beginner knitter

For some reason, I have been thinking a lot lately about learning to knit. Maybe I saw a knitting blog. I purchased a pair of needing kniddles...uh, I mean knitting needles (it's like a tongue twister), and practiced watching online tutorials. I gave up quickly. I turned my back on knitting, and purchased a crochet hook. I like the finished look of knitting better, but decided that crocheting must be easier. I practiced crocheting for a few days and planned to stick with it until...I received a knitting kit as a Christmas present from Lori, my sister-in-law. I didn't get it directly.

We played a gift exchange game while reading the Christmas story. Everyone brought an inexpensive or homemade gift for their gender and drew a word that was in the Christmas story. When a person's word was read they were able to open a gift from the pile or trade with some else. It was Angie's, my sister-in-law, great idea to play this game. My gift was a plastic storage tub. Tim thought it would be too practical, but it was a big hit. I just bought something I could use myself.

Back to knitting. The next day, I went to my sister's house for Christmas. After talking with my brother-in-law and watching him knit a little (he's making a beautiful queen size blanket for his bed), I was ready to get going on knitting again. Sometimes, I think it takes seeing someone do something a particular way and it clicks. He made it look easier than the tutorials. I then spent the next day and a half working on a pocket purse for Makayla.

I am now practicing on a sunglasses case from my kit. I have a request list growing. Maybe I will post pictures as I complete the projects. My goal to knit socks. Well, I will be off to the library to look for patterns.

christmas cookies

Makayla and I spent yesterday afternoon making these cookies. Thanks to my mother-in-law for buying me a cookie press that's a few decades old from a garage sale a few years back. I may have used it once before, but I intend to use it a lot more often now. It will be fun experimenting with food coloring next time. As for those of you not coming to my house for Christmas this year the recipe I used is below.

Almond Butter Cookies

1 c. (2 sticks) butter

1/2 c. sugar

1 t. almond extract

1 1/2 - 2 c. flour

1/2 t. salt

Cream together butter, sugar and almond extract. Mix in flour and salt. Form balls and roll in sugar (or use your cookie press if you have one). Place cookies on cookie sheet and press with fork in two directions. (I like to use parchment paper so my cookies don't burn.) Bake @ 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

recycled jeans

Yesterday was my niece's (Holli) 12th birthday. I made the purse below for her a few months ago. It's made from a pair of her favorite jeans that she outgrew.

1st grade reading list

Makayla and I have completed her 1st semester curriculum. It was great! She is really picking up on her reading. I was reintroduced to the variety of books you can check out from the library from a list that was provided for me from the teacher's manual. In January, we will be moving on to a more advanced curriculum, but while they encourage reading daily they do not provide a list of books to read. The library can be overwhelming if you don't have a plan and know where to begin.

• Can anyone help me come up with a list of books?

• Can you think of some favorite books from your childhood?

bbq meatballs

I made my infamous meatballs for my in-laws' anniversary dinner, and had several requests for the recipe.

Meat:
3 lbs. ground chuck or turkey
1 can evaporated milk
2 c. oatmeal
2 eggs
1 c. chopped onion or onion flakes
1/2 t. garlic powder
2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

Sauce:
3 c. ketchup
2 c. brown sugar
3 T. liquid smoke
1/2 c. onion flakes

Shape meat mixture in small (spoonful) balls. Bake @ 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Mix sauce and pour over meatballs. (I sometimes make extra sauce.) Keep warm in crock pot. Best refrigerated overnight. They freeze well.

40th wedding anniversary...surprise!

Last Saturday we surprised my in-laws a few weeks early for their 40th anniversary. It came together wonderfully. We all pretended that we were meeting to get a family portrait taken, but secretly we were setting up for the party.

Jack & Helen had no clue!

Tim's cousin, Yvonne, has made all (excluding Michael whose not married yet) our wedding cakes including this one. She does a beautiful job.

Makayla and the chocolate fountain...need I say more?

Tim & Katie

(she's not as old as she looks)

Katie & sweet little Noah

(this picture was too good to leave out)

This is my family...

Makayla (front), Ruben, Myself, Tim, Katie

(I don't have very many family pictures. Partly because I don't like pictures of myself and partly because Tim doesn't like posing for pictures as you may have noticed.)

Most of the in-laws...

Front: Collin, Makayla, Mason, Isaac

Middle: Katie, Ruben, Helen, Sophia, Jack, Lori, Jack

Back: Adam, Steve, Angie, Tim, Myself, Jason, Michael, Brian, Noah

* I stole most of my pictures from Steve.

zero to one

I can't believe the first year of Ruben's life has already gone by. He is starting to walk and babble. His birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day this year. With our house full of family, I didn't get to just stop and enjoy his special day. We did find some time in the evening to open presents, but we were so full of pie that we skipped the cake. I saved the cake for a little get together at my sister's on Saturday.

Thanks to Aunt Angie for the Sesame Street Doctor toy set.

I haven't tired of the Cookie Monster stethoscope.

I've been a beginner cake decorating for over a year now...

I don't get in much practice.