found such good help on different people's blogs and maybe I can share some stuff here to pay back what I have learned. I will add parts of my Needle Notes Newsletter, whenever it seems to fit.

Today I bought 1$ and 2$ on sale at Michael's, so I can work on another red scarf for among other projects: What else...? The Red Scarf Project!

See more about this at: www.orphans.org

As far as 2007 Resolutions go, I guess I must try harder at organization. [That might be about as much resolving as I can handle.]

...Oh yeah, eating sensibly, looking to more vegetarian sorts of meals and enjoying meals not just for the gluttony/piling the plate up, but for the flavor and good company! Try to slow down and actually know what is going into the mouth instead of shovelling as fast as possible...last time I looked there were no wolves ready to snatch our food away!

Looking further into 2007:

No fun in February.

Time for a hip replacement, on Feb. 19.

More about this as it comes closer.