This is it. This is the only crafting I have done since before Christmas, I think. Oh, I finished a few more pair of fingerless gloves and sent them off to their owners. And, there are many more of those I plan to make. Plus I have had an idea brewing in my mind having to do with some felted sweaters I have lying around. But there hasn't been time. Last weekend was the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby for which I had to bake a "100 Years of Scouting Cake." Then I ran off to Roslyn, Washington, to meet up with an old, old friend and her family. I had a great time but there went the weekend.

Also to blame is the Kindle I bought myself after Christmas. I have read more in the last month than I have in years. I have read the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Moon Is Down, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Help, and The Lovely Bones. All of which were very good reads. I plan on reading The Kite Runner and possibly one or both of Greg Mortensen's books - Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools - next.

This weekend, I organized my yarn. I have to admit that I am embarassed about the amount of yarn I have and the fact that I really haven't finished any projects other than those French Press Slippers. I found, during the cleanup, that there are five projects that I started, some even years ago, and have yet to finish ANY of them. They are now sitting in a nice basket waiting for my attention. And I plan on giving it to them.



And by the way, I wanted to have my kids make Valentine's this year rather than buying cards for them to sign. But I'm gonna be honest here: I hate doing those kinds of crafts. Really hate it. I don't think it was even very enjoyable for them because I was such a grump about all of it. So next year I am buying those all-in-one Fun Dips or Nerds or SpongeBob/Spiderman/Star Wars Valentines and we'll all be happier.

To Do List

Things to do, you know, in case you have a break in your hectic life.



Make this sour cream apple pie. Really, do it. Mine is in the oven right now and my mouth was watering as I was making it.

Join a CSA or shop your local farmer's market. I signed up again this year and can't wait for May when the first drop takes place. My freezer is stocked with extra produce from the summer but I really miss the fresh onions, lettuce mix and odd items that you can't get at the local store.

Do a toy drop for the Toy Society. You don't even have to make a toy - a gently used book or stuffed animal will do. Trust me, the excitement of dropping the toy where someone will find it is the best part.

Make your own unmentionables. I attempted to make a pair by tracing a pair I already own but, whoa, too skimpy because the fabric didn't have enough stretch. That's not going to deter me from trying again.

Use up your stash of yarn/fabric/burlap/etc. (I'm putting this here for me, since I seem to head out to buy more rather than use what I have).

And, finally, enjoy this new year! I, for one, am looking forward to a great 2010.

French Press Slippers

I knitted these French Press Felted Slippers (Ravelry link) for sweet Amy for Christmas.



I have another pair knitted but not seamed or felted. I agree with all the other Ravelry folks that they are a super fast knit (even for a slooowww knitter like me) and I think the outcome is quite cute.

And check out this cowl pattern by the same designer of the slippers - I love how chunky it is and the button detail. I think I may knit one for myself!

2009 Toy Society Christmas Drop

Jack and I dropped two toys for this year's Toy Society Christmas drop. Both were made using Chez Beeper Bebe's tutorial, found here. I made the rabbit last night and it truly comes together in under an hour.





It was fun to have a helper this time though he was nervous about getting caught. When we were tying the toy to Sacajawea's foot, Jack got excited when he saw a policeman turing our way. He just waved to us as he drove by. On the way to the next drop site, we saw a bald eagle sitting high up in a tree looking over the Columbia River. Very cool!



No one saw us place the kitty on the Veterans Memorial. Hopefully, both toys will be found soon.

Goodness!

Look at all the goodness I won from Kathy and Matt at A Good Appetite! Corn relish, zuchini pickles, hot pepper jelly, spiced honey, etc., etc. along with a cute shopping bag and a card with suggestions on what goes best with the canned goods - such a nice touch. You can read about the Thanksgiving giveaway I won here and while you're at it, peruse their blog, plan a menu with the awesome recipes Kathy and Matt come up with and enjoy your own goodness.




One thing I love about their blog is that Kathy and Matt belong to a CSA and their menu planning incorporates what was in their delivery that week. This was our first year joining our local CSA so I often visited their site to get ideas on how to use the items from our weekly delivery. So far, I've made the Peanut Turkey Burgers (raves from the husband on this one) and the Roasted Squash with Sausage and Cheese (delish).

They also canned some items to use when their season ended and, lucky me, they shared some for the giveaway. Thank you Kathy and Matt for such a wonderful gift. We will enjoy every bite!

Beeper Cat

The Toy Society World Wide Christmas drop is this coming weekend. I made a Beddy-Bye Beast from Chez Beeper Bebe's tutorial here using the cashmere scraps I had lying around.



I love how fast it was to whip this up. And how wonderfully soft it is. I hope to make one more before the weekend. Maybe the monkey this time.

Toffee!

IMG_0071
Originally uploaded by dippitydo2000

Lots and lots of toffee. I plan on sending it out to friends and family. It's from the 101 Cookbooks blog. It was easy to make and tastes wonderful - butter, sugar, chocolate and pecans always taste wonderful though, don't they? I have a few more baked goods to make to add to the packages. My goal is to get it done and shipped by Wednesday. Wish me luck!

We had Nick's 6th birthday party this weekend also. I'll try to post pictures of the robot cake and goodies if I get a chance. The holiday is bearing down on me though and I feel I am running out of time to get everything done.